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Chapter 119
~Ella’s POV~
—Evening, Ella’s Apartnt—
The soft hum of the air conditioner filled the room as I lay tangled in the sheets with Styles.
My body was still tingled from the intensity of our earlier lovemaking session, my heart pounding just a little faster than usual.
Styles shifted beside , his arm lazily draped across my waist as he traced circles on my bare skin. I turned to look at him, his chiselled features illuminated by the faint glow of the bedside lamp.
It was strange—this growing attachnt to him. What had started as sothing casual, light, and unburdened had quickly beco sothing... else.
I wasn’t ready to na it, not yet, but it scared how much I craved his presence.
"You’re quiet," Styles murmured, his voice husky from exhaustion. "Lost in thought?"
I offered him a small smile, brushing a lock of dark hair from his forehead. "Just... thinking about how lovely this is."
He smirked and when he did, I noticed a teasing glint in his eye. "Nice? That’s all you’ve got?"
I rolled my eyes, swatting at his chest. "Don’t push it."
His chuckle rumbled through the room as he pulled closer, his lips brushing against my neck. "I’ll take ’nice.’ For now."
Just as I was about to reply, the faint sound of a ringtone broke the mont. Styles groaned, reaching for his phone on the nightstand.
"Who’s calling you at this hour?" I asked, trying to keep my tone light, though curiosity burned inside .
He glanced at the screen, his brows lifting slightly before he answered, his voice softening in a way I hadn’t heard before. "Hey, what’s up?"
I stayed still, pretending not to care, but the sudden shift in his tone sent a pang of unease through . His words were gentle, his smile lingering as he walked toward the window, completely unbothered by his nakedness.
I couldn’t make out the other person’s voice, but the way he spoke—almost sweetly—set my mind racing. Was it soone important to him? Soone... more than ?
Shaking off the thought, I forced a casual tone. "What do you want to eat? I’ll make sothing."
He turned, his mouth curving into a mischievous grin as he covered the phone’s mic. "I’m going to eat you," he teased.
I laughed, tossing a pillow at him. "Fine. Then I’m going to wash up. You can eat in the kitchen."
He caught the pillow easily and I made my way toward him. Quickly, Styles pulled into a quick, searing kiss before letting go. I grabbed a robe and headed for the bathroom, but as I passed the door, his voice dropped.
"Yeah," he said quietly. "I’ll et her. Just let know when."
I froze, my hand tightening on the doorknob. Her? Who was her?
I didn’t want to eavesdrop, but the shift in his tone—so serious, so unlike the playful man who’d just kissed —made it impossible to ignore.
"Fine," he continued in a low but firm tone. "I’ll handle it. But this stays between us."
My heart sank slightly, doubt creeping into the edges of my mind. I forced myself to keep walking, shutting the bathroom door behind .
As the water hit my skin, I tried to shake off the unease. I didn’t want to confront him—not yet—but I couldn’t help wondering: who was on the other end of that call? And what did they an to Styles?
I know I shouldn’t even think in that direction, as all we were to each other was friends with benefits but deep down, I hoped I ant sothing more.
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~Snow’s POV~
**Snow’s Mansion**
The late-night air was heavy with the scent of rain as I stood on the balcony outside my study.
The soft patter of droplets hitting the leaves below mirrored the restlessness in my chest. Zara’s words earlier—her bold invocation of the marriage contract’s clauses—still played in my mind.
I should have been annoyed, but instead, I felt a strange sense of pride. Zara had always been intelligent and resourceful, but seeing her stand up to with such confidence was... exhilarating.
"Deep in thought?" Dare Devil’s voice pulled out of my reverie. I turned to see him leaning casually against the doorfra, his sharp eyes watching closely.
"Sothing like that," I replied, my tone neutral.
He stepped onto the balcony, his movents purposeful. "You’re thinking about her."
I didn’t deny it. Dare Devil always had a way of seeing through my defenses, and there was little point in pretending otherwise.
"She’s different," he said, his voice contemplative. "Strong-willed, intelligent. She’s not soone who can be easily tad."
"I don’t want to ta her," I said firmly. "I want to protect her. But she doesn’t make it easy."
Dare Devil smirked. "You don’t do ’easy,’ Snow. Never have."
I chuckled softly, shaking my head. "Fair point."
There was a brief silence between us before Dare Devil’s expression turned serious. "I ca to update you. We’ve tracked Ivan’s movents. He’s been making discreet visits to a private estate in the north."
"Who owns the estate?"
"It’s under a shell corporation, but preliminary investigations link it to his grandmother, Anastasia."
My jaw tightened at the ntion of her na. Anastasia was a na that carried weight, her influence stretching far beyond her family. If Ivan was regrouping under her protection, it could complicate things.
"What’s she planning?" I asked, my tone cold.
"Hard to say," Dare Devil admitted. "But she’s not soone to underestimate. Her connections run deep, and if she’s involved, this could beco more than a personal vendetta. It could turn into a war."
I stared out at the rain-soaked landscape, my mind racing. Anastasia had always been a shadowy figure, her power more insidious than overt. If she was backing Ivan, it ant she had a stake in whatever he was planning.
"Double the security at the mansion," I ordered. "And have eyes on that estate around the clock. If Ivan makes a move, I want to know about it imdiately."
Dare Devil nodded. "Understood. What about Zara? Should she be inford?"
I hesitated. Zara had proven her strength ti and again, but this was different. This wasn’t just about protecting her—it was about ensuring she didn’t beco a pawn in Anastasia’s ga.
"Not yet," I said finally. "Let’s gather more intel first. The less she knows for now, the safer she’ll be."
Dare Devil didn’t argue, his trust in my judgnt implicit. But as he left, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Zara wouldn’t stay in the dark for long. She had a way of uncovering truths, even the ones I tried to shield her from.
And when she did, I’d have to face the consequences of keeping her in the shadows.
"Oh and..." Dare Devil’s voice reached , breaking from my thoughts. "He called."
My brows furrowed, wondering who he was speaking about.
"Zade. Your second half finally reached out. He’s dealing with so scum at the mont but promises to see you soon."
"How?" Was all I had to say.
I turned halfway in ti to see the smirk on Dare Devil’s face. "You know him better than I do, Snow. A coded ssage through a flower girl."
A half chuckle escaped my lips and I nodded. "Expecting then."
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