He hung up and dropped the phone back to the table with no expression on his face. He loosened the towel and began to dry his body, his eyes stealing glances at Clarisse now and then. By the time he was done bathing, her clothes had been changed by the maids into something lighter. A short free gown.

He quietly moved around so as not to disturb her while he put on a baggy black pant and a baggy silky black shirt. He slides his feet into the white slippers before walking to the bed where Clarisse is lying.

He stood still with his eyes fixed on her, the only...