Chapter 66: CHAPTER 62: AGRESSION AND SURRENDER

Neti

I stayed perfectly still, wrapped up in the oversized shirt and shorts, refusing to move. My entire body ached, and I was not about to open that door. Not after everything.

A sharp knock made me flinch.

"Neti, open the door." Eliza’s voice came through, soft yet firm.

No. Absolutely not. If I opened that door, I’d have to face them. I wasn’t ready for that.

Another knock, this time heavier.

"Neti, I’m serious, open up."

I stayed silent, pretending I didn’t exist.

Then came the voice that made my stomach drop.

"Tesoro, open the door."

My hands clenched the bedsheet. Adolph.

"You need to eat." His tone was calm, but I knew better. It wasn’t a request.

I still didn’t move. I wasn’t hungry. I wasn’t even sure I could walk properly.

"Neti." His voice dropped, dark and warning.

Nope. Nope, nope, nope.

I shook my head even though he couldn’t see me. Not happening.

The handle turned. I nearly stopped breathing.

"You can either open it yourself, or I’ll do it for you," he said, amusement laced in his words.

I cursed under my breath. He would actually do it.

With a groan, I forced myself up, legs trembling slightly, and shuffled toward the door. I cracked it open just an inch, my face barely peeking through.

"I’m not hungry," I mumbled.

Adolph’s eyes swept over me lazily before his lips curled into a knowing smirk. "Then come sit with me while I eat."

I blinked. "Why?"

"Because I said so."

I sighed, glaring at him. Eliza, behind him, was watching the entire thing with poorly concealed amusement.

"Fine," I muttered. "But if I fall, I’m blaming you."

Adolph's smirk deepened. "If you fall, tesoro, I’ll just carry you again."

I slammed the door shut.

Before I could even process what happened, the door swung open with ease.

I stumbled back with a gasp, glaring up at the intruder.

Adolph stood there, completely unfazed, his hand still on the handle like he had all the right in the world to do this. Which, according to him, he did.

"Did you seriously just—"

"You were taking too long," he said casually, stepping inside like he owned the place. Which, technically, he did. But that wasn’t the point.

Eliza peeked in from behind him, grinning like this was the best entertainment of her life.

I folded my arms, shifting uncomfortably on my still aching legs. "I told you I’m not hungry."

Adolph’s gaze dropped to my legs, his smirk deepening as if he knew exactly why I didn’t want to move.

I wanted to throw something at him.

"Tesoro," he drawled, stepping closer. "You’re eating. Whether it’s here, or in the dining hall, is up to you."

I refused to answer, meeting his stare with all the defiance I had left.

His brows lifted slightly, amused.

Then, without warning, he leaned down and scooped me up.

"ADOLPH—!"

"Since you won’t walk, I’ll just carry you," he said smoothly, already striding out of my room with me in his arms like I weighed nothing.

"PUT ME DOWN!" I hissed, trying to push away, but he tightened his grip just enough to make it clear—there was no escape.

Eliza, the traitor, was laughing.

"Enjoy your breakfast, Neti!" she called out as Adolph carried me straight to the dining hall.

I wanted to die.

Pranav sat at the dining table, his fork paused mid-air as he watched the scene unfold before him.

Adolph strode in, carrying me effortlessly in his arms, his grip firm and possessive.

"Put me down, you psycho!" I struggled, glaring up at him, but he just smirked, his dark eyes gleaming with amusement.

"I will, Tesoro," he murmured, voice dropping an octave. "Right after I make sure you’ve eaten properly. Wouldn’t want you fainting on me again, would we?"

Pranav’s brows furrowed.

That tone.

That way of speaking.

Adolph had always been intense, but the way he was speaking to Neti now—there was something different.

Darker.

More possessive.

"You’re acting like she’s your property," Pranav muttered, stabbing his food.

Adolph chuckled, setting me down in a chair. His hands, however, lingered on my shoulders, fingers brushing my skin just enough to send a shiver down my spine.

