I did play my part.
All through the meeting, I had kept my head bowed, kept my hands folded behind me, and never spoke a word.
Of course, I was treated as such. Ignored so much that it felt like I no longer belonged in the De la Vega family. Like I didn't deserve the last name.
Well, Axel was there to make me feel better. While Âlvaro ignored me like I was a ghost, Axel didn't.
Not only did he acknowledge my presence, but his gentle glances and reassuring smiles made me feel slightly better. His presence was a comforting reminder that I wasn't completely alone in this cold, unforgiving world.
If only… if only my heart didn't feel like it might explode just because he was there. My neck—where the mark began to itch the moment our hands met.
A deep, crawling sensation burned beneath my skin, so intense I nearly gasped aloud. My fingers twitched, desperate to scratch at it, to soothe the unbearable feeling, but I forced them to stay still.
I couldn't.
I couldn't.
