Irene’s POV

Click, the lighter flared.

Vincent lit a cigarette, bare-chested, his muscles taut like an elegant cheetah's, the lines of his arms radiating aggression.

"The Jason family has only one daughter," Vincent seemed to be recalling.

I lay sprawled on the couch, my clothes long since torn off and thrown to the floor, wrapped in Vincent's black shirt.

"I'm the daughter of his remarried wife, always lived at boarding school," I coughed twice—my throat was a bit hoarse from all the screaming earlier.

Vincent turned his head, his gaze indifferent. "Then how did Henry become your ex-boyfriend?"

I struggled to sit up, reached over and took the cigarette from between his fingers, took a drag, and through the smoke gave him a smile. "Because he's Johanna's fiancé."

Vincent looked at me, then suddenly lowered his head and laughed. "I finally understand why Henry said you were terrifying. Looks like you played him for a fool."

I wasn't born living at boarding school. When Gina first married Peter, I thought maybe I could have a place to belong.

But Queen Johanna didn't think so.

Back then I would secretly hide and cry, and Henry was my knight who could protect me, rescue me from fire and water.

Of course, it was all part of my plan.

"Alright, next time you see me, please pretend we don't know each other. Thanks." I shoved the cigarette back between Vincent's fingers, stood up, tossed his shirt onto the couch, and bent down to pick up my torn and soaked school uniform from the floor.

Under Vincent's intrigued gaze, I put each piece back on.

I smiled at him, then turned and walked out of the room.

"Irene, don't be afraid, I'll protect you." In my memory, teenage Henry said to me with a smile.

I laughed at myself mockingly. "Who can really protect anyone?"

When I came home soaking wet, Gina wasn't surprised.

"Good thing I prepared extra sets of uniforms for you." Gina suddenly paused and said with a smile, "Irene, you know Mom has never opposed you dating, but you can't get pregnant—at least not right now."

I touched my neck. Gina must have seen the bite marks Vincent left. I lifted my face and smiled at Gina. "Don't worry, Mom. I won't become a mother at the same age you did."

Gina looked at me, then smiled, tossed the clothes on my bed, and walked away.

I didn't know why Vincent would go to the school, or why he had a room there. None of that concerned me. The upcoming finals were a war for these young masters and misses.

I was going to cut off Queen Johanna's head in this war.

I didn't return to school in the afternoon, instead staying home to study on my own.

Gina didn't come looking for me again, only had a maid bring me a glass of milk and a box of birth control pills.

I smiled and thanked her, telling the maid to tell my dear mother that I appreciated her concern.

Peter hadn't come home all week. Only me, Gina, and Johanna were in the house, but the three of us never saw each other.

Johanna didn't bother troubling me at home—school was her playground.

Henry looked like he wanted to say something to me several times, but I didn't give him the chance and turned away. Johanna's cold laughter would always follow behind me.

Finally, the day of the final exams arrived.

Looking at questions that were more than half easier than those at boarding school, I showed a mocking smile.

I wondered if Queen Johanna could still remain high and mighty when she saw the results.

"Irene!" Henry called out to me in the hallway.

I looked at him coldly. "If there's nothing, please don't approach me. You know how possessive Johanna is. She won't trouble you, but I'll be implicated because of you."

Henry's face turned pale, biting his lip tightly, but still insisted, "I have to marry for alliance."

I looked at him with a smile. "What does that have to do with me?"

Henry stepped forward and grabbed my hand. "Irene, I don't believe you don't know I love you."

I looked at him coldly, the smile on my lips deepening. "What do you love about me?"

Henry froze. "Love—I love you, your... kindness."

"Hahaha!" I couldn't help but laugh out loud, bending over with laughter.

"It's true!" Henry's face flushed with anger as he gripped my arm forcefully and leaned in to kiss me.

I raised my hand and slapped him across the face, snapping his head to the side.

Henry looked at me in disbelief, covering his face.

I shrugged. "Tell William and the others that your bet is off, because none of you can have me."

Henry's eyes became panicked. "I didn't—I really do love..."

He stopped, terror showing in his eyes as he looked behind me.

I turned around in surprise, thinking I'd see Johanna, but unexpectedly it was Vincent standing behind me.

"Henry." Vincent's voice was still low and mellow.

But Henry reacted as if he'd been electrocuted.

"You two talk." I yawned and walked away from Vincent.

On the day grades were released, I wasn't home. Gina called me somewhat complainingly, saying that because my grades were too good, Johanna had smashed her entire vanity.

According to Gina, since she married into this family, she'd never seen Johanna throw such a fit. Even at her and Peter's wedding, Johanna hadn't smashed anything. This time not only was the mirror smashed, but even the crystal swan Henry gave her was shattered.

I suppressed my laughter and put on an innocent look. "But Mom, I didn't expect the exams at the aristocratic school to be so much easier than at boarding school."

Gina snorted. "Don't think I don't know—you're happy to see Johanna angry. But Irene, even if she doesn't study, she can still be a rich wife."

I felt somewhat disgusted but still didn't hang up. "Mom, you didn't study either, and you became a rich wife."

Gina hung up. She didn't want to continue the conversation.

I wandered aimlessly on the street. I couldn't go home—Johanna was in a rage, and she might actually stab me with a dinner knife.

I still had some money on hand, so I planned to get a hotel room and stay out until Peter came back. Johanna wouldn't vent her fury in front of her dear daddy.

Walking down the hotel corridor with my room key, I felt someone watching me.

Maybe my skirt was too short today. I felt that gaze like a tongue licking my skin.

I quickened my pace, used the key card to open the door, rushed in, and the instant I turned to close the door, a pale, slender but bony hand pressed against it.

"Ina, you're not being good." Vincent's smiling face appeared outside the door.

I froze for a moment, frowning as I blocked the doorway to keep him from entering.

"I remember we agreed to pretend we don't know each other when we meet again."

Vincent held the door, a half-smile on his face as he loosened his tie.

"I never said I agreed."