Karen's Pov I twisted and turned, feeling restless in my bed. The night was cold and lonely and I still couldn't get any rest. Images of Devon kept appearing in my mind. From how loving he used to be up until how he became after our marriage. Tears welled up in my eyes, falling to the mattress. I clutched my body hugging them as the tears continued streaming down my eyes. Where it all went wrong.My thoughts wandered to Liam. The offer... It was so tempting. But the more I thought about it the more I realized how little I knew about Liam. He was kind, yes, but I still barely knew him despite the fact that he saved me. My mind still didn't want to fully relax with him.I groaned, massaging my temples. I couldn’t think straight. The anxiety was too suffocating.Deciding to get out of bed, I walked to the window and stared out at the city lights wondering what I would do. My mind racing. I didn't know if I was prepared for the kind of change I was stepping into.The sound of my phone vi
Devon's Pov.The office environment was filled with it's usual silence as I walked in. Employees shaking abd trembling in fear while others shielding from my gaze afraid of what I could do or what would come next. Grey Tech was facing it's down day and things needed to be done to get it back to it's former glory. I paused in front of my day looking above my shoulders as the low murmurs stop noticing my sudden movement.“I didn't receive yesterday's folder.” I started my voice laced with distant.”Why?”The entire workers froze at my voice before a middle-aged man from the tech department came forward.“Y-yes sir. It still needed so corrections so I was hoping to deliver it today.” His voice shook and I could already see his body giving in to the fear he felt.“Incompetent” He shot back, irritation clear in my tone. They could never do anything right and it only made me pissed.I turned to back facing my office oak door. “You're fired.” I didn't need to look back I could already fee
Devon's Pov.The heels of my shoe clicked to the gray marble floor as I casually strolled into the Lex Operate building. The office environment was silent but not the kind that was built on fear or emptiness but the whole workspace was organized and the workers in a coordinated union doing their work with ease and accuracy, something that Grey Tech once had but now, it was a shadow of its former self.Liam Falcon and I were the worst of enemies even business rivals weren't at each other's neck like we both were. We had so much in common when it came to the business industry but yet we were still polar opposite. Ever since our alliance together as a partner with Europe's biggest tech industry, things had taken a drastic turn for the worst. Liam was too power hungry and fuelled by greed and the luxury from the money that came from it. He wanted to overtake and pull through the Europeans taking over their entire division right under their noses. If there was one thing he knew how to
Devon's Pov.“The deal has been sealed.” I told Gemini as she lowered her head down awaiting a response. She didn't dare to meet my eyes, she rarely did.“His team will be here tomorrow morning so make sure everything is intact and ready. I don't want any shortcomings, if anything goes wrong every worker in this company's life wouldn't be far behind.” This time talking to every one of my employees.Gasp from the crowd followed but as I sent a deadly glare towards them they became silent immediately.“And if you think I'll let these leaking details and corruption slip by just because all is well, then you're a joke. Whoever the culprit is, I'll find you and make sure you regret setting a foot on the face on earth.” Healing the company was the main priority but that didn't mean that afterwards I'd let things slide. Someone had to be behind it all and I was going to make hell sure that I made them regret their forsaking life.I immediately set my heels straight into the elevator door an
Karen's Pov I settled on the black oak desk of fine furnishings, my bag was situated just a few inches away from me. The office was massive, the entire room had the smell of luxury. There were two book shelves and cushions seated at the corner and side respectively.I took a deep breath, inhaling the new work environment. This was my life from here on out. Working with Liam had its advantages.I wasn't even aware of. As his P.A I needed to be closer to him working on urgent hours when he needed me. In order to ensure that everything was without a flaw he got an apartment not so far from his estate. It was a coincidental life saver. The pay was good and the work hours were flexible. A typical 9 to 5pm daily.A knock from the door abruptly brought me out of my stream of thoughts. A lady with blonde straight hair and dressed in a corporate blouse walked in.“Miss Karen?” She asked and I immediately nodded.“Yes.”“Okay.” she said moving closer. “I'm Fiona, the head of the IT coordinator.
