Luke swallowed, his jaw tightening, his mind trapped between pride and joy. Of course he was happy. Emilia's well-being meant everything to him. But it stung that the change had been triggered by someone from Veydrin—from that bloodline.
Alina didn't let him off easily. "That's her son, for god's sake, you damned fool. Do you plan to hate him for your whole life just because of who his father is?"
Luke clenched his fists, grounding his resentment. At last, with a bitter breath, he stood up.
"I need to see her."
He moved quickly through the manor, heart pounding in both anticipation and anxiety. When he reached the familiar, somber door of his sister's room, he didn't hesitate—he pushed it open.
And what he saw stopped him cold.
