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28. Did I hurt you?

Author: Anne Joyce
last update Last Updated: 2025-01-13 07:00:34
SERA

The room was quiet, dimly lit, with nothing but the sound of our breathing filling the space. I lay next to him, staring at the ceiling, trying to catch my breath. But my eyes kept drifting to him—to that tattoo-covered body lounging lazily against the headboard. My hand moved on its own, tracing my fingers over the ink—lines so intricate, so mesmerizing.

My fingers stopped at the wolf howling at a full moon, beautifully etched across his chest, covering most of his left side and stretching to his shoulder. “A wolf,” I murmured, my voice softer than usual. “Like your name.”

I tilted my head, looking at the wolf that seemed to be howling helplessly at the moon. “Why does it seem bound to the moon? Wolves are supposed to be free,” I asked, trying to understand.

Damon looked at me with an expression I couldn’t quite read, something unspoken lingering in his eyes. “Because the moon isn't just light to him. It gives him strength, but is also his greatest weakness,” he replied softly.

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  • The Heiress and the Four Brothers   82. Dance with me

    BECKWe kissed a lot tonight.In the parking lot, on the sidewalk, even while crossing the street at a red light—because, according to her, “the road was too empty to waste such a perfect chance.”And now I was driving us home. Hands were a little shaky. Breathing was not quite steady.She was wearing my denim jacket, a size too big. Her hair was a mess. Cheeks flushed from laughter and alcohol.I didn’t drink anything tonight—swear to God, not even a drop. But every time she kissed me, there was this warm, sweet, slightly bitter taste left on my tongue.Sera leaned against the car window, watching me with a smirk. “You’re driving like a newborn deer.”“Honestly, this is an achievement. I’m doing my absolute best not to get us both killed.” I shrugged, keeping my eyes on the road. The big gates of Blackwood were just up ahead. The drive back had taken twice as long.She burst out laughing. “You’re insane.”“Still alive, though. That’s gotta count for something.”The sky above us was a

  • The Heiress and the Four Brothers   81. I bet you were a little heartbreaker

    BECKThe day was bright, sky clear blue, and my heart was beating like my favorite song stuck on replay in my head. I wore my favorite denim jacket and waited in a living room.And when she finally showed up—with that soft smile and a midi dress that looked like it was painted straight from my dreams—I raised my hand high.“I’m driving today!” I called out, excited.Two pairs of eyes shot to me.Ace, who had been glued to his laptop, slowly lowered his glasses and stared like I’d just said I wanted to perform brain surgery on Sera with a plastic spoon. “You don’t have a license.”“I have my driving test next week,” I replied, still smiling.“Absolutely not,” he snapped. “I won’t let you take her on a date if your car still has a Student Driver sticker on it.”“That sticker is a badge of growth, Ace. Growth.”“Over my dead body.” Damon leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed, like a bouncer keeping us from leaving. “Or yours. Whichever comes first.”Cal came in last, holding

  • The Heiress and the Four Brothers   80. A soggy little kitten

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  • The Heiress and the Four Brothers   79. It means you admit you’re mine

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  • The Heiress and the Four Brothers   78. Welcome back

    SERAMorning sunlight poured through the windows as our car rolled down the narrow path leading to Blackwood Estate. The tall trees lining the road felt like they were welcoming us home.Last night, I almost pushed Cal past his limit. And even though he had turned me down—so gently, so kindly—I knew he could tell I was trying to dig too deep. What surprised me was how he still held me afterward. How he rubbed my back without saying a word. How he stayed awake watching over me even though I could tell he barely slept himself.And now, this morning, he was driving with one hand on the wheel and the other slipping into mine like it was the most natural thing in the world. Just like he promised—he acted like nothing happened. Too normal, honestly. Normal enough to make me want to shake him a little, just to see if he was really that good at pretending.Cal parked the car and turned off the engine. He glanced at me with a small smile—the same one that made me feel safe last night and most