"That’s because she is," he said simply, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "And she knows it too."

I whipped my head toward him, eyes wide with disbelief. "I do NOT—"

His hand gripped my chin, tilting my face up to meet his deadly gaze.

"Don’t lie, Tesoro," he whispered, his thumb brushing over my lips. "You belong to me."

Pranav set his fork down.

Yeah. This wasn’t normal.

This wasn’t the usual Adolph.

His words were heavier, sharper, dripping with something far more dangerous than just obsession.

Neti looked ready to kill him.

Or run again.

And judging by the way Adolph was looking at her, he wouldn’t let her get far.

I clenched my jaw, refusing to look at him, but Adolph’s fingers dug into my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze.

"You belong to me, Tesoro."

The words sent a shiver through me, but it wasn’t just fear. It was something worse—something deadlier.

I jerked my head away, glowering. "In your goddamn dreams, Alessandro."

A low chuckle left his lips.

"Oh, but I don’t dream, sweetheart," he murmured, brushing my hair away from my face. "I take."

I wanted to throw my plate at him.

I wanted to sink my nails into his skin just to see if he bled.

But more than anything, I wanted to run again.

I could still feel last night on my skin—the bruises of his touch, the mark of his teeth. And worse, I could feel the way my body had responded to him.

I hated it.

I hated him.

"God, can you both stop?!"

Pranav's whiny voice cut through the tension, and I snapped my head toward him. He was pouting, arms crossed like a kid who was denied candy.

"This is so unfair," he grumbled. "You guys had a whole night of—"

"Finish that sentence, and I will cut your tongue out," Adolph said flatly.

I prayed he would.

Pranav made a face. "Ugh. No need to be dramatic, bro. I'm just saying—if you guys are gonna keep doing this creepy, ‘oh I own you, oh no you don’t’ thing, at least have the decency to let me eat in peace."

"Then leave," Adolph said smoothly.

Pranav huffed. "No. I like the food."

I exhaled sharply, shoving Adolph’s hand away. "Then let me eat too, you bastard."

His lips curled. "Go ahead, but don’t forget, Tesoro—" He leaned down, voice like a silk-wrapped blade, "I’ll be feeding you soon enough anyway."

I stiffened.

Pranav gagged. "Okay, that’s it, I’m out."

He stood up dramatically, grabbing his plate and muttering under his breath. "Freaky-ass couple. It’s too early for this. Let me know when you stop being demons."

I clenched my fists, my skin burning from Adolph’s words, from the way his dark eyes refused to leave me.

I was trapped.

And the worst part?

He liked it.

I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to pick up the fork and eat because I needed strength—I needed energy for the next time I tried to escape.

Adolph just watched.

I could feel his eyes on me like a brand, burning through my skin, through my defiance.

"You’re quiet, Tesoro," he mused, leaning back in his chair, one hand resting on his thigh, the other bringing his glass of coffee to his lips. "What are you plotting now?"

I stabbed my fork into a piece of fruit so hard that the plate clattered. "Nothing that concerns you."

A dangerous smile. "Everything about you concerns me."

I rolled my eyes, pretending my heart wasn’t pounding because of the way he said that.

Across from us, Pranav dramatically wiped his mouth. "Okay, I actually have to ask—"

"Don’t." Adolph and I both snapped at the same time.

Pranav ignored us completely.

"Why the hell were you limping this morning, Neti?" He grinned, wiggling his eyebrows. "Did our big, scary Adolph break you?"

I froze mid-bite.

Adolph's fingers tightened around his glass.

Pranav gasped. "He did, didn’t he?!" He whistled. "Damn, bro. What the hell did you do?"

I wanted to sink into the ground.

Adolph simply smirked, setting his coffee down with a soft clink. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Pranav choked on his food. "I was joking!" He grabbed his water. "You two are actual nightmares."

I glared at him. "Then stop talking to us."

"No, this is fun," he said with a mouthful of food. "I like watching you get flustered. It makes me feel better about my own tragic love life."

