VENGEANCE IN THE SHADOWS [KIM MINGYU]

{39} Reflections in the Water

Chapter 39

"Reflections in the Water"

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The terrace pool sparkled under the late afternoon sun, its crystal clear water catching the golden light. Alara reclined on a luxurious lounger, her slender legs stretched out as she basked in the warmth. Her body was flawless toned curves and smooth skin glistening from a thin sheen of water.

She wore a sleek dark green bikini, its minimalist design emphasizing her perfect proportions. Her damp hair clung to her back and shoulders in loose waves, and a soft, tranquil expression adorned her face as she stared at the endless horizon.

The gentle rustle of the breeze and the distant hum of birds filled the air. It was serene, almost too perfect, and her mind wandered as she swirled the iced drink in her hand, condensation dripping onto her palm.

It had been three weeks since the anniversary party, and so much had changed. Mingyu, with his duality of ruthless dominance and unexpected tenderness, had become the center of her world.

To others, he was a man to fear cold, calculating, and unrelenting. But to her, he was something else entirely. In his presence, she felt safe, adored, and inexplicably lighter.

She let out a soft sigh, slipping off the lounger and stepping into the pool. The water was cool against her heated skin as she waded toward the edge, her arms resting on the warm tiles.

Alara gazed at the view before her: the sprawling estate gardens below, the sunlit mountains in the distance, and the endless expanse of blue sky.

But even in the midst of such beauty, her thoughts betrayed her.

Memories of her father’s sharp voice, his calculating gaze, and the suffocating weight of his expectations resurfaced.

A man so powerful yet so distant, he had ruled her life with a tight grip, shaping her into the polished, confident woman she had become.

Yet beneath that exterior, there were cracks places where fear and doubt seeped through.

She clenched her jaw, willing the memories away. This was her moment, her time to savor the peace she had found.

With Mingyu, things were different. He saw through her walls, her carefully crafted persona, and loved her not despite them but because of who she truly was.

A faint sound broke her reverie, and her heart skipped as she turned, half expecting to see him standing there. But the terrace was empty, save for the lingering warmth of the afternoon sun.