“What marriage?”

Daniel’s voice came out low and deadly, the kind of tone that made servants scatter and politicians rethink their words. He took a slow step forward, eyes locked on Raine like a predator that had just caught the scent of something vital. The air in the small apartment grew thick, heavy with years of unresolved pain and secrets finally clawing their way to the surface.

Raine instinctively moved back, his bare feet crunching over the broken plate and spilled noodles he’d dropped earlier. His back hit the edge of the kitchen counter, leaving him with nowhere else to go. Fear flickered through him, not the kind that came...