Ares' Pov.The room was a mess. Papers and books were scattered everywhere, and clothes were thrown haphazardly on the bed and floor. I paced back and forth, clenching and unclenching my fists. I couldn’t believe how things had gone wrong. Just when I thought I was making progress with Dahlia, she started putting her walls back up. This wasn’t part of my plan. She was crucial to my revenge. Without her trust, my whole scheme would fall apart.I kicked a chair in frustration. I had worked so hard to get her to start opening up, to be free with me. I needed her to trust me completely, to let her guard down. Only then could I use her to get back at those who had wronged me and my family. I couldn’t let her slip through my fingers now. Not when I was so close.I slumped down on the edge of the bed, trying to think. Why was she acting like this? I replayed our interactions in my mind, searching for a clue. She had been indifferent, cold even. What had changed?It hit me suddenly. Yesterday
Dahlia's POV.Day eight of bed rest.The days of bed rest were wearing me down. It had been eight days since the incident, and I was tired. Tired of staying indoors, tired of replaying that fateful day in my head. They said I almost drowned, but it felt like more. I didn’t want to remember it, didn’t want to recall how my own mother had pulled me into the pool. They called it a hallucination, but I thought something else had gone wrong.I tried to let it go, to focus on something else. Like the movie in front of me. Who did that to me? Dorothy was my first guess. Ares was my second. He hated me, but he wasn’t there when I started hallucinating. He did show up when I almost drowned. Was that a warning? Payback for not meeting him at the cafeteria? But I’d gone to school with him that morning.Ares was a devil. No question. Yet, despite everything, I found myself wanting him to come and save me. It was a bitter realization, one that gnawed at my insides.Night had fallen, and I couldn’t
Dahlia's POVDay nine of bed restI closed the door behind me, locking myself inside my room. The silence wrapped around me like a thick blanket, providing an odd sense of comfort. My eyes landed on the bouquet of roses on my nightstand. The dark red petals appeared soft, their fragrance barely noticeable but still lingering. Ares had given them to me. Not too long ago, such a gift would have felt like a cruel reminder of how much he despised me.But something had shifted. He had changed.I gently touched one of the petals, feeling its softness—so different from the harshness of the man who had given them to me. Ares, who had once taken pleasure in my suffering with his cold, calculated ways, was now the same person offering these flowers. The same person who, somehow, had started to show signs of care.I couldn’t wrap my mind around it. How could someone who had once been so determined to break me now be the one giving me roses? My heart ached with confusion as I got lost in my thoug
Dahlia's POVDay ten of bed rest.I found myself gazing aimlessly at the ceiling. The routine had become unbearably repetitive—wake up, take medicine, eat, and then lie down again. Ares' constant presence only intensified the monotony. His silent, watchful gaze was always on me, and with each passing day, I could feel his control tightening. I yearned for something, anything, to break the dull cycle.When a knock sounded at the door, I didn’t bother to respond. It creaked open regardless, and Ares walked in, his familiar grin lighting up the room. My heart skipped a beat, though I quickly hid my excitement. I had missed him, but I wasn’t about to let him know that.“Good morning,” he greeted me warmly as he approached my bed. In his hand was a single red rose, just like the one he’d brought the last time he visited. I reached out and took it from him without a word.“Another rose?” I remarked, trying to sound indifferent. “Aren’t you supposed to bring something different each time?”A
Dahlia's POVDay eleven of bed restI paused, my hand trembling slightly on the door handle as I opened it. The soft creak of the hinges was the only sound in the quiet space between us. As the door swung open fully, I saw Ares standing there just a few steps away. His tall figure nearly blocked out the sunlight, casting a gentle shadow over me. He was holding a large, fluffy teddy bear and several gift bags. My heart leapt at the sight, excitement bubbling inside me.I gasped in surprise and delight. The gifts were unexpected, and seeing him there waiting for me made my heart swell. Without thinking, I grabbed the teddy bear and hugged it tightly against my chest. Looking up at Ares, I couldn’t hide the gratitude in my eyes.“Thank you!” I said, my voice brimming with genuine happiness. My smile spread wide across my face.Ares stood there, his usual stoic expression softening slightly. He seemed taken aback by my reaction, his eyes studying me as if he couldn’t quite believe what he
Ares' POVI could barely contain my excitement as I prepared for the day. Today was a crucial juncture in the elaborate plan I had been meticulously crafting for months. The thought of finally taking Dahlia to my mansion was exhilarating, almost overwhelming. Every detail of my outfit was chosen with precision; I wanted to be flawless. This wasn’t just about spending time with Dahlia; it was about seizing control and setting the stage for the final act of my scheme.Driving towards Dahlia’s house, I replayed the journey I had taken to break through her defenses. She had been a fortress of defiance and pain, completely closed off from the world. Yet, I had managed to see through her tough exterior and uncover the softer, more vulnerable side she had been so careful to hide. I had always viewed her as a caged bird, and now that I had unlocked that cage, I was beginning to see the real Dahlia—a tender, beautiful girl who had learned to protect herself behind a façade of strength.As I in
