MATURE CONTENT Devon's Pov. The only thing left in the mansion was the silence that envelope the rooms of the entire house. Lauren was barely home and Karen was now history. I was fed up with her behavior and really didn't see the need for the man and mistress relationship anymore. Taking the bottle of whiskey placed at the bar and dropping it on the counter. I poured a glass taking one shot after another, with each one of them burning at my throat with the sharp liquor taste.It'd been far too long since I last drowned myself in alcohol. The last time that happened was when I caught Karen with my cousin Stephan, the pain was unimaginable and I felt too betrayed to even think straight. I just drank away my frustration till my throat burned from the bitt shadow of my normal selfTaking down another gulp, I poured the last bit of liquid into the glass pushing the empty bottle aside.“Little Betrayal Karen!” I found myself growling feeling the entire house with what I felt Inside.
Karen's POVThe sound of my phone alarm buzzing woke me up from my slumber. I stared at it for a few seconds before realizing I was running late for work. Lena’s visit had left me with a sense of clarity, but I still felt the weight of the conversation hanging over me as I got ready for the day. I wasn’t sure where things stood with Liam, and even though I’d promised myself to take things slow, part of me couldn’t help but feel uneasy. The past few days had been a whirlwind, and I wasn’t sure what was next for me—if I was ready to face Liam or if I was still too broken to trust anyone again. But I knew I had to keep moving forward. After getting ready in my usual office wear and blouse, I grabbed my keys and headed out the door, making sure to lock it behind me. The brisk morning air hit me as I stepped outside, the familiar hum of the city starting to awaken around me. Monday morning was always the business and today everything inside of me was buzzing with both stress and nervou
Karen's Pov.Mask in silver, crimson, gold and different shapes and sizes. The room was glittering with different people both of high standing and I couldn't feel more out of place. Liam hadn't spoken through the drive to the gala, all he said was just his simple compliment.‘You look beautiful.’ but this time, the usual spark in his eyes was distant. I asked him why he didn't come to the office today but his eyes stayed transfixed on the steering wheel with his hands tightening on the wheels saying that he had something important to take care of.The entire drive was quiet and the city light blurred together in a haze. The silence was thick, not the kind that was comfortable and soothing, the one that made my stomach churn.When they first reached the gala center, Liam's demeanor suddenly changed, he no longer gave the usual kind smile and small baited glances but his face was stoic cold and expression did not even give me the slightest smile even if it was once. He looked like
Devon's Pov.EARLIER THAT DAY…As if they scene Lauren hadn't thrown me off balance and messed with my head. The universe decided to throw me yet another shitty thing in my face, in this case, the shitty thing was none other than–Liam Falcon.I caught a glimpse of him seated on my couch through the transparent glass. My jaw clenched instantly.“Who let in?” I roared as I entered into the office. Liam gaze flickered to mine a smudged smile playing in his lips. The urge to push him up the skyscraper came into thought again but I pushed it aside,I was really considering it cause he was getting on my last nerve. “I let myself in, aren't we supposed to be like business partners now? I didn't think I needed permission to come over to my work buddies place now do I ? “One of the reasons I didn't want to accept his help was this, boundaries being crossed where I'd drawn a thick like. It didn't make any sense and I wasn't about to let it fade.“I don't know what game you're playing at Falc
Devon's Pov.Liam left the room the next moment leaving something awake within me. I didn't want to give him the satisfaction that he had finally gotten under my skin but as much as I try to deny it I couldn't, he had, and this time it was extremely deep.I couldn't shake off the feeling that Liam had left me with. It was a mix of annoyance, curiosity, and a hint of unease. Heck it wasn’t a hit, it was a lot. Whatever it is he had In stored I was curious, very curious it made me worry, had he by any chance gotten hold of some important documents that could somehow tarnish Grey Tech's reputation, one that I had struggled so hard to build, taking no assistance and building it solely on my own.I had initially had second thoughts in going to the masquerade banquet award but now that Liam had put me on the edge it topped the charts for the main reasons I’d be showing up at the event. What did he have planned for the masquerade award show? And why did he seem so confident that it woul
Karen's Pov.“Surprise, surprise, Mr. Grey.”Liam's words echoed in the room, a smug undertone lacing each syllable. His grip on my waist was suddenly loosen but still firm as if he was making sure I stayed planted at his side for the world to see. I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. The live feed from the projector displayed Devon's face, his face looking almost disappointed with a mixture of confusion, anger, and betrayal. His jaw was tight, his eyes narrowing as if trying to piece together a puzzle he hadn't known existed until now.I wanted to sink into the floor. I looked back at Liam searching for some answers. “W-what's happening Liam?” My voice cracked but there was no reason from him. How did he know about me and Devon? We were never really anything to the public and we rarely ever came out together so how?“Let go of me,” I pulled myself away from shoving at Liam’s chest. But he didn’t move.“Not yet,” he murmured near my ear, his voice calm, almost casual. “The sho
Karen's POVThe chill of the night air wrapped around me as I stepped out of the banquet hall, the weight of humiliation and betrayal were suffocating.The murmuring from the crowd of high standing men and women still echoed in my ears, just when I thought I could make a reasonable change in my life, all of it came crashing down in just one night.The heel I wore clicked against the pavement, making my steps uneven and my body staggering. I bent down and took off my heels.Hot tears ran down my cheeks as I walked away from Devon, and this time, his words didn't hurt me or leave a dent in my skin. His words were something that were long overdue. Even though I couldn't see him, I could still feel his piercing gaze burrowing into my back but they were all too harmless now. My heart shredded at the thought of Liam's words, everything he'd said to me had truly meant nothing, they were just lies, the sparkle, glimmer and even the hint of hope in his eyes had all just been a lie. Liam had
Devon's PovI can't remember the last time I walked into a night bar, I'd long closed that door and I didn't think I was ever going to open it back up, but here I was again, sitting at the bar like the man I swore I'd never become again“Another shot.” I yelled even though the bartender was just few inches away from me My words slurred just enough to betray how much I’d already had. He gave me a wary glance before pouring another round of tequila into the small glass in front of me.“You sure about this, man?” John, the bartender and also the only person I knew at the bar, asked.“Just pour it,” I growled, grabbing the glass and downing it in one swift motion before he could argue. The liquid burned its way down my throat, but it didn’t numb the ache in my chest like I’d hoped.The ache wasn’t new. It had been there for weeks, maybe months since Karen left. A feeling of emptiness I couldn’t shake but still always tried to deny but no matter how hard I tried to I could always still s
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