"I hate you."

"You love me," he said sweetly.

"I’d rather eat nails."

"Kinky, but okay."

I picked up my knife.

"No violence at the breakfast table," Adolph murmured, amused.

"Tell that to your psycho friend."

"He’s not my friend. He’s my problem."

"Rude," Pranav huffed.

I sighed, dropping my knife and looking at Adolph. "Are you done tormenting me, or do you have more ridiculous things planned?"

His smirk widened.

"Tesoro," he murmured, tilting his head. "We haven’t even started yet."

I tightened my grip on the fork, refusing to let the chill in his words affect me. But Adolph’s dark amusement was suffocating, wrapping around me like a noose.

"We haven’t even started yet."

What the hell was that supposed to mean?

I swallowed and looked away, stabbing at my food as if it had personally offended me. No reaction. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction.

Pranav, on the other hand, was having the time of his life.

"Well, well, well," he drawled, resting his chin on his palm. "This is fun. You two have this whole toxic, deranged dynamic going on. It’s like watching a live thriller romance novel."

"Shut up," I muttered.

"No, keep going," Adolph said lazily. "I like hearing your interpretation."

Pranav grinned. "Oh? You wanna hear my theory? I think you’re obsessed with her." He pointed at me with his fork. "Like, really obsessed. I mean, you did chase her down last night like some psycho horror movie villain. And, Neti—" He turned to me. "You act like you hate it, but deep down, I think you like the attention. Just a little."

My face burned. "I don’t—"

"You do," Adolph cut in smoothly, watching me too closely.

I clenched my jaw.

"I mean, seriously," Pranav continued, chewing on his toast. "Why else would you put up with his possessive, controlling, borderline criminal—actually, no, fully criminal—behavior? You’re still sitting here, aren’t you?"

"I don’t have a choice," I snapped.

"Mmm," Pranav hummed. "Maybe. Maybe not."

Adolph just chuckled darkly.

"I don’t think she minds as much as she pretends to." His voice was soft, teasing, dangerous. "She likes the chase. The thrill. The way I catch her every time."

I slammed my fork down.

"You’re delusional."

"Am I?"

I hated that smirk.

I hated him.

Most of all, I hated how he was right.

Pranav laughed. "God, you guys are insane. I love it." He stretched and got up. "Anyway, I’m done here. I’ll leave you two to your foreplay."

I picked up my knife again. "Pranav—"

"Okay, okay! I’m leaving!"

He strolled out of the room, still laughing to himself.

The second he was gone, the air shifted.

Adolph was still watching me, his expression unreadable.

"Eat, Tesoro," he murmured. "You’ll need your strength."

I hesitated. I didn’t want to ask. But my curiosity got the better of me.

"For what?" I whispered.

His smirk was slow, wicked.

"For whatever I decide to do next."

_______________________________

Adolph

I leaned back in my chair, watching her—studying her. Every small movement, every stubborn flicker in her eyes, the way her fingers curled around the knife like she’d actually use it.

She wouldn’t.

She hated me. She wanted to kill me. But she wouldn't.

Because she knew I would enjoy it.

Pranav was right about one thing. She liked the chase. The thrill. The way she ran, thinking she could escape me, thinking she had a choice.

It was cute. Amusing.

But it was time to remind her.

She wasn’t running anymore.

Not unless I let her.

I tapped my fingers against the table, watching the slight tremor in her hands as she pretended to be unaffected.

"You’re still here, Neti," I mused, tilting my head. "Still sitting in front of me. Still breathing, still fighting, still resisting."

Her jaw clenched.

Good.

I wanted her angry. Frustrated. Scared.

Because fear made people predictable.

And I needed her to break.

Not just submit. Not just surrender. Break.

I lifted my glass, swirling the dark liquid before taking a slow sip.

Last night was only the beginning.

She thought that was the worst I could do?

How sweet.

"You know," I continued casually, "I was thinking about last night."

She stiffened.

I smirked.

"It wasn’t enough."

