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Chapter 19

Laugh remained frozen, his hand rising slowly to touch his reddening cheek, stunned duele written across his unshaven face.

“You’re… real?” he whispered, staring at her as if she might evaporate

Ariana had reached her absolute limit with this absurd day. She laughed a sharp, brittle sound utterly

devoid of humor.

“Real? Sure. Apparently I’m trapped in a real–life horror movie where my supposed death wasn’t enough to get you out of my life.”

Without deigning to look at him again, she pivoted sharply toward the staircase.

“Ariana, wait–please!”

Luigi lunged after her, alcohol and desperation making his movements clumsy. As he grabbed for her wrist, the combination of his unsteady state and her quick evasion created disaster–her foot slipped on the polished marble step.

“Look out!”

Despite his impaired reflexes, Luigi managed to pull her against him as they fell, positioning his body to take the impact.

Their bodies hit the marble stairs with a sickening thud that echoed through the foyer.

Cushioned by Luigi’s intervention, Ariana escaped with minor disorientation. Luigi, however, wasn’t as fortunate–a crimson stain began spreading across the white marble beneath his head.

“Sir!” Davis’s horrified voice cut through the sudden stunned silence.

protocols were activated. Within fifteen

later, with Luigi still hospitalized, Ariana decided it was finally time

packed her few belongings and headed confidently for the main entrance, only to find her path. blocked by two female security staff in business attire.

into

women exchanged uncomfortable glances. “Ms. Collins, we have strict instructions that you’re not

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Furuil Revenge Pirouette. The 9976. GË

premises without Mr. Maggiore’s

disbelieving laugh escap felony choice.”

me prisoner? In

could formulate a response, she attempted to push past them

the security team hesitated to use force, instead trailing after her with increasing

reconsider–Mr. Maggiore

accelerated Ariana’s determined stride

with tinted windows glided to a stop directly in her path. The rear door swung open to reveal Laulgi–pale and bandaged,

unsettling

me that,” she snapped, actual revulsion contorting her features. “It makes my skin crawl

prepared for an eventual confrontation with Luigi. She’d recognized the

or influence.

had been calculated avoidance–minimal contact, neutral responses if they did encounter. each other,

her careful restraint would be misinterpreted. Her silence read as invitation. Her avoidance

he’d merely attended her performances, sending messages she systematically ignored. When blocked, he’d found new channels, seemingly content that

boundaries–attempting to

completely lost your fucking mind?” she demanded, years of suppressed fury finally breaking through. “What century do you think this is?”

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