Page 111 of Hawthorne

But how can I feel lucky when I keep seeing how dark and stormy my future is? How can I be grateful if I feel like I keep being dragged into realities I want no part of?

If only I weren’t such a soft-hearted person who can’t say no to people…none of this would be happening now. If I could just have kept that goddamned distance from the start and stayed in my rightful, insignificant place...

I snort rather loudly in the empty hall.

Even I don’t believe in myself.

Would I have kept my distance? I mean...could anyone have?Doubtful.

Certainly not with the amount of attraction and electricity surrounding Vincent and me every time we lock eyes.

This is such a big mess. With a sigh, I walk mindlessly through the huge corridor. There’s no way Aunt Lizzie’s husband could be related to me and have no one ever tell me. Could there?

No! It’s just a coincidence. An unfortunate coincidence.

When I get home, I will rip that letter open once and for all. If there’s–

I can’t even think about it.It can’t be!But if there is a chance of...anything...I need to know.

“Pssst,” I hear someone call from behind me.

Turning around, I come face to face with a white wooden door that suddenly opens. A strong arm sticks out, grabbing my wrist and pulling me inside. I can only yelp from the fright of being dragged into a room with a stranger. My body relaxes only when I come face to face with two very familiar brown eyes.

Vincent.

Instantly, my heart warms at the sight of him.

Ever since those two weeks apart, it seems as if he has a hard time staying away from me. There hasn’t been a night we haven’t spent together, with one of us sneaking out too early in the morning before others awake. Still, even Mariah has noticed how he requests my presence too often for even the little things that other staff members could easily solve.

I can’t say I don’t enjoy it, though; I’ve become very much attached to him myself.

Wordlessly, his hands find my waist, bringing me close to him. His scent enters through my nostrils, warming my body up with the familiarity. For a small moment, I just bask in it. The comfort and intimacy that we always crave so much.

“Did you enjoy the evening?” he breathes out against my neck.

“I guess.” I shrug. “These parties are overrated, though. It gets boring really quick.”

He agrees with a nod before continuing, “However, it couldn’t have been that boring. I mean, you spoke to theking. He barely spares a minute to everyone else.”

I stop for a second, thinking his words over. He did pay me a considerable amount of attention, after passing by many people with only just a nod. With dozens of people desperate for his attention...Why me?

Could it be because...no. Of course not.

“He was just intrigued at the new face, I am sure.” I try to wave it off. “Or because he thought I was Edgar’s new girlfriend.”

With a guttural growl, Vincent walks us both against the wall.

“My brother needs to learn his lesson,” Vincent grumbles.

“He is inoffensive, though. He just likes to stir things up.” I laugh. “Or to watch you sweat a little.”

“He just wants to see me lose my composure.” The annoyance in his voice is palpable. “He forgets my education has taught me to keep my temper in check, to be in control.”

“Oh.” I snort, amused. “Because you’re always so in control.Right?”

With a side-eye, he smirks before admitting, “You’re the exception, it seems. You’ve been driving me crazy since that bloody memorial.”

“Oh, so you admit to having been hung up on me ever since?”

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