The Billionaire's Fairy Bride

seemed to conceal a threat, every sound amplified by the fear that gnawed at the edges of Aria's mind. Roderick's aura had

ed with concern as she noticed the blood seeping

ained but resolute. "We have to get you to the Bla

men had been relentless, and it had taken every ounce of her limited magic to fend them off. The mere thought of facing more of Marcellus's fo

murmured, doubt creeping into her v

hed his side. "Damian needs you as much as you need him. Whatever his feelings,

she didn't go. Roderick's words carried weight, but they couldn't fully banish the doub

nceded, her voice bare

d left her drained. Her once elegant black dress was now torn and stained, the result of the battle that had nearly cost them both their lives. Her hair, once care

h and modern artistry of the family within. The estate itself was a vast expanse of meticulously manicured gardens with minimalist designs, dotted with strategically placed LED lights that highlighted the estate's modern archi

his strength finally giving out. Aria caught hi

urged, her voice tight with worry.

e looked at the gates. "You have to go inside. N

voice wavered, her fear for h

rcing a pained smile. "But

ch, made of polished concrete and steel, where he slumped, trying to catch his b

tures unmistakable-Marcellus's wife, Evelyn Blackwood. Her gaze was cold, her eyes narrowing as they took in Aria's disheveled appearance. The other figure was a younger woman, her golden hair perfectly styled,

ice, cutting through the night air as she took

contempt. She knew how she must look-her dress in tatters, her hair wild, and her face smud

her voice hoarse. "I

laced with mockery. "What could someone

ng for a handout," Evelyn added, h

lling herself to stay calm. "I'm not a beggar," she said, her voice f

u have some nerve, girl, showing up at this hour, demanding

s nerves. "Do you really think Damian would waste his time on someone

d from their lips cut deep, but she couldn't back down now. She

d, her voice growing stronger. "I don't care wh

rly wearing thin. "You're wasting your time, gi

ok in his eyes as he urged her to come here. She couldn't turn back now. Gathering ev

"You can turn me away, but I'll find another way to

emed to grow colder. But before she could respond, Selene steppe

se sweetness. "It's clear she's desperate. Why don't we let her wait i

was a calculating look in her eyes, as though she were weighing the

lipped. "But she stays out of sight. I

ed several men-henchmen, their expressions cold and unyielding. Aria's heart sk

a cried, struggling again

elyn said, her voice devoid of emotion. "We wouldn

d lawns and the modern sculptures that dotted the landscape. She looked back in desper

nd barely conscious. His face was pale, his eyes half-clo

ull free, but the men's grip tightened, th

ow growl that sent a shiver down Aria's spine

s? They didn't know who she was, and yet they were treating her like a criminal, like someone who posed a thre

passed through a narrow path lined with tall, sculpted hedges that led to a secluded part of the estate. The path

marvel, with a ceiling of curved glass and walls lined with exotic plants that thrived under the glow of artificial sunlight. But the

only furniture was a metal chair and a small table, both bolted to the floor. The room smelle

dered as they shoved Aria insi

s the door slammed shut behind her. The sound of the lock turning

ng. Her mind was a whirlwind of questions and fears. Why had they brought her h

kin, was the only comfort she had left. It was a reminder of who she was, of the power she had once wielded, and the legacy she ha

self, but it wasn't a henchman who entered. It was Evelyn, her cold eyes scanning the room with disdain. Behin

forcing herself to meet Evelyn's gaze des

he concrete floor. "What we want is simple," she said, her voice c

g to keep her voice steady. "I came h

tone mocking. "What could someone like you poss

e truth-not all of it, at least. She had to protect herself, an

ld help Damian. Marcellus is planning something-somethi

ould we believe you? For all we know, you're just another one

reeping into her voice. "I'm telling the trut

gaze cold and calculating. Then, without w

ady advancing on her, her smile growing wi

eaving no room for argument. "If she has anything

into her arm. Aria struggled, but Selene was stronger, more determined, and soon had her p

s, sounding disappointed. "Just some old

eck, the one her father had given her. "What about t

ly going to the pendant. "It's just a family heir

" Evelyn said coldl

ndant tightly. "You can't have it-

before coming here," Evelyn replied, her voice

Aria's breath caught in her throat, panic rising as she realized she couldn't let them take

around her crackled with energy as a faint golden glow emanated from her body, the penda

ned her composure. "So, the stray has some bite after al

en entered, dragging a barely conscious Roderick between them. His once vibrant

she saw him, his eyes half-closed, his

free from Selene's grip, but the henchmen c

els," Evelyn ordered, her voice

and unresponsive. Aria struggled desperately, but Selene's

s where you belong," Selene whispered

confusion. Why were Evelyn and Selene doing this? What did they have to

glowing softly in the night. It was a strange, almost surreal contrast to the cold, sterile world she had been thrust i

going to be easy. The darkness of the estate's underbelly swallowed her whole, leaving her wi