로그인*Adele's point of view*“Serenity?” I asked, my voice low. Every part of my body ached. Even breathing felt like work, so moving was not an option.“Yes, of course,” she replied softly.She stepped around me and stopped right in front of me. I had to tilt my head slightly just to meet her eyes.“How are you, dear?” she asked, her hands folded neatly in front of her like everything was calm and normal.I just stared at her. My eyes locked onto hers, refusing to look away. She looked down at me with that gentle, motherly expression, full of concern. It almost made me laugh.“Are you serious?” I muttered, my voice dry.“Yes,” she answered without hesitation.“Oh… wow.” I let out a slow breath. This could not be happening right now.I mean, she could clearly see me. I was tied to a chair, my wrists aching against the restraints. Bruises covered my body, some fresh, some already darkening. My stomach felt hollow. I had not eaten since they took me.So how could she stand there and ask me h
*Adele's point of view*"Yeah." The voice came from beside Claire. "Hi."I turned slowly and there she was. Aurora, standing next to Claire like she had always been there, like none of this was wrong. Then, a broken breath left my lips.What. The. Heck?"Seriously?" I whispered, my voice rising without control. "You?" My eyes burned as I stared at her. "What did I ever do to you? Tell me. Because right now, I am trying to understand."My chest heaved, my heart racing, anger rising fast and hot."When you came to Italy..." Aurora started, her expression twisting, "everything changed."I stayed quiet to hear what she had to say."At first, it was fine," she continued. "But then, suddenly, you became everything." Her voice sharpened. "The golden child."I blinked, confused."It was always 'Adele this' and 'Adele that.'" Her hands clenched at her sides. "Why can't you be more like Adele?"Her tone sounded hotter now."I was sick of it! Before you, I did not have to try. I did not even hav
*Adele's point of view*Just like that, ice-cold water slammed into me, soaking through my skin like knives. My body jerked hard against the ropes as the shock tore a gasp from my throat."Rise and shine, sleeping beauty!" Claire's voice rang out, light and cheerful, like this was all a game to her.I tried to breathe. I really did. But before I could even pull in enough air, another bucket of ice cold water slammed into me again.The water hit my face and chest, forcing its way into my mouth. I choked instantly, coughing as it burned down my throat."Are you awake now?" Claire laughed.I could not answer. My lungs struggled, desperate for air that would not come fast enough. I coughed violently, my body shaking with each broken breath. The ropes around my wrists dug deeper into my skin, biting, scraping and reminding me that I could not move and I could not escape.Finally, just finally, I managed to drag in a proper breath. And it hurt. Everything hurt.Slowly, I lifted my head and
*Adele's point of view*“Okay…” Cindy said slowly.But I was not convinced. Something was definitely wrong. Cindy and I made our way toward the buffet tables together. The closer we got, the stronger the smell of food became. Warm, rich and inviting. It wrapped around me and made my stomach twist with hunger.I grabbed a single plate, holding it loosely in my hand. I was not about to rush this. I wanted to enjoy it, take my time, taste everything.I moved along the line slowly, scanning the different dishes, letting myself actually look instead of just piling food on. After a moment, I spotted one of the waiters and stepped toward him.“Excuse me,” I said politely. “Do you have that special hot tea? The one that helps you eat more?”He nodded with a knowing smile. “Of course. I will bring it to your table.”“Thank you,” I replied before moving on.By the time I caught up with Cindy, I noticed she was already holding two plates.I raised a brow, about to say something, but she beat me
*Adele's point of view*We fought for control of the kiss, but then Demarion stopped abruptly. He pulled back and spoke as if nothing were happening."My friends and I are heading to our usual spot tonight. Would you like to join us?" He asked, sounding so casual, even though he still had me pinned to the door with my legs wrapped around him. "I thought I mentioned already, that I don't—" I started to remind him of what I had already said earlier but he cut me off quickly."It's not a date." He insisted. "It's only a casual hangout.I nearly rolled my eyes, feeling myself having no choice but to give in. "When are we leaving?" I asked. The position we were in felt surprisingly comfortable. He shrugged with a smirk. "You had fifteen minutes when I first arrived, but because of your little stunt, you only have five minutes left to get ready."My eyes widened."Put me down." I demanded, struggling in his grip.He leaned in close again, not letting me go just yet. "Struggling won't help
*Adele's point of view*“Who is it?” I asked again, a little louder this time.Whoever it was at the door still did not answer. Instead, another knock followed. A small frown formed on my face. I found it strange. I had just stepped out of the shower, my skin still warm, my hair slightly damp. After everything that had happened earlier, with Aurora walking in on Demarion and I, I had gotten used to throwing on a bathrobe right away. It felt safer somehow.More secure.I tightened the belt around my waist before walking over and opening the door. And there Demarion was, standing there and staring at me with a smile on his face.“What are you doing here?” I asked, my brows pulling together slightly.He did not answer me, instead his eyes moved slowly, from my face, down my body. Heat rushed up my neck instantly.“Hey. Eyes up here, buddy,” I snapped, lifting my hand and clicking my fingers to pull his attention back.His gaze snapped back to mine, but something had changed. His eyes wer
*Demarion's point of view*The last thing she felt before darkness claimed her was my lips brushing softly against hers. I kissed her gently and softly as I tried to be careful with her. As if she were made of fragile glass. Then I lifted her into my arms.The moment her body settled against my che
*Demarion's point of view* Adele came down the stairs, and the sound of her heels tapping against the steps reached my ears before I even saw her.I pulled back from Serena the moment I heard it.My eyes lifted.And there she was.Adele.For one second, the world slowed. Her body went rigid on the
*Demarion's point of view* Adele stood frozen in front of me.She did not move. She barely breathed. Her eyes stayed locked on mine, wide and unsure, like a cornered deer that did not know which way to run.The sight of her made my chest tighten.I hated it.I looked down at her and felt it again,
*Demarion's point of view*“Woah,” Adele and I said at the same time when Valentino raised the gun.My instincts kicked in immediately.“Calm down,” I said slowly, lifting my hands slightly as I took a careful step toward him. “You don’t have to do this.”Valentino’s grip on the gun tightened. “One







