JACE’S POV
It’s been days since I last saw a smile on her face.
Even after what she did to my parents, I just couldn’t bear to see her so sad when I won the auction.
I had no idea why her smile made it worth it.
I watched her from across the room, the way she traced her fingers over the box like it was fragile, and something inside me twisted.
I shouldn’t care this much.
I didn’t care, I kept telling myself.
But the sight of her quiet awe, the soft inhale she couldn’t hide, made every rule I had about her vanish.
But that was last night and it was morning already.
A knock on the door drew my attention.
“Come in.”
Ruby walked into my office with a smile on her face. “Hi, Jace.”
“Ruby… what a surprise. I don’t think your father would be happy to find out you’re here,” I sa
