MasukLIORAÉI tried to move, but Soren put his hand over mine and shook his head. He looked straight at Margaux.“What favor?"His answer seemed to delight her because she set down her cup and shifted to the edge of the seat.“I knew it, Mr. Vale. You'd be very reasonable.” She smiled widely and nodded. “Yes, yes, I knew it. Wealthy people like you aren't unreasonable.”She was beating around the bush.How could she be so shameless?Just by her sitting down opposite us, she had fulfilled the words of Vivienne and Elara. With a family like mine, I could never be useful to a man like Soren. I'd just be baggage whose family keeps dragging him down.Like a leech.“But don't worry.” She laughed nervously, waving her hand in the air. “It's nothing difficult.”Nothing difficult. I almost scoffed. She was going to ask him to elevate her from poverty if she could.Soren crossed his legs and gestured to her. She saw this as her opportunity. She cleared her throat and pressed her palms together.“Lio
LIORAÉMy eyes fluttered open.The thought of my mother first popped into my mind.I shook it off before I sat up in bed.It was Sunday, but Soren had his laptop on his lap and a focused look on his face.He was not looking at me, but he seemed to realize that I was awake.“You are awake,” he said simply.I nodded, biting my bottom lip.I didn't want to think about it, but this man was too good-looking. He looked like a Greek god gracing us with his presence.He finally looked up from his laptop and pointed to the hot water flask on the bedside table.I reached for it, the warmth transferring almost immediately.“What is this?” I squeaked, feeling my throat scratch all of a sudden.“Ginger tea.”He returned his gaze to the laptop, typing furiously on the keyboard.“Ginger tea?”He nodded.“I heard it is good for morning sickness.”I opened it and brought it closer to my lips. The strong scent hit my nose first. I took a sip, and the knot in my throat suddenly began to melt away.It wa
LIORAÉThe back of my ears suddenly felt hotter, even under the chilly air from the AC.My mother was never this nice to me. She knew about Soren, and maybe even the baby. As usual, I was her ticket out of poverty.“I always thought Evan Mercer was a great catch, but I was wrong,” she beamed with joy.I could already picture the smile stretching across her face. In her mind, Soren's fortune had already become ours. “I should have trusted you when you called off the engagement. You have always been a great dreamer,” she continued, praising me.I never intended to fall into Soren Vale's bed. It was a stupid mistake born out of a heartbreak I didn't deserve.“Mom...”“Be good, Lioraé. Mothers are always right,” she cut me off before I could stop her from building castles she didn't deserve.“You know your father has some unpaid debts. I'm sure if you ask Mr. Vale about it, he will—”“Enough, Mom.” My voice rose.She sputtered on the other end, obviously taken aback by my sudden sharpnes
LIORAÉ“Who do you think you are?” Amira jumped to my defense.I grabbed her hand and pulled her back with a shake of my head.Elara glanced at her and laughed mockingly. “Are you already recruiting low-lifes like you? To defend you?”She wiped her hands mockingly against her skirt and tilted her head. “Just because Soren is giving in to your ridiculous demands doesn't mean that your status has changed. Do not forget who you are.”She was right.Soren’s kindness didn't change things. Neither did the life growing inside me.We were worlds apart.A girl could dream, but she knew when to stop.“Let me tell you. I have lived in this life long enough to know you are the only one who would get hurt when you get dumped,” she continued.Amira was shaking violently. Right now, the only thing holding her back was me. She was ready to start a hair-pulling fight in the middle of the food court at the mall.“You are so sure she would get dumped. The only reason is that he didn't choose you,” Amira
LIORAÉ The cold feel of the bracelet snapped onto my wrist was the first thing I felt when my eyes opened the next morning. Soren was not in bed with me. His scent lingered beside me longer than it should. I felt a wave of nausea hit me, just not enough to make me run to the bathroom yet. My fingers found the tip of the edge of the bracelet as I fiddled with it. I stayed up in bed. I had been cooped up in the house for a week now. I couldn't go on like this. I wanted to return to my normal life where I had control over it. Not whatever this was with Soren. I got out of bed. It was only when I shut the bathroom door that I realised that Soren was in there. The shower turned off, and he stepped out. I spun around so quickly, feeling a heated blush creep up my face. I brushed my finger on my face, but it didn't seem to help. “Lioraé, if you wanted to shower together, all you had to do was ask," Soren spoke as he moved closer to me. “I was not trying to…” "Although I won't be m
LIORAÉThe ride back to Soren’s penthouse is exhausting.The adrenaline from standing on stage and being claimed by him was gone. It was now replaced with a crushing exhaustion, and all I could think about was lying down.Soren didn't sit across from me. He was seated right beside me. He patted his shoulder and pulled me closer.“You must be tired.”He must be either really good at reading others, or I am just horrible at keeping things hidden.“I am fine.”I was still angry about everything that played out tonight. He thought this was him helping me, but the truth was that now I had a target on my back.Not just from Elara and Vivienne, but from every other socialite who thought I was some kind of gold digger who climbed into her boss’s bed to make a name for herself.“You don't get to do that with me, Lioraé.” He grabbed the back of my neck and pulled my head down until it dropped onto his shoulder.“Do that? Soren, do you think this is protection? It is not.” I snapped, my head fly
LIORAÉSoren had insisted on picking me up at the house at dawn; it didn't matter what I said, he just kept on saying. “It’s too early for a lady to be walking about.” It wasn't too early at all; it was a little past six am when he pulled out in front of my house and walked up to the door. My mom
LIORAÉEven in this dress that made me look like a princess, I was still feeling out of place. Everyone had a perfect face, like this was some kind of fashion show where everyone was struggling to get the perfect prize. “You look nervous.” “That is because I am.” “You don't have to worry; I will
LIORAÉ“Here.” Soren handed me a first-aid box. I took it from him as he sat carefully next to me. I dropped it on the coffee table, opening it and carefully rummaging through the contents of the box. I took out an ointment and some Q-tips alongside bandages. I turned to him, and his steady eyes o
LIORAÉ“Ms Alott, my office.” I looked up to Soren standing by the doorway. He had a stern expression on his face. I cleared my throat and went up, pulling down my skirt that had somehow found a way to ride up. I slipped in and closed the door behind me, walking over to him sitting on one of the c







