Chapter 61

I woke up in a familiar room, the soft glow of dawn filtering through the curtains.

Steven's scent enveloped me, a heady mixture of musk and something indefinable.

My eyes flickered open, and I found him sitting by the bedside, his gaze fixed on me.

"You're awake," his baritone voice rumbled through the silence, causing a jolt of surprise to course through me.

My mind raced, trying to piece together the events that led me here.

Why was I in his room? Why did I feel both comforted and unsettled by his presence?

"Why am I here?" My voice came out hoarse, the words hanging heavy in the air as I struggled to orient myself.

Steven's concern was palpable as he leaned closer, his piercing gaze searching mine. "You fainted earlier, Nathalie," he explained, his tone laced with worry. "Are you alright?"

I fought to push down the rising panic, the gnawing fear clawing at the edges of my consciousness. "Yeah. It's... uhm, I faint most of these days."

The lie slipped from my lips with practiced ea