Dysis looked up at him, searching his face for some sort of explanation, for anything that made this moment make sense. Her voice came out barely above a whisper. “You… you dedicated an entire brand to me?” Alexander’s gaze remained steady. “You said you needed a shop.”Her mouth fell open. “What? Alex, I didn’t mean that! I was just saying the things you bought were too—”“I already did it the same day I bought you the shoes,” he interrupted smoothly, leaving no room for protest.Her heart pounded. It wasn’t just a gift. It wasn’t just some extravagant whim. This was bigger. This was a statement. A declaration to the world that she was someone to be acknowledged, someone to be respected. That she was his. Dysis swallowed, feeling the weight of it all settle over her. “Why?” The question slipped out before she could stop it. “Why would you do this?” Alexander didn’t answer right away. Instead, he extended a pen toward her, his voice softer now, almost coaxing. “Sign it, Dysis.”
The ballroom shone with gold and white hues, as crystal chandeliers cast a soft glow upon the guests, whose laughter and conversation resonated throughout the space. The string quartet performed gently in the background, a calming melody that seemed to wrap around the room like a comforting embrace. But for Dysis, everything felt overwhelming. The towering columns, the grand staircase, the glittering crowd—it all seemed like a blur as her focus remained on one person: Alexander.She had never seen him like this before. The usual cold, calculated mafia leader—capable of making even the bravest shudder with a single glance—was different tonight. There was a stillness in him, an almost tense calmness in the way he stood. His grip on her hand was firm enough to assert control, but there was something gentle in it, too, as if it was a subtle reminder that there was more to him than his ruthless reputation. As they walked through the sea of guests, Dysis couldn’t shake the feeling of the
The weight of the evening pressed down on Dysis, suffocating her in its golden glow. The ballroom, once a dazzling spectacle of elegance and grandeur, now felt more like a cage—a place where secrets lurked beneath polite smiles and half-spoken words. Lucian’s unexpected appearance had only deepened the unease curling in her stomach. The charged silence between him and Alexander, the way their gazes locked as if exchanging something unspoken—it all unsettled her. Dysis gulped nervously, her hold on her dress tightening as she glanced between the two men. “I don’t get it ,” she whispered, her voice scarcely audible. “Why wouldn’t Alexander be here?” Neither answered immediately. Instead, Lucian’s green eyes flickered with something indecipherable before shifting to Alexander, who remained deathly still at her side. His fingers, still wrapped around her wrist, flexed slightly as if holding himself back. Lucian finally exhaled, his jaw tightening. “Because he never comes to these
The air in the ballroom crackled with an intensity that seemed to radiate from Alexander himself. His cold demeanor only grew sharper when Joe tried to approach him once again. Every attempt was met with a curt dismissal, Alexander's eyes distant, a silent barrier between them. The bond they once shared felt frayed, unraveling beyond repair, and Joe couldn't understand why his brother would push him away.Brayden, ever the innocent observer, hugged his uncle with unrestrained affection, his small arms wrapped tightly around Alexander's waist. But Alexander’s response was swift and brutal—he shoved Brayden aside, his fingers tightening on Dysis’s hand as he pulled her away. Brayden stood frozen, confusion and sadness clouding his young face.“I think I like her even more,” Brayden remarked softly to Joe, though there was no joy in his eyes—only an unsettling sense of loss.Joe’s lips twitched into a half-smile, but it faltered almost immediately. “You like everything Alexander likes,”
Sofie’s eyes darkened, her perfectly painted lips pressing into a thin line. She tilted her head slightly, her voice dripping with mock amusement. “How fascinating,” she murmured, her tone deceptively soft. “I see you’ve made yourself quite at home in the world of luxury.” Dysis refused to flinch, meeting Sofie’s piercing gaze with quiet defiance. Her own eyes drifted downward, taking in Sofie’s designer heels—the very ones Dysis had once dreamed of being the first to wear. They weren’t just shoes. They were a symbol of power, prestige, a legacy that should have belonged to her. But there they were, now adorning Dysis’s feet instead. Sofie’s fingers curled around the stem of a wine glass as she took a slow sip, her eyes never leaving Dysis. It wasn’t just the shoes. The brand, the collection—everything she had envisioned should have been hers. And yet, Alexander had given it all away. To her. So that’s why Alexander was avoiding me, Sofie thought bitterly. He had been the one
The melodies danced in the atmosphere, while the graceful murmur of dialogue and joy intertwined with the rhythm. Visitors spun and glided around the dance floor, their motions smooth and untroubled, their giggles joyful. Dysis, on the other hand, stayed planted in place, her eyes sweeping the room, yet her body stayed motionless, as if she were out of place. She scanned the crowd until her gaze landed on Alexander, who was casually leaning against a pillar at the edge. His stance was easygoing, yet a chill in his gaze appeared to dismiss the celebratory spirit surrounding him. He stood as a glacier in the heat of the celebration. He wasn't even paying attention to the dancers. Instead, he scanned the room with a sense of apathy, his icy-blue eyes capturing the attention of several women who, evidently fascinated, flitted nearby, attempting to attract his focus. “Don't even consider it,” Alexander's voice cut into her thoughts, surprising her with its icy smoothness. Dysis blinked,
