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LUCIAN'S POV
Mirabel had just said goodbye to Tracy before heading toward my room to clean. When she entered, she bowed respectfully.
"Good morning, sir," she murmured, already moving to begin her work.
I noticed the bruised soreness on her face immediately. My chest tightened. I walked quickly to her side, reaching out to touch her cheek.
"Who slapped you?" I demanded, my voice low, sharper than intended.
She flinched, stepping away from my touch.
"Nobody slapped me… I fell," she whispered.
Before I could push further, Daisy barged in. Her eyes locked on Mirabel and me standing close together. Her face twisted with disgust.
"What are you doing here?" Daisy sneered, storming up to Mirabel. Her hand shot up, ready to strike.
Mirabel's eyes squeezed shut, bracing herself for the sting of another slap. But it never came. Slowly, she opened them—only to find my hand gripping Daisy's wrist midair.
She blinked, confused, her gaze shifting between us.
"You can go," I said firmly to Mirabel. She hesitated, then hurried out.
I turned back to Daisy, my voice ice-cold.
"What do you think you're doing? I told you not to overstep your boundaries."
"But brother," she snapped, pulling against my hold. "Why do you care about that filthy pig? You don't care about slaves. What gives?"
My grip tightened as anger surged through me. "Don't lay your hands on her again. If you do… you'll regret ever being born."
I released her with a shove. Daisy's eyes widened before she spun and stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
Raking a hand through my hair, I cursed under my breath.
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DAVE'S POV
Mirabel hurried down the hall, her thoughts a tangled storm.
Why… why did he protect me? He should have let his sister slap me. Why did he stop her?
Before she could make sense of it, I pulled her sharply into the shadows.
"Dave—!" she gasped, but her words were cut off as I crushed my lips to hers. She froze at first, then melted, kissing me back with a rush of heat.
I broke the kiss only long enough to grab her hand, dragging her into my room.
The moment the door shut, I pressed her back onto the bed, caging her beneath me. My weight hovered just above her, supported by my arms so I wouldn't crush her. My lips found her neck, trailing down until I kissed just below her ear.
Her breath hitched—then a soft moan escaped. The sound made fire spread through me.
I kept kissing that tender spot, drinking in her reactions. She pushed lightly at my chest, trembling.
"Is something wrong?" I whispered against her skin.
Her lips parted, but only hesitation came out. Finally, she whispered, "I'm sorry… I have to go."
I forced myself to nod. "Go."
Her eyes lingered on mine before she fled the room, leaving me burning with questions and a hunger that hadn't been satisfied.
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RAYMOND'S POV
"Father, I'm back. Where is Mirabel?" Mike's voice echoed through the house, laced with worry. "It's been a month—she hasn't replied to my messages, hasn't answered any of my calls."
Raymond broke down into tears, his body shaking.
Mike's eyes narrowed, disbelief swirling in his chest. "What did you do to her?" he demanded, his voice rising into a roar.
"She… she's gone," Raymond choked.
Mike froze, horror creeping into his veins. "Gone? What do you mean gone?"
Through tears, Raymond confessed. "I sold her… I had to. It was for business—"
"You what?!" Mike's scream rattled the walls. "You sold her?! She's your daughter!"
"She's not my daughter!" Raymond's voice cracked.
Mike's hands trembled in fury. "You're heartless. Absolutely heartless. I'm disgusted to even call you father."
He grabbed his car keys, rage shaking every step.
"Where are you going?" Raymond called after him desperately.
"Somewhere far from you… to clear my head," Mike spat before storming out and driving away, his heart filled with both guilt and vengeance.
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