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The afternoon slipped away slowly in Strathmore. In the small room Grace used as a library, the dying rays of the sun cast long shadows over the piled-up books and scattered papers on the table. She had tried to focus on preparing lessons for the children, but her mind kept drifting back to the walk with Lord Haspirin. The firmness of his embrace as he caught her, the steadiness with which he held her when she stumbled, and even that brief brush of lips... she couldn't get them out of her head.

"Why do I feel like this?" she asked herself, pacing the small room. She ran her fingers along the spines of the books, searching for something to ground her, but each time she closed her eyes, she was taken back to that moment when they were so close. There was something about that man that stirred memories she thought she had buried. Marcus… His name came to her mind like a shadow that had never really left.

Grace took a deep breath, and the memories began to flood in, wrapping around her. She saw Westlin's face, remembered his smile, the intensity of his gaze, how he made her feel as if the world disappeared when they were together. And now, years later, this mysterious man, Lord Haspirin, was making her feel the same way. Even though his face was hidden behind a mask, there was something in his movements, in the way he spoke, that felt hauntingly familiar.

"It can't be," she kept telling herself, trying to reason it away. But the feeling lingered.

She closed the book in her hands without having read a word, her thoughts completely consumed by her unease. The memories of Marcus and the feelings stirred by Lord Haspirin wove together, creating an emotional storm she couldn't control. "How can someone be so similar?" she wondered in desperation. Every gesture, every word from the mysterious lord brought her back to Marcus, to those moments they had shared.

Everything in her wanted to reject the idea that Lord Haspirin could be Marcus. It was impossible, she told herself, and yet, the suspicion remained, like a thorn lodged deep in her heart. Something didn't add up, something that defied all logic.

Suddenly, a child's voice interrupted her thoughts, pulling her back to reality.

"Mom!" Robert shouted, bursting into the small room with hurried steps.

Grace turned toward him, and a warm smile lit up her face. Her son always had that effect on her, as if he could dispel any storm clouding her mind.

"Can you help me find my books?" the boy asked, his eyes shining brightly. "I can't find them in my room."

Grace nodded, grateful for the interruption. The presence of Robert grounded her, pushing away the shadows of the past.

"Of course, darling," she said, gently brushing her hand through his hair before following him to his room.

As she helped him search for his books, she tried to push away the whirlwind of emotions that the walk had stirred in her. She focused on the mundane, on the comfort of being with her son, but the feeling that something was wrong lingered, lurking at the back of her mind. "I have to calm down. I can't let Robert see how unsettled I am," she reminded herself as she helped him.

After a while of searching and engaging in trivial conversation with her son, a sense of normalcy returned to the house. However, Grace knew the storm of thoughts stirred by Lord Haspirin wouldn't dissipate so easily.

That night, after tucking Robert in and making sure he was sleeping soundly, she returned to her room. She lay down on the bed, but sleep wouldn't come. Her thoughts remained anchored in the walk, in what she had felt, in the confusion and attraction that gripped her.

Restless, she got out of bed and, barefoot, walked to the window. Outside, the darkness enveloped everything, but her eyes instinctively turned toward the neighbor's house. The light inside was dim, barely visible, but her mind brought her back to that moment when their lips had brushed, to the way he had held her so securely. "It can't be him," she repeated to herself over and over, but the doubt tormented her.

Grace pressed her forehead against the cold glass, allowing her thoughts to flow freely. There was something beyond the attraction that disturbed her. A fear began to form in her chest. What if Marcus had returned? What if he had discovered the truth about Robert? The thought sent a chill through her body. She couldn't bear the idea of losing her son, and the mere thought of someone trying to take him away filled her with dread.

But beyond the fear, there was another emotion, more dangerous and unsettling. "Has he come back for me?" she wondered, and the thought alone made her tremble. The mix of terror and desire she felt was almost unbearable. If Marcus was truly there, why hadn't he revealed himself? Why hide behind a mask and a false name?

Anxiety swelled inside her, but so did a fierce determination. She couldn't just sit idly by, waiting for answers. If Lord Haspirin was indeed Marcus, she would find out, and she would not allow him to play with her life again.

Grace pulled away from the window, now filled with renewed resolve. She returned to bed, but this time without the restless unease that had kept her awake before. Now she had a mission: to uncover the truth. She would investigate this man and learn who he truly was. She would not let anyone, not even Marcus—if he was behind all of this—take away what she loved most.

That final thought lingered as exhaustion finally claimed her. Though fear and doubt still lingered, Grace fell asleep with the certainty that she would do whatever was necessary to protect her son and her life, no matter the cost.