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I really love the confrontation Liam had with Marina. I have a strong feeling this is also a big turning point for him because Liam could witness the whole truth through his own eyes, not through the words of a third party, like Evelyn, for example. For the first time, he saw the real Marina, for what she truly was. He saw that the warm mother figure in front of him was an act, and Marina was a great actress. But with that rotten personality of hers, who actually wanted to be a fan, right? 😆 The apartment and Mateo continue to be my favourite highlights. I had a big and good laugh when Mateo "nearly ascended to heaven" because of Hudson's "slightly over-salted popcorn" 😆. And the ringtone - "Some hyper-pop remix that sounded like a robot having sex with a disco ball" - I also had a lot of fun trying to imagine it. If there is any sample or sound similar to it in real life, I'm interested in listening to it. Maybe I will have another good and loud laugh again 😄. Another great chapter, Nuno! Have a good day! 😊

Since everyone already covered what I thought about Marina and her character, I'm not going to repeat it. So I'm just going to add this. The tragic between Liam and Marina's relationship is that, until this chapter, Liam still thought she raised him with love and care, or at least that was what he wanted to believe. In any case, he truly considered her as a mother figure or his legal guardian. He had always known she was controlling, but I guess I just simply thought she was like an overbearing mother, and despite her controlling tendency, she genuinely loved him and cared for him. Just to be betrayed like that, it's not only brutal but heartless. I really like the contrast between Liam's mansion and Hudson's apartment in this chapter. Even though Hudson's place is just a run-down apartment, it offered warmth and felt like an actual home, even to Liam, while his own mansion is now so cold and denies him. Well, it's not the mansion's fault, but the contrast is just so interesting. The apartment even offered me light-hearted moments that made me smile, like "a throw blanket thrown like someone had collapsed under it and lived to tell the tale". So good! 😆 Mateo continues to increase my fondness for him. Such a good character! Great work, Nuno!

This chapter is truly emotional! Oh my Luka! Such a brave and beautiful soul! I was so sad for him, even though I had already foreseen what would happen to him since chapter 4. Anyway, I have decided that I'm still going to be very hopeful about all of this, especially since part 2 is coming. 1. So I guess the one that escaped from Mezenga's body was Theron's hunger. The entity that was given to him by Mister D. The one that helped him to see the light in others. There was beauty in it as the story described. 2. So now is my theory, that hunger was once a seed of light. Mister D was once called the Light Bringer. He was supposed to bring the seeds of light to humans, but he changed. As a result, this seed that he was supposed to care for is also corrupted (it wasn't supposed to look like a demon at all - an angel-like form was probably its original form). It was morphed into what it is now, and instead of producing light, it took or stole light from others and trapped their soul in the process. Or at least it was supposed to produce seeds of light, and Mister D was its caretaker. That was probably the reason why Mezenga was able to produce a seed that grew into the Soul tree over 500 years ago after accumulating enough light. 3. In this corrupted version, the entity produced an imperfect/incomplete Soul tree, as evidently it was hollow and lacked a true core. Luka and Devin's light and love gave it a core, thus making the tree complete, or at least bringing it closer to its intended original version. The one that should produce light and help souls transcend, instead of stealing light and trapping souls. 4. The Soul Tree is also a physical manifestation that represents the state of a corrupted seed of light/the hunger. Since the tree was lacking a core, in the shape of a human heart, the entity has to consume one and reside in the heart's location of the new vessel after migrating to it and become the vessel's new heart. 5. Another point I forgot to mention in the last chapter is that Luka's and Devin's light types are also quite special. One bright and one anchored. They are not the bright and the dimmed, or the fuel and the furnace. They complement each other. As anchored light, Luka became a safe place for Devin to grow and not be pulled or swallowed by the dimmed ones or other forces. In return, Devin's warmth and brightness shone on Luka and gave him happiness and peace. And they gave the tree their special type of combination as a core. And that made me feel really hopeful, not just because this is just my wishful thinking. 6. I really admired you. In a scene that could be quite terrifying, like the ritual scene in this chapter, you can still make it so erotic and hot 😆. Well, tbh, I wished it had happened in a very different situation where Luka would be safe, since he really enjoyed it. I think even Mezenga wished they could go at least another round 😆. Great work, Casual! I can't wait for new chapters of Futile Devices: The Hollow!

