Wandering through the room, she tried to find people who would be of any use to her tonight.
Soon she spotted a familiar face: Eric Langford, the young and handsome CEO of a top publishing company.
Eric’s eyes lit up when he saw her. “Ms. Hart,” he greeted kindly, stepping closer. “It’s been quite a while since I last saw you.”
“The feeling’s mutual, Mr. Langford,” Emery answered as she shook his hand.
“Eric, please,” he amended with a pleasant smile. “And might I say, you look absolutely stunning tonight.”
Emery felt the blush creep up on her cheeks. “Thank you, Eric. You’re too kind.”
“Kind, but honest,” he said easily, his eyes never leaving hers. “Would you care to dance?”
Her eyes flickered toward the corner of the room, where Darren was deep in talk but still very much aware of her. A part of her hesitated, but then she thought of his earlier order.
Behave.
Smiling, Emery put her hand in Eric’s. “I’d love to.”
As they moved onto the dance floor, Darren’s eyes darkened. His grip on his glass stiffened, the muscles in his jaw working overtime as he watched Eric spin her around and hold her waist.
When Eric leaned in to say something that made Emery laugh, Darren’s control snapped. He slammed his glass onto the nearest table, his voice low as his pupils turned red for a mere moment, surrounding him with his wicked aura.
“I will remove this hand myself!”
Darren stalked toward the dance floor, his every step drawing attention. The crowd parted instinctively, as if feeling the storm brewing in his wake.
Emery felt the shift before she saw him. The air thickened, and the fine hairs on the back of her neck prickled. She turned just as Darren stopped a few feet away, his eyes fixed on Eric with an intensity that could break glass.
Eric, however, didn’t flinch. His charm never wavered as he stretched a hand toward Darren.
“Darren!” Eric greeted warmly, his voice smooth as silk. “It’s been too long.”
Darren’s jaw tightened, but he shook Eric’s hand with a strong grip, holding it a beat too long. “Eric,” he answered, his voice cold enough to frost over. “I didn’t realize you’d be here tonight.”
Eric smiled, unaffected. “Wouldn’t miss it. I heard you were going, and I’ve been meaning to catch up. Still remember our unfinished game?”
Darren’s brow raised slightly. “Blackjack?”
“Exactly.” Eric grinned, his tone light but his eyes sharp. “You left early last time. Thought tonight might be the right chance for a rematch.”
For a moment, Darren said nothing, the room holding its combined breath. Then his lips curled into a predatory smirk. “Why not? Let’s see if you’ve improved.”
The tension between the two men was obvious, electrifying the air around them. A murmur spread through the crowd as people started gravitating toward the gaming table, sensing the promise of a spectacle.
“Shall we?” Eric pointed toward a table at the far side of the room, already being prepared for their game.
Darren didn’t give Emery a glance as he followed Eric, his shoulders rigid and his stride measured. She paused, watching them, before Jenna appeared at her side.
“Go,” Jenna whispered, pushing her forward. “You can’t miss this.”
Reluctantly, Emery moved toward the table, her heart quickening with every step. By the time she arrived, Darren and Eric were seated, the leather chairs creaking slightly as they leaned back with casual ease.
The crowd pressed in, making a semi-circle around the table. The low hum of conversation was punctuated by the odd clink of glasses and rustle of fabric as people craned their necks for a better view.
Darren’s gaze flicked toward Emery, his face unreadable. “You.”
She blinked, caught off guard. “Me?”
“You’ll deal.” His tone left no room for debate.
Her fingers itched to protest, but the look in his eyes warned against it. Swallowing her pride, she moved to the dealer’s side of the table, her hands steady despite the roiling feelings beneath her composed exterior.
“A little wager to make things more… interesting,” Eric said, his voice smooth and dripping with calculated charm. “Whoever wins gets a private performance from the lovely Ms. Hart.”
The crowd erupted into murmurs, some gasping, others sharing amused glances. A few chuckles rippled through the group as they eyed Emery, curiosity and mischief in their faces.
Emery’s face burned, but she schooled her features, refusing to let her embarrassment show. She glanced at Darren, expecting an instant rebuttal. Surely he would shut this down. But instead, she saw his eyes narrow, his smirk deepening as he leaned back in his chair, radiating a calm that only made her more nervous.
“Interesting proposition,” Darren drawled, swirling the amber liquid in his drink. His eyes locked on Eric, though it was clear his mind was elsewhere—on her. “I’m game.”
Emery’s head dropped. “Excuse me?” she hissed, taking a step forward.
