Chapter 12
Scarlett’s POV
After they’d eaten, Lucian brought me a small plate of leftovers. I accepted it without a word, knowing it was all I’d get. When Clay took out a fresh blanket for himself and went to bed, I spread the thin blanket he’d given me across the floor and lay down. The cold seeped through me almost immediately, and despite my attempts to curl up tightly, my body wouldn’t stop shivering.
Sometime deep into the night, I was so numb from the cold that I didn’t register footsteps until they were close. A figure moved quietly, the faint clink of glass suggesting he’d poured himself a drink.
“Are you alright?” he asked softly, but I was too frozen to respond. My body shook
uncontrollably, my teeth chattering beyond my control.
Then, I felt myself lifted from the floor, strong arms pulling me close. I was too weak and
too cold to protest, barely able to register my discomfort as I was carried into a warmer, softer space. He laid me down on a bed and slipped under the covers, his arms wrapping
around me, his body pressing close to mine in an attempt to share warmth.
“Don’t worry. You’ll be warm now,” he murmured gently, and I knew by his voice that it
was Clay. He held me firmly, radiating warmth that began to ease the shivers wracking my
body.
Just then, a knock on the door broke the silence, and Lucian’s voice cut through the darkness. “Clay, what do you think you’re doing?”
I felt Clay’s hold tense slightly as he replied, “What are you doing in my room?”
“I heard movements and came to check,” Lucian said, though his voice held a suspicious
edge.
“Liar,” Clay shot back, his tone both sharp and weary. “You just came to snoop.”
Lucian fell silent, and I held my breath, feeling the tension between them. It was as if they were two opposing forces–the kindness Clay had shown me standing in stark contrast to Lucian’s hostility,
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Chapter 12
“She’s freezing, Lucian,” Clay said softly, trying to convey a gentleness I hadn’t seen before. Lucian didn’t reply, just stood there, seemingly torn. Moments later, another voice -Maxwell’s–filtered through the room.
“Is she getting better?” he asked, sounding uncharacteristically concerned. It struck me as strange; they’d barely ever entered each other’s rooms, so why were they all here now?
“Not, fast enough,” Clay answered, his voice holding a trace of worry. My body continued to tremble uncontrollably despite the warmth. Then I felt the mattress dip behind me, and someone’s strong arms wrapped around my back, pressing their warmth into me. It was Maxwell.
“Goddess, she’s cold,” he murmured, his voice close, and I realized it was him who had slipped in beside me. Their bodies began to vibrate gently, creating a soft hum of heat that spread through me, easing the relentless chill. Finally, cocooned between them, I drifted off into a deep, exhausted sleep.
When I woke the next morning, the bed was empty. Sunlight filtered in through the window, and I realized it was already late. I got up quickly, my body still feeling the lingering warmth they’d left behind, and set to work cleaning the apartment as I’d been instructed. In Lucian’s room, I found a traveling bag on the floor with a note attached, bearing my name.
Opening the bag, I discovered clothes–sweaters, jeans, a towel, lotion, deodorant, and essentials for women. A rare smile touched my lips. It had to be Clay’s doing. I couldn’t imagine Lucian or Maxwell showing me even this small kindness. I took a long bath, reveling in the warmth of the water, and then dressed in jeans, a cardigan, and thick socks. For the first time, I felt a hint of comfort, and it reminded me of how much I had missed those small things.
Later, when they returned in the afternoon, Lucian’s gaze fell on me, assessing. “How are you feeling now?” he asked, his voice careful, as though reluctant to show any softness.
“I am better,” I replied coolly, keeping my face impassive. I wasn’t about to thank them. They’d taken everything from me–my inheritance, my freedom–and left me angry and trapped in a life I hadn’t chosen. No amount of clothes or kindness would change that. I met Lucian’s gaze, letting my resentment simmer just below the surface,
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