?Chapter 618:


    Suppressing the overwhelming rush of emotions, I met his gaze, my voice more tentative now. “Mr. Harrison, is everything set on your end? I still have a few lingering doubts.”


    Antoni’s handnded reassuringly on my shoulder. “Don’t worry. A new identity has been carefully crafted for you. There’s nothing to fear.”


    But unease still wed at me. “But what if the princes discover something?”


    He let out a low, cold chuckle. “It’s been years. What could they possibly uncover now?”


    I hesitated, still not entirely convinced.


    Antoni continued with a low, coaxing voice, “The princes were unconscious for days after that incident. And as for the so-called maid who saved them… her family perished in the war, leaving no trace behind. So there’s no way they’ll find out you’re pretending to be that maid’s sister.”


    I nodded, finally feeling at ease after his reassuring words. “I willplete the task, Mr. Harrison. I won’t disappoint you!”


    Makenna’s POV:


    After our steaming, passionate sex, Bryan and Iy sprawled on the bed, still gasping.


    Bryan’s arms encircled me from behind, his chest warm and solid against my back, a fortress offort I hadn’t realized I needed.


    He nuzzled closer, his breath grazing my ear as he murmured, “What was that about? Why were you crying like that?” His lips brushed my earlobe, tender and unhurried, as though his touch alone could coax an answer.


    Shame prickled at my skin, spreading fast like fire in a barley field.


    How could I possibly tell him?


    The magic happens on g?lnσν???s??????


    Should I bluntly admit that I was jealous? That raw and irrational jealousy had taken root the moment I saw him and the other princes caring about Evelyn?


    I buried my face deeper into the quilt, the weight of his question pressing down on me. All I could manage was to bite my lip and hope he’d drop the subject.


    But Bryan was relentless. He shifted, turning me to face him, his piercing blue eyes searching mine. “Was it about what happened in the cafeteria? Are you jealous?”


    My face burned hot, and my ming cheeks and reddened ears gave me away.


    “No!” I shot back, my voice a little too high-pitched. I nced around the room, fumbling forposure. “Of course not! Don’t be ridiculous!”


    Hisughter came like the roll of thunder at my obvious lie. “You’re a terrible liar, Makenna. You’re practically wearing it on your face like a badge.”


    I wanted to sink into the mattress and disappear, but instead, the grievance bubbled up, refusing to stay buried. My lips parted, ready to ask him—finally—to exin his connection to Evelyn.


    “Your Highness…”


    The sharp knock at the door shattered the fragile moment.


    A voice called out, urgent and sharp, “Your Highness, we’ve discovered something about Evelyn!”


    We both froze before Bryan slid out of bed with practiced speed and reached for his clothes.


    In no time, he was fully dressed.


    Before leaving, he turned to me, brushing a hand through my hair in an almost apologetic gesture. “I have to handle this. I’ll exinter, I promise.”


    And then he was gone without a backward nce.


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