Addicted To The Arranged Bride의 모든 챕터: 챕터 21 - 챕터 30

***~~ZARA~~***“Nothing important,” he said, leaning against the doorway. But the way he avoided my gaze made me pause. Something was off, but I decided not to push. Not yet.I sat back against the pillows, taking a deep breath. The room was quiet except for the faint hum of the AC and the sound of Dante’s movement.Moonlight spilt across the bed, hitting the edge of the blanket and the floor, making everything feel softer and calmer.I thought back to the evening dinner when Dahlia had tried, subtly, to create tension. But we hadn’t given her the reaction she wanted.Dante had been on my side, reassuring me.The paperwork—it all went smoother than I expected.I pulled the blanket around me and let myself relax, letting the exhaustion mix with a small spark of hope.Then I dozed off.*************************************“Come here, baddie.”That deep husky voice commanded me, filling my ears as I opened my eyes.I was back at the club’s private room. All dim lighting and heavy air,

***~~ZARA~~***I rushed through the hallway with its fluorescent lights and rows of lockers.My shoes clicked against the tiled floor, and I barely made it to the exam hall before the exam officer walked in carrying a stack of papers and announced we'd be starting our exams immediately, which was perfect timing.I did not want to be marked absent.The exam hall desks and chairs had already been arranged, making the space look open and neat, with students already pulling out their pens.I was pulling out my pen when I heard Adrian call my name from across the hall.I turned to look at him for half a second before rolling my eyes and focused back on my exam paper.After the exam finished and we were all packing up, the bursar's assistant came into the classroom and announced that Dahlia needed to report to the bursar's office immediately.I wondered what that was about, but honestly, it wasn't my problem, so I just grabbed my stuff and headed out.I was walking down the hallway with i

***~~ZARA~~***I grabbed my phone and headed downstairs toward the pool area.I needed to get away from him and clear my head.When I got to the pool area, the evening air blew on my face, and I could see the water reflecting the orange sky.I pulled off Dante's t-shirt and I was left with just my bra and underwear, and then I jumped into the pool, letting the cool water swallow me completely.I needed to let all the emotions that had been swirling inside me since this whole thing started to wash away.I went deep underwater where everything was quiet and muffled, then came back up gasping for air, then went deep again like I was trying to leave all my pain at the bottom of the pool.I was under the water longer, watching the light filter through the water above me and feeling my lungs start to burn. Suddenly I felt a hand grab me and pull me up to the surface."Zazzz," Dante called out urgently, his voice filled with concern as I came out of the water gasping.I immediately splashe

***~~DANTE~~***"You're very stupid for even saying that out loud," Mr Henry snapped viciously, glaring at Adrian with pure hatred. "Do you want to bring public shame on my daughter by standing here denying this in front of everyone?""That's enough Adrian, what exactly do you have to say about this accusation?" my dad asked."I'm telling the truth, Dad. I'm being completely honest. I'm not the one responsible for her pregnancy," Adrian repeated desperately."I demand that your son take full responsibility for this pregnancy and marry my daughter as soon as possible," Mrs Henry interrupted, leaving absolutely no room for negotiation. "Before he even gets the opportunity to deny that she's pregnant out of wedlock, let me remind everyone here that this situation will severely tarnish my husband's reputation in this community, and I know none of you want that kind of scandal attached to the Wright name either. This matter has to be sorted out immediately, and quite frankly, the wedding

***~~ZARA~~***“Oops,” Julia let out a guilty little laugh as the fake pregnancy belly hit the floor with a hollow sound.“Julia,” her brother Ethan called out, and the look on his face clearly screamed, "You're not following the plan we agreed on.”“Zazzz,” Dante called to me from across the room, his voice completely confused as he tried to process what was happening right in front of us.Julia and I just giggled at the absolutely shocked expressions on both their faces. Then we grabbed each other in another tight hug.I’d missed this girl so much, and seeing her again after all these years felt surreal.“Zara, I’ve missed you so much. You look more beautiful than you did back in high school,” she gushed as she reached up to caress my cheeks softly with both hands.“Cutie, I’ve missed you too,” I replied, taking in how much she’d changed since the last time I saw her.Her hair was dyed with a gorgeous shade of burgundy that looked amazing on her.Adrian clearly thought he could se