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The Unraveling
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-03-23 14:21:53
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The Duchess's Desire The deeper game
The moment Lord Thomas stepped into the room, the atmosphere shifted, heavy with the weight of unspoken tension. His presence filled the space, his eyes sharp, calculating, and dangerous. Victoria’s heart thundered in her chest, and every instinct screamed for her to run, to hide, to do anything but stand there frozen.But there was nowhere to run. Not now. Not with him in the room.Lord Thomas’s gaze swept over the room, briefly flicking to Sebastian, who stood rigid by the window, and then to Olivia, whose poker face was unreadable. Finally, his eyes landed on Victoria."Quite the scene, isn’t it?" His voice was smooth, like silk, but beneath it was a venomous edge. "I can’t say I didn’t expect it."Victoria swallowed hard, her mind racing. Every warning sign, every red flag she had ignored, suddenly came rushing back. Lord Thomas wasn’t just playing a game; he was orchestrating something far more sinister, something far beyond her understanding."Why are you here?" Victoria’s voice
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-23The Duchess's Desire Tangled Webs
The tension in the room was suffocating. Victoria stood frozen, caught between the two men, the Duke and Lord Thomas, both staring at her with intentions far from clear. Her heart pounded against her ribs, each beat a sharp reminder of the danger she was in. Her mind raced, desperate to piece together everything that had led her here, but there was no time for answers. Not yet.The Duke stepped further into the room, his gaze cold and calculating as it flickered between Lord Thomas and Victoria. His presence, always commanding, now felt almost suffocating."Well, well, Thomas," the Duke said, his voice smooth but edged with a subtle menace. "I see you're still playing games. But I wonder, how long will it be before your little kingdom collapses?"Lord Thomas’s jaw tightened at the Duke’s words, but his posture remained unchanged. "You’re one to talk, Marlborough. You’re no better. You’ve always had your own agenda." He glanced at Victoria, his eyes narrowing. "But she’s not part of it
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-24The Duchess's Desire Isabella Returns
The room was dimly lit, the air thick with tension. Victoria stood near the window, her back straight, her breath shallow as the weight of Lord Thomas’ words continued to settle within her. She had known, deep down, that her life had never been her own, but now the cold, harsh reality of it all hit her like a tidal wave. She had been part of something so much larger than herself, a game in which she was no more than a pawn. And there was no way out.She turned slowly to face Lord Thomas and the Duke, both men watching her with an unsettling mixture of cold calculation and something more—something far more dangerous.“You’ve been keeping secrets from me,” Victoria said, her voice quiet but unwavering as she studied them both, trying to make sense of what was happening. “Secrets about my family... about this legacy. What exactly are you involved in, and why am I at the center of it?”Lord Thomas, who had been standing in silence for several moments, finally spoke. His voice was low, tin
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-25The Duchess's Desire The Price of Power
The tension in the room had grown unbearable. Victoria stood frozen, her mind racing, unable to fully process everything that had just been revealed. Isabella's words still echoed in her head, repeating over and over like a haunting refrain. “Power always comes with a price.”Her heart pounded in her chest, and her body felt cold despite the heat of the room. The fear was creeping in now—cold, suffocating fear that made her feel like she was drowning. What had she gotten herself into? What was this dark legacy that seemed to claim her at every turn?Lord Thomas had already left the room, his steps slow and deliberate, and Victoria watched as his shadow disappeared down the hallway. Isabella remained, her presence like a storm that was only waiting to break.Victoria wanted to scream, wanted to demand answers, but the words stuck in her throat. It wasn’t just about survival anymore—it was about power, manipulation, and bloodlines. She had always known that there was something darker un
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-26The Duchess's Desire The Edge of Desire
The flickering candlelight cast long shadows against the walls of the Duke’s private study, where the air was thick with an unspoken tension. Victoria stood by the large, arched window, her eyes gazing out into the sprawling gardens of the Duke’s estate. The storm from earlier that evening had passed, but the lingering humidity in the air only added to the heat building between them.She was alone in the room with the Duke now, and the closeness was palpable. His presence behind her felt like a constant pull, as if the very air between them vibrated with an undeniable magnetism. It was a force that she tried to ignore but failed at every turn. The way he watched her. The way his gaze seemed to strip her of every last bit of control.“I never thought I’d see you like this,” the Duke’s voice broke through her thoughts, smooth yet intense, as he stepped closer, just behind her.Victoria swallowed hard, the pulse in her throat pounding as she kept her eyes trained on the distant horizon.
