"Why is that guy still not here?" Fiona muttered, glancing at her watch.

"Babe, who else did you invite?" Lucian asked gently.

"You'll see, sweetie!" Fiona replied, her smile glowing.

With all the "babe" and "sweetie" being thrown around, Ariella felt like an extra in someone else's love story.

If she weren't here, they'd probably be making out already. That thought made her chest tighten uncomfortably.

"You and your secrets," Lucian said dotingly, leaning in to kiss Fiona's cheek right in front of Ariella, like she wasn't even there.

"Stop it! Ariella's right here..."

"Um... I need to use the restroom," Ariella interrupted, her chest tightening like there wasn't enough air to breathe. She had to get out.

She quickly stood up and walked away, ducking into the bathroom to hide from the sweet, suffocating atmosphere.

Looking in the mirror, she whispered to herself.

"Ariella, what the hell happened? Should I just bail? Or tell Fiona everything?"

But Fiona looked so happy just now. Crushing that happiness - was that fair?

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm in her head.

"Jealous, huh?" a voice whispered near her ear. Then, a pair of arms wrapped tightly around her from behind.

She felt his teeth graze her earlobe, slow and deliberate, warm breath fanning across her skin.

Her ears were too sensitive - her body shivered involuntarily, knees almost giving out.

"Let me go!" She twisted hard, trying to break free.

"That look in your eyes a minute ago? Totally said you wanted a kiss. Now you're playing hard to get? Is this supposed to be foreplay?" he murmured, still nibbling on her ear.

That was it! She didn't care anymore. Seething, Ariella slammed her heel toward his foot.

The second the stiletto grazed his shoe, he dodged fast and let her go.

Her chest rose and fell rapidly, face flushed red with rage. She wanted to slap him so bad. But to him, that flamed-up, furious look only made her more irresistible.

"You seriously tried to stomp me? Are you out of your mind? Believe me when I say-I could take you right here."

"I believe it. Animals in heat don't exactly have manners," Ariella shot back, chin held high.

He grabbed her waist again, yanking her close as his face moved toward hers.

She knew what he was about to say - that she had no right to fight back.

So she closed her eyes. Just before his lips touched hers, hot tears silently slipped down her cheeks.

Her waist was suddenly freed, regaining her space again.

"If Fiona finds out you were crying, deal with it yourself," Lucian said coldly, then turned and walked off without looking back.

Ariella quickly wiped away her tears. She didn't have the guts to let Fiona know-she couldn't handle seeing her hurt, and she was terrified of losing their friendship.

To avoid raising any red flags, she waited until all traces of crying were gone, forced a smile at her reflection in the mirror, and headed back to the VIP lounge.

"Ariella, if you didn't show up soon, someone was about to dial 911!" Fiona teased, chuckling behind her hand while glancing at the man sitting across from Lucian.

Only then did Ariella notice someone new sitting next to where she had been-Ryan, the same guy who'd chatted her up at Lucian's wedding.

"Come on, let me introduce you. This is Ryan, Lucian's younger brother. I brought you out today because he begged me. Seriously, he wouldn't stop! Our Ariella's just too charming-even the infamous playboy's gone shy and didn't have the guts to ask you out himself!" Fiona said, practically bursting with excitement.

Ariella took a fast glance at Lucian. His face looked like a thunderstorm was brewing.

Something about it pushed her to dig the knife deeper. So she turned to Ryan with a sweet smile and said, "Nice to meet you," even offering her hand.

"You're gorgeous, Ariella," Ryan said sincerely, gently shaking her soft hand.

"What, and your sister-in-law isn't pretty?" Fiona joked.

"You are, totally! But I can't say it out loud-don't wanna get beat up by my big bro!"

"Sit down already! You standing there's making me nervous!" Ryan said dramatically to Ariella.

Still smiling, Ariella slid into her seat. The lily honey tea had just arrived, and Ryan, acting all gentlemanly, poured her a cup himself.

"I know I've got a reputation... everyone calls me a player. But the truth? I just hadn't met the right one. Until I saw you at the wedding. I felt something real. I know this might come out of nowhere, but I really want to be serious with you. I even asked Fiona to set this up, and I wanted Lucian here too, kinda like a witness. So... if you'd be willing to date me-"

"You're not a good match!" Lucian cut in, his voice sharp and cold like he was the family patriarch.

He couldn't take it anymore. What the hell was Ryan on about? Trying to turn over a new leaf, out of nowhere?

Wasn't it him who swore up and down he'd bed every gorgeous woman on earth? Now just because that damn woman hooked a finger, he's ready to quit the game?

As a Sterling, acting like some love-sick stray dog-it was embarrassing.

Ryan hadn't expected this reaction, especially not over his first try at a serious relationship. Wasn't Lucian always bugging him to settle down?

"Bro, what's not right about it?" Ryan asked carefully. Normally, he wouldn't dare question Lucian like this.

But now, with the girl he liked standing right there, he couldn't just back down.

