LOGINThe lobby went still.Briana blinked up at him, face blotchy and wet. "Eric... what are you saying?""I said enough." He yanked his arm free, voice like a slap. "You don't feel even a little guilty? You hired thugs to jump Lena, trashed her parents' keepsake, drugged her drink—thought that made you smart?"Briana turned ghost-white, lips shaking. "I... I did it for you!""For me?" Eric laughed, icy. "You did it for yourself. You were scared Lena would take everything, so you got dirty."Her eyes welled up again, but this time it was fury. "Oh, so now it's all my fault? Who pushed me to get close to her?""I told you to watch her, not wreck her!" Eric snapped. "You nearly destroyed her life!"Briana staggered back, face twisted. "And now you're all torn up? Please. You didn't even get the girl. You're a joke!"Eric's eyes lit up with rage. "Yeah, I'm a joke—but you? You're a nasty piece of work."That broke her. Whatever was left, gone.Eric shoved her aside. "I said you're a
Shelby came up behind me, arms sliding around my waist. His voice dropped low. "That'd give you full control."I nodded, eyes sharp.Briana, while you were busy babying Eric, I was gutting the Leone family—quietly, piece by piece.By the time you even look up, everything that was supposed to be mine? Already back in my hands.***Leone Group's stock had tanked three days in a row. The market was buzzing with rumors.By day four, I strode into the Leone Tower boardroom in stilettos, owning the room.Legal team lined the table, stacks of papers in front of every shareholder."Alright." I sat down, calm as ever. "Let's talk about this company's future."Silence.The older shareholders traded looks.I flicked my fingers. Lawyers handed out the files.Inside? Proof I'd scooped up 15 percent of shares in three days. Add my inherited 18 percent, and boom—Uncle Novah was toast."Effective immediately," I said, standing, "I'm proposing Novah Leone be removed as chairman. I'm taking
Briana gasped, face flushing red. She clawed at his wrists, trembling, tears spilling fast. Her eyes went huge—pure shock."Let... me go... Eric..."Barely a whisper.Everything froze.Benedict slammed the table. "Eric! Are you out of your mind? Let her go!"Shelby moved fast, yanking Eric off her.Briana hit the floor, gasping, red marks lining her neck as she shook.Eric crumpled like a broken puppet, eyes blank. "Lena... my Lena..."Benedict's hand trembled as he pointed at him. "You've shamed me enough. Get out."Two guards moved in, grabbing Eric. He fought back, wild.Benedict stood and slapped him—loud, sharp."Enough! I know everything you've been pulling. You don't deserve the Santoro name. You're out. For good."Eric froze, then just sagged, letting them drag him off like he had nothing left.Shelby and I didn't wait—we made our move.***"You sure about this?" He handed me a thick file, eyes dark with worry."No better time." I flipped through the pages, a sm
I stood in the yard, bundled in a thick coat. Snow fell soft, like it didn't wanna bother anyone.Then he walked in.Gray wool coat. Quiet eyes, way too calm for a kid."This is Shelby," Samantha said, smiling. "You two should get along."He glanced at me, one side of his mouth twitching up. "Hi, I'm Shelby."He built a snowman with me. Unwound his scarf and wrapped it around my neck, loop by loop.We had fun. Like, real fun.When he left, he kept making me promise to remember his name.But I was little—I forgot.Later, when my real parents showed up, they told me I had to marry Eric.I thought Eric was the boy from the snow.In my last life, I chased him like he was it—right up until I died."What're you thinking about?"Shelby pulled me in, kissed my cheek."Our first meeting." I leaned into him, chasing his warmth.He squeezed my hand. "I'm just glad life brought you back to me."I pressed my face to his."Shelby, what I want... it's not just this.""I know."***
That voice—booming, furious—belonged to Benedict Santoro, Shelby and Eric's grandfather.I shot up, heart pounding.Before I could move, Shelby was already in front of me, shielding me. "Don't be scared."The door burst open.Benedict stood in the doorway, thunder in his eyes.Behind him, Eric and Briana looked like kids who got caught sneaking out—heads low, totally busted.Yeah... we were caught."This is a damn disgrace! What the hell happened here?!" Benedict barked, slamming his cane on the floor.Shelby stepped up, calm and solid. "Grandpa, I love Lena. Always have."I nodded. "Shelby's the one I chose."Then Eric lunged forward, eyes locking on my neck.He froze.He saw the marks. No hiding them in this light.His finger shook as he pointed. "What is that?! What's on your neck?!"I didn't flinch. "Obviously? Love bites. From my husband.""No!" Eric snapped, grabbing Shelby by the collar. "She's my fiancée!"Shelby shoved him off, ice cold. "She's mine now.""Shu
Eric's hands twitched, but he didn't move.I kept the blade steady, dragging Briana with me toward the door."What do you want?" he snapped, jaw tight."Easy," I said, chin lifted. "I walk out safe—and you both stay far away. At least until I marry Shelby.""Fine! Fine, I promise!" He waved the bodyguards off, fast.I backed out, Briana still in front of me. We made it through the corridor.At the entrance, I shoved her straight into Eric's arms—then vanished into the night.And just like they promised, they never came near me again.Everything stayed chill... right up to the wedding.The Leones and Santoros were buzzing from sunrise. Two weddings, one day? Total spectacle.Carmorian tradition said the bride had to wear a lace veil until the private reveal. So, I kept mine on the whole time.Right before I left the bridal suite, Eric texted:[Lena, just follow the maid later. Don't worry, my brother won't be into you. I'll come get you first thing in the morning!]I rolled







