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Chapter nineteen
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2025-02-16 03:15:26
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Love and deceit    Chapter twenty
đčAurorađčI never imagined shopping for a wedding dress would feel like preparing for my own execution.The boutique was grand, filled with rows of pristine white gowns displayed like pieces of art. The air smelled of roses and vanilla, the kind of artificial fragrance meant to make everything seem more magical than it really was.But there was no magic in this for me.Damien had arranged the appointment without consulting me. Typical. Now, I was standing in the middle of this lavish boutique, surrounded by fabric and eager assistants, while my so-called fiancĂ© strode in like he owned the place.Which, knowing him, he probably did.âYouâre late,â I muttered as he approached.Damienâs lips twitched into something close to amusement. âYouâre impatient.âI scoffed, turning away before he could see how his presence affected me. He always carried himself with an air of absolute control, and even now, in the middle of a boutique meant for brides, he still looked more like a king deciding t
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ë°ìŽíž : 2025-02-16Love and deceit    Chapter twenty one
đčDamienđčI never cared much for weddings.They were nothing but elaborate performances, a way for the wealthy to show off their influence while pretending love had anything to do with it. My own wedding would be no different. It was a transaction, a merger disguised as romance.And yet, as I watched Aurora in that dress, something unsettled me.I hadnât planned to stay at the boutique for long, but after that momentâafter seeing the way the gown molded to her like it was made for herâI found myself lingering. I could tell she noticed. She was trying to pretend my approval didnât affect her, but I saw the way her fingers trembled when she smoothed the fabric.She felt it too.That shift. That tension. That undeniable pull between us.I was about to say somethingâthough I wasnât sure whatâwhen my phone vibrated in my pocket. A sharp buzz that cut through the silence between us.I checked the caller ID. My jaw tightened.Valencia.I exhaled sharply and turned away, answering the call a
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ë°ìŽíž : 2025-02-16Love and deceit    Chapter twenty two
đčAurora đčI turned to leave.I barely took a step before a strong hand wrapped around my wrist, yanking me back with enough force that I stumbled. A gasp escaped my lips as I collided with Damienâs chestâhard, warm, and unyielding. His grip tightened around my waist, pulling me flush against him, his presence overpowering."You keep trying to run," he murmured, his voice deep, smooth, and far too amused. "Yet you know you canât escape me, Aurora."I swallowed hard, trying to push away, pressing my palms against his solid chest. He didnât move. Instead, his fingers splayed possessively against my lower back, trapping me in place. The heat of his body seeped through my clothes, making it impossible to ignore just how close we were."Let me go," I bit out, willing my voice to sound strong.His lips curved into that maddening smirk. "Say it like you mean it."I shoved against him again, my fingers curling into fists. "I mean it."His grip remained firm, his body an unmovable force. "No,
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ë°ìŽíž : 2025-02-16Love and deceit    Chapter twenty three
đčAurora đčI stood frozen at the threshold, the echo of Damienâs words still ringing in my earsâcold, possessive, unyielding. My heart hammered as I tried to steady my racing thoughts. The memory of his touch, the way his fingers had brushed my skin with a mix of tenderness and threat, was impossible to erase. I could still feel the ghost of his grip on my wrist and the heavy promise behind his whispered declaration: âYou belong to me now, Aurora.âI staggered back into the room, closing the door slowly behind me as if I could lock away the turmoil heâd stirred. My hands trembled and I pressed them against the wall, taking deep, shuddering breaths. My mind was a whirlwindâanger, defiance, fear, and something else I refused to name. I knew I wasnât ready to give in, but part of me felt trapped by the reality of this arranged engagement, forced upon me by my father and sealed by Damienâs relentless claim.I sank onto the edge of the bed, my back trembling as I tried to collect myself.
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ë°ìŽíž : 2025-02-16Love and deceit    Chapter twenty four
đčDamienđčI sat alone in my study, the silence of the vast room pressing in like a weight. Outside, the city was alive with lights and distant hums of traffic, but inside, every tick of the clock reminded me of the mistakes I had just made. Mistakes that I could ill afford. Iâd just left Auroraâs suite, her defiance still echoing in my mind. Every word exchanged, every touch sharedâit was all too much, too revealing. I had let my guard slip, and in that moment, I allowed vulnerability to seep through the cracks of my carefully constructed walls.I poured myself another drink, watching the amber liquid swirl in the glass as if trying to wash away the memory. But no amount of whiskey could numb the sting of regret. I remembered her eyesâso fiercely determined, so raw with emotionâand it pained me to realize that I had, even briefly, exposed a side of myself I had always fought to keep hidden. I had always prided myself on being impenetrable, on having complete control over my emotions.
