The Rejected Principessa Returns novel Chapter 27

Chapter 7

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When he said it, his voice wavered with uncertainty, but he quickly forced a laugh.

“Mira, I think my dad actually likes you,” he said. “Usually, if anyone gets near me, he drives them off. But when I said I wanted to bring you home, he didn’t say a word. I think he’s fine with it.”

His grin widened, boyish and sincere. “You should stay here. Be my friend. Forever.”

I froze, unsure how to answer.

When he saw my hesitation, his eyes dimmed and filled with moisture. “You don’t like me, do you? You don’t

want to be my friend.”

The sight of his trembling mouth broke my heart.

I couldn’t bring myself to refuse, so I nodded. “Of course, Julian. I’d love to be your friend.”

He lit up instantly and wrapped his arms around me in a tight, almost desperate hug.

Across the courtyard, Vincent cleared his throat-once, twice, deliberately.

I quickly stepped back, prying Julian off me.

Vincent waved over a butler and said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, “Dinner’s ready.”

the meal, one of the staff escorted me to a guest suite on the top floor.

man wanted to follow, but Vincent stopped him with a word.

As I climbed the stairs alone, unease prickled through me.

Stories whispered through my head-about the people who’d gotten too close to the Crowes and were never

seen again.

Chapter 7

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