Chapter: 11MELISSA’S POV I should have known today was cursed the second I stepped into the office. There had been a heaviness in the air, an unshakable feeling that something was coming. Something I wouldn’t be ready for. And I was right. Because when I stepped into the lobby after finishing up a meeting, my past was waiting for me. Steve I nearly lost my footing when I saw him, standing in the middle of the Redmond’s pristine marble lobby like he owned the damn place. I hadn't seen him in days. His tailored suit was sharp as ever, his posture commanding, his presence suffocating “Melissa” The weight of the world pressed against my spine. “Steve,” I say calmly. His eyes raked over me, dark and unreadable. His eyes were lingering too long in the blouse and pencil skirt I had put on this morning. I gripped the folder in my hands, grounding myself. “What are you doing here?” He took a slow step toward me, his expression unreadable. “I could ask you the same thing.” My fi
Last Updated: 2025-03-15
Chapter: 10MELISSA’S POV If someone had told me a month ago that I’d be spending my afternoon following Nicholas Redmond around like his personal shadow, I would have laughed in their face. Yet, here I was, striding through the marble-floored lobby of a five-star hotel, struggling to keep up with his long, effortless strides. “Try to keep up, Mrs. Ross” he said without looking back. I scowled, adjusting the folder in my arms. “Not all of us have legs that go on for miles.” He let out a low chuckle, and I hated how much I liked the sound of it, profound, smooth, and effortless. We were here for a private business meeting with a potential investor, one of those high-stakes conversations where every word mattered. Mr Redmond had insisted I come along, claiming it was part of the job. But I wasn’t stupid. This wasn’t about me taking notes or organizing documents. This was a test, I wasn't sure what kind of test it was, but I knew it was a test. He led me toward the hotel’s roofto
Last Updated: 2025-03-14
Chapter: 9NICHOLAS’ POV I looked out the window, my bones cracking as I stretched. I had been working all morning and decided to take a break and check on Melissa. I had quite a view of the streets from my office through the floor-to-ceiling window. I normally never waste time watching the world move beneath me. I had only watched for less than a minute before I recognized a familiar figure walking out of the building. I was confused, she was supposed to be working. Then I saw him. Steve Ross Leaning against his car, arms crossed, waiting for her like some possessive bastard who thought he still had a claim. Interesting. I set my pen down and moved closer to the window, watching as the scene unfolded. Melissa stopped a few feet from him, I could see her body was tense but composed. Steve, on the other hand? He was barely holding it together. Even from up here, I could read his body language, the frustration and anger. The kind of entitlement men like him never learned to control.
Last Updated: 2025-03-13
Chapter: 8 MELISSA’S POV I stood in front of the mirror, the skirt suit I had taken from my mother fit me like a glove. I haven't looked professional in a long time, since Steve made me quit my last job. I smiled, Nicholas Redmond gave me a job. The realization was hitting hard. I should have felt relieved or something close to victory, but I felt nothing but a sinking weight in my stomach. What have I just done? Mr. Redmond was right, Steve would not like any bit of this. And when Steve gets angry, he destroys. I know that better than anyone. I glanced down at the business card in my hand, running my thumb through the embossed letters. A part of me knew that this wasn't charity. He wasn't helping me out as an act of kindness. I pushed back the thoughts, I can deal with that later. I walked through the doors as usual, but this time it was different. I was here to work. I walked up to the reception desk. I couldn't recognize the lady so I just went on. “Hi I'm Melissa Ross”
Last Updated: 2025-03-11
