Page 78 of Crowned In Venom

My pulse is not.

"You stole the ledger."

The words land like an arrow to my chest.

A slow, deep cut.

A thousand thoughts flash through my mind, but my expression does not falter.

I tilt my head, my lips parting slightly. Feigned confusion.

"My lord?"

His hand snaps out.

Not cruel.

But firm.

A grip beneath my chin. Tilting my face up.

Forcing me to meet his gaze.

Too close.

Too knowing.

I see it in his eyes—certainty.

He isn’t asking.

He knows.

A slow, creeping fear slithers into my ribs.

Not because I am caught.

But because of the question it leaves behind.

How?

I should lie.

I should protest, spin another thread of deceit.

But it will do no good.

Because he is too sure.

I exhale softly, the illusion of confusion slipping away like melting wax.

I do not deny it.

Instead, I ask the only question that matters.

"How did you know?"

His thumb drags lightly across my jaw.

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