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LORI POV
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I dashed away from the heated crowd, Knight’s parting words still rang in my ears as I left the grand ballroom behind, seeking the solitude of my room. Every step felt heavy as if I were carrying the weight of all those eyes and harsh words with me.
I sank onto the edge of a plush armchair, trying to piece together what had just happened. The silence in the room was suddenly broken by a gentle knock on the door.
“Lori, are you okay?” Nicole’s concerned voice called softly from the doorway.
I managed a weak smile and looked up as she entered. “I’m not sure, Nicole. I’m so confused,” I admitted, my voice trembling with uncertainty.
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Nicole sat beside me, her eyes full of care. “Tell me everything, Lori. What happened out there?” she urged gently.
I took a deep breath and began, “Santorini made his feelings for me very clear. He stood up for me, told Knight that I deserve to be cherished, that I am a rare gem. And Knight… he was so angry. He said I belong to him. He said I am his creation, and I should come back to him because I am his by right.”
Nicole frowned, shaking her head in disbelief. ” You shouldn’t be worried about it, Lori. You are not anyone’s creation. You are your own person, and you deserve to choose your own path,” she said firmly.
“But you see, Nicole,” I replied, my voice growing quieter, “Knight is so mad because he can’t stand that Santorini made his feelings known to him. He’s angry that I am not happy with his control. He wants me to stay, to be the person he thinks I should be, even if it means I lose myself in the process.”
Nicole reached out and gently squeezed my hand. “Lori, you have to think about what you really want. Do you want to be with someone who tries to hold you down, or do you want to be with someone who lets you fly free?”
I looked down at my trembling hands, the memory of Santorini’s kind words still echoing in my ears. “Santorini told me that he would cross the world for my happiness. He said that I deserve to be free, and that I am not just an ornament for Knight’s display. But now Knight is screaming that I am his, that I should obey him and come back. It hurts so much.”
Nicole’s voice softened as she replied, “Lori, listen to your heart. It is clear that Knight’s idea of love is control and possession. And Santorini’s idea is to let you be yourself, to let you live your life without chains. You must decide which kind of love you truly want.”
I took a shaky breath, feeling the weight of her words. “I know, Nicole. I want to be free, to be myself. I’m tired of feeling like I have to be someone I’m not just to please him. But I’m scared. What if I make the wrong choice?”
Nicole’s eyes shone with gentle reassurance. “There is no wrong choice when it comes to choosing your own happiness. Knight may have built you, but you are not built to be broken. You are meant to shine, Lori. And Santorini… he sees that shine. He sees you for who you truly are.”
I nodded slowly, trying to let her words sink in. “I guess… I guess I need some time to think. To really understand what I want. It all happened so fast the way Santorini stepped in, the way Knight’s face twisted with anger and hurt. It’s like I was caught in a storm of emotions.”
Nicole leaned in closer. “Maybe, for now, it’s best if you stay here, away from that crowd. Let your heart settle, and when you’re ready, you can decide what to do next. You deserve to be with someone who respects you, not someone who makes you feel less than you are.”
I managed a small smile through my tears. “Thank you, Nicole. I’m so glad you’re here. I just… I wish I could see a clear path ahead.”
Nicole squeezed my hand once more. “The path will become clear, Lori. Just remember that you are strong, and you have the power to choose what is best for you. Knight’s anger is not a sign of true love, it’s the mark of someone who is afraid of losing control.”
I looked at her, feeling a spark of hope. “You’re right. I need to choose freedom over fear. I need to believe in myself.”
A moment of quiet passed between us as I gathered my thoughts. Outside, the echoes of the night still reverberated in my mind the voices of the crowd, Knight’s harsh commands, and Santorini’s gentle promises. Each sound was a reminder of the battle I was now facing: a battle for my own identity and happiness.
Nicole broke the silence softly, “Lori, remember, no matter what happens, you deserve to be happy. You deserve to be loved for who you are, not for who someone else wants you to be.”
I nodded, feeling a resolve starting to build within me. “I will remember that, Nicole. I will choose my own happiness, even if it means facing the anger of those who want to hold me back.”
Her smile was warm and encouraging as she rose to leave. “Take all the time you need. And if you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here.”
I barely had time to steady my racing heart when a firm knock came at the door. I looked up from my thoughts to see Murphy standing in the doorway with an unreadable expression.
“Lori, Knight is waiting for you downstairs,” he said, his tone low and direct.
I hesitated for a moment, glancing at Nicole, who was just about to leave the room. “I’ll be right back, Nicole,” I told her softly. She offered a gentle, encouraging smile before she stepped out, leaving me alone with my conflicting thoughts.
I followed Murphy down the quiet corridor. Each step echoed in the stillness of the night, my mind swirling with everything I had just heard. The warm glow of the hallway lights did little to ease the chill that crept up my spine.
At the bottom of the stairs, I paused before stepping into the main lounge where Knight waited. His eyes were dark and brooding, his stance both commanding and filled with an undeniable anger. The room felt smaller somehow with his presence dominating every corner.
“Lori,” Knight began, his voice steady but edged with cold authority. “I have a task for you.”
I swallowed hard, meeting his gaze with a mix of defiance and uncertainty. “Yes, Knight?”
He stepped closer, his eyes never leaving mine. “You will prepare your loads. I am sending you back home.” His words were clipped, carrying the weight of orders I had grown so tired of hearing.
I frowned, feeling the familiar sting of his controlling tone. “Why?” I managed to ask, my voice small but trembling with the urge to question him. “Why must I go back?”, I asked Knight trying to show i’m not weak, though I couldn’t stop admiring Knight and how beautiful he is looking ‘if only he could stop this authority and cold behaviour he has towards me, if only Knight could show me some likeness, the truth is that I feel nothing for Santorini rather Knight is clouding all my thoughts but he doesn’t care!
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A tear wanted to fall from my eye but I hide it because Knight it’s not support see me this way, Knight just kept his cold stare on me but he choose to continue searching my face.
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THE NEXT CHAPTER MAY CONTAIN SOME HARMFUL CONTENT AND IT MUST BE STRICTLY 18+