Katherine’s POV
The fork clattered onto my plate with a sharp, metallic ring. I froze, my chest rising and falling far too fast, every nerve in me screaming. His voice still echoed in my ears.
“Katherine Sawyer.”
Hearing my real name in his mouth, here, in this house, in front of his family’s fine china…it felt like a slap. My throat went dry.
I forced my gaze up, though every instinct screamed at me to keep my eyes on the plate. Arius was leaning back lazily in his chair, one arm draped over the backrest, his expression calm…too calm. That smug, knowing smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, like he was entertaining himself at my expense.
I swallowed hard. “Don’t…” My voice cracked, so I cleared it quickly. “Don’t say my name like that.”
His smirk deepened, eyes gleaming. “Why not?
