Nathaniel offered no answer. He simply strode past Miranda, each measured step drawing him closer to Jonathan.

By then, Felix had already tugged the monkey mask free. The instant Jonathan's face came into view, shock rattled him. His hand jerked, and the mask thudded to the floor like a dropped verdict.

Color drained from Felix's cheeks. The memory of Jonathan's earlier pummeling flashed behind his eyes, vivid as a bruise that never healed.

"J-Jon, it's you?" The words trembled out of him, thin as tissue paper.

"Pick up my mask," Jonathan said, each syllable clipped and cold, as though spoken through frost.

Felix dared not argue. He dropped to one knee and scooped the fallen monkey mask off the floor with the reverence of a servant retrieving his master's crown.

Miranda stared, stunned. That little brat is Jonathan Smith? Impossible! I didn't even recognize his voice! And why in heaven's name does my own son jump at every word he utters?

Felix hovered beside Jon now, toy mask in hand, looking every bit the dutiful lackey.

Adrian was already spineless around Nathaniel, and now Miranda discovered her son was also as cowardly.

Similar to how Adrian was scared of Nathaniel, Felix was frightened by Jonathan.

a brittle laugh. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? I nearly

sycophantic bowing, but not even she dared expose the irritation in

asked Felix, eyes glinting like

Jonathan's fists, Felix's shoulders twitched. He shook his head so fast it


I bought?" The chill in Jonathan's tone could have

answer came in frantic ripples. "N-no. That's not it. I do like it. I swear I do." Felix would never dare to say

child could ignore. If you like the mask, then wear

s

blinked, startled. "H-huh?" The syllable slipped out before he could stop

boutique fell silent. Every clerk, shopper, and mannequin seemed

attendants who had been pinning Jonathan's wrists abruptly let go, as though the boy's skin had turned

toward Felix,

slow, deliberate, like a knight approaching a skittish colt. He plucked the monkey mask

already worn this one. Tell you

brand-new mask. You can keep

mouth, closed it again, the yes and the no tangling on his tongue

as if the matter


me another mask, the same

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