As Lina followed her father downstairs, she could feel Kaden's lethal presence to her rear. He was only two steps behind, but she felt the heat rolling off his body. His intense gaze was burning a hole through her. All he had to do was look at her and her skin would grow warm with want.

  Unable to bear the stifling silence, Lina cleared her throat.

  "How long was I unconscious for?" Lina asked.

  "Two hours."

  "Two hours."

  Linden and Kaden said at the same time. They both paused, glanced at each other, and frowned. The atmosphere became tense, neither father or son-in-law broke eye contact. Eventually, their eyes narrowed into slits.

  Lina hesitated. Did she just set off a ticking time bomb?

  "I-I see," Lina managed to say, in hopes it'd break their staredown.

  Finally, Kaden shifted his attention to Lina. He opened his mouth to speak, but Linden beat him to the chase.

  "Did you stop taking your anemia pill, Lina?" Linden asked, gesturing for his daughter to walk beside him.

  Linden couldn't stand the fact that Kaden was so close. He hated the wolf who preyed upon his daughter. Lina was too kind-hearted to realize her husband's intentions.

  Linden supposed it was his fault for sheltering her too much. Up until now, Lina had never dated.

  "I ran out of the pills…… Lina trailed off, remembering she had flushed it down the toilet when she got to college. Throwing it into the trash can would be too obvious.

  "Why didn't you tell me?" Linden asked.

  "I forgot," Lina lied.

  Lina knew her grandfather's men were always watching her from a distance or blended into the crowd.

  Before thrashing the bottle, Lina asked Isabelle to take the medicine to a pharmacist for analysis, who then told her they weren't iron supplements. Instead, it seemed they were an unknown drug that the pharmacist couldn't identify.

  "You need to take them again," Linden said. "You've begun to faint again from iron deficiency. It isn't good for your body."

  Lina blinked. She had never seen her father this concerned for her. The most conversation they had was about the weather and how their day went. She wasn't used to this treatment.

  "I just ran out of the pills, it's nothing too big, Papa," Lina mumbled.

  "I'll have more prescribed," Linden stated.

  Lina pressed her lips together. The maids sometimes went through her trash. She was too surveillanced in this house.

  "You'll take it as you always do," Linden added on.

  Lina still remembered when her grandfather would make her take the pills in front of him. Back then, she had been a kid and didn't realize how crazy that sounded. Lina knew she had been too obedient.

  "Alright," Lina agreed.

  Once they turned their back on her, Lina would flush it down the toilet one by one. That way, the pills wouldn't run out too quickly. If they made her take it in front of them, she'd just hide it in her sleeves.

  "Have you begun to show other symptoms besides fainting?" Linden asked as they went to the dining hall.

  "No…" Lina lied again.

  Lina wondered if anyone knew she could see the future. She doubted it.

  Lina only wanted to find the truth behind the pills. What were they for? It certainly wasn't for suppressing her abilities.

  Lina blinked while attempting to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Now that Lina thought about it, the horrible headaches only began when she stopped taking the medicine.

  "Truly?" Linden asked.

  "Yes, Papa," Lina responded.

  Kaden noted everything down. Kaden wondered if they even remembered he was behind them. He had kept his footsteps quiet to not disturb the conversation.

  So Lina was taking iron supplement pills and lying to her Papa.

  The corner of Kaden's lips curled. It seemed she had the guts to disobey her father. He wondered what else she dared to do. It wouldn't be long until her mischievous side came out.

  The strictest parents raised the wildest children.

  "Are you still getting—"

  "Papa," Lina warned, suddenly realizing it had been far too quiet.

  Lina craned her head to see Kaden was staring out the window. She pressed her lips together and hoped he wouldn't probe.

  "You're nagging…" Lina mumbled, disliking how uncomfortable it made her feel.

  Lina had been independent for all of her life. The sudden presence of her father made her feel unnerved. She had never relied on someone before. And now, he wanted to be a paternal presence in her life?

  He was twenty-two years too late.

  "I'm always concerned about you, Lina," Linden murmured, glancing at her to see she was looking behind them.

  Linden's attention followed her line of sight. Lina was watching Kaden.

  Linden felt a heavyweight on his chest. He remembered the fond memories where Lina would run into his arms as if he was the center of her world. It all stopped in the past when she had returned home, lifeless and cold.

  "You weren't concerned in boarding school," Lina curtly stated.

  Linden sighed. "Lina—"

  "Papa, I'm hungry," Lina stated.

  Linden softly frowned. "I'll tell your mother to rush the food. You're a growing girl now. You must eat well."

  Like Lina said, his concern was twenty-two years too late. Lina wished he'd return to focusing only on Milo. Despite Lina's two uncles, there weren't many heirs. Her First Uncle was infertile and her Second Uncle had two sons, but no daughters.

  Lina was the only daughter of the Yang Clan.

