Chapter 5
CRASH
The shattering of a water gloss interrupted Dominic’s unfinished declaratie ||
i junged from his embrace 1ke a startled rabba
youre awake she rushed to the bedside, tears a
appearing on command. How do you fer? Does it hurt? This is all my fool.
Ariana’s pale lipa turisted into a cold smile. “Your presence offends my eyes. Honecould I possibly feel better? ||
sif she il suffered the greatest ing
| injustice imaginable
M’s tearstantly fell harder, her shoulders trishing as E
She bat her lip, casting one last glance at Dominic before running mot ||
Dominic Ictively moved to follow, then forcibly stopped himself ||
Ariana remained stem, turning her head to stare out the window[]
He turned to Ariana, his voice low. “Mis
tist Reeves, the situation was
uf I reacted without thinking –~||
e another wird to hin
› She didn’t want to hear ||
for three fall days, Doric stood guard outside her hospital room like the dutiful bodyguard he was, but she never spoke
Und the day she was discharged.||
Walking on her stil healing leg. Ariana went straight to the study []
She pulled open a mahogany drawer and removed a gleaming black leather whip-
This was the Reeves family’s traditional instrument of discipline. One lash could split skn to the hone
Tell Domenic to com
to come here,” she instructed the bousekeeper.
When Domust entered the room, Ariana was methodically polishing the whip |
Sunlight streamed through the door–to–ceing windows, casting shadows beneath her eyeles
“Dominic Reed, you are my bodyguard, yet you faded to protect me,” she said, meeting his eyes. Im going to punish you. Any objections?”
Dominic stood motionless, his pupils contracting almost imperceptibly
Aruna caught it clearly
This North Shore heir probably never imagined that one day someone would dare discipline in like a servant[]
Of course he was the legendary Dominic Reed, heir to an empire. People normally fell over themselves to please him. Who would dare touch han
Yet, the intended to stup him?
Artana watched his expression, suddenly laughing [
He was hesitating |
He could easily walk away, train, leave–but lead, he was hesitating:
To stay close to her, to maintain proximity to Mar
Her eyes burned with unshed tears, almod laughing through theat
Doqunic gritted his teeth and finally answered quietly: “No objections.—||
In that moment, Ariana’s heart contracted paintly. She gripped the whip tighter and raised her
“Nor
arm–[]–
Ander greiddenly burst u firmly placing herself in front of Dominic.
Mia stood with tears in her eyes, her voice tremblag. “Art, if you want to honest, ut me intrad: This has nothing to do with Dan“}]
“Move,” Ariana commanded coldly
won 1 Mia shook her head, crying pitifully. Tm the one who caused your injury–punish me if you must.……….
Dominic reached to pull her away. “Miss Mia, this doesn’t concern you.“]]
But Mia stubbornly remained in front of him, absolutely refusing to budge
Ariana watched this display, her anger boding over. With a swift motion, she lashed out with the whipt]
CRACK
The sound of the whip cutting air was piercing. She had aimed at Dominic, but Mia threw herself forward, deliberately taking the blow
“Ah!!!” Mis cried out in pain, her delicate frame swaying before collapsing.
Dominic caught her before she hit the floor, bending to examine her injury. When he looked up again-
Ariana met a pair of eyes cold as death
Within them burned pure murderous intent.
As if the next moment, he would snap her neck without hesitation.
Her body froze, chilled to the core.
“Get out she heard her own voice tremble
Dominic carried the unconscious Mis and turned to leave. The study door slammed behind him with deadening force.
Ariana stood frozen, realizing ber bands were shaking too badly to hold the whip |
