Breakfast at the table.


    Idris entered, followed by the butler.


    Ste sat with her head down, eating her breakfast. She was still grappling with the sudden shift in her rtionship with Ronald.


    But Ronald? Well, he''d made sure everyone knew about it.


    The only sounds in the dining room was the clinking of cutlery against tes. The silence was so intense that Ste could almost hear her own heartbeat. Not long after, Finley showed up.


    The moment she caught sight of him, Ste ducked her head even lower.


    Finley plopped down next to her with a grin, "Well, look at that! Star''s all quiet and proper for breakfast. What a rare sight!"


    His tone was unmistakably teasing.


    "What''s with the scarf at breakfast? The heating''s on full st. C''mon, let me take that off for you."


    Ste flinched and pped his hand away.


    Was he really that clueless, or was his emotional IQ just that low? She cursed him silently. Seriously, could he not avoid the one thing she didn''t want to talk about? Finley chuckled, ncing between Ste and Ronald. "You too, mate. Be gentle with Star, will ya?"


    Ste''s mind imploded. Her already stiff body seemed to sink further into her seat as if she could disappear into her cereal bowl.


    Just as Finley finished his sentence, Ronald''s foot found its mark under the table.


    Finley winced.


    ""What the..."


    Before he could say more, Ronald''s icy gaze cut him off. "What are you doing here?"


    "I came to eat, obviously."


    Finley rubbed his shin where he''d been kicked and looked to the butler, signaling for more cutlery.


    But Ronald''s voice was like frost. "The food this morning isn''t to your taste."


    Finley eyed the feast on the table. "Says who? I love this kind of food."


    Ronald red. "No, you don''t."


    Finley blinked, baffled.


    "Did I say something wrong again?"


    Both Ste and Ronald fell silent.


    "Seriously, it''s not like I can''t crack a joke. I mean,e on..."


    His protest was cut short by another sharp kick to his leg.


    Finley gasped. Lesson learned-Star jokes were clearly off-limits. Ronald had her wrapped in cotton wool, and no one was allowed to touch that bubble.


    Finley nced at Ste, who was still shrinking into herself. How would this girl survive if Ronald wasn''t around?


    Ronald''s re deepened as he addressed Finley. "Are you leaving or not?"


    Finley''s mouth twitched. "You''re really kicking me out? Come on, man, it''s freezing outside. I just want something warm."


    Normally, Finley wouldn''t have


    trouble finding breakfast elsewhere,


    butst night''s snowstorm had left


    Mist Bay a frozen mess. Getting out


    was more hassle than it was worth.


    en


    Just as Ronald was about to deliver another well-aimed kick, Ste spoke up.


    She whispered, "Don''t make it hard for Finley. Let him eat here."


    The path out of Mist Bay was icy and led along the coast-hardly a pleasant morning drive. Finley sighed. "Thanks, Star."


    But ''thud''-another kick.


    Finley had had enough. How could someone so rough manage to raise a girl so delicate?


    Frankly, he still couldn''t believe Ste had been raised by Ronald.


    Their eyes met, Ronald''s gaze sharp and unrelenting.


    Finley threw up his hands. "Fine, fine, I''ll eat in the kitchen, alright?"


    He could feel Ste''s tension beside him. Ronald''s overprotectiveness was absurd. Was sparing her adittle embarrassment really such a big deal?


    Finley stood to leave, casting a nce at Ste, who was practically hiding in her te.


    And before Ronald could aim another kick, Finley had already made his escape to the kitchen.