I understand. Thank you for your insight 😊

I think I would have thought the same as you regarding the part where Mezenga actually valued those thousands of souls he harvested over Enzo's if it wasn't for the following part of the previous chapter. """ They will be erased. All of them. Plus, of course, you.” “But Enzo lives.” “For a time. Yes.” “Or.” “Or,” Mister D said, “you perform the harvest. You give it what it wants. You continue. And Enzo,” he gestured upward, “joins them. Permanently. Held intact. Pulsing in his own flower. Available, in the long centuries of your existence… for whatever solace such a presence might continue to offer.” """ This is the part that convinced me that Mezenga wasn't worried much about the fates of those poor souls. He only truly cared about Enzo (at least more than he cared about the oblivion the souls are facing), and he was afraid of the eternal separation from Enzo. At that moment, Mister D hit that weakness of Mezenga by presenting him with an attractive option. But then again, this is just my opinion.

This is a very interesting angle. From my angle, Mezenga was no longer scared of death because perhaps he had lived for too long now, and he really loved Enzo. And if his death could spare Enzo, he would do it. Mezenga wasn't worried about those poor souls, as he was with the fact that if he died, he wouldn't be united with Enzo because Enzo's soul would move to the afterlife, while Mezenga's soul would disappear forever. And that scared him, and that's why trapping Enzo's soul became a very attractive option, which he chose eventually. I think these details are where his love for Enzo is quite different from Luka's love for Devin. While with Luka, he didn't even stop to ask Mezenga whether his soul would be able to move on or be reunited with Devin's when the time comes if he died. Not only that, I believe giving up on our own life is never an easy choice, even if it will save someone we love dearly. That is our lives after all, and we only have one each. So, I don't think Luka was given an easy choice here. And I think what made it feel like an easy choice to the readers was that Luka valued Devin's life and safety over his own. Luka didn't weigh his options; Mezenga did. And that is also one of the main differences between the two men, even though they were put into similar situations, in my opinion.

Fantastic chapter! I have a few (and probably long) thoughts 1. It's interesting and quite ironic that Mezenga is suffering from cancer since, in most cases, cancer cells are biologically immortal, and they are killing the body of an immortal 2. The conversation between Mezenga and Luka is a mirror of the conversation between Mister and Mezenga in the previous chapter. It's a powerful scene to watch. The scenarios are similar, but the choices were completely different. Both Mezenga and Luka were informed/promised that their lovers, Enzo and Devin, respectively, would be spared and have a chance to live happily if Mezenga and Luka chose to disappear/cease to exist from the world. Mezenga ultimately made a selfish choice to trap Enzo's soul against his will because the option where he lived while having Enzo next to him, even though it would condemn his soul to prison forever, was so attractive and convenient. However, by doing so, he put himself and his own happiness over Enzo's happiness and well-being. On the other hand, Luka immediately chose to trade his life for Devin's freedom, well-being, and happiness without any hesitation. A choice that was made so fast, so easy that it even took Mezenga by surprise. Luka didn't even care about questions that others normally and understandably would ask, like whether the migration process is painful or long. Because if Devin could leave safely and stay alive, those questions are irrelevant. He even asked Mezenga to erase him from Devin's memory. Although the previous chapter never stated outright, I think Mezenga couldn't bear the thought that Enzo would no longer remember when Mister D said that, eventually, Enzo would think his time with Mezenga was just a distant dream if he was not harvested and allowed to leave. This scene is also powerful because it offers the readers what unconditional and healthy love looks like. This also emphasises the stark contrast with the selfish love of Mezenga in the previous chapter. 3. The lovemaking scene of Luka and Devin was both hot and tender, and it makes me feel so sad for what is about to happen. However, what they produce as a result of their union gave me hope for a miracle. 4. Speaking about what the tree absorbs. I have a strong feeling that this event altered the tree forever, just like when it desired Enzo's light to survive. However, in this instance, Luka and Devin's light flowed into the tree and resided in its core, the core that became hollow and now their soul's imprinments are now the tree's core and very essence. They gave it an actual soul and identity. This gave me a personal theory that the upcoming migration of Mezenga won't be an ordinary one, and Luka's soul won't be erased completely (if not at all) because his soul is already a part of the tree's identity and core. 5. Another detail that I found interesting is that the space which housed the combined light of Luka and Devin is the same size as a human heart. It’s interesting not only because it seems like they gave the tree a heart, but also because the migration also requires a heart. And that makes me feel hopeful (at the very least for Luka) Anyway, I'm so excited for the next chapter. I know it will be very emotional and probably quite sad at one point, but I feel strangely optimistic about Luka and Devin's destinies, no matter what will become of them 😊. Great work, and have a good weekend, Casual!

