Chapter One — The Last Night
It had been four years since my father died, but sometimes it still felt like yesterday. The smell of his cologne in the hallway. The faint echo of his laugh when the house was too quiet.
And now my mother wanted to marry someone else.
"You're marrying him?" I repeated, the words dripping with disbelief. "Are you even listening to yourself right now?"
Quinn, as my mum preferred I'd call her, stood by the kitchen counter, hands folded tight like she was holding herself together. "Ariel, I told you. Kael makes me happy. He's good to me."
"He's rich," I shot back. "That's not the same thing."
She frowned, her patience already thinning. "You're being unfair. You don't even know him."
"I don't want to know him!" My voice cracked, sharp and too loud. "I don't want to move into some stranger's mansion and pretend he's part of our family."
Her face softened for a second, but only for a second. "You're not a little girl anymore. This anger…"
"Don't," I warned. "Don't psychoanalyze me like I'm one of your clients. You're replacing Dad, and you don't even feel guilty about it."
Quinn's jaw clenched. "It's been four years, Ariel. I've mourned, I've cried, and I've been alone. I deserve to be happy again."
The way she said it—quiet, steady, unshakable—made something twist painfully in my chest.
I hated that part of me knew she was right, but I couldn't accept it yet.
"Right," I said, laughing bitterly. "And I'm supposed to just smile and play the dutiful daughter while you play house with a stranger and his kids?"
Her eyes glistened. "You don't understand now, but you will one day."
I stared at her for a long moment, and all the anger, confusion, and grief that had been festering for years finally boiled over. "No," I whispered. "I won't."
I turned before she could see the tears forming, stormed down the hall, and slammed my bedroom door shut, allowing the sound echo.
My room looked like a war zone—half-packed boxes lined the floor, open suitcases, a new life I didn't want waiting in them.
Half my life was already packed away, ready for someone else's house.
I sat on the edge of my bed, heart still racing, and looked at the mess of clothes and memories.
Tomorrow we'd move into Kael Draven's fancy mansion, the man who'd somehow convinced my mother she could love again.
And I'd have to smile and pretend like everything was fine. Like my mother hadn't just chosen someone else over us.
I couldn't stand the thought.
So I did what I always did when I felt cornered.
I ran.
I yanked open my closet and into a short black skirt, a white crop top, and my favourite black leather jacket. A little eyeliner, red lipstick, perfume that smelled like rebellion.
When I looked in the mirror, I barely recognized the girl staring back. Good.
By the time my mother would have knocked on the door again, I'd already slipped out the window.
—
The city pulsed with life, music, lights, strangers laughing too loud. Thankfully, the club wasn't too far from home, about fifteen minutes drive, and the second I stepped inside, the bass hit me hard enough to drown every thought.
I liked it that way.
I found a spot at the bar and ordered something strong—tequila. The bartender didn't even ask for ID—guess I looked like someone who needed it.
My phone buzzed. Bella.
Ariel: You better be close.
Bella: On my way. Promise.
Ariel: You said that thirty minutes ago.
I sighed and texted her again.
Ariel: Where the hell are you?
Bella: On my wayyy! Maybe.
I rolled my eyes and hit call.
"Tell me the truth," I said as soon as she picked up, trying not to slur. "You're not coming, right?"
Bella giggled on the other end, the sound filtering through the noise. "Yeah, can't, babe. My guy just came over for some Netflix and sex chill."
"Lucky cunt," I muttered, grinning despite myself.
She laughed louder. "You'll survive. Find your own man for a fun night."
"Oh, I will," I said before hanging up. "That's the beauty of being single, babe," I half muttered, encouraging myself.
I turned back to my drink, tapping the glass with one red-painted nail. The ice clinked. A couple nearby was making out like the world was ending, and the music was just a heartbeat behind mine.
That's when I felt someone sit down next to me.
He didn't say anything at first. Just ordered a whiskey, neat, and stared straight ahead.
