Avery’s POV
Aidan placed me on the bed carefully, as if I were made of glass. I hated it. Brushing him off, I stood up immediately, grabbing my wooden box and walking toward the vanity. My fingers traced the smooth surface, my mind spinning as I tried to process everything.
“You better go to sleep early,” Aidan spoke from behind me, his tone casual but edged with something sharper. “You need all the energy you can get when you return to my mansion. My father will expect an explanation for why you left without notice.”
I stiffened, turning my head slightly. “Why would I need to explain myself or my decisions?” My voice was sharper than I intended, but I didn’t care. “Am I a prisoner or something?”
Aidan let out a short chuckle, but there was no humor in it. “Because he’s my father. And