Darren finally turned his attention to her, his face unreadable but his eyes gleaming with something dangerously close to laughter. “What? Afraid I’ll lose?”
Her hands clenched into fists at her sides. “That’s not the point, Darren. I didn’t agree to this.”
Eric raised a placating hand, though the smirk on his lips showed his innocence. “It’s all in good fun, Ms. Hart. Besides, I’m sure you’ll enjoy the show more than anyone else here.”
The daring of the statement made her head spin, and she opened her mouth to protest further when Darren’s low chuckle cut her off.
“Relax, Emery,” Darren said, his voice soft but filled with steel. “It’s just a game. And I have no plan of losing.”
His confidence was annoying. But it was Eric’s grin, his smugness, that pushed her over the edge. She didn’t know what came over her—maybe it was the wine she’d sipped earlier, or maybe it was the sheer audacity of these guys treating her like a pawn in their game—but suddenly, the idea of playing along didn’t seem so terrible.
If Darren thought he could handle her, maybe it was time to tell him who he was dealing with.
Squaring her shoulders, Emery forced a slow, sly smile to her lips. “Fine,” she said, her voice steady despite the beating of her heart. “I’ll agree to this ridiculous wager.”
The crowd muttered louder, clearly pleased by the unexpected turn of events.
Darren’s smirk slipped for the briefest moment, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied her. She could almost hear the gears turning in his head, trying to understand her angle.
“But,” Emery added, holding up a finger, “only if both of you agree to the same terms. Winner gets the show—but if I win, both of you act for me.”
The crowd erupted into laughter and cheers, their joy hitting a fever pitch. Eric chuckled, looking truly amazed.
“Touché, Ms. Hart,” he said, nodding his agreement. “You have my word.”
All eyes turned to Darren. His face was unreadable, his jaw working quietly as he stared at her. Then, slowly, he leaned forward, resting his hands on the table.
“Deal,” he said, his voice low and smooth. “But don’t get too comfortable. You won’t win.”
Emery didn’t reply, though her pulse quickened under the weight of his gaze. She picked up the deck of cards and began to shuffle, each flick of her fingers a measured resistance.
“Let’s begin,” she said, her voice steady.
Emery shuffled the cards, the smooth click of paper filling the silence. Her movements were deliberate, exact, each card gliding seamlessly into place.
She dealt the first hand, her eyes darting between the players. Darren’s face was a mask of indifference, but his fingers tapped lightly against the table—a telltale sign of his simmering anger.
Eric, in comparison, exuded calm certainty. He lifted his cards with one hand, the other sitting lightly on the edge of the table.
The game started, and the stakes quickly increased.
Darren’s voice cut through the whispers like a blade. “Hit.”
Emery slid a card his way, her moves smooth. Darren’s gaze didn’t stray from Eric, even as he flipped his card with a flick of his hand.
“Too bold, Darren,” Eric noticed, his tone teasing. “You’ve always been one to take risks.”
Darren leaned forward slightly, his grin razor-sharp. “And you’ve always underestimated them.”
The crowd murmured appreciatively, the tension rising with each round. Emery dealt the next hand, her hands quick and skilled.
Eric’s faith wavered slightly as the game continued. Darren’s moves were calculated, each one pushing Eric further into a hole.
“Stay,” Darren said, his tone final.
Emery glanced at Eric, whose jaw tightened imperceptibly. He paused before nodding. “Hit.”
The card slid toward him. His face stayed calm as he flipped it, but Emery caught the flicker of frustration in his eyes.
“Bust,” Darren said softly, his smile wolfish.
Eric leaned back, his facade cracking just enough to show his anger. “Lucky,” he mumbled, though his tone stayed light.
Darren laughed, the sound low and dangerous.
