LOGINAVA“We?” I said, stopping in my steps.Fred pointed lazily as he walked. “Me. Jason. Paul. Lucien.”Then he jerked his thumb toward Sheila. “And her now, since she is married to Paul.”My brows lifted in surprise. I turned to Lucien hoping he would confirm what I just heard, but he wasn’t looking at me.His gaze was ahead, focused on where we're headed, like it wasn’t even something worth mentioning.That somehow made it more real.We continued walking until we reached a private elevator that took us upstairs.When the doors opened, I stepped out and froze.The room was…different. It was made of glass all around. The walls looked completely transparent from the inside, giving a full view of the entire club below, the lights, the people, the movement.But somehow, I knew from outside, no one could see in.It felt hidden...planned...powerful, and suddenly, I understood.This wasn’t just a place to have fun, this was where they watched everything, misbehaving heirs and heiresses, withou
The moment I stepped in, I realised I wasn’t prepared for this. The limousine was filled with new faces. I only recognised two of them from the bar that night. Fred and Jason. Then my eyes moved further and I saw another man sitting opposite them, composed and well put together. He looked familiar like I had seen his face before. News? Articles? I wasn't sure but it was something in that world. Beside him was a beautiful woman who carried herself with ease. Before I could even process any more, Lucien’s hand rested at my back, guiding me in properly. I moved and sat against the window. He followed, taking the seat right beside me. “We’re here,” he said casually like I hadn’t just been crying a few minutes ago. “So… what’s up?” “Look at him,” Fred said, shaking his head with a chuckle. “Still acting like we dragged him here.” Then his attention moved to me, his expression warming instantly. “Hi,” he said, leaning forward. “Before he ruins the mood completely...hi.” That pul
AUTHOR Lucien didn’t slow down until they were far from the garden.He went through a private corridor, past doors that remained closed until he stopped in front of one.He pressed his finger against the scanner and after a soft click, the door opened.He stepped in and set her down.Ava landed on the couch, then shifted a little to balance herself. Her chest rose and fell quickly, her breathing was still uneven, and her hands gripped the edge of the seat, needing something to hold onto.Lucien shut the door behind them. The sound echoed loud in the room.For a moment, neither of them spoke.He stood there, looking at her while she sat there, trying to catch her breath.“You’re the only one,” Lucien said finally, his voice low, “who can get away with what you just did. If it was anyone else..."He stopped, making Ava look up at him thinking he'd be enraged, but his expression was calm.“But don’t mistake that for permission,” he continued, taking a step closer. “Because it doesn’t me
AVA“Ava Carson.”Ava's heart dropped.Alaric stepped forward, taking the microphone from Seraphina with so much gentleness.“As much as we would love to indulge your curiosity,” he said smoothly, a faint smile playing on his lips, “her identity will remain private… until the wedding.”The room broke in murmurs.“Did he just say Ava Carson?”“Who is she?”“I’ve never heard that name before…”“Is she even from here?”“Could she be a foreigner?”"Is she an heiress?"“Impossible. We would know.”Their disappointment threaded through it too. It was subtle, but present from families who had hoped to marry their daughters into the Hale family.Across the room, Lucien stood exactly where he had been, unmoved by the storm his name had just created.He picked up a glass of champagne, lifting it in the direction of his parents in silent acknowledgment.Seraphina returned it with a soft smile while Alaric gave a nod like everything had gone exactly as planned.For a second, no one else moved, th
AVAI didn’t know what to say.His words lingered between us, making it hard to think clearly. I opened my mouth, then closed it again.Lucien didn’t press. He just watched me for a second longer, then his expression softened.“Why are you out here?” he asked.The question felt… normal.“I just needed some air,” I said, finally finding my voice. “It was getting a bit much inside.”He continued to stare at me, then he stepped closer.My body tensed immediately, every nerve aware of him.The wind pushed a strand of my hair across my face, and without a word, he tucked it back gently.The touch was brief, then he stepped back.“Are you getting cold feet?” he asked.I blinked, slightly taken aback.“No,” I said. “It’s just… this kind of setting isn’t really my thing.”I expected him to dismiss it or contradict me, but he didn’t. He just nodded as if he understood and that surprised me more than anything else.It felt like we were just two people standing in a garden, talking with no tensi
AUTHOR Sheila who had been quietly observing finally spoke.“So that’s her?” she asked, her gaze softening slightly as she watched Ava interact with the group around her. “The woman Lucien is… crazy about?”Paul nodded once. “Yes.”Fred let out a small scoff, crossing his arms.“Crazy is an understatement,” he said. “He’s not just crazy about her…”“He’s built his entire world around her.”Sheila’s eyes lingered on Ava a moment longer.“She’s charming,” she nodded. “There’s something about her.”Then her lips curved. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen someone this... effortlessly poised and radiant.”Paul turned his head immediately, lifting his brows in mock offense.“Excuse me?” he said. “No one compares to you.”Sheila laughed, nudging him.“You know what I mean.”“I don’t,” he replied, deadpan. “Enlighten me.”She rolled her eyes, though the faint blush on her cheeks gave her away."I am still the most beautiful woman to you,” she said.Paul’s expression softened, satisfied.







