Davina’s POV
I shook my head, the weight of exhaustion pulling me under. Without a second thought, I turned off my phone and let sleep take over.
When I finally woke, night had already fallen, and dinner was waiting. The butler stood at my
door, his posture a strange mix of formal respect and silent pride.
“My Lady, dinner is served. If you’d please follow me to the dining room.”
I nodded, and the maid helped me into the wheelchair. The butler’s eyes briefly flickered to
my legs, his brows furrowing in concern. He sighed softly.
“My Lady, if it’s uncomfortable for you to join them, I can have your meal brought up,” he offered.
I shook my head, forcing a smile. “It’s fine. I’ll join everyone. Thank you.”
He studied me for a moment, as if weighing something, then muttered, “You and her… You really are alike.”
“What?” I asked, my curiosity piqued. But he simply fell silent, leaving me to wonder what
he meant.
The dining room was full of unfamiliar faces. Except for Grandpa, everyone was a stranger. Most of them looked like they could be family, with features that resembled his. Ashbourne blood, no doubt.
“Well, well. So this is the woman Humphrey’s marrying?” A woman with large, glossy waves of hair eyed me from across the table, her voice dripping with disdain. “I heard she’s just some leftover from a football player’s toy collection.”
I didn’t react, just lowered my head in silence.
Then came the sound of a slap, sharp and loud, like thunder in a quiet room. A man who looked nearly identical to Grandpa had just struck her across the face.
“Do you dare speak about Lady Davina that way? Leave. Now.”
I was frozen, unsure of how to respond, but Grandpa’s voice cut through the tension. “What’s the fuss? We’re here to eat.”
The room held its breath, the temperature dropping under his words.
“I brought you all here to meet the future matriarch of the Ashbournes. Do you think your have the right to gossip about her?” he snapped.
The entire room lowered their heads, avoiding his gaze. But I could still feel their eyes on me, like knives cutting through the air. Taking a steady breath, I sat up straighter, and lifted my chin slightly to meet their eyes.
Grandpa nodded with approval.
Afte
dinner, Grandpa clapped his hands, signaling the butler. He came forward with a sandalwood box, opening it to reveal a sapphire–encrusted crown that practically gleamed.
with the light in the room. The sparkle was so intense it seemed to draw gasps from
Chapter 6
11:10 Tue, 20 May
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“Davina, this is for you,” Grandpa said, his voice soft with affection. “When you’re healed, we’ll announce your engagement. Let the world see who you are–no one, not even the rich and powerful, can speak ill of you.”
I looked at Grandpa’s kind, loving face and nodded.
On the way back to my room, the maid pushing my wheelchair talked to me, her voice full
of excitement.
“My Lady, Lord Gilbert really cares for you. He gave you the jewelry set that Lady Clarimond cherished most. And as for Lady Alistair…” Her eyes glittered. “She might never sit at another family dinner again.”
I couldn’t help but smile at the thought but only one thing. “I want to see Young Master Humphrey.”
The room was cold as I entered. He lay on the bed, still as death. His face was so perfect, so sculpted, it looked like it belonged in a museum. A thin scar ran from the corner of his eye, giving him a dangerous edge that was impossible to ignore.
I couldn’t help but wonder, ‘What kind of man is this?‘ The Ashbournes were known for their business empire, but there was something about him that didn’t quite match the typical mold. His presence carried a strange, dangerous air.
Just then, my phone buzzed again in my hand. Another message from Daxon. [Where have you gone? Why aren’t you responding? Please, give him one more chance.]
Lalmost laughed. If only he knew how many chances I had given him. A hundred and one, to be exact. And every time, he’d failed to cherish them..
I turned my phone off and was about to leave when I felt it–a gaze, heavy and penetrating.
I turned, and froze.
His eyes–dark, deep like an endless ocean–were open.
‘Humphrey is awake!‘