Her head snapped up.

Ah, there it was—that look. That delicious mix of fear, defiance, and something else she would never admit.

"You—" she swallowed, gripping the edge of the table. "You’re sick."

"Am I?" I asked, eyes never leaving hers. "Or are you just terrified of how much you liked it?"

She flinched.

And I smiled.

Because I knew the answer.

I always did.

She gritted her teeth, her hands curling into fists on the table, but she didn’t deny it. Didn’t fight back with her usual sharp tongue.

Interesting.

I leaned forward, my voice dropping low. Dangerous.

"You can lie to yourself, Neti." My fingers traced the rim of my glass, slow and calculated. "You can pretend you despise me. You can even keep telling yourself that last night was a nightmare."

I tilted my head, watching her, watching every tiny reaction she tried to suppress.

"But nightmares don’t make you moan like that, do they?"

Her breath hitched.

Pranav, the little idiot, choked on his orange juice, slamming the glass on the table as he started wheezing.

"Bro, what the fuck—"

I ignored him.

Neti’s face burned, her fists tightening like she was ready to throw something at me. Like she wanted to murder me.

Adorable.

"You hate me," I mused, swirling my drink again. "I know. I can see it in your eyes, feel it in every pathetic little attempt you make to run. And yet—" I smirked, taking a slow sip, "you still ended up in my bed, screaming my name like it was the only word you knew."

The way she trembled was barely noticeable. But I saw it. I felt it.

And I wasn’t done.

"I could take you right now," I murmured, dragging my gaze over her, slow and heavy. "Here. On this table. In front of everyone. And you’d still beg me to stop while your body betrays you, wouldn’t you?"

"Shut. Up."

Her voice was quiet but filled with so much fury I almost chuckled.

Almost.

Pranav dramatically slid his chair back, like he was trying to physically remove himself from the conversation.

"Dawg," he muttered, shaking his head, "you’re insane. I mean, we knew that, but damn—this is another level. I’m literally right here."

I still didn’t acknowledge him.

Because my attention was locked onto her.

The way her breathing was uneven, the way her thighs clenched together subtly.

She hated this. Hated that I saw right through her. Hated me.

But she could never deny me.

And I would make sure she never even tried again.

_______________________________

Neti

I was going to kill him. Skin him alive. Shove him into a volcano and watch him burn.

"Eres un demonio hijo de puta," I hissed under my breath, my nails digging into my palms so hard I was sure I'd leave marks.

You're a demon, you son of a bitch.

This bastard. This insufferable, arrogant, psychotic son of a—

"Say it, mi amor," Adolph taunted, his smirk pure sin. "I love it when you speak Spanish."

Oh, I was going to curse his entire bloodline.

"Me importa un carajo si lo amas, cabrón!" I snapped, slamming my hands on the table.

I don't give a damn if you love it, bastard!

"Que te jodan a ti y a todos tus ancestros!"

Screw you and all your ancestors!

Pranav nearly fell off his chair, coughing so hard he looked like he was choking on air.

"Bro," he wheezed between laughs, "she’s summoning something. You’re done for."

I was beyond furious. This unholy excuse of a man had the audacity—the absolute gall—to sit there and act like he owned me.

Like he could just say these things and get away with it.

"You—" I pointed a shaking finger at him, my Spanish accent thick with rage. "I will personally make sure your children never eat spaghetti. Ever. And if they even try—" I narrowed my eyes, voice dropping to a deadly whisper. "There will be no more children."

Adolph just chuckled, leaning back in his chair, completely unfazed.

"You think I want kids, cariño?" His voice was a low, amused purr. "All I want is you."

Sweetheart

I nearly threw my plate at his face.

Pranav was dying. Tears in his eyes, head on the table, shaking with laughter.

"Oh my god," he wheezed. "You’re doomed, bro. She’s gonna burn the whole mansion down."

Damn right I was.

Adolph, however, just sipped his drink like my murderous intentions were entertainment.

Like he was enjoying every second of it.

