Her heart felt like it had been gripped in a vice, her breath caught in her throat as she witnessed the scene before her. Shock coursed through her veins, followed swiftly by a tidal wave of emotions that threatened to engulf her.First came disbelief, a desperate hope that what she was seeing was just a figment of her imagination, a cruel trick of the mind. But as she watched Rhys and Anna locked in an embrace, their lips pressed together in a kiss, reality crashed down upon her like a ton of bricks.Betrayal cut deep, slicing through her already wounded heart with merciless precision. She felt as though she had been punched in the gut, the pain radiating from the pit of her stomach to every corner of her being. How could he? After everything they had been through, after all the pain he had caused her, how could he simply do this so effortlessly?Anger bubbled to the surface, hot and searing, fueling the fire of her anguish. Anger at Rhys for betraying her trust, for making a mockery

Strange. That’s what she had been acting all day. Fumbled movements and clumsy steps. Rhys’s jaw ticked when she again stubbed her toe on the bark of the tree. The hell was wrong with her?It took all his self-control and immense patience to not storm to the garden and carry her inside. The weather was changing, the wind was slowly becoming chilly, and it worried him. Amara had a weak immune-system. Even in childhood, she’d catch cough and cold easily. This little temptress was too stubborn for her own good.It always infuriated him how ignorant she was for her heath.His brows narrowed in a frown as he observed her through the balcony of his office. Giving him full view of the garden and her. His hands deep in his pockets and back straightened. The white shirt clung to his broad shoulders and tapered at his torso. His gaze so calculative as if he was looking at his prey and not a human. Something about her always made him feral in a way that was both concerning and astonishing. No wo

Rhys looked into her eyes, shining with defiance. His heart squeezed tight. She fucking tried to leave him. When he all he did was protect her. Anger simmered-red and hot. Clenching his jaw, his cupped her jaw, tilting her head back. “Is it about Anna?” He asked. Knowing damn well what her answer would be. She wasn’t trying to leave him earlier. There was a shift in her ever since the day at the restaurant.Amara’s eyes widened as she shook her head. “No.” Yes. It was because of her. She hated how it affected her.Rhys tilted his head, squeezing her cheeks painfully. His eyes reading hers like an open book. “Do you love me, Amara?” The question he wanted to ask for a long time. And this wasn’t how he wanted to it go, yet he couldn’t help it now.Amara licked her lips, his eyes following their movement stopping at her lips. “Do you?” She asked in return.Rhys nibbled on his lips. Eyeing darting to her face and resting on her eyes. Holding hers captive. “Are you still not sure? I fuckin

Startled by the hushed whispers reached her ears, she roused from her slumber with a groan, shifting uncomfortably. A wince escaped her lips as a sharp pain coursed through her pelvic region. As her fingertips grazed the velvety sheets beneath her, she was acutely aware of their sensuousness, almost as if they caressed her naked skin— In an instant, her eyes flew open, banishing any remnants of sleep-induced haze. Amara sat up, causing the luxurious fabric to cascade delicately around her hips. A gasp, filled with both awe and disbelief, escaped her lips as she cast her gaze downward at herself. A frenzy of terror coursed through her bloodstream, leaving behind a vivid tapestry of crimson and sapphire imprints stretching across her chest and descending towards her core. With trembling breaths, she cautiously exhaled, causing the soft coverlet to shift ever so slightly. The angry marks trailed along her thighs, mirroring the ones on her chest, intensifying her unease. In a breathless

As Amara stepped inside the jet, her eyes widened in surprise, taking in the sheer affluence of the interior. The soft cream-coloured walls were accentuated with intricate gold trimmings. Plush leather seats lined the cabin. She looked down at her feet.The floor was covered in plush beige carpeting; she could tell it was soft underneath her heels.Gleaming wooden panels, polished nicely. An island at the side, and several bottles of high-end alcohol.The woman at the door bowed slightly. Amara’s gaze wavered to her badge-Lisa. Her uniform was perfectly tailored to fit her slender frame. Her chestnut hair was swept up in a neat bun, with a few loose tendrils framing her delicate features. "Good evening, Mr. De Luca," she greeted, her voice smooth and polished. "I am Lisa, your attendant for the flight. Welcome, sir." Turning her attention towards Amara, Lisa's smile took on a slightly strained quality. Her eyes flickered with a hint of something unreadable."Ma'am," she acknowledged