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ë°ìŽíž : 2025-02-16Love and deceit    Chapter twenty five
đčAurora đčThe sound of fabric rustling filled the air as I sat in front of the mirror in my bedroom, my fingers absently brushing over the delicate lace of the dress draped over my lap. It was supposed to be a moment of excitementâchoosing the perfect wedding gown, preparing for the day that every girl dreams of. But instead, my mind was consumed with something else entirely.Damien.The man who had once been a mystery was now an enigma wrapped in contradictions. One moment, he was cold and distant, keeping me at armâs length with calculated indifference. The next, he was dangerously close, his touch burning like fire, his presence suffocating. Last night had been one of those momentsâone where he had let his guard down, if only for a second, before snapping back into the ice-cold shell he always wore.I clenched my fists, the smooth fabric crumpling under my grip. Why did he have to be like this? Why did he have to make me feel things I had no business feeling?A knock at the door
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ë°ìŽíž : 2025-02-17Love and deceit    Chapter twenty six
đčAurorađčI set my phone aside, the echo of Ethanâs desperate plea still ringing in my ears. The silence that followed felt too heavy, as if the room itself was waiting for something to break it. I paced slowly around the suite, each step measured and reluctant. My mind replayed the conversation over and overâthe raw pain in his voice, his insistence that I wasnât meant to be with Damien, the bitter memories of a past lost to my fatherâs merciless choices. I closed my eyes, willing the voices to fade, but the silence only deepened, wrapping around me like a shroud.I tried to steady my thoughts by retracing my steps from earlier that evening. I recalled the moment Damien had left, his parting words echoing in the space between us. I remembered the cold determination in his tone, and yet, something in his expression had hinted at regretâa fleeting moment when his control had faltered. The thought made my heart twist. Was there more to him than the steely facade he so carefully maintai
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ë°ìŽíž : 2025-02-18Love and deceit    Chapter twenty seven
đčDamienđčI sat in my study, fingers drumming against the polished oak desk, my mind clouded with thoughts I had no business entertaining.Aurora.She had a way of getting under my skin, and I hated it. I hated the way she made me feel like I wasnât in control, the way her presence lingered long after she left the room. No woman had ever made me second-guess myself, let alone question my decisions. But she did.I took a slow breath, rolling my shoulders as I reached for the whiskey glass Ronan had set in front of me earlier. The rich amber liquid burned down my throat, but it did nothing to chase away the unease gnawing at me.I had lost control.It wasnât just todayâit had been happening since the moment she entered my life. At first, I thought she was just another pawn, a woman I would marry for the sake of my plans. But she had proven to be much more than that. A complication. A distraction.A weakness.The thought alone made my grip tighten around the glass. I couldnât afford wea
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ë°ìŽíž : 2025-02-18
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Love and deceit    EPILOGUE
Years passed, and the quiet peace that settled over the land after the fall of Victoria Fontaine became a beacon of hope for all who had once lived in fear. The world, once fractured by power struggles and bloodshed, was now slowly but surely beginning to heal. The wounds were deep, but the promise of a brighter future kept them moving forward.Aurora and Damien had moved far away from the ruins of the past, creating a home that was filled with laughter and love. Their bond, once forged in the fire of their shared struggles, had only grown stronger with time. It was a new chapter for both of themâa chapter that held more than just the promise of survival. It was a promise of happiness, of a life free from the shadows of those who had tried to control them.Auroraâs pregnancy had come as a surprise to both of them, but it was a welcome one. For years, she had fought to survive, to escape the grasp of those who had wanted to use her. Now, she was carrying a future of her ownâa future fi
Love and deceit    Chapter 130
The sound of the distant waves crashing against the cliffs echoed through the halls of the abandoned mansion, where Damien, Aurora, and Bruce stood in the quiet aftermath of their battle. The once grand estate was now a shattered monument to a dark reign that had finally crumbled.The air felt heavy, thick with the weight of what they had just endured. But it was a strange kind of silenceâone that was filled with the promise of peace, of a life beyond the chaos. Yet, it was hard to forget what had been left behind.Aurora stood by the large, broken window, looking out at the ocean. The sun had begun its descent, casting a warm, golden glow over the landscape, a stark contrast to the coldness that had hung in the air moments ago. She still wore the chains that had once confined her, though now they were nothing more than a symbol of her past suffering. Her fingers brushed over them absently, but the gesture wasnât filled with the weight of despair anymore. There was no more bitterness
Love and deceit    Chapter 129
Damienâs chest heaved with each breath, the taste of blood in his mouth. He wiped his lip, his eyes narrowed, focusing on the hulking figure of Victoriaâs bodyguard. The man loomed before him, an unyielding wall of muscle and fury. Every movement the bodyguard made was powerful, deadlyâeach strike threatening to end Damienâs life.But Damien wasnât going down. Not now, not when Aurora was so close to freedom. He would kill this bastard if it was the last thing he did.The bodyguard lunged again, his massive fists swinging in a blur of rage. Damien had learned quicklyâthis guyâs power came from brute strength and size, but it was also his Achilles' heel. He was slow. Slow enough for Damien to slip past him, using his agility to stay one step ahead.Damien ducked under a swing, then twisted to the side, landing a solid punch to the bodyguard's ribs. The man grunted but didnât falter. He was like a beast, enraged and relentless. Damien knew he had to end this quickly.Lena, Rafe, and the
