Candice’s POVJoshua flinched as if the air itself had turned hostile.Then Dorian turned to me.All that simmering menace melted from his features the moment his eyes met mine. The hardness in his jaw softened. “Are you hurt?” he asked, his voice quieter now, just for me.My lips parted, but no sound came out. My heart was still rattling in my chest. I managed to shake my head.“I’m fine,” I whispered, though the truth was, I felt like a bomb that had only half-exploded.He didn’t hesitate. Dorian reached out and gently took my hand—his large, warm fingers curling over mine and turned to face the sea of eyes that had gathered around us. People were staring, whispering, some still wide-eyed from the scene. Then his voice rang out.“For those of you who seem confused,” he began, his tone almost casual, “allow me to clarify.”My stomach tightened.“This woman—” he lifted our joined hands slightly, “—is my fiancée.”The silence shattered into a hundred shocked gasps. My eyes widened, b
Candice’s POVImmediately I stepped back into my room, my heels came off with a dull thud against the floor, my gown pooled around me like melted silk. Ana was already there, waiting for me with a soft smile. She didn’t ask questions. She didn’t press. She simply walked over and began helping me out of the dress, her movements gentle.“Let’s get you into something comfortable,” she murmured.I nodded wordlessly, trying to keep my emotions buried under the surface As she helped me change into a soft cotton robe, Ana glanced at me with quiet understanding.“You know…” she started, fastening the last button with practiced fingers, “Mr. Dorian wasn’t always like this.”My head lifted slightly. “Like what?”“So cold. So unreadable,” she said softly, brushing my hair back from my face. “He used to smile more. Talk more. There was… warmth in him. Once.”That caught me off guard.I turned to look at her, confused. “What happened?”Ana hesitated for a moment, as if weighing how much she shou
Candice's POVThe maid adjusted my dress as I took one last glance in the mirror. The deep red gown flowed elegantly, hugging my figure.It looked striking and wasn’t too revealing. The diamond necklace Dorian had sent through a guard rested on my collarbone, and it caught light whenever I moved.The maid stood back after adjusting the hem of my dress. “You look stunning, ma’am,” she said softly.The corner of my lips curled into a soft smile and disappeared almost immediately. “Thank you.”As I descended the grand staircase, my heels clicked softly against the marble steps. Dorian waited at the base of the staircase, his black suit sharp against his strong frame. His cold aura made him seem untouchable, like he belonged to a different world and he did.He looked up when he heard me coming. For a second, his gaze moved down my body, pausing briefly at my neckline before meeting my eyes again.A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, and his head tilted slightly as if he was undressin
Candice's POVI turned around, my eyes widened at the sight of Violet hovering by the restroom door. She was dressed in a high quality dress just like mine.Violet looked exactly as I remembered her in the past. At first, it looked like she was surprised to see me, but it quickly turned to contempt, her lips curled into a disdainful smirk.“Well, well,” Violet began, her voice mocking as she folded her arms. “Look who managed to sneak into an event like this. How did you get past the security? Did you bribe the doorman with that pretty face of yours?…or your body?”I stiffened, clenching my fists at my sides, but Violet wasn’t done.“Honestly, how pathetic can you be?” Violet sneered.I blinked as I was taken aback. I refused to let Violet get under my skin, especially not here. “That’s enough,” my tone was as calm as I could muster, though my fists were still clenched at my sides.I cut her off immediately, my voice trembled with anger. “You’re the one with such low standards, Violet
Candice POVI had barely stepped foot into the grand estate before I felt the weight of it all pressing down on me.Dorian walked slightly ahead of me, calm and his expression unreadable as always. I followed quietly, my hands nervously fiddling with the strap of my purse, my heels clicking too loudly against the marble floor.Then we entered the sitting room.There, I met them—his family.His grandfather was the first to speak, seated in a high-backed chair that looked more like a throne. His presence commanded the room without even trying.“Ah,” he said, his voice surprisingly warm, but layered with calculation, “so this is Candice.”I nodded politely, giving him a soft smile. “It’s an honor to meet you, sir.”His eyes briefly swept over me—evaluating, measuring—before he gestured for us to sit.Next to him stood a poised woman in a form-fitting dress, her smile tight and eyes slightly distant. That was Dorian’s stepmother, I later learned. She greeted me with a nod, then continued
Candice POVThe moment the tall, elegant woman walked in, I could feel the shift in the room. Everyone straightened just a bit. Even the air seemed to pause for her. She was striking—flawlessly dressed in a sleek, cream-colored dress that clung to her body like it was made for her alone. Her heels clicked confidently against the marble floor, and her presence… it was commanding. Like she belonged here more than anyone else.And then, before I could even try to figure out who she was, Grace—the stepmother—lit up like a chandelier.“Alora, darling,” she called out warmly, rising from her seat faster than I’d seen her move all evening. Her voice was laced with so much affection, it felt like she was welcoming a long-lost daughter home.Alora.The name hit me like a jolt.She didn’t need to be introduced after that. The way Grace rushed over to her, arms wide, smiling like she’d just been reunited with royalty, told me everything I needed to know. I had connected the dots before, but hea
