LOGINARIELLA The room was still dark, the faintest hint of early morning barely touching the curtains, and for a second I was too lost in the feeling of him even to think properly. By the time he finally pulled back, I was breathing hard, completely flushed, my chest rising and falling rapidly. I tri
ARIELLA "What do you mean?" “Tonight..... My mother humiliated me in front of everyone. Creating problems for you publicly... in front of everyone.” I looked away from him. “I know how these people are. I know how they talk and you have a reputation to uphold. I am supposed to....” Asher's enti
ARIELLA My voice cracked completely after that. “She is my mother." I began, trying to hold it together. "She's the only relative I have left, the only parent I have left, and I know my dad loved her. And as much as my mom was... that to me...” I swallowed painfully. “She was there for my father.
ARIELLA Leon had been a very welcome, loving, and warm distraction from all the emotions and the pain I was fighting inside. He had occupied my mind when I helped him to bed, when I read him a story, and when he fell asleep and I just sat there on his bed, watching him sleep, seeing him taking in
ARIELLA Asher helped me into the car carefully, like I might shatter if he moved too fast. The second I sat down, he followed after me, pulling the door shut behind him before anyone else could touch it. Outside, I could still see movement near the ballroom entrance. Men collecting phones and Guar
ARIELLA Asher lifted his hand slowly toward my face. For one terrifying second, I thought he was going to wipe the spit away himself.... Instead, he took out a handkerchief from inside his jacket and placed it gently into my hand. Like he knew I would break completely if he touched my face right n
“I already told you...” I started. But Maria cut in, her voice turning serious. “Listen… if you really love Dana,” she said, her tone careful now, “and if she truly is the only family that man has left, then you won’t get close to him. Not like that.” She shook her head, eyes narrowing with quiet
Alan didn’t say anything at first, just exhaled slowly. I gestured toward the food. “Come join us for breakfast?” There was a pause and then, with a shake of his head and a muttered “Sure”, he walked over and pulled out a chair. And just like that, we were all pretending again. Like nothing had h
The kids got to decorate the cake, We had dinner. Yes, Alan really was a great cook. The food was delicious. After thanking him, I took Leon—Ryan—up to our house. I bathed him, tucked him into bed, and then went to my room. I was feeling tired, shaky, maybe a bit overwhelmed. So I took a quick bath,
Luca only smiled.NA cold, twisted smile that sent shivers down my entire spine. “Since I can’t touch you and leave all the frustration and anger on you,” he began, his voice low and venom-laced, “not just because I know Asher will kill me for it... but also because there’s this tiny little part in







