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36. Beneath the Ballroom Light
Last Updated:
2025-10-21 19:36:30
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Tied to the Ruthless Three 38. Mother's Plan
NATHANIEL POVWhere the hell had that idiot been? He had disappeared without a word, only to return to the hall looking gloomy.I watched Gabriel grab a glass of champagne and gulp it down in one go, like a man drowning in frustration. Idiot.I walked up to him, and he glanced at me briefly before reaching for a second glass."That's enough," I hissed. "This is our chance to meet the Nightshade Council and other syndicates. Can you imagine if one of them decides they want us?"Gabriel pressed his lips into a line. "I don't care."We had just made peace, and yet here he was, being annoying again. What the hell was going through his head?"Come on, let's go see Father," I insisted.Gabriel finished his drink in one gulp and walked beside me. Instead of carrying himself with confidence, he looked like a loser.I spotted Father Alistair chatting with a few guests. Mother was standing beside him. The moment she saw us, her face lit up."These are our sons, Nathaniel and Gabriel. You must’v
Tied to the Ruthless Three 37. A Love That Shouldn't Exist
“Why, Anna? Why are you testing me like this?”Gabriel suddenly grabbed my arm. He looked devastated. What had I done, exactly? Especially to him. Weren’t he and Nathaniel the ones who kept hurting me all this time?And now that I’d fallen into Alexei’s game, had they lost their favorite toy? I’d rather be Alexei’s puppet than Gabriel and Nathaniel’s plaything.“Let me go, Gabriel!” I snapped.“I’m trying to protect you!”His voice carried something raw—sincere, even. But hearing kindness from him felt wrong. “I don’t want to hear anything from you, okay?” I hissed. “You’re scaring me with that talk.”I tried to pull away, but his grip only tightened. I flinched, feeling pain shoot through my arm.“Let her go.”That deep, commanding voice echoed down the corridor.We both turned toward the sound, and Gabriel instantly released me. His face went pale as soon as he realized Alexei was striding toward us.Just as Gabriel was about to leave, Alexei caught his arm. I couldn’t see Gabriel
Tied to the Ruthless Three 36. Beneath the Ballroom Light
His gaze felt like it was stripping me bare.Alexei’s cold expression froze me in place. He stood beside me with a faint smile curling on his lips."Lovely," he said softly.Evelina was quick to cut in. "I'm sorry, Alexei. Anna shouldn’t be wearing something so flashy. You have to understand; she lost her mother during her teenage years. No one was there to guide her,” she rambled.For the first time, I saw my father’s forehead crease with clear disapproval.“She looks beautiful, like a rose. It matches her dark hair. It’s elegant,” Alexei replied suddenly. "I see Anastasia as the center of the universe.""Oh, well, that’s..." Evelina stammered, her expression caught between confusion and embarrassment. "That's nice, but a bit too much. Don’t encourage her; she might get out of hand.”"Enough," my father interjected. “We’re not here to talk about Anna’s strengths or flaws.”Alexei and my father walked away together to greet the other guests. Evelina quickly followed, clutching my fath
Tied to the Ruthless Three 35. Stolen Spotlight
"Oh, God!" I gasped the moment I entered my room and shut the door.Isolde was sitting on the edge of her bed. Her anxious face gave everything away. The second she looked at me, she jumped to her feet. She rushed toward me, her eyes glistening as if she were about to cry."Are you okay? What did Alexei do to you?" she asked, her voice trembling."Nothing happened." After saying those heavy, pressuring words, Alexei told me to take the dress to my room. I walked out in disbelief, dragging my feet down the long corridor. I felt like I’d been pulled too far into Alexei’s game."He bought me a dress," I said, showing Isolde the black shopping bag."A dress? For tomorrow’s event?”I nodded. "A white one. He said...” I hesitated. "He said it suits me."I didn’t want Isolde to know the truth. Just remembering it made my skin crawl.Isolde frowned. "Weird.""I know."I walked to the wardrobe and shoved the bag inside more out of frustration than care. I didn’t know what impression I’d make
Tied to the Ruthless Three 34. The Red and White Dress
"Alexei?"I could hardly believe what I was hearing. Honestly, I didn’t. Gabriel’s sudden change in attitude made me feel like he was the one I needed protection from."Live your own life, Gabriel. Think clearly. You have Nathaniel. Don't make me the reason for another fight between you two," I said firmly."You're part of my family, too.""Oh, so now I'm family?"Gabriel fell silent. He looked uneasy, his eyes restless and conflicted."No," he finally said, shaking his head."See? That's exactly my point. Let’s just stop interfering with each other.” I exhaled deeply. "I appreciate your effort, but there are some things that should be left alone."I ended the conversation and hurried back into the boutique. My gaze instinctively returned to the window, but Gabriel was gone.Maybe I had been too harsh, but I was tired of everyone trying to convince me that Alexei was bad for me."Anna, which dress do you want?" Isolde asked.Honestly, I wasn’t in the mood to pick out a dress. For even
Tied to the Ruthless Three 33. The Truth I Shouldn't Seek
Alexei’s words echoed in my head. My anxiety made my whole body tremble, down to my fingertips. I looked at Alexei, but not into his eyes; I looked at his chest. I didn’t dare look him in the eye. I was terrified.“Should we go to the archives room to confirm what you’re looking for, Anna? So we can search for it together.”Alexei stepped closer; each stride felt like death itself was approaching. He sat beside me, and I couldn’t tell if he was watching me. I didn’t dare turn my head."Are you looking for ghosts, Anna?" he asked quietly. His tone was flat and calm.There was no point in pretending anymore—I’d been caught red-handed. Lying would only make things worse. I lowered my head and clasped my trembling fingers together tightly."I'm looking for the truth," I whispered.I sounded uncertain, even though the truth is meant to be spoken loudly and clearly. Instead, I sank deeper into my own purpose. It was a purpose I didn’t know where it would lead me."The truth is the most dang
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