Chapter 563

The room was filled with dim, hazy light. The air felt thick and heavy, carrying a trace of something unusual. Charlotte was curled up under the blankets, her delicate silhouette barely visible. One bare shoulder peeked out, her pale skin marked by traces of the night. Her hair, still a little damp, stuck to her warm cheeks. There was a sheen of sweat on the tip of her nose. Her eyes were rimmed red, lashes wet, and every small whimper sounded tired and a little hurt.
“Anthony,” she whispered.
He pressed a kiss to her back, his own eyes dark and restless, like he couldn’t get enough of her. “I warned you not to tease me. You can’t handle what follows.”
Charlotte didn’t answer. Typical. He got his way and still acted like he was the one being wronged.
Time slipped by. Eventually, Charlotte drifted off, her breathing slow and steady.
Anthony eased himself away, careful not to wake her. His bare chest was covered in red marks, especially vivid around his collarbone and neck. He reached for some ointment, then gently pulled Charlotte’s arm from beneath the covers.
Seeing the faint red lines on her wrist and the marks scattered over her skin, he suddenly remembered how she’d clung to him earlier, her small sobs muffled against his chest. His eyes narrowed, and a knot of emotion tightened in his chest as he carefully dabbed the cooling cream onto her skin.
“You
The moment he touched her, Charlotte’s eyes fluttered open. She shot him a tired glare, her voice rough. “Don’t even think about it.”
Anthony just smiled, soft and a little guilty. “Alright, I’ll behave.” He leaned down, kissed the corner of her mouth, and propped her gently against him. Holding a glass to her lips, he coaxed her, his voice low. “You said you were thirsty. Have a sip before you go back to sleep.”
Sleepy and completely worn out, Charlotte took a couple of small sips, then let her eyes close again. Seeing how exhausted she was, Anthony tucked her back in and didn’t bother her anymore.
He headed to the bathroom and came back with a warm towel, carefully cleaning her up. Each mark he wiped away made his gaze darker and more complicated. Beast was right. He really had lived up to the name.
He changed the sheets, then pulled the covers over Charlotte. Instead of climbing into bed, he threw on a robe and stepped out onto the
balcony He la cigarette, net
the glow
bright in the night. He took a slow drag, blowing out a thin stream of smoke. His hair was still a little damp, sticking up in soft spikes. His face was a mix of satisfaction, guilt, and something like regret.
He stood there for a while, lost in thought, until his phone buzzed.
Lavinia.
Anthony took the cigarette from his lips and answered.
“Anthony, happy birthday!” Lavinia’s voice was bright and cheery through the video call.
But then she caught sight of the marks on his neck and collarbone, and her smile froze.
“You
Anthony glanced down, adjusted his collar to cover up, and frowned slightly. “Birthday?”
“Yeah, it’s your twenty-ninth. Did you forget?” Lavinia’s tone was careful,
her
tes searching his face through
the screen. Is Lottie with you?”
Birthday?
He stood there, a little stunned. Suddenly, the way Charlotte had been acting started to make sense She had come all the way to Frostford, pretending it was just, business with the Organization, but really, she was here for his birthday. She wanted to celebrate with him, to give him gifts.
He thought about the new belt, the tie, the watch… and her, reaching for him first.