登入"You're alive?!" Shaila screamed, completely ignoring Grandpa's furious presence. She practically sprinted across the room, throwing herself onto her knees to pull Winter into a massive hug. "Oh my god, you're finally back! I missed you so much!"Tricey didn't run. She walked into the room with a predatory elegance. She completely bypassed her kneeling son and the crying women. Instead, she walked straight over to the sofa where I was sitting.She leaned down, her expensive perfume suffocating the air around me. Her lips brushed against my ear."Didn't I tell you from the very beginning?" Tricey whispered. Her voice laced with a lizard's venom. "You were never anything more than a temporary standby. A cheap placeholder. Now that the real owner is back, you are completely doomed, you worthless trash."I didn't blink. I stared straight ahead."Enough!" Grandpa's voice thundered. He forced himself to stand up. "August! Get up off the floor and come to the study with me right now
"Young madam," Uncle Hui weathered face broke into a genuine smile the second my feet touched the driveway. "Welcome back to Old Harrington Manor. We have missed your presence terribly.""Thank you, Uncle Hui," I replied, returning his smile. It was a small upward curve of my lips but it was the first piece of genuine warmth I had felt in what seemed like a lifetime.Uncle Hui, the lifelong head butler of the main estate didn't even cast a sideways glance at August stepping out of the driver's side of the Maybach. He completely ignored the rustle of Winter as she emerged from the back seat. Instead, he gently extended a white-gloved hand toward me, ready to guide me up the steps of the manor."August, look at them!" Winter nagged. Her voice sounded a high-pitched irritating whine that instantly broke the dignity of the estate. She clutched August’s sleeve."They have no regard for you! How can a mere butler not even bow to show you basic respect?"Uncle Hui stopped. He slowly tur
The entire dining table shook.August slammed both of his hands on the table. The glasses rattled dangerously. The two maids standing by the doorway flinched."Spring!" August roared, "just because you managed to return to this house does not give you the authority to do as you please! You will not threaten her!"I didn't flinch. Thump.I slammed my own hands onto the table, mimicking his exact posture. I leaned forward, matching his unhinged rage with a dead certainty of my own."Did I beg you to bring me back here?" I screamed right back at him. "Did I crawl to your doorstep? No! You dragged me here against my will! You kidnapped me off the street! If you don't like my attitude, then unlock the front door and let me leave!"August’s jaw clenched, "don't try my patience, Spring. I am warning you.""I'm full," I announced flatly.I pushed my chair back turning on my heel and took a step toward the staircase, entirely done with this twisted family dinner."Stop."August’s
"Get out of the car."The silence of the Maybach was finally broken as August pulled the passenger door open. The air carried the familiar scent of Harrington Manor's sprawling rose gardens.I sat completely still. I was shocked he had actually opened the car door which he never did as far as I can remember. Even so... my body simply refused to move by a profound sense of exhaustion.August’s patience already hanging by a microscopic thread snapped. He leaned into the car shooting out his hand to wrap aggressively around my wrist."I don't have the whole day for your petty shenanigans, Spring. Move."He gave a harsh tug expecting me to stumble out and fall into line just like I always did. But the last week in that hospital bed had fundamentally changed the wiring in my brain.My body was weak from a hunger strike but my spirit was finally standing upright.With a jerk, I yanked my arm backward, breaking his grip."Don't touch me," I snapped, "I can walk by myself."August’s e
August's POV:Five hours earlier, August Harrington had been standing in the center of an exclusive luxury boutique in the heart of the shopping district."August? How does this look?"Winter stepped out of the fitting room, twirling slowly in an emerald gown. Her large eyes were bright, a delicate, flawless smile painted on her pink lips. She looked perfect. She looked exactly like the woman he had spent the last three and a near half years mourning.But as August looked at her, his phone vibrated.He pulled it out. Fanel’s name flashed across the screen."What is it?" August answered turning his back to the dressing room mirrors."Young Master," Fanel’s voice came through the earpiece, sounding nervous. "I came to the hospital to receive the Madam, but... she already left. The nurses said she discharged herself an hour ago."August’s brow furrowed in immediate, irrational annoyance. "Then why the hell are you calling me? She has no money. She must be at home. Go back to the
No. I was certain I hadn't even touched the switches yet.I approached the porch slowly. My fingers tightened aggressively around the plastic grocery bag. I pushed the front door open.August Harrington was sitting on the old wicker sofa.He looked entirely alien in this room. He was wearing a bespoke suit that probably cost more than this entire neighborhood. His long legs were crossed elegantly at the knee radiating authority. "What are you doing here?" I asked dropping my voice into a defensive line.August dark piercing eyes slowly raked over my body. He took in my faded worn-out sweater, my damp hair, and the plastic bag clutched in my fist."What do you think you're doing, Spring?" he asked.Before I could even blink, he exploded off the sofa. In two strides, he crossed the small living room. His hand shot out gripping my chin in a vise-like hold. He forced my head up. His dark eyes burned into mine with an intensity."Let me go," I choked out trying to twist my jaw aw