"¡Malditos idiotas!" I seethed, shoving my chair back with enough force that it scraped loudly against the floor.

Damn idiots!

Pranav, still wiping tears of laughter, pointed at himself. "Wait, what did I do? I’m innocent!"

I spun around so fast that he physically flinched.

"¡Cállate, cabrón!" I snapped, jabbing a finger at him.

Shut up, bastard!

"Te reíste demasiado y ahora estás involucrado."

You laughed too much, now you're involved.

"But—"

"¡No me importa!"

I don't care!

Adolph, the demon himself, was smirking at me like I was his entertainment. Like I was putting on a show just for him.

"Oh, this is adorable," he mused. "Are you done, Mrs. Alessandro?"

I saw red.

"¡A la mierda, Adolph!" I shouted, my hands flying in frustration.

F**k you, Adolph!

"¡Voy a maldecir a toda tu familia y a tu perro si tienes uno!"

I’m cursing your whole family and your dog if you have one!

Pranav let out another burst of laughter.

I swore to every god above, if he laughed one more time—

"¡Cállense los dos antes de que les meta un zapato por la garganta!"

Both of you shut up before I shove a shoe down your throat!

And with that, I stormed out, muttering a string of colourful curses under my breath.

"Hombres estúpidos... hijos de su puta madre... malnacidos..."

Stupid men… sons of bitches… bastards…

Behind me, I heard Pranav choking on his laughter again.

"Bro, I swear she’s putting a hex on you right now."

Adolph? He just smirked.

And that—that made me want to turn back and strangle him.

I was done. Absolutely, completely, utterly done.

With one final glare at the two idiots in front of me, I grabbed the closest things within my reach—

A fork and a spoon.

And before either of them could react—

FLING.

The fork soared through the air and smacked Adolph square in the face.

"What the—" He barely had time to react before—

SMACK.

The spoon collided with Pranav's forehead so hard that he actually yelped.

"¡Tomen eso, imbéciles!" I hissed before storming out and slamming the door shut with enough force to rattle the walls.

Take that, idiots!

I could hear the stunned silence behind me.

Then—

"Ow! That actually hurt!" Pranav whined. "What did I even do?"

"You existed." Adolph’s voice was calm, but I could practically feel the smirk on his face.

"Bro, she almost took my eye out!"

I huffed, muttering a string of Spanish curses as I stomped down the hallway.

"Malditos desgraciados... que se les caiga el cabello..."

Damn bastards… may their hair fall out…

Behind me, Pranav groaned.

"You might want to watch your back, bro. I think she actually cursed us."

Adolph?

He just chuckled.

I stormed through the hallways, my bare feet slapping against the marble floor, my hands curled into fists, and my mind running wild with ways to make Adolph suffer.

How dare he?!

Not only had he completely ruined my life, but now he had the audacity to act like he owned me, throwing around his stupid dark lines and looking at me like I was prey.

And Pranav?

He was just collateral damage.

"¡Estúpidos, arrogantes, idiotas de mierda!" I hissed under my breath.

Stupid, arrogant, piece-of-shit idiots!

"Que les dé diarrea en el momento más inconveniente."

May they get diarrhea at the most inconvenient moment.

Behind me, I could still hear them talking.

"She’s so dramatic," Pranav muttered.

"That’s what makes it fun," Adolph responded, his voice deep and dark with amusement.

I stopped in my tracks.

Oh, he thinks this is fun?

I whirled around so fast that my hair whipped over my shoulder.

"¡Malnacido sin vergüenza!" I shouted toward the dining room.

Shameless bastard!

"¡Ojalá te muerdas la lengua y no puedas hablar por una semana!"

I hope you bite your tongue and can’t talk for a week!

Pranav snorted. "Damn, she’s mad mad."

Adolph?

He just laughed.

Laughed.

Like my rage was entertainment to him.

My hands twitched to grab something else and throw it, but I had already used up my best weapons—the fork and the spoon.

