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CHAPTER 85: The Weight of a Kiss
Last Updated:
2025-03-16 08:13:14
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In the outskirts of New York city, under the cold night sky, the river flowed dark and endless, its surface mirroring the glow of distant lights, shining like shattered glass. The wind carried the clean scent of water and earth, rustling the trees that lined the park. Two figures stood by the riverbank. They didn’t blend in with the blurred strangers strolling nearby. They weren’t regular men. One exuded authority, simply by his posture—Seth Cornell. His dark hair was neatly combed back, his tailored coat unwrinkled despite the wind. The other stood rigid, his breathing counted but heavy—Angelo. There was silence between them, broken only by the faint noise of the city and water lapping against the stone. Then Seth broke it. “Why did you bring me here?” His voice was tired, as if this meeting was merely an inevitable formality. Angelo exhaled and pulled a crumpled sheet of paper from his pocket. His fingers worked stiffly as he unfolded it. “I needed to confirm something fr
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The sun was hot in the afternoon, and Mia and Samantha had been out shopping. They loaded the last of the groceries into the backseat, and the aroma of fresh vegetables and baked goods filled the car.Samantha shut the trunk and faced Mia. “So… did you talk to Angelo?”Mia sighed, adjusting her grip on her handbag. “Yeah, I managed to. I get where he’s coming from, but I think he’s overreacting, Sam. I mean, I’m not even his girlfriend—yet.”Samantha raised an eyebrow as they climbed into the car. “So… is he still going to be Zac's best man?”“Yeah, he agreed,” Mia admitted, fastening her seatbelt. “Only because I begged him to.”Samantha leaned forward, watching Mia's face for an instant. “But shouldn't you tell Angelo how you feel, though?”Mia frowned, turning the key in the ignition. “What are you talking about?”“It’s only natural for him to feel jealous,” Samantha stated plainly. “He wants a relationship with you, but you’re practically in love with Zac.”Mia’s fingers tightene
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Laura was the first to leave the house. Mia and Samantha shut the door after her, but just as they were about to follow, Laura suddenly stopped, pointing to the side of the doorstep.“Wait a minute. Are those roses?”Mia’s gaze followed Laura’s gesture. A perfectly arranged bouquet of deep red roses lay close to the doorstep, tied with a ribbon. A small card was attached to it.Samantha frowned. “We didn’t see that earlier.”Mia stepped closer, picking up the card.“Is it from Zac?” Samantha asked, watching her closely.Mia turned the card over and frowned. “No. It’s from Derrick.”Samantha’s irritation flared. “What’s his problem? Don’t you think it’s high time we reported him and get a restraining order? This is too much. Isn’t it obvious you’re getting married? What else is he trying to achieve? Mia rubbed her forehead. “I just don’t know. Do you think I should tell Zac about it?”“Perhaps, but we should definitely watch our backs,” Samantha replied, grabbing the bouquet from Mia’
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The luxury tailor shop smelled of fine fabric and old-world craftsmanship. Soft classical music played in the background as Zac stood in front of the largest mirror.“How’s the fit, sir?” the tailor stepped back, adjusting his glasses as he looked at Zac’s reflection in the towering mirror.Zac rotated his shoulders slightly, flexing his arms. “Feels a bit tight at the shoulders. Can we adjust them?”The tailor, a refined man in his fifties, adjusted the suit with precise fingers. A measuring tape draped around his neck as he observed Zac’s fit. “It seems you’ve built up some muscle since your last fitting, sir.”Zac huffed a quiet chuckle, rolling his neck. “Yeah, well… stress makes me hit the gym harder.”Angelo sat lazily in the leather chair nearby, one leg crossed over the other, tapping his fingers against the armrest. “Yeah, I get it. You don’t want to be suffocated in an overpriced suit on your big day.”“Exactly,” Zac said, adjusting his cufflinks before glancing at Angelo.
