LOGINI felt something brush against my lips.It was small, soft, delicate.But I'd felt it.Slowly, I opened my eyes. My eyes meeting his, I looked down his lips, they were on mine. Then he pulled away, the cold air grazed the spot he'd kissed making me shudder." Good morning, Princess." He greeted with a smile.I tried to offer a small smile but I still unfortunately couldn't. " Don't—" he stopped me, placing his finger on my lips. I nodded.Without standing from the mattress, he reached for a button in the wall right next to me, his fingers brushing against my cheek— not the injured one though. I would've literally murdered him.That cheek still hurt like hell.He pressed the button and a few minutes later the door opened and the doctor from yesterday walked in.When he saw us, he was startled, almost running out of the room. " Oh- my, I'm so sorry." He turned to the door, but Grayson's voice stopped him." You can stay."He spun around carefully, almost measuring his words as he trie
**Zinnia's POV**A sharp pain cracked through my skull, making me wince as I tried to open my eyes. The blinding white light burned into my retinas, I blocked the light with the back of my palm, a groan slipping past my lips.The thick smell of drugs and antiseptic burned hot in the air, filling my nostrils almost choking me. Then I felt something hard pressed against my lips followed the cool sensation of water.As my vision cleared, my eyes searched across the room until it landed on a familiar pair of eyes. Grayson.He wore a small smile on his lips, his mouth moving as he uttered some words that refused to register in my head. All I could hear was this ringing sound, making my head throb.I shut my eyes, then opened them again. Grayson's face coming to vision again. I saw him gesture to the door, two more people surrounded me, wearing scrubs.That confirmed my thoughts, I was in a hospital.What had happened?I rubbed my forehead as I tried to adjust on the mattress.The memorie
**Grayson's POV**I'd seen blood, I'd seen bodies but none of that compared to this— seeing Zinnia, covered in blood and pale.Seeing Zinnia's breathing grow slower and slower, feeling her pulse thrum until I could barely feel it.And it was all his fault.I gnashed my teeth, sweeping Zinnia off the ground. " Let me take her." Chris suggested and I turned to him, letting him see the ugly darkness that had brewed behind my eyes. He gulped but he still extended his stupid hand.I pushed passed him and made for the nearest hospital.Crimson rolled down her cheeks, coating her dress and mine. My heart raced even faster. I was running but it felt like I wasn't moving at all.Since when was the hospital this fucking far.I increased my pace, urgency wounding tight in my bones. As soon as I arrive, the receptionist called for some nurses and in minutes they were with us with a stretcher.Reluctantly, I released her from my grasp, placing her gently on the stretcher. My eyes not leaving he
He pulled away, letting me breathe. He extended his palm. Hesitation lingered in my bones, but slowly, I melted, placing my hand in his.He bent down, his lips brushing against the back of my palm in a gentle caress. A small move—but it was enough to set fires ablaze in my chest.Then my mind drifted to Chris.He wasn't really that upset, right?Before I could stop myself, I pulled my hand away from his touch. "I'm sorry, I need to go," I said as I turned, heading in the direction he and Elara had gone.The pounding sound of my shoes against the asphalt filled the air, but it was nothing compared to how fast my heart was racing.I was on edge.On one hand, I had Chris, the man I'd spent the past seven years with. Then there was Grayson, who had stormed into my life like a hurricane, ruining everything I'd worked so hard to build.I didn't hate him.Even though I tried to convince myself that I did.
**Zinnia's POV**My heart banged loudly against my ribs as soon as I sighted Chris, arms crossed and his face twisted into a smile that seemed too cold to be genuine.He was pissed.Very pissed.As the car pulled to a stop, Grayson turned to me, pressing his hands over mine.“Are you okay? You're turning pale,” he asked, his voice tinged with genuine concern.I flashed him a smile that didn't reach my eyes.“I'm fine, don't worry.”Thankfully, he didn't push me. He simply stepped out of the car and walked to my door, pulling it open. But I stopped him before he could open it fully.Chris and Elara marched toward us. A swallow slid down my throat, my fingers scratching against the hem of my dress.“I see you two had an amazing time together?”A question?An assumption?I didn't know.Instead, I just smiled awkwardly.“Yeah, we did—”Grayson i
I reached the backyard, spotting the mechanic from afar, his head buried deep beneath the hood as he worked his magic on the car.When he spotted me, he spoke.“Oi, sorry for coming late, boss. The rain was shitty, but I'm here now.”His accent was funny.But that wasn't all.I also realized that Grayson was actually behind me.I didn't dare look back.“Here are the keys,” his deep voice came, sending a cold feeling down my veins.He sounded empty.Detached.Just like he had that night.The night we talked about his family.Was I treating him like a commodity again?I knew I shouldn't have cared, but some part of me did, and I couldn't control it.Before I could stop myself, I turned to look at him, but he didn't meet my gaze. He didn't say anything to me as he brushed past and walked toward the car, looking under the hood alongside the mechanic.The next few moments flew by, filled with Grayson speaking mechanical terms I couldn't understand and, thankfully, the engine humming again.
**Zinnia's POV**“She’s my fiancée.”I couldn’t hear anything else. The sound of my heart shattering rang in my ears, making me stagger.“What do you mean?” My voice trembled. “What the hell do you mean, Chris?!”She gave me a confused look, her gaze shifting between me and Chris. When the silence
**Zinnia’s POV**“Have you landed?” Bruno asked, and I groaned, my body collapsing onto a wooden bench.“I landed three hours ago! And still no sign of Chris! He promised he would be here, and yet he isn’t.” I tried to control my anger. As much as I wanted to vent my frustration, I didn’t want my b
**Zinnia's POV**Chris tugged at my sleeve, pulling me along until we got to a room. Elara had excused herself to use the restroom, so it was just us. His nails dug into my skin, pain shooting up my arm.“Hey, let me go! What’s with you?” I snapped, his eyes burning with a mixture of rage and jealo
I pushed myself up, aiming for the door, but Elara’s hand found my wrist, tugging me back. My jaw clenched.“Don’t do anything stupid.”Stupid?STUPID?!Rage and disgust seared through my bones. I snatched my wrist away.“You’re the one who’s making out with your fiancé’s brother, and I’m the one d







