ASHES OF DEVOTION

innie, Mia asked, conce

was cut off by the

ervice. She told Mia

wiped away her red-rimme

veal the young-looking la

a'am," he said, han

h on me right now. I owe

u okay though? You look

got into my eyes earlier. You

e? She spoke on the phon

t did you order

ly, so I ordered some clothes" her reply echoed through the spac

mething about your plan",

re. It's glaring and clear to me now that he won't change. She responded tautly. Pulling out a mixe

you sure you know what you're doing? Do you s

know, I guess that's the only option if I truly

that happened, and they talked extensively

bedroom. Ondine stirred in her sleep, gradually awakening to the new day. The events of the pr

the sun on her skin. A light breeze flowed through the open w

e couldn't help but wonder h

herself coffee.The scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, a comforting and familiar aroma. On

coffee in hands. She grabbed her phone and the caller ID instantly changed her somewhat chipper mood. She swiped the call to end it and hissed in annoyance. She settled on the bench in front of the window and placed her phone on the window ledge. She cradled her cup

t stand it any longer. With determination, she blocked

he room's landline. She dialed the receptionist with

e ticket now," she commanded f

or breakfast, ma'am?" T

a de patatas, a bowl of fruit, and a cu

her request, "Noted, ma'am.

d for her breakfast, she decided to take a quick shower to wash away th

an astute sense of fashion. She thought. With a quick glance in the mirror, she grabbed her curling iron and styled her hai

choed through her penthouse. Breakfast had arrived. Ondine eagerl

de her way to the kitchen counter, where she placed her breakfast and started digging in.

at she stumbled upon was expected. Numerous headlines and pictures of a brawl between billionaire Caius Volkov

eized the opportunity to twist the story into a sensationalized scandal: "Ondine de Mendoza (Volkov) Ca