LOGINEllie POVDominic stepped into our space with ease. He was smiling, the air changed immediately, the way it does when a predator enters a room and everyone pretends they don’t notice.I couldn’t help but shrink as his hand closed over mine, as if he could feel the tremor running through my fingers.
Lucas’s jaw tightened at the last word, and for a moment something in his expression flickered—almost softness, almost regret.Then it was gone.He nodded once, slow.“Yeah, well,” he said. “You never really needed it, so don’t worry about it. You’re exactly where you want to be, right?”My fists cu
Ellie POVThe first time I laughed, it surprised me.It slipped out before I could catch it, bright, totally unguarded, and the sound felt unfamiliar in my own throat, as if my body had forgotten how to make it without flinching afterward.For a second I expected the room to turn sharp again, for so
Ellie POVMy mother rushed past me like I wasn’t even there.For a moment, I just stood frozen, watching the hem of her deep purple gown sweep across the floor as she dropped to her knees beside Vivian, her white-gloved hands hovering helplessly over Vivian’s cheek, which was already swelling an ugl
He didn’t speak.He just stood there, staring at me with an expression I couldn’t fully name, something wounded and furious and heartbreakingly human all at once. His fingers twitched at his sides, curling and uncurling like he wanted to reach for me and didn’t trust himself to try.I felt this shar
Ellie POVYou know, I expected this.Even after everything Dominic had done these past few weeks, after the contract and the quiet promises and the way he had looked at me lately as if this arrangement was something fragile and real instead of something written in ink and obligation, a part of me ha
“Stop.”“Yep. Appologizing. I didn’t know you were drugged till later. I’m sorry, okay? We were… in the heat of the moment.”I side eyed him, with a sigh, my nail tapping the mug.“Whatever,” I mumbled. At least we could just move on from this.“But,” He said. “At least we can move on from whatever
She smiled. We hadn’t really talked much, so I couldn’t figure out that tight, sugary little smile that made me want to throw salt at her like she was a demon in disguise.“Morning, Ellie,” she cooed. “Thought you should see this.”I looked down.A form. An official one.Conduct Warning — Indecent B
Dominic POV I saw her run.One second I could barely see Ellie through the crowd as my lips left Vivian’s neck. She was just standing there—furious, shaking—and the next she was gone, shoving through the crowd like the lawn was on fire beneath her feet.My chest tightened.Dammit.I didn’t think. I
He leaned in.My blood went cold.He bared his teeth, sharp and white, and sank them into the side of her neck.The crowd exploded.Cheering. Whistling. A few people actually clapped.Vivian gasped and clutched his arm, playing it up for the audience, then giggled breathlessly as he pulled back, her







