I lay in bed, feeling completely out of place. Everything about this situation was wrong, and yet, a strange warmth had settled in the room. What unsettled me even more was seeing Elijah—usually so distant and cold—display a rare hint of tenderness.
It was clear that he adored Thea, completely convinced that she was his biological daughter. I could sense his love for her in the way his voice softened as he read the bedtime story, and in the gentle way he answered her questions.
Our contract had been clear: we were to keep the true nature of our arrangement hidden from Thea. I understood now why Elijah had stayed in bed with us—he didn’t want to upset her. For a child as bright and imaginative as Thea, her happiness seemed to be the one thing Elijah couldn’t deny.
Thea held her beloved
