Candice's POVI turned around, my eyes widened at the sight of Violet hovering by the restroom door. She was dressed in a high quality dress just like mine.Violet looked exactly as I remembered her in the past. At first, it looked like she was surprised to see me, but it quickly turned to contempt, her lips curled into a disdainful smirk.“Well, well,” Violet began, her voice mocking as she folded her arms. “Look who managed to sneak into an event like this. How did you get past the security? Did you bribe the doorman with that pretty face of yours?…or your body?”I stiffened, clenching my fists at my sides, but Violet wasn’t done.“Honestly, how pathetic can you be?” Violet sneered.I blinked as I was taken aback. I refused to let Violet get under my skin, especially not here. “That’s enough,” my tone was as calm as I could muster, though my fists were still clenched at my sides.I cut her off immediately, my voice trembled with anger. “You’re the one with such low standards, Violet
CANDICE POVDorian’s grip on Joshua’s arm tightened for a while before he threw his hand down coldly. Joshua staggered slightly, his face was suddenly pale and embarrassed as Dorian’s glaring gaze was fixed on him, like he was daring him to make another stupid move.He slipped his palm into his pocket and turned to me. His expression softened, the rage in his eyes melted as he stared at me. “Are you hurt?” He asked gently, his voice was filled with concern.I nodded my head slowly, though I was still in shock of everything that had just happened. “I’m okay,” I muttered under my breath, my voice barely audible.Dorian didn’t look like he was convinced with what I had just told him, but he didn’t press me further. Instead, he reached out, his fingers wrapped around mine and I felt a jolt of shock down to my stomach.He headed toward the podium and I followed behind him as he turned to address the guests.“Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, his voice growling and echoed throughout the hal
Candice's POVThe car ride was heavy with silence, but my mind was anything but quiet. Dorian’s words kept repeating themselves in my head, tangled with Violet’s sharp insults that had left a deeper sting than I wanted to admit. I couldn’t figure out Dorian’s angle. He said he was just stepping up for me, but his actions always went beyond that. He had a way of making me question everything.I stole a glance at him. His eyes remained fixed on the road ahead, his jaw tightly clenched, and his hands resting still on his lap. Even in this calm posture, he seemed tense. It wasn’t unusual for him, but tonight, it felt different.A lump grew in my throat as I thought about what he had done. No one had ever defended me the way he had tonight—not even Joshua, the man I’d once believed loved me. Dorian’s actions weren’t for me, though. I knew that. It was all for the child I was carrying, his child. That was the only reason he cared.My hand instinctively went to my belly as the thought sank i
Candice's POVMy body lay on the bed as I tried to understand why Dorian had to force me to stay with him. I tilted my head slightly to stare at him, gulping at the sight of his jawline. He hadn’t said much since bringing me to his room, but his presence made me feel safer.I was still staring when our eyes met. He spoke, his voice rough. “Protecting you is part of our contract. Even from the demons in your dreams.” My cheeks burned as I quickly looked away and curled up on one side of the bed. “Mhhh,” I mumbled, feeling shy and unsure of how to respond. I turned my back to him, hugging the blanket tightly, but my thoughts wouldn’t stop swirling. My heart raced—not from fear this time, but from the closeness we shared. We had never been this close, let alone shared the same bed. My body shuddered when Dorian closed the distance, his arm slipping around my waist. The heat of his touch sent shivers down my spine as his fingertips traced along it.I felt his lips near my ear, his voic
Candice's POVMy face was buried in my hands as I sat on the edge of my bed, tears cascading down my cheeks. I couldn’t shake the weight in my chest, my sobs the only sound in the quiet room. Dorian’s anger lingered in my mind, his actions left me feeling so small and powerless.I flinched at the soft knock on the door but didn’t respond. The last thing I wanted was anyone adding to my pain. A moment later, the door creaked open, and one of the maids stepped in.My eyes lifted slightly, and I saw an older woman walking toward me. Concern filled her eyes as she sat at the end of my bed.“I’m fine,” I sniffled, wiping my tears with the back of my hand before she could ask. My voice trembled, betraying my words.The maid gave a small, understanding smile. “Miss Candice, are you all right?”My brows furrowed as I glanced at her, the lines on my forehead deepening. “I said I’m fine.”“I’ve worked for Mr. Anderson for many years,” she said, her tone calm and reassuring. “In all that time, I
CANDICE POVThe next morning, Dorian sat at the dining table, sipping his coffee when I walked in. I stopped in the doorway, gripping the frame as last night’s events replayed in my mind, the things we said and did to each other. Taking a deep breath, I moved forward and sat down.Dorian set his cup down and looked at me. “Candice, we have a family dinner to attend tonight.”I blinked. “Family dinner?”“Yes. My grandfather requested that you come with me. It’s a formal introduction.”My stomach tightened. I had met his grandfather briefly once before, but the thought of a formal gathering with the family made me uneasy. “I’m not sure I’ll fit in.”Dorian leaned closer, his gaze remained firm. “You’ll do fine. My grandfather can be stern, but he likes you.”“Why would he like me?” I frowned. “I barely spoke to him last time.”Dorian leaned back on his chair and studied me for a moment. “You’re carrying his great-grandchild. That’s enough. But other than that, he’s unusually gentle with
