ARIA'S POVA collective murmur spread through the crowd, and I saw heads turning, necks stretching, and people leaning forward in their seats as the object was wheeled out onto the stage.The Moonstone itself was breathtaking — a large, translucent stone set in the handle of a beautifully carved cane, with a design so delicate that it seemed almost unreal.There were gasps of admiration as the cane came into full view, its surface shining under the auction hall lights. The Moonstone gave off a pale blue glow that seemed to shift and change as the light hit it, almost as if it were alive.It was mesmerizing, and I could see that I wasn’t the only one who thought so. The room was utterly captivated.“It is absolutely perfect for the distinguished gentleman or lady,” the auctioneer continued, “or perhaps for someone who understands the deeper power it holds.”That last part — those words about power — hung in the air. They all knew the rumours about the Moonstone’s mystical properties. B
LINDA'S POVA necklace, huh?The moment I laid eyes on the necklace being wheeled out on a velvet-covered tray, my mouth fell open in shock.As soon as I saw the necklace being wheeled out on a velvet-covered tray, my jaw dropped.No, no, no. It couldn’t be.But there it was, Aria's necklace.I stood up so fast that my chair made a loud scraping noise against the floor.My mouth was hanging open, my eyes wide with disbelief. “Damn it!! I specifically told Mother not to bring it here because Dante would be coming. So why… why is it here?” I whispered under my breath, my thoughts tangled in shock.When I glanced across the room, I saw Dante glaring at me. His expression was filled with rage, his jaw clenched so tight I thought he might shatter his teeth.I turned and practically bolted from the auction hall, with my mother rushing after me. The moment we were outside, where the cool night air slapped me in the face, I turned around to face her.“Why did you bring it here, Mother?" I sna
LINDA'S POVI felt like the walls were closing in around me with every word from him tightening the noose.My thoughts raced in a thousand different directions, searching for something, anything, to say.Then, suddenly, I saw her.Aria stood up from her seat, her posture calm and confident, as if she had no worries at all. It looked like she was about to step out, maybe to take a phone call.I watched the way she moved with that irritating grace, her head held high. I suddenly felt a flash of anger flare up inside me.How dare she look so calm, so sure of herself when everything around me was falling apart? How could she walk around with that self-assured smile, as if she owned the world?And in that moment, I knew what I had to do.“I know why the necklace is here,” I blurted out, turning back to Dante, who was still glaring at me, waiting for an answer.His eyes narrowed as he spoke in a low and dangerous tone. “Then go on,” he snapped, “explain it to me, Linda.”I hesitated for a m
ARIA'S POV"I will show you why you shouldn't mess with me anymore," I replied, my words steady but I felt uneasy. Linda had always been unpredictable, but today... today she felt dangerous.Linda's smile widened, her eyes flashing with amusement. "Oh, is that so?" she said, tilting her head like she was considering something. "Let's find out who shouldn't mess with who."Before I could even process what she meant, she held the bracelet tighter and, in one quick motion, began dragging it across her own wrist.I watched in horror as the delicate metal cut into her skin and a thin line of red came out almost immediately."Linda!" I gasped, my eyes wide. "What on earth are you doing?"She smiled a wicked, satisfied smile that chilled me to my bones. "What do you think it looks like?" she taunted, her voice calm, almost cheerful.And then, just like that, she started screaming. Loud, piercing screams filled with pain and panic. "Stop it, Aria! Please!" she wailed, holding her wrist dramat
ARIA'S POV"Aria!"Dante's voice cut through my thoughts, snapping me back to reality. I blinked and focused on his face."I asked you what you did to Linda!" he repeated, his voice low and dangerous.I straightened my back and met his glare with a calmness I didn't quite feel. My heart was racing, but I would be damned if I'd let him see that."Nothing," I replied simply, my voice steady.Dante's nostrils flared, his anger visibly rising. "Nothing?" he repeated, his voice rising. "So you're just going to stand there and claim innocence? You're not even going to defend yourself?"I shrugged, pretending not to care. "It's a waste of time defending myself if no one is going to believe a word I say.”"Cut the crap!" he snapped, taking a step closer. "Did you or did you not do something to hurt her?”I could see the doubt in his eyes, the way he wavered between wanting to believe me and already believing the worst. And honestly, it made something in me snap.For crying out loud, I was so
ARIA'S POVMy words seemed to cut through the silence. I saw Dante’s face tighten, his mouth opening as if to say something, but no words came out.He looked… stunned. And it was not just him – everyone around us seemed momentarily speechless.And then, before Dante could move, Arnold pushed his way through the crowd and rushed to my side. I felt his warm hands as he quickly wrapped a handkerchief around my hand, trying to stop the blood.“Aria,” Arnold muttered, his voice urgent, filled with concern, “We need to get you to a hospital.”Dante remained where he was, and I just stared at him, searching his face for any hint of the Dante I knew before all this… before Linda. But all I saw was a stranger.Arnold’s hand was firm around mine. “Come on, Aria,” he insisted, “Let’s get you out of here.”I barely heard him. I was too focused on Dante, on the way he looked torn between doing something and doing nothing at all.The feeling of disappointment settled in my chest like a stone. I tho
DANTE'S POVThe little girl looked up at me, her eyes wide, innocent, but sure. “I saw her—” she pointed again at Linda, “she was hurting herself. She used that bracelet on her own hand. And the other lady, the one who left, she told her to stop. But she wouldn’t listen.”I felt the blood drain from my face. Linda… had hurt herself?My eyes shifted to Linda, who now looked pale, her face tight with fear. “What?” she squeaked, trying to sound angry but failing miserably. “Good grief! What is this child talking about?”The little girl continued, her expression serious, “She took the bracelet from the other lady, and then she cut her own hand. I saw it.”I stared at Linda, feeling a cold fury building inside me, my fists clenching unconsciously. “Is this true?” I asked, my voice low, almost a growl. “Did you really do this to yourself, Linda?”She looked like a trapped animal, her eyes darting around. “She’s lying,” Linda said quickly, pointing at the little girl. Her voice was high-pitc
LINDA'S POV“She will be okay,” the doctor said, his voice calm and reassuring as he finished cleaning my cut and checking my vitals. “The cut isn’t that deep, so she’ll be fine. She just got overwhelmed and fainted.”My mother let out a deep sigh, a look of relief washing over her face as she thanked him profusely. “Thank you, Doctor, thank you so much,” she said, squeezing my hand in hers.I gave him a grateful smile and murmured a soft, “Thank you.” But before he left, he looked at me with a stern expression.“Make sure you get plenty of rest,” he said, his voice taking on a more serious tone. “Especially for the sake of your child.” I nodded obediently, and watched as he left the room. The moment the door clicked shut, Luna Agatha moved closer and her hands wrapped warmly around mine. Her eyes were soft, filled with worry as she spoke. “Oh, Linda, I’m so sorry, my dear,” she murmured, her voice thick with sympathy. “You’ve been through so much today, especially in your condition