Chapter 40: Familiar
The moment Monica returned to the Montclair estate, she knew something was wrong.
The atmosphere was too quiet.
Too organized.
Too controlled.
Which usually meant Alexander was angry.
But not openly.
That was always worse.
The palace staff avoided eye contact as she entered.
Security near the entrance stood straighter than usual.
Even Sofia Reyes looked visibly nervous when she approached.
“Miss Hale…”
Monica’s chest tightened immediately.
“What happened?”
Sofia hesitated.
Then lowered her voice carefully.
“His Highness knows you left.”
Of course he did.
Monica closed her eyes briefly.
Because part of her expected this moment the second she stepped into
Kian’s car the night before.
“Where is he?”
“In the west study.”
The west study.
Not his pri
