Chapter 276

Chapter 276 Midnight Kiss

Ella

Logan and I stood side by side on the balcony, the night air wrapping around us like a refreshing

embrace. The cool breeze felt like a welcome reprieve after the stuffiness of the party, and the city

lights sparkled below us like a bed of jewels.

“God, I hate these fancy dinners,” Logan groaned, loosening his tie. “I hate having to dress up in these

tight suits, pretending to be someone I’m not.”

I looked over at him, a smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. “Well, I hate to break it to you, Logan,

but you do look quite handsome in that suit.”

He turned to me, his eyes wide. “Handsome, eh?” I rolled my eyes, trying to suppress a grin.

“Don’t let it get to your head.”

“Too late.” He chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. We fell into a comfortable silence, the sounds

of the party fading into the background as we enjoyed the serenity of the night. The gentle rustle of

leaves and distant hum of traffic created a soothing melody that allowed me to forget, if only for a

moment, the chaos and tension of the evening.

“I’ve never been good at pretending,” Logan admitted, breaking the silence. His voice was soft,

thoughtful. “I always hated putting on airs, trying to fit into a world that never felt like it was mine.”

I glanced at him, surprised by his candor, “You could have fooled me. You seem to fit in just fine.”

He shook his head. “It’s all an act, Ella. A game of masks and pretenses. You know what I mean, don’t

you?” I looked away, a pang of understanding hitting me. “Yes,” I whispered. “I know exactly what you

mean.”

The words hung in the air, heavy with truth and shared experience. Logan and I were both players in a

game neither of us wanted to be a part of, bound by circumstances and choices that had brought us

together.

Suddenly, Logan turned to me, his eyes intense, and before I could comprehend what was happening,

he kissed me.

I froze, my mind reeling as his lips met mine. The world seemed to stop, and for a heartbeat, everything

else ceased to exist. I could only feel the warmth of his lips, the taste of his kiss.

Then, reality crashed back, and I pulled away, my hand flying to my face to slap him. But he was

quicker, catching my wrist with a firm grip, his eyes wide with shock. “Ella, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have

done that. But please, don’t pretend that you hate me so much.”

I yanked my hand away, my heart pounding, anger and confusion swirling inside me. “What was that,

Logan? What are you playing at?”

He looked at me, his eyes filled with regret. “I don’t know,” he whispered. “I just… I felt something, and I

acted on it. I’m sorry, Ella.”

I grimaced, turning away from him. His words echoed in my head, but all I could think about was the

taste of his kiss, the way it had felt, the way it had stirred something inside me..

The night’s tranquility was shattered by Logan’s impulsive act. Without a word, I slipped away and

found the restroom. At least in there, amongst the marble sinks and cool atmosphere, I could be alone

with my tangle of thoughts and emotions.

As I entered the restroom, the cool elegance of the room stood in sharp contrast to the whirlwind of

emotions roiling inside me. How had things come to this? Wrapped up in a fated mate romance with a

Mafia member, I felt like I had stumbled into a story I never wanted to be a part of.

The gilded mirrors and sparkling chandeliers seemed to mock the turmoil I felt, reflecting a composed

exterior that belied the chaos within.

I stepped up to the mirror, my eyes wide as took in my reflection. Was this really me? Ella, the sensible

one, caught in a web of intrigue and passion with a man whose lifestyle went completely against my

morals?

And yet, as much as I wanted to deny it, I couldn’t ignore the pull I felt towards Logan. He was

undeniably handsome, and there was a sweetness to him, a genuineness that I’d come to enjoy. Our

conversations on the balcony had felt real and intimate, a connection that went beyond mere physical

attraction.

But that kiss… that kiss had changed everything. It had awakened something inside me, a longing that

I didn’t know how to reconcile with the reality of our situation.

I leaned against the cool marble countertop, my mind spinning as I tried to make sense of it all. How

had I ended up here, in this gilded cage, playing a role in a world that was so far removed from

everything I believed in?

“You want to kiss him again,” Ema’s voice echoed in my mind. “I can tell.”

Suddenly, I became aggravated-aggravated by the truth. “Shut up!” I growled, slapping my hand on the

tiled counter in front of me.

My eyes widened as I felt Ema’s presence fade.

“Ema, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to But she was gone. I was alone, all because of my temper, fueled by

Logan and his unwarranted kiss. “Damn him,” I murmured to myself, leaning on the sink. “Damn him to

Hell.”

I splashed some water on my face, the cool droplets serving as a momentary reprieve from the

confusion that threatened to consume me. I had to be strong, to stay focused. I had to remember who I

was and what I stood for. But was this what I really wanted? To push away my fated mate and my wolf,

all at the same time?

With a deep breath, I straightened my shoulders and headed for the door, determined to face the

remainder of the night with grace and poise- with or without my wolf.

But as I stepped into the corridor, I couldn’t help but overhear the conversation taking place in the

adjoining room. The voices were hushed, conspiratorial, and I froze, recognizing Marina’s sneering

tone.

“It just seems like such an unlikely pairing,” she was saying, her voice dripping with disdain. “I mean,

really, this new girl doesn’t have the guts for illegal business. She’s too soft, too weak.”

My heart clenched, anger and humiliation. washing over me. How dare she judge me like that? How

dare she reduce me to a stereotype, dismissing me without even knowing who I was?

I strained to hear more, my body tense as I listened to the voices weave a narrative that seemed to

have a life of its own.

“I say we get rid of her,” Harry chimed in, lowering his voice a little more. “She’s going to be a problem.

She’s a lawyer, for goddess’ sake, and she’s too hoity-toity with her ‘morals’ and ‘values’. If we’re not

careful, she’ll try to expose all of us.”

My eyes widened. Get rid of me…?

How much danger was I really in here?

Logan’s father’s voice cut through the noise, calm and authoritative. “Logan’s father’s voice. cut

through the noise, calm and authoritative. “I’ll decide that for myself when I eventually meet her

parents,” he said. “After all, she came from the Morgan family and connection with the Morgan is more

profitable than you can ever imagine. For now, she’s under Logan’s protection. Besides, her boss is

wrapped around my little finger. The little minx won’t have a chance to ‘expose’ anything, so just hold

your horses.”

I stood there, frozen, the words echoing in my head as the reality of the situation sank in. I was in over

my head, caught in a game I didn’t understand, with rules that seemed to shift and change with every

passing moment.

I stood there, frozen, the words echoing in my head as the reality of the situation sank in.

I was in over my head, caught in a game I didn’t understand, with rules that seemed to shift and

change with every passing moment.