This is an interesting take. If sociopathic or psychotic conditions are symptoms of underlying mental illnesses or disorders, should the wills of people who are suffering from those conditions be considered free? Or are they (or their true selves/wills) prisoners of their own mental illness or disorder? Especially, some mental illnesses are hereditary. I actually don't know. Those are just my genuine questions.

This chapter gave me so much clarity and emotion. Even Mister D is very emotional in this chapter. I'm sorry in advance that this is going to be a very long comment 😅 1. Based on my guess, the choice Mister D told Luca about won't be just about being the potential next vessel for Mezenga, but it will probably mirror the choice Mezenga made regarding Enzo's fate 2. Mezenga and Enzo's love story is a tragic one. But I felt sad mostly for Enzo. Just as Mezenga said, Enzo gave his love and his whole being to the person who did not deserve it in the end. Mezenga made a very selfish decision. And it's not just about killing Enzo. Mezenga didn't even give Enzo a choice or the freedom to consider. He just straight-up decided that being trapped or imprisoned by the tree is the fate Enzo must endure. That, for me, is an ultimate betrayal. Mezenga betrayed the only person that love him genuinely the most. I think Mezenga or Mister D could have argued that Enzo would still do the same to save Mezenga and stay with him forever, but they never consulted Enzo. That is the most important thing. If they did, this is still selfish on Mezenga's part, but it is still Enzo's choice, and it wouldn't be betrayal. Sadly, that wasn't what happened, and I feel really sad for Enzo 3. Mezenga's love for Enzo is quite toxic in my view. He lived for a really long time, and instead let his lover a chance to live fully and multiply his light through the life of his children if he decided to have them, he kept Enzo's soul trapped forever without the chance to move on. That is, if what Mister D said was 100% true. 4. I think Mister D had a big hand in this tragedy, particularly. He acted like a neutral party, an observing role. However, he manipulated Mezenga, not just this event, but since Mezenga was Theron. Mister D, in my opinion, is a true master manipulator, and his art of manipulation is just way higher than Mezenga's. Mezenga was ready to die. He was even considered to let the tree and him perish to save Enzo's life. However, Mister D just know the right thing to say, the right truth to share, the right suggestion to give. And as expected, he just pulls the Mezenga's selfishness to the surface effortlessly while making it sound like Mezenga made all the decisions with his own free will. I think there is no doubt that Mezenga made all those horrible decisions by himself, but that is not total freedom or without influences, no matter how many times Mister D said: "Free will is preserved". 5. Moreover, with Enzo being trapped in the tree, it would give Mezenga even more motivation to continue the work so that he can protect the tree and keep Enzo's soul safe and next to him. Intentional or not, this is a brutal and devilish move 6. I don't discuss religion in a public space. Not just because it is a sensitive topic, but also because I respect different beliefs, and I want to walk in harmony with people around me. So I won't have any comment on Mister D's creator or their relationship, even though this is a fictional version of them. However, I have a feeling that Mezenga, Luka, and Devin are the only ones to be tested. Maybe Mister D is also the one who is being tested, and a message or a lesson is waiting for him, too. And his whole journey of accompanying Theron is just a part of it. Anyway, this is just my own speculation. 7. And I think there is no coincidence that Mister D and Mezenga were led to meet Luka and Devin, whose names mean "Light" and "Poet" (well "Poet" is just one of the meanings). That is quite foreshadowing, especially since light has the main role in this story, and Mezenga/Theron has a special connection with poets. In fact, Pheon was the one who made that prophetic poem about Theron's fate 8. This chapter also confirmed what I always knew, that Mezenga didn't care for Devin at all since he used the chamber to harvest Devin's light. For him, Devin is just like others, so Devin would receive normal treatment. And his bedroom is only reserved for the one he truly loved 9. Another mystery is how Mister D could convince all of the people he chose as vessels for Mezenga to agree willingly. Interestingly, even Mezenga has never known how Mister D could do it, even after over 2000 years. I'll patiently wait for more revelations in the next chapters. 10. I think I have a clearer picture of how the event/story is going to unfold in the current timeline. Luka is probably going to be at a forked road, and I hope he will make a better choice than Mezenga when it comes to Devin. Having said that, I don't know what fate is waiting for Luka and Devin, so I'm rooting for them. Fantastic chapter, Casual! I, honestly, cannot wait for the next chapter!