  • The Heiress and the Four Brothers   77. Let me in

    CALWe came back upstairs after the movie—the first fifteen minutes wasted on me trying to make sure the TV still worked properly. It wasn’t perfect, but good enough to make Sera laugh at the effort I put in.Up in the room, she collapsed onto my bed. I was still by the door, taking off my hoodie and leaving only a thin T-shirt. The light was dim. A soft drizzle started outside the window.“You cold? Want my hoodie?” I offered.Sera stretched lazily, arms above her head, a small but satisfied smile on her lips. “I’m fine. It’s a bit warmer here than in San Francisco.”I gave a slight nod and hung my hoodie behind the door. “Still just as humid to me.”She raised an eyebrow. “You hate humidity?”“Not hate. Just need to adjust. In Blackwood, the fog rolls in from the hills—it feels like ice water clinging to your skin.” I slowly walked toward the bed and sat at the edge. I grinned at the memory. “When I first moved there, I slept in socks, hoodies, and even bought an extra heater. In Mo

  • The Heiress and the Four Brothers   76. It’s cute when you’re flustered

    CAL“If you miss this place, we could stay the night.”I fell silent, staring at the wall across from me. The offer was simple, but it echoed—like she knew what I hadn’t even admitted to myself.I turned to look at her. “You sure?”Sera gave a small nod. “Yeah. I mean … you brought me all the way here. I don’t mind staying if you need time here.”I hesitated. A part of me worried it might make her uncomfortable. This house was full of shadows, not the kind you easily share. But she kept looking at me with that calm, open expression. Sincerely, without any hesitation.“Okay,” I murmured at last.We headed upstairs. My old bedroom was still at the end of the hall. Everything looked just like it used to—the gray curtains I liked, the small bookshelf, the bed with the wooden headboard I built in high school.She stepped in, her fingers brushing along the shelves, pausing at a photo frame on the desk. It was a picture of me and my mother, standing in front of the hospital where I did my fi

  • The Heiress and the Four Brothers   75. You miss her

    CALI’d just stepped out of the arrivals gate, suitcase in my left hand, shoulders tight from too little sleep. Paul’s smile when he handed me that tiny baby was still playing on repeat in my head.I glanced down to pull my phone from my jacket pocket, and when I looked up—I saw her.“Sera?” I barely believed it.Her hair was still tied back, her work blazer a little rumpled, and her face—God, she smiled like I’d just come back from war. Not that polite, careful smile she usually wore. This one was pure relief. Like she needed to see me. And before I could even process it, she started running.My heart stopped.The next second was a blur. She crashed into my chest with a hug that nearly knocked me off balance. My suitcase slipped from my grip. “Whoa—”Her arms wrapped around me tight, and I stood there frozen for a second, until my body caught up with the moment and I hugged her back.I could feel her breath tremble against my neck. “You’re here,” she whispered, like she needed to say

  • The Heiress and the Four Brothers   74. Fries and feelings it is

    SERAI opened Damon’s bedroom door slowly, wearing his hoodie that was way too big on me—its long sleeves falling past my fingers. That familiar scent of his—darkly masculine, faint smoke, and worn leather—still clung to the fabric. Still clung to me. My bare feet padded across the cold marble floor, hair still messy from the night before.I thought the house was still quiet.But just as I crossed into the left wing—so close to my room—my steps halted when a tall figure with tousled blond hair emerged from the room right next to mine.Beck. Holding a mug of coffee, dressed in a loose shirt and crumpled pants. He lifted his head, his eyes meeting mine. Just for a moment, but long enough to see the way his pupils widened. How his smile flickered for the briefest second, before slowly fading away.There was silence for a few seconds. I tried to speak. Say something. Anything.But Beck spoke first. “Morning,” he said, his voice calm and soft. Almost too calm.I bit my lip. “Beck, I—”“It’

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