HEART BOUND

PARADISE AND DAGGERS

HEART BOUND

PARADISE AND DAGGERS

(Season 1)

CHAPTER 22

Days and weeks slipped by.

And somewhere in that time, Liora stopped seeing the Vex brothers as strangers.

They became the brothers she’d always wished for.

They teased her. They argued over her. They showed up when she needed water at 2AM.

The way they pampered her made her feel like she was the most important person in the world.

For the first time in her life, she had a family that chose her.

And she wasn’t ready to trade that for anything.

But there was one thing eating her alive.

*Kalen.*

No matter how many days passed, she still couldn’t find a single thing about his health.

Every time she asked Zach, he changed the subject.

Every time she asked Ryan, he made a joke.

Every time she asked Rhine, she got a careful smile and “I don’t know much.”

It was frustrating.

Kalen’s last warning still echoed in her head: _“Stop investigating me. It’s dangerous.”_

But sitting idle made her feel useless. And useless made her panic.

So the guys noticed.

She was quiet. Locked in her room. One-word answers.

She was shrinking.

And Rhine had a theory.

"Shopping," Rhine declared one morning, already dragging keys. "Girls get happy when they shop. It’s science."

"We are going to have so much fun," Rhine said with a wide grin as they stepped out of the cars. "I invited a friend too."

Kai immediately frowned. "Don’t tell me you brought that freak?"

Rhine shot him daggers. "She is NOT a freak. And no, it’s not Ellen."

"Then who?" Ryan asked, leaning against the car.

"Her name is Vanessa. She just joined the club last week," Rhine explained. Rhine owned one of the most successful dance schools and clubs in the country. Trophies lined every wall.

"Whatever," Kai muttered. Then he turned to Liora and softened. "Pumpkin, come on. Let’s go in."

He took her wrist gently, pretending not to see Rhine’s glare. Liora couldn't help but laugh. She enjoy every single time she spends with the guys and Rhine, they just find a way to make her feel lighter.

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"LUXE BOUTIQUE | AFTERNOON"

The second the doors opened, Liora stopped breathing.

It was a paradise.

Walls of glass. Clothes that looked like art. Bags that cost more than her old house.

Light hit the chandeliers and scattered everywhere.

She’d never been in a place like this.

Back home, shopping meant her stepmother’s hand-me-downs.

At first Liora thought it was love. _She’s sharing with me._

Later she realized it was just what was left over.

"Welcome, Mr. Vex," an attendant rushed over, eyes bright. "Do you need any help, sir?"

Liora watched as every girl in the store turned.

Whispers. Stares. Phones.

Of course they were looking at Kai. He walked in like he owned the world. And not to talk about his beauty. God!! All the vex brothers are screaming hot.

But they had no idea he was already taken.

"Show her all the best you have," Kai said, nodding toward Liora.

"All the... best, sir?" the lady blinked.

"Yes. The best of everything you have. All of it."

Liora’s eyes went wide. "Kai, are you serious?"

"Yeah. Zach said I should make you happy so why not" Liora stared at him like he had grown two extra heads.

Within ten minutes, the fitting room looked like a magazine.

Dresses. Bags. Shoes. Jewelry. All laid out for her.

She’d never seen so much beauty in one place. She had no idea what to even pick, everything just scream expensive and beauty.

"Wow," Rhine breathed as she and Vanessa walked in. "These are gorgeous."

"I don’t even know which one to pick," Liora said, overwhelmed. "They’re all so beautiful."

Ryan leaned back, grinning. "Then don’t pick. Take everything."

The entire room went silent.

One of those dresses was millions. And he said _everything_ like it was nothing.

Rhine wasn’t shocked. She knew what Liora meant to them.

To think it had only been a month since Ryan ran her over with his car.

"You can’t be serious," Liora whispered. "These are too expensive."

"Just say the word, baby," Ryan said with a wide grin.

Rhine rolled her eyes so hard. "Can you guys stop showing off? Ladies don’t shop like this."

She glared at Kai, who was smirking like he’d won.

"Fine, fine," Kai said, standing. "You ladies do your thing. Ryan and I will be back."

The moment they left, Vanessa turned to Rhine, still dazed.

"You didn’t tell me your friends looked like _that_," Vanessa whispered. "Especially the older one."

Rhine laughed. "And you didn’t tell me you’re into assholes. Forget him. Help us pick."

For hours they laughed, tried things on, took pictures.

Then hunger hit. As they had their lunch Liora noticed how Vanessa was trying to to get close to Kai. The way she smiled, talk, and look at him said it all. But Kai and the others were too oblivious to see it. Liora smiled and shook her head, Vanessa had no idea. No matter she does Kai wasn't going to spear her a glance.

"So what’s next, pumpkin?" Kai asked over lunch.

"I have an idea," Rhine said. "Let’s go to my studio. Warm up. Dance a little."

Liora lit up. She’d always wanted to see Rhine’s studio. She loved dancing.

"Terrible idea," Kai said immediately. "Dancing is boring. And stressful. And girls will crowd me."

"That’s not your decision, brain fart," Rhine snapped.

Liora giggled. "I want to go. Please? I’m sure it’ll be fun."

"Yeah," Vanessa cut in quickly, smile too bright. "Or are you scared? I can teach you if you want."

"Scared?!" Kai sat up. "I’m the best."

"Then why not come?" Vanessa pressed, eyes on him only.

Kai sighed. "Fine. But only because no one’s allowed to flirt with me."

"I promise," Liora said, smiling. "I won’t let anyone flirt with you."

Kai couldn’t say no to that.

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"RHINE DANCE STUDIO | 30 MINUTES LATER"

Liora stared up at the building. Huge. Clean. Students in every room, moving like water.

"This is amazing, Rhine," she said, genuinely in awe.

"This is where she spends most of her time being less annoying" Kai said with a grin. Rhine gave him a look immediately.

"Stop teasing her Kai" Liora scolded even though she was trying so hard not to laugh.

As they walked in, like Kai said all the girls even the guys, started drooling and fangirling over Kai and Ryan. You can't really blame them, Kai and his brothers were like they were specially created by God on a special day.

"This is so annoying" Kai complained, while Ryan at the other hand was enjoying the attention. Rhine glare and ignore him.

"Come on," Rhine said. "Vanessa, help her with her shoes. We’ll be right back."

The second Rhine and the guys walked away, Vanessa’s smile dropped. Like she was wearing a mask all day.

Liora noticed immediately.

"So... where do I change?" Liora asked carefully.

Vanessa turned. Her eyes were cold now.

"Why do you act like you’re so important?"

Liora frowned. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," Vanessa said, voice low. "Everywhere we go, it’s _Liora this, Liora that_. Kai. Ryan. Even Rhine. Like the world revolves around you."

Liora’s chest tightened.

They’d just met. She hadn’t done anything.

"I... I don’t—"

"Save it," Vanessa cut her off. "Just don’t get too comfortable. People like you don’t last long around men like them."

The air in the dressing room went heavy.

And Liora realized something.

This wasn’t about dancing.

This wasn’t about shoes.

This was about Kai.

But why target her? Kai doesn't even like her in that manner. Liora was confused how she can be so obsessed with someone she just met.

TBC