MAXINE

That morning, before breakfast, a guard came to take me out. I told him to inform Ronan that I wanted to see him and Ronan had given permission. It was as expected. The guard seemed stunned by my dress choice. Ronan must have picked out my clothes after all but he would be pleased to see me dressed in them.

The guard took me to Ronan's study. He was already surrounded by papers, his brow furrowed. The door was open wide so, I knocked lightly on the doorframe. He looked up and a ...