Chapter 48 The Cold Reception

• The sun had barely begun to set, casting a warm orange glow across the mansion’s garden. The large windows let in just enough light to make the room feel alive, but not too much to make it unbearable. It was a peaceful, almost serene atmosphere that Raphael had grown accustomed to. He liked the quiet moments before everything turned messy.
• He glanced around the hallway, checking to see if anyone was nearby. His feet moved silently over the polished floor as he made his way toward the small sitting room where he knew Aurora would be. He had seen her earlier, moving quickly through the halls, her green eyes hidden behind a veil of confusion and caution. She was still getting used to her new life, and it was obvious that the girl had been through too much to trust anyone, let alone someone like him.
• But that didn’t bother Raphael. He had a way of getting people to see things his way. If not with words, then with charm, and if that didn’t work, he had other methods.