"You always say things you don't mean," Kaden murmured, releasing her hair, yet she was still staring.

  Everytime she looked at him, there was anguish buried within the depths of the night sky, growing moist and glistening like stars. Her eyes hid the secrets of the universe.

  This time was no different. He could see memories of the past flashing before her eyes. The pain he had caused her, the happiness he gave her, and their tragedy. How many times must this love story repeat? How many times until it is their last?

  "Like loving me," Kaden whispered.

  Lina's eyes widened. He released her, straightened his suit, and pulled back. He didn't mean it. She knew he didn't. His icy gaze implied otherwise.

  Lina struggled to say something. She touched her chest, where her heart was willing to die for him. The Lina of the past loved him with everything in her. The Lina of the present didn't know if she still did. If not, then why did he bring her to tears? Why did the very sight of him break her heart?

  Because he was her demise, and she was his ruin?

  "Let's have a proper discussion in the garden," Lina finally managed to say, her voice dying towards the end.

  "Lead the way," Kaden said, gesturing for her to walk, even though he could see the garden doors in the far end of the hallway.

  Lina slowly nodded. She tore her attention away from him. Her fingers trembled at the memories of what they had both done to each other. The distance between their bodies was small, but the distance between their hearts was miles apart——

  "I've told and shown my Uncle our marriage contract," Lina informed Kaden. She leaned against the large tree in the garden, with branches that sprawled outwards and leaves that offered shade.

  Lina peered at Kaden, who rested his arm upon the tea table. He had crossed his legs and leaned back his head to dip in the sunlight. A masterpiece that not even the heavens could compare.

  "I see," Kaden said with his eyes closed, listening to the rustle of the leaves against the almighty wind.

  "You know why I'm marrying you don't you?" Lina asked. "I'm using you."

  Kaden slowly opened his eyes. They shifted to her.

  Lina froze. His gaze was piercing through her like a dagger—straight to the heart. The lack of warmth sent shivers crawling up her spine. He regarded her as if she had murdered his family.

  "I see," Kaden stated.

  Then, he went back to sunbathing, with his eyes closed and head tilted to the sunlight.

  "Yang Enterprise's stocks have dropped to an all-time low because of me, our clan's reputation—"

  "I see."

  Lina pursed her lips. She felt like she was talking to a wall. "Is that all you know how to say?"

  Kaden scoffed, but said nothing.

  Lina was growing irritated. She straightened up, deciding she had better things to do than entertain him.

  "The media said you've spread your legs for two men," Kaden grunted.

  Lina stiffened. She said nothing and went back to resting against the tree. The distance between them was astronomical. She was beginning to count the stones in the path that led to him.

  "I wish you did," Kaden mused.

  Lina glared. His lips spread into a smirk.

  "Soon enough, an article about their CEO's wife doing the same will be published."

  Lina's lips parted. She stared at Kaden like he had lost his damn mind. Kaden's eyes snapped open. Their gaze met and his smirk widened. Just the expression he wanted. Like a deer caught in headlights.

  "Don't underestimate my connections, dear dove." Kaden stood to his full height, deciding the sunlight was too much for him. He always preferred the dark anyways.

  "I'll destroy everyone that tries to ruin you," Kaden promised.

  He stalked towards her like a predator. When the shade fell over his body, his eyes darkened.

  Lina pressed herself against the tree bark. Under the sunlight, he was a charming man. In the darkness, he was a beast. His eyes were so terrifying, she felt goosebumps.

  "Why?" Lina whispered.

  "Because your ruin is mine to give." Kaden stopped in front of her.

  Lina was intimidated. The shadows were where he ruled. Her heart stopped when she saw a glimmer of red in his eyes. A… vampire?

  "It has always been mine." Kaden stroked the side of her face, watching her shiver and back away. There was nowhere to go. Nowhere but inside of his arms.

  "Your body, soul, and heart belongs to me, dear dove," Kaden said, his thumb caressing her soft skin. Before him, she suddenly seemed small. Her shoulders were curved like a dove, her white outfit reminding him of her innocence.

  Lina Yang, heart of gold and worth every penny. She had been sheltered from high society all her life, her hands free of dirt and blood. A woman Kaden would ruin with the blood on his hands and the pile of bones behind him.

  "When has it not?" Lina asked.

  Kaden froze.

  Lina smiled.

  "You always take things that don't belong to you," Lina whispered.

  "DeHaven men are known to want what isn't theirs," Kaden said.

  Lina raised her head, glad she had affected him as much as he had previously.

  "And how do DeHaven men like you take what isn't yours?" Lina asked.

  A wicked smile spread on his lips. "With violence and steel."

  Lina swallowed.

  "Why me?" Lina asked. "Why? After the centuries that have passed between us. After all that you've done to me and I've done to you. Is one heartbreak so painful you couldn't move on from it?"

  Kaden stared at her like she was a fool. "A human only has one heart. You break it once, and it's forever broken."

  One heart. And he had given it to her. Lina's chest pricked with pain, even more so, from the tender expression on his face.

  "What's broken can always be fixed," Lina said.

  "No."

  "Kaden—"

  "Not for us," Kaden warned.

  Lina shook her head. "Don't you dare forget, you've also broken my heart, trampled the pieces to dust, and allowed the ashes of our love to drift with the wind."

  "Is that why both of us are heartless?" Kaden taunted, joking even in a moment like this.

  Lina let out a harsh laugh. "Take a guess."

  Kaden grabbed her waist and pulled her close, her hips pressed against him. He glanced down at her lips. What a fucked up man he was. He wanted to kiss her, even when he saw the pain in her eyes.

  So, he did just that.

  Kaden bent his head to capture her mouth, but she turned her head.

  "No."

  Kaden paused.

  "You can have my body, my hand in marriage, but not my kisses. You will never have me."

  Kaden's eyes flickered, as he let out a sadistic laugh. This woman of his. She was crazy, but she was his.

  "Very well then." Kaden dropped his hand from her face. Suddenly, he went in for her neck, pressing a kiss upon the very spot her pulse beat. She yelped, gripping his biceps.

  "Kaden—"

  "Hush."

  Kaden sucked upon her soft skin. Her words irritated him. He bit upon the area, causing her knees to buckle from the pain. Then, he licked it, kissed it, and then, sucked again. He could hear her breathing grow uneven, her body pressed against his for more.

  Finally, when a mark formed, did he pull back. If she won't let him kiss her mouth, he'll just mark every spot on her body as his.