61. No Excuses

ARDENMy villain energy relaxed slightly when Riley said those words.“She has something on me.”The desperation in her voice was real. For a moment I felt my anger soften just a fraction.I looked at Riley's tear streaked face. Her makeup was completely ruined. Mascara running down her cheeks in black streaks. Her eyes were red and puffy. She looked genuinely broken."What are you saying?" I asked. My voice came out less cold than before. "What do you mean by that?"Riley tried to explain through her tears. Her voice was shaking so badly I could barely understand her. "I was in some really deep shit about a year ago Arden. I was drowning. Completely drowning in debt and failure and I had nowhere to turn. No one who would help me. And Jade she came and she helped me out. That's how this whole thing happened. That's why I..."She trailed off.Her eyes darted past me toward the sinks where Maya was still standing.She was just standing there now watching us. Listening to every single w

62. Try Harder

ARDEN The reception area felt like stepping into a completely different world after the quiet intensity of that bathroom. Music was playing from somewhere. A live band I realized. Classical music with a modern twist. People were everywhere talking and laughing. They had continued like my speech didn't happen few minutes ago. It seemed like just another little scandal for them. My eyes scanned the crowd looking for nothing in particular.And that was when I spotted Lucas. He was standing near one of the tall windows that overlooked the gardens. The curtains were pulled back. But Lucas wasn't looking at the view. He was focused entirely on a man standing in front of him. The man was with his security guards looking intimidating standing beside him. Lucas was smiling at him looking like a desperate fool. He was talking and gesturing with his hands. The man looked at Lucas with pure boredom and disgust and it was clear he was tolerating his rambling. Honestly it was a

63. Caught In a Bind

ARDEN Kelvin looked at her like she was speaking a foreign language. Rita kept pushing. Touched his arm again. "Come on Arden. Just a little longer. We're all having such a good time. Why end it so early?" "I really need to go Rita," I said firmly. Rita's face fell for just a second. Just a flash of disappointment or frustration before she plastered the smile back on. "Okay fine. Well you have a safe trip home then." She turned to Kelvin. Her hand was still on his arm. "I guess it's just you and me for drinks then." Kelvin looked like he wanted to be literally anywhere else. "Actually I should probably head out too—" "Don't be silly," Rita cut him off. She was already pulling him slightly. Tugging his arm. "Come on. Just one drink. I want to hear all about what you've been doing in Italy. And your business. It all sounds so fascinating." Kelvin shot me a look that clearly said help me please get me out of this. But what could I do? "I hope we can find time to catch up

64. A Little Nudge

ARDEN Then I saw who was standing behind the security guards. Jett. He wore an expensive dark suit which was perfectly tailored to his body. He looked so different than his hospital clothes or his laid back style. He looked like he had just stepped out of a magazine spread. Seeing him like this made it clear that he belonged in this world of wealth and power. "Jett?" I said. My voice came out surprised. Almost breathless. "What are you doing here?" Jett smiled slightly. "This was the wedding my grandfather was talking about. I did not expect I would be seeing you here." I sent a death glare toward Lucas and bit out, "I did not expect to be here either." Lucas was looking between Jett and the security guards with growing confusion and anger. "What is this?" Jett ignored Lucas completely. He moved closer to me until I could smell his warm, rich scent. It was a mix of sandalwood and something crisp that cut through the heavy floral perfumes of the room. He leaned in unt

65. Escaping with Mr Mercer

ARDENThe steady thud of Jett’s heartbeat is loud against my ear.One moment, I was drowning in the middle of a crowded ballroom with Lucas’s threats ringing in my head. The next, I was being lowered onto cool, cream leather. A heavy door clicked shut, and the world went instantly, unnervingly silent.The soundproofed glass of the limousine cut off everything.But the silence did not stop my lungs from seizing. My chest still felt like it was caught in a vice, and my vision refused to focus. I was staring at the plush carpet of the car floor, but all I could see was my past life. I saw the ceiling of my old bedroom. I saw the glass of poisoned apple juice shattered on the ground. I saw Lucas’s shadow waiting for me to stop breathing.I was gripping my own throat when a hand covered mine.Jett did not pull my hand away. He just held it, his thumb stroking my palm in a slow circle. He did not demand to know why I was shaking or ask what Lucas had meant. He just existed there as a

The Club

ARDENThe elevator opened to a private floor.I'd never seen anything like it. This entire floor was just lounges and private suites for club members. Everything was even more luxurious than downstairs. Quieter too. Like we'd stepped into a different world.Jett led me down a quiet hallway. Our footsteps were muffled by thick carpet. We stopped at a door with a small brass plaque.MERCER.Of course his family had their own suite here.Inside was gorgeous. A sitting area with leather furniture that looked soft and expensive and windows overlooking the golf course lit up at night. A changing area was tucked behind elegant privacy screens. The golf clothes Bailey promised were already laid out perfectly. There were premium silk polo shirts and pleated skirts. Everything looked like my exact size.Bailey must have worked fast. Probably still seething while she did it."Take your time changing," Jett said. He pointed to the changing area. "I'll change out here and give you privacy."I we

Alle Kapitel von Reborn Rich: My Fiancé and Step-Sister Killed Me Once.: Kapitel 61 – Kapitel 66

61. No Excuses

62. Try Harder

63. Caught In a Bind

64. A Little Nudge

65. Escaping with Mr Mercer

The Club