Chapter: 7MELISSA’S POV I was only halfway through dinner when loud knocks came from our front door. We stayed still for a moment, the knocks came again. They sounded aggressive. My mother walked over and peeked through the eyehole on the door. She looked back at me “Steve” she mouthed. A gasp escaped my throat. Of course, he’d find me here. I panicked for a moment but before I could say anything, my mother opened the door and stepped out to talk to Steve. Still in panic mode, I hid behind the large curtains in the dining area. I heard their voices becoming clearer. I peeped only to see that she had let Steve into the house. “Do you know where she could be Eleanor” I heard Steve ask my mother. “Of course not” my mother said louder than usual. I always trusted my mother to have my back. “I told you she left here hours ago but didn't say where she was going”. “I'm worried” he said. I stood there fighting the urge to scream at the pathetic lie he just told. “Are you sure I can't off
Last Updated: 2025-03-08
Chapter: 6I hated myself for being a fool, for letting the bastard use me. I sat in silence staring at the untouched cup of coffee before me. The hum of the refrigerator filled the kitchen where I sat. I had spent the night sleepless, playing back the images of that Victoria woman, how she touched Steve, how he didn't even deny it. I pushed back the lump in my throat, I could not even cry anymore. The divorce papers lay on the counter, right where I'd left them the night before. “I'm definitely not signing that” Steve said when he took a glance at what I had presented before him. “You have to sign them” I said “What will you do if I don't? It's not like you have anything else aside from this marriage”. His words cut deep. He was right. I had nothing. I had signed off my inheritance to the fool when we got married. But if I'm able to get this divorce, I would have something from it in my name. I had thought long and hard. Moving swiftly through the house, I pack everything that be
Last Updated: 2025-03-07
Burning Desire
Hannah has finally landed the journalism internship of her dreams—a chance to prove herself at one of the city’s top media firms. But her excitement is short-lived when she’s forced to work under Nathaniel "Nate" Rhodes, the arrogant and untouchable head intern who treats her like she doesn’t exist. He has connections, power, and an air of mystery that both frustrates and intrigues her.
When Hannah stumbles upon a mysterious pattern of arson cases, she breaks a major story, earning her place in the firm. But there's a catch—Nate is assigned to work on it with her. While she’s determined to uncover the truth, he’s just as determined to avoid it. As they dig deeper, secrets begin to surface, and Hannah finds herself entangled in a past neither of them can escape.
Because years ago, fire changed both of their lives. A fire took someone she loved, a fire took someone he loved.
As the tension between them grows, so does the undeniable pull drawing them together. But can love survive when the truth is written in the ashes?
Read
Chapter: Chapter 12 – A Line We Can’t Cross The walk back to Blackstone Publishing was quieter, but something had changed. We weren’t just boss and intern anymore. There was a certain current between us, something unspoken but heavy. It lingered in the way our shoulders brushed as we walked. In the way his hand hovered slightly behind me when we crossed the street, like he was debating whether or not to guide me forward. It was nothing. As we reached the entrance of the building, I hesitated. I wasn’t sure why, but I felt like if I walked inside now, something between us would snap back to the way it was before. Nathaniel must have sensed it too because he didn’t move either. "Sir," I said finally, my voice softer than I intended. "Thank you. For dinner." He nodded, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Don’t get used to it." I let out a small laugh. "Of course not." why would I? I turned to go, but before I could take another step, his voice stopped me. "Hannah." I turned back. Nathaniel’s jaw clenched
Last Updated: 2025-03-10
Chapter: Chapter 11 – Sparks in the ShadowsNathaniel was avoiding the case. I was sure of it now. But that wasn’t my problem. If he didn’t want to do his job, then fine. I’d do it without him. I spent the rest of the afternoon buried in old articles, tracing connections between the fire victims. The deeper I went, the clearer the pattern became. These weren’t just random incidents, they were deliberate. Someone was silencing people, one fire at a time. The thought sent a chill through me. My fingers hovered over my keyboard as I stared at the web of notes I’d pinned to my screen. The same names kept coming up in different reports, scattered across years, connected by nothing except the fires that had destroyed their lives. This wasn’t a coincidence. Lost in my work, I barely noticed when the newsroom started emptying out. The sky outside had darkened, the city lights casting a faint glow through the windows. I stretched, my neck stiff from hours of staring at my screen. I wasn’t done yet. Not even close "Still her