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“It’s wonderful to finally meet you.” Mia turned, meeting the kind smile of an older woman—one of Zac’s distant relatives.“The pleasure is all mine,” Mia said politely, returning the smile.As the women moved on, Mia took a slow sip of her champagne, turning her gaze toward Zac across the open-air courtyard. He stood at a distance, effortlessly confident, speaking with a group of older men—distant uncles and family friends, judging by their mannerisms.Unlike the others, Angelo wasn’t mingling. As a matter of fact, he hadn’t moved from his spot since he sat down.His expression was blank, like he was in a different world—one he had no interest in joining. A slight furrow formed in his brow as he stared at the floor, ignoring the people around him. Something about it made Mia pause.Part of her wanted to go to him and ask if he was okay. But the moment she took a step forward, she heard her name.She shifted her focus—and caught Seth Cornell’s stare. He was walking toward her.She s
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“Bella?”Angelo turned, rubbing his tired eyes. His mind was clouded, still recovering from what had just happened.She stood a couple of feet away, watching him with a welcoming smile. Then she stepped closer.“What are you doing here?” Angelo asked, his voice hoarser than expected.“I was just… lost, I guess,” she said with a giggle.Angelo frowned. “Lost?” Bella shrugged, “Not literally, though.”Angelo exhaled, looking away. “Well… I’m leaving.”“Wait.” Her voice was smooth, like honey, but there was an edge to it.Angelo paused.“I know how it feels…” she murmured, “…to want someone who doesn’t want you back.” “Wha… what are you talking about?” he stammered.She tilted her head, studying his reaction with quiet calculation. “You don’t have to pretend.”“Pretend what?” His brow knitted together Bella sighed. “I see the way you look at her—Mia. Too bad she wants that jerk.”Angelo tensed. What the hell is she insinuating? Or are his feelings for Mia becoming that obvious? First,
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Angelo sat up from the couch, his heart still racing within his chest. His hands fumbled with his trousers, pulling them on with shaky fingers. “I thought the door was closed,” he muttered, his voice thick from the aftermath of their stolen passion. Bella stretched out on the couch, completely unmoved. She glanced at the door, her eyes still half-closed in satisfaction. “I think it’s just the wind,” she said casually, her voice low. “I didn’t hear any footsteps.” Angelo ran a hand over his face, exhaling sharply. Something felt off. He turned toward the door, stepping forward carefully. The hallway beyond was empty, silent except for the faint noise from the party. The air felt colder than before. “It’s about to rain,” he said, running a hand over his messy hair as if trying to shake off his worry. “Told ya,” Bella said with a smile, sitting up on her elbow. “That was intense. You taste so good.” Angelo didn’t answer. He was still listening, still watching the door as if he exp
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“Eat up, Mia. Come on," Samantha nudged the plate toward her. Mia poked at her food with her fork, her appetite gone. “What if I was too hard on him?” Samantha let out a frustrated sigh. "Too hard? Mia, from what you told me, he deserved more than a slap. He was completely out of line.” Mia set her fork down hard on the plate, her eyes troubled. "I shouldn't have—” “Seriously?” Samantha cut in. “You’re worried about him? But he wasn’t thinking about you when he fu—” She stopped herself, shaking her head. “Never mind. The thing is, you need to forget about Angelo. He’s not worth it.” Mia frowned. “Samantha, he was drunk. Maybe he—” “Oh, come on," Samantha scoffed. "You don't have to take my word for it, but look at the facts. Guys like Angelo don't change overnight. Do your research. He was a ladies’ man—probably still is. What if all these apologies were just an act?” Mia swallowed. “I don’t know… but I don’t see him that way. He’s always been kind to me.” The doorbell rang, cu