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-26The Duchess's Desire The Price of Desire
The knock on the door echoed throughout the Duke's private study, pulling both Victoria and the Duke back into the harsh reality that had been momentarily forgotten. The moment was fragile, too delicate to last, but for a brief instant, everything had seemed possible. Now, as the door swung open, reality came rushing back.The Duke straightened his posture, though his eyes never left Victoria’s. His jaw tightened in silent frustration, but there was something else there too—something that hinted at how he wasn’t quite ready to let her go. Not yet.Victoria was still reeling from the kiss, her heart pounding in her chest, her breath shallow. She felt as though her skin was still tingling from where his hands had touched her, the heat of his presence lingering like a shadow around her. But she didn’t know how to deal with the sudden shift—how to navigate the uncertainty that had flooded in with the interruption.The door creaked open, revealing a servant standing in the doorway, her exp
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-11The Duchess's Desire The Unseen Betrayal
The heavy scent of the roses in the Duke’s private garden surrounded Victoria as she paced the stone pathway. Her thoughts were swirling like the breeze that danced through the trees, brushing against her skin as if trying to calm her. But there was no escaping the storm inside her chest. Isabella’s words echoed relentlessly in her mind, each repetition tightening the knot of uncertainty deep within her gut.The Duke belongs to me.The phrase rang through her head, louder than anything she had ever heard before. She had wanted the Duke. She had let herself believe that there was something—something real—between them. But now, faced with the cold reality of Isabella’s claim, she wasn’t sure where she stood anymore. The thought of losing him to someone so calculating, someone who knew him better than she ever would, made her feel powerless.Her fingers curled into fists at her sides, and she shook her head, trying to push the intrusive thoughts away. She couldn’t let Isabella win. Not l
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-11The Duchess's Desire The Danger Approaches
Victoria barely had time to react before the Duke spun around, his eyes narrowing with a sense of urgency. The sound of the crash echoed in the stillness of the hallway, followed by frantic footsteps that grew louder with each passing second. Her pulse quickened as the Duke’s hand gripped her wrist, pulling her toward a nearby room.“Stay close to me,” he said, his voice low, edged with a tension that she had never heard before.Victoria’s mind raced. What was happening? The peaceful atmosphere of the Duke’s estate had been shattered, and now everything felt off-balance. She could hear muffled voices and shouting, the sounds of chaos coming closer. It was almost as though the very walls of the manor were closing in on them.“Is it Isabella?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper as they hurried through the hallway, the Duke’s hand tight on her wrist.The Duke didn’t answer right away, his face tense as he led her down another corridor, away from the sounds of the chaos outside.
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-04-11
Bab terbaru
The Duchess's Desire Shadows behind the flame
"You’re unusually quiet tonight," the Duke said, his voice brushing against the silence like velvet against skin.Victoria stood by the tall window, arms folded, eyes lost in the smoky distance beyond the estate walls. The candlelight behind her flickered and danced on her ivory skin."Am I?" she replied flatly. "I suppose silence is safer now."The Duke took a step closer, his boots echoing on the marble floor. "Safer from me?"She turned around slowly, lips curled faintly. "Safer from everyone."Their gazes locked. There was heat there, thick enough to smother."Don’t pretend this hasn’t changed you," he said. "I’ve seen the way your hands tremble when no one’s watching. I’ve seen you drift away. You’re losing yourself to this war."Victoria exhaled, her voice bitter. "I already lost myself the moment James was thrown onto that porch like refuse. And you—” she paused, looking away, “You’re just another blade in the back I never saw coming."He flinched. "You still think I was involv
The Duchess's Desire Tangled Desires
The rain pattered gently on the manor roof, casting a somber rhythm across the candlelit drawing room where Victoria sat curled on a velvet chaise, her fingers trembling around a porcelain cup. The fire crackled, offering no comfort."He's late," she whispered."He's careful," came a new voice.Startled, Victoria turned. A stranger stood in the doorway, soaked from the storm, a scar etched across his jaw, and eyes like cold slate. He pulled off his gloves slowly, not breaking eye contact."Who are you?" Victoria asked, standing abruptly."Name's Lucien St. James. The Duke’s new business partner. Or at least, I was invited under that pretense.""The Duke mentioned no such thing.""He wouldn’t. But here I am."Before she could press further, the door behind Lucien opened again. The Duke entered, pausing at the sight of them."I see you've met," he said, closing the door behind him.Victoria narrowed her eyes. "What's going on?"Lucien smiled dryly. "Ask your Duke."The Duke strode in, r
The Duchess's Desire A New Threat
The soft murmurs of conversation drifted through the heavy curtains as the morning sun peeked through the narrow cracks in the window. Victoria had barely slept, her mind racing with the aftermath of the choice she had made. The echoes of Elena’s words still reverberated in her mind, but it was something else that tugged at her—a feeling, a presence, lurking just beyond her reach.She sat by the window, the cool morning breeze brushing against her skin, but her mind was elsewhere. The Duke’s stern expression haunted her. He had been right to question her decision, but now it was too late. She had made her choice.The door to the room creaked open, and Victoria’s thoughts were broken by the sound. She turned slowly, her eyes meeting those of a new face—an unfamiliar man dressed in dark clothing, his posture rigid, his expression calculating."Lady Victoria," he said, bowing slightly. His voice was deep, but there was an unsettling sharpness to it, like he was assessing every inch of he
