Angus's grip tightened around her throat, relentless.
Fiona's face flushed bright red within seconds as she struggled for air. She slammed her fists against his hand in a panic, her nails raking deep, bloody scratches across the back of his hand.
The sharp sting of those scratches dragged Angus straight back to that day.
Lilia had noticed the scratches on his arm and asked in that calm voice of hers if he was hurt. He could still see those ice-cold eyes.
Angus recoiled as though he'd touched a red-hot stove and hurled Fiona aside.
He furiously scrubbed at the scratches on his hand with his other palm, but no matter how hard he rubbed, the raw red scratches wouldn't fade.
"I can't make Lilia angry again..." The words slipped out in a low, dazed murmur. Then he raised his head and fixe
