Chapter 46
Azalea's hands were trembling as the ball came to an end. The chatter and laughter of the guests felt distant, muffled by the weight of Bennett's words. Every step she took away from the grand hall felt heavier than the last, her mind spinning with confusion and fear. Federico was by her side, his strong presence giving her a sense of safety, but the silence between them was thick, filled with unspoken questions.
Federico led her down the long corridors of the castle, his hand resting gently on the small of her back. Azalea glanced at him from the corner of her eye, his face stern, jaw clenched. He hadn’t said much after Bennett’s dramatic entrance, but she could tell he was processing everything. The tension in his shoulders was palpable, and she could feel his anger simmerin