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As soon as Zac stepped out of the interrogation room, the first person he saw was Mia—seated at the far end of the hallway, speaking quietly with another officer.The moment their eyes met, she stood to her feet.“Zac,” she said softly.“Mia?” He blinked, surprised. “You’re here already?”“Yeah,” she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “We came as soon as we heard.”Behind her, Samantha and Angelo approached quietly. Zac’s eyes moved to them briefly, then back to Mia.She motioned vaguely over her shoulder. “How… how did you manage to handle all this in such a short time?”Zac let out a weak sigh. “We ran a thorough investigation,” he said. “Pulled every string we could find. I’m just… I’m glad it’s finally leading somewhere.”Mia gave a small nod.Zac turned slowly as Samantha stepped closer. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a phone, handing it to her. “Here. Your phone.”“Oh, thanks,” Samantha replied, taking it. “I’ll just go through the contents shortly.”Then
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Late morning sun streamed through the cab window across Johnny Hansen’s face. His duffel bag sat on the seat beside him, his passport tucked into his hoodie pocket, and a boarding pass pulled up on his phone.The airport was minutes away. Just a few more turns, and he’d be out. Canada was calling—a fresh start, a clean slate.He scrolled absently through the web, then stopped. A news notification blinked at the top of his screen: Mia Cornell allegedly files a lawsuit against Zandawoo, followed by the assault video—that same video—still ripping through the internet like wildfire.His stomach churned. His mind slipped, without permission, into the past.**It was a few years ago, during his second year in college.It was Johnny’s party. Loud music blasted in the dimly lit, colorful space. The air smelled of weed and energy drinks. Red plastic cups clinked. People danced, and a mixture of cheap perfume and sweat hung in the air.And somewhere in the corner, near the wall of blinking LED
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The smell hit him first—dust, hay, and dried sweat soaked into the wooden beams. Zac stepped into the poorly lit space, the creaking barn door closing behind him with a hollow thud.It was a secluded ranch, far from the city. Not marked on the map, or easy to locate. The kind of place where if you screamed, the echo would fade—and no one would ever hear you.A single bulb dangled from a rusty hook above, casting a sickly orange glow over the center of the barn.Below it, a man was seated in a worn-out chair, slumped but barely breathing.It was Brian.His wrists were bound, ankles tied to the legs of the chair, head low like he couldn’t lift it anymore.His face was swollen, bruised around the mouth and cheek. Blood crusted along one eyebrow. His breathing came in short bursts. Every inhale looked like it cost him something. Still, his eyes were wide open, darting around at the figures that stood in the shadows around him.Zac didn’t speak at first. He just stood there, arms folded, a
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 120: Making it Right
“Bella?” Angelo whispered, moving toward the entrance. I hope she did not come back to pick another fight. But as he reached the hallway, a familiar face appeared, nearly colliding into him.“Oh—Samantha!”She blinked, holding a small tote bag in one hand and her phone in the other.“Hey. Did I scare you?”Angelo let out a deep breath. “You nearly gave me a heart attack.”Samantha stepped inside, her eyes scanning the place. “You guys look like you weren’t expecting me.”“We totally forgot,” Mia said, appearing behind him. “We didn’t hear a knock.”“Oh. The door was unlocked. I figured you were home. By the way, I saw Bella at the gate, actually—she looked… pretty mad.”Angelo and Mia exchanged a glance.“Is everything alright?” Samantha asked, looking between them. “I hope there’s no drama.”Mia folded her arms. “Nothing serious. Just… Bella being Bella.”Samantha gave a small, careful smile. “Okay. As long as it’s not an issue.”Silence hung for a beat. Angelo cleared his throat. “
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Mia didn’t move. She relaxed on the couch, back straight, legs crossed, and her hands folded loosely in her lap. Bella continued, zeroing in like a missile. “What the fuck is she doing here?!”Angelo stepped in fast. “Hey—hey, Bella, whoa—chill.”But Bella shoved right past him. “No. Don’t ‘chill’ me. Is this what we’re doing now?” Her eyes blazed as she jabbed a manicured finger toward Mia. “I thought she was happily married.”Mia didn’t answer. Her eyes stayed level as she held herself together.“Hey, you!” Bella raised her voice, meeting Mia’s eyes. “Or is your husband suddenly not enough anymore? Or do you just have this… disease—jumping on every man who shows you attention?”“Bella,” Angelo warned, stepping forward again, blocking her path. “Please… don’t do this.”“Oh, I’m doing it,” she snapped. “She’s a goddamn married woman, sitting in your house like it’s a weekend getaway. What is this—some rehab retreat for junkies?”Mia rose slowly, intentional in every step. Her voice w
