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XXX : Eat, Princess.
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2025-03-11 21:44:13
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Stealing My Sister's Fiancee   XXXI : Cold Eyes, Warm Blood
The sound of clinking spoons and forks around the table continued, but it seemed to grow more and more distant, muffled by the sound of my own heartbeat echoing inside my head. I could feel Aaric's gaze on the side of my face, piercing and waiting."Princess." His voice was calm and low, but there was something behind it that made the air in my lungs feel heavier.I didn't turn my head, keeping my eyes on my still-intact plate."Don't make me repeat it," he continued, quieter, more subtle, even more threatening than before.I swallowed, my jaw clenching tightly. I reached for the fork beside my plate, poking the tip into the perfectly cut piece of steak. I brought the piece of meat to my mouth with slightly trembling hands.Aaric remained silent by my side, but his presence was too great to ignore.As soon as the piece of steak passed my lips and touched my tongue, I immediately realized something.This food was... amazing.The meat was tender, almost melting in my mouth. The sauce w
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-03-12Stealing My Sister's Fiancee   XXXII : Red Stains, Cold Nights
I don't know how long I sat still.My hands felt numb, and my blood rushed so fast that my ears rang. The world around me became a blur. The sound of clinking glasses, the subtle whispers among the guests, the sound of shifting chairs. Everything felt distant like I were trapped in an empty space in my own head.But one thing remained clear.That blood.Its deep red colour, mixed with the dim light of the room and the scent that slipped into my nose, created a sensation that was all too real.My fingers gripped the dress in my lap, trying to control my increasingly ragged breathing. I swallowed hard, trying to get rid of the nausea that hit me.I have to leave. I had to get out of here.But my body was still frozen.âAre you alright, Princess?âAaric's voice broke my reverie.I turned my head, and there he was.Aaric, still standing in the same spot. His face held an unsettling calm, like he'd merely knocked over a glass of wine instead of ending a life. His hazel eyes locked onto min
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-03-13Stealing My Sister's Fiancee   XXXIII : A Dance on Thin Ice
The morning air carried an unusual chill, sharp enough to make me shiver. I woke up gasping, my skin damp with sweat despite the roomâs coolness. My heart pounded hard in my chest, each beat echoing in my ears. I lay still, eyes fixed on the ceiling, trying to piece together the fragments of a dream that had dragged me five years into the past.Blood.Blood on Aaric's leather jacket.Blood that I wiped from his face calmly, as if it wasn't something that should scare me.I swallowed, something heavy in my chest. At that moment, I didn't think about anything. I was too lulled into believing that Aaric, the man who was always by my side, who laughed with me, who loved me, couldn't have done something so terrible.I believed it.I didn't ask him.And now, years later, I realize...It was a sign.I should have known from that moment.I should have realized that Aaric Bernardi wasn't just an overprotective boyfriend.I should have realized that he had always been in a world far darker than
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-03-14Stealing My Sister's Fiancee   XXXIV : A Single Take
This afternoon, I returned to a world that made more sense to meâthe set of my new movie.As soon as I arrive at the set, I feel the familiar rhythm of work in my body. The production team is bustling around. The technical crew sets up the lighting and cameras, while the makeup artists and wardrobe team make sure all the actors look perfect before the scene begins.Today, we will shoot a few key scenes for the movie, especially one of the emotional scenes between my character and my co-star, Daniel Whitford.I walked into the makeup trailer, where Amira awaited me with a tired but excited smile. "Welcome back to reality," she said, pointing to the makeup chair before her.I sat down, threw her a big smile, and then let her skilful hands start working on my face."We're shooting a scene at the main character's house today," she said as she applied a thin layer of foundation to my face. "It's the first time we see Helena's fragile side, how she starts feeling betrayed."I nodded, recall
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-03-15Stealing My Sister's Fiancee   XXXV : Too Neat, Too Quiet, Too Wrong
