Semua Bab Unexpected ties: Arranged Marriage. : Bab 81 - Bab 90

The morning sunlight filtered weakly through the thin curtains, spilling onto the small dining table where Mia was placing two plates of toast and eggs. Darren sat already with a mug of tea in his hand, watching her in that quiet way of his that sometimes felt too sharp, as if he was weighing every move she made.She slid into the chair opposite him and picked up her fork, but before she could take a bite, his voice broke the comfortable silence.“How many men have you been with before me?”The question came so suddenly that Mia’s hand froze mid-air. She glanced up, her eyes searching his face for some hint of humor but his expression was calm, unreadable.“That’s… a strange question for breakfast,” she said lightly, forcing a little laugh.“I’m just curious,” Darren replied, taking a slow sip of his tea. “You’ve never mentioned anything about your past relationships. Not even once.”Mia’s mind raced. Why would he ask that now? She could hear the unspoken weight in his tone. This was

Eva’s POVThe sky was overcast, heavy clouds swallowing the sun, but Eva didn’t mind. In fact, the dim light worked in her favor.She parked her sleek white coupe two streets away from the Preston Group headquarters, shutting the door quietly. She didn’t belong here not officially and the last thing she wanted was anyone seeing her and connecting the dots too early.Slipping on a pair of oversized sunglasses, she leaned against the corner of a small bakery, watching the discreet side entrance to the building. She’d been here twice before, always “coincidentally” when she knew Darren would be arriving. But today… Today felt different.The hum of an approaching engine caught her ear. The black sedan rolled into view, polished enough to catch what little light there was.James stepped out first, scanning the street with that calculating look of his. He moved like someone who didn’t just work for a man in power, he protected him.Then, the rear door opened.Eva’s breath hitched as her eye

The first rays of dawn slipped through the curtains, bathing the bedroom in a soft golden light. Mia stirred, her body sore, her heart even more restless. She opened her eyes slowly and for a moment, forgot where she was. Then the memories of the previous night came flooding back Darren’s warmth, his touch, the way he had held her as if she was the most fragile thing in the world.Her cheeks burned at the thought. She rolled slightly, careful not to wake him, but he was already awake, propped up on one elbow, his dark eyes studying her intently.“Morning,” Darren said softly, his voice husky, as though he too hadn’t slept much.Mia forced a small smile, though her insides churned with embarrassment. I can’t let him know… he must never know it was my first time. She didn’t want him to think she had been pretending all this while, or worse, pity her.“Morning,” she whispered back, brushing her hair from her face. She tried to sit up naturally, but the ache between her thighs made her mo

Eva swirled the crimson wine in her glass as she leaned closer across the glossy restaurant table, her smile sharpened like a blade hidden in velvet. Opposite her sat Mr. Harris, one of the key representatives of the Edwards family trusted with smoothing partnerships before the big signing ceremonies. He was a man in his mid-forties, married but careless with his vows, and Eva could smell weakness the way a wolf scents blood.“I’ve been hearing so much about this upcoming contract,” Eva said sweetly, her manicured nails brushing against his wrist as if by accident. “It must be such a burden to carry on your shoulders.”Harris chuckled nervously, flattered by the attention. “It’s business, Miss Thompson. Nothing more. But yes… it’s an important deal for the Edwards.”Eva leaned forward, her perfume intoxicating, her tone husky. “And yet, business has always been about people, hasn’t it? Trust… relationships…” Her eyes glittered with cunning. “Sometimes, the ones who stand closest to yo

Eva adjusted the strap of her silk dress as she stood outside the luxury restaurant, her lips painted a shade too bold, her perfume lingering like smoke. Harris was already inside, seated at a corner booth reserved for “business discussions,” though Eva had no intention of keeping things strictly professional.She smirked at her reflection in the glass before stepping inside. As soon as Harris saw her, his brows rose slightly, the faintest flicker of surprise crossing his usually composed face.“Miss Thompson,” he greeted politely as he rose to shake her hand. “I didn’t expect to see you again so soon.”Eva’s lips curved into a slow, deliberate smile as she slid into the seat opposite him. “Oh, please. Call me Eva. After all, we’re not strangers anymore, are we?”Harris hesitated briefly before nodding, though his professional mask remained in place. “Eva, then. To what do I owe the pleasure this evening?”She leaned forward, her voice dropping to a purr. “Let’s just say I wanted to c