So instead, I spun around with a dramatic huff and kept walking, determined to lock myself in my room and plot my revenge.

But then—

"Neti," Adolph’s voice was smooth as sin, low and teasing.

"Run all you want, sweetheart. You’ll always end up right back where you belong."

I flipped him off without looking back.

______________☺️______________

Adolph

I leaned back in my chair, completely unfazed, swirling the glass of whiskey in my hand as I watched her storm away. Fiery. Unruly. Mine.

Pranav, on the other hand, was rubbing his forehead where the spoon had hit him.

"That damn spoon almost took my eye out," he muttered, tossing it onto the table.

I smirked. "You should be honored. At least she acknowledged you."

He shot me a look. "Yeah? Well, she acknowledged you with a fork to the face, dumbass."

I just chuckled, rolling my shoulders back lazily.

"That was practically foreplay."

Pranav choked on his drink. "Jesus. You’re actually insane."

He shook his head and sighed, leaning forward on the table.

"Look, man. I don’t know what twisted fantasy you have going on in that head of yours, but if you want to keep her from stabbing you in your sleep, you better go console her."

I raised an eyebrow. "Console her?"

He nodded. "Yeah. You know, like a normal husband who didn’t just screw his wife into oblivion and then mock her rage at breakfast."

"I don’t do ‘normal,’ Pranav."

"Yeah, no shit."

He gestured toward the hallway where Neti had disappeared.

"But if you don’t want her to actually set your suits on fire in revenge, you better do something. Unless… that’s part of your whole ‘dark and twisted’ plan?"

I chuckled, setting my glass down. "Everything I do is part of my plan."

Pranav groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Okay, fine, psycho. Just don’t make it worse."

I smirked.

"Oh, Pranav… you underestimate me."

And with that, I stood up, rolling my sleeves back down, adjusting my cuffs, and casually made my way toward Neti’s room.

Because of course, I was going to console her.

Just not in the way she expected.

I knocked once. Then twice.

No response.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair before leaning against the doorframe. She was fuming. That much was obvious.

"Apri la porta, tesoro," I said smoothly in Italian. "Non fare i capricci."

Open the door, sweetheart. Don’t be stubborn.

Silence.

I smirked. She was ignoring me on purpose.

"Va bene," I muttered under my breath before tilting my head slightly and switching languages.

"Abre la puerta, mi amor," I said in fluent Spanish, voice dropping lower. "O la abriré yo mismo."

Open the door, my love, or I will open it myself.

Still nothing.

I chuckled darkly.

"Bien."

Fine.

I gripped the doorknob and, without hesitation, pushed the door open.

The second I pushed the door open, something hard and fast came flying straight at me.

WHACK.

A comb smacked me right in the face.

I blinked.

Neti stood in the middle of the room, arms crossed, eyes blazing, looking one second away from committing a crime.

"¡Maldito bastardo!" she hissed, picking up another object—this time, a pillow—and launching it at me.

Damn bastard!

I caught it midair.

"Nice aim, tesoro," I mused, tossing the pillow aside as I stepped in. "What’s next? The whole dressing table?"

"¡No me tientes!" she snapped.

Don’t tempt me!

Her Spanish accent thickened when she was pissed, and honestly, it was hot.

"You know," I said, slowly closing the door behind me, "you should be careful with what you throw. You wouldn’t want to break anything you’ll regret later."

She narrowed her eyes. "Like what?"

I smirked, stepping closer.

"Like me."

_______________________________

Neti

"¡Eres un maldito psicópata, hijo de puta, demonio en forma humana!" I snapped, throwing my hands in the air.

You’re a damn psychopath, son of a bitch, a demon in human form!

Adolph stood there, unbothered, his hands in his pockets, watching me like my rage was nothing more than a mild inconvenience.

"¿No tienes nada que decir, Alessandro?" I scoffed.

Don’t you have anything to say, Alessandro?

Nothing.

Not a smirk. Not an arrogant comment.

Just that same, unreadable stare.

