Arded her over the rugged by before groen
When the firm lich struck. Ara arched her back in agony (1
ske øreropstard by a nous whatting wond, traning her
tearing her skin open
the far down barter, refusing to my out
ng continent for what ben lee hours, until she began to lose consciousness, Only then did it finally stop ||
Then, the wind of a phone being duded reached her ear
“tachie completed the
the other e
in instructed,” the man ud respectfully
But Ariana a blood wstantly turned to Ke||
conce with the whip, he had someone give her nisely i
y nie lashes in returnati).
weded over her roter body. the finally couldnt hold on any longer and paised out completely
The total
Ariana lay fare down on the bed, her back borning
qt with fiery pain []
dsnude ber door, nuries whiprzed among themselves-
“That man way ay handsome, and so tender wathi kis gelfriend.:||
-1 Bass, right? just a tiny stap naik, and he acted like it was the rid of the world. Meanwhile, look at room 301–covered in wounds and not a single victuř.
Cher TV seedle and painfully dragged herself toward the corridor, supporting herself against the wa
Sore oog, at VIP
the Virisom entrance, die sow Dominic ||
He won bodding a ep of water, carefully helping Mis drink, the posted and murmured something, and Dundnir wiped
Ariana leaned uiently against the wall her eyes growing damp |
d the water from the corner of her mouth, his gaze
She didnt understand why, even after deciding to let her heart could still ache this badly, as if someone were slowly carving out her desh with a dull kede ||
She told herself this
Because no one would care if you did
The day she was docharged. Ariana had just arrived when familiar footsteps sounded behind her
Dominic had returned.
Their eyes met, each seeing something different in the other’s gaze
They stood in silence until Ariana’s phone suddenly vibrated, her father’s name appearing on the screen
Tomorrow Mia’s birthday celebration” her father’s voice brooked no refusal “She’s been crying to me about wanting to improve her relationship with you. Come and
attend.”
Ariana laughed coldly. Twon’t
“What are you upset about? This might be the last time.” her father emphasized. “The Sinclairs have set the date, and after you marry in…
She hung up on him looking up at Dominic who stood in the shadows. “Do you think I should go?”
His sharply defined profile appeared especially hard in the lamplight.
After a few seconds of silence, his voice was low. “You should go.”
“Very well,” she smiled tightly. “If that’s what you want.”
The birthday celebration was held in the glass c
s conservatory of the Reeves family mansion
When Ariana arrived wearing an emerald velvet gown, most of the guests had already assembled.[]
Under the crystal chandeliers, Mia twirled in a pink tulle dress, like a princess surrounded by adoring courtiers
“Ari!” Mia exclaimed with apparent delight, rushing forward as if to take her arm.
sze sweeping over the room tiled with lavish gifts from their father–limited edition Hermes bags, Tiffany blue boxes, even the keys a
Ariana sidestepped her, her gaze s Porsche
“Mia has always been so thoughtful. She’s my favorite, her father said adoringly as he stood beside Mia, just as many years ago, he had stood beside ariana and her mother
She remembered wearing a white dress, being led high in her father’s arms, while her mother smiled gently nearby
Now, everything had changed beyond recognition.
After the cake cutting guests dispersed into smaller groups.
te a match?!
One of Mia’s friends pulled her aside to gossip. “Mia, there are so many eligible bachelors from prominent families here today. Is your dad trying to arrange thought you were already engaged to the Sinclair heir?
dia smiled, deliber
deliberately glancing toward Aruana nearby
by That arrangement fell through ages ago.”
Thank goodness! I heard he’s been in a cuma. Wouldn’t that basically be signing up for a lifetime as a widow and caretaker?” the friend said with a sympathetic grimace |
“So tell us, what’s your type? With all these eligible bachelors here tonight, you must have some criteria. ”
Under the group’s playful encouragement, Mia blushed and began counting on her fingers Tirst, he has to love me enough to tattoo my name on his chest. Second, he needs courage–there’s this rare Thorn Rose that blooms once a decade on Crescent carf, and he’d have to get it for me. Third..1]
Before she could fish, the grand doors to the ballroom suddenly swung open]
“Mr. Reed sends his congratulations to Miss Reeves on her birthday, wishing her happiness and prosperity!” a voice announced
