Semua Bab RAGING FLAME: Bab 71 - Bab 80

I wandered aimlessly around the house, trying to make sense of everything. The mansion was massive, but it felt like a gilded cage. The security detail posted at every corner made it clear I couldn’t escape, even if I tried. Every exit was guarded, and I felt suffocated by their presence. There was no freedom here—only the illusion of choice. Eventually, I stopped pacing and retreated inside, resigning myself to this twisted reality. It felt like I had accepted my fate, but inside, I was still fighting.Night came, and with it, a chilling silence that enveloped the house. I found myself in the garden, trying to calm my thoughts. The cool breeze provided some relief, and the tea I was sipping was a weak attempt at comfort. But as I sat there, lost in thought, I felt him approach. Aiden. His presence was suffocating. The second he stepped into the garden, I stood up to leave. I didn’t want to be around him—I couldn’t stomach it.But he stopped me. His voice was cold as he spoke. “How lo

Tears streaked down my face as I sat on the edge of the bed, clutching the pillow to my chest. The phone call had shattered the fragile composure I had managed to maintain since arriving at this house. Mia’s voice had been soft and concerned on the other end, but it hadn’t masked the tension I felt, knowing that every word I uttered could be overheard. Ryan was still recovering, though not as quickly as I had hoped, and the strain of my situation with Aiden was making it impossible for me to think clearly. My pulse was racing, the weight of the despair overwhelming me, when I suddenly heard a noise downstairs—raised voices.I quickly wiped the tears from my face, standing and making my way to the top of the stairs. As I reached the bottom, I saw him towering over his mother, his expression a twisted mask of fury. She stood trembling, her hands wringing in front of her, and I could see the fear in her eyes. The servants had gathered in the hall, their faces pale and uncertain, as if t

The tension in the backseat was thick and suffocating as we rode in silence, the dim lights of the city flashing by outside the tinted windows. I sat as far from Aiden as the seat would allow, arms crossed and my gaze fixed stubbornly on the blur of lights. Aiden, on the other hand, seemed disturbingly calm, his gaze burning into the side of my face. He hadn’t spoken since we’d gotten into the car, and that silence felt more like a threat than any words he could have said.The car stopped at the entrance of a grand hotel, its golden lights casting a warm glow over the gathering elite outside. It was a party for the most affluent in the city, a social battleground where reputations were built and destroyed with a single conversation. I straightened my shoulders, steeling myself for the role I had to play tonight, while Aiden’s hand found my waist as we exited the car. His grip was firm—almost like a warning—as we walked toward the entrance.Inside, the ballroom was already buzzing with

I woke up groggy, my head pounding from last night’s party. I blinked a few times, letting the dull ache behind my eyes settle as I glanced around the room. The curtains were half-drawn, letting in the faintest morning light. I noticed immediately that I was alone, which brought me an unexpected wave of relief. Thank God, Aiden wasn’t here to see me like this—disoriented, vulnerable. The last thing I needed was him smirking at my discomfort or throwing around smug comments.I pushed myself up, wincing at the slight nausea that crept up my throat. As I rubbed my temples, the memories from last night came back in fractured pieces—Aiden’s possessiveness at the party, the argument, the tension simmering just below the surface. And then there was that moment when I almost lost myself in his arms, allowing him to soothe me during my panic attack. I shivered at the thought. It wasn’t supposed to be like that. I wasn’t supposed to lean on him for comfort, not after everything he’d put me thro

I texted my friends except Ryan, trying to assure them that everything was fine, even though I wasn’t sure I believed it myself. Their messages came pouring in, each one full of concern and questions. It was obvious they were worried about me, and I couldn’t blame them. They were convincing me to come back. I knew what would happen again if I came back.Then, just as I was about to put my phone down, Ryan’s name flashed on the screen. My heart skipped a beat as I stared at it, hesitation creeping in. After everything that had happened, I knew talking to him wasn’t a good idea—especially not when Aiden could show up at any moment. But I couldn’t ignore him either, so I answered, keeping my voice low.“Amira,” Ryan’s voice was warm, but there was a trace of urgency in it. “Are you okay? Where are you? We haven’t heard from you in days. Please, come back.”I swallowed hard, feeling the familiar ache in my chest. It was comforting to hear his voice, yet it only made things more difficult.