Chapter 80

• As for Lucien, he did not say a word but the hand that fastened itself around my upper arm, presumably to help me, was like a harsh vice, tight and painful. I dabbed at my mouth furtively but I felt his cold eyes follow my gesture.
• 'What was that?' he snarled, his voice low and vibrating with a slow-burning rage.
• I turned to look up at him fearfully, wide-eyed. I had fashioned my long hair in a chignon, to make myself look older and more mature but at that moment, I felt like a guilty schoolgirl caught by the harshest teacher ever, preparing for the inevitable punishment.