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CHAPTER HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-SEVEN

Author: Mairee
last update Last Updated: 2025-11-24 00:22:33

#Dorothy’s POV#

The villa feels too quiet when we step inside, like the walls are holding their breath along with me. Outside, the afternoon light bleeds in soft and golden through the high windows, but it doesn’t warm me. Cass and I end up in the sitting room, across from each other at first, like we’re two strangers who just happened to wander into the same place. My chest feels tight. I’ve been carrying so much in my head since the last conversation, since everything blew open.

She tries to smile. It’s small, guilty, almost careful, like she’s afraid even a wrong twitch in her expression will make me explode.

“Dorothy, I… I need you to let me explain properly.” Her voice is gentle but rushed, as if she knows she’s already on borrowed time.

I don’t nod. I don’t give her the comfort of agreement. My arms cross without me thinking, my eyes narrowing. “Explain what? That you’re Joel’s half-sister? That you’ve been—what?—assigned by Mr. Languini to keep an eye on me like I’m some… some
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