Dahlia's POVI had never encountered a place as grand as Ares' mansion. From the moment we crossed the threshold, it felt as though we had stepped into another realm—one filled with elegance, mystery, and untold stories. The entrance hall alone was awe-inspiring, with its towering ceilings and grand chandeliers casting a gentle light over the polished marble floors. Excitement bubbled within me as Ares began the tour."Follow me," he said, his deep voice echoing slightly in the vast space. I trailed behind him down a long corridor, wide-eyed as I absorbed every detail. The walls were adorned with intricate moldings, and the floors gleamed with an almost mirror-like finish. Everything was meticulously designed, exuding a sense of perfection.Ares guided me through several rooms, each more impressive than the last. There was a grand sitting room with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked a sprawling garden, and a library brimming with more books than I had ever seen. But amidst the g
Dahlia's POV I sat by Ares' door, leaning against the cold wood as the night dragged on. The house was quiet, with only the occasional creak or the soft sound of the wind outside. I lost track of time, my mind spinning with feelings I couldn’t quite understand. The longer I sat there, the more tired I became, my thoughts drifting into a haze.Finally, as dawn began to break and light crept through the windows, I forced myself to stand up, my legs stiff from sitting too long. I let out a deep sigh and made my way to my room. Being close to Ares, even just outside his door, had felt necessary, like something I couldn’t ignore.Once I was in my room, I collapsed onto the bed, not even bothering to pull the covers over me. Exhaustion hit me hard, pulling me into sleep before I could resist. My eyes closed, and I was quickly lost to the dark world of dreams.But sleep didn’t bring any comfort. Instead, I found myself in a strange place, surrounded by thick fog. I called out, but my voice
Ares’ POVI had been caught up in the moment, kissing Dahlia with a passion that surprised even me. We were in the pool, and I was reveling in the way she responded to my touch. Her initial reluctance had faded, replaced by a tentative willingness to engage. I caressed her back through the thin material of her swimsuit and gently pressed my lips against hers, feeling her start to open up to me. Her body relaxed against mine, and for a moment, it seemed like she was beginning to truly let go.But then, as she started to match my intensity, something shifted inside me. I suddenly became aware of what I was doing and froze. My mind raced with confusion and realization. What am I doing? I thought. This wasn’t part of the plan.Dahlia’s eyes fluttered open, her face reflecting a mix of confusion and surprise. I pulled away abruptly, the suddenness of my action leaving her stunned. "I'm sorry," I said quickly, trying to cover up my disorientation. "That wasn’t supposed to happen."I saw th
Dahlia’s POV I was still trying to wrap my head around everything that had just happened when Ares gently turned me toward the pool, his hands resting on my shoulders. My back pressed against his chest, and I could feel the warmth of his body against mine. The closeness, the intimacy, was almost overwhelming. My heart raced, a mix of nerves and anticipation causing my breath to come in quick, shallow bursts.As his fingers lightly traced along my arm, a shiver ran through me. His touch was gentle, almost soothing, yet it set my nerves on edge. I could feel his breath on the back of my neck as his hands moved down to my waist, the sensation both thrilling and terrifying. His touch was slow and deliberate, as if he was savoring the moment, and I became increasingly aware of every inch of my body.When he reached the knot on my shorts, I tensed, emotions swirling inside me. Before I could react, he loosened the tie, and my shorts fell to the ground, leaving me in just my swimsuit. I fel
Dahlia’s POV"Why would I be jealous," I said quickly, trying to put some distance between us. My voice came out sharper than I intended, and I immediately regretted it. I took a step back, hoping to escape the tension building between us, but he didn’t let go. Instead, his grip on my arm tightened just enough to make me pause, and I felt a shiver run down my spine as I realized how close he was. My back was against his chest, and his arms wrapped around my waist, holding me in place.I was caught off guard by the sudden intimacy, feeling a mix of shyness and irritation that made it hard to think straight. He leaned in, his breath warm against my ear as he whispered in a voice that sent another shiver through me, "Did I do something wrong?"His tone was almost seductive, laced with a teasing edge that made my heart race. I tried to keep my composure, but it was hard to ignore how close he was, how his voice seemed to wrap around me like a soft, tempting whisper. I could feel my resolv