Candice's POVMy steps were heavy as I headed straight to the room a house worker had prepared for me, shutting the door behind me. I tried to steady my breathing, but my chest remained tight. After all my efforts to be polite, Dorian’s stepmother used her cruel comments and questions to ruin it. Her words played over and over in my head, and made my stomach churn. “You look just like her,” she said with a smug smile. “Dorian’s ex-girlfriend. What was her name again?” She tapped her chin as if trying to recall, though it was obvious she already knew. “Ah, yes. Sophia!” I sat on the edge of the bed, gripping my dress as her words echoed in my mind. My stomach twisted, and with how Dorian’s ex was described, it looked like she left a scar on him. Someone who, according to Dorian’s stepmother, I could never measure up to. Was that why Dorian always stood up for me? Was I just a poor replacement for someone he had truly cared about? Did his touches, whispers in my ear, hugging me to sl
Dorian’s POV My jaw clenched as Candice wrapped her arms around herself, trying to hold back from breaking down. Her eyes were pinned on me, swollen. “So that’s all I am to you?” she whispered. “A surrogate? A breeding tool?” “Yes.” I didn’t hesitate. She flinched, and the glimmer in her eyes dimmed. “And you don’t have the right to pry into my personal life again,” I said coldly. “You’re just here because of a contract. A surrogate deal…nothing more. Who I am, what I do and where I go is none of it concerns you.” Her arms tightened around her chest, “Leave,” she whispered as her face turned pale. “Candice—” “Just leave, Dorian,” she interrupted, her voice breaking. “I can’t do this right now. Please.” I hesitated, but the way she refused to look at me told me everything. There was nothing left to say. My hand lingered on the doorknob after I shut the door behind me. The image of Candice sitting on the bed, her bandaged wrist limp in her lap, wouldn’t leave my mind. My word
Candice’s POV I pushed the guest room door open, the faint hum of Fousheé’s “Deep End” still buzzing in my ears even after I’d yanked the headphones off. My chest felt tight, like the air in the room was pressing down on me, and I couldn’t stay curled up on that bed any longer. I needed to move, to breathe, to shake off the weight of Dorian’s accusations and that suffocating fight. The folded pile of clothes stared at me from the corner of the bed, a neat little reminder of how I’d tried to keep some control over this mess. But control? That was a joke now. Stepping into the hallway, I smoothed my hands over my jeans, trying to steady myself. The house was too quiet, a contrast to the shouting match Dorian and I had earlier. I padded down the stairs, my bare feet silent against the glossy tiled floor. I froze halfway when I caught sight of Dorian in the living room. He stood near the window, his broad shoulders rigid, his jaw set in that way that made him look like he was chewi
Chapter 38: Marcus? Dorian’s POVI stood in the study, staring at the wall as if it might give me answers. The heat of my argument with Candice was still burning under my skin. The photo lingered in my mind—Joshua’s hand on her arm, the way it looked like she wasn’t fighting him off. Every time I replayed it, my fists clenched tighter, and my pulse thrummed in my ears. I didn’t even hear Derek come in until he cleared his throat.“You alright, boss?” he asked, leaning against the doorframe, his usual calm demeanor a stark contrast to the fury raging on the inside of me.I shot him a glare, not trusting myself to speak yet. Alright? No, I wasn’t alright. I was pissed—furious, even—but the why of it gnawed at me. Surprised me. It wasn’t just the photo. It was her defiance, the way she had looked at me like I was the villain, the way she had stormed off and not looked back. I had done everything to keep her safe, and she had thrown it back in my face.“You’ve been pacing like a caged an
Candice’s POVThe drive back with Ruby had been quiet, the hum of the engine and the soft glow of streetlights letting me sink into my thoughts. I had sent the donation to St. Mary’s from my phone, and I felt somewhat happy, fulfilled even, but Joshua’s face kept lingering in my mind—his desperate grip, his pathetic excuses. By the time Ruby dropped me off at Dorian’s place, the evening air had cooled my nerves, but exhaustion still clung to me like damp clothes.I stepped through the door, kicking off my boots but then, I froze. Dorian was in the living room, pacing about, jaw tight and hands balled into fists. The way his eyes snapped to me sent a shiver down my spine. This wasn’t the worried Dorian I’d left behind. This was….this was something darker.“What’s wrong?” I asked, dropping my bag on the couch. My voice sounded small, wary.He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he grabbed his phone from the coffee table, swiped at the screen, and shoved it towards me. “Take a look”I to