Karen’s POVThe café was quiet with a soft jazzy melody drifting smoothly through the air. It was different from the usual work tension as it was providing an unexpected sense of calm compared to the usual buzz and business of the office environment.I sat across from Liam, our table seemingly too small but the space between us feeling awkwardly wide. For the first time since I’d started working with him, we weren’t discussing business. Instead the conversation had somehow shifted to something… more personal.Liam leaned back in his chair, his dark green eyes fixed on his coffee cup as he gently swirled the contents. The motion was deliberate and for a moment, I forgot to breathe as the tension kept rising. This was the second time I was having a supposed meeting with him and yet each tension was worse than the last. There was something about the way he carried himself in that moment that looked so relaxed and composed that made me wonder how well I really knew him. "So," he started
Karen's Pov The quiet hum of conversation around us seemed to fade away as I absorbed Liam’s words. His gaze was intense and steady, and I felt the weight of it settle on my chest making it a little hard for me to breathe. There was something in his voice, something that was unspoken and that hinted at more than just professional admiration."I hope you understand what I'm saying." He said summarizing it all up."I’m starting to think I do," I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper. It was a statement that held more than it actually let out but it felt true in the moment. I had always believed in my own abilities, but there was something about Liam’s confidence that made me feel pulled and pushed forward daring me to take control of my lifeSomething that made me see myself in a new light. The potential he spoke of—it felt like a doorway opening. But where would it lead?Liam’s lips twitched upward, but it was only a slight curve. It wasn’t the full, confident smile I was used to
Devon's Pov "Didn't think you'd come along," I said as Liam walked into the office, his crew trailing behind him, already scattering to the areas that needed tending to.He chuckled, a low, almost smug sound that I knew all too well. "And miss a moment when Devon is vulnerable, at the tip of my finger? I couldn’t miss it for the world."I gave him a smile, one that was a little more strained than I’d intended. The smile was temporary and left my face as quickly as it came. It didn’t reach my eyes. I knew how to keep my emotions guarded, but the thing about Liam was that he always knew exactly which buttons to push. He’d always had that effect on me. I let the smile linger a moment longer, forcing it to stay before it slipped away just as quickly as it had appeared. "Enjoy the view, then," I replied coolly, my voice betraying nothing of the tension I could feel coiling inside. "Gladly, good sir," Liam said, his grin stretching across his face as he made his way further into the room
Karen's Pov I sat in the quiet of my kitchen, the soft. My hands gripping the edge of the table, my fingers white-knuckling the surface. The message from Lauren had rattled me more than I’d like to admit. Every time I replayed it in my mind, the implications grew darker. "Drive safely, and don’t forget to buy Paris those crayons." The casual tone felt so harmless, but the context was anything but.I had tried to ignore it, push it to the back of my mind like I had with everything else from the past. But Lauren’s words kept nagging at me. It wasn’t just a simple message—it was a reminder that someone, somewhere, was watching me. Watching my kids. If Lauren knew about Paris needing crayons, then that meant someone had been keeping track of our movements, of our daily life.And if Lauren knew that, who else did?I stood up, pacing the kitchen as my thoughts spiraled. I had worked so hard to build a life for my kids, to protect them from all the mess that came with my past. But now, it
Karen’s POVThe past few days had been nothing short of chaotic. Devon hadn’t shown up to work since our argument, and while I told myself I didn’t care, the curiosity about his absence refused to leave me alone. Then, of course, Lauren had to crawl out of whatever hole she’d been hiding in to threaten me. Her words had been running around in my head ever since.I turned a corner, heading toward my office. The familiar sounds of the office surrounded me—phones ringing, muffled conversations and the occasional clack of a keyboard. It was a symphony I normally found comforting. Workers getting down to work for what they are here for. As I approached Devon’s office, I caught sight of the partially open door. Something pulled at me. I slowed my steps, my gaze drawn to the figure slumped at his desk.It was Devon.He didn’t notice me. His head rested on his desk and shoulders curved inward as if carrying the weight of the world. His usual appearance was in shambles—no tie and a rumpled s
Karen's POV“Lauren?” Her name rolled bitterly down my tongue A shiver down my spine. The years hadn’t dulled the impact of her presence on my life, nor the storm of emotions that hearing her voice again unleashed."Lauren?" I whispered, almost unable to believe it. It felt like a ghost calling me from the past, a specter that had been buried but was now rising to the surface.There was a soft, almost teasing laugh on the other end of the line."Did you miss me, Karen?" she purred, her voice as sharp and sarcastic as I remembered. "I thought you'd be happier to hear from an old friend."I swallowed hard, my pulse quickening. "What do you want, Lauren?"She was silent for a moment, but I could hear the faint sound of her shifting, perhaps moving in her seat, or simply savoring the effect her voice had on me. "Oh, nothing much," she said, dragging the words out slowly. "I was just curious. WonderingThe air felt thick with tension as Lauren's voice lingered in my ear, like a shadow I
