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72. Cuddling in the Dark

Author: Athena
last update Last Updated: 2025-02-08 22:55:26

*** Hyacinth ***

The soft glow of the moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a serene ambiance in our bedroom. Raven’s arms were wrapped around me, his warmth seeping into my skin as we lay there, basking in the afterglow of our love. His fingers traced lazy patterns on my arm, and I couldn’t help but smile, feeling utterly cherished. Raven made me feel like the most important person in the world, like nothing else mattered when we were together. His love was my sanctuary, a place where I could be completely myself, vulnerable and unguarded.

As we made our way downstairs, his hand never left my side, his possessive and tender touch. I loved how he always seemed to need to be close to me as if even the slightest distance was too much. His PJ pants hung low on his hips, and I couldn’t help but admire the way his muscles moved with every step. Raven was effortlessly handsome, his dark hair tousled, his eyes always holding a hint of mischief. But it wasn’t just his looks that ca
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  • Forced to Marry My Stepbrother   132. Suicide

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  • Forced to Marry My Stepbrother   131. Fire

    —Stalker’s Point of View—Smelling her, touching her—it almost drove me insane. But it wasn’t just her that consumed me. It was something our family was meant to possess. Her mother was perfect. The epitome of intelligence. A woman who had it all, despite being a commoner, not royalty. Yet everyone wanted her as their daughter-in-law. A genius in everything… except love. “I was thinking that maybe Hyacinth was also a victim of love.” I stood, pacing around my desk, glancing at the piles of recently filed cases. Boring paperwork, but necessary. Even the bomb incident was just another file to clean up. I hadn’t meant to kill anyone—just to isolate her. If everyone around her was gone, taking her would be effortless. But no matter how many times I tried, they clung to her. Maybe I should ruin her relationship with Darcy. “How do I do that?” My fingers tapped against the windowsill as I watched Hyacinth step out of her apartment across the street, her bodyguards trailing like

  • Forced to Marry My Stepbrother   130. Turmoil

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  • Forced to Marry My Stepbrother   129. Business Partners

    –Hyacinth– My feet ached as I finally let them rest flat against the cool hardwood floor. Never again, I vowed, glaring at the discarded high heels lying near the closet. But duty called—tonight, Raven’s business partners expected us for dinner. We’d met them briefly at the gala, but between the endless introductions and the suffocating crowd, we’d barely exchanged more than pleasantries. Three days had passed since then, and though my social battery was still drained, I couldn’t postpone this any longer. My mind, however, refused to relax. Even now, I found myself checking my phone—again—for updates on Penny and David. They were safe, I knew that, but the memory of their close call still coiled around my chest like a vise. A soft laugh drew my attention to the living room, where Kelly and Calisto were curled together on the sofa. Calisto, still recovering from his head injury, had his arm draped lazily over Kelly’s shoulders. The two of them had adjusted well to their new realit

  • Forced to Marry My Stepbrother   128. The Spotlight

    —Patricia— The Silver Gala was a spectacle of wealth and power—crystal chandeliers dripping light over marble floors, the air thick with the mingling scents of expensive perfumes and champagne. The elite moved in a slow, calculated dance, their laughter sharp as cut glass, their smiles never quite reaching their eyes. And among them, Hyacinth stood out like a rare gem in a sea of polished stones. No—not just a gem. Something far more precious. She was the kind of brilliance that made people want, that made them covet. And why wouldn’t they? With a net worth in the billions, an inheritance that could topple empires, she was more than just a woman—she was a prize. I stayed close, as always. My role was to observe, to protect in my own way. My gaze flickered to the right, where a man in a black suit stood motionless against the wall. Seth. His presence was a quiet reassurance—Hyacinth’s shadow, her shield. Then Eino approached, swift and purposeful, another man from his famil

  • Forced to Marry My Stepbrother   127. Surprise Gift

    Hyacinth For the first time in what felt like forever, we’d finally had days of good sleep. Kelly and Cal seemed to be healing each other—attending therapy together, flanked by three bodyguards and a standby nurse in case Cal had another seizure. But lately, his recovery had been startlingly fast. The shadows under his eyes had lightened, his smiles came easier, and whenever Kelly was near, he looked… happy. I was glad. Relieved, even. Yet, I couldn’t shake the unease gnawing at me. Cal’s parents still despised Kelly—or rather, they wanted nothing to do with her family. Raven had mentioned some past conflict between them, something buried deep enough that neither side spoke of it openly. All I knew was that they’d once been close. Now? They were strangers with grudges. “Rachel said this gala will expand your business knowledge,” Raven murmured, handing me a thick, embossed invitation. His fingers lingered against mine. “So, you’ll pick out our outfits?” “Yeah, of course.” I

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