After their little deal, the man naturally gave her no opportunity to retort. Gavriel looked immovable, making it crystal clear that if she were to reject his dangerous bargain, he would most definitely unleash his lack of restraint right then and there.

Thus, their game of push and pull officially began. They circled each other like two hungry predators, eyes locked, waiting to see who would be the first to break and pounce on the temptation dangling between them.

As the days passed, the engagement preparations went into full swing.

On rotation, event organisers, florists, and designers stepped into the Valentine Residence one after another, and the mansion had never felt so vibrant.

Winston, who had managed the estate for a very long time, had never seen so many people under its roof at once.

The lively chatter and bustling discussions transformed the once-silent halls, causing the old butler’s expression to soften.

For the first time, his master was no longer entirely isolated. He could see how beautifully the trajectory of his master’s life was shifting ever since Miss Vanderbilt had arrived, and he felt nothing but profound gratitude toward the woman who would soon become the lady of the house.

Meanwhile, Jade had surprisingly made a near-total recovery by the third day.

The severe wounds inflicted on her foot had healed so rapidly that both the doctor and Aliana were left wondering what could possibly be behind such a miraculous turnaround.

But little did they know that a certain high-ranking demon had secretly lent his own dark energy to expedite her healing process.

Cillian.

Since waking, even though Jade felt physically much better due to her unusually fast recovery, she still carried a quiet trauma within her.

When Aliana finally spoke to her alone, she could easily tell just how shaken Jade was mentally.

"It felt like I was trapped in some dark void. I screamed for someone... anyone to hear me, but I felt this suffocating grip around me. The more I screamed and struggled to break free, the tighter it became," Jade told Aliana, a distant, haunted look in her eyes.

Aliana felt her heart squeeze painfully as she listened to her friend’s horrifying experience.

She knew exactly what Jade was talking about... being stuck in a void with no one around to listen or pull you out. That was precisely what she had experienced during her own coma, and in the vivid dream that followed her accident.

The heavy weight of guilt settled over her once more. She couldn’t shake the feeling that her friend had gone through such a terrible ordeal solely because of her.

"I’m sorry."

The soft whisper brushed against Jade’s ears, causing her to turn back to Aliana.

For the first time since they had met, she saw her dear friend’s head hanging low, as if she could no longer bear to meet her gaze. It suddenly clicked for Jade that while she had been sharing her experience, Aliana had been quietly drowning in self-deprecation and guilt.

"Ali," Jade called out softly.

But Aliana kept her eyes downcast, her voice trembling as she continued, "I’m sorry you had to go through that because of me."

"Ali, no!" Jade reached out and grabbed her friend’s hand, a crease forming between her brows as she took in Aliana’s defeated posture.

She did not like it one bit.

The Aliana she knew was always resilient. She carried herself like the queen she was meant to be, someone who shone no matter how difficult things became. Never someone who looked as though she had failed.

It pained Jade to see her like this.

So she spoke in a calm but firm voice.

"Don’t you dare blame yourself for this, Ali. How could you possibly know such a thing could happen when you are walking just as blindly into this new side of the world as the rest of us?

Hell, we used to laugh about ghosts and fairies when we were young, thinking we were far too smart to be fooled by those childish fairytale books our parents brought home. Never once did we think such things actually existed, so don’t you dare take the blame for something that was never your doing."

When Aliana still didn’t reply, Jade pressed her lips into a thin line. Squeezing her friend’s hand tightly, she insisted, "Look at me, Ali. Look me in the eyes."

Jade’s voice was quiet, but it held a commanding demand that Aliana simply could not ignore.

Slowly, she lifted her head, revealing light grey eyes that were heavily reddened with unshed tears.

The vulnerable sight instantly softened the fierce look in Jade’s gaze.

"You fool, I didn’t think my best friend could be so emotional over nothing." Jade gave her a soft smile before lifting her hand to wipe away the lone tear that had slipped silently down Aliana’s cheek.

She continued in a much gentler tone, "We have known each other since we learned how to walk, and I know you have always been the biggest skeptic when it comes to the existence of God, the Devil, or whatever other entities exist out there that we have yet to see. So how could you possibly know or anticipate something like this?

Rose’s existence alone was a shock to all of us. How could you know what made her snap like that, or that she would possess me just to get to you? Don’t you see how ridiculous all of this sounds when I say it out loud? Yet, we both lived through it, Ali. We survived. And you, more than anyone, have been surviving these terrifying experiences all on your own."

Aliana bit her lip, staring into Jade’s bright green eyes, which were filled with deep warmth and understanding.

"I can’t even imagine how scared you must have been all this time," Jade continued, "living in constant terror of the unknown, when a single experience was enough to terrify me. You are strong, Ali. Don’t let this break you, and don’t you dare take the blame for something you are not responsible for. I will be bloody furious with you if you do."