Page 49 of Wasted Grace

It was because they couldn’t let go of control. They couldn’t let two rival bloodlines breed.

My parents were never allowed to simply live.

I found out both families had their hands in petty black-market criminal networks. Pathetic stuff. But it gave me leverage.

Killing them was easy.

Their kids? Fatherless now.

Their wives? Grieving oblivious widows.

Their businesses? Liquidated.

I track them sometimes. Just to be sure that they’re not inclining toward stupidity again.

And that’s one good thing I can say about myself.

I finish what I start.

Even when it starts with a name. And ends with blood.

I’m just about to reach my bike—parked in the shadow of an unfinished building, tucked where no one should be—when I seehim.

Walking slowly. Grimly. Eyes on the empty road, shoulders tense under the orange glaze of streetlights. The glow softens his face, makes him look almost... sad.

Why does he look sad?

Fuck, wait! More importantly—why the hell is he here?

Advik doesn’t see me until he’s almost at the front gates of Sunrise. His head lifts, and I see the moment his expression flickers.

Recognition.

Confusion.

Relief?

“Gree—uh—I mean... Aadya?” he stammers, brows crashing together.

I cross my arms and steel my voice. “What are you doing here?”

I sound calm. I’m anythingbut. My fingers twitch near the hem of my jacket.

Why is he here? Of all fucking places. Teetering near my past like he belongs in it.

“I was...” He clears his throat and shifts awkwardly, as if only just realizing how strange this is. “I usually volunteer here. Weekly. At the orphanage.”

He doesn’t meet my eyes. Guilt tugs at the edges of his voice.

“Since I... found out...” he trails off.

“That I was dead?” I finish, expression blank. Or at least I hope it looks blank. Because inside, I’m burning. My pulse hasn’t slowed once since he walked into my frame.

He nods slowly, gaze dropping. “They’ve... actually been doing pretty well. With adoptions.”

And just like that, my stomach drops.

He doesn’t even know.