**dragons found her**

Author's POV

"Oh mine, Ara, you look stunning in this dress," Ash remarked as she combed through her lush, shiny black hair. "It's as if the dress was made just for you."

"Quit your compliments, Ash. We are running late." Ara smiled and picked up her red purse strewn across the bed. "I'm glad he kept his word about sending help because I wouldn't have made it before nine."

"That's why I keep telling you! Mr. Yang dang sin-eul salang habnida (loves you)," Ash scooped a handful of oil and applied it to her hair. "He's an amazing man, I tell you."

"Alright, Ash," Ara turned around, facing Ash, whose hands were working wonders with her hair. "I feel like something is going to happen today, out of the clear blue sky."

"Eonni (big sister), nothing is going to happen. Stop being restless, and everything will be fine, I tell you." Ash dropped the comb and proceeded to tie Ara's hair into a ponytail. "All you have to think about now, with Mr. Yang in the picture, is how to love him and stop worrying about unforeseen events that won't happen." By the time she was done, Ash took her sister's hand. She didn't know much about 'him' aside from what Ara had confided—that he had taken something from her that could never be returned.

Araya stood up with Ash's help and glanced at herself in the mirror. She marveled at the complete transformation her sister had done. "I love this hairstyle. It fits so well with my red dress."

"I knew it would." At that moment, the sound of a screeching car came to a halt outside. Ash narrowed her eyes and ambled toward the window, a wide grin appearing on her face. "It's him, eonni! Your prince charming is here with your carriage to take you to the ball."

Ara picked up her diamond-encrusted purse, rolling her head in a silly manner. "Quit bluffing, Ash. You're too old for that. Sometimes I wonder if you're sixteen."

"Seventeen!" Ash corrected with another grin. "I was seventeen after you were kidnapped by him. You've forgotten so soon."

Ara gave a ludicrous shake of her head before turning toward the door. "Don't forget to lock the door while I'm out, Ash."

"Don't forget to introduce me to them also, eonni! And I love you." Ash's voice rang out from the window, making Ara frown lightly at her sister's frivolous tone.

Yang climbed out of his Bentley, his curly, shoulder-length messy hair flowing neatly behind his back. The black suit complemented his tall, commanding figure, making him both charming and intimidating.

Araya clenched her sweaty palms as a cold chill ran over her body. She felt lost staring at his handsome features.

"H-Hi..." she stammered, nervously waving at him while her eyes lingered on his finely sculpted frame.

His eyes lit up with excitement as he felt a current of energy pass through him. Without hesitation, he stepped forward and pulled her into a passionate hug.

For a moment, Araya froze. His bluntness astounded her, but when he whispered, "I love you," into her ear, she gripped his shirt instinctively.

Yang broke the hug immediately. "You look beautiful," he remarked, making Ara blush. She had been skeptical about him at first, but maybe—just maybe—she could give him a chance.

"Thanks! You don't look bad either," she affirmed gently.

Yang, usually stern, businesslike, and extremely practical, was filled with uncertainty before he summoned the courage to ask, "Can I?"

Ara hesitated for a moment before nodding. His lips curled into a blissful smile as he snaked his arms around her waist.

A jittery feeling swept through her as his touch sent a shiver down her spine. Her gaze was locked on his hands as they sauntered into the car together.

The moment Ara stepped out of the car, her eyes widened in awe. She yelped, reaching a hand to lightly clasp her chest. "T-This place... it's beautiful and huge!"

Yang lifted his face to fix her with a worried look. He pulled himself to his feet and reached for her hand just as she was about to protest. Instead, he wrapped his arms around her waist, holding her close.

"Hey." Ara gasped, fear surging through her. She gulped and tried to speak, but he silenced her with an assuring smile.

Across the room, Erick took a sip of his Italian rum, his sly, icy blue orbs roaming aimlessly. Jack and the others stood behind him, their faces masked, but their burning eyes told a different story.

Araya let out a sigh, pulling her dress closer to shield herself from the piercing gazes of those whispering about her. She felt lonely and isolated since Yang had excused himself earlier for an urgent call. Looking up, she saw the crescent moon glowing in the inked sky. Loose fragments of clouds scattered around it, scenic and dreamlike.

Lost in thought, she ambled toward the pool. The tiny drops of water kissing her feet brought a smile to her lips—it was soothing, nostalgic, like a distant memory of her carefree childhood.

A gentle tap on her shoulder made her freeze. Her heart pounded violently.

"Here you are," Yang said, pulling off his shoes. "I was searching all over for you. Who would've thought my fiancée was here, gracing the water?"

Araya looked up at him and smiled at the warmth in his teasing tone. "I was bored inside, so I decided to get some air."

Yang dipped his foot into the pool, a sincere smile tugging at his lips. "I'm sorry I left you."

"And what is your fault?" she asked.