The Duchess's Desire The Deal
The door creaked open, and the tension in the room thickened. Victoria’s eyes darted to Elena, who wore a slight smile, as if the arrival of whoever was outside was no surprise.Victoria’s pulse quickened. The footsteps were heavy, deliberate—someone important, someone dangerous. And the way Elena stood there, completely at ease, told Victoria that whatever was coming wasn’t something she could stop.The door swung fully open, revealing a man Victoria had never seen before. His broad shoulders and cold, calculating eyes told her everything she needed to know: he wasn’t here to make friends."Ah, there you are," Elena said smoothly, her voice calm, almost playful. "You’ve made it just in time."The man stepped into the room, his gaze immediately locking with Victoria’s. She could feel the weight of his stare, cold, assessing, like he was mentally stripping her bare."This is Viktor," Elena said, her tone casual. "He’s my... associate. He’s here to help us take care of things."Victoria
The Duchess's Desire The Unseen Hand
The door slammed shut with a resounding thud, startling Victoria and the Duke. They both turned, their bodies tense, as a woman entered the room, her presence undeniable. There, standing in the threshold, was Isabella’s sister, Elena Deveaurux.Victoria’s breath hitched as she took in the sight of her. Elena was everything Isabella wasn’t: composed, calm, with a quiet power that emanated from her like a shroud. Her dark eyes flickered over the room, assessing the situation with a sharpness that made Victoria uneasy. She was dressed in a simple black dress, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders in soft waves. But the coldness in her gaze was unmistakable."Elena," Isabella said, her voice laced with surprise but also something more—something that could almost be described as reluctance. "What are you doing here?"Elena didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she let her gaze linger on Victoria, studying her with a careful look. Then, she spoke, her voice low and measured. "I came to
The Duchess's Desire Shifting Alliances
Victoria stood by the window, her hands gripping the cold ledge as she gazed out at the sprawling estate. The wind outside had begun to pick up, rustling the trees in the distance, as though echoing the storm inside her mind. Every passing day seemed to pull her further into a web of deceit, betrayal, and calculated moves. Every move, every decision felt like it could lead her closer to her end or to the redemption she longed for.She turned as she heard footsteps behind her. The Duke entered the room, his face grim, the tension in his posture palpable. She could tell something was wrong. The faint echo of the door closing behind him seemed to seal them in, alone with whatever new chaos was about to unfold."Victoria," he said softly, his voice carrying a weight she hadn’t expected. "We have a problem."Her stomach twisted with anticipation. A problem. She was used to that word by now, but she didn’t expect him to say it with such concern. "What is it?" she asked, trying to keep her v
The Duchess's Desire A Game of Shadows
Victoria stood before the window, staring out at the darkness that had settled over the estate. The soft glow of candlelight flickered in the corners of the room, casting shadows that seemed to stretch like fingers across the walls. Her mind was heavy, weighed down by the constant tension that had been building over the past few days. Lord Thomas’s threats still echoed in her ears, the words haunting her even when she tried to shut them out. "You’ll regret this, Victoria," he had said, his voice laced with venom. "You’ll regret ever crossing me."She had tried to push the fear aside, but it clung to her like a second skin, impossible to shake. What did he mean by his final card? What did he have left to play?The Duke’s presence in the room brought a welcome distraction. His footsteps were soft, measured, but his energy was a stark contrast to the quiet dread that enveloped her. She turned, meeting his gaze as he entered. His eyes, usually so calm and steady, were shadowed with someth
The Duchess's Desire The Devil's Bargain
Victoria's heart raced in her chest, every instinct screaming at her to flee, to run from the man who had once been her husband. Lord Thomas stood before them, his eyes dark and full of malice, his posture stiff with anger. For a brief, fleeting moment, she wondered if she had truly underestimated him."Lord Thomas," she said again, her voice trembling only slightly, though she wasn’t sure whether it was from fear or the cold fury that boiled in her veins. She stepped forward, trying to make sense of the situation. "What is it you want now?"Lord Thomas gave a humorless chuckle, the sound devoid of any warmth. He turned to face her completely, his eyes piercing through her as if searching for something she couldn’t even name. His smile, twisted and sinister, sent a shiver down her spine. "I want what’s mine, Victoria," he spat, his voice venomous.The Duke, who had stepped beside her, his jaw clenched tightly, moved slightly in front of her, as if shielding her from Lord Thomas’s gaze
The Duchess's Desire The tides of betrayal
Victoria's breath caught in her throat as Lord Thomas’s words hung in the air, heavy with the threat they carried. She could see the anger simmering in his eyes, the barely contained fury that made the tension in the room unbearable. Her gaze flicked to the Duke, searching for any hint of what he might be thinking, but his expression remained inscrutable, like a stone wall."I don’t know what you think you’ve discovered, Thomas," the Duke said, his voice calm, but there was an edge to it that Victoria had never heard before. "But if this is about my dealings with Victoria, you’re mistaken. Whatever it is you think is happening, you're wrong."Lord Thomas let out a soft, humorless laugh, his eyes narrowing as he took a step closer to the Duke. "I don’t think, Duke. I know." He paused, his gaze sweeping over Victoria before locking with the Duke’s. "You’ve been playing a dangerous game. And it’s time to end it."Victoria’s heart pounded in her chest as she tried to process the situation
