Lahat ng Kabanata ng The Auctioned Bride: Kabanata 101 - Kabanata 110

The sunlight spilled softly through the curtains. The world outside was still, or in this case, the quiet after a night that had felt like fire.I lay there with my eyes closed, pretending to be asleep even though I’d been awake for a while. My heart wouldn’t stop its ridiculous fluttering, and every little sound…the creak of the headboard, the rustle of the sheets, the quiet hum he made while stretching made my breath hitch.I could feel him moving beside me, could feel the weight of his gaze on me. My cheeks grew warm. I’d fought monsters and my own guilt before, but facing this…the memory of what happened last night felt far more terrifying.Then I heard his voice, low and lazy, the kind that melted through you before you could even think of resisting.“For how long are you going to pretend you’re asleep, Dolcezza?”My eyes flickered open, and there he was..,Valerio… leaning on one elbow, watching me with that infuriating, devastating smirk of his. His hair was still tousled, his l

It started the way most dreams do-quietly, without warning.The warmth of Valerio's chest beneath my cheek faded, replaced by something cold and sterile. My eyelids fluttered, and when I opened them, I was no longer in our room.The world around me was blindingly white.The air felt sharp, metallic…too clean, too precise to be real. A low hum filled the space, like a thousand machines breathing in sync. I stood barefoot on cold tiles, the echo of my steps swallowed by the endless stretch of white corridors ahead.For a moment, I thought I was alone. Then I heard it.A whisper.Not words…numbers.At first, it was faint, almost like the mechanical rhythm of a heart monitor. Then it grew, voices overlapping, counting, reciting strings of numbers that didn’t make sense but felt familiar.“Four… nine… zero… one… zero… sequence active…”I turned toward the sound, and as I did, the lights above flickered. The walls seemed to pulse, like the corridor itself was alive and watching me.“Hello?”

Chapter 104: Sunlight and SugarThe smell of something warm and buttery filled the room. Then the sound of soft clinking, of ceramic against a tray, and a low hum that was unmistakably Valerio’s voice.I blinked at the tray “oouu already ready?” golden pancakes stacked high, a drizzle of honey forming messy trails; scrambled eggs, slightly overcooked on one side; and a single flower… a daisy resting beside the coffee cup.“Awww cute” I said, smiling hard.“Obviously.” He shrugged, pretending nonchalance, but his tone carried that hint of pride that told me he’d probably burnt three batches before this one turned out decent.“I’m impressed,” I teased. “You didn’t call for help?”“I was going to,” he said, sitting at the edge of the bed. “Then I realized I like watching you eat more than I like being scolded by the cook.”I laughed softly. “That’s a strange reason to risk burning down the kitchen.”He leaned closer, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “You’re worth it.”I looked do

For days now, everyone seemed to move with a kind of lightness that was rare. Flowers came in from the florist every morning, boxes of champagne stacked by the dining room wall, ribbons, candles, and endless trays of silver cutlery gleamed under the chandelier.And through it all, Martha moved like she was born for it.She’d been with Valerio long before I came, and in many ways she’d become like family…soft-spoken, steady, always one step ahead of what I needed.“Careful, ma’am,” she said that morning as I reached for the heavy glass vase. “You shouldn’t lift that. Not with those delicate hands.”I smiled, setting it down. “Martha, you’ve done so much already. You should rest.”She shook her head, that usual gentle smile on her lips. “You only turn twenty-six once, dear. It has to be perfect.”She fussed with the flowers, adjusting a single white rose in the middle. Her hands trembled slightly before she caught herself and folded them behind her apron.I didn’t notice it then.Valeri

The house woke before I did.Laughter drifted through the halls, muffled footsteps running back and forth, the low hum of music being tested in the main room.It took me a moment to remember why everything sounded so alive.Then I saw the bouquet of lilies by the window… a soft reminder. My birthday.For the first time in years, I felt pumped up and excited. After so much preparations.The guest would be coming by evening, though must of them were from Valerio, I didn't have any friends so fair enough.I smiled, stretching beneath the sheets. Sunlight spilled over the bed, warm and golden, and for once, the world outside didn’t feel cruel or complicated. Just… peaceful.When I turned, Valerio wasn’t beside me, but the faint smell of coffee and vanilla hinted where he’d gone.He appeared a few minutes later, holding a tray.“Good morning, birthday girl,” he said, his grin smug and sweet all at once.“Valerio…” I gasped, sitting up as he set the tray on my lap… pancakes, strawberries, w