Sofie’s scream shattered the moment, her voice high-pitched and full of venom. “She pushed me! Did you see that? She shoved me right into the fountain!” The room fell into stunned silence, the atmosphere that had once been filled with laughter and music now thick with tension. Guests turned slowly, murmurs spreading like wildfire, eyes flicking back and forth between Sofie and Dysis. The cheerful atmosphere had dissipated, giving way to a sense of discomfort that tingled against the skin. Dysis remained motionless, her heart racing in her chest as the words lingered in the air like a snare. Her eyes fixed on Sofie's, yet it felt as though the accusation struck her like a tangible hit. She hadn’t touched Sofie—hadn’t even been close to her—but the falsehood felt like a razor, sharp and dangerous, capable of cutting through everything Dysis had worked so hard to build. Her throat constricted, the weight of the lie suffocating her. "I didn’t even touch you," Dysis finally said, her
The tension in the room was almost palpable—a heavy, suffocating silence draped over the gathering after Lili’s stern command for Dysis to apologize. Dysis stood with quiet defiance etched in her eyes, every muscle taut as if bracing against the crushing weight of judgment. But before she could decide what to do, a small, unexpected voice sliced through the silence like a blade."She’s lying!"The exclamation was so sudden, so clear, that the room itself seemed to jolt. Every eye snapped toward the source—a little boy with tousled blond hair and wide, earnest eyes that shone with both confusion and an unyielding determination far beyond his years. Brayden.Dysis’s breath hitched.She had expected scorn. More accusations. Maybe even Alexander’s cold indifference. But not this. Not him.Brayden stepped forward, his tiny feet pattering softly against the polished floor. The murmurs around them died down, fading into a reverent hush as if the very walls of the mansion knew that something
Adam sat in his study, the weight of his years pressing down like an iron chain that had long rotted yet never loosened. The room was gently lit, the flames flickering on the shiny mahogany walls, casting unsettling shadows that seemed to whisper of past wrongdoings. A glass of whiskey sat untouched beside him, the amber liquid reflecting the glowing coals, its warmth mocking the coldness in his heart. Across from him, Milo stayed silently watchful, his sharp gaze scrutinizing the man who had once been a formidable giant at the peak of his strength. Now, Adam appeared diminished in some way—not in height, but in how regret had started to settle into the lines of his face.Adam breathed out, rubbing a worn hand across his face. "It's odd," he whispered, nearly to himself. "You go on believing there’s always extra time… until one day, you see that there isn't." Milo stayed quiet, understanding it was best not to interject. He had discovered long ago that occasionally, silence was the
The moment he entered the hall, the air became heavy.The hush was immediate. It was as if the entire mansion drew in, and then simply remembered to hold the breath. Lucian's arms locked around Dysis, holding her in place. She was weakened, her hands loosely gripping his wrist to support her, her body refusing to obey.But none of that mattered. Not to Alexander.His gaze was glacial, cold and merciless. Icy-blue eyes froze Lucian in position, like a wolf who spotted another by the side of his prey.“Step. aside.”The words themselves calmed, and what rendered them so terrifying.Lucian didn’t blink, didn’t let Dysis go. His green eyes remained locked on Alexander, not in defiance, but in something worse—concern.“She nearly fainted,” replied Lucian, his voice steady and controlled. “I was tending to her."A muscle in the jaw of Alexander tensed. He didn't utter a word, but the tenseness could be sensed, so tight the smallest misfire would spring.Dysis felt a rush of fear. Her head w
The moment they arrived the security at the estate doubled. Guards were at the entrance while inside the premises the tension was charged.Alexander wasted no time at all giving orders, his voice imperious and sharp as he spoke to his troops. Dysis stood off to the side, noticing the way that all of them sprang at his every word.He was himself present. He was at easeGone was the man who had looked at her with something so vulnerable standing by the side of the road. In his place was someone untouchable.“Get every bodyguard on the ready,” Alexander instructed Milo at the front door to wait for their arrival. “Nobody sees this house without me knowing about it first.”Milo nodded hastily, already getting out his phone.Dysis crossed her arms. “What about me?” she asked.Alexander’s gaze turned to her. "You stay here."She scoffed. “That’s it?”“That’s everything,” he told me, coming closer to me, his voice lowering to a deep timbre. “You're not leaving without me again."Dysis glared
