Chapter 9
Her friend’s eyes widened. “Aren’t you afraid hell overheart:”||
“So what if he does? Mis shrugend dismissively “Men are all the
all the same–give them i
sweetness and they
they’ll follow you anywhere.”
Standing in the shadows, Ariana wondered what Duminic’s expression would be if he heard these wonts||
How would the mighty North Shore her react in discovering he was merely a backup option?||
Huh. This is the woman you risked your life for, Deaninic||
She smiled sardonically and walked away without alerting them in her presence]]
After being the club, she went directly to the rem
in the photograph{}
Ariana knelt before her mother’s headstone, grisly wiping the cast from
“Mom, I’m getting mamed. To the Sinclair heir–the one in a coma. It’s not so bad, at least he wont cheat on me.“[]
The wind rusted the white chrysanthemums before the grave, like a silent response ||
“Don’t worry. I won’t be like you,” she traced the cold stone with her fingertips. Loving someone in the point of giving up your life for him–that’s foolish. Fil live well very well.“]
As dark fell. Arona stood up, took one last look at her mother’s photograph, and numed to leave.]
Back home. Ariana spent the entire night packing
Clothes, jewelry photo albums.
She organized everything methodically, preparing never to retur[]
As daun broke, her phone buzzed.
Account cred: $100, DOO, DOO|||
Immediately after. Her father called The Sundairs are pathing hard. You need to leave today. I’ve transferred the hundred million as
Dominic
have him report to the main house,” Ariana interrupted. “From today forward, he’s Mia’s bodyguard. I don’t want him anymore.”
After a moment of silence, her father suddenly softened his tone. “Ari, I’ve ahrays loved you and your mother…]
used to think you were just morally bankrupt,” Ariana laughed. “Now I realize you’re truly disgusting”
She hung up and blocked his number []
Outside, the moving company’s truck had arrived
While directing the workers to load her luggage, Dominic emerged from his room
“Miss kers, what’s happening?” He frowned at the boxes littering the floor ||
“Moving,” Ariana replied without looking up. “Different place to live
Π
Dominic nodded, apparently not thinking much of a–certainly not imagining that be “move” meand relocating from North Shore to South Bay
“Let me help,” he offered
“No need the finally looked at him “You have another assignment.“||
“What’s that“]
Go buy candied chestnuts right now, and take them to the Reeves mansion for MA |
Domine visibly suffened. “Why?”
ou understand when you get there.:~||
As for
She saw his Adam’s apple bob, conflict flickering in these usually impassive eyes
Ultimately, the desire to see Mia won out over his suspicions ||
Dominic suddenly remembered something “Mau Reeves, send me your new adderti ister. 111 path my things and join your ` ||
Twenty four hour personal bodyguard service, rating and living together, maaring her safety at
Those were the terms of their contract
- me. Ariana didivă respund.
He waited a moment, and when the
e stil dicta 1 acknowledge him, he assumed she’d send it later and turned to leave ||
At the main door, he vaguely heard her say something
What? He looked back |
Arians stood in the morning light, saving sofly: “Nothing Go ahead. ||
Once his figure had completely disappeared, Ariana got into the car al tall the dimer: “Airport“]
The scenery flew past the window. She pulled out her phone, removed the SIM card, and snapped it in half—||
The pieces fell from her hand, tossed out the window, and then vanished completely from sight|||
