로그인The bathroom door opened, and Nicolas stepped out, still buttoning his shirt. His hair was damp and carefully combed back into place. Seraphina glanced up from where she was sitting with her brow furrowing slightly. "That...that was a long shower." "I am sorry for keeping you waiting." Nicolas chuckled. "I needed it. I wanted to make sure I looked presentable tonight." Nicolas added simply, already reaching for his jacket. Seraphina beamed instantly. "It is no problem. You always look presentable." She stood up, smoothing down the front of her gown. Nicolas wore his suit jacket and checked himself in the mirror before turning to face her with a smile, though exhaustion pulled heavy at the edges of it. His body still faintly trembled from everything that had happened moments earlier. Every part of him wanted nothing more than to collapse onto the bed and sleep for hours, but there was no room for that tonight. Not with half the city's most powerful families waiting downstairs. H
Seraphina stepped further into the room, her shimmering gown trailing behind her like a fallen cloud. She paused, her gaze sweeping over the furniture. A small, hopeful smile touched her lips. This was the first time Nicolas had invited her into his bedroom at his parents' mansion.To her, the gesture felt like a bridge being built, a sign that the distance between them was finally closing. "It is such a masculine space," she murmured, a little bit airy. "I love how you've arranged everything."As she turned, a glint of gold caught her eyes. She looked down to see two rings scattered across the floor, lying abandoned near the foot of the bed. She almost leaned down, her brow furrowing in confusion.Weren’t these their engagement rings? "Seraphina, please sit down and make yourself comfortable. I need a long shower to clear my head before the ceremony."Seraphina looked up at him, her eyes wide and blinking once more. She forced a smile, "Of course. I don't want to be a bother
The kiss tasted of salt and old grievances. Saint tried his best to stop him and distance himself but all his efforts were futile. He became weak when Nicolas shoved his tongue into his mouth forcefully, claiming the space with a violent hunger that bothered on hatred. Nicolas felt Saint moan, a low broken sound that vibrated against his own lips, and it fueled him. He pulled back just an inch, their breaths mingling in hot, jagged gasps. "I see that you still want me," Nicolas whispered, his voice shaking as he trailed a finger up and down Saint's face. "Even now. Even while I'm preparing to pledge my life to your sister like you wanted me to. You long for me, Saint."Saint's eyes were clouded, his pupils blown wide. There was no going back from this at all. If he was going to let go of Nicolas once and for all, maybe a little farewell gift would do the trick. "You know I do. God, Nicolas, you fucking know I can't breathe when you look at me like that." "Then stop breathi
Simon leaned back in his chair with his phone pressed to his ear. "We finally have a name. The hair particles matched." "Are you for real?"Sinon nodded. "That's huge." Mike's excitement carried clearly through the line. "Seriously, Simon, you're incredible at this." "Shut the praises." "I am being serious though." Mike grinned. "Don't get ahead of yourself. It's a suspect, not a conviction yet. I still have to bring him in." "And I am proud of you regardless. You are making progress."Simon huffed a small, reluctant smile, though he said nothing to that. "Are you going to tell your boss about it?" "Not necessarily. We would just have to wait and see. I mean...I don't know if he's gonna be happy with me cracking the case to this extent...I don't get why he won't be..." Simon then paused, realising he had been rambling all along. He exhaled, rubbing his face. "I really don't know. He has always been against me doing this and there is no way I can c
The golf course stretched wide and green under the afternoon sun. Seraphina lined up her shot carefully while Saint stood a few paces back, watching. She swung, the ball arching cleanly down the fairway, and she let out a small, satisfied laugh before turning toward him to see his reaction. "Did you see that? I am actually getting better at this even though it's been a long time since I played."Saint clapped, "You are," he agreed, offering a small smile despite the heaviness still sitting permanently in his chest these days. “That is very impressive.” She beamed, practically glowing as she moved to retrieve her bag, chattering easily as they continued down the course. "You know," she said, "things have actually been improving with my father lately."Saint's brow lifted slightly. "How so?" "It's small things." She shrugged, though happiness clearly colored every word. "He actually acknowledges my greetings now. He responds when I ask him questions instead of just ignorin
The penthouse carried an unfamiliar stillness, the kind that settled into walls and refused to leave. Saint stood by the kitchen island, his fingers tracing idly along the edge of a report he had been drafting on and off for days. Three weeks of silence had become a physical weight, pressing down on every hour he spent alone in rooms that used to feel warm. Nicolas had simply refused to come home. Not that he didn't know where he was. He was safe staying with Aaron but just the thought of it alone caused his emotions to be all over the place. But what had happened had happened. There was no going back. What he needed to do was to simply focus on his decision and ensure everything went well. Right at that moment, the front door slammed hard enough to rattle the hallway and instantly drew back his attention. Nicolas entered without knocking. He looked like a version of himself carved down to the bone. His cheekbones were sharper and shadows appeared deeper beneath his eyes. He had got







