Love after marriage

onstructed elegance. Glass breaking, muffled shouts, and the

strade. She didn't need to see what was happe

yes betrayed a flicker of curiosity. "Sounds like the party's picking up,"

sure. "We should... stay here. Let them handle it

ng for the storm to pass. Ariana, however, couldn't bring herself to sit still. She move

sing down on her. The whispers, the stares, her moth

tears away. Crying wasn't an opti

suddenly, his voice low and

lied, keeping

uld feel his eyes on her. "You're

Silence stretched between them, broken only b

nt to go cry or whatever it is

ou think this is easy for me?" she snapped, her voice trembling. "Standing here, pretending everything

ted his head, studying her. "You think I don't get it? You

fire in her chest replaced by confusion. She opened her mouth to respo

"Miss Ariana, Mr. Kieran, the situation downstairs h

eturning like a mask. "Guess it's show

ers trembling slightly. Together, they descended the s

shake the feeling that something had shifted bet

ghtly in Kieran's firm grip. He didn't look at her, didn't make a snide comment or a cu

ana stared out the window, blinking back tears that threatened to spill. The streets blurred under the

fence and manicured gardens-Ariana hesitated before stepping out. The place felt

g for her to enter. "Make yourself comfortable,"

e spacious living room was immaculately designed, but i

drink," Kieran said, disa

hing the soft fabric. The silence was oppressive, and fo

you," Kieran's voice

, holding a glass of water. His expression was unread

she lied, quickl

he coffee table. He stood over her, his hands in his pock

could speak again, the

voice called out,

living room. She was dressed to perfection, her heels clicking against the

woman demanded,

ning a hand through his ha

a's mind, was she he's side c

about this later, I'll call you. She

ain?" Ariana rais

that would have to go undercover to sleep with his chick's

an growled at her, he's eyes blazing with fury

ness" she cooed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I'm piss

ust got yourself into" Kie

n his ear, "You don't scare me

Ariana turned and sashayed out of the