Bullet in the Heart

the low lighting from the downtown skyline. From the carefully chosen artwork on the walls to the glistening chandelier above, their home exuded lux

free. The tilt of his face highlighted his strong jawline as he swirled the amber liquid in his glass.

lm and unconcerned, as though her presenc

ide of her. Then, with a sharp click of heels on the m

her chest threatened to take away her poise, h

ack of the sofa and relaxed bac

she tightened her fists. "Zane, don't

e save for a small elevation

r the phone, I heard you. beside Vivienne. Regardin

but he recovered fast, covering up any emotion he may have had. "So, you we

ice cracked a little and she was on the verge of crying. "Zane, I trusted you

in place by his fitted shirt, and every motion was controlled and purposeful. "And, A

ack by his icy demeanor. "

and his jaw tightened. His face was illuminated by neon lights, which gave him an

sked, "You want the truth?" "All ri

e room, Aurora's chest constricted and her

ned to her. "Kendall, Michael. Your father is the man you call him. The

ing been mentioned in whispers at high-society gatherings, always with a hint of mystery and sympathy. Zane ne

n Bianca and my father?" Her v

Everything," he remarked sourly. "My family was destroyed by a deal your father arranged. He cau

y with incredulity. No, that isn't

Do you believe Michael Kensington to be a model of virtue

ere streaming down her cheeks. "

uldn't have accepted my story. You refuse to face the reality beca

words weighed heavily on her, making her feel as though everyth

nclude me in this if it's about my father... if it'

ng? Aurora, you were helpful. I was able to access the Kensington resources and

support because her legs felt weak. T

was sufficie

urmured, "God, Zane." "I

s meaningless in a world like this. Power does. Command.

nt and ambition. With a trembling but steady voice, she answered gently, "You're wrong." "Love is i

er. Something flickered in his eyes for a second, ma

he declared. "You should k

instant. She took a step back and turned to face the door, her eyes streaming d

anything consoling. He only watched as the woman he had deceived

and glistening chandelier, the luxury of the enormous master bedroom felt oppressive rather than consoling. She gripped the

ir narrative, before everything had fa

ittering stars, the clinking of glasses, the hum of laughter blending with the gentle notes of a live piano. Due of her father's fixation on appearan

ue eyes, aristocratic nose, powerful jawline, and keen features. However, it went beyond that. She had been attr

n he whispered, "Be careful," his powerful voice pie

to see him grinning at her a sincere grin t

eling gratified and st

on?" In a casual yet percep

d you ar

is touch had lingered long enough to cause her heart t

rmly against the small of her back. They had discussed everything and nothing, and despite her best efforts to remain compo

robably been in the silence of the room. Did he know what he was d

er frock. As he vowed to never let her go, she recalled the times he had held her, m

Santorini, as the sunset painted the sea in shades of scarlet and gold. They had chuckled while intoxicated b

now seemed like

o block off the influx of thoughts by pressing her hands to her temples. However, as she

le thing in the world, he would have knelt down in front of her at a Central Park picnic a

ll a per

ke a mirage, a lovely illusion that had disappeared the instant she reache

chest moved downward. Aurora clasped a hand to her stomach and squinted t

the strain, the heartache, her body's respons

y by the abrupt, searing

d trembled as she muttered,

, panic rushing through her veins. She fell back to her knees, brea

harsh on her mouth, she yell

l Zane emerged from the doorway. His eyes fell on her, and his

is tone was steady but

ling up in her eyes. "It's," she

th his hand on her arm. His familiar touch was both reass

g room and said, "Let's

t gasps as the pain subsided a little. Zane crou

e, he inquired, "

arted crying again. With her hands shaking and hove

he reached for his phone. "I

cipated. After everything she had discovered, she didn't want him

ed exterior momentarily faltering. "We are not

re their veracity. The pain eased, leaving behind

fore saying, "I'm fine," her vo

s if he didn't believe her, and

," in a softer but determined

er gaze and gripping the couch's edges. It w

ter pouring a glass of water, he came back and extended it towards

said anything, and the emptiness betw

ve a whisper when she eventually

stared at her, his face impassi

d the silence like a blad

s. She didn't care that she didn't understand what he meant. She just

ce whatever came next on her own when t