Devon’s POVThe bar’s lights flicker above me, a dull, sterile glow that does nothing to soften the harshness of the night. My face still burns where the bruises are fresh, the swelling a constant reminder of the fight I’d tried to forget. I shouldn’t even be here. This place, these people, it all feels like a mask—something to hide behind when I can’t bear to face what I’ve done. What I’ve lost.I grip my glass, watching the amber liquid swirl, but I don’t drink. I’m not even sure why I came. Maybe to drown out the ache in my chest. Maybe to pretend I’m not thinking about her—about Karen.I wish I had just made things right. What the hell was I thinking, pushing her away? Pushing everyone away. All this time, I told myself I was doing the right thing, but look at where I am now. Alone. With nothing but the guilt weighing me down, eating me alive.I set the glass down and rub my hand across my face, my fingers grazing over the bruises that mark me like a map of every mistake I’ve ever
Karen's Pov “Let me see them.”he said, his words halting my steps.I froze, my heart skipping a beat. Slowly, I glanced over my shoulder, just enough to meet his gaze.“What?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.“Let me see them,” he repeated, his tone quieter now, almost pleading. “Let them at least know who their father is.”My heart clenched, but I kept my face cold, my expression unreadable.I wanted to respond, to tell him no again, but he continued before I could find the words.“And I promise, I’ll stay away after that. Just… just let me be a part of their life, even if it’s just a little piece.”His words caught me off guard, piercing through the layers of my resolve. My breath hitched, and I felt the familiar sting of tears threatening to escape. A single tear betrayed me, slipping down my cheek, but I quickly brushed it away and stiffened my posture, replacing my momentary weakness with a hardened demeanor.“No,” I said firmly, my voice sharp and unwavering. “You will
Karen’s POVThe day stretched on endlessly. The team had dispersed, Troy’s words of encouragement still ringing in their ears, but my mind remained clouded. Devon still hasn't shown up for three days now and his absence gnawed at me, an itch I couldn't scratch no matter how much I tried to drown it in work, spreadsheets and schedules.The office was quiet now, save for the hum of the heater battling the January chill. Paris and Austin were at their grandmother's for the weekend, leaving no distractions to pull me out of the spiral of my thoughts. I wanted to convince myself it was just another day, that Devon's "personal day" meant nothing. But the truth was, it did.I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling. The weight of the past clung to me like a shroud. How could someone who had hurt me so deeply still have such a hold on my thoughts? I hated that he did.Picking up my phone, I scrolled through my contacts, my finger hovering over his name. I shouldn’t. I knew I shouldn’t
Devon’s POVThe beach had been an escape, or at least I thought it would be. The sound of the waves, the salty air—it all should’ve calmed me down. But the more I thought about Kareem's words, the more I felt the weight of them crushing me. He was right. I was falling apart. Every drink, every bad decision—it was all just adding to the mess that I’d created. What was I even doing with my life?The walk back to my apartment had felt longer than usual, and by the time I stepped into the Uber, I barely had the energy to breathe, let alone talk. My head ached from thinking too much. I reached into my pockets, pulling out the last of my spare change. It wasn’t much. Just enough to get me through tonight. The car pulled up in front of the bar, the familiar sight of it hitting me with a sense of dread. I didn’t even know why I came here anymore. It used to be a place where I could forget everything, but now it was just another reminder of how far I’d fallen. Still, I couldn’t help it. The t
Karen's POVThe hum of the projector filled the conference room as charts and graphs flickered to life on the screen. Around the table, Troy’s team sat poised with notebooks, laptops, and an air of readiness that spoke volumes about their dedication.I adjusted my blazer, scanning the room. The atmosphere was electric—full of possibility and momentum. This was the kind of environment where real change happened, and I felt a surge of excitement despite the weight of the morning’s events still lingering in my mind.Troy stood at the head of the table, his sleeves rolled up, revealing forearms marked with faint scars that told stories he rarely shared. His voice carried the room, confident and precise, as he outlined the agenda for the day.“Our goal is clear,” he began, his dark eyes sweeping across the table. “We need to increase market penetration in untapped regions while solidifying our dominance in existing territories. To do that, we’re focusing on three pillars: innovation, custo
Karen's Pov I hadn’t planned on confronting Devon. In fact, I’d done everything in my power to avoid moments like this. But now, standing just a few feet away from him on the crowded beach, there was no denying the twist of fate—or perhaps sheer coincidence—that had brought him here.“What are you doing here, Devon?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended.He glanced at me, his hands buried deep in the pockets of his faded jeans. His shirt was worn, the fabric fraying at the seams, and his shoes looked like they’d seen better days. It was jarring. This wasn’t the confident, polished man I’d once known.“Do I need a reason to be at the beach?” he replied with a half-smile, but his tone lacked its usual charm.I crossed my arms, feeling my chest tighten. “Maybe not. But you being here—now, of all times—doesn’t feel accidental.”His smile faded, replaced by something softer, almost vulnerable. “Maybe it’s not. Or maybe I just needed some fresh air and ended up in the same place as yo