"Everything's wrong with it!"

Ariella stayed quiet, but her thoughts were all over the place. What right did he have to be this aggressive? Who Ryan dated was none of his business!

It's only because they had an agreement that she played along - otherwise, she might've really gone for it, just to see what Lucian would do.

Ryan's face flushed an awkward shade of red, nearly purple, as he stood there frozen, struggling for words.

"Bro, you're always telling me to be serious about relationships..."

Lucian waved him off before he could finish, his face still dark and cold.

"Serious? You met her once and you're already acting like she's 'the one'? That's not being serious - that's being reckless! All you see is her pretty face. What else do you even know about her? Some girls might look sweet, but trust me, they've got a bag full of tricks..."

"Lucian, Ariella's not that kind of person," Fiona cut in, frowning, clearly annoyed.

"I didn't say she was," Lucian replied with a sigh, looking like he was trying to be the wise elder. "I'm just saying, Ryan doesn't know her well enough. He's rushing in blind."

"Okay, maybe I don't know her that well yet, but shouldn't you at least let me try? People attract people like themselves - and if she's close with someone like Fiona, that already tells me a lot. I swear, I'd never hurt her."

"No." Lucian was still firm, almost harsh this time.

"Why not?"

"Because I said so. That's it."

Ryan was honestly thrown. His big bro was always strict, sure, but never unreasonable like this.

Lucian had always been the composed, dependable type - someone Ryan looked up to and admired. But today? He was like a different person.

Just flat-out shutting down a normal relationship like this felt way out of line. That harshness lit a flame in Ryan, and in one burst of frustration, he finally blurted what he'd been holding back for years.

"Lucian... am I really your brother? If this were Liam, you'd be totally fine with it, right? Liam's great, sure, he looks like you and acts like you, but he's not your real brother. I am. Same mom, same womb - so why does it feel like I'm always the one falling short in your eyes?"

"You..." Lucian always had the final say among the siblings, and no one ever pushed back. Being called out like that made something click for him - maybe he had been a bit unreasonable. But even he couldn't quite put into words why Ryan going after Ariella bothered him so much.

Maybe it was because Ariella was his. And the idea of her being with his own brother? That just didn't sit right.

"What nonsense are you spouting? I heard she already had a boyfriend, that's the only reason I said it wouldn't work," Lucian added, his tone softening.

"When did Ariella get a boyfriend? I had no idea. Where did you hear that?" Fiona asked, clearly confused.

"I just figured she must have one-she's beautiful," Lucian replied stiffly, silently cursing Ariella.

She was the reason his brother was acting like this. She had to be doing it on purpose, trying to stir up trouble between them. He'd definitely have to deal with her later.

"You guessed?" Ryan looked like he'd been hit by lightning. That wasn't just a flimsy excuse-it was basically nonsense and totally unfair.

"Ariella, you do have a boyfriend, right?" Lucian ignored Ryan and turned directly to Ariella.

If she dared say no, he'd make her regret it.

All eyes zeroed in on Ariella. Ryan had already asked Fiona, who'd said Ariella didn't have a boyfriend.

Still, he couldn't shake the worry-what if Fiona didn't know either?

Ariella opened her mouth, hesitating. She wanted to say no, but knew that'd be giving Lucian what he wanted. If she said yes, Fiona would definitely press her for details.

So she decided to dodge the question altogether.

"I've got something really important to take care of. I need to go. See you guys later!" she said quickly, standing up.

"I'll walk you out!" Ryan jumped to his feet too. No way he was staying under his brother's eye any longer.

He'd done the polite hello thing-he could handle the rest from here.

"That's okay, thanks," Ariella responded politely.

"Come on, even if you do have a boyfriend, we can still be friends, right? A proper guy should at least see you off," he insisted.

"Exactly, Ariella, don't be too formal. Lucian and I have to head home anyway-we can't walk you out, but he can," Fiona added.

"After you," Ryan gave a small bow, totally playing the gentleman. Ariella couldn't refuse anymore and had no choice but to go with him.

Behind them, Lucian's expression went ice cold, his jaw tightening.

Inside Ryan's flashy sports car, Ariella sat stiffly, her mood heavy. She knew she'd pissed Lucian off, and badly.

"Can I pursue you? Is that okay?" Ryan asked earnestly.

"Sorry, I already have a boyfriend," she said firmly. She didn't want to give him false hope.

"But Fiona said-"

"She doesn't know."

"Don't turn me down just because of something my brother said. It's my life, and who I date has nothing to do with my family's business. They won't get involved."

"So you're saying Lucian and Fiona's marriage was business-related?" Ariella asked before she could stop herself. It sounded way too nosy, but the words were already out.

"Yeah, there was a benefit involved. But they love each other, so it worked out perfectly."

Just as he said that, Ariella's phone buzzed with a new message.

"Be in bed waiting for me in twenty minutes!"

