ASTRID'S POV

Opening my eyes, the first thing that assaulted me was a wave of pain, regret, and seething hatred that seemed to pulse through my very veins.

My body ached from the cold, hard floor I had slumbered on, and my mind was foggy from exhaustion and the emotional strain of the past day.

The memories of the previous night came rushing back. I had spent hours crying and pleading at Dane’s study door, my voice raw and hoarse from the constant begging.

Each attempt to get through to him had been met with silence, and his refusal to open the door or acknowledge my presence had only deepened...