u'll get the reports by tomorrow. I would like to ask you if you have been abusing

No. We got married only today," he replied, though he felt

s on her body. I examined her and found some recent bruises too. Well, congratulations on your

watched Doctor Megan leave, then turne

om, his mind racing. He hadn't noticed the extent of Liliana's injuries before. Had her stepbrother been abu

ed over him. Liliana's earlier slap stung in his memory, reigniting his frust

moment to clear his head and headed to the small bar within the mansion. The dimly lit room w

ence. "What's the Boss doing here on his wedding night?" It wa

sip of the neat alcohol. The burn of the liquor wa

rian. He tilted his head, scrutinizing Valerian's cheek. "Don't tell me you g

e alcohol into his glass. The sharpness in his v

ge! No one could ever touch you," Arlo stated. "Did you keep he

alerian said. His grip on the glass tightened, his ri

because you got slapped by your enemy's daughter!?" Arlo wasn't ready to back of

Arlo would not stay quiet unless

r elder son is trying to get my deal on which I'

t information to you now. Good nigh

d the alcohol in silence. That was the only

~

n deprived of sleep for years, and the rest she had finally gotten was rejuvenating. Her mind was still t

ace as fragments of the night before came rushing back. She remembered how Valerian had attempted to forc

Valerian was nowhere to be seen. She swung her legs over the s

ty she was accustomed to. Ornate furnishings, rich tapestries, and intric

. Pushing the door open, Liliana walked in, not realizing that Va

erian, completely naked, the water cascading over his well-defined mus

ands moved through his hair, the muscles in his arms flexing with the motion.

moment before she quickly turned aroun

a whisper. Panic set in as she ran to the door, tryin

fear and humiliation. The lock was stubborn, ref

ested on hers. She froze, feeling the warmth of his

iercing voice broke the tense silence. "Do you wish to b

nce. Fresh from the shower, droplets of water glistened on his skin, giving him an almost etherea

d by the man who had treated her so cruelly. But her heart

he was pushed out of the wash