Eric got up from his seat. Giving everyone a fierce glare, he turned around and left from there.Emery had been looking at the scene in front of her quietly all along, but soon the cheers of people around her brought her back to reality. “Striptease! Striptease! Striptease!” Everyone chanted these words like all of them had just won and now wanted a prize. Emery's eyes widened as soon as she realized what they all meant. She looked at Darren helplessly, hoping that he wouldn’t be expecting her to striptease in front of everyone, but seeing the smirk dangling on his lips, she got scared. “What are you waiting for now?” “Hurry up!"Some of the men surrounding them shouted, which triggered Emery, but she calmly replied to them, “The match was between Mr. Harper and Mr. Langford, and it doesn’t concern me in any way.” Darren’s smirk deepened as he took a few steps toward her. “But Miss Hart, the thing was already decided."Emery stepped back, but as she could move further back, Dar
"Go on, then," Darren said in a tone as informal as if they were talking about the weather. But the seriousness of those words was anything but casual.Emery gripped the doorknob tightly, as though it might prevent her from slipping away. She could feel the heat of Darren’s presence behind her, slowly closing the distance between them. Her mind screamed at her to run, but her legs felt like lead.Darren’s footsteps were slow and deliberate, like a predator toying with its prey. Her heart beat faster with each step he took. Him being there made her feel small without trying.He asked Emery, "Where do you think you're going?" He said this in a voice that was dark, funny, and way too calm.Even she could tell she was lying by the way she spoke: "I wasn't going anywhere." Her body was frozen, her pulse pounding, and every sense screamed for her to flee. She tried but failed.Darren stopped just inches away, and she couldn't see anything around her because of how tall he was. He didn't mo
“Come on! Tell already! I want to know all the details. What happened there?” Jenna said excitedly clapping her hands. She looked at Emery with eager eyes sitting in front of her. Emery blinked forcing herself to stop remembering the last night’s scene. “Nothing happened,” Emery replied shortly and tried her best to Jenna pouted, as she didn’t get the answer she wanted, “You’re no fun, Em. Fine, don’t tell me. I will not tell you anything from now on too.” Emery shook her head at her childish nature. "Come on!" Spill already! I want all of the juicy facts. "What happened?" Jenna demanded, almost leaping in her chair.Emery blinked, attempting to break free from the spiral of recollections from the previous night. "Nothing happened," she stated honestly, attempting to appear unconcerned as she sipped her coffee.Jenna rolled her eyes theatrically. "Oh, come on, Emma. You are killing me here. You can't just send cryptic vibes and expect me not to be inquisitive!""I didn't drop an
Darren strolled around his desk, leaning gently against it, arms folded, and gazing at Emery."Forget what Camila said," he added, his voice calm yet firm. "Don't add any of that nonsense to the contract."Emery blinked, caught off guard. "What do you mean?""I mean, don't mention the villa, the car, or any of her little demands."Leave the prenuptial agreement as is."She stared at him, unsure if he was sincere. "Are you sure?" "Won't she be angry?"Darren shrugged as if it were no big deal. "That is the point. I want her to back out."Emery's eyebrows rose. "Back out? Do you want her to end their engagement?"Exactly." He smirked again, calm and assured. "Emery, you're intelligent. I'm convinced you'll figure out how to make it happen."She hesitated, focussing her gaze on him. "Why should I help you with this? What is in it for me?Darren pushed off the desk and stepped closer till they were nearly face to face. "I understand you want something. Something you've been trying to have
Darren pushed himself a little back as he acting like nothing happened, “Not at all. Come, join us.” Just after saying that Darren turned his attention back to Camila. Emery felt a bit uneasy seeing that as she felt nothing but a mere pawn in the game which Darren was playing. She always tried her best to get what Darren actually wanted but that man was nothing but a puzzle who always forced her in thinking what his next step is going to be. All of them ate their dinner in silence. None of them spoke anything after that. And soon all of them got up from their seats. “Well, I hope Miss Hart is doing what I asked her to do?” Damian raised his eye brows slightly as he said with a wide smirk plastered on his face. Emery forced a professional smile on her face as she replied, “Sure!”Walking out of there she finally let out the breath she was holding in front of those people. Ring…Her phone suddenly rang and she pulled out her mobile phone from her pocket. Victor Blackwood. The na
Emery’s fingers trembled as she grabbed the USB. “Why are you helping me?” The man looked down before he said, “Let’s just say I owed your father, and this is the only way I can repay him. Your brother is hell-bent on ruining the company that your father made with so many sacrifices. Emery knew Nick didn’t have enough potential to run a company, and she knew sooner or later the company would go bankrupt, but one thing she didn’t know was that Nick didn’t just want to make the company bankrupt; instead, he wanted to sell the company.His words hit her like a slap. “What do you mean?”The man ignored her question before saying, “You will see for yourself.”Just as he said that, he moved back and soon vanished from Emery’s sight. Emery went back to her apartment with that USB, and reaching there, she plugged it into her laptop. “I hope it’s nothing too bad.” Her heart was heavy not knowing what was coming ahead of her. Opening her laptop, she saw various files with bank statements,