Dahlia’s POVAfter grabbing the first swimsuit that caught my eye, I didn’t even bother to look at it. My mind was too clouded with anger and jealousy to care. I just needed to get out of his room. I clutched the swimsuit in my hand and stormed off to my room, my thoughts racing. I didn’t even notice Aris giggling softly behind me, likely amused that I had picked something so revealing without even realizing it.As I reached my room and slammed the door shut, I could feel the tension in my chest. What was I doing, feeling this way? It wasn’t like Ares and I were anything more than neighbors. Maybe we flirted a little, but that didn’t give me the right to be angry about what I saw in his wardrobe. But the thought of another girl being in his room, trying on those clothes, left a bitter taste in my mouth. I hated how much it bothered me.I threw the swimsuit onto my bed and finally took a good look at it. My heart sank as I realized just how sexy it was. The fabric was a deep, rich shad
Dahlia’s POVAfter breakfast, the uneasy feeling from my conversation with Aris still lingered. I tried to brush it off, but when Aris asked, “Do you want to go swimming with me?” it completely threw me off. Out of all the things he could have suggested, why swimming?“I don’t know how to swim,” I admitted, hoping that would be the end of it.“Okay,” he replied, “but you can still change into a swimsuit and join me. You don’t have to swim.”His persistence caught me off guard. “I’m not comfortable with that,” I said, trying to convey how much the idea unsettled me.“I’ll walk you to your room,” he said, completely ignoring my discomfort.I followed him reluctantly, my mind racing for a way out. When we reached my door, he stopped and waited outside while I went in to change. As soon as I stepped into my room, I breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe I could use this time to figure out how to get out of this situation without making things awkward.But then I realized I didn’t have a swimsui
Dahlia's POV I sat by Ares' door, leaning against the cold wood as the night dragged on. The house was quiet, with only the occasional creak or the soft sound of the wind outside. I lost track of time, my mind spinning with feelings I couldn’t quite understand. The longer I sat there, the more tired I became, my thoughts drifting into a haze.Finally, as dawn began to break and light crept through the windows, I forced myself to stand up, my legs stiff from sitting too long. I let out a deep sigh and made my way to my room. Being close to Ares, even just outside his door, had felt necessary, like something I couldn’t ignore.Once I was in my room, I collapsed onto the bed, not even bothering to pull the covers over me. Exhaustion hit me hard, pulling me into sleep before I could resist. My eyes closed, and I was quickly lost to the dark world of dreams.But sleep didn’t bring any comfort. Instead, I found myself in a strange place, surrounded by thick fog. I called out, but my voice
Dahlia's POVI had never encountered a place as grand as Ares' mansion. From the moment we crossed the threshold, it felt as though we had stepped into another realm—one filled with elegance, mystery, and untold stories. The entrance hall alone was awe-inspiring, with its towering ceilings and grand chandeliers casting a gentle light over the polished marble floors. Excitement bubbled within me as Ares began the tour."Follow me," he said, his deep voice echoing slightly in the vast space. I trailed behind him down a long corridor, wide-eyed as I absorbed every detail. The walls were adorned with intricate moldings, and the floors gleamed with an almost mirror-like finish. Everything was meticulously designed, exuding a sense of perfection.Ares guided me through several rooms, each more impressive than the last. There was a grand sitting room with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked a sprawling garden, and a library brimming with more books than I had ever seen. But amidst the g
Ares' POVI could barely contain my excitement as I prepared for the day. Today was a crucial juncture in the elaborate plan I had been meticulously crafting for months. The thought of finally taking Dahlia to my mansion was exhilarating, almost overwhelming. Every detail of my outfit was chosen with precision; I wanted to be flawless. This wasn’t just about spending time with Dahlia; it was about seizing control and setting the stage for the final act of my scheme.Driving towards Dahlia’s house, I replayed the journey I had taken to break through her defenses. She had been a fortress of defiance and pain, completely closed off from the world. Yet, I had managed to see through her tough exterior and uncover the softer, more vulnerable side she had been so careful to hide. I had always viewed her as a caged bird, and now that I had unlocked that cage, I was beginning to see the real Dahlia—a tender, beautiful girl who had learned to protect herself behind a façade of strength.As I in
Dahlia's POVDay eleven of bed restI paused, my hand trembling slightly on the door handle as I opened it. The soft creak of the hinges was the only sound in the quiet space between us. As the door swung open fully, I saw Ares standing there just a few steps away. His tall figure nearly blocked out the sunlight, casting a gentle shadow over me. He was holding a large, fluffy teddy bear and several gift bags. My heart leapt at the sight, excitement bubbling inside me.I gasped in surprise and delight. The gifts were unexpected, and seeing him there waiting for me made my heart swell. Without thinking, I grabbed the teddy bear and hugged it tightly against my chest. Looking up at Ares, I couldn’t hide the gratitude in my eyes.“Thank you!” I said, my voice brimming with genuine happiness. My smile spread wide across my face.Ares stood there, his usual stoic expression softening slightly. He seemed taken aback by my reaction, his eyes studying me as if he couldn’t quite believe what he