The next morning Ariel woke up from a soft knock on her door. Her eyes struggled to open as she was still enjoying her sleep after spending the whole night having a heavy heart. "Come in,” she murmured, her voice laced with drowsiness, her eyes still shut.The door knob twisted open and soft footsteps padded across the room.Maria carried a neatly wrapped box in her hands. Her voice was gentle yet firm as she spoke. “Ma’am, Sir asked me to bring this to you. Also, breakfast is ready.” She said, then place the box down on the bedside table.But Ariel didn’t respond.Maria eyebrows squinted, she took a cautious step closer. Ariel lay still, her breathing was slow and steady, her face turned slightly into the pillow. It seemed as though she was simply lost in sleep—but to Maria—something was off.“Ma'am?" she called again, hesitating before moving even closer.That word—Ma’am—never failed to unsettle Ariel. It curled in her stomach like a bitter taste, a constant reminder of the life s
Ariel sat at the vanity, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her reflection staring back at her seemed composed—her skin looked refreshed, her dark circles had disappeared, and her lips carried a natural pink hue, thanks to Maria’s care.But despite her great appearance, the turmoil inside her remained unshakeable.She picked up a brush, applying soft strokes of makeup to her face. She wasn't a fan of make-up, but she knew where she was going, every little details could count. A saga. That’s what today was. A grand, orchestrated display where she had a role to play. A wife. A perfect and presentable woman beside Johny Lucas.But wasn’t that what she signed up for? Of course it was. Her fingers curled around the compact powder as she stared at herself again. For years, she had been a survivor, adapting and molding herself into whatever was needed to protect her son. And now, this was just another way of surviving—one that came with wealth, and a name she barely felt belonged to
The ride to the Lucas estate was awkwardly silent, the hum of the car filling the space between them. Ariel kept her gaze fixed outside the tinted window, watching as the towering gates of the mansion loomed closer. Its pristine white walls standing tall against the bright sky, a testament to the power and wealth that came with the name.As the car slowed, uniformed guards stepped forward and scanned the vehicle before granting them entry. The iron gates swung open, and the driveway stretched endlessly, beautify by perfectly trimmed gardens that exuded an air of endless elegance. At the centre of the grand courtyard, was a large fountain flowed with crystal-clear water, its steady rhythm adding a sense of calm to the imposing surroundings.Ariel inhaled deeply. She had seen wealth before, but this… this was a different level. It was a dynasty. A kingdom built on power, battle and legacy.Her gaze shifted to the two lion statues positioned at the entrance, their sculpted forms froze
By the left side of Mr Lucas, Alexander Lucas leaned back in his seat, his sharp features unreadable, but his stormy gaze lingered on Ariel for a second longer than necessary. Unlike the rest, his presence carried an edge—one that spoke of silent power rather than spoken authority.The moment their eyes locked, an unsettling feeling crawled up her spine—a feeling she couldn’t explain.Ariel's heartbeat pounded in her ears, drowning out everything else. Her breath hitched, her fingers trembling slightly as she fought the overwhelming sensation gripping her chest.Why is he here? His he part of the Lucas family? She questioned inwardly. Ariel's lips parted slightly, but no words came out.The weight of countless eyes bore down on her, but she barely registered them. The tension thickened, with unspoken question. Then—"Ariel," Johny’s voice cut through the moment like a blade, shattering whatever trance had momentarily seized her.She blinked, her breath shaky as she moved her gaze a
The name sent a shiver down Ariel’s spine before she could stop it. His stepbrother? She questioned inwardly. She didn’t dare look at him. But she nodded in acknowledgement. She felt his gaze on her, the silent dominance of his presence. Just as she buried whatever emotions stirred in her chest, a soft, amused hum echoed from the other side of the table.“And I suppose that means I’m last,” a woman’s voice chimed in.Ariel turned to the source of the voice. She exuded elegance, but the glint in her gaze was one of amusement rather than warmth.“Samantha Lucas,” Johny said, his tone neutral. “Damian’s elder sister.”Samantha gave a slow, knowing smile. “Welcome to the family, Ariel,” she said, her voice smooth but laced with something Ariel couldn’t quite decipher.Ariel nodded. “Thank you.”Then for a long moment, silent fell in the room, thickened with awkwardness. Mr. Lucas cleared his throat, breaking the moment. “Now that introductions are out of the way, let’s get to the mat