  "Yes, that'll be appreciated," Lina said once they had reached the dining room. "I'll wait inside with Kaden."

  Kaden said nothing when Linden sharply turned around. Linden's face turned gloomy. Kaden revealed a cheeky smile. With no choice, Linden stormed off, sending a warning glare in Kaden's direction.

  "Your father doesn't like me," Kaden mused once Linden was gone.

  "He doesn't like anyone but my mother and brother," Lina chuckled. "You should get used to it."

  Kaden's smile dropped. What about her?

  Kaden took a good, long look at her. From the tip of her head to her feet. She seemed upset by her own words, but didn't even realize it.

  "And did you get used to it?" Kaden asked, approaching his woman.

  Lina's eyes widened a bit. She forced out a laugh and touched her neck, glancing to the floor.

  "You'll get used to it eventually," Lina responded, avoiding the question.

  Kaden's gaze softened. He cupped her face and lifted it. She always looked so lonely. He stepped towards her. She timidly grabbed his shirt.

  "Perhaps." Kaden brought her closer and she willingly walked into his arms.

  Kaden embraced her against the wall, his large body hiding her tiny one. He could feel her grasp tightening on his shirt. She was desperate for attention and affection. Good.

  Kaden would overload all she wanted, until she became addicted to his treatment. That way, she'd never be able to find someone that adored her as much as he did.

  "You're going to eat everything," Kaden softly said, with an edge to his voice.

  "I…"

  "Be good," Kaden warned. "Don't waste your food."

  Lina frowned. "You're treating me like a child."

  "Because I care for you," Kaden cooed.

  Lina's face went red. She had never felt this kind of way before.

  Kaden chuckled. He felt her face grow warm with embarrassment. Almost as if she was having an internal conflict with herself, she suddenly pulled away from him.

  Lina glanced to the ground, ashamed she had shown him this side. Lina had always been a strong woman. Though, there were times she needed to take a break. She just didn't think he'd be the break she had desperately been searching for.

  "We need to get our story straight," Lina said.

  "Like partners in crime," Kaden teased.

  Lina laughed, her stomach feeling bubbly.

  "Yes, like partners in crime," Lina agreed.

  "Alright then. Tell your story before the officers come," Kaden mused.

  Lina was unable to suppress a smile. She leaned against the wall. He rested a hand beside her head, leaning down to look her in the eyes. His large figure towered over her, casting an ominous shadow.

  Kaden resembled a predator entertaining his prey.

  "We'll tell them this is a genuine marriage. I chose you willingly and you agreed because…" Lina trailed off, thinking of a reason that could pacify both her Papa and Mother.

  "Because…" Kaden encouraged.

  Lina frowned. "I don't know. Why do you even like me?"

  What an idiot. Kaden crinkled his eyes. She met his gaze directly, a stubborn look crossing her face. She was doubting him. He hated that.

  "You'll have to figure it out." Kaden leaned closer to her. Her lips parted, her body pressing against the wall. He bent his head until their faces were only a wisp of hair apart. She shivered at the icy atmosphere.

  Kaden grabbed her hip, squeezed it, and pulled her in.

  "But you can find out a lot sooner if you behave," Kaden whispered, kissing her on the corner of her mouth. Her breathing quickened. Her hand slid up his tense abdomen, where her fingers were spread on the eight ridges.

  "Kaden…" Lina trailed off, her skin growing warm. She pressed her legs together. All he did was kiss her once, and she already wanted more. She gripped his shirt, eager to pull him close.

  Kaden chuckled under his breath, throaty and warm. Lina's stomach twisted, her attention falling to his delectable lips. She still remembered how they felt on her neck, sensual and hot. She wanted his mouth on her body. Everywhere he could possibly kiss.

  "What will it be, dove?" Kaden murmured, pressing open-mouthed kisses from her chin to her neck. He nibbled and teased, until her breathing grew heavy and she leaned her body against his.

  Kaden hardened at the touch of her soft skin. He was careful to keep his growing member away from her. It'd scare her away. He curved his arm around her just as his lips found the small mark from before.

  As Kaden prepared to kiss the spot, she shoved him away. Kaden didn't even budge, but he pulled back.

  "My parents," Lina whispered.

  Kaden straightened up, turned his head and saw they were quickly approaching in the distance. They were engaged in a tense conversation and didn't even notice the interaction.

  "Q-quick, fix your shirt," Lina stammered out, trying to grab the edges of his white button-up.

  "And if I don't?" Kaden mused, reaching a finger to stroke her cheek. They were warm from a deep blush. He pulled her even closer, his warm breath fanning her lips.

  Lina's lashes fluttered, her attention falling to his mouth.

  "Don't be foolish," Lina whispered, her insides growing hot from his touch. She wanted more than a simple caress on her face. She wanted his hands roaming on her body, his lips on her skin, and his length filling her insides.

  At the thought, her face burned. What's wrong with her?