The small cafÃĐ on the corner is still the same as when I came here.The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the fragrance of toast and cinnamon creates a warm and soothing atmosphere. The sound of the espresso machine buzzed in the background, occasionally punctuated by the laughter of customers enjoying their lunch.I sat at a table by the window, playing with my spoon on the plate as I gazed out. Outside, the Los Angeles sun was shining brightly, illuminating the streets filled with people in their own busy lives.Samuel finally arrived, wearing a grey shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He still looked the same as the last time I saw him. His hair was slightly dishevelled, like he didn't really care. His expression was relaxed, but a sharp look in his eyes showed that his mind never really rested.As his eyes met mine, he grinned. "You look better than the last time we met."I sighed, leaning my back against the chair. "You're only saying that because I no longer look li
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-03-16Stealing My Sister's Fiancee   XXXVI : Wings Clipped, Heart Beating
I lay still, sinking into the softness of the mattress, eyes still closed.But my mind wasn't really asleep. I was still caught in the whirlpool of my own thoughts. Samuel, Dylan, the blood on the floor of Dylanâs bedroom, all of it spinning in my head like a shadow that refused to fade.Then, the sound came.The sound of the door opening slowly, its hinges squeaking softly amidst the silence.I didn't move.I could sense his presence even before he stepped inside.Aaric.His steps were quiet, steady, almost silent on the wooden floor.My heart beat a little faster, but I kept my eyes closed, my breathing as flat as possible like I were asleep.The mattress sinks slightly on one side.I feel the warmth of his body so close, closer than it should be.Then, something soft touches my cheek.A caress.His rough yet warm fingers glided slowly along my face, tracing my jawline gently, almost like a caress someone would do with feeling.His breathing was slow, almost inaudible.I refrained f
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-03-17Stealing My Sister's Fiancee   XXXVII : Stay Where I Can See You
My fingers gripped Aaric's sweater tightly, my body still feeling limp even as I tried to control my ragged breathing.Horror crept along my spine, the air was getting thinner.Aaric remained silent.His firm hand was still on my back, holding me up. But I could feel his body stiffening, his jaw hardening as he reread the writing on the paper.Then, without warning, he crumpled the paper in his hands and threw it into the fireplace in the corner of the room. The flames immediately devoured the paper, leaving black ash flying.I was still trapped in my fear when Aaric turned around, picked up the box containing the dead bird, and carried it outside.I stared at him with my breath still in my throat. "What are you doing?" I whispered.Aaric didn't answer. He opened the back door and tossed the box into a large trash can, closing it with a loud bang that made me flinch.When he came back inside, his face was full of eerie calm."Who knew you lived here?" he asked, his voice deep, sharp.
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-03-18Stealing My Sister's Fiancee   XXXVIII : Lights, Camera, Heartache
The air around me changed as soon as I entered the studio lobby. There was the usual bustle, the crew passing by, the sounds of conversation ringing out in the corners of the room, and the scent of coffee from the small outlet in the corner mixing the air with its distinctive fragrance.But among all that, there was something I couldn't ignore.I could feel the gaze that followed my steps, not from the people here or the coworkers who already knew me but from figures that might not be visible.The people Aaric had put in place.My heart beats faster, not from fear but the new realization pressing into my chest. I wasn't just an actress at work today. I'm someone who must be watched.Someone who was in danger.I sighed and resumed my steps. I can't let this affect me. Not today.By the time I reached the locker room, Megan was waiting for me with her arms crossed."Are you okay?" she asked, her eyes sweeping over my face like sheâs searching for signs of something wrong.I nodded, tryi
āļāļĢāļąāļāļāļĢāļļāļāļĨāđāļēāļŠāļļāļ : 2025-03-19
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Stealing My Sister's Fiancee   A Seat at the Table
Dinner on the main deck started promptly at seven.They even sent out little invitations to our cabins, like this was a small wedding, not a family vacation wrapped in pretense.The dinner table stretched long across the deck, covered in crisp white linen with a centerpiece of white flowers and tall, slender candles. Each place had a cushioned chair and a small name card tucked neatly above the plate.The waitstaff looked like they were serving dinner to senators.I showed up five minutes late. Just enough to signal disinterest, but not long enough to start a scene.âYes, Mayaâs sitting next to Marcus,â my mom said as I arrived, her voice cheerful but her eyes already issuing a warning before I could say a word.Of course.Marcus stood and pulled out my chair, polite as always. âYou look great,â he said quietly as I sat down. âSantorini colors suit you.âI gave him a small smile. âThanks.âAcross the table, Mellan was sitting with Aaric, showing him photos on her phone, laughing, chat
Stealing My Sister's Fiancee   The Weight I Wear