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In less than no time, Zac reached the neighborhood.As he neared Samantha’s street, he didn’t turn in. Instead, he took the next street over, slowing the car and glancing at the rearview mirror.There were no tails behind him, so he pulled up beside a quiet corner house, parked under the shade of a leaning tree, and stepped out.The sun was bright and hot, and the air was full of city sounds, but the street was quiet.He pulled out his phone and made the call.A second later, a backyard gate creaked open. Samantha peeked out, her movements quick and quiet.She opened the gate fully when she saw him. “Zac,” she breathed. “Thank you so much for coming.”“What’s going on?” he asked, stepping inside the fence.“I don’t know how to get to my car,” she said, keeping her voice low. “I parked it right out front. I was about to leave… then I saw them swarming.”“Don’t worry,” Zac said. “We’ll use mine. I parked it down the block. Come with me. I’ll drive.”Samantha nodded and followed him.The
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The following day, Zac arrived at Zandawoo Headquarters the moment business hours began. The elevator doors slid open, and he didn’t pause to speak to anyone—he headed to the executive floor.The receptionist barely had time to look up before he was already halfway across the lobby. His strides were long and determined. He didn’t wait for permission—he didn’t even think he needed it.He walked straight past the front desk, ignoring the assistants who tried to stop him. The hall was still quiet, not many people around yet, and that worked in his favor. The last thing he wanted was more drama—even though he was down for it.Jonathan’s office door wasn’t even shut all the way. Zac pushed it open and stepped inside.Jonathan looked up from his desk, startled. “Mr. Cornell,” he said, already rising to his feet. “I wasn’t expecting—”Zac kept moving until he reached the desk, his hands resting against the wood like a man there for war.“We need to talk,” he said through gritted teeth.Jonat
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The tension in the beach house felt like it had a pulse of its own.Zac scoffed, stepping back. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “What the fuck are you even saying?”“You know exactly what I’m saying,” Angelo didn’t flinch. “You dragged her into your world.”“My world?” Zac’s voice rose. “Wait—are you blaming me for this? For that video?”“Of course I have every right to blame you!” Angelo snapped, stepping closer. “Ever since you made her sign that damn contract, she hasn’t had a single moment of peace.”Zac’s expression twisted, his fists flexing at his sides. But Angelo didn’t stop.“She never wanted this life.” Angelo shrugged, spreading his arms. “And now—look at her—caught in this bullshit again.”“You know nothing, Angelo,” Zac retorted, his voice low. “I didn’t know things would be like this. I’ve always protected her, and I still will.”“Ha-ha-ha. How heroic,” Angelo replied, his tone taunting. “Because every time she needs you… you’re not there.”“Well, I’m here now.
THE BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTIQUE BRIDE CHAPTER 115: After the Fall
By the time Angelo got to the tech corner behind the stage, Jonathan was already there—his face red with panic. He was yelling at the tech crew, who were hunched over a console blinking with error lights. “Take it down!” Jonathan barked. “Get the damn video off the screen! Now!” “We’re trying, sir!” one of the tech guys snapped, fingers flying over the keyboard. “It’s not responding—system error keeps flashing. It’s like a virus or something, an override! The damn thing won’t shut down!” Jonathan cursed, then stepped back with wild eyes. He grabbed a thick cord running to the display hub. He yanked at the wires, pulling one loose. A small spark flew, and the large screen in the main hall went dark. A collective gasp echoed from the hall, but the damage had already been done. An alarm started to wail in the distance—soft at first, then louder. Security teams moved in with accuracy, their earpieces crackling. VIP guests were already being ushered out a side exit, leaving the
