Page 45 of Blood Heir

“Fee? Is that really you?” His voice is breathless, hopeful.

I blink, confused, reaching for a towel. My fingers tighten around the soft cotton as I shut off the faucet.

“Who are you?” I snap, clutching the towel like a shield.

Before I can fully back away, he rushes forward and wraps his arms tightly around me. His warmth presses into my chest, his chin lowering to kiss my forehead like it’s second nature.

Instinct makes me push him off, my heart hammering wildly. The closeness is disorienting—familiar, but wrong.

“Who. Are. You?” I repeat, my voice sharper this time.

He steps back, lifting his hands as if surrendering, face soft with regret. “Fee, I’m sorry. It’s me. Gustavo.”

I inhale deeply, still on guard. The name means nothing.

“I’m sorry, things are a bit weird for me right now.” I narrow my eyes, gauging his every move. “Should I know you?”

He inches closer, his voice a tender whisper.“I’m Serevin’s cousin. Gustavo Accardi.My mother told me about the accident.... I—oh, heavens, are you okay?”

I stiffen. The warmth in his eyes makes my defenses waver for a split second. “Your mother,” I say slowly, “was quite mean to me.”

A charming, almost boyish smile spreads across his face. “She’s mean to everyone. Serevin’s her only pet. Power keeps him in her favor.”

There’s a flicker of comfort in his tone, a softness I didn’t expect. For the first time since this nightmare started, I feel a sliver of safety. My shoulders relax, just a little.

“So…were we friends?” I ask, searching his face for any hidden motive.

He scratches the back of his head, suddenly awkward. “We were…a bit more than friends.”

I gasp, eyes wide. “Oh, my God. Was I cheating with you? Oh, my fucking God.” Panic kicks in, my mind spiraling through nonexistent memories. “I’m an evil woman!”

“No, no!” he says quickly, waving his hands. “You would never. Before you and Serevin…you and I, and Emilia—we were a little friend group. We studied abroad together. I—I really liked you, Fee.”

I stare at him, heart racing. “Then I ditched you for Serevin? Seriously? That’s cold.” My stomach twists. “Did we…yunno?”

He flushes, shaking his head. “No. You don’t remember anything, do you? I confessed my feelings, and you—well…it doesn’t matter now.” He sighs heavily, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. “I was so worried. Serevin wouldn’t let us see you. Emilia wouldn’t say anything either. His orders.”

He watches me, concern written across his face. His voice drops gently. “Are you really okay?”

For a second, I blush. My eyes wander up his face. Handsome, sweet, doting. And somehow, still not the man I married. My gut twists again as I imagine why on earth I picked Serevin over him.

“You said I used to have a friend group. I had friends?”

He nods, eyes lighting up. “We all missed you, Fee.”

The thought stirs something warm. And desperate.

“Can I see them?” I ask. The words leave my mouth faster than I can second-guess them.

He hesitates but nods. “Of course.”

I grab his hand impulsively, squeezing. “Let’s go. Let’s find them.”

He looks down at my hand, startled, then lifts his head cautiously. “Aren’t you here with Serevin?”

I smirk, tossing my sunglasses back onto my face like armor. “He isn’t the boss of me.”

Gustavo pauses, scanning the hallway quickly. His voice lowers, more serious. “Before we do anything…you might want to check your clothes.”

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