An Illicit Obsession (Mila and Killian) novel Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Mila’s POV

Half of me was seated, and the other half was confused, but the look in his eyes made it clear–he would accept nothing but the truth.

I swallowed the lamp in my throat.

“Miss Grace Milton. She was our guardian at the Private Childer’s Home before I come to the Anderson Mansion,” Fadmitted,

He kissed my forehead, then walked out of the bathroom, leaving my head spinning. I tried to steady my racing heart and followed him, but he was nowhere in the room, It was as if he had disappeared into thin air. A chill washed over me. What have I gotten myself into

Killian didn’t reappear for the rest of the day. Later, Kate apologized, saying he wouldn’t be joining us for dinner but assured me he’d be there to see us–off in the morning.

1 kept replaying every moment since I met him, trying to piece together his intentions. If he was trying to lure me into something, his fury over my scar made no sense.

Without Killian, dinner was lively. Everyone seemed more at ease. Even Kate’s smile felt more relaxed, and she made a joke–something I’d never

seen her do before. I just wished Adeline had a sense of humor.

Watching Kate felt odd. From what I’d heard from K and Killian’s actions, something didn’t add up. Come to think of it, I never sensed any intimacy between them. Kate kept a respectful distance from him. It all pointed to a fake marriage. But why would a Mafia boss need a fake

As I glanced around the dinner table, the questions swirling in my head made Killian’s absence feel even heavier–almost like it had a presence of

IS OWN

I hadn’t had time to call K for more information, and the unease in my stomach wouldn’t let up

When dinner ended and I tried to excuse myself, Kate announced she had something to show us. “Something fan for our last night here,” she said, her smile unusually vibrant.

Everyone looked curious as she told us to meet in the living room in ten minutes.

Ten minutes–it’ll be a unique experience,” she added, her eyes wide with enthusiasm. She looked different, but that only made me more wary,

I had no choice but to humor her. When we finally reached the living room….

“What the bell is this? Nicolai exclaimed, his voice mirroring my thougins.

The living room had been transformed

“Nicolai, behave, Adeline scolded. Franny looked just as confused, and Father wore a strange expression, somewhere between polite interest and dncomfor

The room was dimly in glowing softly with lantern light. Kate stood behind a low wooden table adorned with a silk runner and plum blossoms. Al

cantique Vising trapor. Her sipao shimmered with a blend of modern elegance and Ming Dynasty inspiration.

You had to admi–she’d put in a lot of effort, and she looked beautiful. Almost like she was having fan.

She bowed slightly. “Tonight, we step into the Ming Dynasty, a time when tea was both art and philosophy.

With graceful

she poured hot water into the teapot, steam curling in the air. “This teapot, over 400 years old, was crafted from Young clay. prized for enhancing the flavor of tea!

Ah now it made sense. The teapot must have been sinuggled, stolen, or acquired through other illegal means. I’d read about Yixing teapots in Art History class during an artifact lesson In the Ming Dynasty, brewing tea was a ritual and a symbol of status. These days, it was often referred to asa lea cercitiony

Kate continued, rinsing the tea leaves and pouring again. “The Ming tradition was meditative each step a moment of reflection. Scholars brewed

while reesting portry, lilending wisalon wali mal”

The golden liquid filled small porcelain cups, its fragrance delicate and sweet. “Dragon Wellica, a favorite of the era, embodies harmony and serenity. Sip and imagine a scholar’s garden–bamboo saying, streamm murmuring. This is the legacy of Ming tea culture.”

i was all very impressive, but no one in the room seemned particularly excited still, everyone politely picked up their cups.

“It tastes weird” Franny whispered Traning tomgard toe.

to retreat

return to my life. I had more pressing concerns than a Mafia boss who could commit murder as effortlessly as he kisses

As I grabbed a boule from the fridge, 1 froze and the water bottle slipped from my hand as strong arms circled my waist, pulling me against a firm chest. The scent of cinnamon and warmth enveloped me, dizzying and intoxicating. My heart pounded, each beat a thunderclap in my ears.

His deep, gravelly voice sent shivers down my spine. My body stiffened as I tried to process the situation.

But before 1 could gather my thoughts, his fingers lightly grazed the sliver of skin exposed by my camisole. A ripple of warmth and pleasure surged through me, and my breath hitched involuntarily.

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