CIEL'S POVMy mother's office smelled like lavender and old ice. She'd decorated it with my trophies, my framed competition photos, my medals hanging like war spoils. Every time I walked in, I felt like another trophy on her shelf.Today, I walked in angry.Mara Laurent sat behind her mahogany desk, phone pressed to her ear, voice honey-sweet. She didn't look up when I entered. She never did. I was supposed to wait. I was supposed to be patient. I was supposed to be the perfect, obedient son she'd sculpted from the ruins of my father's abandonment.I slammed the door.She flinched. Actually flinched. Then her eyes lifted, cold and sharp as skate blades."I'll call you back," she said into the phone, and hung up."Ciel. This is unexpected.""Why did you agree to the pairs partnership?"She didn't blink. "Because the director asked. Because it's good for your image. Because I said so.""Don't lie to me." I stepped closer, my hands shaking at my sides. "You never do anything without a re
Last Updated : 2026-08-12 Read more