Novel-novel oleh Sandra Vera

Vera’s POVIt had been a few days since everything happened between me, Kael, Lucian, Aaron… all of it.And everyone was pretending to be normal.Pretending. That was the best word for it.I was avoiding Kael.So I kept myself busy. From the garden in the morning, to the library in the afternoon, to the kitchen at night like cooking would somehow silence my head.It didn’t.And Lina…I wasn’t sure about Lina.One moment I felt like she was just a girl stuck in the middle of chaos she didn’t ask for.The next moment I remembered what she did.So I kept my distance.Safer that way.Or at least I told myself it was safer.Aaron was the bigger silence though.He had left with Lucian days ago and nobody really spoke about it after.No updates. No jokes. No annoying presence in the hallways.Just gone.And I hated that I noticed.That morning I was in the kitchen again, baking something I wasn’t even planning to eat, just because the heat and smell distracted me from thinking too much.Flou

Aaron’s POVI should’ve stayed in my room.That thought hit me halfway down the hallway, just before Lucian’s office door came into view. Too late now. The door was already open.He was inside, standing by the window, back to me, sleeves rolled up, phone in his hand. Calm. Controlled. Like he didn’t just spend the morning dismantling me piece by piece without raising his voice.I stepped in anyway.“Close the door.”I did. The click echoed louder than it should have.He didn’t turn immediately. Just finished whatever he was reading, set the phone down, then finally looked at me. And just like that—everything from last night came rushing back again.Talk, he said.I let out a breath, You didn’t answer me.His brow lifted slightly, You didn’t give me the chance.I stepped closer, frustration building fast now. “I said something I’ve been holding in for thirteen years, Lucian. Thirteen. And your response is to drag me to the gym, ignore me for an hour, and act like—”“Like what?” he cut

Aaron’s POV I woke up with my heart in my throat. Wrong ceiling. Wrong sheets. Wrong everything. Lucian’s room. And Lucian. He was on his side facing me, one arm under the pillow, breathing slowly and Shirtless. That dragon tattoo on his ribs rose and fell inches from my face. The one I’d stared at for thirteen years and never touched. _No. No no no._ Last night hit me like a freight train. The club. The car ride. The whiskey I never should’ve touched because I’m a lightweight idiot. His hand on my knee. “Talk to me, Aaron. You’ve been off all night.” And me — me with a mouth full of alcohol and years of shit I’d swallowed — just _breaking_. _I’ve loved you for Thirteen fucking years, Lucian. Since I was 11 and stupid. Since before I knew what it felt like to want someone who looks right through me. You happy? You got what you wanted?”_ I didn’t even remember his reaction. Because I passed out. Right there. In his arms. Like a damn amateur. Now it was morning. I

Vera’s POV The third shot hit different. Or maybe it was the bass. Or the way Aaron had stopped pretending he wasn’t scanning the crowd every 30 seconds like he was waiting for hell to walk through the door. Lina was already gone. Passed out on the leather couch, hair fanned out, mouth open. Dead to the world. “Lightweight,” Vera muttered, taking another sip. The alcohol burned, but not enough. Aaron smirked, but it didn’t land. His jaw was tight. He hadn’t touched his drink in 10 minutes. “We shouldn’t have left the house" “Too late,” Vera said. “You made your point.” He looked at her then. Really looked. “Did I?” Before she could answer, the air changed. You feel it in places like this. When the predator enters the room. The crowd doesn’t know why they’re parting — they just do. Aaron went rigid. Vera didn’t need to turn around. She knew. Kael. And Lucian. With their bodyguards. Lucian & Aaron Lucian didn’t say anything at first. He just walked up to the table, eyes

Vera’s POV The moment the guard left, the room went quiet again. Aaron leaned back slightly, watching her. Vera tilted her head just a little. That same look passed between them again. Lina saw it and immediately shook her head. “No.” Neither of them answered. “…No,” she repeated, stepping back like distance alone would save her. “I don’t like that silence. That silence means something stupid is about to happen.” Aaron exhaled slowly, dragging a hand over his jaw. “You say ‘stupid’ like it’s not relative.” “It’s not relative,” Lina shot back. “With you two, it’s always stupid.” Vera pushed off the chair, stretching slightly like she was just getting comfortable instead of planning something illegal under house arrest. “Relax.” “I don’t trust that word when it comes from you,” Lina replied immediately. “That sounds personal.” “It is personal,” Lina said flatly. “I just got my life back. I’m trying to keep it.” Aaron huffed out a quiet laugh, then glanced at Vera. “We can’

Vera's POV Vera stood near the window, arms folded, staring out at the compound. Guards everywhere. “Yeah,” Aaron’s voice came from behind her, lazy but sharp underneath, “I counted twelve just from here.” She didn’t turn. “There were six earlier.” “Exactly.” She exhaled slowly. “So we’re officially prisoners now.” “Soft version,” he said. “With better furniture.” That pulled a small breath out of her. Not quite a laugh. She turned, leaning her shoulder against the wall. “You tried leaving?” He tilted his head slightly. “I looked like I was going to try leaving.” “And?” “They stopped me before I even got close to the gate.” She raised a brow. “Stopped you how?” Aaron sat up a little straighter, mimicking the guard’s tone. “Sir, with all due respect, you’re not permitted beyond this point.” She folded her arms tighter. “And you listened?” He gave her a look. “Do I look like I listened?” That almost made her smile. “What did you do?” she asked. “I as