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A Hollow Victory

Author: Bliss winter
last update publish date: 2026-05-01 15:11:03

By the time Adaline returned to the mansion, night had already draped its dark veil over the city. Ronan had instructed the driver not to take her home, leaving her no choice but to walk the long way back. Each step felt heavier than the last, her body aching from the day's ordeal, her mind replaying every humiliating moment.

Onlookers glanced at her as she passed, whispers trailing behind her like shadows. She looked nothing like the young woman she once was, a mere shadow of herself now, hair
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  • Owned By my father's Enemy    The Trap

    “You are really leaving for work without me?” Adaline asked, folding her arms across her chest. “I thought you promised I would start this week after resting at home. I have absolutely nothing to do here.”Ronan sighed and glanced toward Mrs. Margareta, who immediately turned her back and walked away, pretending not to hear the conversation.“Love,” Ronan said patiently, “I know I promised you that, but I already explained. I'm not going to the office today.”“Then let me go with you, wherever it is you're going. That's literally why I'm your secretary.”Ronan couldn't help smiling at the stubborn expression on her face.“You will follow me,” he assured her. “Just not today. Hopefully, when I get back, I'll be able to explain everything properly.”Adaline frowned.“You keep saying that.”“Because I want to tell you when the time is right.”She looked unconvinced.Ronan stepped closer and gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.“Trust me.”His voice softened.“Just for t

  • Owned By my father's Enemy    Golden Shadows

    The morning sun filtered through the heavy curtains, casting long, lazy beams of amber light across the tangled sheets. The room was perfectly still, insulated from the rest of the world, carrying only the faint scent of crushed rose petals and the gentle hum of the air conditioner.Adaline blinked her eyes open slowly, the transition from sleep to wakefulness softer than it had been in months. For a moment, she remained completely still.Ronan's strong arm was wrapped securely around her waist, holding her against the warmth of his chest.She shifted slightly and turned her head.He was still asleep.Without the usual cold expression he carried around the world, he looked peaceful. The tension that often settled between his brows had disappeared completely.Carefully, she lifted a hand and allowed her fingers to hover above his cheek.The movement was enough.Ronan's eyelashes fluttered.A second later, his dark eyes opened.For a brief moment, he looked disoriented.Then his gaze fo

  • Owned By my father's Enemy    Our First Time

    The evening air was warm and heavy with the scent of night-blooming jasmine as Ronan guided Adaline through the quiet back doors of the restaurant. The ambient noise of the kitchen and dining room faded behind them, replaced by the gentle rustle of leaves."Where are we going?" she asked, her voice filled with curious anticipation as she tried to peek around his broad shoulders."You'll see," he replied, a low, smooth cadence in his voice that made her pulse quicken. He kept a steady, reassuring hand at the small of her back."That's not an answer."Ronan chuckled, the sound deep and rich in his chest, but he refused to give anything away.The moment they stepped fully out onto the terrace, Adaline stopped in her tracks. Her breath caught in her throat. The swimming pool before them glowed with an ethereal blue light beneath dozens of tiny, warm fairy lights strung meticulously around the surrounding trees. Candles flickered in glass hurricane lamps along the stone pathway, their gold

  • Owned By my father's Enemy    An Evening Meant For Two

    Adaline stood up from her bed when she heard a knock on the door.She quickly walked over and opened it."Hi."Ronan stood outside with a smile on his face. Before she could say anything, he leaned forward and gently kissed her cheek before rubbing it lightly with his thumb.A warm blush immediately spread across her face."Hi," Adaline replied shyly. "When did you come back?""Not too long ago," Ronan answered."How was the meeting?""It went well."Adaline smiled and stepped aside."Do you want to come in?"Ronan shook his head."No, it's okay."He hesitated briefly, almost as though he was suddenly nervous."I do want to take you out, if that's okay with you."Adaline's smile widened instantly."Sure. Yeah. I'll just go get ready.""Ah, wait."Ronan turned toward the hallway."You can bring it now."Adaline frowned in confusion, wondering who he was talking to.A servant approached carrying a carefully wrapped parcel and handed it to Ronan before leaving.Ronan turned back to her a

  • Owned By my father's Enemy    The Morning After

    “Good morning, Ronan,” Mrs Margareta greeted warmly as Ronan descended the stairs.“Good morning, Mrs Margareta. How are you doing?” Ronan replied cheerfully.Mrs Margareta paused for a second, noticing the smile on his face. It was not the forced polite smile he usually wore around people. This one looked genuine, lighter, almost boyish.“I’m fine, thank you,” she answered slowly. “You know, I cannot remember the last time you actually asked me how I was doing.”Ronan simply smiled without replying. The truth was that his mood had changed completely since last night, and for the first time in years, the heaviness in his chest felt lighter.“Is breakfast ready? I’m going to eat in my room.”Mrs Margareta raised an eyebrow immediately.“In your room? Why?”“Nothing,” Ronan answered casually. “I just want to eat there today. And can you make it double?”Mrs Margareta stared at him for a second before realization slowly crossed her face. The corner of her lips lifted into an amused smile

  • Owned By my father's Enemy    The Way He Loved Her

    Come in,” Ronan said after a few seconds.He stepped aside and opened the door wide enough for her to enter. Adaline walked in slowly while Ronan closed the door behind her.He returned to his chair and sat down.Silence settled in the room again.The faint sound of the laptop keys filled the air as Adaline stood awkwardly near the table, nervously fidgeting with her fingers.After a while, Ronan finally looked up from the screen and noticed she was still standing.“Aren’t you going to sit down?” he asked.“There’s no seat here,” Adaline replied softly.Ronan leaned back slightly and gestured beside him.“There’s a seat beside me.”He paused briefly before continuing.“Sit down and say whatever you want to say. I’m busy.”Adaline swallowed nervously before walking over slowly and sitting beside him.Ronan stopped typing and turned to look at her fully.“I’m not going to bite you,” he said calmly. “What do you want to say?”“I... I...” Adaline started nervously.“You want me to hand ove

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