MasukARIELLA I walked in. Leon was still at the desk, though now he was writing, his tongue slightly peeking out the side of his mouth in concentration. Sia sat across from him, watching, not interrupting. Just… there. Present. “Mom,” Leon said without looking up, “I’m writing now, you shouldn't inter
ARIELLA We went quiet for a moment, neither of us saying anything. The air seemed to shift, less playful, more real. Asher leaned back slightly in his chair, watching me like he was trying to read something I hadn’t said out loud. “You’re quiet,” he noted. “I’m thinking.” “About what?” “About
ARIELLA When I finally walked out of Leon’s study, I felt a lot better about the decision I had made. So I decided to go into Asher’s office. I lightly knocked, even though the door was partially open, and peeked inside. Asher was on the phone And the moment he saw me, he smiled and motioned for
ARIELLA When Asher walked out, I must have fallen asleep from the exhaustion, because when I felt his arms on my shoulders, telling me he was here to feed me, I thought he was joking about the feeding part. But then, it turns out....He wasn’t. Because as soon as I sat up on the bed, he held the s
ARIELLA When Asher walked out, I must have fallen asleep from the exhaustion, because when I felt his arms on my shoulders, telling me he was here to feed me, I thought he was joking about the feeding part. But then, it turns out....He wasn’t. Because as soon as I sat up on the bed, he held the s
ARIELLA Asher shoves me down against the counter and I buck, but he pins me in place by my hair, so I have no choice but to hold on to the edge of the marble. “Here’s the thing, I’m not going to lie to protect your fragile emotions. I am Don, and Leon is our son and heir. You are my wife and the
Anger flashed across Asher’s face, fiercer than I have ever seen. This was real fury and for the first time, it was directed at me. “You’ve lived a sheltered life, Ariella. You have no idea what I would do if you broke your word. I’ve had hardened men say no, and in the end, they gave up all their
He should have. This felt amazing. He lowered himself between my legs, and I opened them for his strong body without hesitation, loving the feel of his powerful, warm body on top of me. He cupped both of my breasts with his hands, squeezed lightly, never taking his eyes off me—nor did I take mine of
I went to the bathroom, closed the door behind me, turned on the tap—and started crying. Silently, as the water rushed into the sink, I let the tears fall. I had to. I needed to get it all out in here, alone, because I couldn’t let Asher see me like this. If he saw me break, he’d know. He’d know I
I cried. Not just with tears—but with sound, with trembling, with my whole body. The kind of crying that strips you bare and leaves you raw. My father pulled me into him, his arms strong and warm, wrapping me in a quiet shield. He didn’t say anything. He just held me, patted my back, and whispered







