This emotion was so unfamiliar to him—and so detestable.
He didn't want to examine it. After he had once held hope for her, only for her to extinguish it with her own hands, he wasn't about to waste any more mental energy on that front.
Ever since Lucian Grayson had been locked away, few people could sway his emotions—and he refused to let anyone do so easily.
Especially her. A woman who loved to act on her own, who fancied herself clever. He had no use for such disobedience by his side. Keeping her around would only bring trouble.
Chloe Bishop was silent for a moment, then offered Xavier Grayson a faint smile. "Alright."
Her answer came without hesitation—clean, direct, not even a single question in protest.
And so, that loathsome feeling surged back into Xavier Grayson's chest, tur
