There he was, lying peacefully on the bed. His long lashes cast delicate shadows on his cheeks, and his features were so exquisite they seemed sculpted by an artist. His collarbones peeked out from under his shirt, sharp and defined, giving him an otherworldly elegance.
My heart raced. My mind screamed, This… this is my prince.
For the first time in my life, I felt a spark—something more than ambition or greed. Was it excitement? Was it attraction?
Whatever it was, I knew one thing: this wasn’t going to be as simple as I had thought.
I never imagined my Sleeping Prince to be this strikingly handsome. His looks could rival a celebrity’s!
For years, I had been indifferent toward men, but now? I was a changed woman.
It seemed the rumors were true—women really were superficial creatures.
Abigail Winslow, the elegant woman by his bedside, gently held her son’s hand and patted it as she looked at me. Her voice was soft yet tinged with sorrow. “Stella, this is my son, Adrian Winslow. His father passed away when he was young. I prayed he would grow up strong and healthy, but fate had other plans. A car accident robbed him of everything…”
Her voice broke, and her eyes grew glassy as she stared at Adrian’s still form.
A pang of sympathy hit me. Though I was here for my own selfish reasons, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for this family’s tragedy.
“Maybe a miracle will happen, and Adrian will wake up,” I said, trying to offer some comfort.
She shook her head, her lips trembling. “He’s been in treatment for so long. The doctors have confirmed he’s permanently vegetative…” Her voice cracked as fresh tears threatened to fall.
Not knowing how to console her further, I fell silent.
After some time, Abigail composed herself and led me downstairs. “Stella, if you’re willing, you can move in now. Spend six months here, and if you don’t change your mind, we’ll discuss the marriage.”
I blinked. “Move in now?”
“Yes. My business in Crescent City has been delayed for far too long, and I need to leave soon. The butler and housemaids will help you settle in. Treat this house as your own,” she said with a reassuring smile.
I glanced at the lavish mansion surrounding us. Moving in here sounded like a dream come true. This place practically screamed luxury.
“All right,” I agreed, nodding. Her trust in me was unexpected, but I wasn’t going to squander it.