taut beneath pale, unblemished skin-a startling contrast to the dark scars that marred him. His physique, n

ingering for just a moment before s

s body demanded attention. Some were faint lines of whi

hadn't been a simple twist of fate. It had been deliberate. A calculated attack orchestrated by rival

for this. Now, with her own eyes, Valer

fingertips, the cool slickness a stark contr

ver lingering beneath the surface, and

zed over a bruise and Jonathan's

just

thick lashes quivered, barely percep

gain cons

Jonathan's face remained still, his features composed, the earlier fl

e called softl

enc

brow furrowing as she muttered to

the events of the fateful day pressed down on her shoulders like

d her cheeks lightly, as i

s abdomen, disappearing lower than she dared to follow. A sharp reali

and she hesitated before

, she set to work, carefully applying the ointment while

g painfully long. She missed the slight twitch of Jonat

he finally redressed him, letting out a br

m the room, the pounding of her own foots

nge sensation that

hands to her flush

th another naked man-why did this

e heavy wedding dress weighing on her like her turbulent day. Just as she

D flashed Cr

g's furious voice exploded through the receiver, his words

rved into a small

ees' group chat. She wasn't worried about being found out. Feigning con

f sharply. "You promised me, Craig. As long as I mar

ore. "Do you really think that's enough? You'll stay with the Holt family, earn their favor, and funnel their wealth b

ended a

ugh her as she threw the phone onto the bed. The he

t, she snatched the phone back up

leted by the group admin. Craig's response-a denial pair

neer as she murmured, "You think delet