Chapter 17 17
|| Author Pov ||
Alice entered her room in silence. The house was too still and empty.
Nick hadn’t come home. Of course he hadn’t. He was probably out with her again. And now Tristian was gone too… with Chloe.
A hollow laugh slipped from her lips, breaking the silence for a heartbeat. Then came the slow sting in her chest.
Alice sat on the edge of the bed. Her hands trembled slightly. The moonlight spilling through the window made her look even lonelier. Her eyes were glossy and face..pale.
Alice didn’t even know why the tears came. Maybe it wasn’t just about Nick anymore. Maybe it was everything.
Being ignored.
Being compared.
Being unwanted.
A tear slipped down her cheek before she could stop it. She wiped it away quickly but more followed, falling soundlessly into her lap.
“Pathetic.” she whispered to herself. “So pathetic.”
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Nick pulled off his shirt before tossing it aside. Probably in a hotel room. Beneath him, Arya lay bare. Her eyes were tracing every line of his broad chest. She bit her lip, unable to look away.
“You haven’t been fucking your wife behind my back, have you?” she asked in a serious tone.
Nick chuckled darkly, hovering over her. “Wife? Who? I don’t even consider her my wife, let alone fuck her.” he scoffed while his gaze locking on hers with dangerous amusement.
Nick leaned closer, his chest pressing against hers. “Why worry about her when I have you right here?” His fingers traced a teasing path along her arm, sending shivers down her spine.
Arya’s breath hitched. “Don’t think you can toy with me.” she warned, though her body betrayed her words, arching instinctively toward him.
A dark smirk curved Nick’s lips. “Toying? No. I’m savoring every second.” His hand slid lower, brushing along her side while his lips descended to hers.
“You know how much I love you, Arya. I was forced to marry her because of my mother. Nothing else. I don't even let her come close to me.”
Arya smiled and hugged him. Over his shoulder her eyes glinted dangerously.
“Don’t be get close to her.”
Nick nodded.
Arya wasn't guilty for playing with a married man. Not even a bit. All she wanted was his money, position and power.
Soon, they both got entangled in an unforgiving sin.
\-------
Tristian entered the party hall. His presence instantly commanded attention.
“Wow… it’s incredible. And I came with a billionaire. Everyone’s eyes are on me.” Chloe whispered. Her excitement was barely contained.
Tristian mentally rolled his eyes. His gaze swept across the room, taking in the glittering crowd with a cool air. He barely registered the whispers and stares; his attention was fixed elsewhere.
Chloe leaned closer while lowering her voice. “Do you always act so untouchable?”
Tristian smirked. A hint of dark amusement flickered in his eyes. “Only around people who try too hard to impress me.”
Chloe's cheeks warmed. Tristian was magnetic, dangerous and impossibly infuriating.
Tristian’s gaze then locked on James across the hall and this time, James saw them too. His smirk widened as recognition flickered in his eyes.
“Tristian.” James drawled, stepping slightly closer. His posture was casual but every inch radiated challenge. His eyes swept to Chloe. “And you must be..?”
Tristian didn’t miss a beat. He looped an arm lightly around Chloe’s waist, guiding her forward. “Chloe.” he said smoothly, “Meet James Smith. My.. competitor.”
Chloe felt the electricity in the air. The silent war crackled between the two men. James’s smirk faltered for just a second under Tristian’s unshakable gaze.
“Fuck off!” James spat at Tristian but the devil just smirked, unfazed.
Chloe blinked, completely lost. “I want to enjoy a bit. Can I go, Tris?” she asked, staring around.
Tristian gave a slow nod and released her but his dark eyes still fixed on James. Before leaving, he shot a final, challenging glare at his enemy, before walking out.
Chloe wandered off, sipping her drink, watching the crowd chatter and laugh. Suddenly, she collided with someone.
“Oh!” she gasped, looking up.
It was the same man from earlier.
James’s smirk curled on his lips. “Watch where you’re going.” he said in an equal parts, teasing and dangerous.
Chloe nodded. “I’m sorry. Excuse me.”
She stumbled back slightly, and James caught her arm, “Careful… or I might think you’re trying to get my attention.” he said smoothly. His eyes glinted with mischief.
Chloe blinked, taken aback. “I’m not-”
James leaned closer, lowering his voice, “Relax. I’m just curious. Who are you to Tristian? Someone worth knowing or just another pretty face?”
Chloe’s cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and unease. She could feel the weight of his gaze.
“I’m his family.” Chloe said with confidence before walking past him. James smirked watching her back with amusement.
The girl just ignored her.
“Intresting.”
James straightened, adjusting his posture as if already plotting how to dig deeper. Chloe’s words had intrigued him but they hadn’t satisfied the question burning in his mind: just how close was she to Tristian?
The game had just gotten a little more dangerous.