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Chapter 77 - Burden Me
"It's not that important," he shrugged, taking his seat at the long table. I was seated near the front but on the side.
"It's as important as those scars on your back and where they came from, Arik. You should've told me," I insisted.
He adjusted his hair and looked at me gently. I noticed his hand playing with his pen.
"I don't want to burden you anymore, Celeste. You have a lot to deal with," he said, making me frown as I stared at him.
He chuckled and took my hand. "What?"
"Burden me anytime, Arik. I want you to burden me all the time, please," I pleaded with him, feeling that familiar tug at my heart.
We held each other's gaze for a long moment until he let out a sigh, as if finally giving in to what I wanted.
"I will. I'm sorry."
The meeting lasted nearly two hours. After lunch, we headed to Arik's secret house. On the way there, I suddenly remembered Hannah because I hadn't seen her lately.
"She's in the US. Dad se
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After This Night Chapter 78 - Uninvited Guest
What was supposed to be an intimate celebration of Tito Isaiah's birthday turned into a grand and lively affair when Arik's cousins and their spouses suddenly arrived.They set up a barbecue party in the spacious backyard of the Rioflorida mansion. It was an impromptu decision, and the older Rioflorida had different plans for that evening."Are you close to your cousins?" I asked Arik as he busied himself with grilling the barbecue.He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me close, not even looking at me."Yeah. I met them in the US when we left the country and lived there for a few years. They're all on my father's side because I don't have much connection with my Mom's side.""But why did they recognize me so quickly?" I asked him again.When they arrived, they immediately approached me, greeted me, and acted like they had known me for a long time. I could tell that they were genuinely good people. It seemed to be a trait of the Riof
After This Night Chapter 79 - Inheritance
"Is Isabella aware of this? That's new, huh? Wasn't she upset?" Aurora inquired, her initial question after I revealed the contents of that envelope.Among them was Dad's letter. I didn't notice it initially because I didn't immediately pay attention. So, I didn't know how I'd react when I found out what he had left for me. I thought it was just a letter."She reminded me to read the letter. I think she knows," I replied, gazing at the papers.Some of them were property titles in my name. Dad's last will and testament was also there. I had it verified by our family lawyer to confirm their authenticity, and they confirmed they were legit.It was mine, part of my inheritance. Isabella knew about them, but she didn't even bring it up the last time we spoke."And then she jetted off to the UK that quickly? Why did she do that? Did she tell you the reason?" Kim asked and handed me a copy of Dad's last will and testament.I shrugged and put them away. "She di
After This Night Chapter 80 - The President and CEO
"Do you expect me to believe that after seeing you on the CCTV? Some people have witnessed it too, Damien. How do you explain that to the board of directors?" His uncle persisted, further infuriating Arik.Arik suddenly released my hand and began to curse multiple times, which alarmed me.I thought he might lose his temper, but instead, he remained seated in the swivel chair, seething with anger. I was rendered speechless, simply watching him."Explain it to me, Damien—""I have nothing to explain to you. I don't care anymore. If you want me out of this company, so be it, uncle. Just do it. I know you've had your eyes on me since I returned, and I don't give a damn. Do whatever you want. I don't care," Arik said with a tone of resignation, leaving me even more disheartened."Is that what you want? What's happening to you? Ever since you came back to the country and got back together with this woman, you've lost your focus. You're even defying us. Is th
After This Night Chapter 81 - Right-Hand Person
I came to a halt and gazed up at the full moon, which illuminated our surroundings during this quiet moment. The distant sounds of the party on my family's vast estate filled the air."Celeste," he called my name in his hoarse voice, causing me to turn towards him."Hmm?" I responded.He furrowed his brow and turned to face me, his eyes filled with an intense fear that caught me off guard.Was this related to what I had witnessed earlier?"Why, Arik?""Please, be mad. Aren't you mad with me for what you saw earlier?" His voice was pleading, and it nearly made me chuckle.He reached out and took hold of my hands."Should I be angry?" I asked him simply.The crease on his forehead disappeared, but he still seemed perplexed. His jaw clenched as he gazed at me with affection.When I had seen him hugging Hannah and crying, my first thought was to inquire why she had returned from the UK and why she was in tears.When I asked him, he
