602 Darwin laughed bitterly, leaning back in his chair. “You know what’s funny? You act like I’m the one who doesn’t understand, but you’re the one sitting here pretending everything’s fine.” “I’m not pretending,” Margaret replied softly, though her voice wavered. “I know it’s not fine. I know it’
603 “Good work, Thomas,” Darwin muttered, stepping closer. “I’ll take it from here.” Thomas handed him the reins, his eyes flickering with nervousness as Darwin mounted the horse. “Be careful, sir,” he said, his voice almost timid. “Blaze is fast when he wants to be.” Darwin pulled the reins gent
604 Darwin froze, his chest heaving. “Protect me? From what?” His voice wavered between anger and desperation, the edges fraying like an old rope. He couldn’t take it anymore—the half-truths, the cryptic words, the suffocating lack of clarity. Margaret pressed a trembling hand to her lips, as thou
605 Margaret shook her head, desperation in her voice. “Darwin, I’m not running. You have to trust me. Just… give me a little more time.” Darwin’s laugh was harsh and humorless, like a blade scraping against stone. “Time? You’ve had days. Weeks, even. And every time I ask you for answers, you give
606 “James shifted, clearly torn between his loyalty to Margaret and his own discomfort under Darwin’s intense gaze. He opened his mouth as though to speak but quickly closed it again, glancing toward the door Margaret had disappeared through moments before. Darwin’s eyes narrowed dangerously, his
607 James took a cautious step forward, his voice soft but earnest. “Sir, Lady Margaret asked for your trust because she cares about you. She wouldn’t do this if it weren’t important.” Darwin shot him a look. “Is that what she told you? That she cares about me?” James hesitated. “Yes.” Darwin la
608 James stood frozen in the middle of the grand hall, the silence pressing in on him like an unbearable weight. His mind raced, torn between his duty to Lady Margaret and his worry over Darwin’s spiraling frustration. The heavy slam of the estate’s front door echoed faintly through the corridors
609 “The first time Darwin asked about his father,” she began slowly, “it nearly broke me.” She paused, her voice softening further. “Back then, he still had his memories. He knew enough to ask the right questions… and I didn’t know how to answer.” James frowned, concern knitting his brows. He too
James watched the exchange, his confusion growing. He rarely questioned Darwin’s motives, but this situation was unusual even by his employer’s standards. The two women climbed into the backseat, their small bags placed carefully at their feet. Darwin followed, settling beside them. As the door cl
659 "You know why I’m here," Darwin said, his voice hard. Zoe nodded, her hands still trembling in her lap. "Yes." Darwin’s gaze didn’t soften. "Then tell me," he said, his voice low and cold. "Why did you do it? Why betray me after everything I’ve done for you?" Zoe’s lip quivered, and for a lo
658 Darwin woke with a start, the faint light of dawn creeping through the heavy curtains of his chamber. His body ached from the tension of the night before, and for a brief moment, he wished he could retreat back into sleep. But the weight of his unresolved plans and Zoe's betrayal pressed down o
A sudden knock broke him out of his thoughts. He groaned. “What now?” “It’s me.” The voice was familiar, sharp and confident. **Dencia.** Darwin hesitated before answering. “What do you want, Dencia?” “Let me in, and I’ll tell you.” With a sigh, Darwin opened the door. Dencia strolled
657 Darwin trudged to his room, his footsteps echoing heavily against the marble floor. The Blackwood mansion, once a place of pride and grandeur, now felt like a gilded cage. Each step down its endless corridors seemed heavier than the last, as if the weight of his thoughts were pressing him furt
A sudden knock broke him out of his thoughts. He groaned. “What now?” “It’s me.” The voice was familiar, sharp and confident. **Dencia.** Darwin hesitated before answering. “What do you want, Dencia?” “Let me in, and I’ll tell you.” With a sigh, Darwin opened the door. Dencia strolled in,
656 Darwin trudged to his room, his footsteps echoing heavily against the marble floor. The Blackwood mansion, once a place of pride and grandeur, now felt like a gilded cage. Each step down its endless corridors seemed heavier than the last, as if the weight of his thoughts were pressing him furth
655 Margaret slammed her hand on the armrest, her face flushed with anger. “This isn’t the first time, Darwin. Do you hear me? It’s the second!” Darwin stopped pacing, his head snapping toward her. His eyes narrowed, his voice low and laced with disbelief. “Second? Are you telling me this happene
Margaret’s face crumpled, her shoulders shaking. “But he’s family…” “Family doesn’t do this, Mother!” Darwin snapped, spinning around to face her. “Stop clinging to that excuse. Julius doesn’t care about us. He never did.” Margaret looked at him, her lips parting as if to protest, but she falter