Chapter 453
Chapter 453
Chapter 256: To The Right
Savannah
Clop, clap, clop.
A
That was the first thing I heard that morning.
Hooves. Heavy and mighty ones. Striking the earth again and again in a sharp, rhythmic pattern that echoed through the walls of the
manor.
The sound tore me out of sleep immediately.
I jolted upright, heart slamming hard against my ribs, breath coming too fast. For a moment, I didn’t even know where I was. The unfamiliar ceiling loomed above me, high and ornate, the curtains heavy and the room still a little dark even with morning light trying to push through.
Then memory rushed back.
Blackwood Manor. Roman flown here. Dinner last night. Riley’s words. Ryan’s hand on my throat. The warning in his voice. The fear that hadn’t quite left my bones.
The sound came again–closer this time. A horse snorted.
Someone shouted sharply, impatient, commanding. “So fucking useless! This animal! ”
“Are you serious?” I muttered, irritation cutting through my lingering fear.
I shoved the covers aside and swung my legs over the bed. The floor was cold beneath my feet as I crossed the room, each step edged with
annoyance and unease.
Whoever was making that kind of noise this early clearly didn’t care who they woke.
I reached the window and pulled the curtain back just enough to see.
The courtyard below was wide and open, still damp with morning dew. At its center, a horse moved in a tight circle, muscles flexing
beneath its dark coat.
Seated atop it was a man who was lean to the point of sharpness, his frame long and wiry rather than bulky like Reese, He wore a black wifebeater and his black hair was damp with sweat. A narrow goatee framed his mouth and chin, giving his face an angular, severe, villain
look.
1/3
2:15 Sat, Jan 17
2200
Chapter 453
He rode hard, aggressively, heels pressing in as if the horse itself had offended him.
I found myself watching despite my better judgment. I was a curious cat at the end of the day.
There was anger in the way he moved–controlled, but barely. He wasn’t riding for pleasure. He was burning something off. Probably
steam… rage.
After several more tight circles, he hauled the reins back and dismounted in one smooth motion. The horse tossed its head, restless,
before being led away by a waiting handler.
The man immediately turned to someone standing nearby.
A guard.
Even from this distance, I could tell he wasn’t just any guard. He stood straighter than the others, broader through the shoulders. His posture was disciplined and rigid. Military. Authority clung to him the way the morning mist clung to the ground.
Calder Hudson. River’s crush.
I recognized him from the night before–Chief of Protection. The man who Reginald probably trusted enough to close his two eyes
around.
The lean man–whoever he was–spoke sharply, his hands slicing through the air as he gestured angrily.
I couldn’t hear the words, but the tone was unmistakable. It was displeased and demanding. Probably, he’s complaining about the horse. Or his morning coffee. Or… even nothing at all.
Calder seemed to respond calmly, measured, his expression clearly calm. If the man noticed the restraint, he didn’t appreciate it.
I leaned slightly closer to the glass, careful to stay hidden behind the curtain as I watched them.
Then the lean man stopped mid–sentence. His head tilted upward. Straight toward the window.
My breath caught.
His eyes locked onto mine through the thin gap in fabric, sharp and piercing, as if he’d felt my gaze before he’d seen it p>
A second later, Calder followed his line of sight. And now, both of them were looking at me.
“Oh-” I gasped, panic surging instantly. I yanked the curtain shut and stumbled backward, my spine hitting the wall.
My hand flew to my chest as my heart raced violently, fear rushing through me in hot waves. For a moment, I thought I might be sick.
I pressed my other hand over my stomach instinctively.
2/3
9:13 Sat, Jan 17
Chapter 453
You’re okay. You’re okay.
But my body didn’t believe it.
Images from the night before flashed through my mind–Ryan’s grip, the cold certainty in his eyes, the threats he’d issued. This house wasn’t safe. Not for me. Not for my baby.
I slid down until I was sitting on the cold floor, forcing myself to breathe slowly until the pounding in my ears dulled. Minutes passed before my hands stopped shaking.
Get it together, I told myself firmly. You’re not a child. You’re here for Roman. Just Roman.
Eventually, I stood and headed for the bathroom.
Comments
R
Visitor
I need more and I need Dav to have so.e support in this house p>
9 hours ago
SHARE
1 Comments >
30
3/3
Chapter MA
the exten, dently shows how to wyd to pande, When she sunset to bave something stopped me “Wait I can “What’s HT
the dead, decomdon fething was better, “Wet’s say, me am
“Voi We to kom? 1 sed
pane, then, wetly, “Well, You CAD CAMA YA
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.