Ares's POV
The second Lucien said…
"…your past will become everyone's business."
Jasmine's breath caught, and something in me snapped.
She didn't move.
She didn't speak.
She just stared at him, eyes wide, shoulders lifted an inch too high, like the air was pressing her down.
Lucien did not even look at me. His entire focus was on her, feeding off her reaction.
But what he didn't realize…
what he never seemed to consider…
was that I was not going to stand there and let him break her.
Not today.
Not ever.
I stepped forward. "We're done here."
Lucien lifted a brow. "Are we?"
"Yes," I said. "Because if you think you can threaten her and walk away untouched…"
He smirked.
Then his phone buzzed.
Again.
Same notification sound as before.
The one that annoyed him moments ago.
The one he thought was insignificant.
Lucien pulled out his phone with obvious irritation and glanced down.
His jaw flexed.
His eyes narrowed.
And for the first time since this nightmare began…
