Simply, Raven

space between herself and this mysterious stranger. But she didn't. Instead, s

She heard herself say, be

, then a slow smile spread acros

. She felt like one misturn could bring her back to her senses and she could miss the only c

ay to his flat, he said, "Wel

She was completely taken aback by how well everything had been chosen, f

frames- any attachment that could label the place as a home. This on

out loud. "You're n

e put his hands in his pockets. "D

ow for sure, but the pull she felt with him definitely wasn't negative. The fact that she had

osed skin. Whatever bravery that led her to this place wa

inks, leaving Raven standing there, her heart increasing its pace with the

back. That had been the plan, the simple plan. But now, standing in the middle of a stranger's apartment

dn't go through with this? The thought of living without Taemin, of giving in to her father's wishes, was

burned her skin. She headed for the door, about to leave the a

in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other.

If she leaves now, everything would fall back into place, exactly as her father wanted.

e man, and something in her caught on his lips-plump, rosy,

before she could stop herself.. "

in his rush to respond, he fumbled, the glass in

shaking as she whispered an apology, she co

e above a whisper. "I didn't mean- I'll just leav

y said that. Who just blurts out a q

as she turned toward the door, she felt a grip on her wrist. That same electric heat fro

teady and low, his gaze locking onto hers wi

mering in her chest. "Yes?

lips to hers, stealing her ability to breathe. Raven's eyes widened in shock, but the

arms around her, lifting her off her feet effortlessly. She held onto

her neck, each kiss sending shivers down her spine. Rav

------

ing, she sensed the embrace of the man, who was still sound asleep. She was

e, but instead, she felt a sharp pain between her thighs. She ha

trying not to wake him up. Each move seemed like a betrayal -

ng her father that she lost her virginity the night before her arrangement would seem too convenient and not believable. She removed her phone from her pocket and slowly went close to

he was with no cash, she had left her purse at the bar with Annie and Iris. She facepalm herself, silently cursing h

e fine now. She has gotten rid of her virginity, and there was no reason for this marriag

ghts when the cab stopped r

lked up the short pile of stairs to the entrance, quickly opening the

uld you help me out real quick?" Raven whisper-yelled, trying to sound

urprised but obliging

ied, already heading

walked stumbled to her stepsister, Anan

ming from?" Ananya asked, her

are. "What are you doing here? I thou

a sly smile. "And miss y

her. "Well, enjoy your stay while it

t Raven had already turned the cor

red. She was just about to drag the covers over herself when the door bur

Esther!" Annie demanded, her ha

her middle name. "Please, A

. "Do you have any idea how terrified Iris and I were when we got

purse and took out her bil

f to herself, she

s she turned her head to

n's lips curled into a small, almo

ing at Raven's words. "Oh my God, Raven! Yo

his guy at the bar and I followed him to his place. I kin

ainst Dad, aren't you? But what are you going to do now? Sleeping

to find some way to politely tell them that I'm no longer... a

concern. "This is insane. Dad's going to lose it. H

whatever comes. I'm not just doing this for TaeMin-I'm doing it for us. I'm so tired of Dad cont

r sister into her embrace, gently rubbing her back. "I

mined look on her face. "Now, let's

ned. "Anni

ait to see the look on Dad's face when he hears the news. Come now

er walk-in closet. She had gotten rid of the mo