Brendan's eyes fell on the woman's pale face and then on her frozen red hands. "You're mad?" he said. "I thought you had already returned to your room."

Deirdre felt resentment and helplessness welling up in her heart. "Brendan, stop pretending. I don't believe you didn't know I was in the study. You purposely didn't come here. You left me alone on purpose."

Brendan's eyes remained calm, and he didn't bother to refute her.

"I'm glad you recognize that. I did it to teach you a lesson. Otherwise, you might develop misguided feelings for someone you shouldn't be coveting."

He spoke self-righteously, causing Deirdre's eyes to turn red with anger.

"So you just left me here to freeze in the cold? Brendan, was I the one who pursued you? You are shameless. From the beginning to the end, you held me by your side and embraced me. And now you tell me not to have delusional thoughts? How could you be so disgraceful!?"

Brendan looked ashamed but didn't say much. "It was just a misunderstandin