After This Night Chapter 82 - Betrayal
"But she deserves to know the truth, Arik. You've also mentioned that Celeste can be quite trusting. I'm confident she'll believe you with a proper explanation. She's too innocent for you, anyway."My heart aches at those words. I search for something to anchor myself, feeling like I'm about to lose my strength. I can't find anything, so I brace myself, biting my lip and taking slow steps.What is she referring to? What does she mean? What do I need to know?"Stop saying that about her, Hannah. You should be grateful I spent time with you last night. I'm not going to lie to her again—""What did you lie to me about, Arik?" I interrupt him courageously before he can continue.They both look shocked and quickly stand up, especially Arik. He's about to approach me, so I immediately raise my hand in front of him."D-don't... you dare," I say, trembling."Celeste...""What lies have you told me? What are you talking about? Did you spend the n
After This Night Chapter 83 - Caged
When I looked up at Liam, he was staring at me again, his expression blank."I-I need to go home, please. Someone is waiting for me. Let me go," I pleaded, but he paid no attention, instead lighting a cigarette."Who's waiting for you, then? Is it that guy Arik?" he asked firmly, leaving me momentarily speechless.When he looked at me again, a faint smirk played on his lips."The little family you built?"I was shocked to hear that. My heart raced, and I felt lightheaded.No. No. He couldn't involve innocent people in whatever he planned to do to me. This couldn't happen. Not my child."Tell me, Celeste, why can't you just let everything passed and stop involving my family with your affair? You have your own, right? Why do you have to involve dad in searching for your mother's killer?" He was fuming mad which gave me shivers in my spine.He seems to be able to hurt me at these times.I bit my lower lip hard and blinked."I don't know
After This Night Chapter 84 - Desperate Cry
It hurts so much, and my eyes sting. I can't bear it any longer. Silently, tears welled up due to the overwhelming hatred I felt for these people who have done nothing but harm me. I wanted to ask each of them about what I did to deserve such treatment, but even speaking felt draining.I struggled to catch my breath, trying to compose myself, but it only heightened my emotions, especially when I recalled everything, he did to me last night. I sighed forcefully and looked up at him, his gaze unwavering."Why are you putting me through this? Do you realize the torment you've caused me? What do you want from me?" I pleaded, my voice breaking.He averted his eyes and turned away. I bit my lower lip and let out a despairing sigh. I can't put into words the agony I'm going through. I just don't know how to define this torment anymore.I yearn to go home! I miss my daughter terribly! I long for the comfort of holding her, even for a moment, to ease the consuming
After This Night Chapter 85 - Leader of the Enemy
My anger surged as I spoke, and I was catching my breath, fueled by hunger, the wounds on my wrists and legs, and the fact that no one had shown up to rescue me. I bit my lower lip in frustration.Arik wasn't here either. No one was coming to save me, and I didn't know what to do. It felt like my courage was fading, and escape seemed impossible."You don't know Liam that well. Maybe you're right, he's lost it. If I were you, I'd just go along with whatever he wants," Xavier advised before leaving.I wanted to ask him more questions, but it was too late. When I looked back at the table, I was shocked to see that he had left his gun. I immediately stood up even though it was difficult and jumped over to the table to pick it up.Exactly when I got the gun was the opening of the door again and the blank expression of Liam exposed to me.My chest throbbed with extreme nervousness. I simply put the gun behind me and remained standing there."You'r
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- After This Night The End
- After This Night Chapter 150 - Last Kiss
- After This Night Chapter 149 - Whites
- After This Night Chapter 148 - Invitation
- After This Night Chapter 147 - Close to You
- After This Night Chapter 146 - Take a Chance on Me
- After This Night Chapter 145 - In Any Ways
- After This Night Chapter 144 - Without Me
- After This Night Chapter 143 - Her Plea
