petal's pov After our dance. I bowed slightly, a polite gesture, masking the turmoil brewing inside me. The audience clapped, some cheering, some whispering amongst themselves. But I barely heard them. All I could feel was the weight of Sebastian’s gaze on me, the way his thumb brushed against my skin, sending a trail of heat through my veins. “You danced well,” he murmured, his voice laced with something unreadable. he was still holding my hand even after our dance ended. I swallowed, unsure of how to respond. Instead, I focused on my breathing, on steadying my erratic heartbeat. My skin still burned from his touch, but I refused to let him see how he affected me. Then I noticed his smirk—not at me, but at Lucas. And it clicked. 'Bastard, took revenge because I danced with Lucas,' I thought bitterly. Rage ignited within me, and before I could stop myself, I pressed against the wound on his back hand where I stabbed the fork earlier. He winced in pain, his expression twisting in
petal's pov"I advise you, stop going against me, do as I say, or else get ready to take punishment," he said, his voice deep and laced with warning. His dark eyes bore into me, unreadable and menacing. My heart pounded against my ribs, but I refused to let him see my fear."But..." I started, my voice trembling, but before I could even form a coherent argument, his eyes flashed dangerously. Within a heartbeat, he grabbed both of my wrists, yanking them above my head and pinning them against the cold, unforgiving wall. A gasp left my lips as my body arched forward, forced into the precarious position by his sudden, aggressive move.His lips hovered inches from mine, his breath warm against my skin. I turned my head away, refusing to give in to whatever game he was playing.He chuckled darkly.“So stubborn,” he mused. “But I like a challenge.”I glared at him.“Let me go, Sebastian,” I demanded again.His face was inches from mine, his breath hot against my skin as he leaned in, pressi
petal's povAs I moved toward the door, his grip on my wrist tightened, halting my steps. My breath hitched as he pulled me toward him with force, making me collide with his firm chest. The warmth of his body engulfed me, but I refused to give in to the unfamiliar sensation. My free hand instinctively pushed against his chest, trying to create distance between us, while my trapped wrist throbbed under his firm grasp. My heart pounded, erratic and unsure, mirroring the turmoil raging within me.His unpredictable mood swings left me speechless. One moment, he was shouting at me to leave, his voice laced with anger and dominance. The next, he was holding me close, his touch unexpectedly gentle as if trying to soothe the wound he himself had inflicted. My mind screamed for me to resist, to fight against his hold, but my body betrayed me—weak and submissive under his piercing gaze.I struggled, twisting my wrist in his grip, but instead of letting me go, he pulled me closer. His fingers de
As I stood in front of my mother, her sharp gaze scrutinizing me, I felt a pang of anxiety. "Petal, why are you wearing the same dress? And why didn’t you get changed?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.I swallowed hard, forcing a small smile onto my lips. "Mom, when I went to change, my dress was in the laundry, so I wasn’t able to. Aunt gave this dress to me as a gift," I lied effortlessly, hoping she wouldn't probe further.She sighed, giving me a brief nod. "Alright, let's go now."As we moved towards the door, I felt Sebastian’s presence before I even saw him. He walked toward us, his intense gaze fixed on me. "Goodbye," he said, his eyes lingering a bit too long on my collarbone, making sure the mark was still there. My skin burned under his stare, and I had to resist the urge to cover the bruise he had left behind.After exchanging polite goodbyes with Sebastian and his family, we left. The car ride home was silent, the only sounds being the occasional
Sebastian’s POV The party was supposed to be perfect. Luxurious, grand, with the elite crowd of New York buzzing around — yet I was counting seconds, eyes on the entrance, waiting for her. My innocent little flower. And then she arrived… and everything in me snapped. She looked ethereal — but sinful. That short, tight dress hugging her like second skin, revealing too much of what’s mine. Her soft legs, her exposed back, the delicate curves that drove me mad. She was glowing, laughing, unaware of the eyes drinking her in like she belonged to the world. But she didn’t. She belongs to me. Only me. The moment Lucas Moretti approached her, every muscle in my body coiled. That bastard. My rival in every possible way, and there she was, dancing with him, swaying in his arms like a delicate flower caught in the storm. She smiled. She didn’t even realize who he was, how dangerous it was to be close to him. But what shattered me completely — was when he kissed her hand. That one act. T
Petal's POVAfter my classes ended, the first thing I wanted was a comforting cup of coffee. The day had been long and tiring, and there’s something magical about sipping a warm espresso while unwinding with soft music in the background. As I packed my things into my tote bag, I turned to my friend Samy."Hey Samy, wanna grab some coffee?" I asked, hopeful that she'd accompany me.She gave me an apologetic smile. "No babe, I can't. I have a date with my boyfriend. Hope you can understand. Next time, I promise I'll go with you."I tried not to look too disappointed. "Oh, I can understand. Enjoy your date," I replied, masking my loneliness.She gently patted my shoulder. "Ok, you too. Head home early, don’t stay outside too long, alright?""Oh I will, don’t worry. Just a quick coffee and I’ll return," I reassured her with a small smile.We hugged briefly and said goodbye before heading in different directions. The sun was setting, casting golden rays across the pavement. I took a short
