Vespera walked out of the Thorne estate without a single backward glance, heading straight for the Kane manor.
She ignored her parents, sister, and brother waiting in the drawing room entirely, marching straight upstairs to lock herself inside her bedroom.
Hugging her knees as she sat on the mattress, it felt like the massive boulder that had been crushing her chest had vanished, leaving no sense of relief in its wake, only a gaping, hollow emptiness spreading through her entire being.
Knock, knock.
"Vespera! What did Cassian say? Did he agree to spare the Kane Corporation?" Helena's voice pierced through the door, sharp and demanding. Every single word was about the business, without a single breath of concern for her daughter.
Vespera had no desire to answer. She remained completely
