Ella let out a gasp, only to have Carlos quickly clamp down his hand over her mouth.
"Don't you dare scream!" he growled, his eyes flashing with a mix of anger and something else she couldn't quite place.
Ella's eyes widened in disbelief. 'Now that John's not around, you're not even bothering to pretend, are you?' she thought, her mind racing.
She muffled a protest, shaking her head vigorously to assure him she wouldn't make a peep. Truthfully, she was just startled by Carlos' sudden force. It reminded her of what John had told her about his far more unfortunate childhood.
At least she had only recently seen her father's true colors during the arranged marriage with Carlos. Her childhood had been a glittering fairytale, brimming with love and care from her entire family.
She never lac
