Chapter 64\u00a0<\/p>\n
DYLAN\u00a0<\/p>\n
I could have stayed in that room. I could have locked the door, curled up on the bed, and refused to follow a single word he said. No one was forcing my feet to move. No chains held me there.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And yet\u2026 I didn\u2019t stay.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Because deep down, I wanted answers. Answers that had been haunting me long before those men stepped into my shop, long before this mansion swallowed me whole. Answers I had been too afraid to ask, too careful to chase. No matter how much I tried to deny it, the doubts had already taken root inside me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The wedding photos. The gaps in my memory. The way my chest never warmed when Beckett touched me. The dreams that felt more like memories than fantasies.\u00a0<\/p>\n
And now him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This man\u2013arrogant, infuriating, dangerous\u2013yet unbearably familiar. As if my soul recognized him even when my mind couldn\u2019t. Maybe that was why his presence unsettled me so much. Maybe that was why, despite everything, I didn\u2019t want to run.\u00a0<\/p>\n
What if he was the missing piece?\u00a0<\/p>\n
What if he held the truth I had been searching for all this time?\u00a0<\/p>\n
My hands trembled slightly as I changed into the dress left for me. I stared at my reflection afterward, hardly recognizing the woman staring back. She looked braver than I felt. More determined. Someone standing on the edge of a truth that could either save her or break her completely.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Still hesitant, I took a deep breath and squared my shoulders.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then I opened the door and went down the stairs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I didn\u2019t have a hard time finding it, as there were a lot of people pointing me towards the dining area.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When I entered the room, I couldn\u2019t help but feel awe. The dining room was nothing short of overwhelming.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A long table stretched across the room, polished to a mirror\u2013like shine, set with plates that looked too delicate to touch. Soft lights hung above, casting a warm glow that only made my nerves worse. This place wasn\u2019t meant for someone like me. I felt like an intruder walking into a world that didn\u2019t belong to me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He was already there.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Standing by the head of the table, sleeves rolled up just enough to expose his forearms, he looked completely at ease\u2014as if this wasn\u2019t a forced dinner with a woman he had practically kidnapped. When his eyes lifted to meet mine, something unreadable crossed his face. Satisfaction? Relief? Hunger? I couldn\u2019t tell.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSit,\u201d he said simply, pulling a chair out for me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t take orders from you,\u201d I replied firmly..\u00a0<\/p>\n
He wore a slow, knowing smirk, taking obvious pleasure in the way I fought to keep myself together.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I roll my eyes before I take slow steps forward and sit where he indicated. He waited until I was settled before taking his own seat across from me. The distance between us felt deliberate. Controlled. Like a line neither of us was crossing yet.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For a moment, neither of us spoke.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cutlery clinked softly as servants placed food on the table and retreated as quietly as shadows. I kept my gaze on my plate, afraid that if I looked at him too long, I might see something I wasn\u2019t ready to face.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou look like you\u2019re preparing for an execution,\u201d he said calmly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I let out a short, humorless laugh. \u201cCan you blame me?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d he admitted. \u201cBut don\u2019t worry, I\u2019m not going to do anything against your will\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I finally looked up at him then, incredulous. \u201cYou locked me in a room,\u201d I said, raising my eyebrow, and voice was laced with sarcasm.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you\u2019re still breathing,\u201d he replied, unfazed. \u201cStill unharmed.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a very low bar for reassurance.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The corner of his mouth twitched, almost a smile.\u00a0<\/p>\n
my\u00a0<\/p>\n
We ate in silence for a few minutes. I barely tasted the food, my mind too busy racing with questions I didn\u2019t dare ask. Every instinct screamed at me to demand his name, his intentions, and the reason I was here.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But I didn\u2019t.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Because a strange fear wrapped itself around my chest every time the thought crossed my mind. As if knowing his name would make everything real. Permanent. As if once I said it out loud, there would be no turning back.\u00a0<\/p>\n
So I stayed quiet.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou haven\u2019t asked,\u201d he finally said, watching me closely.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAsked what?\u201d I replied, though I already knew.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cMy name.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My fingers tightened around my fork. I shrugged, pretending indifference. \u201cDoes it matter?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His gaze sharpened, as if he could see straight through me. \u201cIt will.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
That answer sent a chill down my spine.\u00a0<\/p>\n
my husband arrives, I said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
no reason to know your name, as I will be leaving this place as soon as\u00a0<\/p>\n
He scoffed, \u201cHusband?\u201d Then suddenly, his eyes turned dark. \u201cSay that again, and I\u2019m going to order a manhunt for him, and I\u2019ll serve his head on your plate,\u201d he warned.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The words hit the table harder than any plate could. My breath caught, fork hovering midair as I stared at him, trying to decide if he was bluffing\u2013or if he meant every dark syllable of it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re insane,\u201d I said quietly, though my voice wavered, \u201cYou can\u2019t just threaten people like that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t threaten,\u201d he replied calmly, lifting his glass. \u201cI promise.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