Candice’s POV“Dorian” I gently tugged at his shirt, raising my face to look at him “Did you hear me?” I asked “I said I need to clear my head” He sighed before replying “Yes. I heard you the first time. I was just tryna process it. When you say clear your head, what do you mean? What do you have in mind to do?” “I don't know. Maybe go for a walk. Take a drink or two” I shrugged, slowly easing myself from his embrace Everything that had happened lately seemed to be pressing against my chest and it felt like I couldn’t breathe right. Violet’s vile words still echoed in my head, clawing at me like the talons of a vulture. I needed air, space—something to shake off the weight of it all. “I’m going out,” I said, my voice rough, like I’d been screaming for hours. I took off the bathroom so I was now left in only the night dress as I headed for the bathroom. Dorian's hand shot out, catching my wrist—not hard, but firm enough to stop me mid-step. “Candice, wait. After everything that’s
Candice’s POV“Candice, listen” He began, gently grabbing my shoulders, staring fixedly at me “Violet hurt you. She did you dirty. She’s a bitch and deserves to be treated like one. You think I was just gonna fold my arms and watch her?” “I totally understand that, Dorian, and I appreciate your concern, but I think you should really let me handle this. Remember it’s my fight” “Really, Candice?” His voice sounded bland, like my words had hurt him or something “Dorian” I held his face, slowly caressing it. “I didn’t mean it that way. Of course I love the fact that you care about me and my safety, but at least let me be involved in this. It’s me Violet came at” His eyes searched my face for a moment before he spoke up. “Okay, if you say so” “Come on, I'll show you where she’s at” She got off the bed and donned a shirt he grabbed from nearby I pulled the duvet slightly off me and I realized I was naked. Memories from last night came rushing and my cheeks flushed red. I hoped Dorian
Dorian’s POV I sniffed her hair as I watched her sleep. It smelt of lavender and chamomile, her signature fragrances, which were now my favorite. She had drifted off so fast, all thanks to my fingers, tongue and the slow, soothing strokes of my fingers on her hair. I'd have helped her don her night dress, but in the heat of the moment, I wasn't sure exactly where I had tossed it. Maybe it was under the bed or something, I wasn't sure. I'd just find it the next morning, but for now, the duvet was enough. Slowly, I pulled it over her naked body, kissing her forehead before sliding off the bed. She stirred a bit as I got off, thankfully she didn't wake up. I peeled my Calvin Klein briefs off my body before stepping into the bathroom, the door clicking shut behind me. I turned on the shower and the warm water hit my back, cascading down my shoulders. I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to relish the soothing feel of the water but my head was still full of Candice — her gasps and t
Candice’s POVThe moment Dorian’s lips met mine, a jolt of confusion sparked through me, sharp and electric. My mind scrambled to catch up. This was indeed happening. Dorian and I were really kissing, with his right hand firm on my neck, while his left gripped my waist. We pulled apart briefly, our faces hovering close, breaths mingling in the quiet. Dorian’s lips brushed mine again, soft, warm and barely there, before disengaging once again, a faint smack echoing in the stillness. My heart stuttered as he tilted his head, coming back for another kiss. Soft sounds slipped out as our lips met again, lingering just a moment longer before breaking apart with a tiny, wet click. Each kiss was slow, smooth, filled with yearning. Then I got hungry. Really hungry. I wanted more, craved for more. I'd never wanted a man this badly. Ever. I reached out and snaked my hands around his neck as I kissed him with so much fervor. The world turned around us, blurring and disappearing. His hands slid
Candice’s POV“And why wouldn't you allow me to bathe you?” He asked, shifting closer to me on the bed “Well…” I trailed off, scratching my nape unsure of what to say “Well, that's because…” I began again, but trailed off a second time. The words were in my throat, but were kind of stuck, so nothing was coming out. Was this the Dorian effect taking a hold on me? “Well….” He adjusted closer to me, and I wasn't sure if I should sit still or move a little away from him. I found myself sitting still. “....what?” He asked and I could hear him cackle. Obviously laughing at how the huge effect he had on me made me all fidgety. “Well, I can bathe myself, Dorian” I finally found my voice “I didn't say you cannot. I said, I wanna do it, so let me” Before I could comprehend what was happening, he was already in extremely close proximity with me and had already pulled the duvet off my knees and legs. “Come on, raise your hands” “Hold on, hold on, Dorian. Wait, please” I blushed, trying no
Dorian's POV “Not just our baby” I thought to myself, the words burning on the tip of my tongue, almost rolling off. But I hesitated, unsure of how to express the emotions swirling inside me. I guess it was better I kept mute, so I did just that. As I stood beside Candice's bed, watching her fragile form tremble with each sob, I felt an overwhelming urge to shield her from all pain, heartache and care. Her fingers which held tight onto the hem of the duvet, like the grasp of a newborn on its mother's hair, slightly trembled and her eyes blinked rapidly non-stop. Violet had to pay. She definitely was going to pay for making Candice this unsettled, and putting her through so much distress. For chrissakes, Candice was pregnant – carrying my baby; our baby, and I was going to go any length to protect them. Even if it meant snapping necks or spilling blood. It wasn't something new to me anyway. But for now, Candice was my utmost priority. I had to attend to her burns as the doctor inst