Semua Bab Obsessed with Punishment: Bab 91 - Bab 100

"You don't wanna browse more?" Rafael asked.Mina's jaw hit the floor. "Who is footing her bill?"Rafael glanced back casually. "That'd be me."Mina's blood boiled. 'Why are all the guys in our elite circle orbiting Caroline like moths to a flame?'"Rafael!" she screeched. "Don't let her play you. Sure, she's got a killer face, a banging body, and a voice like honey, but what else? Why are you and Laurent falling over yourselves for her?"He raised a brow. "You just listed her best qualities. Got any dirt?"She stomped, her heels clacking furiously. "You're gonna regret this! I can't talk sense into you, but you'll see. There are so many better women in our circle. Why her?""What should I care?" he snorted. "You think I'm some saint?"She was rendered speechless and stewing as he led Caroline away.Her phone buzzed with a call from Hannah. She picked up, practically spitting fire. "Girl, you won't believe this. Caroline has no shame!"Hannah's voice tightened. "What's she do

"Caroline, I had you all wrong!" Laurent roared, making her flinch. "All you're after is money, isn't it?"His eyes were bloodshot, like he was the one bleeding out. "Admit it, Caroline. It's all about the cash, isn't it? Yeah, I couldn't put a ring on you, but did I treat you poorly? I gave you all my network and resources. Are you that much of a snake? You got into Beluvale University and grad school under my support. And your mother..."Her hand cracked across his face before he could finish. A thin line of blood bloomed at the corner of his lip.He winced, his sneer cold. "You're hitting me now?""You don't get to talk about my mom!" Her face glistened—tears or rain, it was hard to tell. Her eyes were a storm of pain. "She died hoping you'd marry me. She thought you were a good guy, someone with a heart, and someone I could trust. She raved about you, and I kept my mouth shut so she wouldn't worry."Her words hit him like a sledgehammer. "She died thinking we were married."T

When Laurent looked at Caroline again, she was trembling, reaching for Rafael with shaking hands."Give me a drink," she rasped."You sure you can handle it?" he asked."I need to calm down." Her eyes were red, and her head was shaking. "I hate this. It's humiliating. Not my choice."Rafael let out a soft sigh, pressing the champagne flute into her hands."What, need a straw with that?" he teased, trying to lighten the mood."You... Asshole," she choked out.Stress could send her into hyperventilation, even alkalosis. People who didn't get it might laugh, tossing around mental health jabs. Only those who'd lived it knew the hell it was.Laurent watched, guilt and frustration warring on his face.Caroline chugged the champagne in one desperate gulp, then snatched another from Rafael's hand. The alcohol dulled the jagged edges of her nerves, but it didn't stop the shaking.Earlier, Rafael had wanted a glimpse of her unguarded side. Now he did, and it was Laurent's fault.His g

Rafael grinned, leaning closer. "And you were his girlfriend.""Yeah. I was an idiot," Caroline said, her gaze drifting. "Got played like a fiddle. Just another link in the food chain. Should've known nothing comes free. Should've been like you, chasing value and not love. Should've been much easier."She ended up like this only because of love.Rafael tried to say something, then noticed her earlobes, flushed bright red. "You..."She shut her eyes, leaning into his hand, her voice a whisper. "Cool and nice."His brain flatlined.He grabbed her shoulders, trying to sit her up, but she melted into his arms, limp as a ragdoll.She mumbled, "I'm burning up. Am I sick?"As he steadied her, all kinds of possibilities flashed across his mind. She curled into him like a kitten, playful but fragile, nuzzling his chest with a soft giggle.It was true that he wanted to see another side of her, but not a full-on seduction scene.He tried to speak, but his hand grazed her chest. It was s

"I..." Caroline's voice cracked. "Why is it you?""Why not me?" Laurent snapped. "You wake up screaming my friend's name? What's that about? You had a thing with Rafael?"She couldn't get a word out.He grabbed her jaw and demanded, "Why him?""I thought it was him," she stammered, heart racing."Oh, so if it was Rafael, you'd just go for it?" He was livid, not bothering to explain why he was here instead of Rafael.All he could hear was her muttering Rafael's name, and it drove him wild."You've got some nerve. Let anyone else lay a finger on you. I dare you!" he spluttered."You're out of your mind!" She shoved him off, her eyes blazing red. "I was drugged last night. Rafael brought me back. I thought it was him..."She pivoted, her voice sharpening. "Wait! Did we catch who spiked the drink?"His gaze turned cold, probing.She laughed, sharp and bitter. "Sleeping with you is worse than with Rafael. I'd take him over you any day."His anger hit the roof. "Say that again!"