That was worse.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I pushed my chair back slightly, putting space between us even though the table still separated our bodies. \u201cWho do you think you are to mess with our lives?\u201d I snapped.\u00a0<\/p>\n
His jaw tightened. For a split second, something raw flickered in his eyes\u2013pain, maybe, or anger sharpened by something deeper.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not ruining anything, Dylan. I\u2019m just taking back what\u2019s mine,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My heart began to pound, not just from fear, but from the way his words twisted something inside my chest. \u201cI\u2019m not yours. I don\u2019t even know you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He leaned forward then, forearms resting on the table, his presence closing in without ever touching me. \u201cYou\u2019re wrong, little bunny. You\u2019re mine, every inch of me. I know you recognize me,\u201d he said slowly, deliberately. \u201cI just have to remind you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The room went quiet.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t know what game you\u2019re playing,\u201d I whispered, shaking my head. \u201cBut you\u2019re wrong. I don\u2019t belong to you. I never did.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
A sad smile tugged at his lips, fleeting and almost painful to see. \u201cThat\u2019s where you\u2019re mistaken, bunny.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My chest tightened at the endearment. \u201cDon\u2019t call me that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy? Does it ring a bell?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The words sent a shiver straight down my spine.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t remember you,\u201d I said, more to myself than to him. \u201cAnd if I don\u2019t remember\u2026 then maybe whatever you think we had doesn\u2019t matter anymore.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He stood up slowly, the chair scraping softly against the floor. Even standing, he didn\u2019t raise his voice. He didn\u2019t need to.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I found myself holding my breath with every step he took toward me, as if the air itself was thinning the closer he came. My pulse thudded so loudly in my ears I was sure he could hear it. I swallowed hard when he\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 64\u00a0<\/p>\n
stopped right in front of me, his presence overwhelming, undeniable.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Then he leaned in.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Both of his hands came down on the armrests of my chair, caging me in without actually touching me. The small space separating us vanished in an instant, and suddenly all I could see was him\u2013his sharp features, his steady gaze, and the faint crease between his brows that made him look like he was constantly carrying a burden no one else could sec.\u00a0<\/p>\n
My throat tightened, words lodging there uselessly. I tilted my head back without meaning to, my body reacting before my mind could catch up. His nearness sent a strange warmth through me, one that felt far too intimate for a stranger.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy are you shaking?\u201d he asked softly, not mocking, not amused\u2013almost concerned.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m not,\u201d I lied, even as my fingers curled against the fabric of my dress.\u00a0<\/p>\n
His eyes dropped for a brief moment, noticing everything I tried so hard to hide, before lifting back to my face. \u201cI liked it better when your body was shaking underneath me,\u201d he murmured.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cPervert,\u201d I whispered.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He didn\u2019t even flinch at the insult. If anything, the corner of his mouth lifted, slow and knowing, as if my words amused him more than they offended.\u00a0<\/p>\n
His gaze stayed locked on mine, unblinking. \u201cIf that\u2019s what you need to call me to pretend you didn\u2019t feel it,\u201d he said quietly, \u201cthen go ahead.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My breath stuttered. \u201cI don\u2019t know what you\u2019re talking about.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNo?\u201d he asked, voice low, dangerous in its calm. He leaned just close enough that I could feel the warmth of him, not touching, not yet. \u201cThen tell me why your pulse is racing. Tell me why you\u2019re gripping the chair like it\u2019s the only thing keeping you grounded.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I hated that he noticed. Hated that he was right.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re crossing a line,\u201d I said, though my voice lacked the strength I wanted it to have.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat line was crossed a long time ago,\u201d he replied. \u201cYou just don\u2019t remember it yet.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
My chest tightened. \u201cStop saying things like that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d he asked quietly. \u201cDoes it frighten you\u2014the thought that what I\u2019m saying might be true?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Silence stretched between us, thick and heavy. I couldn\u2019t answer. I didn\u2019t trust my voice if I tried.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He straightened slowly, giving me space again, but the tension didn\u2019t ease. If anything, it settled deeper, coiling tight between us.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cRelax,\u201d he said, his tone almost gentle now. \u201cI\u2019m not going to touch you.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
10:27 Thu, Jan 8\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 64\u00a0<\/p>\n
:\u00a0<\/p>\n
His eyes flicked to my lips before meeting my gaze again.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNot unless you wanted me to.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
85\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby\u2019s writing style is bold and irresistible\u2014perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.<\/p>\n
The Alchemist of Broken Dreams by Sienna Rose Blackwell 64 Chapter 64\u00a0 DYLAN\u00a0 I could have stayed in that room. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[69],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24415","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-alphas-golden-cage-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24415","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24415"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24415\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24415"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24415"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24415"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}