I glanced sideways and something about him pulled my attention immediately—messy dark hair, tired eyes, slight stubble along a sharp jaw, sharp shirt sleeves rolled-up, hands strong, veins running down his forearms, knuckles tense around the glass.
He looked expensive, but wrecked, like someone who'd forgotten how to breathe properly.
I glanced sideways, pretending not to look. "You look miserable."
He let out a quiet laugh, the kind that sounded like it hadn't been used in a while. "Do I?"
"Yeah," I said, swirling my drink. "Like someone who lost something important… or someone who got dumped."
He turned his head then. Dark blue, intense, unreadable eyes stared at me. "You're observant."
"I'm bored," I said, meeting his gaze.
For a second, he just looked at me. Not the way men usually did, not sleazy or eager. More like he was trying to figure out what I was doing there.
"I don't usually talk about this," he finally said, voice low, "but yeah. My fiancée cheated on me."
I raised a brow. "That sucks."
He nodded once. "Two weeks ago. I thought I was over it until I saw her tonight. With him."
Something softened in me, just a little. "Ouch."
He gave a bitter smile. "You could say that."
I leaned in slightly, close enough to catch the faint scent of cedar and whiskey on his skin. "You know what helps with heartbreak?"
He arched a brow. "I'm afraid to ask."
"Rebound sex," I said, smirking. "Works every time."
He chuckled, shaking his head. "And how many times have you had your heart broken and you took that advice?"
"Twice. The third one didn't happen that way because I broke up with him before he had the guts to cheat."
He stared at me with a little wide eyes and that 'Oh' look.
I shrugged. "Well, the dickhead was double date. Flirting with me and my bestie."
He chuckled softly. "Wow. But, if I may, you look too young to be looking for that kind of trouble."
"I'm of age," I shot back smoothly. "Don't worry. I won't call the cops after."
His lips twitched, fighting a smile. "You're something else."
"I've been told."
For a moment, neither of us said anything. The music pulsed around us, slow and heavy, while bodies rocked and danced on the dancefloor. The couple beside me had taken things up a notch, kissing and touching, it was making my skin feel heated.
Then, my traitorous brain did something. Bella's words flashed in my mind and I sighed.
He looked at me like he wanted to say no, but his eyes were betraying him.
"So," he murmured, "what are you doing here alone?"
"Running away," I said honestly. "From my mother, mostly. From everything else too."
He nodded slowly, like he understood that kind of escape. "I came here for the same reason."
"Then we're both lost causes tonight," I said softly.
He smiled faintly, tracing the rim of his glass. "Maybe."
I leaned closer, voice low. "Kiss me, then."
His brows rose. "Excuse me?"
"I dare you," I said, smiling. "One kiss. To see if it helps."
He hesitated, jaw flexing as his breathing slowed. His gaze dropped to my lips, then back to my eyes.
"Are you…" he stopped, as if tossing his hesitation away. And then he leaned in, his lips pressing against mine.
I parted my lips almost immediately, wanting to taste what his sexy body could offer. The kiss started slow, almost cautious.
His warm breath caressed my cheeks as his tongue slid into my mouth a little eagerly than I guess he'd hoped or planned.
Soon, the kiss deepened, hungry and warm. His hand slid up the back of my neck, pulling me closer. My fingers curled in his shirt, feeling his heartbeat hammer against mine.
When we finally pulled apart, we were both breathing hard.
He looked at me for a long moment, eyes dark with something I didn't want to name. My gaze dropped to his half unbuttoned shirt to that chiseled chest and abs…
Fuck!
I did not realise it but I was already biting my lower lips, just imagining myself beneath that body.
Then he whispered, breaking my train of thought, "With the way you are looking at me and biting those lips, you're going to ruin me."
I smiled. "Maybe that's the point. So… you like my offer?"
He leaned in and captured my lips again in a heated breathtaking kiss. "You taste like danger and yes, I'd want nothing more than to have you beneath me."