Ace POV:She was dropping a half mug of water on herself, then stopped and opened her eyes immediately.It was a weird behavior.THUD.She flinched at the sound and shot me a startled look as soon as I closed the door behind me.The way she tried to cover herself with bubbles and hide her two little ducks was almost comical.I approached her, crouching beside the tub, and gently tucked the damp hair that had stuck to her flushed face behind her ear.She flinched away at my touch, her eyes wide with apprehension.Now that I could do anything with her, I let out a big sigh."You could use a shower instead of a mug," I murmured, my voice low and soothing as I pulled the wet strands of hair away from her flushed cheeks.She inhaled deeply, her breath quickening as she stammered, "I don't know... how t-to use... it-its not opening."I reached for the shower handle with deliberate, unhurried movements. As I flipped it to the right, the water cascaded down in a gentle stream, creating a sooth
Ivan POV:"So you're telling me these are all for... Iris?" I asked, my voice laced with disbelief as I surveyed the impressive collection of clothing spread out before us.Ace barely glanced at me, his face impassive and devoid of any readable emotion.Without a word, he continued to sift through the dresses, his movements precise and methodical.Earlier, Ace had handed me a list, instructing me to purchase every item on it.The list was extensive, and it included a variety of items: 20 vintage dresses, 5 different types of jeans, 10 shirts, skirts, and tops, 10 undergarment sets, 5 accessories for reasons unknown to me, and several other miscellaneous items typically associated with a woman's wardrobe.I watched in confusion as the maids meticulously displayed each dress to Ace, awaiting his approval.His attention to detail was almost obsessive, as if every stitch and fabric choice mattered immensely to him.He's behaving weird.Ace Salvatore, known for his ruthlessness and cold dem
Ace POV:What the fuck is she doing here?Iris, trembling with fear, instinctively closed her legs and began to push me away. Her eyes were wide with a mix of panic and confusion.I could feel the rapid beat of her heart against my fingers as I gripped her hips gently, trying to offer some semblance of comfort.She stopped moving, her body tensing up as she fisted the sheets tightly, gasping softly.I glanced over and saw Athena staring at us with a look of disgust. Fucking bitch.My anger flared, and without a second thought, I got up, dragged Athena outside of my room, and threw her out, slamming the door in her face.The sheer rage coursing through me was barely containable.I couldn't believe I hadn't heard the door creak open? Fuck me.When I turned back to Iris, she was pressing herself against the headboard in fear. Her form was practically naked, save for a disheveled frock that barely clung to her hips.I released a deep sigh, running a hand through my hair in frustration.I s
Author POV:A sharp hiss escaped Aiden's lips as he sat on the cold floor, clutching his arm, blood seeping through his fingers from a fresh wound. The pain was evident on his face, but it was the shock and betrayal that shone most vividly in his eyes."Aiden!" she shouted, running towards him and dropped to her knees beside him, her hands trembling as she tried to assess the injury. "Aiden, oh my God, are you okay?" Her voice was thick with panic, but there was a determination in her eyes, a need to protect the man she cared about.Felix’s voice, usually so composed, was now tinged with fury as he yelled at him, "ACE! Are you out of your fucking mind?" His fists clenched tightly at his sides, the veins on his neck bulging with barely restrained rage.Ace stood a few feet away, the gun still in his hand, the barrel faintly smoking. But rather than look remorseful or even concerned, he merely murmured, "Ohh, please. It just passed through his skin." He scratched his head lazily wit
Ace POV:I took a long, measured breath, my eyes drifting over to the clock.The clock had just struck past five in the morning, and the faint rays of the rising sun were starting to filter through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. The silence was comforting, almost peaceful, but my mind was anything but.Lying on my side, I cradled her head gently in the crook of my arm, her small, delicate form pressed against me as she slept. I watched her for a moment, my gaze tracing the soft curve of her face, the way her breath came slow and steady. My other hand moved on its own, brushing against her bare shoulder, feeling the warmth of her skin under my fingertips. She looked so peaceful, so innocent— completely unaware of the turmoil that was gnawing at me.Last night, I told her to strip down to nothing but her panties. She’d hesitated, her fear so palpable I could almost taste it. But she did it anyway, trembling the entire time. Now, though, she was curled up against
Author POV:Iris stood at the stove, her hands busy with the morning's breakfast preparations, but her mind was far from focused. She could feel the curious and slightly bewildered gazes of the men around her, and it made her stomach twist with nerves."Tell me you're joking because nowhere in the world does this seem real," Su murmured, rolling her eyes dramatically as she leaned against the kitchen counter.Iris managed a small, unsure smile and nodded her head, letting out a quiet sigh. She had always been the quiet one, the one who stayed out of the spotlight, but ever since the kiss with Ace, things had changed. And now, she was the center of a conversation that made her feel both exposed and confused.Felix raised an eyebrow as he leaned in closer. "Did you kiss someone?" he asked, his tone a mixture of surprise and curiosity.Iris quickly shook her head, resuming her work with a newfound intensity. "No," she lied, her voice barely above a whisper. She stirred the pot in fro
Ace POV:Mesmerizing.That was the only word that fit as I watched her. She looked different tonight, though in a way that was both alluring and unsettling. There was a dangerous edge to her beauty, something that made my pulse quicken despite my efforts to remain indifferent.I handed her the flowers. Jasmine, of course. The delicate scent seemed to fill the air around us as she took them from my hands. Her eyes widened slightly as she brought the flowers to her nose, inhaling deeply. A smile spread across her face, gentle and genuine. “Thank you,” she said, her voice a soft, soothing melody that seemed to calm the chaos in my mind.“My pleasure, sweet Mini,” I murmured, as I reached out to open the car door for her. She deserves courtesy.I watched as she slid into the passenger seat, her movements graceful yet tinged with an apprehensive excitement.I settled into my seat, starting the engine with a practiced motion. The car roared to life, and the hum of the engine seemed to c
Author POV:Iris trudged through the restaurant, her exhaustion visible in her slumped shoulders and the weariness in her eyes. The hotel’s low popularity meant her workload was consistently heavy, and tonight was no exception. The limited staff made her duties— washing dishes, mopping floors, and cleaning tables— seem endless. Each task felt like a mountain, and every time she thought she might finally be finished, another chore was added to her list.The head chef, a man who lacked both culinary skill and managerial aptitude, handed her a small wad of cash. His face was expressionless as he counted the money, hardly acknowledging the exhaustion etched into Iris’s features. "That’s all, Iris. You can leave now."Her heart sank at the casual dismissal. She was grateful for the small amount of money but wished she could have been given a bit more consideration for the effort she put in. She mumbled a quiet "OK" and shuffled out of the kitchen, her head hung low. She left the resta