Bounded by vows, burned by lies

TER

use – One

lawyer had finally scurried away, his briefcase clutched like a lifeline, muttering about expedi

k steel-and-glass conference table. Seraphina sat ramrod straight on the opposite side, he

, her father's soulless assessment echoed in her mind. But the way Rafael watched her – with an intensity that felt like a physical violation – made her sk

low, gravelly drawl that sent a shiver of something akin to fea

"And you're exactly as insufferable as I imagine

en them. Then – the scraping soun

each step a deliberate taunt. Seraphina forced her attention to the contract, her eyes scanning the sterile clauses, lingering on the c

he command broo

rately, she li

his stark white shirt, brushed against her shoulder. The scent of his cologne, sharp and intoxicating, filled her nostrils. "Let's be clear, Signorina Moretti," he said, his breath warm against h

her lips. "Then call it off, Signore De Luca. Surely a man

e man from the gala flicker in the depths of his obsidian eyes. The memory of whispered secrets and stolen kisses

d back into place, c

warmth of his breath now carrying

k – The

ths ear

math of stolen pleasure. The scent of expensive perfume

ine white pillows. The stranger – Luca, he had called himself, a phantom conjured for one illicit night – stood

d, her voice still husky with s

d on the glittering cityscape

ment, shrouded in anonymity and the intoxicating afterglow, his name had felt irrele

arp angles and an intensity that both thrilled and unsettled her. "What if I'm the villai

that held a hint of challenge. "

t the soft mattress. "Careful, Sera." His voice dropped, rough with a warning that held a dangerous under

ction of their bodies a silent

ted deception that had felt

ole her breath and made her forget everything but the man

ay – The

udden electronic intrusion s

expression hardening. A muscle ticked rhythmically in his jaw

lk whispering against her skin. "Not even a goodbye kiss, husband?" T

erous undercurrent of something else, something that felt d

ir at the nape of her neck, tilting her head back, exposing the vulnerable curve of her thr

overed a breath away from hers, his voic

eyes blazing with defianc

ound that held no amusement. "We'l

umbled, catching herself with a ha

rds the silent elevator, his back a rigid

ter him, her voice echoing in the

old light. Without turning, he said, his voice laced with a chi

ti Estate

use. A garment bag hung from the armoire, the ivory satin of the wedding dress within a silent, shimmering threat. Her father's idea of a bridal g

s voice devoid of any paterna

echoed thro

oorway, his young face pale and etched wit

nt bag. "Yes, I do, Enzo." For the family. For survi

barely a whisper, filled with a desperate ho

tening slightly at the raw fear in his eyes. "You know what happens

el De Luca killed Matteo Bianchi for looking at him w

thigh, her fingers brushing against the col

Chapel – N

ed organ music, no well-wishers in pastel hues. Just Rafael standing at the altar, a dark figure in a black suit that s

e cold stone floor, the sound echoing in the oppressive silence. It fe

felt like the cold focus of a sniper's scope. When she reached his side, he

, his voice flat, devoid

ght, brittle smile.

, his voice a nervous tre

take this woman to be you

s immediate, clipped, a

ti, take this man to be your

arity through the silent chapel, relishing the way Rafael's knuc

ked as though

uth crashing down on hers in a brutal display of possession, a conquest rather than a caress. Seraphina bit down hard on his lower lip, draw

the sound barely audible. "I no

per against her swollen lips, his eyes burning

a Mansion

hut, the sound echoing in the vast, opulent silenc

ds the hidden dagger beneath her wedding dress. "You're not sleepi

t, his eyes glinting in the dim light filtering from th

ved towards the plush velvet seati

ss that spoke of ingrained dominan

ting her chin defiantly, meeting his

her wrist in a tight, unfo

escaped her lips. "You'll

of wills, the air thick with a volatile mixture of fury and something far more dangerous

es to her mouth, lingering on her swollen

sudden, involuntary response t

talking towards the expansive ensuite bathroom. "Don't touch my t

eprieve from the suffocating tension, before letting her knees buckle slightly. She sank onto the

have

: Midnight

the mattress di

ceiling as Rafael settled into the bed. He radiated heat, his bare chest mere

is voice a low, sardonic drawl that sent a s

, her body a tens

rolled her onto her back, forcing her to face him. In the pale moonlight filtering through the sheer c

he demanded, his vo

hed, her heart hamme

your father's idea? A carefull

g her like a physical blow. He k

hispered, the realization da

ody of tenderness. "Did you really think I'd

did

n she gasped, he used it to deepen the assault, his hand sliding up her thigh, h

, his breath hot and laced with contempt.

yanking hard, eliciting a low growl. "I don'

ething that might have been genuine amusement, or perhap

, chests heaving, the fragile line between hatr

e fragile pretense of their forced union and set them on

ve you, Rafael. I'm