Chapter 98: Behind the divider

Mallory's fingers fumbled as she struggled with the buttons at the back of her dress, managing to fasten only one before the rest proved impossible to reach. Her eyes caught sight of a familiar presence in the mirror, and her breath hitched. Hadeon's reflection was watching her.

Turning to face him fully, she tried to steady her voice. "What are you doing here?" she managed, clutching the front of her dress to keep it from slipping.

Hadeon's gaze was unwavering as it took in every detail of her form, lingering on the tousled strands of her blonde hair and the way the blue gown highlighted her eyes. His eyes fell on her parted lips that waited for him to speak.

"I finished shopping," he said, gesturing to his attire, a crisp white shirt that contrasted strikingly with his dark black hair and features. "Thought I'd see if you needed a hand."