Samantha leaned forward, resting her chin against her knuckles. She had an effortless grace about her—elegant, poised, but dangerously observant.Her painted nails tapped against the table.“Ariel, you said your father is a merchant in this city,” Samantha began, tilting her head slightly. “That’s quite interesting. You must have lived a very comfortable life then, no?”Johny’s grip on her hand tightened. This wasn’t part of the questions they had prepared for. She could feel every pair of eyes on her, waiting for her response. The question was deceptively innocent, but she knew better.Samantha wasn’t asking for simple details. She was probing. Fishing for inconsistencies.“We lived well enough, yes.” She said calmly. Samantha hummed. “Well enough?” she repeated, as if testing the words on her tongue. “That’s rather vague, don’t you think?”Ariel maintained her calm. “We had what we needed, and for that, I was always grateful.”Samantha’s eyes gleamed with something of search with
Johny jaws spiked, his fingers twitched beside her. But he reminded composed. He suppressed the urge to intergect, because if he did, then his action will be flagged suspicious. Alexander's gaze sharpened, his attention now fully drawn to Ariel, he had been captivated by her ability to navigate the conversation so far, covering her husband’s foul play with a rather… unique intellect. But would she manage to twist this soul gripping questions in her favor? He leaned back slightly, waiting for her. Ariel quickly set her glass down, her fingers gripping the stem tightly as she tried to compose herself. A faint flush clawed up her neck, though whether from embarrassment or the weight of the question, she wasn’t sure. The room still remained silent. A slow smirk tugged at Alexander’s lips. Samantha’s eyes gleamed with silent amusement, while Aunty Vivian’s lips twitched in satisfaction. Damian, who had been chewing gum the whole time, paused, his face lit up in excitement to the sud
The garden was peaceful, bathed with the soft reflection on the sun. Breeze carried the blooming roses, weaving through the neatly trimmed hedges. Amid this serenity, Ariel sat beside Mr Lucas, on a wooden bench, they were both enjoying the soothing scenery of nature. Then Mr. Lucas's head turned towards Ariel, he wasn’t speaking, just staring.Not in a sharp gaze he has always been, no a scrutinizing gaze that could make one confess his crime. But something soft, and warm.A rare sight of Mr Lucas. His aged eyes held an unexplainable emotion as they settled on her face— too long as if searching.Ariel’s heart lurched uncomfortably at his unblinking stare. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her fingers trembling slightly. Her pulse pounded against her ribcage, rapid and erratic, as if her body sensed something her mind couldn’t grasp.A breathy chuckle slipped from Mr. Lucas’s lips. He had noticed her “Oh, child…” he murmured, shaking his head with quiet amusement.
Alex walked up to her, and stood right in her front, his hands tucked casually into his pockets. Ariel’s head dipped down, her gaze fixed on the floor as her breath grew shallow.Alex stood still, watching the nervous Ariel. A light chuckle left his lips in amusement. Amazed by her sudden nervousness. Where is the brave woman from earlier? He moved more closer to her, leaving a short distance between them. Ariel breathe caught in her throat, and without thinking, she took a shaky step back.Alexander chuckled again, unable to suppress the amusement in her reaction. His hand reached out, his fingers tilting her chin upward, forcing her to meet his gaze.Her heart felt as though it was leaping out as his thumb lightly brushed her jaw, sending an electrocut through her spine.Then he leaned forward, his lips dangerously close to her ear. His voice dropped to a whisper, rich and smooth, laced with something that made her Insides churn. “You still smell this same… you must like this c
Johny's smirk deepened as he took a seat across from Alexander, one leg casually crossed over the other. He slid his hand inside his pocket and dropped the bullet onto the table, the small metallic changed, its sharp sound cutting through the heavy silence. His fingers tapping idly against the wooden surface. "I hope now you’ll back off from my woman." His tone was light, almost casual, but the underlying warning was sharp. "Anyway, thanks for the rescue. I appreciate it, but…" He paused, his smirk widening as if something amusing had just crossed his mind."Tell me," he mused, tilting his head, "were you just being generous, or…" His voice dripped with mockery as he let the question linger. Then, as if dismissing the absurdity of his own thoughts, he waved a hand. "No, no. It can’t be. I mean, why would the most eligible bachelor in the whole city of Las Vegas be infatuated with his stepbrother’s wife?" A thick chuckle rumbled from his mouth, thick with arrogance.Alexander didn’
The garden was peaceful, bathed with the soft reflection on the sun. Breeze carried the blooming roses, weaving through the neatly trimmed hedges. Amid this serenity, Ariel sat beside Mr Lucas, on a wooden bench, they were both enjoying the soothing scenery of nature. Then Mr. Lucas's head turned towards Ariel, he wasn’t speaking, just staring.Not in a sharp gaze he has always been, no a scrutinizing gaze that could make one confess his crime. But something soft, and warm.A rare sight of Mr Lucas. His aged eyes held an unexplainable emotion as they settled on her face— too long as if searching.Ariel’s heart lurched uncomfortably at his unblinking stare. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, her fingers trembling slightly. Her pulse pounded against her ribcage, rapid and erratic, as if her body sensed something her mind couldn’t grasp.A breathy chuckle slipped from Mr. Lucas’s lips. He had noticed her “Oh, child…” he murmured, shaking his head with quiet amusement.
