LOGINARIELLA I woke up to feel light kisses on my face. I opened my eyes to find Asher hovering over me, pressing soft kisses against my skin. I let out a small laugh as he brushed his lips against mine before straightening. He was already dressed. Tie in place. Hair perfectly styled. Everything about
ARIELLA When Asher is finally, fully seated inside me, the bed groans beneath our combined weight. He pulls back out just as slowly, and the friction is enough to make my head swim. He’s doing this on purpose; I can see the intent in his eyes. He’s paying me back for every stolen glance and silen
ARIELLA That did it. Asher's expression shifted, something deeper, more certain. And this time when he kissed me, I didn’t hesitate. Didn’t hold back. Didn’t think about later or tomorrow. Or anything waiting for us outside that room. I let myself go into Asher's arms. I shiver beneath his touch,
ARIELLA The moment the flash went off, both of them stirred. Leon shifted first, letting out a small, confused sound as he buried his face deeper into the pillow. But Asher.... Asher woke instantly. His hand tightened instinctively around the book on his chest, the other bracing slightly at his si
ARIELLA I couldn't believe him right now. “None of the above,” I replied quickly, turning away from his smug face and back to Leon. “Okay, listen. Dad is coming upstairs to read you a book.” “Yay!” Leon said instantly, already turning around and running out of the room. The moment he left, I le
ARIELLA Before I could react, Axel pulled me from my seat and into his lap. “What are you doing?” I giggled, even as his hands settled firmly on my waist. “What does it look like I’m doing?” he murmured, a smirk already forming as his lips brushed just behind my neck. I tried to twist away, laug
Dad continues, determined. “That way, even if they find out our death was staged, by then we’ll be so far gone, it won’t matter. It buys us time.” He’s already shuffling papers, his hands trembling slightly. “We’ll need money,” he mutters, half to himself. “Cash is already withdrawn. Quiet withdr
That caught me off guard. “Afraid for him?” he said “Afraid for him?” I asked quietly. He nodded, that faraway look in his eyes again. “I’m afraid he’ll do something he can’t take back. Something he’ll regret for the rest of his life. Not just regret… something that will end him.” He looked ri
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
What Luca said made absolutely no sense to me—but by the time I opened my mouth to ask, he was already walking away. “Luca, wait! What does that even mean?” I called after him, brows furrowed, with confusion. He turned, letting out a sigh—long, exasperated like he was already worn down by all of t







