Chapter 396
Chapter 396
Snowflakes
I woke to the insistent ringing of my cellphone. Morning light filtered through the curtains, soft and golden.
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Cupid still slept beside me, chest rising and falling in that deep, almost unnaturally still way of his. I leaned over and pressed a gentle good–morning kiss to his lips, then slipped out of bed to answer the call from Dove.
“Hey, best friend, how are you?” Her voice came through bright and clear, so unexpectedly cheerful that I paused, stunned.
“Hey, Dove. I’m good p>
“Shouldn’t you be here already? The session is starting soon, and I think Ares is delaying. That man will do anything to escape jail p>
“Not even a chance,” I said firmly. “I’ll be there soon p>
disconnected and glanced back at Cupid. He remained asleep, that same awkward, death–like slumber that always made my
heart stutter for a second.
I walked into the bathroom and took a quick shower. When I returned, towel wrapped around me, he was awake, propped against the headboard, scrolling lazily on his phone.
He turned to me, eyes softening.
‘Good morning p>
‘Morning.” I smiled and headed to the closet to choose a dress. “It’s Ares‘ second hearing p>
‘Do you need to go p>
turned around and nodded. He swallowed, not at my answer, but at the sight of me standing there in nothing but the towel, water still glistening on my skin.
His gaze darkened with quiet hunger. Then his eyes flicked to the two dresses I held up, and he nodded toward the one in my right hand.
“Wear that. Looks lovely p>
I smiled, warmth blooming in my chest.
“Thank you p>
I dressed slowly, deliberately, fully aware of his eyes tracing every movement. When I finished, I walked toward him.
He reached out, pulled me down beside him on the bed. He looked so effortlessly handsome this morning, hair disheveled, face relaxed, casual in a way that made my pulse quicken
Tenderly, his fingers drifted to my breasts, brushing over the fabric in a slow, reverent caress.
“I need to go, Cupid,” I murmured. “Don’t make me late p>
“Yeah, I know.” He pulled his hand away but searched my eyes instead. “I’m going to meet your dad today. Any idea what he likes? ”
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Chapter 396
I eased back slightly, thinking.
“Not really. He and I… we aren’t that close yet. We’re only just starting to really know each other. Maybe wine, I guess p>
He nodded, then leaned in and kissed my temple with aching gentleness.
“I’m going to have you, Snow,” he vowed quietly, voice low and fierce. “If I don’t have you, then no one will. I swear it p>
I believed him with every beat of my heart, every fiber of my being.
“I should go,” I whispered. I left the bed, slipped into my car, and immediately texted my dad.
‘ Cupid is coming to you today. Don’t act harshly toward him or I will get really mad and won’t speak to you ever again. ‘
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The courthouse buzzed with its usual restless energy when I arrived. Though I was late, which made me wonder if the case had already wrapped up without me but when I stepped inside, I saw everyone was still waiting.
Even Eshan, who was supposed to prosecute, glanced at his watch, then lifted his gaze to me and shook his head subtly.
Ares isn’t here yet.
“Snow?” Dove’s voice cut through the murmur.
I walked toward her, curious. She stood among a cluster of reporters, poised and professional. I stepped aside to let her come to
“I didn’t know you’d be here already, working,” I said, looking at her in quiet awe.
She sighed.
“Marlik didn’t know either. Actually… I’m here to take a leave from Miss Claudia. Marlik wants me to stop working for now so I can focus on our pup p>
I froze, the word echoing in my mind.
Our.
I stared at her, a playful smile curling at the corner of my lips. She looked away shyly, cheeks flushing, then sighed seriously and
nodded.
“I’m… I’m going to take my sisters from the Castle Pack soon,” she continued softly. “I don’t know how to ever be grateful enough to them and to all of you for your help and support. Now Marlik wants us to live together His mother is kind, his sister too. He’s ready to welcome my sisters as well p>
I nodded, taking her hand and squeezing gently “They’re good people, Dove. Pure hearted. The kind who love completely”
She smiled, small, hopeful then lifted her gaze and froze abruptly. I turned to follow her line of sight. A team of tax authorities had just arrived, spilling out of their van and rushing toward the courthouse steps.
Curiosity pulled us all inside. We hurried after them, only to stop short as they marched straight to the judge’s bench straight to Neils White.
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Chapter 396
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“Neils White, you are under arrest,” one of them announced, voice ringing through the stunned courtroom. “For overseeing Feroz’s drug empire and twisting the law to commit crimes. You are also charged with harboring the fugitive Ares Bani. Take him p>
“What? Ares? I didn’t hide him!” Neils protested, voice cracking with disbelief.
Then Veyron stepped forward from the shadows.
“He was the last one to see Mr. Ares p>
Neils went rigid, stunned into silence. But it was Ranta and Ares‘ mother, both in attendance, who shattered visibly.
As officers dragged Neils away in handcuffs, Ranta stood frozen, face pale with shock and betrayal.
With her younger brother now vanished into the wind, her husband in cuffs, Ranta finally broke.
As for Mrs Bani, Tears streamed down her cheeks, silent and endless, as the reality crashed over her that her family had been torn apart beyond repair.
The courtroom held its breath, the weight of ruined lives settling heavy in the air.
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Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.