LOGINLIORAÉ“Who do you think you are?” Amira jumped to my defense.I grabbed her hand and pulled her back with a shake of my head.Elara glanced at her and laughed mockingly. “Are you already recruiting low-lifes like you? To defend you?”She wiped her hands mockingly against her skirt and tilted her head. “Just because Soren is giving in to your ridiculous demands doesn't mean that your status has changed. Do not forget who you are.”She was right.Soren’s kindness didn't change things. Neither did the life growing inside me.We were worlds apart.A girl could dream, but she knew when to stop.“Let me tell you. I have lived in this life long enough to know you are the only one who would get hurt when you get dumped,” she continued.Amira was shaking violently. Right now, the only thing holding her back was me. She was ready to start a hair-pulling fight in the middle of the food court at the mall.“You are so sure she would get dumped. The only reason is that he didn't choose you,” Amira
LIORAÉ The cold feel of the bracelet snapped onto my wrist was the first thing I felt when my eyes opened the next morning. Soren was not in bed with me. His scent lingered beside me longer than it should. I felt a wave of nausea hit me, just not enough to make me run to the bathroom yet. My fingers found the tip of the edge of the bracelet as I fiddled with it. I stayed up in bed. I had been cooped up in the house for a week now. I couldn't go on like this. I wanted to return to my normal life where I had control over it. Not whatever this was with Soren. I got out of bed. It was only when I shut the bathroom door that I realised that Soren was in there. The shower turned off, and he stepped out. I spun around so quickly, feeling a heated blush creep up my face. I brushed my finger on my face, but it didn't seem to help. “Lioraé, if you wanted to shower together, all you had to do was ask," Soren spoke as he moved closer to me. “I was not trying to…” "Although I won't be m
LIORAÉThe ride back to Soren’s penthouse is exhausting.The adrenaline from standing on stage and being claimed by him was gone. It was now replaced with a crushing exhaustion, and all I could think about was lying down.Soren didn't sit across from me. He was seated right beside me. He patted his shoulder and pulled me closer.“You must be tired.”He must be either really good at reading others, or I am just horrible at keeping things hidden.“I am fine.”I was still angry about everything that played out tonight. He thought this was him helping me, but the truth was that now I had a target on my back.Not just from Elara and Vivienne, but from every other socialite who thought I was some kind of gold digger who climbed into her boss’s bed to make a name for herself.“You don't get to do that with me, Lioraé.” He grabbed the back of my neck and pulled my head down until it dropped onto his shoulder.“Do that? Soren, do you think this is protection? It is not.” I snapped, my head fly
LIORAÉ Soren entered a changing room. He doesn't let me get up as the new dress is brought. He just sits opposite me, staring at me while I am trying my best not to get affected by his gaze on me. “Mr Vale?” A knock followed the sound. Soren stood up and got the door. He entered with a dress bag and set it on the sofa. He helped me to my feet and gently stripped until I was standing in just my underwear. His eyes dragged over my body like he was in search of injuries. “I am fine," I muttered in protest. That didn't stop him. He was searching; his mother's words were supposed to leave a mark on me. “I will make them pay," he murmured as he helped me into the new dress. It was an immaculate white dress that screamed 'untouchable'. I was even so far as to sit in it so as not to wrinkle it. “Lioraé, raise your head. Don't allow anyone to make you feel like you aren't enough." I blinked. He pulled my chin and kissed my lips, a red mark from lipstick patching his lips. I reached out
LIORAÉThe limo stopped; my heart seized. It didn't matter how much pep talk I gave myself; now that I have come face to face with the moment, I don't think I can step down. I couldn't step into his world. If there was anyone who was so far apart in social standing and status. It was just the two of us. The universe wouldn't even allow us to be together. “Lioraé?” I turned to him and blinked rapidly. He was staring at me softly. I bit my bottom lip and blinked, shaking the thoughts away. There was no escaping Soren. Even if I tried, it was going to be useless. “Stay by my side, and it would be alright," he muttered. I nodded slowly. “Stay in the car. I want everyone here to know you are my woman." His hand had left mine, and I was left with a nerve-wracking coldness in my hand. I watched him get out of the car and then turn to my side. The man who had lived his entire life being served was opening the door for me? With the flashes of the camera against the tinted glass, I knew
THIRD PERSON POV“What does this mean?” Elara screamed, tossing the phone in her hand to the wall. Her assistant shifted out of the way and bowed his head only slightly. “I am sorry, Ms Wynn; I got this message from Mr Vale this morning.” A pause. “He is introducing a fiancée? "A fiancée that isn't me? And you are just going to let him do this?” “I…” The assistant was at a loss for words because he didn't know what he was supposed to do to make it better. “Get me every piece of information about Lioraé Alcott," she said, her voice grazing every part of her throat as she spoke. She clutched the edge of her night robe, rage effectively flowing through every blood stream in her body. "Everything, including what the FBI won't be able to find," she added. The assistant nodded and moved to the door. “And get a new phone in here asap." Elara had no idea how long she had to wait for the information on her rival, whom she would have never considered one in the past. It was not the firs
LIORAÉSoren had insisted on picking me up at the house at dawn; it didn't matter what I said, he just kept on saying. “It’s too early for a lady to be walking about.” It wasn't too early at all; it was a little past six am when he pulled out in front of my house and walked up to the door. My mom
LIORAÉEven in this dress that made me look like a princess, I was still feeling out of place. Everyone had a perfect face, like this was some kind of fashion show where everyone was struggling to get the perfect prize. “You look nervous.” “That is because I am.” “You don't have to worry; I will
LIORAÉ“Here.” Soren handed me a first-aid box. I took it from him as he sat carefully next to me. I dropped it on the coffee table, opening it and carefully rummaging through the contents of the box. I took out an ointment and some Q-tips alongside bandages. I turned to him, and his steady eyes o
LIORAÉ“Ms Alott, my office.” I looked up to Soren standing by the doorway. He had a stern expression on his face. I cleared my throat and went up, pulling down my skirt that had somehow found a way to ride up. I slipped in and closed the door behind me, walking over to him sitting on one of the c