Johny jaws spiked, his fingers twitched beside her. But he reminded composed. He suppressed the urge to intergect, because if he did, then his action will be flagged suspicious. Alexander's gaze sharpened, his attention now fully drawn to Ariel, he had been captivated by her ability to navigate the conversation so far, covering her husband’s foul play with a rather… unique intellect. But would she manage to twist this soul gripping questions in her favor? He leaned back slightly, waiting for her. Ariel quickly set her glass down, her fingers gripping the stem tightly as she tried to compose herself. A faint flush clawed up her neck, though whether from embarrassment or the weight of the question, she wasn’t sure. The room still remained silent. A slow smirk tugged at Alexander’s lips. Samantha’s eyes gleamed with silent amusement, while Aunty Vivian’s lips twitched in satisfaction. Damian, who had been chewing gum the whole time, paused, his face lit up in excitement to the sud
Samantha leaned forward, resting her chin against her knuckles. She had an effortless grace about her—elegant, poised, but dangerously observant.Her painted nails tapped against the table.“Ariel, you said your father is a merchant in this city,” Samantha began, tilting her head slightly. “That’s quite interesting. You must have lived a very comfortable life then, no?”Johny’s grip on her hand tightened. This wasn’t part of the questions they had prepared for. She could feel every pair of eyes on her, waiting for her response. The question was deceptively innocent, but she knew better.Samantha wasn’t asking for simple details. She was probing. Fishing for inconsistencies.“We lived well enough, yes.” She said calmly. Samantha hummed. “Well enough?” she repeated, as if testing the words on her tongue. “That’s rather vague, don’t you think?”Ariel maintained her calm. “We had what we needed, and for that, I was always grateful.”Samantha’s eyes gleamed with something of search with
The name sent a shiver down Ariel’s spine before she could stop it. His stepbrother? She questioned inwardly. She didn’t dare look at him. But she nodded in acknowledgement. She felt his gaze on her, the silent dominance of his presence. Just as she buried whatever emotions stirred in her chest, a soft, amused hum echoed from the other side of the table.“And I suppose that means I’m last,” a woman’s voice chimed in.Ariel turned to the source of the voice. She exuded elegance, but the glint in her gaze was one of amusement rather than warmth.“Samantha Lucas,” Johny said, his tone neutral. “Damian’s elder sister.”Samantha gave a slow, knowing smile. “Welcome to the family, Ariel,” she said, her voice smooth but laced with something Ariel couldn’t quite decipher.Ariel nodded. “Thank you.”Then for a long moment, silent fell in the room, thickened with awkwardness. Mr. Lucas cleared his throat, breaking the moment. “Now that introductions are out of the way, let’s get to the mat
By the left side of Mr Lucas, Alexander Lucas leaned back in his seat, his sharp features unreadable, but his stormy gaze lingered on Ariel for a second longer than necessary. Unlike the rest, his presence carried an edge—one that spoke of silent power rather than spoken authority.The moment their eyes locked, an unsettling feeling crawled up her spine—a feeling she couldn’t explain.Ariel's heartbeat pounded in her ears, drowning out everything else. Her breath hitched, her fingers trembling slightly as she fought the overwhelming sensation gripping her chest.Why is he here? His he part of the Lucas family? She questioned inwardly. Ariel's lips parted slightly, but no words came out.The weight of countless eyes bore down on her, but she barely registered them. The tension thickened, with unspoken question. Then—"Ariel," Johny’s voice cut through the moment like a blade, shattering whatever trance had momentarily seized her.She blinked, her breath shaky as she moved her gaze a
The ride to the Lucas estate was awkwardly silent, the hum of the car filling the space between them. Ariel kept her gaze fixed outside the tinted window, watching as the towering gates of the mansion loomed closer. Its pristine white walls standing tall against the bright sky, a testament to the power and wealth that came with the name.As the car slowed, uniformed guards stepped forward and scanned the vehicle before granting them entry. The iron gates swung open, and the driveway stretched endlessly, beautify by perfectly trimmed gardens that exuded an air of endless elegance. At the centre of the grand courtyard, was a large fountain flowed with crystal-clear water, its steady rhythm adding a sense of calm to the imposing surroundings.Ariel inhaled deeply. She had seen wealth before, but this… this was a different level. It was a dynasty. A kingdom built on power, battle and legacy.Her gaze shifted to the two lion statues positioned at the entrance, their sculpted forms froze
Ariel sat at the vanity, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her reflection staring back at her seemed composed—her skin looked refreshed, her dark circles had disappeared, and her lips carried a natural pink hue, thanks to Maria’s care.But despite her great appearance, the turmoil inside her remained unshakeable.She picked up a brush, applying soft strokes of makeup to her face. She wasn't a fan of make-up, but she knew where she was going, every little details could count. A saga. That’s what today was. A grand, orchestrated display where she had a role to play. A wife. A perfect and presentable woman beside Johny Lucas.But wasn’t that what she signed up for? Of course it was. Her fingers curled around the compact powder as she stared at herself again. For years, she had been a survivor, adapting and molding herself into whatever was needed to protect her son. And now, this was just another way of surviving—one that came with wealth, and a name she barely felt belonged to