Amazing chapter, Casual! It's so ironic that Theron was harvesting the people who mostly either have no family, like himself, or those who don't have loved ones that care enough about them to see the change immediately. In other words, those are the people who came from less fortunate backgrounds just like him! As if their unfortunate lives weren't bad enough, they had their very light/essence stolen away from them and made their lives even worse. This is the part that I don't think I can sympathise with him. Even though I felt sorry for his past, he has already lived for a really long time now. Indeed, Theron is also a prisoner willingly, and he chose his own cell, but I truly hope his poor soul will be finally released along with all the poor souls that have been imprisoned by the tree and couldn't be moved on. By the way, the tree makes me think of the Erdtree from Elden Rings This chapter also answered the mystery of how he controlled Luka and seduced Devin. Apart from using the meal, he also used his mind-reading to say what Devin wanted to hear, and his mind-control to freeze Luka or make him say what was not in his mind. Very dangerous and deceitful! So it seemed like Mister D was already over 2500 years old before meeting Theron, and the way he revealed knowledge to Theron, it seems like Theron has predecessors, or he isn't the only active collector/harvester. Anyway, this is just my silly theory It's clear now that Luka is chosen to be the next vessel. That's why Mister D was talking to him about the choice he will have to make. But love was foreshadowed in the last chapter, and in this chapter, it is a warning. So I guess love will be the key, and Luka is in love with Devin and Theron/Mezenga is hurting him. I'll make another guess that this migration will contain an unpleasant surprise for Theron. Luka was also drawn to the tree as well. I can't wait to find out more in the next chapters! Anyway, those are just my speculations! Again, amazing chapter! I can't wait for the next! Great work, Casual! P/S: But thinking again, maybe it won't be an unpleasant surprise since it's quite clear to Mezenga and Mister D that Luka is in love with Devin, so maybe this could be in their calculation, too. I don't know! And that's why this makes me even more excited for the new chapter as well 😄

Edit: It's a nice but tragic beginning!

LThis chapter is mesmerising. So much more was revealed, and yet it was accompanied by more questions. The way this chapter mirrored events that happened in the current timeline with Luka and Devin is terrifyingly reflective (I'm sorry, I don't know a better way to describe it 😅). For example, the way Kyrios seduced the poet is just exactly like when Mezenga did to Devin at the dinner. Or Theron's life in Athens was a prototype of Luka's (and Devin's) life. So Luka also could see the light in Devin, which means he was also gifted the same ability as Theron. So, I'm a bit more certain now that he is chosen to be Mezenga's next skin. It is still not clear in this chapter whether all vessels shared this ability or if it is quite unique to Theron and Luka. I guess it is the latter. Whatever the case, I think both Mezenga and Mister D realised about this ability of Luka. I'm so excited for new revelations in the next chapters. Speaking of Mister D., what a twist! I always felt like there was something about him, especially after reading about the staff in the mansion. They were terrifyingly soulless, like puppets. But Mister D. was a stark contrast. So I knew he was special, but I didn't expect this! Amazing! Kudos to you, Casual! The chapter seems to imply that Mister D is a manager or a caretaker of the entity. But in any case, he seemed to be its companion. And if Mezenga is the harvester/collector, he is the manager/caretaker. They all have unique roles in all of this. So the next question is whether Mister D has the ability to change faces himself or also wears skins like Mezenga, or if he is even human. I'm not sure yet, but he is also an immortal (there is no doubt about it) This story truly made me feel like a perverted version of "Men of Honour" (MOH) (I vaguely felt that way since the last two chapters, but this chapter just sealed it for me), I'll dub it "anti-MOH" 😝. Instead of carrying the light that would be shared with others to make them immortal, the host carries darkness that consumes the light from others or keeps it hostage. And the host also has an expiration date before transferring the source to others. In this case, skin changing is probably the process that also accumulates the memories of previous skins? So many questions, and I can't wait to read the next chapters. And yes, I'm aware that the concept or lore for the "Light" in MOH is quite different. It's not about the light/life force that is the essence of each human, like in this story. But the parallel is just so fascinating. Last but not least, about the poem. That was either a prophecy about what would happen to Theron or something like this had happened before in history before Theron’s time. It’s interesting that Phaon made that poem. What did inspire him? Again, so many questions 😄. I can’t wait for the next chapter 😊 Great work, Casual!