Candice POVJust as Dorian and I were preparing to leave that emotional battlefield masquerading as a family dinner, a sudden roar of thunder cracked through the sky like a warning. Within minutes, the heavens opened, and rain came crashing down in torrents.I stood by the door, watching the rain like it was laughing at me. Perfect timing.Grandfather glanced out the window, then back at us with a calm, authoritative tone. “It’s not safe to drive in this storm. The roads here get flooded quickly. You both should stay the night. We’ll have rooms prepared.”I didn’t miss the small, satisfied glance Grace shot in our direction as she sipped her wine, and Alora’s smug little smile that she quickly tried to hide behind a napkin.Part of me wanted to protest, to say we’d risk it, storm or not—but I wasn’t about to get into an accident just to escape the discomfort. So I swallowed my pride and nodded silently.Later that night, I found myself in one of the mansion’s ornate guest bedrooms. T
Candice POVHer voice trembling ever so slightly. “I… I know this might sound silly, but the thunder’s been scaring me. I just… I couldn’t sleep. I thought maybe… maybe I could stay here. Just for a little while.”For a second, the room fell so quiet I could hear the distant roll of thunder again.I sat frozen on the edge of the bed, my freshly bandaged arm limp in my lap, trying not to look as out of place as I suddenly felt.Dorian didn’t even blink. His expression was as cold and sharp as I’d ever seen it, his voice razor-edged when he finally spoke.“What do you want, Alora?”Alora’s smile faltered. She stepped closer, wringing her fingers together. “I just… needed a little comfort. That’s all.”I didn’t know what compelled me to do it—maybe it was the awkwardness thick in the air, or maybe I just didn’t want to be caught in the middle of whatever history was about to resurface. I rose from the bed, brushing my palm over my pajama top.“I can go,” I said quickly, my voice light, m
Candice’s POV I pushed the guest room door open, the faint hum of Fousheé’s “Deep End” still buzzing in my ears even after I’d yanked the headphones off. My chest felt tight, like the air in the room was pressing down on me, and I couldn’t stay curled up on that bed any longer. I needed to move, to breathe, to shake off the weight of Dorian’s accusations and that suffocating fight. The folded pile of clothes stared at me from the corner of the bed, a neat little reminder of how I’d tried to keep some control over this mess. But control? That was a joke now. Stepping into the hallway, I smoothed my hands over my jeans, trying to steady myself. The house was too quiet, a contrast to the shouting match Dorian and I had earlier. I padded down the stairs, my bare feet silent against the glossy tiled floor. I froze halfway when I caught sight of Dorian in the living room. He stood near the window, his broad shoulders rigid, his jaw set in that way that made him look like he was chewi
Chapter 38: Marcus? Dorian’s POVI stood in the study, staring at the wall as if it might give me answers. The heat of my argument with Candice was still burning under my skin. The photo lingered in my mind—Joshua’s hand on her arm, the way it looked like she wasn’t fighting him off. Every time I replayed it, my fists clenched tighter, and my pulse thrummed in my ears. I didn’t even hear Derek come in until he cleared his throat.“You alright, boss?” he asked, leaning against the doorframe, his usual calm demeanor a stark contrast to the fury raging on the inside of me.I shot him a glare, not trusting myself to speak yet. Alright? No, I wasn’t alright. I was pissed—furious, even—but the why of it gnawed at me. Surprised me. It wasn’t just the photo. It was her defiance, the way she had looked at me like I was the villain, the way she had stormed off and not looked back. I had done everything to keep her safe, and she had thrown it back in my face.“You’ve been pacing like a caged an
Candice’s POVThe drive back with Ruby had been quiet, the hum of the engine and the soft glow of streetlights letting me sink into my thoughts. I had sent the donation to St. Mary’s from my phone, and I felt somewhat happy, fulfilled even, but Joshua’s face kept lingering in my mind—his desperate grip, his pathetic excuses. By the time Ruby dropped me off at Dorian’s place, the evening air had cooled my nerves, but exhaustion still clung to me like damp clothes.I stepped through the door, kicking off my boots but then, I froze. Dorian was in the living room, pacing about, jaw tight and hands balled into fists. The way his eyes snapped to me sent a shiver down my spine. This wasn’t the worried Dorian I’d left behind. This was….this was something darker.“What’s wrong?” I asked, dropping my bag on the couch. My voice sounded small, wary.He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he grabbed his phone from the coffee table, swiped at the screen, and shoved it towards me. “Take a look”I to
