“She has multiple injuries and an infection at the amputation site. Fortunately, it isn’t severe. She’s weak and will need time to recover.”

The doctor reported to Lucian.

Behind him, several assistants exchanged discreet looks.

They all believed the woman inside was me.

The Whitmore Group’s former CEO.

Julian’s wife.

Trafficked to Veyra and brought home by Lucian, of all people.

It was strange enough to make them curious.

Lucian nodded.

“Thank you.”

Miles escorted the team out.

Lucian quietly opened the bedroom door and went inside.

The woman lay in the large bed, eyes closed, brows tight.

She seemed to be sleeping badly.

He watched her for a while.

Then left.

I stayed at the doorway.

As it closed, her eyes opened.

Fully awake.

Cold.

Her remaining hand tightened in the bedding.

I had been right.

Her face and voice were Julian’s weapons against Lucian.

I stared at her with anger.

She had suffered, too.

Why help him?

News that Lucian had rescued me spread quickly.

Several groups came to Rosehaven that afternoon.

All were turned away.

Including Hayes and Julian.

Lucian never appeared.

Nobody could force their way through these walls without his permission.

His phone kept ringing.

Hayes.

He rejected the call.

Miles knocked at the study door and entered after a few seconds.

He hesitated before speaking.

“Are you certain she’s Miss Whitmore? Should we arrange a DNA test?”

Lucian stood on the balcony.

Night was falling. The year was drawing to a close, and the cold had sharpened.

Bare branches filled the rear garden.

He looked toward a few faint stars.

“No need. I wouldn’t mistake her.”

I sighed silently.

He really believed it.

“Sir—”

“Is dinner ready?”

Miles swallowed whatever he had intended to say.

“Yes. All her favorites.”

“Is she awake?”

“I’ll send a maid.”

“No.”

Lucian put out his cigarette and turned.

“I’ll go.”

Miles glanced at him in surprise, then lowered his head.

“Yes, sir.”

The guest-room door was unlocked.

Lucian opened it gently.

She sat on the edge of the bed, head lowered, touching the place where her arm ended.

I heard quiet sobs.

I gave a cold smile.

Julian hadn’t prepared her well enough.

Lucian hated women who wept and begged.

But he paused for only a moment.

Then he approached and knelt in front of her.

One hand held her ankle.

With the other, he put a slipper on her foot.

“I’ll run you a bath. Then come downstairs for dinner.”

He sounded like the most patient lover imaginable.

My eyes stung.

As he rose, pale fingers caught his sleeve.

“Thank you.”

She bit her lip.

“When can I go home? Julian must be worried.”

She was playing everything.

Even my blindness about him.

Lucian turned and looked at her pitiful face.

He smiled faintly.

“Do you think this is a shelter? You come and go whenever you like?”

He bent toward her.

His hand moved along her face and rested at the red beauty mark.

Almost tenderly.

With the gentlest voice, he said something brutal.

“If I hear his name from your mouth again, I’ll cut him into pieces and feed him to the dogs.”

She trembled.

“You know me. A lunatic like me will do anything.”

He straightened and seemed satisfied by her frightened silence.

“Clothes are in the wardrobe. Pick something you like. If you need help, ring the bell. A maid will come.”

He ran the bath and left.

I followed, understanding him less than ever.

He knew me.

Knew I wouldn’t cry and plead with him.

Why was he so tender with this woman?

So tender it felt wrong.

Dinner was elaborate.

Every dish was something I loved.

She sat beside him in a soft, pale cashmere sweater.

He served her food.

Removed the bones from her fish.

Peeled shrimp himself.

Across the table, I watched her eat each mouthful with visible fear.

If I could see the flaws, he could, too.

He ignored them.

He seemed absorbed in caring for me.

Afterward, he said, “Let’s walk. The doctor recommended a little exercise.”

She hesitated, then nodded.

Rosehaven was enormous.

Behind the main house lay a beautiful garden. Even in winter, flowers I couldn’t name bloomed throughout it.

It was lovely.

The woman couldn’t help saying so.

Lucian watched her from behind.

I thought I saw indulgence in his eyes.

A fine pain spread through my chest.

“Stella.”

She turned.

My face looked at him with confusion.

I had never studied a face so much like my own from the outside.

I knew she wasn’t me.

Quiet like this, the resemblance was almost unbearable.

Wind disturbed her hair.

He tucked a strand behind her ear.

“There’s something I should have said sooner.”

His voice was rough.

“Don’t marry Julian. Please.”

My eyes filled.

Too late.

Too late, Lucian.

She stepped back, startled and wary.

“What are you talking about?”

Even the frown of dislike looked like mine.

Had I really treated him like that?

He didn’t seem to mind.

“What do I have to do for you to see me?”

Her disgust deepened.

“You think saving me means I owe you my gratitude forever? Let me go home.”

Such a clumsy performance.

She turned and hurried away.

He didn’t follow.

He stayed where he was, mouth curving in a way I couldn’t understand.

Cold slipped through my spirit.

I looked up.

Soft white flakes drifted through the moonlight.

Snow.

A terrible pain struck my chest.

I dropped to my knees.

Lucian’s figure blurred.

I reached toward him, wanting to touch him once more.

My hand was nearly transparent.

As though it might disappear at any moment.