Last Updated: 2025-03-08
Chapter: Chapter 10 – The Unfinished PuzzleThe sound of my keyboard filled the quiet space around me, a rhythmic tapping that matched the beat of my thoughts. Notes, timelines, theories—I had everything in front of me, yet the pieces still didn’t fit. The fires weren’t random. I could feel it. But without solid proof, it was just a gut feeling. I sighed, rubbing my temples. The newsroom bustled with activity, but at my little desk, it felt like I was working alone. Well, almost alone. I looked over at the other interns, I never really knew what they were up to. Nathaniel never really gave us what to do aside from a few reports to write here and there. If I hadn't been doing this fire case with him, I'd be almost jobless. I glanced toward Nathaniel’s office. He sat at his desk, sleeves rolled up, fingers lazily spinning a pen between them as he stared at his screen. His expression was unreadable, but I had been around him long enough to know when someone was just pretending to work. He had barely contributed to the investiga
Last Updated: 2025-03-06
Chapter: Chapter 9 – Unspoken Truths The offices of Montgomery & Chase were exactly what I expected—polished, intimidating, and completely impersonal. The air smelled of expensive coffee and fresh ink, and the walls were lined with framed case victories, as if reminding visitors that this firm didn’t lose. Nathaniel and I stepped through the glass doors, and I adjusted my blazer, trying to look more confident than I felt. This was my first real field assignment, and while I wasn’t about to admit it, I was nervous. Nathaniel, on the other hand, looked completely at ease—bored, even. He barely glanced around as he approached the receptionist. “Nathaniel Rhodes. We’re here to see one of your senior partners regarding an ongoing investigation.” The receptionist, a sharp-eyed woman with dark-rimmed glasses, barely looked impressed. “Do you have an appointment?” Nathaniel exhaled, clearly expecting this. “Tell Mr. Ashford that it concerns recent fire-related incidents.” Her gaze flickered with something- Recognition? Ei
Last Updated: 2025-03-06
Chapter: Chapter 8 I had barely settled into my seat when a familiar voice made me freeze. “The report on last night’s fire.” Nathaniel. I looked up just as he dropped a folder on my desk without so much as a glance my way. I barely had time to respond before he was already walking off toward his own desk, sleeves rolled up, posture rigid. I exhaled sharply. Of course. No “good morning,” no instructions. Just another case dumped on me while he pretended I didn’t exist. But I wasn’t going to let him keep dismissing me. I grabbed the file and followed him to his desk. “Sir, what exactly am I looking for?” I asked, keeping my voice professional but firm. Nathaniel finally looked at me, his cold gray eyes scanning me like I was an annoying pop-up ad on his screen. “Patterns,” he said simply. “If you’re going to be working on this case, you should be able to find them yourself.” I clenched my jaw, refusing to let his indifference get to me. “And if I do find something?” “Then we’ll talk.” I stared
Last Updated: 2025-02-18
Chapter: chapter 7- Following the ashes (Hannah’s POV) The smell of burnt wood and ash still lingered in the air as I stepped over the caution tape. The building had been nothing more than a quiet corner bookstore—one I’d passed dozens of times without much thought. Now, it was a skeleton of charred beams and shattered glass. I swallowed hard. Standing here, in the middle of what was once a thriving business, made everything feel more real. This wasn’t just a story; it was someone’s life in ruins. Nathaniel walked a few steps ahead of me, his hands shoved in his pockets as he studied the wreckage. The morning sun reflected off the broken windows, casting sharp shadows across his face. He looked… distant. I clutched my notepad tighter. “The fire report said it started in the storage room,” I said, scanning the area. “The owner, Mr. Langston, barely made it out in time. If he hadn’t smelled the smoke…” I let the sentence hang, the implication clear. Nathaniel didn’t respond. I glanced at him, waiting for some kind
Last Updated: 2025-02-12
LOGIN
