Chapter 12: Interruptions

I was in shock for the rest of the day after the crazy confrontation with Armani. I couldn’t stop replaying the violent scene in my mind - the sickening crunches as Kian’s fists slammed into Armani, the splashes of blood. And Kian did it all because Armani dared to put his hands on me.

A shudder went through me thinking about Kian’s extreme possessiveness. There was no downplaying his motivations - he reacted with swift, brutal violence against someone he saw as touching his “property.” The thought should have filled me with furious indignation that I belonged to no man. But a darker part of me, one I didn’t fully understand, felt something else entirely at Kian’s show of savage dominance. An aching awareness that both shamed and thrilled me.

I tried not to dwell too much on those confusing feelings. Instead, I kept myself busy exploring the huge mansion - the libraries, gardens, artwork. Anything to occupy my restless mind.

When evening came, I went to the bedroom I shared with Kian,