The Shift - She sat by the window, eyes hollow. A storm raged outside. And her heart… raged too. Rowan is the man I trust. But Lucian… is the man I can't forget. What's wrong with me?
The Masquerade of Affection - Lucian stood on the terrace, watching the rain. Ariana approached slowly, her voice soft as moonlight. "Lucian… I've been thinking." Without turning, he said, "Dangerous thing, for a heart like yours." She moved beside him. "Maybe I judged you too quickly. Maybe… you're not the monster I thought." He finally turned. Surprise flickered in his crimson eyes as he stepped closer. "You don't mean that." She smiled faintly. "I might." Then whispered, "Let me out. Just the garden. One week. No guards. I won't run. I want to try... to feel something real." Lucian studied her. Silence stretched like a blade. "If you're lying to me… I'll know." "Then watch me, Lucian. I have nothing to hide." She kissed him—a slow, haunting kiss. He didn't close his eyes. He watched her.
The Garden of Escape - A week passed. She walked in the enchanted garden daily. Flowers bloomed at her step. One day—Rowan appeared behind the marble fountain. "Ariana. Gods, I thought—" she whispered, "Shhh. Not now. We only have minutes." She rushed to him. He held her like she was breath itself. "You kissed him." "I had to. It was all a lie." "Then let's run. Now. This second." They clasped hands and dashed through blooming paths. Her breath was wild, heart hammering. Freedom felt close—too close.
The Devil Watches - A cold wind slithered through the flowers. She froze. Slowly turned her head—Lucian stood behind a willow tree, silent, eyes glowing. Not furious. Not sad. Just… betrayed. Calmly, he said, "You never loved me. But I let myself believe… because the lie tasted sweet in your mouth." Shaking, Ariana whispered, "Lucian—" He stepped forward. "You ran before. I brought you back. Now you run with another? Darling… do you think I'll ever let you go?"