Astoria Pov ~
The interior of the mansion was like a cutout from a dream book. Everything glittered—glass walls, marble floors, gold-framed artwork. Even the air smelled like it was freshly cleaned and massaged. I quietly trailed Raiden, my puppy held tightly to my chest.
"That's my stepmother, Beatrice." Raiden still glared at her with contempt.
Beatrice had been at the top of the stairs, smiling like she owned the place.
“So this is her?” she asked softly, her gaze scanning my body from top to bottom. "She's… lovely."
Her words were polite, but her tone wasn't.
Raiden looked up. “Beatrice, this is not the time. It’s been a long day.”
She giggled. “Oh, come on. I’m just welcoming her. You didn't even let me know you were bringing her home that soon."
Raiden's jaws tightened. “I d
