#Chapter 23: Unlikely Attraction

Ella

Marina’s father’s words made me feel unexpectedly unsettled. I cocked my head, looking at him for a moment. Was that a threat, because I asked too many questions? Or a friendly warning out of concern?

“Pardon?” I asked, clenching my drink a little tighter in my hand.

“Miss Morgan, I’m sure you understand what I mean,” Marina’s father said, his eyes fixed on mine. His voice was kind, but there was a knowing look in his eyes that unsettled me.

I gave him a reassuring smile, though I felt anything but reassured. “I appreciate your concern, but I assure you, I have things under control. There’s no need for you to worry about me.”

He continued to look at me for a moment longer, his eyes narrowing slightly. It was as though he could see right through me, understanding that I was lying.

Through my carefully constructed facade of a perfectly cool and calm young woman, there was a little girl screaming on the inside, begging to leave. And at that moment, I felt certain that he saw her.

Bu