Andrew’s POV:


    Just then, a stirring on the bed caught my eye.Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    Our argument must have woken Shirley.


    “Don’t you see I’m trying to rest?” Shirley’s voice boomed irritably.


    “One more disturbance, and I swear I’ll drag you out and beat you to death!”


    The n leader and I exchanged stunned looks.


    We hadn’t expected Shirley to be so hostile.


    Shirley thought it was a servant making noises, and when she didn’t hear an apology, she opened her eyes with a grimace.


    But when she saw me, her face lit up with a smile.


    “Andrew, you finally came!” she eximed, a wide grin stretching across her badly burned, disfigured face.


    “I knew you weren’t so petty.


    A little disagreement wouldn’t keep you away, right?”


    For the first time, the sight of her smile repulsed me.


    It felt grotesque, especially with the horrific burns that contorted her features.


    It wasn’t just the scars; Shirley’s expression itself seemed twisted, like a demon trapped behind a human mask.


    ‘s BunnyBookery


    She reached to hug me, but disgust overwhelmed me.


    Before her touch couldnd, I shoved her away with more force than intended.


    Shirley stumbled back, crashing to the floor with a cry of pain.


    Her eyes welled with tears as she looked up at me, a heartbroken question hanging in the air.


    “Andrew, why?”


    Themotion finally roused the n leader and Addy from their shock.


    Addy rushed to Shirley’s side, her voiceced with concern.


    “Shirley, are you hurt?”


    Shirley could only manage choked sobs in response.


    Addy’s heart clenched.


    The n leader was caught between anger at Shirley’s weakness and a sliver of sympathy.


    No matter what, Shirley was her daughter.


    She red at me.


    “Andrew, you have crossed a line! How dare you hurt Shirley in front of me? Don’t think for a second that I won’t expel you from the n!”


    “Expel me?” I sneered, sarcasm dripping from my voice.


    “Who will lead the fight against the vampires then? You? Or your precious daughter?”


    The gravity of my question mmed into the n leader.


    Her re faltered.


    “Help Shirley back to bed,” she snapped at Addy, her irritation barely concealed.


    “Yes, ma’am,” Addy replied, quickly guiding Shirley to her feet.


    But the moment Shirley stood, she erupted.


    She shoved Addy aside and lunged at me, a torrent of usations spilling from her tear-streaked face.


    “Andrew, how could you do this? You know I love you more than anyone! Everything I’ve done is for you! Why can’t we be together? The whole n wants it!”