tightly and shook her head.

's expressions darkened and

married now?"

each other," Liliana said,

winced in pain. Was Valerian going to give her the same treatment as her ste

amily did to me, you will pay for it– through your bod

the delicate fabric of her dress. "Ahh!" Liliana screamed, her voice fille

her eyes wide with fear. She pressed her hands against his chest, despera

slave has to serve her master. Your brother sold you to me. This marriage was just a cover-up. If you don't wish to be punished, s

n like this. But the memory of his sister's

take Victor's life with his own hands, to see the man who had caused him so much pain suffer. Yet

sumed by a hollow emptiness. The man who had taken his sister from

e for making Victor's daughter, Liliana Rossi, suf

had sold her. The betrayal cut deep, a fresh wound added to her mountin

voice trembling. "Why would my brother sel

ea and a denial, a desperate attempt to cling to some

ard brother!" he muttered, his anger

her despair. Were her past miseries not enough that this new torment had to be added to the list

always remain a slave to me," Valer

the kiss filled with hatred and angst. His mind was

h him away, but his strength was overwhelming. The suffocating pressure of his body aga

g with anger as he pulled back and glared at her. His hand flew

iana slapped him hard across the face, her

e stinging side of his lip, tasting his blood. Before he could fu

hair and yanking her back. They both fell to their knees, t

intensity of her pain. "Let me go!" Why? Just why d

merciless motion, Valerian twirled her

is voice echoing with rage. The sigh

on her throat tightened. Her heartbeat thundered in he

se," she

ze, and the last thing she saw was Valerian'

d and resting against Valerian's chest. His grip on her neck loo

, painful clarity. He had done someth

innocent woman. The promise he had made to his sister years ago after fully occupying

of guilt and regret. With his other hand, he gently laid Lili

He wiped it away with the pad of his finger, the gestur

et, covering her fragile for