Lila woke the next morning, a soft blush on her cheeks as she lay in bed, thinking back to last night. The memory of Alexander’s hands on her, his whispered reassurances—it all made her feel warm, special. Reaching for the necklace on her bedside, she held it a moment, smiling softly. The necklace was nearly taken from her last night, and it still felt surreal that he’d stepped in to stop it. She hid it in a safer place, tucking it under a cushion, then headed to Victoria’s room for the morning routine. As she reached Victoria’s door, she lifted her hand to knock, but before she could, it opened, and Alexander stepped out. Her heart leapt, her face brightening with a smile, and she blushed as she looked up at him. But he simply walked past her without even a glance, as though she wasn’t there. Her smile dropped, and her stomach twisted painfully. Had she done something wrong? Gathering herself, she knocked three times, as always, and entered at Victoria’s call. “Come in.” Lila wa
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