Under the heiress facade

.

Chapter 202

Upon returning to the mansion, Bernard and others were met with darkness. The living room was illuminated only by the flickering glow of candles.

Douglas was on the phone.

“What happened?” Bernard asked.

“The electric transformer is out. I’m getting it fixed,” Douglas replied, surprised by their early return. His gaze fell on Hera, who was cradled in Bernard’s arms.

Samantha started to offer them a place to stay, but Bernard was already turning to leave.

“No need, we’re going home,” he said firmly.

Douglas noticed Hera’s unusual state. Normally radiant and aloof, she now seemed small and fragile as she clung to Bernard’s back. He pushed aside the troubling questions, quickly gathering Tiramisu and snuffing out the candles

the plane, Bernard settled Hera

pallor, her eyes vacant–a stark reminder of

kit, his deft fingers tending to the scrapes on her hands and knees

like something to eat?” he asked, wiping away the lingering traces of sand with a damp cloth.

her head

his heart, a bittersweet ache blooming within him. “Then rest well. We’ll be home before you know it.”

glass of water, her slender fingers curled around his wrist. “Don’t leave me…” Her voice was a

“I won’t

following morning, the gnawing pangs of hunger roused Hera from her slumber.

still asleep, one arm draped possessively across her waist and the other

mind went blank. What had

to her relief. Gradually, fragments of the previous night’s events returned–her panicked escape, Bernard carrying her back, her crippling fear of the dark…