It had been a month since the deadly tension at the hospital, but much had changed in that time. The bond between Nikol and Theo had grown stronger—dark and twisted, but unbreakable. Theo, once hell-bent on destroying his brother's happiness, now seemed to understand him more. The twisted rivalry between them had evolved into a begrudging respect, tinged with the same danger that defined their relationship from the beginning.
Nikol still spoke to Aari every day, their video calls laced with passion and longing. She, on the other hand, found herself torn between spending time with her overprotective father, who still despised Nikol, and enjoying the sweet warmth of her stepmother and stepsister, Lily. Yet her heart always pulled her back to Nikol—dark, seductive, and magnetic.
But today wasn't just any day.
It was the anniversary of Nikol and Theo's mother's death.
As the weight of the day settled in, the tension between the brothers simmered under the surface. They had planned to escape the haunting memories at the mansion by heading out for a drive—something to burn away the grief. Theo, his usual wicked grin plastered on his face, turned to Nikol as they stood in front of the garage.
"Let's race," Theo proposed, the dangerous gleam in his eyes undeniable. "If you win, I'll do whatever you want. No questions."
Nikol narrowed his gaze. "And if you win?"
Theo chuckled darkly, his hand brushing over the hood of his jet-black Ferrari. "I'll figure that out later." His voice was a low growl, filled with hidden meaning.
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Nikol's eyes darkened when he saw Aari step out of the Rolls-Royce in that shimmering black dress. His gaze ran over her body, taking in the plunging neckline and the high slit that exposed her long legs. There was something dangerously possessive about the way he looked at her.
"Your dress is too short," Nikol muttered, his voice low and clipped, barely masking the tension beneath. His eyes met hers, filled with a dark, unspoken warning.
Aari smirked, unfazed by his reaction, and took a step closer, her hips swaying with confidence. "I wore it for you," she teased, her voice sultry, defiant even. She rested her hand lightly on his chest, tracing slow circles over his shirt.
Nikol's grip on her waist tightened, his jaw clenched as he pulled her even closer. "You're mine, Aari. No one else gets to see you like this." His hand slid down to the small of her back, possessively holding her against him.
She tilted her head, gazing up at him through her lashes, enjoying the jealousy in his voice. "Is that so? Or are you just afraid you might lose control?"
Nikol's lips curled into a dangerous smirk. "Control?" he whispered, his breath hot against her ear. "I'm always in control."
Aari's heart raced as she pressed her body closer to his, feeling the tension simmering between them. "Prove it," she challenged, her voice barely above a whisper.
