جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 110

Alexis The light from the nightstand lamp felt like a personal attack. I squinted against the brightness and groaned as a dull, pounding ache throbbed in my temples. My head was a battlefield, and my body felt like it had been dragged through a marathon—sluggish and heavy.My mouth was so dry it felt like I’d been chewing cotton all night. The realization hit me: I’d drunk way too much last night.Turning slowly, I spotted Alex sprawled beside me, half-buried under the covers. His arm draped lazily across his chest, his face soft in sleep. But let’s be honest—his peaceful state wouldn’t spare him. If I was suffering, there was no way I was doing it alone.“Wake up,” I muttered, reaching out to nudge his shoulder. “Come on.”I pushed harder when that didn’t work. A muffled grunt escaped his lips as he shifted under the blanket. His red-rimmed eyes fluttered open, and he looked at me like I’d just dragged him out of a nightmare.“What is it?” he grumbled, his voice rough with sleep.I

Gianna My breath grew raspy, and I almost let out a primal scream as the vial shattered on the floor. Glass glinted on the stone path, and whispers rippled through the crowd. I wasn't terrified because the vial had broken. That was a costly mistake that had earned me whispers and eyes that screamed an irritating chorus. I caught the narrowed eyes of a few guests staring at me for my clumsiness. But that wasn't what made my pulse race. It was him.The stranger.I'd seen him moments before the vial slipped from my hands. His eyes locked with mine, and it caused me to feel so dizzy that I saw black spots. I felt a tether snapping into place deep inside my soul—another mating bond. Somebody muttered something snide in the background about this being a bad sign, and when I turned around, I saw it was Meredith, Alexis’s mother. I stole a glance at the stranger again. This could not be happening. I could not understand. I hadn't gotten rid of the shackles of my bond with Byron, so who the f

Alexis Peter's gaze rested on Gianna's retreating figure, and it was amusing to see how he was looking at her like a little puppy. I caught the desire in his eyes, and even though it was borderline irritating that he was looking at someone else while he had a girlfriend, I couldn't blame him.Gianna was stunningly beautiful, with long legs and an effortless grace everyone could see. But there was no question that she was out of Peter's league. I couldn't completely fault Peter. Maybe it was a male thing to have an unrelenting pull toward unattainable women. But even so, it still didn't make it right.As I suspected, Peter coaxed Valen into wearing the shirt, and I sighed in relief. “Thank goodness,” I grumbled, tugging the fabric over Valen's arms and beginning to button it up.“Alexis, can I ask you something?” Peter said, sounding unsure. I looked up. “Sure, go ahead.”“Who’s the redhead that just left?” His voice sounded casual, as though he was trying to mask the tension. But I c

Gianna Amid the celebration, I went to see my mom in the hospital. I parked my car outside the psychiatric hospital, clutching the paper bag filled with fruits and snacks I had picked up from the supermarket earlier. My heart was lighter than usual after the doctor's text, who had said my mom had been responding well to a new medication. And even though I was hesitant to get my hopes up, I felt relief.I made my way down the hallway to the semi-private ward where my mom had been moved. The space was quieter than the general ward, with only four patients in the room, including my mom. When I stepped inside, she was lying on the bed, fast asleep. Her chest rose and fell steadily, and her face looked free of the usual tension that pulled at her features. I was happy and placed the bag on the small side table. I was glad to see her at peace.My gaze shifted to one of the other patients, clutching a doll tightly to her chest. She was a middle-aged woman with hollow eyes filled with pain a

Gianna Alone in my room, I stared blankly at the half-drunk glass of water on my nightstand. My earlier outburst on that girl was foolish, and the guilt refused to subside. I had no reason to do that. After all, none of this was the girl's fault. The cake was good, in fact, so good that it made me jealous. Now I felt bad as my mind replayed the scene from the kitchen. Lisa had stood there, trembling and looking so unsure and apologetic. The truth slashed through me like a knife, and I felt sick with myself. She had done nothing wrong. Her only crime was being Peter's girlfriend.“Gosh, I'm so childish,” I muttered. Why was I even projecting my insecurities onto others? I didn't want to think of Peter or my strange, uncontrollable pull towards him. I didn't want to admit that I hated seeing him smiling, talking, and dancing with Lisa. I didn't even want him. I couldn't want him.But you do, the treacherous voice whispered in my mind. You are lying to yourself.I got on my feet and beg