**Author's POV**
Pain gripped Araya's chest, sudden goosebumps making her shiver beneath the relentless rain. Her eyes fluttered with unease as she instinctively covered her mouth, feeling the intensity of his stare.
"Araya!" he yelped again. When she covered her mouth, his expression wobbled. Time seemed to slow for him as he closed the last gap between them.
She stepped back quickly, her instincts screaming at her to flee as she stared into his ocean-blue eyes, feeling an instant dislike for the man before her.
She was too familiar, too captivating, a mirror of his daughter and the love of his life, Araya.
He took a long stride forward, closing the distance again. Panic surged within her, a tidal wave crashing against her resolve. "I... I... I..." she stuttered. In his confused state, he reached out to caress her face, a glow of excitement lighting up his features.
"You... you... are alive! You... didn't... die! You... you..." His words twisted her stomach, and she felt her breath seize. Swiftly, she raised her eyes to meet his.
"I'm alive?" An electric current coursed through her body, freezing her blood. His hot breath made it almost impossible to breathe. He traced his fingers over her cheeks, down her neckline, and onto her lips. It was as if he were in a daze, and every nerve in her body began to tremble. When he touched her, it felt like someone with vile intentions had laid hands on her.
As raindrops dotted her beautiful hair, she felt her composure slipping away. Time slowed as a strong trigger shot through her mind.
**Quick flashback.**
"You are mine, sex doll." She winced in pain as he scooped her off her feet.
"Why are you doing this to me?" she had asked, tears brimming in her doe-like eyes.
"Either you marry me, or you die." His grimace had been chilling, hands gripping guns.
**Flashback ends.**
"You... you..." she stuttered, feeling a chill penetrate her. Confusion clouded her thoughts as she winced, trying to summon the courage to meet his gaze.
His eyes welled with unshed tears as he leaned forward to kiss her. But Peony, regaining her composure, pushed him away and glared into his deep ocean-blue eyes—the same eyes that haunted her dreams.
"I am Peony Acosta, the perfumer from Orlando, here for your daughter's audition," she stammered, hurriedly adding. A sense of calm washed over her, and a plain smile appeared on her face.
"Peony?" he repeated, confusion etched on his face. She was halfway from passing out from cold and fear. He didn't seem to notice her as he was busy staring deep into her eyes.
"Y-Yes, Mr. Dragons, I am really Peony Acosta and not some sort of Araya. I'm from Orlando, and I make perfumes," she declared proudly, unknowingly shattering the little gleams of hope in his eyes.
"Don't call her that..." Rage flickered in his eyes, but he quickly tempered it, remembering she was his daughter's idol. He took a deep breath to calm his nerves.
"Am I late for the audition?" she asked innocently, her heart pounding in her chest.
**Dragons' POV**
A conflict raged within me, disbelief clawing at my heart. How could someone look so much like Araya? Her smiles, her way of speaking, her very essence were all too familiar.
The moment she said her name, my confidence took a plunge. I looked around. The darkness enveloped us, the rain pouring down like a predator unleashing its dangerous venom. At long last, I noticed her in my daze, shaking and wriggling in fear.
"Except for the rain, we're good," I said, reaching for the umbrella and offering it to her.
"We can find cover inside my car," I uttered, turning on my heels toward the vehicle. But what I hadn't expected was for her to stay rooted in place, not moving an inch. I could feel her hot, blazing gaze behind me, prompting me to turn back around in bewilderment.
My gaze traveled to her, and I figured it out in an instant. The next moment, I took a stride, bent down, and picked her up off the floor in a bridal style.
"I'm sorry for the inconvenience, Miss Acosta. I have to do this, or you will get killed by the cold." She nodded, grimacing awkwardly at me. For some reason, it brought a huge grin to my face.
Just like that, I walked her to the car, pulled the passenger door open, and gently placed her on the seat.
"Buckle up, Miss Peony, because it's going to be a hard and long drive." I teased, my grin widening as she nodded awkwardly, followed by a plain smile.
No matter how I tried to remind myself she was Peony and not Araya, my heart refused to listen. There was something about her that felt familiar, something that tugged at my very soul. I leaned closer, brushing a lock of hair from her face, smiling conceitedly. I didn't give her enough time to react as I closed the door behind me, leaving her wide-eyed in shock.
To her, I might be a jerk or a creep, but my instincts had never failed me. There was something off about this Peony, and I was determined to uncover the truth. But for now, all that mattered was Asher's happiness.
**Araya's POV**
A permanent scowl settled on my face as he slammed the door shut. He was infuriating, a jerk in every sense of the word. How could I possibly stay under the same roof as him? The urge to strike him across the cheek was overwhelming, but I held back, wrapping the coat tighter around myself to shield against the biting wind.
I stared out the window, watching the rain cascade down the glass, blurring the world outside. Exhaustion washed over me, and I leaned against the cool surface, my eyelids growing heavy.
