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096: The Family (VII)
Under the warm hues and pale lighting, the bustling only grew more and more dense. Everyone seemed to be in a rush, focusing on finishing the assigned tasks just in time for the event to start. The guests had already started arriving while the final touches were being made.
"Are you sure it's only your grandfather's birthday that is being celebrated today?" Ayla mumbled to the man who was standing next to her. She turned her attention to him, eyeing him.
"I may seem a little over the top, but that's how it is every year." Claude replied to her, keeping his gaze trained on the people downstairs.
"You got used to it." A sigh escaped her lips. "I don't know how long it's going to take me to be so casual about things like it."
It wasn't breaking news to Claude. He knew already how much she despised being the center of attention, and tonight's party was not going to be anything but that. Even though it was being arranged for his old
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"I thought he would have at least mentioned me before tying the knot with you. After all, I was the only one he was in a serious relationship with. It was serious enough for him to propose to me…""Selene!" Claude let out a warning growl as he stared down at the lady in red, his hold around Ayla tightening as if he was scared of letting her go."What?" Selene scoffed. "I am only stating the truth here, Claude. What are you so scared of?" She rolled her eyes as she took a step closer to the couple, her eyes focused on the man in black, "don't make it sound like you are actually scared of losing her because I am not buying that sh*t. If you are forgetting, I actually witnessed the fear in your eyes firsthand when I said no to you." Her chin was raised up in the air as she looked down at Ayla who seemed to be least bothered by her sudden declaration."Claude…," a soft mumble escaped her lips, deman
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"Why are we here?" Ayla spoke up as she brought her steps to a stop right next to Claude.His hand was still holding hers, his fingers wrapped around the back of her palm with no intention of letting go. It was like Ayla was complaining about it, but his actions only made her wonder about the thoughts that ran through the man's mind."Because I wanted to be here with you." He gazed down at her from the corner of his eye, a faint smile clinging to the curve of his thin lips. With a light tug at their clasped hands, he pulled her closer to himself. "I wanted to enjoy a couple of peaceful moments with you before things went down the drain back at the mansion."Ayla watched his shoulders becoming tense under the coat. She wanted nothing more than to take his worries away, every last one of them just like he had helped her family at their lowest without asking anything in return. All the man wanted from her was her companionship. That too because it
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The Heartless Bride Epilogue
The Heartless Bride 191: Desires (II)*
The Heartless Bride 190: Desires (I)*
The Heartless Bride 189: The Most Precious Thing to Me*
The Heartless Bride 188: The Culprit (II)
The Heartless Bride 187: The Culprit (I)*
The Heartless Bride 186: Suspicions (II)
The Heartless Bride 185: Suspicions (I)
The Heartless Bride 184: I was Missing you (II)
