Chapter 151
Chapter 151
Chapter 151
VENUS
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The shadow stopped just short of the mirror, a dark silhouette swallowing the soft glow of the vanity lights. My heart thudded against my ribs, each beat louder than the last. Whoever it was hadn’t entered by accident. Every measured step cut through the silence like a knife.
“Andrea?” The name slipped out of me, barely a whisper, my voice trembling with disbelief.
The shadow shifted forward, into the light. The face was a cold echo of Gerald’s-sharp jaw, piercing eyes- but harsher, crueler. “Yes. Me,” she said, her voice like ice: soft, absolute.
My pulse spiked, panic flaring like wildfire. “How… how are you here? You weren’t invited. Neither were the Marlowes p>
She shrugged, tilting her head with maddening calm. “A company that works with the Marlowes invited me. Business, you know. Don’t ask me to explain. I’m here p>
Her words were casual, but the menace laced beneath them twisted my stomach into knots. Before I could even breathe, she lunged. Her hand clamped around my wrist, nails digging into my skin.
“You ruined everything,” she hissed, eyes wild. “You ruined everything p>
I yanked back, panic scraping at my throat. “Let go! Andrea! What are you doing p>
Her grip only tightened, cruel and unrelenting. “Don’t lie to me, Venus,” she spat. “You-you-made my brother a fugitive. You took him from me! Gerald was never like that before. He was quiet, level-headed, charming. And now…now he’s broken. Because of you p>
My knees nearly buckled. I forced my voice louder, firmer than I felt. “Let go! You’re insane p>
Her eyes blazed, unhinged. “And Aaron, what the hell does he see in you? You-” she shook me hard, nails biting deeper into my wrist, “you took him too! Everything I wanted, everything that should have been mine. What do you have that I don’t, huh? What is it about you that makes men lose their minds p>
Pain shot through my wrist as she pressed harder. I grabbed her forearm, shoving back with everything I had. “Fuck off, Andrea! Your brother is a sick, twisted monster. You don’t get to blame me for his choices. He kidnapped me for two months. He buried me alive! And you dare stand here and say that’s my fault p>
We locked in a tense stalemate, her weight bearing down on me, rage burning in her eyes. Then, just as suddenly, she released me, stepping back with a smirk that never reached her face.
“This isn’t over, Venus. Not by a long shot,” she whispered venomously before spinning toward the door.
The hinges creaked open again, and a softer voice entered. “Venus? Are you alright?” Gianna’s tone was gentle, but she froze when her eyes landed on Andrea’s retreating figure. Recognition flared sharp and unmistakable.
I rubbed at my wrist where Andrea’s nails had left red marks. “Yeah… I-I’m fine,” I managed, though my body trembled.
20:35 Wed, Jan 14
Chapter 151
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“You were gone too long. Aaron was starting to worry,” Gianna said, stepping closer, her gaze dropping to the ruined stain across my gown.
I exhaled shakily, leaning against the counter. “I’m fine,” I repeated, though the word tasted bitter. Gianna didn’t push, just let her eyes linger on the lilac silk ruined beyond saving.
“Sabine’s going to kill me,” I muttered.
Gianna’s lips curved faintly. “She saw. She’s annoyed, yes-but not at you. She sent me with a dress p>
I looked at the bag she held, hesitating. “You’re both angels. Thank you p>
She smiled knowingly. “This one will definitely be missed p>
I rolled my eyes at her humor, but slipped behind the partition to change. The lilac fabric clung to me, heavy with wine and humiliation. Every dab of the napkin only smeared the stain worse. With a muttered curse, I stripped it away.
The dress Gianna gave me was different from Sabine’s usual bold flair. It wasn’t made to blind a ballroom or claim every camera. It was simple-black, shimmery, spaghetti straps brushing my shoulders, daring without effort. Slipping into it, I felt less like a doll and more like a blade.
Gianna zipped me up, smoothing the straps. “Ooh, look at you,” she teased with a grin.
I rolled my eyes, but a smile betrayed me. “You’re ridiculous p>
“Maybe. But if you don’t hurry back, Aaron will tear down the walls. And frankly, I like this venue p>
Her joke drew out a soft laugh-the first real breath I’d taken since Andrea’s grip.
We returned to the hall, perfume and chatter buzzing through the air, applause still lingering from Sabine’s showcase. And then…
Aaron.
He didn’t just see me. He found me. His gaze locked like a magnet, burning through the crowd. Within seconds, he was cutting a direct path to me, hand slipping around my waist with the hunger of a man starved too long.
“Gianna,” he said, his voice smooth but taut with restraint. “Thank you p>
She waved him off, but her eyes held his for a fraction too long-an unspoken exchange. Then she disappeared back into the crowd, likely seeking Sabine and Lucien.
Aaron’s hands skimmed down my arms, grounding me, pressing just enough to remind me I was here, real, safe. His gaze traced the new dress, my flushed cheeks, the uneven breath I couldn’t hide. “Are you alright?” he asked, low enough for only me.
I nodded too quickly. “Yeah. I’m fine p>
His head tilted, eyes dark and sharp, cutting through my flimsy lie. His thumb brushed the faint red marks
20:35 Wed, Jan 14
Chapter 151
on my wrist, and my stomach lurched.
“Venus.” His voice was a warning.
I swallowed hard. “I… I don’t know.” My laugh came out brittle. “For a second, I thought I saw Gerald. But maybe it was Andrea. Maybe I’m just… hallucinating p>
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His jaw clenched, unreadable, but his silence carried a storm. Whoever had touched me, unsettled me, he’d find them.
Leaning closer, I whispered, “Can we just… get back to Sabine before something else happens p>
His hand firmed against my back as he guided me forward. I let myself believe, for a breath, that the night might smooth over.
Until the air shifted.
A ripple in the crowd. Whispered murmurs rising.
Two figures stepped deliberately into our path.
Richard. Caroline.
My chest seized. Jesus. Can’t I get a break?
Aaron stilled beside me, his hand tightening, every muscle in his body coiled with warning. And as Richard’s sharp eyes cut across me, curious and dissecting, I knew peace wasn’t coming. Not tonight.
AD
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Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.