Ariella bit her lip hard. She really regretted ever agreeing to that damn rule: "Whenever I need you, you have to show up when I say."

They just got back, didn't they say they were going home to check in with family? Pretty good time for him to cuddle up with his sweet wifey, no?

Yet here he was, skipping that chance, rushing over just to blame her for something? What a messed-up jerk. Totally makes no sense.

"Something wrong?" Ryan asked from behind the wheel, catching her troubled expression in the rearview mirror.

"Just pull over here, this is my place."

"Already? That was quick." He sounded a bit disappointed-he didn't even get to confirm if she had a boyfriend or not.

"Yeah. Thanks," Ariella said, already pushing open the door as the car stopped.

Ryan got out too, standing by the sidewalk, and asked, "Can I get your number?"

"My boyfriend isn't into me giving out my contact info. Bye!" she said with a polite smile.

A gust of wind blew a few strands of her hair across her face. They landed gently, making her look soft and heartbreakingly beautiful. Ryan's heart skipped a beat.

She was stunning.

He thought back to the wedding at the hotel, the moment she appeared-everyone else was all smiles, but she had this quiet sadness clinging to her, and it hit hard.

Did that mean she's really in love? Is that what she was trying to tell him?

Ryan didn't buy it. If she was truly happy, where'd all that sorrow come from?

"Ariella..." he called after her.

Ariella could tell he wasn't done talking, so she gave him a quick "Goodbye," and hurried off.

He just stood there, watching her walk away, feeling helpless. He didn't know how to reach her, how to pull her out of whatever sadness she was drowning in.

As soon as Ariella was out of Ryan's line of sight, she hailed a cab and went straight to Lucian's apartment.

He wasn't home when she arrived.

Was this on purpose? Maybe he was scared she'd spend too much time with Ryan-that's probably why he sent that sudden order, right?

Maybe by now he was already in bed with Fiona...

She let out a long sigh. Since Lucian clearly wasn't coming yet, she figured she might as well step out. That apartment felt suffocating, like a golden cage.

But just as she reached the door, she heard the key turn in the lock. The door opened, and there was Lucian, looking cold as ever.

"I told you to wait in bed. What are you waiting at the door? You're getting more disobedient by the day."

Wait by the door? Please. He really thought he was worth greeting? He must have no idea that the girl who used to rush to meet him... didn't exist anymore.

Ariella didn't bother offering him slippers. She just turned around expressionless and walked back into the bedroom.

He always wanted the same thing. No matter how much she resisted, it never changed anything.

After all, she'd walked into this cage on her own.

Kicking off her shoes, Ariella climbed onto the bed and yanked down the zipper of her light purple dress, peeling it off in one smooth motion.

By the time Lucian walked into the bedroom, she was already lying there completely bare.

Her face looked lifeless, and those eyes were full of resentment-nothing about her sparked any desire in him. Instead, irritation and a bitter anger started bubbling inside him.

He leaned in, gripping her chin roughly as a mocking growl slipped from between his clenched teeth. "So eager for me to screw you, huh?"

"You're the one who couldn't wait. I'm just doing what I was told," Ariella responded coldly.

"Come on, this is what you wanted, isn't it?"

Lucian's patience was hanging by a thread, and her attitude was pushing him way too close to the edge. But he had to keep it together-couldn't let her little jabs make him lose it.

His eyes swept over her body, then he sneered, "What a shame. Pretty sure I'm getting sick of this body already."

"Perfect. Guess it's finally a win for Fiona," Ariella said blandly, no trace of affection in her voice. Nothing about her hinted she cared for him the slightest bit.

"You delusional woman. Keep dreaming."

He growled low in his throat, tightening his hold on her chin until her face was forced closer to his. Then he crashed his lips onto hers with harsh force.

But the second he touched her soft, trembling lips, something inside him snapped-like all the blood in his veins caught fire. Desire hit him like a tidal wave.

He started angry, but the moment he tasted her, that boiling rage started to melt into something else. Instead of devouring her mouth the way he intended, he ended up kissing her slowly, almost tenderly. The pressure on her chin eased noticeably.

She had shaken hands with his brother right in front of him, and when he showed up just now, she acted like she didn't give a damn. He should be furious right now.

If he kissed her until her lips were swollen like last time, Ariella would probably still think it made sense. But the way he was being so careful, like afraid to spook her... like he actually cared about her-it threw her off.

Her mind blanked-his soft touches making her light-headed, like he'd drugged her with nothing but a kiss. She'd sworn she wouldn't fall again, but her body wasn't listening.

She pushed at him with what little strength she had left, breaking free from the kiss as she panted, "If you want it, just do it. Just... stop kissing me."

"Can't take it anymore?" he asked, voice low and husky, eyes locked on her flushed face.

Those eyes of hers were glazed over, clouded with longing-something he hadn't seen in forever. That eager spark reminded him of how she used to look at him before she knew he was getting married.

And yeah, he missed that-missed how she used to be, back when it was just the two of them.