If you are talking about which entity I was talking about, then this one 😄 “ Something that had no age and no origin and no name. It looked out at him through Giancarlo Mezenga’s face the way a hand looks out through a glove, present but contained, patient but vast, wearing the man the way the man wore his linen shirts: comfortably, temporarily, with the understanding that it could be removed and replaced at will. It smiled. The smile used Mezenga’s mouth and Mezenga’s teeth and Mezenga’s lips but it did not belong to Mezenga.” Sorry, I just didn’t have a name for it, but whatever it was, I felt like it wasn’t totally human, so I called it ‘the entity’ 😅. And this is also another detail that made me think “Mezenga” needs to change his body suit once in a while 😊. If you were asking whether he is a seducer or a strategist. He is both, and he was very good. He could make a smart guy like Devin (Mezenga said that himself in the previous chapter - and I think it wasn’t just a flattering talk), lower all his guard and act like a love-sick puppy around him in this and the previous chapter😅

This chapter gave me a bit more clarity on what Mezenga wanted from Luka and Devin. He never gave them the same treatment since their arrival. So I always thought he desired different things from them; I just didn't know what. Then, in chapter 4, it was a bit clearer that he wanted the lifeforce or some energy from Devin, and he considered it as food, but he left Luka untouched. And in this chapter, it is quite clear that Devin's life force was what he wanted. Similar to a vampire sucked out the blood (life force) of a person to regain or maintain their youthfulness. I wasn't sure what he wanted from Luka until I read this: "as if the face had been rebuilt from the same blueprint with minor adjustments", "Not inherited. Not ancestral. The face wasn’t being passed down.", and "It was being worn.". These parts, combined with Luka's physical traits, gave me the theory that Mezenga or whatever this entity is, probably needs a new body after a period of time, and he then potentially morphs them into his "same" face or body shape as time goes by. And Luka is probably its candidate. So yes, I think Mezenga wanted Devin's lifeforce, vitality, light, or a type of energy that is very crucial to Devin's health/well-being, and Mezenga saw it as food. But for Luka, Mezenga probably wanted Luka's body, and not the same thing he wanted from Devin. That was my flow of thought after reading this chapter 😊

Oh my, I love this chapter! It's so exciting to see more revelations about Mezenga. At first, I thought he was walking the Earth in his original body for centuries. However, at the end of this chapter, it seems like the entity moved bodies to bodies with similar features, and then potentially morphed them into his "same" face or body shape as time goes by. Giancarlo Mezenga is just one of many faces or identities it wore. And my guess is he is choosing Luka as his next host (just a theory!)? It's not a coincidence that Luka and Devin mirrored Mister D, Mezenga, and Enzo. And Devin, poor guy, walked straight into the mouth of a "light devourer" and thought he was being loved (well, his vitality was loved as food), and his life is changing for the better. His clothes even match the ones that usually belong to human sacrifices that I saw on TV shows, manga and anime 😅. The entity is truly a seducer and a strategist. Anyway, Great work, Casual! 😊

What an intense chapter! Mezenga made me think of Dracula from Bram Stoker, or the tree gave him something back as a result of the sacrificial ritual. In any case, I'll wait patiently for more revelations. This story is getting so good. Love it. I have decided that Luka is my favourite character in this story. I don't know, but I just love his caution, stubbornness, and his love for Devin. When I read this "As if Luka were a problem from another room, something he’d deal with eventually, when this was over, when the light stopped feeling so good on his skin.", I was like "Oh no! Something is going to happen to Devin, isn't it? I know this pattern. He won't have a chance to 'deal with eventually', will he?. Poor Devin! 🥺 I hope he'll make it out eventually, and regain his lifeforce back somehow. Btw, you're very creative. In that situation, you still could find a way to inject a cuckory scene into a scary situation like that. Never get old! But I have to give you that compliment even though it came with the cost of my bleeding heart 😆. It was erotic for sure, but given that it was a feast or harvest for Mezenga (so obviously it was no love in there - Well, there is if you consider the way people love their own food before they devour it), it was sinister, dark, and scary just as how that ritual went Again, love this chapter! Dark arts and horror have always had a soft spot in me.

