ログインLIORAÉThe sound of silverware hitting the floor and a shattered glass against the marble was all that followed Soren’s sudden confession.I froze by his side.It was bad enough that they all thought I was some kind of gold digger who approached him for money. Now I was the kind who was willing to get pregnant to tie him down.He pressed his palm to my knee.His breathing was steady while my insides felt like they were being loosened a thousand times.“Pregnant?” Vivienne was the first to talk.For the first time that night, she looked directly at me. “You got pregnant?” she shrieked in annoyance.My lips parted. I should say something to defend myself. That night was a mistake. I had no idea who he was.That night I had gone into the bar looking for anyone. I would have slept with anyone, and it didn’t matter because I was…“You got pregnant before marriage?” Vivienne asked. Her chest was rising and falling rapidly, and her face was so red it looked like she was about to burst into p
LIORAÉThe entire room fell silent.Even the staff that was filling the cups with wine stopped. She looked up with a fearful gaze at Soren and then back down at her feet.Vivenne looked horrified; Adrian’s smirk was wiped clean from his face, and Avery just rolled her eyes at the situation.“Soren...” Elara finally spoke. Her voice was like the key to break the spell we were all under.“You can't do that to me... I have always sat here,” she muttered, her voice shaking.“Not anymore,” his response was simple. “You have no right to sit here again.”“But...”The old man tapped his cane to the ground, and everyone stopped.“Stand up.”“Father!” Vivenne screamed. “You can't..."“I wasn't speaking to you.” He didn't even look at Vivenne. His eyes were fixed on Elara, still sitting and clutching both hands on her lap.“You heard him.”Elara’s lips parted. She was clearly stunned that he was not taking her side.“If the future Mrs. Vale sits beside Soren, then why are you occupying her space
LIORAÉ“She is family because she will be my wife.”Silence descended over the room.Elara's face twisted in anger, and Vivienne patted her hand comfortingly.“Your wife?” she scoffed. “And who approved that?”“Since when does marriage need approval?”“Maybe for normal folks they treat it like just another event. But for people of our status, you already know how it works.”“You make it sound like it's some business transaction.”“Don't act like it isn't,” Vivienne snapped.She turned to Elara and patted her shoulder.“The only socialite who is even close enough to marry into the Vale family is Elara.”“Then have Adrian marry her,” Soren said nonchalantly.“You...”Vivienne stood up abruptly, pointing an angry finger in his face.Soren shrugged and placed his hand on my shoulder, pulling me closer.“I won't treat my marriage like a transaction... and the only woman I will ever marry is Lioraé.”Vivienne's lips parted.Her eyes widened.She looked like she was about to burst into flame
LIORAÉSoren’s sister pulled away from me, and we both turned to the hall where Adrian walked in. He stopped a few steps away and crossed his arms, tilting his head.Unlike Soren, he was dressed casually, but his T-shirt was tucked into his jeans. He blinked, his long lashes fluttering, and a huge grin took over his face.“The exceptional Lioraé.” He took a step forward and stretched a hand toward me. “It’s good to meet you again.”I stood frozen, my eyes darting to the other people standing there with me. Soren had warned me to stay away from Adrian, even though he never really said why.But I was in his family house. Wouldn’t it be rude if I just ignored him?So I took a deep breath and raised my shaky hand.Before my hand could reach his, Soren stood between us.“Keep your hands to yourself, Adrian,” he warned.Adrian let out a laugh and grabbed his brother’s shoulder. “Come on, big bro. I was just trying to be friendly with sister-in-law. After all, we are going to be a family soo
LIORAÉI had tried to refuse, but no matter what I said, Soren knew exactly what to say to make my reasons sound like baseless excuses.He went to get ready, and I had no choice but to do so as well.I moved to the closet.He told me there were options available, and all I had to do was take one.The options in the closet made me feel like an imposter.Each dress was flashier than the last.I pulled out the most ordinary-looking one I could find.Even as simple as it looked, the silk looked expensive, even through the mirror.I shook my head, ready to put it down when Soren stepped in.He was dressed in a navy blue tuxedo.I couldn't take my eyes off him.He looked so good in that tuxedo that suddenly I felt too plain to stand beside him. “Like what you see?” his voice broke through my improper thoughts. I snapped my gaze away, rubbing my sweaty palms over my skirt.A smirk raised the corner of his lips.I shuffled on my feet, ready to disappear so I could change into the dress.His
LIORAÉ“Would you allow our family to be dragged to hell?”Before I could answer, Soren took my hand and took a step forward as if his proximity to her was not intimidating enough.“You are asking the wrong person.”He didn't allow her to respond. He continued.“The ones dragging you to hell is yourselves." He turned to me. I was too stunned to say a word, and he continued.“If hell is where your choices lead you, don't expect Lioraé to pull you back."“Mr... Mr...” she stammered.He raised a hand to her face, and her words died instantly. He pulled out his phone and dialed a number.“Prepare a car,” he ordered.“Soren...”“Trust me,” he whispered.“Finally.” Margaux spoke. Her confidence was back. “Are you finally realizing that we are her family and you can't just do without us?”Soren didn't say a word, and that bothered me. The quieter he became, the more afraid I was of what he was thinking. Margaux was not done. She continued. “Don't worry, Mr. Vale. I will put in a good word w







