ANMELDENLia’s POVThe footsteps grew louder outside the door, voices murmuring about checking on patients, and my heart pounded so hard I thought it would burst out of my chest while Kade’s fingers were still deep inside me, moving slowly but relentlessly, pushing me closer to the edge even as terror flooded my veins. I stared up at him with wide, panicked eyes, silently begging him to stop, but he only smirked darkly, his thumb pressing firmer circles on my clit as he leaned down and whispered hotly against my ear.“Stay quiet, baby, or they’ll hear how wet you are for me,” he murmured, his breath sending shivers down my spine while his fingers curled inside me again, hitting that spot that made my legs tremble uncontrollably.I bit down hard on my lip, trying desperately to hold back any sound as the door handle started to turn. At the very last second, Kade pulled his hand away, quickly sliding under the hospital bed and disappearing into the shadows just as the door opened and a young nu
Lia’s POVKade stood right there, hovering over my hospital bed, his dark eyes locked on mine as he said those words that sent my heart racing even faster.“I’m not going anywhere,” and the way he said it, low and final, made my whole body tremble under the thin hospital sheet. My cheek was still throbbing badly from the punch, the swelling making my eye feel heavy and sore, but all I could focus on was him, the way he looked at me like I still belonged to him completely, even now, even in this mess.He reached out slowly and gently brushed his fingers across my bruised cheek, his touch surprisingly soft, but I could see the fury burning in his eyes, the way his jaw clenched as he took in the damage. “Who did this to you?” he whispered roughly, his voice thick with anger. “Was it Julian? Tell me the truth, Lia.”I shook my head quickly, tears slipping down my face again as the pain and guilt crashed over me all at once. “It was an accident, Kade, Noah swung at Julian and I got in t
Lia’s POVKade stood there for a long moment, his fists clenched so tightly at his sides, his dark eyes burning with rage as he looked at my bruised face, but something in my broken whisper must have reached him because he finally took a small step back, his jaw still tight as he exhaled slowly through his nose. He didn’t say another word, he just stared at me with that intense look that made my chest ache even more. Then, he gave one sharp nod, allowing Julian to carry me out of the boutique while the whole place remained frozen in awkward silence, everyone watching like they were afraid that he might do something worse.Without wasting any time, Julian held me closer against his chest and rushed me to the car, his movements careful but urgent as he settled me gently in the passenger seat and drove straight to the hospital, his hand never leaving mine the whole way, squeezing it every few seconds like he was scared I might disappear. “I’m so sorry, baby,” he said, his voice full of
Lia’s POVJulian held me tightly in his arms as he carried me toward the boutique's exit, his steps fast and urgent. At the same time, he kept whispering soft words of comfort against my hair, telling me everything would be okay and that he was taking me straight to the hospital. My cheek throbbed painfully with every movement, the swelling already making my eye feel tight and heavy, but the real pain was deeper, sitting heavy in my chest as I tried to process everything that had just happened, the way my brother had looked at me with such disgust, the way Selene had smiled like she had won, and worst of all, Kade’s presence filling the entire room like a storm about to break.But before Julian could push the door open, Kade stepped forward and blocked the exit completely, his tall, powerful body standing like a wall in front of us, his shoulders squared and his dark eyes burning with fury. His dark eyes were locked on my face, on the bruise that was quickly forming on my cheek, and
Lia’s POVJulian walked straight toward us, his hand reaching for my arm as he pulled me closer to him protectively, his body tense like he was ready to fight whoever had hurt me, and his eyes moved quickly between Noah and Selene with growing suspicion. “What the hell is going on here?” he demanded, his voice sharp and demanding as he held me tightly against his side. “Why is Lia crying? And why do you both look like you’re in the middle of something? Selene, did you say something to her again?”Noah crossed his arms over his chest, his face still cold and hard as he glanced at Selene before answering, almost like he was proud to stand beside her. “She was about to slap Selene for no reason, Julian. My sister is completely out of control, embarrassing herself and our family in public while wearing a wedding dress. Selene was only trying to be nice and congratulate her on the wedding.”Selene stepped forward with that fake soft expression, dabbing at her eyes like she was the poor v
Lia’s POVBefore I could say a word, Noah yanked my wrist down hard and pulled me away from Selene toward a quieter corner near the fitting rooms, his grip tight and unforgiving like he was ashamed even to touch me right now. I stumbled after him in the heavy wedding dress, the fabric dragging across the polished floor as my chest tightened with shock and sharp pain, tears already burning at the corners of my eyes.“Noah, please, it’s not what it looks like,” I whispered quickly, trying to pull my hand free, but he wouldn’t let go, his fingers digging in harder as he dragged me further away from the curious eyes of the boutique staff.He stopped suddenly and turned to face me, his eyes dark with pure contempt as he looked me up and down in the beautiful white gown, as if it were something filthy. “Not what it looks like?” he said bitterly, his voice low but filled with so much anger it made my stomach twist. “You were about to slap her in public, in the middle of your wedding dress
Lia’s POVMorning light spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Julian’s penthouse as I stood in his bedroom. For a moment I just lay there on the bed, staring at the ceiling.I hadn’t slept all through last night. Not really, because every time I closed my eyes all I saw was Kade’s face.
Lia’s POVI paced outside the emergency room, my shoes squeaking softly against the marble floor as every step echoed louder than the other. My hands wouldn’t stop shaking even though my clothes were still streaked with Julian’s blood.And yet my mind was in chaos— flashes of Kade’s voice kept ring
Lia’s POVJulian still stood across the street holding that ridiculous bouquet like it could somehow fix how he had treated me that night. My phone was still pressed to my ear, “Lia ... .look at me.” His voice came out soft but certain.I was already staring at him through my window, and I didn’t k
Kade’s POVI’d walked out on Selene, left her standing there—half-naked, humiliated, and screaming my name like a curse. And for the first time in months, I felt free.I didn’t care about the consequences waiting for me when I would come back, I only cared about one thing. Lia.The one woman I coul







