KISS'S POV
The music faded, replaced by murmurs and laughter echoing across the grand hall. Couples began mingling, champagne glasses clinking, but my attention remained fixed on Adrian as he spoke with his partners. He looked effortless—commanding the room without raising his voice, his presence alone silencing chatter.
I allowed myself a breath, adjusting my gown, when suddenly—disaster.
A deep splash of red hit my chest.
"Wine?" I whispered, looking down in shock. My dress, once pristine, was now a canvas for deep crimson.
Before I could process, Ashley Barlow stepped back with an exaggerated gasp. "Oh my God! Kiss! How could you—?"
I blinked, confused, then noticed the way people around us turned, eyes narrowing. Whispers spread.
My pulse quickened. I looked at Ashley, whose expression was all innocent victim.
"You—" I started, but she waved a hand dramatically. "You clumsy—what have you done?"
Then, in perfect sitcom timing, a familiar voice echoed:
"Yeah! Kiss! You did it yourself!"
I turned sharply. My step-sister appeared, her face a mix of shock and outrage. She pointed at me, voice raised. "You spilled the wine! You're always ruining everything!"
Gasps echoed through the room. Conversations halted. The dance floor became a stage.
I froze. For a moment, everything felt surreal.
Adrian's head snapped toward the commotion, eyes narrowing. His hand instinctively reached for me, but he didn't move fast enough. I could hear his restrained growl.
I exhaled slowly, raising my chin.
No backing down. Not now. Not ever.
As Ashley fumbled for her explanation, I stepped forward, voice steady, controlled, resonant:
"As a queen," I said, letting the words hang, commanding attention, "and as the future wife of Adrian Goodwill, I don't engage with petty accusations from people beneath me. I don't spill wine on others. I don't speak to the lessers. I don't bow to your theatrics."
The room froze. Every whisper stopped mid-air.
Ashley's jaw dropped. My step-sister gaped. Some guests leaned forward, intrigued. A few even suppressed chuckles.
Then, Ashley's hands shot up, fingers trembling with rage. "How—how dare you—?"
Before she could continue, my hand moved. Fast, precise, and deliberate.
SLAP.
Her head snapped sideways.
SLAP.
Gasps echoed again, this time with a new flavor—admiration. Eyes widened. Mouths opened. Murmurs turned to impressed whispers.
"Did she—?" one woman murmured.
"She just—twice?" another whispered.
I didn't flinch. I met Ashley's glare head-on. My eyes narrowed, unyielding.
"You'll learn," I said, voice calm but lethal, "that as long as I stand here, nothing you do will make me bow. Understand?"
Ashley's lips trembled. My step-sister started muttering, furious, but I ignored them. Instead, I glanced at Adrian.
His expression was a mixture of shock, disbelief, and… pride. His jaw tight, eyes dark with something dangerous and possessive. His hand reached for mine under the table, gripping it, grounding me.
"Beautiful," he muttered quietly, just for me, but I heard it. And it made my chest swell.
Ashley's shoulders shook as if she might explode. "You—"
"Enough," I said, voice cutting through the tension. "You're nothing here but a child throwing tantrums. And I refuse to dignify it further."
Her cheeks burned, lips trembling in fury. The room's atmosphere shifted. From gossip and scandal to admiration. People were watching me now. Seeing me.
One of the older ladies, a partner's wife, leaned in to whisper: "That's how you handle it. Grace, poise, and strength."
I nodded slightly, regaining composure. Adrian's grip under the table tightened. He leaned in, voice low and heated:
"You didn't just protect yourself. You set the rules."
I smiled faintly. "Just following your example. Only… I added my own edge."
He smirked, gaze sharp. "Good. I like it. Always remember who you are. And who belongs to you."
I laughed softly, tension ebbing slightly, though adrenaline still coursed through my veins. "Noted, my future husband."
He pulled me a little closer, just enough for me to feel his heat radiating against me. "Future? That sounds far too distant for my liking."
I raised an eyebrow, teasing: "And what would you like instead?"
Before he could answer, Ashley's voice broke through again, shaky, desperate:
"You… you can't—he—"
Adrian's hand tightened around mine. "Quiet," he said lowly, dangerously. His gaze locked on hers. "She's mine. Understand? Anyone who tries to touch her, harm her, or humiliate her… answers to me."
Ashley's knees nearly buckled under his intensity. My step-sister clutched her arm, stunned speechless.
I couldn't help but smile slightly, a playful glint in my eyes. "And as long as I'm standing here," I said softly, voice carrying over the stunned silence, "no one will ever make me bow. Not now, not ever."
Adrian leaned in, lips brushing the shell of my ear, voice heated: "I like the way you handle yourself. Always bold. Always sharp. Just like you."
I shivered slightly. "I learned from the best," I whispered.
The room remained tense. Whispers buzzed like electricity. Guests exchanged glances. People were impressed, surprised, and a little intimidated.
Finally, Ashley stormed off, muttering threats under her breath. My step-sister followed, sulking but silent.
I exhaled, adjusting my gown. Adrian's grip on my hand never loosened. He brushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear, gaze intense.
"Impressive," he said softly. "You made everyone see… not just me, but the room."
I smiled faintly, heart still racing. "I only did what needed to be done."
"And you did it beautifully," he murmured. Then, voice low, almost a growl: "And anyone else who tries—will regret it."
I leaned into him slightly, murmuring teasingly: "Sounds like jealousy to me."
He smirked, lips dangerously close to mine. "Not jealousy," he said, voice dark. "Possessiveness. And that… you'll feel every day of your life."
I laughed softly, a mix of amusement and anticipation. "Good. I think I can handle that."
He tilted his head, lips brushing mine lightly, a promise in the contact. "I know you can. And together… we're unstoppable."
I smiled against his lips, heart pounding. The room faded, whispers and stares fading into nothing. For now, it was just us.
And I knew—Adrian and I, together, were a force no one dared underestimate.