Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 91 - Chapitre 100

The light caught the honey-gold strands of his hair, and every now and then, his blue eyes would lift from the strings to meet hers.A girl's heart in those moments is like the cling of plum-rain season—damp, lingering, impossible to shake off.Ever since that day, this melody had become the lullaby she returned to each night.After they broke up, she avoided all things Debussy — and the harp altogether.They had lunch at a quiet restaurant. Adriana planned to go shopping afterward to pick out gifts for Chris.Not knowing the city well, she had to rely on Francesco's guidance.He didn't refuse."Alright," he said. "But in return, have dinner with me tonight."Adriana agreed without hesitation. What sort of condition was that? Since arriving here, how many meals had she not eaten with him?She bought timeless jewelry, picked out a watch for Chris, an artist-brand bag for Bella, and even cashmere items for every colleague.Francesco leaned against the car with his hands in his

After a while, Eileen returned to find Adriana."Francesco wants me to take you over," Eileen said.Adriana happened to be alone, and unease churned in her chest.She followed Eileen down the long corridor into the room opposite.Compared to the quiet chatter of the previous room, this one was loud and chaotic, the air thick with the acrid sting of nicotine and alcohol."Where's Francesco?" Adriana asked, but Eileen's figure had already disappeared behind her.A bad premonition rose in her chest. She stepped back toward the exit—but a large, heavy hand clamped down on her arm.The man muttered something in Mitalian, his grin lewd and unsettling.Adriana demanded in English that he let go.The man switched to English as well—and this time, she understood.Eileen had told him she was a new girl in the casino.Nausea rose in her stomach, but she forced herself to speak. "I'm not a… girl here. I'm Francesco Este's friend."She felt utterly foolish for believing a stranger she h

Tonight, even the sea lay calm, the only sound the soft patter of rain on the ground.After a long pause, Francesco's low, hoarse voice broke the silence. "It's late. Get some rest.""Mm."Adriana climbed the stairs, her mind a battlefield. The serpent's voice coiled inside her, tempting her to turn back, to descend again. One word from him—one glance—and he'd see the longing she was fighting to hold back.Luckily… he didn't say a thing.She fell into the bed, face pressed into the sheets, and released the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.Francesco sat unmoving, eyes tracking the gentle sway of her figure as she climbed the stairs. If she had looked back just once, she would have seen the storm in his gaze—burning, unrestrained.Luckily… she didn't turn around.He sank back onto the sofa, his body easing into the cushions, the tautness in his frame slowly giving way.Outside, the wind and rain began to stir, the waves now pounding against the cliffs, keeping the

Adriana glanced at Edward, who had his ears perked, listening to their conversation, muttered "crazy," and quickly left the living room.Joan had grown even more unhinged than five years ago. Having someone like that constantly eyeing her felt like living beside a ticking time bomb.The next day at work, Adriana buried herself in the lab with the blueprints, building a personal defense device.The design wasn't overly complicated—she combined a high-intensity strobe light with an ultrasonic emitter, then integrated a GPS tracker and alarm system.In a dangerous situation, it would at least increase her chances of escape.Three nights later, Chris returned.Adriana froze at the sight of his ashen face. He shouldn't have looked this exhausted, not with so many people accompanying him."Chris, are you okay?"Chris rubbed his brow. "I'm fine… just a little tired."Edward tugged at his hand. "Chris, let's go sleep."Chris stroked the boy's face. "Good boy. You go on ahead and slee

Adriana had always worried about Chris, fearing he would hurt himself.But seeing Joan emerge from his room that morning, clarity struck her: the one suffering all along was herself.She was the one left alone. She was the one upholding the boundaries. She was the one repeatedly making compromises.And she hadn't even received the most basic respect in return.Chris looked at the redness in her eyes, startled. "Nothing happened between her and me. I was just with Edward. She came to my room this morning to deliver a cup of honey water."He had never imagined Adriana would care—she had never said a word.He had restrained himself even when Adriana slept beside him. How could he not when it was just Joan?"After the New Year, I'll have them move out. Just give me a little time."He wasn't angry—if anything, his mood was surprisingly good.He liked it when Adriana lost her temper at him. That's how he could feel his presence in her heart.The old Adriana had been obedient but di