"Getting the best lady to be my queen."

Araya blushed as Yang closed the gap between them.

"Isn't it weird that the host of this party is out in the pool?" she teased.

Yang reached for her hand, muttering cutely, "It's quite the wait. If I'm with you, I can even forget I work."

"Boss, they are calling you," his personal secretary, Mr. Kim, announced.

Yang shot him a fierce glare for interrupting before shifting his gaze back to Araya. "I'm sorry, I have to go again."

Yang gave her a small smile. "It's okay. It's just business, after all. I understand."

With that, he strolled away, Kim trailing behind him. Araya's gaze followed them briefly before drifting down to the shimmering pool before her.

A small smile crept onto her lips as her heart did a little happy dance at the sight of the filled pool. Maybe, just maybe, she was lucky, just like Ash had said.

She double-checked her surroundings; it was properly secured and isolated. After assuring herself that she was truly alone, she slipped off her heels and placed them neatly aside.

Slowly, she raised her foot and dipped her toe into the water. It was warm. The simple sensation made her smile, a fleeting moment of happiness filling her chest. She slid both feet into the pool, her sore muscles sighing in relief as she let out a quiet, contented sigh.

The journey to this moment had not been easy. Carrying her baby, enduring a life filled with pain and a past that still haunted her—yet somehow, she had survived. She had found Yang, a man who loved her unconditionally, something she never thought she would have.

A quick break. That was all she needed. She would return to the party before it ended. Hopefully, she wouldn't doze off here and risk spending the night outside.

Holding her breath, she let her legs fully sink into the water. The cool splashes against the marble floor mixed with the soft moan that escaped her lips as she closed her eyes, reveling in the temporary peace.

She resurfaced her feet, breathing deeply, her eyes still closed. She raised her hands instinctively to cradle her large bump when—

A deep, throaty voice shattered her moment of peace, making every bone in her body freeze in terror.

"It's true… you have my child."

Her breath hitched. That voice. She could recognize it anywhere. It was heavy, reverberating from deep within his chest—a voice that sent ice-cold fear running through her veins.

Every nerve in her body went on high alert. Slowly, she wrapped her arms protectively around her bulging stomach, instinctively taking a step backward.

"Open your eyes."

His voice was closer now. Too close. Every fiber of her being screamed at her to run, to disappear before he could get his hands on her.

Her heart pounded so violently against her ribs she was sure it would give out. She forced herself to obey because she knew—oh, she knew—that defying him would have deadly consequences.

Her body began to tremble, memories of what he had done to her flooding back with a suffocating grip.

She couldn't look at him. She didn't dare. The very thought of him seeing her like this—pregnant—made her stomach churn.

Her gaze remained fixed on the pool, terrified that if she looked at him, he would hurt her.

Being here, in front of him, carrying his child—it was petrifying.

"Eyes up."

The growl in his voice made her flinch so violently her bump quivered along with her. Slowly, fearfully, she lifted her gaze.

Her heart plummeted.

His entire body had stiffened. His fists were clenched so tightly his knuckles had turned white, giving her the worst kind of warning.

The scars littered across her skin burned in remembrance of the past. She was on the verge of collapsing.

Her gaze traveled up—first to his hands, then his broad chest—until she finally met his eyes. Those icy sharp blue eyes, swirling with specks of copper, bore into her soul, and she felt her stomach twist into knots.

"Come here."

His voice was thick with his accent, deep and commanding.

Involuntarily, she gave a small, imperceptible shake of her head.

He did not like that.

Without hesitation, he closed the distance between them, his grip locking around her waist in an iron hold.

"Did you really think you could hide this from me?" His hot breath fanned across her ear, trailing down her neck, sending a shiver down her spine.

Her body tensed.

"I... I... I..." The words barely made it past her lips. Her nose tingled red as tears spilled over, rolling down her cheeks in silent fear.

The intoxicating scent of her was suffocating him, drowning him in something he didn't understand. He had searched for her, and when he found her, he had felt relief. But now, seeing her like this, carrying his child—it sent his blood boiling.

"You are mine, Araya Kathryn Elizabeth Stewarts. Mine." His voice was a thunderous roar, filled with fury and possession.

Before she could react, he crushed his lips against hers in a brutal, desperate kiss, ravaging every inch of what he had been deprived of for nine agonizing months.

She gasped, struggling against him, but his hold was too strong. The force of the kiss had her close to passing out.

"L-leave me..." she managed to grit out, pushing weakly against his chest, her body trembling uncontrollably.

"Someone will see," she protested, panic lacing her voice as more tears flooded her eyes.

His lips curved into a smirk. "That would be good, though."

And just like that, he kissed her again, taking his time, drinking her in as though she were the only thing keeping him alive.

Finally, he pulled away, his piercing gaze locking onto hers.

"I missed you."

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