Love and deceit    Chapter 128
The air was thick with smoke and the pungent scent of blood as Damien and his team pushed forward, their weapons trained on the array of machinery scattered throughout the inner courtyard. The enemy's forces had been decimated, but the last line of defense was something far worse: Auroraâs machines, the heart of the operation that had kept her imprisoned, manipulating her and controlling everything from behind the scenes.Damien stood at the edge of the courtyard, his eyes scanning the massive steel behemoths that hummed menacingly in the distance. These were no ordinary machines. They were advanced, high-tech devices, designed not only to monitor but to incapacitate anyone who tried to break into the facility. But that was not what made them dangerous. What truly made them a threat was that they could control Auroraâs very mindâlock her in a mental prison that she could not escape."We need to destroy everything," Damien muttered to Rafe, his voice low and full of intent. "Burn it al
Love and deceit    Chapter 127
The night exploded into chaos as the first gunshot rang out. Damienâs heart pounded in his chest, adrenaline coursing through his veins. The quiet that had settled in the estateâs outer yard moments before was shattered, replaced by the shrill sound of gunfire and the cacophony of combat. His mind sharpened, focusing entirely on the mission at handâget Aurora out and make sure they didnât leave anyone behind.His grip tightened around Auroraâs hand as he pulled her behind a concrete pillar, using it as cover. She was weak from her time in captivity, but she moved with him instinctively, her body pressed close to his. "Stay down," he urged, his voice tight, low.Rafe was already in action, moving swiftly along the perimeter, his gun raised, eyes scanning every shadow, every corner. The guards were everywhere now, pouring out of the estateâs back doors like a flood, weapons raised, ready for anything. They had been expecting an assault. They had been ready for them to come.Damien could
Love and deceit    Chapter 126
Damien stood in front of the large map spread across the table, his finger tracing the intricate lines of the Blackwood estate. The tension in the air was palpable, the quiet before the storm. This wasnât a simple rescue mission; it was the culmination of every choice heâd made in the last few months, every piece of the puzzle falling into place.His father, Brian, had given him the tools. His men had prepared the strategy. Now it was up to him to execute it. Damien glanced at the faces of the team gathered around him. Lena, Rafe, and the others were set, their expressions hard as stone. They were ready for this. They had to be."Everythingâs in place," Lena said, breaking the silence. "The information leak has put Victoria on edge. She wonât know what hit her when we move."Damien nodded. "We have one shot at this. Once weâre in, thereâs no turning back. Aurora and Bruce are our priority. Everything else comes second."Brian stepped forward, his cold gaze scanning the group. "The gua
Love and deceit    Chapter 125
đč Aurora đč Aurora sat in the damp, cold dungeon, her chains rattling as she shifted uncomfortably on the stone floor. The shadows in the corners seemed to press in on her, but she didnât mind. The darkness no longer felt like a threatâit felt like a promise.Victoriaâs words had stung, but they hadnât shaken her. The older womanâs attempts to break her had failed, and Aurora knew that nothing Victoria could say or do would ever make her doubt her own strength.She wasnât afraid of death. No, it was something else that made her pulse quicken, something that had nothing to do with fear. It was the anticipation. The knowledge that Damien was coming.She could feel it in her bones.Damien had always been her anchor. Heâd always been the one to fight for her, even when things seemed impossible. And now, even though she was locked in the dungeon of the woman who had caused so much pain and suffering, she couldnât help but smile. She knew Damien would come.The flicker of light that had i
Love and deceit    Chapter 124
Victoria Fontaine stood at the penthouse window, staring out at the sprawling city below, the night sky clouded over with dark storm clouds. She had built this empire brick by brick, each step deliberate, each move calculated. She had made her name synonymous with power, control, and fear. And now, in the span of a few short hours, her world was beginning to unravel before her eyes.Damien. That damn, insolent son of hers. How could he have done this to her?Victoria seethed, her grip tightening on the glass. The leak, the carefully orchestrated campaign to expose her to the worldâevery secret sheâd spent years burying, every crime she had committed, now laid bare. And worse yet, the ones she thought would be loyal to her, the very people who feared her, were now turning against her. Her allies were scattered, and the walls sheâd so carefully constructed were crumbling.This wasnât just a betrayal. It was an assault on everything sheâd worked for.She turned from the window, her heels
Love and deceit    Chapter 123
The first wave of leaks was subtle. News outlets ran short pieces, headlines that hinted at corruption, whispers of an influential figure, but they never directly named Victoria Fontaine. The key was to keep it vague but compelling, drawing enough attention without exposing the full scope of the operation. But even in its mildest form, it was enough to cause a ripple across the city.Damien sat in the war room of the safehouse, his eyes fixed on the large screen mounted on the wall. It displayed a live feed from a local news station, the anchorâs face tight with uncertainty as she reported the breaking story.âThis morning, an anonymous whistleblower sent us a series of documents revealing what seems to be an intricate web of corruption involving high-profile business leaders. The documents allege several under-the-table dealings, financial manipulations, and other illegal activities that stretch across the business world and into the highest levels of government.âDamienâs lips curle
