30. (JO POV)

(JO POV)

On the last day of our retreat at the castle, Magness's return abruptly disrupted the fragile peace we had fostered. His presence alone reignited a caution within me, a guarded stance I couldn't shake off even if I wanted to.

During dinner, the atmosphere was charged with underlying tensions and unsaid grievances. "We should dine together, Katherine, Jo. A proper meal for you both while he and I will partake in my wide array of donors," Magness announced.

Dane, catching my quick glance, leaned in slightly. "It's going to be okay. It'll be a male donor again, I promise," he whispered, attempting to address the silent worry he saw in me. Yet, his words did little to ease my anxiety. The thought of him with someone else, even in such a context, unsettled me deeply.

As we settled into the ornate dining room for what Magness insisted was a 'celebratory' dinner, the atmosphere was filled with an unspoken tension.

Ever the picture of grandeur, Magness spared no expense in showc