"¡Dios, me vuelves loca! Quiero golpearte en la cara con una sartén y luego bailar sobre tu tumba." I growled.

God, you drive me crazy! I want to hit you in the face with a frying pan and then dance on your grave.

More like twerk on his grave

His lips twitch slightly.

Oh, so that amuses him?

"¿Qué demonios te parece tan divertido, idiota?" I snapped, stepping closer.

What the hell is so funny, you idiot?

He still didn’t speak.

That was it.

I raised my hand to shove him—

But he moved faster.

Much faster.

In one swift motion, I was pinned against the wall, my wrists locked above my head, his body pressing against mine.

"¿Terminaste?" he murmured, voice dark and amused.

Are you done?

Before I could even process what was happening, his lips crashed onto mine.

Loud. Hard. Deep.

A muffled sound escaped me as he tilted his head, deepening the kiss, completely dominating my mouth. His grip on my wrists tightened as his body pressed even closer, leaving no space between us.

The door slammed open.

"NETI—OH MY GOD, IS SHE DEAD?!"

Pranav’s horrified voice made me jerk, but Adolph?

He didn’t even pause.

Just kept kissing me like I was the only thing that mattered.

I tried to push him away, but it was useless.

His grip was iron, his dominance suffocating, his kiss—sinful.

"Adolph—!" I tried to speak between breaths, but he didn’t let me. His lips devoured mine, his tongue tasting, teasing, claiming.

"SHE’S NOT BREATHING! ADOLPH, LET HER GO! I’LL CALL AN AMBULANCE!"

I would have laughed if I wasn’t trapped in a never-ending, merciless kiss.

Finally, he pulled away, his lips bruised and dark—but his grip on my wrists? Still tight.

Pranav stood at the door, frozen, his mouth open like he’d just walked in on a horrific crime scene.

"Oh." His eyes darted between us. "She’s…alive."

Adolph finally acknowledged him, turning his head slightly, completely unfazed.

"You’re an idiot," Adolph said flatly.

"Excuse me for thinking you just murdered your wife with your lips," Pranav shot back, crossing his arms. "That was not a kiss. That was a damn homicide."

I gasped for air, my glare switching between both of them.

"GET OUT!" I screamed, my voice hoarse from lack of oxygen.

Pranav immediately turned on his heel and disappeared.

But Adolph?

He didn’t move.

He just stared at me—amused, calculating, unreadable.

And then, with zero remorse, he leaned down and bit my bottom lip.

"Try running again, Mrs. Alessandro." His voice was low, dark, sinful. "I like it when you make things difficult."

Then he let go.

And just like that—he walked away.

_______________________________

Adolph

I walked out of the room, running a hand through my hair, my tongue swiping over my lips—tasting her.

Her anger.

Her frustration.

Her breathless surrender.

Pranav was waiting outside, arms crossed, looking at me like I had committed some great sin.

"You’re insane," he said, shaking his head.

"And you’re still here," I replied coolly, rolling up my sleeves.

He scoffed. "Of course I’m here. I just watched you nearly kiss her to death." He narrowed his eyes. "Is that your way of apologizing? Or just your way of making sure she forgets why she was angry?"

I smirked. Because he was right.

"Both," I admitted shamelessly.

Pranav groaned, rubbing his temples like I was causing him an actual headache. "You don’t even love her, but you act like you’d burn the world for her. That’s messed up, man."

I let out a low chuckle, adjusting the cuffs of my shirt.

"Love?" I repeated, tasting the word. "You still don’t get it, do you?"

Pranav tilted his head.

I stepped closer, lowering my voice to something dark, possessive, absolute.

"I don’t love her." I met his gaze, unblinking. "But I own her."

Pranav visibly tensed.

"And Neti?" I exhaled slowly, like I was savoring the thought. "She’ll learn to accept that."

I turned away, hands in my pockets, my mind already moving to tonight.

She thought last night was her punishment.

She had no idea what I had planned next.

_______________________________

Such a cute couple

God bless them