**Author's POV**
Nora expectantly drew Asher closer and grinned. "Is your daddy really going to bring another lady into this house? And you instigated it, Asher?"
Her tone sounded harsh and angry, making the sleeping Asher jolt up from the couch. She had refused to sleep until she saw her idol, and her father unexpectedly agreed to her request.
"No... Mama... it's my... idol... Peony Acosta..." she stuttered, fear overwhelming her petite body. However, Nora didn't seem to care nor stop her taunts. She knew the impact she had on the girl and was glad for it; at least she could manipulate her as long as she had her in her grasp.
"You little brat!" she spat. "After all I did for you when your whore of a mother left you, I took care of you as my child, and this is what I get?" She wished she could land a slap on her but knew it was ultimately impossible because Dragons would find out she was mistreating his favorite daughter.
Tears pricked Asher's eyes as she reluctantly lowered her head. The innocent child never knew how to satisfy her mother, and she had done almost everything she asked her to at her very young and tender age.
"No, Mother, I..."
"Did you want to see your dad married to another woman, Asher?" Nora deliberately rasped, coming closer to her. Asher whimpered and scooted further into the couch. The maids stood behind and watched in awe, knowing how much their mistress treated the little girl and feeling bad for her. None had the courage to report to their boss after her last episode with one of the servants.
"You really want to wreak havoc with my marriage to your father, Miss Asher Dragons! You must be over the moon with excitement to see your idol here with your father, and then they will get married and have little princesses while I'm left to rot, right?"
Startled, Asher clutched her rainbow pillow, the only memory she had of her mother, and dissolved into tears. This action made Nora scowl loudly, grabbing the pillow. She yelled outrightly, her tone filled with rage, hate, and bitterness. "You are a bastard, Asher, and a bastard doesn't deserve a family. Your mother was a whore who clung to your father for his money."
She smiled widely when she saw the impact her words had on the poor child. Asher was miserably crying on her shoulders as her mother's harsh words sank into her heart.
The servants were appalled at her tone toward the young innocent girl, but none had the courage to speak up for her.
Grief-stricken, Asher climbed out of the couch, reaching for her mother's arms. "I promise, Mum... I love... you very much. I'm not gonna let Dada be with another woman."
"And who says you won't? You are just a pretentious little brat! I know you are very happy for your new mama, aren't you?" she pried further, hurting the child's self-esteem.
"I... I... I..." Asher ruefully tightened her hold on the pillow, her mother's charm. Disheartened, she grabbed her hand yet again and shrugged. "Dada loves you, Mama."
"But he won't as long as you are in the picture, little brat! He only sees you and no one else. Don't you want little brothers and sisters who can play with you instead of playing with your boring father? It's not going to happen as long as you are there! You, Asher, are the cause! You took all his attention away from me! You are to blame! You and only you, Asher Stewart! You should be a Stewart and not a Dragons! Do you know why?" She sneered and grabbed her by the wrist.
"Neither your mother nor you belong here. You don't belong to our world. You are just a little smiling brat from the gutters, picked by my husband! You love me, but I hate you very much." Her spiteful words made Asher shake and shiver with fear. She flinched and winced in pain. Her tiny yelp of pain made Nora smile with pleasure.
She wasn't supposed to hurt the mafia's daughter, but who says she cannot damage her? Who says she cannot destroy her confidence? As long as she didn't put Asher in her place, her children's lives would be hectic and chaotic.
Numbly, Asher pleaded with tears falling like a torrent of rain. "I'm sorry, Mum, please leave me. You are hurting me."
The sky roared, indicating another round of rain. No one was going to come for her aid; apparently, Jack and others were on leave to find their dreams.
Dragons had personally instructed them to find love in his grief so they wouldn't end up like him. Who would have thought it would come to her advantage? She hated the gangs because of the love they showered on little Asher while others wished Asher a bountiful and beautiful life. She wished her death.
Actually, she'd tried to kill Asher when she was barely two. She remembered perfectly well digging a little grave in the backyard and dropping her there to die, only to be found by that foolish maid.
A fierce frown appeared on her face, and her expression darkened.
"You should be dead, Asher, along with your whore of a mother." The pain on her flesh worsened; she whined loudly, causing Nora to release her hold on her immediately.
Her wrist scalded red and swollen. She gently touched the bruise and ran into her room while crying and sobbing.
A triumphant smile appeared at the corner of her face. How much she craved hurting her. She spotted the servants once again; they swallowed their saliva, semi-tenuously, and scampered away out of fear.
Dragons took quick glances at the sleeping beauty in the back, each time with a genuine smile plastered on his lips as he attempted to control his emotions.
A sentimental feeling washed over him as he felt the proud gust of winds swirling in her direction and blowing her locks evenly.
He would introduce Peony to his daughter, and Asher would be the happiest. In turn, he would feel fulfilled; as long as his darling daughter was happy, he would be satisfied.