Candice’s POV“Dorian” I gently tugged at his shirt, raising my face to look at him “Did you hear me?” I asked “I said I need to clear my head” He sighed before replying “Yes. I heard you the first time. I was just tryna process it. When you say clear your head, what do you mean? What do you have in mind to do?” “I don't know. Maybe go for a walk. Take a drink or two” I shrugged, slowly easing myself from his embrace Everything that had happened lately seemed to be pressing against my chest and it felt like I couldn’t breathe right. Violet’s vile words still echoed in my head, clawing at me like the talons of a vulture. I needed air, space—something to shake off the weight of it all. “I’m going out,” I said, my voice rough, like I’d been screaming for hours. I took off the bathroom so I was now left in only the night dress as I headed for the bathroom. Dorian's hand shot out, catching my wrist—not hard, but firm enough to stop me mid-step. “Candice, wait. After everything that’s
Candice’s POV“Candice, listen” He began, gently grabbing my shoulders, staring fixedly at me “Violet hurt you. She did you dirty. She’s a bitch and deserves to be treated like one. You think I was just gonna fold my arms and watch her?” “I totally understand that, Dorian, and I appreciate your concern, but I think you should really let me handle this. Remember it’s my fight” “Really, Candice?” His voice sounded bland, like my words had hurt him or something “Dorian” I held his face, slowly caressing it. “I didn’t mean it that way. Of course I love the fact that you care about me and my safety, but at least let me be involved in this. It’s me Violet came at” His eyes searched my face for a moment before he spoke up. “Okay, if you say so” “Come on, I'll show you where she’s at” She got off the bed and donned a shirt he grabbed from nearby I pulled the duvet slightly off me and I realized I was naked. Memories from last night came rushing and my cheeks flushed red. I hoped Dorian
Dorian’s POV I sniffed her hair as I watched her sleep. It smelt of lavender and chamomile, her signature fragrances, which were now my favorite. She had drifted off so fast, all thanks to my fingers, tongue and the slow, soothing strokes of my fingers on her hair. I'd have helped her don her night dress, but in the heat of the moment, I wasn't sure exactly where I had tossed it. Maybe it was under the bed or something, I wasn't sure. I'd just find it the next morning, but for now, the duvet was enough. Slowly, I pulled it over her naked body, kissing her forehead before sliding off the bed. She stirred a bit as I got off, thankfully she didn't wake up. I peeled my Calvin Klein briefs off my body before stepping into the bathroom, the door clicking shut behind me. I turned on the shower and the warm water hit my back, cascading down my shoulders. I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to relish the soothing feel of the water but my head was still full of Candice — her gasps and t
Candice’s POVThe moment Dorian’s lips met mine, a jolt of confusion sparked through me, sharp and electric. My mind scrambled to catch up. This was indeed happening. Dorian and I were really kissing, with his right hand firm on my neck, while his left gripped my waist. We pulled apart briefly, our faces hovering close, breaths mingling in the quiet. Dorian’s lips brushed mine again, soft, warm and barely there, before disengaging once again, a faint smack echoing in the stillness. My heart stuttered as he tilted his head, coming back for another kiss. Soft sounds slipped out as our lips met again, lingering just a moment longer before breaking apart with a tiny, wet click. Each kiss was slow, smooth, filled with yearning. Then I got hungry. Really hungry. I wanted more, craved for more. I'd never wanted a man this badly. Ever. I reached out and snaked my hands around his neck as I kissed him with so much fervor. The world turned around us, blurring and disappearing. His hands slid
Candice’s POV“And why wouldn't you allow me to bathe you?” He asked, shifting closer to me on the bed “Well…” I trailed off, scratching my nape unsure of what to say “Well, that's because…” I began again, but trailed off a second time. The words were in my throat, but were kind of stuck, so nothing was coming out. Was this the Dorian effect taking a hold on me? “Well….” He adjusted closer to me, and I wasn't sure if I should sit still or move a little away from him. I found myself sitting still. “....what?” He asked and I could hear him cackle. Obviously laughing at how the huge effect he had on me made me all fidgety. “Well, I can bathe myself, Dorian” I finally found my voice “I didn't say you cannot. I said, I wanna do it, so let me” Before I could comprehend what was happening, he was already in extremely close proximity with me and had already pulled the duvet off my knees and legs. “Come on, raise your hands” “Hold on, hold on, Dorian. Wait, please” I blushed, trying no
Dorian's POV “Not just our baby” I thought to myself, the words burning on the tip of my tongue, almost rolling off. But I hesitated, unsure of how to express the emotions swirling inside me. I guess it was better I kept mute, so I did just that. As I stood beside Candice's bed, watching her fragile form tremble with each sob, I felt an overwhelming urge to shield her from all pain, heartache and care. Her fingers which held tight onto the hem of the duvet, like the grasp of a newborn on its mother's hair, slightly trembled and her eyes blinked rapidly non-stop. Violet had to pay. She definitely was going to pay for making Candice this unsettled, and putting her through so much distress. For chrissakes, Candice was pregnant – carrying my baby; our baby, and I was going to go any length to protect them. Even if it meant snapping necks or spilling blood. It wasn't something new to me anyway. But for now, Candice was my utmost priority. I had to attend to her burns as the doctor inst