smoke curled through the air, mingling with the scent of expensive perfume and aged wine. In the corner booth, Aria sat with perfect poise, her gow
hough she had been back in her parents' lives for months now, she still felt like a guest wandering through a world
elt away suspicion, tender enough to mask the venom brewing bene
at every step she took was leading h
quivered, her expression painted in pitiful innocence. "I never meant to steal Damian from you. It's just... we've known each other since childhood, and I love him. I know he's suppos
eadable, though her clenched
napped as a baby and sold into an illegal adoption ring, her disappearance had devastated her parents. Margaret, heartbroken, had nearl
"None of this was your fault. You're my sister, and I've thought of yo
ened, and she reach
t Julian had returned. Aria had erupted in fury, her words lashing like whips. Yet today, she had invited Julian to a club, claiming
said, lips curving in a sad, noble smile that disguised her ma
b, and handed one to Julian. "I've always wanted us to live happily. I know I'
you, sis," she murmured, raising it to her lips. Th
rpened as she wa
dizziness crashing over her like a wave. Her smile fal
sister... one thing I despise most about you is how eas
trembling as the strengt
he shadows. "You came out of nowhere to steal Mum and Dad's love. But they
way, hitting the fl
with feigned tenderness. "From tonight, dear sister, everything goes
ifted her chin, and
a shadowed figur
ls clicking against the floor. The man she had summoned ste
her," Aria o
hing, and no amount of struggling loosened it. She tried to wrench f
dull thrum. With one shove, he pushed her into a side room and slammed the d
ad pounded, every nerve screaming with heat. She pinched her arm, slapped
's schemes again," she whis
ival instinct dragging her forward. Step by dra
he door handle. She twisted it despe
r her breath, shoving her
er will. She stumbled backward, crashing onto the cold floor. The last thing s
else in th
group of men gathered in a secluded corner of the club. Laughter and drunken ch
men who did not b
id with a sigh. "You even cut Mr. Pascal's daughter's finger just because she tried tou
ckered constantly, scanning the crowd. But there was something w
is, right?" His voi
nd me to Africa if I didn't make you sleep with someone tonight. S
orcing himself upright though his body betrayed hi
ks of color. Every breath felt like fire, every heartbeat hammering against his ribs. The drug was con
ht in the cold wash of the club's blue lights-as his