The room was spacious. Dark wood panels lined the walls, streaked with shiny gold accents, and the floor was covered in thick cream-colored carpetâtoo soft for shoes to tread on. Sheer white linen curtains danced in the ocean breeze, revealing an endless blue beyond the private balcony.I should have been grateful to be here.But all my body wanted to do was collapse.Ever since we boarded the yacht this afternoon, I hadnât had a single second to just sit still without someone approaching meâfamily, guests, or people Mom had invited solely because their last names carried weight.âMaya! Iâm a huge fan of Helena!ââYou still look as gorgeous as ever. Are you filming something new?ââIs it true you and Marcus are still friends? You two are just perfect together.âAll of it with wide smiles. All of them with eyes waiting for a slip. A crack. A weakness.And me?I smiled. I nodded. I recited the answers Iâd memorized. âThank you. Yes, weâre still close. Filming starts again next month.âT
Stealing My Sister's Fiancee   I Packed a Smile and Left My Heart
The sky looked freshly washed from the night before. The morning air was still cool, the sun hadnât turned harsh yet, and the street outside Aaricâs house felt too peaceful for a day I knew would slowly tear me apart.A black SUV had been waiting in front of the gate since 8:10.I walked down with a small suitcase, lips glossed just enough, sunglasses covering half my face, and a professional smile Iâd been practicing in the mirror all morning. The same smile I used to wear for the press when I was with Marcus. Now I wore it for my own family.The car door opened.My mom sat inside, dressed in an ivory blazer and an expensive scarf wrapped too perfectly around her neck. Her eyes scanned me quickly, then she gave a small nod. No compliments, no critique. That meant: âacceptable.âNext to her, Dad was busy on his phone as always, giving a half-nod without even looking up.And in the backseatâsomeone who made my breath catch for just a second.Mellan.Her face was glowing. Her long hair
Stealing My Sister's Fiancee   LXXVI : Half a Heart, Fully Sketched
The house had gone still. Even the waves sounded farther away than usual, as if intentionally giving space to the worries stacking quietly in my chest.An open suitcase sat on the bed. Summer dresses folded neatly. A straw hat. Leather sandals. Two bikinis I chose not because I planned to swim, but because I thoughtâthat's just how itâs supposed to look. Thatâs how a woman should show up on a vacation with her younger sisterâs fiancÃĐâs family.Tonight, I wasnât Maya. I was justâĶ a prop in someone elseâs story.I opened the drawer on the right side of the wardrobe, looking for sunscreen or maybe a light t-shirtâanything to fold, just to keep my hands busy. But the drawer stuck. I tugged a little harderâĶ and as it opened, something slipped out from underneath.A dark brown leather notebook. The corners worn. No label. No name.My heart started pounding.I stared at the thing for a few seconds. It felt like stealing. But this wasâĶ my room too, wasnât it? At least, by our agreement.My fi
Stealing My Sister's Fiancee   LXXVIII âThe Calm Before the Wreck
Morning came without a sound.I sat at the edge of the bed, wearing a thin T-shirt and sleep shorts, while the early sunlight slipped quietly through the gap in the curtains, casting strange patterns on the wooden floor.My phone buzzed on the nightstand. The screen lit up: Mom.I let out a reflexive sigh. Answering a call from my mother wasnât just a conversationâit was like walking into a job interview without knowing what position you were applying for.I hit the green button.âMaya.âHer voice was cold and firm as alwaysâno hello, no small talk.âMorning, Mom.ââI spoke to Mellan last night.âI straightened up, suddenly feeling like a little girl caught breaking the house rules.âYeah?â I answered cautiously.âWeâre going sailing next week. The Blackwood familyâs private yacht. Summer vacation. We leave Monday. I want you to come.âI froze. âI have a shoot next week.ââI checked your schedule. Nothing that canât be moved,â she said quickly, like sheâd already planned this far in a
Stealing My Sister's Fiancee   LXXVII â Too Close for Pretend
The coastal night air greeted me as the front door clicked shut behind me. My shoes tapped wearily against the wooden floor, and a moment later, I saw him.Aaric.Standing on the second-floor balcony, leaning against the glass railing, his silhouette tall and still under the soft, dim glow of the outdoor lights.The ocean stretched out behind him. Dark and calm. A stark contrast to the chaos inside my head.He didnât say anything.But he looked at me.That look... deep, unhurried, like he was trying to etch the image of me into his memory.For a second, I wanted to go to him. Ask how he was after nearly dying last night. Make sure he wasnât carrying any invisible wounds.But I didnât move.Because I knew: the moment I made room for emotion, none of this would be about the deal anymore.Our arrangement was clear. I came to him when my reputation was in ruins, and heâwith all his power and toxic influenceâoffered help. A house. Protection. Career support. In return, I had to stay here.
