MasukMelissa.“Come on, Melissa, there’s no need to act all tough now. It’s just the two of us here.”Amelia’s voice came out soft, almost playful, as she pouted her lips like an innocent doll. The expression would have fooled anyone else as it always did but not me.Not even for the slightest bit.I stared at her, my patience already worn thin, my body still tense from everything that had happened earlier.“What exactly do you want, Amelia?” I muttered, my tone flat, unimpressed. “I’m not in for your drama right now.”She tilted her head slightly, studying me like I was something amusing, something entertaining.“Well,” she began slowly, her lips curling into a faint smile, “five years ago… did you like the accusation you received for my sake?”The question hit like a slap.My eyes darkened instantly, and I shot her a deadly glare, one that would have made anyone else step back.But Amelia?She didn’t even flinch.“Of course I knew you weren’t poisoned, moron,” I snapped, my voice laced
MELISSA.I really didn’t know what to say to Davian.My mind was a mess, memories, emotions, questions—all crashing into each other at once. A part of me wanted to ask him everything. Another part wanted to pretend none of this was happening.But I couldn’t just stand there in silence either. So I said the first thing that came to my mind.“Do you two know each other?” I asked, my gaze shifting between them, though my question was directed more toward Louis.Louis pushed himself off the wall, his posture straightening as his hands slipped casually into his pockets.“Yes, we do,” he replied.There was something in his tone—calm, but measured.“Of course, Melissa,” Davian added almost immediately, a sheepish smile spreading across his face as he looked at me. “We’re close buddies.”Close buddies?I blinked, trying to process that piece of information, but before I could say anything, his expression changed.The smile faded.Replaced by something more serious.More searching.“What exact
Melissa.I stormed into the kitchen, letting the cool air hit my flushed face, Louis trailing quietly behind me. My legs were still buzzing from the chaos outside, from the tangle with Cain, Cypril, and the unrelenting tension that had clawed at me all day. I didn’t care about anything right now—I just needed water.I grabbed the nearest bottle, twisting the cap off and tilting it back. The icy liquid poured down my throat, filling me with a sudden rush of relief. I gulped it all in one go, not even bothering to pause for breath, and when the last drop disappeared, I let out a long, satisfied sigh.“Ooopsss, that’s refreshing,” I said finally, lowering the bottle and flashing Louis a mischievous smile. My teeth gleamed in the dim kitchen light, perfect and white, and for a moment I felt a flicker of lightness creep into my exhausted mood.“Come on, Melissa, stop smiling at me that way,” Louis said, leaning lazily against the counter. His shirt clung to his shoulders and chest in all
CHAPTER 91: SMART.Melissa.I rolled my eyes the moment Amelia came into full view.Of course. The drama queen had arrived. The air itself seemed to shift, as though her presence alone could pull tension from every corner and twist it into something messy, something unavoidable. I knew, immediately, that things were about to take a drastic turn.Cain, who had been holding me close moments before, instantly released his grip on my waist. The sudden absence of his warmth left a small, hollow ache behind, and I pulled away from him just as quickly, instinctively trying to hide the way my body had betrayed me, hardened nipples pressing against the fabric, unwanted evidence of sensation I didn’t want anyone to see.Hell with it.Hell with the way my body kept reacting to their touch, no matter how much I tried to control it. I couldn’t help the memory that flared unbidden, that reminded me of the earth-shattering climax Cypril had given me five years ago. The memory made my chest tighten a
Melissa.“And what makes you think we would do that?”The voices came at the same time, cold, firm and unyielding. I didn’t need to turn immediately to know who they belonged to.But I did anyway, slowly and deliberately.Cain and Caleb stood a few steps behind Cypril, their presence filling the space like a storm that had been waiting for the right moment to strike.Of course.They couldn’t stay away.A scoff slipped from my lips as I shifted my attention fully to them.“Tell me,” I said, my voice calm but edged with steel, “what exactly is stopping you from doing so… Mr. Stone?”The title landed just as sharply as before and just like Cypril they reacted…only slightly, as there was a flicker in their expressions—a brief pause.Something unspoken passed between them and then it was gone, masked and controlled.As if it never happened.Cain’s gaze hardened, his jaw tightening as he stepped forward just enough to close the distance between us.“Are you that eager?” he asked instead, hi
Melissa. I woke up slowly, my body stretching lazily against the softness of the bed.A quiet breath slipped past my lips as I rolled slightly onto my back, staring up at the ceiling for a brief moment, letting the calmness of the morning settle over me.It had been… exhausting.Yesterday alone felt like it had drained every ounce of energy from me.From accompanying Louis around the hall, greeting guests, maintaining composure, answering questions, to dealing with Amelia’s perfectly crafted drama…I closed my eyes briefly.A faint scoff almost escaped me, of course she would choose a public setting, of course she would perform.Everything about it had been predictable.And yet… still tiring.I pushed the thoughts away and sat up slowly, stretching my arms above my head. My muscles protested slightly, reminding me just how long the day had been.“Just one quiet morning…” I murmured to myself.That was all I wanted, nothing complicated, nothing dramatic…just peace.I slipped out of bed
Caleb.I was burning from the inside out.It wasn’t anger. It wasn’t simple frustration. It was something far more primal, an ache that settled deep in my bones and spread through my veins like wildfire. My skin felt too tight for my body, my breaths uneven, my thoughts tangled with the restless gr
MELISSA.The sound of his voice struck harder than the glass hitting the floor.“What the hell is wrong with you?”I flinched.The shards of glass glittered at my feet, water spreading across the polished floor and soaking into the hem of my dress. My chest rose and fell unevenly, each breath scrap
Melissa.My steps slowed as I reached Cypril’s door.The glass of water trembled slightly in my hand, tiny ripples forming along the surface. I told myself it was just exhaustion, just frustration, nothing more.I pushed the door open gently.And froze.Amelia was in his arms.Her fingers were tang
Melissa.I hadn’t completely taken a step forward when the door swung wider and Amelia walked in.The timing felt deliberate, cruel even. I froze where I stood, my hand barely lifted from my side, my body still angled toward the exit. For a split second, our eyes met.The look on her face when she