petal's povWhile we sipped on our drinks, Lucas and I talked about a variety of random things. He asked about my college life, my hobbies, and my goals. I answered all his questions with a light heart. Talking to him felt casual and strangely comforting, like a breath of fresh air. He seemed genuinely interested in what I had to say, nodding thoughtfully as I explained how I was studying literature and hoped to work in the creative field someday, maybe as a writer or an artist.Then it was his turn. Lucas told me he was running a business—a successful one, in fact. I was a little surprised when he said he was actually a business rival of Sebastian. That caught my attention immediately. "He's my competition. We’ve both been trying to top the market. The media loves to pit us against each other," he said with a casual shrug and a slight smirk.I found myself growing more curious. He seemed nothing like Sebastian—at least on the surface. Where Sebastian was cold, distant, and often over
petal's povAs we sat at the dimly lit café, laughing over jokes that were more about escaping reality than actually being funny, a sudden shift in the atmosphere pulled the air straight out of my lungs. I froze, the ceramic cup of hot coffee poised at my lips. A chilling presence loomed beside our table, drawing my gaze upward—and there he was.Sebastian.Tall, imposing, and dressed in a black suit that clung to his sculpted frame like it had been stitched onto him by the devil himself. The sight of him was enough to make the world still. His stormy grey eyes, darkened by something more than just anger, locked onto Lucas’s hand wrapped around my wrist. No words left his mouth—but he didn’t need to speak. His silence was louder than a thunderstorm. It screamed danger. It screamed mine.The fury rolling off him was so intense, I could practically feel the heat radiating from his body. My pulse quickened, my chest rising and falling faster than it should have. Something primal flared be
author's povBefore she could stop herself, her lips moved."I don’t love you," she said flatly, almost as if she was speaking to herself. The words slipped out, raw and honest, slicing the tense air between them.For a brief moment, there was silence. Sebastian's dark eyes narrowed, not in rage, but in something far heavier — a brewing storm he was trying desperately to control.He let out a low breath through his nose, clenching his jaw.“Soon, baby, soon you will also love me. Don't ever say this again," he said, his voice carrying a sharp warning beneath its softness. There was irritation in his tone, but it was laced with restraint. He was trying—really trying—not to let his temper loose on her, not now.He turned his face slightly, as if trying to calm the boiling emotions within him."Just because you are going to marry me," he continued, voice firm, "doesn't mean you will stay like this forever—scared and traumatized."His words were rough but held a strange kind of concern, a
author's povHe took the glass of water from the nightstand and brought it to her trembling lips. His hand, though bandaged and slightly shaking, was steady enough to hold the glass for her. "Okay, now stop stuttering and drink," he said gently, his voice low but firm.She nodded quickly, instinctively trying to reach for the glass, but he didn’t let go. Her hands were still shivering, so he tilted the glass himself. She drank obediently, gulping down the water like a lifeline. Her throat was parched, dry from crying and screaming, and the cold water soothed the burn in her chest. Once finished, he placed the glass back on the nightstand and shifted slightly away, leaving a respectful distance between them."Don’t be scared of me," he said, settling onto the edge of the bed. "I won’t do anything to you."She gave a slight nod. But then, as if remembering something crucial, she quickly added in a soft, broken voice, "Okay."He looked at her with faint amusement. The way she scrambled t
Author's POVAs soon as Petal saw Sebastian’s bleeding hand, she didn’t waste a second. Her instincts kicked in and she sprinted toward the bathroom, her bare feet padding softly against the cold floor. The moment she spotted the first aid kit tucked in the cabinet, she snatched it and returned with hurried steps, her breath catching as she knelt beside him. Despite everything—every scar he’d left on her heart—she began treating his wound with trembling hands, the smell of antiseptic stinging her nose.The silence between them was heavy, dense with unspoken pain. She didn’t dare look at him as she worked, but her voice broke through, soft and barely audible. “I don’t know why... I feel safe with you,” she said, more to herself than to him. “Even after all the dreams... even when I’m scared... this part of me knows I can trust you.”Sebastian’s jaw tightened. Guilt clung to him like a shadow. He didn’t deserve her trust. Not after what he’d done. He looked at her, a flicker of pain in
