Chapter 64 Not on His Bed
Ariana’s POV:
+B Pearls
I scowled in irritation. James must have seen more than just Stefan and me by the pool–he likely caught sight of our kiss.
Sibling The notion was absurd. Legally or otherwise, Stefan and I have never been siblings. Even until her death, my mom. never married Abraham.
James always seemed to be a lingering shadow, haunting my every step. I had never intended to be entangled with such a cold–hearted man.
Without hesitation, I blocked James‘ second number and tossed my phone aside, determined to enjoy my bath in peace.
As I settled into the tub, I felt myself drifting off, and before I realized it, I had fallen asleep.
In a haze, I dreamt of the moment Paget was shot at the party. In my dream, I couldn’t break free from Stefan’s embrace, and a suffocating sensation overwhelmed me. I struggled desperately, the feeling intensifying.
Suddenly. I was yanked out of the tub, and as I opened my eyes, I saw Stefan standing over me. It took a few seconds for my thoughts to clear before I grabbed a towel to cover myself. “W–what are you doing here?”
His expression was grim as he stared at me. “If I hadn’t come in, you’d have been the first person to drown after falling asleep
in the bath
Embarrassment surged through me as I realized the suffocation in my dream was a reflection of how close I had come to drowning in reality. It seemed absurd that I hadn’t awakened gasping for air, though I likely would have eventually.
Stefan didn’t linger. After giving me a disdainful look, as if I were a complete fool, he left the room.
The next day, the media buzzed with reports about the incident at the Sartre Family’s banquet. The stories were vivid, with only slight embellishments, but they were largely accurate.
Paget was stabilized and no longer in danger. During an interview, the Sartre Family made a point of publicly thanking me. thrusting me into a moment of the spotlight. The last time I had been the center of attention, it was due to scandalous rumors after being photographed with Figaro. At least this time, I managed to restore some of my dignity.
When Yoana heard that I had been present at the scene, she wasted no time in coming to see me.
She arrived in the middle of the day while Stefan was out, so there was no need for us to hold back. As soon as the door was closed, we spoke openly.
When I mentioned that Stefan might have shielded me when Paget was shot, Yoana scoffed, “Even a dog forms a bond after being cared for so long, let alone you–a living, breathing person. After nearly twenty years, do you really think he’d let you take a bullet? Don’t delude yourself into thinking he cares.”
I knew she was right. Offering me false hope was just another form of manipulation, and I wouldn’t fall into that trap.
Just as I could never forgive James, Stefan could never love me. I had come to accept that harsh truth.
The sound of an approaching car caught my attention. I walked over to the window and looked outside. “Stefan’s back.”
Yoana, lounging on my bed while munching on chips, shrugged indifferently. “So what if he’s back? It’s not like he’s going to eat me. I’m in your room, not on his bed”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “You… Anyway, I can’t leave right now. He won’t allow it. But once I’m free, I’ll come find you.”
Youna rolled her eyes. “What authority does he have to restrict your freedom like that? It’s outrageous! If he weren’t so big and tall and I was so petite, I’d definitely help you teach him a lesson!”
I thought of Stefan’s towering height and then glanced at Yoana–she was so much smaller, a petite, captivating girl with a fierce personality, irresistibly charming. It was that unique allure that drew me to her, the reason we were so close,
12:07 PM
Chapter 64 Not on His Bed
“Miss Sutton, Mr. Jablonsky requests your presence downstairs.”