Stealing My Sister's Fiancee   LXXVI : You Look Better in Heartbreak Lighting
After an hour-long break, I was back on set. My hair was still slightly damp from the setting spray Amira had used, and my skin felt a little sticky from the fake tears that had been washed off and reapplied. But inside me, Helenaâs pulse was still lingering.The shooting space was different this timeâbrighter, more open. We were on the dining room set. The next scene showed Helena finally coming home after disappearing for a few days, trying to act ânormalâ even though her world had just fallen apart.Daniel was already in his seat, wearing a soft cream sweater, his hair tousled like heâd just rolled out of bed. He was reading the script, marking up a few lines with a pencil, occasionally scribbling notes on facial expressions.I sat across the table and grabbed the hot coffee waiting for me. As I took a sip, I stared at the set in front of us: a long wooden table, two tea cups, and a vase of slightly wilted flowers. The props were perfectâjust understated enough. Like Helenaâs relat
Stealing My Sister's Fiancee   LXXV - Better Than Cashmere
The morning came slowly.Sunlight slipped through the gap in the curtains, brushing against my skin like warm fingers that werenât quite ready to wake me up. The air in the room was still cold, but something kept me from moving.An arm around my waist. Heavy. Warm. Familiar.Aaric.Once again, he was holding me like I was the only thing keeping him from falling. Like my body was the anchor that kept him alive.I slowly opened my eyes and glanced at the digital clock on the nightstand. Almost seven. Still enough time before I had to get ready for the shoot. But my body didnât want to move. Not yet.I thought Iâd have trouble sleeping after last nightâafter the blood, the gunshots, and seeing the true face of Aaricâs world. But instead, I slept more soundly than I had in a long time.And that... was a problem.I took a deep breath and slowly peeled myself out of Aaricâs embrace. It wasnât easy. He mumbled something in his sleep but didnât wake up. His arm dropped onto the bed as I got u
Stealing My Sister's Fiancee   LXXIV - Every Siren Sang Your Name
My eyes swept across the room, but there was too much movement. Too many shadows. People were hiding behind chairs, tables, thick columns like the one I was behind. I started movingâcrouching low, my knees nearly touching the groundâtoward the wall closest to the exit.And then I heard it.âMaya!âHis voice.I turned and saw Aaric across the room, half running toward me. His body was slightly hunched, one hand gripping a weapon, the other pushing aside anyone in his way. His black suit was a messâcovered in dust, wine, maybe bloodâI couldnât tell for sure.Someone blocked his path. Another armed man, a strangerâs face, clearly not one of Aaricâs people.They fought. Not just with guns. But fists. Wrestling. Punches. Aaric slammed a fist into the manâs jaw, then drove his elbow into his neck, knocking him to the ground.He came toward me. âThis way!â he shouted.I rose from my hiding spot, my legs feeling like they didnât belong to me. He grabbed me just as gunfire tore through the spo