I really like this chapter. It proved that Liam and Hudson have so much in common, even though they came from totally different backgrounds. They are both abused and hurt, and caged by the adults who are supposed to protect, care, and help them grow. I felt for Hudson deeply. To be rejected, hurt, and thrown away by his own father, horrid! No one should have experienced the kind of pain Hudson had to endure Liam is so gentle, patient, and loving to Hudson in this chapter. He is truly the right element that could help Hudson to gradually heal. And he could sing, too 😄. That was a very lovely and heart-warming moment! My favourite quote from the chapter is "I've been murdered by emotional intimacy." - Me too, Liam! Me too! 😆 Marina made her move! A truly wise person would build bridges and make good friends, not destroy those bridges and make more enemies (especially so unnecessarily in this case). At the end of the day, I believe she just gradually stepped closer to the cliff (to the demise of her own wealth, career, and reputation) by antagonising Liam. Great work as usual, Nuno! 😊

This is such a sweet chapter! Hudson was so adorable, especially when he tried his best to speak Italian. I loved that this chapter focuses entirely on the peaceful but meaningful time Liam and Hudson had while staying in Italy. However, I also feel like this chapter acted as a "Calm before the storm" moment for them. I guess the drama will resume soon in the next chapter. Great work as always, Nuno!

That's truly a sweet escape. Mateo is proving to be a really smart and quick-thinking person. He's truly resourceful. I think if he is given enough tools and resources, he will be very good at crisis management and problem-solving in the future. He's natural! This is a fun and thrilling (from the Cat and Mouse game) chapter.

The lovemaking session of Liam and Hudson is really hot and tender. What a joy to read! The meeting between Liam and Mateo is really funny and entertaining. However, what surprised me the most was Mateo's dynamic with Liam. It was really natural. I think Liam will have a true and lifelong friendship with Mateo, just as Hudson has with Teo. That's a great gain since Mateo is a very good person and friend. It's really nice to see him have Hudson's back by making sure Liam is good and a right fit for Hudson. The story is just getting better and better!

I have so many emotions throughout this chapter. Angry at Marina -> So proud of Hudson for standing for himself and didn't let her bully him -> impatient during the long, slow burn scene at the bar -> Emotionally destroyed, touched, and sad when Liam confessed his feelings to Hudson while being drunk, and Hudson cried his eyes out behind the door -> Almost scream at the screen and Hudson with "C'mon dude! Open the door! Open to your happiness!" -> Excited when he finally opened the door -> so happy and satisfied at the end of the chapter where they made up and decided to move forward together with "It's you and me now, Arizona." Fantastic chapter, Nuno! P/S: My favourite quote of the chapter has to be "Hi! Love your vibe. Very funeral chic". I burst out laughing unexpectedly. Luckily, I wasn't drinking anything while reading it. Oh Mateo! I love that dude. Very funny!

Another great chapter! This chapter left me with a sense of sadness, particularly the details of Liam's childhood. For a child to be exploited at such a young age is truly horrible. Marina and the people who were involved in her machinery did all those things to Liam while pretending to be his salvation. The worst part is that they manipulated a 12-year-old boy into agreeing to be their slave and money-making machine while his mother or legal guardians are not around. That's predatory! Liam's mother's parenting skills are abysmal, yes, but that kind of conversation Marina had with Liam by no means should ever happen without the boy's family. Furthermore, Marina also added some oil to the flame and, in a way, made the relationship between Liam and his mother worse. And she did this on purpose to try to separate him from his family. A divide and conquer tactic, I think. I'm going to patiently see more details unfold in the next chapters, but whatever karma or consequences you had in mind for Marina and her crew in the end, I think I'm going to enjoy those! Great work, Nuno! Have a lovely weekend! 😊

The true drama begins in this chapter. It seems the story's first antagonist/villain has made her first appearance. Selfish, manipulative, and controlling! The right combination for a villain that nobody roots for, except for their downfall. "Staying power is rare"...It seems like Marina is taking her own advice and trying to make herself powerful by controlling Liam while pretending to guide him (it might be true in the past, but from the look of that, the guiding was dead long ago, and now only greedy control remains). I can't wait to read the next chapter! This chapter also proved that Hudson brought warmth to not just Liam, but his house, too. The entire place was full of life and warm before Marina walked in. She made the place cold immediately. Great work, Nuno! I'll see you in the next chapter 😊.

What a sexy and heartwarming chapter! The sex is hot, passionate, erotic, and full of love. However, the highlight of this chapter, for me, is when more about Liam was revealed through Hudson's lens, especially in the trophy room and the "movie theatre". What was revealed was beautiful. Liam was a lonely but kind and beautiful person beneath the movie-star image. And it's also no wonder that Hudson fell for him. Beautiful chapter! Great work as always, Nuno! 😊

And to me, this is one of the best and most joyful things about reading. Every good story I read, there is always something new I learned along the way, be it from the story itself, the author's messages, or fellow readers' analysis and perspectives 😉. And they help me to understand more about life and the people around me