Chapter 12: Shadows of Blood and Betrayal

[Donald’s POV] As I stepped out of Margaret’s room, a lingering smile curled on my lips. The image of her face—flushed, wide-eyed, and utterly innocent—played over and over in my mind. There was something so captivating about her, something that reached deep into the coldest parts of my heart and threatened to thaw them. She was such a delicate creature, so timid and shy in my presence, yet that only fueled my obsession. Margaret had this unintentional charm, a softness that made her seem fragile in a world that demanded strength. Every little glance, every nervous flicker of her eyes, stirred something primal within me. She didn’t realize it, but her vulnerability only made her more appealing. No matter what she wore, no matter how she tried to hide behind modesty or indifference, her beauty shone through. Her delicate features, the soft curve of her lips, the way her lashes fanned over her flushed cheeks—everything about her was intoxicating. But I had to remind myself why I was h