Laughter filled Dysis’s room as she and Brayden played together, his small hands eagerly stacking blocks into a wobbly tower. Every time it collapsed, he let out an exaggerated gasp, eyes wide with delight before urging her to help him build it again."You have to be careful, Brayden," Dysis teased, placing a block with precision. "If it falls again, I’m blaming you."Brayden grinned. "Nooo! You did it last time!"Brayden's small hand tugged at the hem of Dysis’s dress, his bright blue eyes wide with curiosity. “Can I stay with you a little longer?” Dysis hesitated, glancing toward the open door where Silver had left moments ago. The mansion was vast, and the boy likely felt lonely despite its grandeur. Additionally, she had developed an affection for him in a manner she hadn’t anticipated. “Okay,” she murmured gently, tousling his golden hair. A wide smile emerged on Brayden’s face as he hopped onto the soft rug in her room. He pulled out several toy soldiers from his pocket and
The morning sunlight streamed through the grand windows of the Levi estate as a maid carefully fastened the last button on Dysis’s dress. It was a gentle, flowing garment featuring an intricate floral pattern, the material airy against her skin. It was a gentle, flowing garment featuring an intricate floral pattern, the material airy against her skin. The soft pastel shades complemented her, giving her an elegant yet subtle look—precisely the type of presence that wouldn’t attract excessive attention. "You look lovely, miss," the maid remarked respectfully, stepping back to appreciate her handwork.Dysis managed a small smile. "Thank you."A knock at the door interrupted them, and another maid stepped in, bowing slightly. "Miss Dysis, Lady Lili has requested your presence at the dining table for breakfast with the family."Dysis blinked. "She… requested me?"The maid nodded. "She wishes to apologize for her behavior at the party."An apology? That surprised her. She hadn't had much i
The morning sunlight streamed through the thick curtains, creating a gentle illumination throughout the room. The soft buzz of the mansion was far off, smothered by the heavy walls, with just the noise of consistent breathing in the gap between them. Dysis lay still, her body tense, fully aware of the weight draped over her waist—Alexander’s arm. His presence was overwhelming, his warmth pressing into her back, his grip firm as if holding her there on instinct. Her heartbeat betrayed her. It drummed too fast, too erratic, as if her body hadn’t gotten the message her mind was screaming: This doesn’t mean anything. She inhaled sharply, trying to shake off the disorienting pull of him. Carefully, she shifted, attempting to slip out of his grasp. But before she could move an inch, his grip tightened. “Alexander,” she murmured, her voice quieter than she intended. He grumbled in response, low and rough, not fully awake—but unwilling to let go. Her breath caught. He was still a
He caught it effortlessly—of course he did—and raised an amused brow. “Violence? After everything I just did for you?” “You call making fun of me ‘helping’?” she snapped, burying herself deeper under the covers. “And don’t act like killing a spider is some grand heroic act. You were probably just showing off.” Alexander smirked, tossing the pillow onto the bed. “If I was showing off, I’d have made sure you were watching.” Dysis let out an exasperated groan and turned away from him, pulling the blanket over her head. This man is impossible.A beat of silence passed. Then she heard the rustle of fabric, followed by the dip of the mattress. Her body went rigid. He was on the bed. “W-what do you think you’re doing?” Her voice was unexpectedly high-pitched, causing embarrassment. Alexander reclined against the headboard, extending himself next to her as if he were meant to be there. “Getting comfortable.” Dysis peeked out from under the blanket and glared at him. “Go to your
Dysis groaned as she sat up, untangling herself from Alexander’s arms. Her dress was ruined—ripped in several places thanks to the chaos from earlier. She sighed, trying to pull at the fabric, but the intricate design made it impossible. She hadn’t dressed herself—four maids had helped her into it before the party. She glanced at Alexander, who was now propped up against the headboard, observing her with a grin. “Could you assist me in getting out of this dress?” she inquired, feeling flustered. Alexander raised a brow, amused. “Are you asking me to undress you?” Dysis’ face heated. “No! I mean, yes—but not like that! Just the back—ugh, forget it!” She marched to the bathroom before he could poke fun at her anymore. Inside, she battled with the dress for about five minutes before it dawned on her something dreadful—she had no other outfit. “Alexander!” she called through the door. “I need something to wear!” He chuckled from the other side. “So you do need my help after
The party had descended into a low hum of whispers as the last guests made their way toward the exit. The evening, meant to be a celebration, had become a spectacle of half-spoken truths and mounting tensions. The question on everyone’s mind, though unspoken, was clear: What did Dysis really mean to Alexander Levi?As Alexander and Dysis stood by the grand doorway, ready to leave the mansion, the weight of the night seemed to press down on them both. Dysis’s mind raced, still processing the stares, the whispered gossip, and, most significantly, the possessive look Alexander had given her earlier. Despite her growing connection to him, the entire evening had left her uneasy, as if everything around them was shifting. “Are we really leaving?” she asked, her voice softer than she intended. Alexander, ever the enigma, met her eyes with his usual unreadable expression. “We are.” She gave him a brief nod, turning her attention to the large wooden doors ahead. But just as they were abo