AUTHOR’S POV.

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She hastened her pace, her heels clicking softly against the floor, but just before she could reach the door, a strong hand mped over her mouth from behind, pulling her into a room.

Her eyes widened in fright as the hallway disappeared behind her.

Lips connected to her neck before she even knew what was happening, and instinctively, her hands flew up andnded with a satisfying smack on her assant’s face.

“What the fuck, Alina?!” Her assant cursed, stumbling back and turning on the light in the room.

“Adrian?” She called out, shocked, once her eyes adjusted to the light. !--

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He was holding onto his cheek, ring at her.

To say she was stunned was an understatement. Adrian had never pulled a stunt like this before. In fact, he had always avoided being intimate with her in the past. But now he was pulling her into dark rooms like a creep?

What changed?

“What the heck?!” He snapped again, voice taut with frustration.

“I didn’t know it was you! What the hell are you thinking, pulling me into a dark room?” She didn’t even bother hiding the annoyance in her tone.

She wished she had thrown in a couple more ps. Was he out of his fucking mind? Anyone could have seen them.

“I miss you… you haven’t been taking my calls.” He said, stepping closer and trying to go in for a kiss.

But Alina quickly ducked under the arm that had caged her to the wall and walked across the room, putting distance between them.

What was up with him? She thought.

“You got out of the hospital faster than I thought.”

The words slipped out before she could stop them.

Adrian’s brows furrowed.

“You didn’t want me to leave the hospital?” His tone held suspicion as he scanned her face.

The truth was, yes, she had wanted him to stay there. If he was already standing in front of her like this, then Lucian clearly hadn’t beaten him well enough.

“Of course I did,” She said, forcing a worried smile. “I was just worried that you’re not properly healed.” She added a fake note of concern in her voice.

“I knew I’m the one you still love the most.” Adrian grinned, stepping forward and pulling her into a hug.

Idiot. She thought.

Alina’s entire body stiffened.

She never thought there woulde a day when she’d hate Adrian’s touch,but s, that day hade.

Meanwhile, Seraphina, who had witnessed Adrian pulling Alina into the room, watched the closed door from a distance, her face twisted in rage.

“Why do you always get the good things?” She muttered bitterly, clenching her fists at her sides.

Seraphina and Adrian hadn’t made any ns for him to approach Alina at the g tonight, he was acting on his own free will. In fact, unlike before, she had wanted Adrian to stay away from her, at least until after the uing fashion show in three weeks.

But the main reason she wanted Adrian to keep his distance now was because of the way he had gawked at Alina earlier.

His eyes didn’t hold the familiar disgust it normally does. He looked…fascinated. And she hated that.

Seraphina wanted nothing more than to humiliate Alina.

A n started to form in her mind, and a slow, sinister smile curved her lips.

She quickly turned on her heels and re-entered the ballroom. Her sharp eyes scanned the crowd until theynded on her target.

Lucian.

She saw him looking around, clearly searching for someone, Alina.

Seraphina slowly approached him with the smooth grace of someone used to attention.

“Lu-Mr. ckwood.” She corrected herself quickly, her tone coated with false politeness.

Lucian held back a groan the moment he heard her voice.

She was one of the few people he had tolerated in the past only because of Alina, and he was d he didn’t have to anymore.

“Get lost.” Lucian said tly, not even sparing her a nce.

Seraphina attempted to step close, but Ace immediately blocked her path. His posture wastense, his face nk, but his eyes held a harsh warning re. He knew she was up to no good.

“Get out of my way.” She hissed under her breath.

Ace was half-tempted to say ‘or what?’ but he reminded himself to remain professional.

Seraphina huffed in annoyance when he didn’t budge.

She missed the days when Ace used to be obedient, she didn’t just have Alina under her control but Also Lucian who would do anything for Alina.But everything had changed since the night of the engagement. She was losing her hold, and she hated it.

“Well, I’m only trying to help you find who you’re looking for.” She said with a syrupy tone, hoping to bait him.

But Lucian wasn’t falling for it.

“Fuck off.” He said coldly.

Lucian, unlike the rest of the shallow-minded people who always fell for Seraphina’s innocent act, had always seen her for

what she truly was.

And that was exactly why he had done everything he could to keep Alina away from her in the past, though sadly, to no avail.

Lucian may not have trusted Alinapletely, and he had no idea what was going through her mind, but he was d she was staying away from Seraphina these days.

“I don’t know why you hate me so much, but I’m just trying to help.” Her innocent facade didn’t waver.

“Again, I do not need your help. Back off.” He spat coldly, finally sparing her a nce.

Lucian almost scoffed at her performance. He wondered how most people couldn’t see through her act, how strained her smile really was, how the mischief shimmered just beneath her so-called innocent gaze.

“I know you’re looking for Alina. I know where she is,” Seraphina pushed in a low and knowing tone.

She had initially nned to slowly bait him, tease him like dangling a piece of steak in front of a dog, but she quickly realized that if she didn’t get straight to the point, she was going to lose her audience with Lucian entirely.

Lucian’s interest was mildly piqued by her words, but something inside him tightened. Deep down, he knew that whatever she said next, he wouldn’t like it, and he was right.

“She’s in a room… with Adrian. She said, trying to conceal the satisfied smile that twitched at the corners of her lips as she watched his face contorted with rage.

In a split second, his hand was around her neck, jerking her close until their faces were inches apart.

They were standing in a corner, hidden from view, so no one noticed the blonde girl whose face was quickly turning a light shade of purple.

“I hope you’re aware that nder is a punishable offense byw.” He whispered lowly, his voice like steel in her ear.

“I… I… a-am n-not… l-lying.” Seraphina choked out, her fingers wing helplessly at his wrist, trying to pry him off with no luck, her breath short and panicked.

She stared up at him with wide, terrified eyes. For once, she was genuinely afraid for her life. She had always fantasized about seducing Lucian, brushing off the dark rumors that clung to his name. But now, staring into his cold, empty hazel eyes, she began to wonder if those whispers were true after all.

“For your sake… you better not be.” He warned, his voice dropping even lower, sending a chill down her spine.

Finally, he released her.

Seraphina copsed to the floor, gasping for air, coughing violently as she clutched her sore neck, her entire body trembling.

Lucian rolled his eyes in repulsion at her crumpled form.

“Well, I don’t have all fucking day. Take me to where she is.” He snapped.

Seraphina scrambled to her feet, rage steaming beneath the surface, but she silently led the way. Her pride was badly bruised, her throat sore, and her hands tightened into fists, but the thought of what Lucian might do when he found Alina with Adrian made a slow smile curl on her lips.

“She’s in here.” Seraphina said as they reached a door.

Alina, I really hope you’re not in there, Lucian thought, a cold knot tightening in his chest.

His hands trembled at his sides, fists clenched in barely contained rage. Then he heard the unmistaken sound of a moaning through the door.

The sound pushed him over the edge.

Without hesitation, he kicked the door open.

All three pairs of eyes widened at the sight that met them.