Semua Bab Wrapped The Bully Around My Fingers: Bab 111 - Bab 120

The woman who ran the boutique introduced herself as Madame Celia. She had grey hair swept into a chignon and wore a black velvet shawl even though the room was warm. She looked at me once, really looked, and nodded to herself like she had seen ghosts before. “Something delicate,” she murmured, circling me slowly. “With breath and movement. Nothing too heavy. Yes... pink. A soft one. Old rose. Like candlelight through blush glass.” She disappeared behind a curtain and returned with a gown that made my breath catch. It was pink—but not sugary pink. It was dusk pink. A color caught between romance and goodbye. The satin was soft, flowing, with layers that caught the light like water. The bodice was corseted, with off-shoulder sleeves that curled like petals along the arms. The skirt floated when she walked, even on the hanger. I touched it, almost afraid. “It’s…” “It’s yours,” Madame Celia said gently. “Go on.” — The fitting room was quiet. There was a single gold-framed

The first light of dawn seeped softly through the curtains, painting the room in gentle golds and pinks. The castle was quiet except for the faint hum of the ocean waves far below the cliff, a constant lullaby that had become a part of our everyday life. I blinked awake, feeling the comforting weight of Apollo curled at my feet. His sleek black fur warmed the cool floor as he stretched and blinked up at me with those curious, bright eyes. He was growing fast now, moving with the elegance and power of a panther much larger than his small size suggested. Slowly, I sat up, pushing my long black hair out of my face. Today was the last exam, the final challenge before the end of the school year. My heart felt steady, the nerves softened by all the studying I’d done, by the steady presence of Lucas beside me. I was ready. The routine felt familiar and grounding. I moved to the bathroom, letting the warm water wash over me as I stood beneath the shower. The steam filled the room, swirling

The ballroom glowed. I mean that—glowed. Not just from the chandeliers dripping with golden light or the crystals twinkling from every arch, but from the way people looked at one another, full of joy, awe, and nerves. The school had outdone itself. Velvet curtains framed the marble windows, bouquets of moon-colored roses stood tall on each table, and soft orchestral music curled through the air like perfume. Lucas took my hand again as we stepped inside. He was devastating in a black tuxedo, no bow tie, just the top button of his shirt slightly undone—as if rules didn’t quite apply to him. His presence turned heads, as always, but it was more than just his looks tonight. There was something about the way he walked in beside me, calm and sure, that made people stop and whisper. And me? I was wearing the pink gown we’d picked together—a soft, flowing miracle of silk that shimmered with every movement, like I was made of rose petals and moonlight. My long black hair had been le

The hallway outside the ballroom was quieter than I expected. The music still pulsed from inside, muffled by the heavy doors, but out here it was softer, more distant, like a memory just starting to fade. Anastasia walked beside me, still smiling from our dance, her hand loosely curled around mine as we turned the corner. “We should drag Daniel out to dance,” she was saying. “Even if we have to bribe him with dessert.” I gave her a small smile, my thoughts already drifting. “I think I’ll find Lucas first,” I said, voice barely above a whisper. “Haven’t seen him in a while.” She glanced sideways at me. “Sure. I’ll come with you.” We moved down the velvet-carpeted hallway, our shoes muffled, our reflections ghosting beside us in the ornate mirrors. I felt strange—tingling with something I couldn’t name. The kind of quiet that comes before a crack of thunder. And then the ballroom doors parted just slightly behind us. The music floated through the gap, clear now, lush and slo

I should’ve known something was wrong the moment her phone didn’t ring. I stood in the middle of the prom, music thudding around me, people laughing, lights swirling—and all I could feel was the cold settling in my chest. I’d checked every corner of the ballroom. The hallway outside. Even the terrace. But she wasn’t there. Pearl had vanished. I texted her again. Where are you? Nothing. I called. Voicemail. Again. And again. My heart started racing. A different kind of panic. Not the kind that makes you run into battle—but the kind that makes you realize you’ve already lost. I shoved past a group of seniors, ignoring someone calling my name. I was already halfway down the long corridor that led to the exit, the echo of my footsteps louder than the music now. The air outside was biting as I ran to my car. My hands were shaking as I unlocked the door. She wouldn’t just leave… right? But then again, I couldn’t find her. I couldn’t reach her. And my gut twisted with a sickening cert