Author's pov"I'm so sorry," he whispered brokenly, brushing her damp hair from her face. His thumb gently grazed her cheek as he stared at her pale features, twisted in pain even in unconsciousness. "Please... come back to me, Petal. Please."Her breathing hitched.The grip of the nightmare began to loosen its hold, like morning light slowly banishing a dark fog. Her eyelashes fluttered. Her lids, heavy and red from silent weeping in her sleep, lifted just enough to reveal a pair of hazy eyes. Disoriented. Lost. Her gaze didn't recognize the room, or even him.But instinct overrode confusion.Like a flower leaning toward the sun, she lunged forward. Her arms, trembling, wrapped around Sebastian tightly. She buried her face in his chest, her sobs muffled by his shirt, her entire body wracked with silent tremors. Though her mind was clouded, her soul seemed to remember him. Her body sought the safety, the warmth, the familiarity of his embrace.And Sebastian?He froze.Then he wrapped
Sebastian's povToday... I crossed every limit. I became what I hate. And I don’t even know how to undo it.The silence in the study was deafening. Shadows loomed in every corner, and the only sound that existed was the irregular rise and fall of his breathing, jagged and raw. Sebastian sat against the cold wall, his head tilted back as the pain pulsed through his bleeding knuckles. But it was nothing compared to the agony gnawing at his chest. The skin could heal. But the soul? The soul he had shattered—that was a different story.His hand throbbed where he had punched the wall in a rage, again and again, until his knuckles split open. Blood smeared the white paint, dripping down like the weight of his guilt. His shirt clung to his chest, soaked in sweat, but he didn’t care. Nothing mattered anymore. Nothing except the girl he had pushed too far.Petal.He couldn’t even speak her name without feeling his throat tighten. His little flower. The only purity he had ever touched, and he h
Author’s POV The click of the lock echoed sharply in the silence of the study. He stood there, motionless for a second, then suddenly clenched his fists, stormed toward the wall, and smashed his knuckles into the hard surface. “FUCK YOU!” he shouted, the sound raw and broken, “You bastard! What have you done now?!” His fist slammed again, cracking the skin, blood trickling slowly from the fresh wounds. The sting of pain didn’t compare to the agony inside him. A tear slipped from his eye—not from the physical torment, but because he knew he had inflicted far worse pain on her. His little flower. His innocent, delicate Petal. He collapsed against the wall, sliding down until he hit the floor, his back pressed against the cold surface. He let out a bitter laugh that quickly morphed into a choked sob. His heart and mind screamed at him, battling violently within him, a storm that refused to calm. You almost raped her. You forced yourself onto her. You’re the monster she should’ve
Sebastian's POV"I will get you. I don't want any whores who want to be with me for my money," I said, smirking as my eyes locked onto her tear-filled ones. She was trembling, but not from the cold. From fear. From me."Please don't do this, I don't want to marry you," she whimpered, her voice cracking with desperation. Her pleas only fueled the fire raging inside me."You don't have a choice, my flower," I announced, voice sharp like a blade. She belonged to me. She always had. She just hadn't realized it yet."But you are..." she tried to argue, but her voice faltered.I tilted my head dangerously. "You are what? Complete the sentence, Petal," I said, my voice a low, lethal whisper.Silence. She just kept crying, her tiny fists clenching the fabric of her dress.My patience snapped like a brittle thread. "I said complete the fucking sentence!" I roared, slamming my fist against the headboard, making her flinch violently. Still, she said nothing.Fury overtook reason. I leaned forwar
Sebastian's POVI knew she would fight me. That’s what she always did—fight, scratch, run, scream. My Petal had fire in her. The kind of fire that makes men fall to their knees or burn alive. And yet, I stood there, fearless. Because I was the only one who knew how to hold that fire without getting scorched.“It’s OK if you don't want hot chocolate, let’s have a serious talk,” I said, my voice calm, but my grip on her wrist firm.The moment those words left my lips, her entire body turned tense. Her pupils widened, she began to squirm, struggling to get out of my hold. I knew her. I knew her next move before she even made it. As she lifted her knee, probably intending to hit me where the sun doesn’t shine, I caught her leg mid-air, stopping her before she even got close.I smirked.She should’ve known better.My body pressed against hers, pinning her down. Her heartbeat thundered against mine, wild and chaotic—just like her.“You’re sick,” she spat.“Maybe I am,” I whispered back with
Sebastian's POVI spanked her thirty times.Yes, thirty. Each strike had its purpose—not just for discipline, but to remind her where she belonged. My palm left a rosy imprint on her delicate skin, and with every slap, her resistance softened, only to rise again in the form of hot tears that trailed down her cheeks. She cried, her soft sobs echoing in the room, stabbing something deep inside me. But I didn’t stop. I couldn’t. She needed to understand.After the final one, I pulled her close and made her sit on my lap, wrapping my arms around her trembling frame. She looked up at me, defiance blazing in those teary eyes. And then, she started yelling.Unbelievable.Her voice cracked from emotion, and her small fists hit my chest, as if that would change a damn thing. I caught her hands mid-air and held them tight.“You’re no one’s but mine,” I growled, voice low and firm, each word laced with a promise she would come to understand—sooner or later.She froze. Her chest rose and fell rap