“Stop!” Emery blurted out as she tried her best to stay still. Her body didn’t dare to move while her heart was racing. Darren always had this effect on her; he had an ability to command her without raising his voice. It wasn’t just his words; it was his presence. The aura he radiates is far more dangerous, letting everyone around him feel intimidated.Slowly his hand slid to her waist and then to her lower back as he pushed her closer to herself, not leaving any space between them. “Do you know what I hate most about this dress?” he huskily asked, whispering near her ear. “I…” Emery tried saying something, but no words were able to come out of her mouth. “It makes me want to cancel tonight,” his hand moved further down, and Emery felt her body heating up, “so I can keep you here, where I don’t have to share you with anyone.”Her knees felt weak. If not for Darren's hold on her body, she would have fallen down up until now. “We…” She mustered up all her courage as she put both h
Emery nodded as she tried her best to preparing herself mentally. “Be ready by seven,” Darren added as his eyes swept over her again. “And wear something professional. No distractions.”Her cheeks burned at the subtle jab.She tried her best to hold her ground. “Anything else?”Leaning back on his chair, Darren smirked.His expressions softened into something more thoughtful. “Just one thing,” He puased for a moment before his voice turned into a warning, Don’t forget your deal with me and if any issue occurs you can come to me immediately.”“I will,” she said nodding her head. Their eyes locked for a mere moment before Darren turned his face to the side and said, “Good, I’ll handle the arrangements. You just be ready.”Darren leaned back in his chair as his fingers started to tap rhythmically on the side armrest.His behaviour with Emery was always like he was planning something. His continuous sharp gaze on Emery made her a little confused. “You’ll be meeting Rourke at a private
Under Emery's fingers, the metal handle pulsed, sending a constant, throbbing beat up her arm. It seemed warm, almost alive, as if it were anticipating something. For her. The man in the mask spoke in a quiet voice that was slightly tinged with dread. "Are you certain that you are prepared for this?" Emery remained silent. as she wasn't certain. However, the noble was. His golden eyes flickered with delight as he leaned against the splintering frame with his arms folded. His lips curled into a lazy smirk as he whispered, "Go ahead." Don't claim I didn't warn you, though. She gripped the handle with her fingers. She turned it after that. The world disappeared. She was pulled forward by a gust of wind that ripped through her. Everything was sucked up by the weightless, limitless darkness. She was falling for a short, horrifying minute, her heart pounding in her ears, her air stuck in her lungs, and then— She landed. The air was heavy with laughter and music, and the aro
Before she even considered saying it, Emery's mouth came up with the name. It was waiting there, so sure, so familiar. Pain burned through her skull like a blade slicing right through it the instant it emerged in her consciousness. She shook from the sudden pain and gasped, sinking her fingers into the man's arms. The name escaped, barely within grasp. When she touched him, the man tensed. He strengthened his hold on her, as though preparing for the next move. His face was still expressionless, but there was something more in his keen, dark eyes. "Don't think about me." There was something almost regretful in his quiet voice. Emery's breath caught in his throat. "So why do I?" He didn't respond. There was a shudder in the room. The floor beneath them, the lamp, and the walls all wavered and warped like a water-shattered mirror. The tiny light from the carved symbols pulsed in time with the pounding in her head. It was falling apart here. Or perhaps—reforming. Another
Pain.. Emery was startled awake as it burned through her body like lightning. She inhaled sharply, taking in a breath that was too heavy and thick. There was something metallic and harsh in the air, along with the smell of damp stone and earth. Not in the ballroom. Not the manor. She didn't know of any place. With shaky hands on the uneven ground, she forced herself up. stone. The stone is cold, fractured, and wet. She looked up and realized that everything was wrong. She was surrounded by a ruinous courtyard that was engulfed by growing vines. Above, looming stone walls that had been partially defaced by time. The sky was a deep indigo, eternal twilight that swirled like a living creature and was neither night nor day. It shouldn't be here. The mist coiling at her feet dampened her clothing as she trembled and wrapped her arms around herself. Next came— Footsteps. Go slowly. Measured. approaching from behind. Her heart skipped a beat. anticipating the noble, anti
