14.9%
Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Her friend’s eyes widened. “Aren’t you afraid he’ll overhear?”
“So what if he does?” Mia shrugged dismissively. “Men are all the same–give them a little sweetness and they’ll follow you anywhere.”
Standing in the shadows, Ariana wondered what Dominic’s expression would be if he heard these words.
How would the mighty North Shore heir react to discovering he was merely a backup option?
Huh. This is the woman you risked your life for, Dominic.
She smiled sardonically and walked away without alerting them to her presence.
After leaving the club, she went directly to the cemetery.
Ariana knelt before her mother’s headstone, gently wiping the dust from the photograph.
“Mom, I’m getting married. To the Sinclair heir–the one in a coma. It’s not so bad; at least he won’t cheat on me.”
The wind rustled the white chrysanthemums before the grave, like a silent response.
“Don’t worry, I won’t be like you,” she traced the cold stone with her fingertips. “Loving someone to the point of giving up your life for him–that’s foolish. I’ll live well, very well.”
As dusk fell, Ariana stood up, took one last look at her mother’s photograph, and turned to leave.
Back home, Ariana spent the entire night packing.
Clothes, jewelry, photo albums…
She organized everything methodically, preparing never to return.
As dawn broke, her phone buzzed.
[Account credited: $100,000,000]
Immediately after, her father called: “The Sinclairs are pushing hard. You need to leave today. I’ve transferred the hundred million as promised. As for Dominic…”
“I’ll have him report to the main house,” Ariana interrupted. “From today forward, he’s Mia’s bodyguard. I don’t want him anymore.”
After a moment of silence, her father suddenly softened his tone: “Ari, I’ve always loved you and your mother…”
“I used to think you were just morally bankrupt,” Ariana laughed. “Now I realize you’re truly disgusting.”
She hung up and blocked his number.
13:22
Cleared for Departure: So Is My Love
15.5%
Chapter 9
Outside, the moving company’s truck had arrived.
While directing the workers to load her luggage, Dominic emerged from his room.
“Miss Reeves, what’s happening?” He frowned at the boxes littering the floor.
“Moving,” Ariana replied without looking up. “Different place to live.”
Dominic nodded, apparently not thinking much of it–certainly not imagining that her “move” meant relocating from North Shore to South Bay.
“Let me help,” he offered.
“No need,” she finally looked at him. “You have another assignment.”
“What’s that?”
“Go buy candied chestnuts right now, and take them to the Reeves mansion for Mia.”
Dominic visibly stiffened. “Why?”
“You’ll understand when you get there.”
She saw his Adam’s apple bob, conflict flickering in those usually impassive eyes.
Ultimately, the desire to see Mia won out over his suspicions.
Dominic suddenly remembered something: “Miss Reeves, send me your new address later. I’ll gather my things and join you.”
Twenty–four hour personal bodyguard service, eating and living together, ensuring her safety at all times.
Those were the terms of their contract.
But this time, Ariana didn’t respond.
He waited a moment, and when she still didn’t acknowledge him, he assumed she’d send it later and turned to leave.
At the main door, he vaguely heard her say something.
“What?” He looked back.
Ariana stood in the morning light, saying softly: “Nothing. Go ahead.”
Once his figure had completely disappeared, Ariana got into the car and told the driver: “Airport.”
The scenery flew past the window. She pulled out her phone, removed the SIM card, and snapped it in half-
Crack.
The pieces fell from her hand, tossed out the window, and then vanished completely from sight!
13:22