Before her, the door looms, its surface glistening like liquid silver and pulsing with an almost... living pulse. Between it and the two guys observing her, Emery remains still. The man in the mask remains silent, his fingers moving at his sides as though he is fighting the impulse to grab her. But the noble— A slow applause. Deliberate and slow, the sound cuts through the tension like a razor. She spins around. He is present. His golden eyes shine with laughter as he emerges from the shadows at the ballroom's edge. He appears as majestic and untouchable as ever, dressed in deep crimson, but a sly smile is visible on his lips. "You always believe you have options." Not because of what he says, but because she has heard it before, his voice makes her shiver. The world flickers before she can say anything. similar like a dwindling candle's flame. As if reality itself were unraveling. She glimpses something, someone, for a split second. Here she was again, standing
The air changes as soon as Emery enters the room. Her stomach lurches with a sudden, nauseating lurch. Under her feet, the solid floor vanishes. She dives into the shadows. The wind whips past her ears, engulfing her in a limitless emptiness. Nothing remains of the world she was familiar with, including the ballroom, the nobility, and the man in the mask. But the voices are still there. whispers. Sound waves. She feels as though pieces of a life she doesn't recall are etched into her very being. "You promised me." "You betrayed me." "You were supposed to remember." The words encircle her, drawing and tugging. accusing. Then... Impact. Her air is taken from her lungs by the power of the impact as she hits solid ground. The cold stone under her stands in sharp contrast to the oppressive emptiness she just left, and her vision swirls as she breathes. She remains still for a moment. Then she lifts herself up as the world settles. and gets frozen. This location... It
The air trembles. Ripples rippled through the ballroom like a stone breaking the surface of placid water. Without wind, the chandeliers wobble, the candlelight extending oddly before snapping back into position.Emery stumbles when he steps. The planet itself seems to be opposing her choice. An unseen, relentless force tugs at her, attempting to pull her back. She doesn't stop, though. She won't. Her fingers move in the direction of the man in the mask—in the direction of the unfathomable familiarity in his gaze. She is wrenched backward by a sudden jerk. The noble's icy fingers lock her in place as his grip tightens around her wrist. "You are not his property." He has a soothing, dangerously low voice. She detects something deeper, though, beneath that flawless exterior. Something breaking. The man in the mask only tilts his head and smirks, as though the noble's rage were merely a funny sight. "That's where you're incorrect." His calm, unflinching voice pierced the dis
The music swelled around her, the haunting melody stretching and distorting as if the very air was suffocating under its weight. Emery barely heard it over the ragged gasps of the masked man in her arms. His blood—warm, slick—painted her hands in vivid red.“No,” she whispered, shaking him. “No, no, stay with me—”His masked face tilted toward her, but the eyes behind it—those familiar, aching eyes—were already losing their light. His fingers curled weakly around her wrist, gripping as if he had one final thing to tell her.But before he could speak, the world shattered.The ballroom cracked like glass. The chandeliers flickered violently, their golden glow twisting into something cold and unnatural. The guests—laughing, drinking, dancing—froze in place, their bodies flickering like mirages. Reality itself was coming apart at the seams.A sickening déjà vu coiled in Emery’s stomach. She had done this before. She had watched him die before.And every time, the noble had been standing t
Between them, Emery remained still. One man gazed upon her with pride, his assurance unflinching, as though she had always been his. Something deeper—longing, anger, something unsaid but indisputable—was there in the other's eyes as he regarded her. She was unsure if which frightened her more. With effortless ease, the noble reached for her hand and lifted it. His lips lightly but possessively brushed over her knuckles. He whispered, "I'll remind you why you're mine." She couldn't tell if the chill that went through her body was from fear or familiarity. She was yanked away by a powerful pull before she could react. The man in the mask. His hold was dominant but protective, powerful but not harsh. With a stiff stance and a presence that begged to be recognized, he moved between her and the nobility. He replied in a low, sour voice, "She doesn't belong in this time." "And you don't either." The noble's smirk wavered for the first time. Emery's heart was racing. She ough
When he raised her chin and made her look into his eyes, Emery's breath caught. Around them, the ballroom dimmed into a haze of flickering shadows and candlelight.His dark, unending eyes scanned hers, eager, almost desperate."Prove it if you are really mine," he said, lightly brushing his fingertip across her jawline.In her ears, her pulse thundered.She wasn't his.Aurelia wasn't her.Nevertheless, she felt a shudder that was all too familiar due to the weight of his touch and the way his breath slipped over her lips. Too well-known.Reason struggled with her heart.She ought to push him away. Demand responses. Run.However, another factor took over.A pull, stronger than reason, stronger than terror. It felt like it should have been hers, yet it was a whisper from the past.Her lips touched his before she had a chance to think.A gentle, inquisitive squeeze of warmth.Then there was a surge.Like a tsunami, it crashed into her. As though they had always been buried in the marrow