ARTEMIS POV I eyed the golden watch on the table, pretending to be interested in something else while inching closer to the table. I knew it was wrong to steal but I couldn’t help it. I was hungry and I didn’t want to die.I imagined the funeral poster would read thus, ‘Artemis Vincent, died of hunger because she didn’t want to take a watch that some rich dude left behind.’I shook my head. Gosh, I needed therapy. Why would I even think that? I eyed the watch again while cunningly looking around. When I got right to the table, I snatched the watch and shoved it into my pocket.'You did it Artemis. You can buy burgers from Starbucks... you can....'“THIEF!!” Someone shrieked and I turned to see a huge oaf of a man charging right at me. He was dressed in a black suit and wore dark sunglasses. My survival instincts kicked in and I beelined for the open window.‘If they catch you, you are dead. Fucking run, legs.’I pumped my legs faster and easily slipped into the window and outside th
Aidan Creek?ARTEMIS POV Now where had I heard that name? I must have seen it in a newspaper somewhere. I couldn’t remember, but from what I gathered he was one the richest men in Florida. Why would he want a thief to be his mistress?“It sure seems like you must be over in your head. I ain’t marrying you, I’ll marry a pig first,” I said, huffing angrily.But Aidan stared at me for a full minute, creeping me out, then he finally nodded.“You’ll go to jail then, I’ll make sure you get it hard there. Trust me you don’t want to see what they’ll do to you there,” he said and I shot him a fierce glare. He was right. He had influence, I was a nobody. I would be molested there and forgotten.“Why won't you let me go?” I asked and he raised his brow. That elegant brow.“You stole my watch woman” he growled. I gave him a stubborn look. It took all my willpower not to poke out my tongue.“That watch is not one percent of your net worth sir. So just let me go” I said and he nodded.“Take her aw
ARTEMIS POV It took me almost a while to find where Aidan was. Daymon didn’t even tell me where to find him. Eventually, I wandered to the gardens and met him there waiting... probably. “Hi,” I said and he turned. How could someone look so hot and cruel at the same time? The afternoon breeze blew his dark hair, making him look more... handsome. “So here’s what I wanted to tell you before we meet my parents,” he started, going straight to the point and I shot him a glare. “Can’t you reply with ‘Hello’?” I retorted and his eyes darkened. I watched the light go out of them replaced by cold dangerous anger. “Watch how you talk to me,” he sneered. But I didn’t care. I wasn’t scared of anyone or anything, not even the icy chills of his voice. “And you don’t treat me like a piece of shit too,” I replied sharply. Aidan growled, he grabbed me and shoved me to a barn wall. “You don’t understand. You have to get this or I’ll lose all I have worked for to my brother,” he seethed and I sh
ARTEMIS POVThe rest of the weeks were just a blur of activities. Me, trying to keep up with the lies and Aidan being grumpy as ever. We even had to pretend for the camera. It wasn’t what I bargained for and being in front of stubborn paparazzi was beginning to tell on me. Every click of the camera gave me paranoia.Aidan had told me not to worry that it would still stop but I was getting wary. I was a small-town girl and wasn’t used to all this glamor and paparazzi. It wasn’t funny at all. The other part of this deal that made me uncomfortable was having to sleep on the same bed with Aidan. It wasn’t so before, I had my room but his father had insisted on it.I peeled my eyes open now watching Aidan sleeping. Even with my resentment I couldn’t help but admire how perfect he looked. In his sleep, I couldn’t find the cynical circles around his eyes. He looked young and at peace, and his hair. I had always wondered how they were so black, like midnight. They cascaded his face and I rea
ARTEMIS POVI was lost, stage five lost. I had no clue of anything. The large office with the tainted glass that showed an impressive view of the city suddenly felt like a cage. I was seated beside Aidan. Daymon stood behind us, I could tell he had a gun because the face-off going right here was scary and I didn’t even have a clue why Aidan brought me.“Mr Creek. I have come up with a proposal. One I hope you like,” he said and Aidan cocked his head to the side, making his dark hair fall and giving him those Greek rogue looks.“I don’t always like your proposals, Hernandez. Let’s see what’s on the plate,” He said and Hernandez's gaze rested on me.“Is that your wife?” He asked. Aidan didn’t look one bit bothered. He lounged in his chair and shrugged. “Not yet. We fuck a lot. Quite a lot, she should be pregnant by now. Don Carlo needs a grand heir,” he said and I blushed furiously. How was he able to say that without choking? Now that he mentioned it, silly images filled my head and
ARTEMIS POVI could barely sleep that night. I had kissed Aidan so hard and we had nearly even done it in that closet but suddenly he stopped and righted my clothes and told me “Let’s go”I had never had a male lover or boyfriend before because I was too busy rejecting them but I didn’t know what came over me when I kissed him. It was like I had been wanting it. But I hadn’t been wanting this, had I? I couldn’t recall. What changed?I had wrapped my legs around his waist and he had slammed me into a wall and I could feel his erection throbbing between my legs but he had stopped and asked if we could go.I was embarrassed after that but I didn’t regret kissing him. I wanted to kiss him again. His lips were intoxicating, I could still taste the cigar on them.I ran a hand down my leg as I stared at the mirror and imagined it was Aidan running a hand on my thigh.“Miss?” Someone said and I jumped. I covered my legs and turned. It was Daymon. “I was knocking and you didn’t responsibly I
ARTEMIS POVThe man in front of me looked so much like Aidan that it unnerved me. I smiled at him and extended a hand.“Artemis,” I said simply and he smiled. His green eyes were not as dark as Aidan’s but somewhat rougher.“Artemis, I like that. What goddess is she of again?” He asked and I stopped. Aidan had known that but he didn’t... maybe I should stop comparing the two brothers in my head.I smiled at him instead.“She’s the good of the moon, hunt, and wild animals,” I explained and his eyes lit up. “Yeah. I remembered that well. You know I never paid attention to Greek myth class,” he said and I chuckled. There was something off about him but I liked him anyway. He wasn’t as cynical as Aidan and knew when to crack a joke.Stop comparing Artemis.“So Artemis, why are you here?” He asked and I shrugged.“I came with your brother, Aidan I mean,” she said and Kane smiled.“Ohh I see...” he paused. “Do you like him?” he asked, catching me off guard. “I...I...I don’t”“Well I don’t,
ARTEMIS POVIf Aidan was avoiding me before then he was running from me now. For the first time, he had defiled his father’s orders and slept in his room. He brought a lady and throughout the night, I heard her moans and screams.Aidan didn’t even talk to me, take me anywhere, or ask if anything was up. He just walked past and minded his business.I was trying to act cool but it was hard—when the person you had fallen in love with was avoiding you like trash. His father had been happier, I was sure he didn’t notice his son wasn’t sleeping in the same room with his supposed wife.Aidan came out of the room immediately I stepped into the hall. Our eyes met and his hardened. I sighed. I wanted to apologize but my stubbornness won’t let me. Why should I even apologize?Aidan started to walk past and I did a cheery smile. “Good morning,” I said and he breezed past without a word. I turned to stare as he walked; he didn't even turn back once. He acted like I didn’t exist. I continued down
Artemis pov Artemis what have you done? I said I said to myself with a lot of regrets with a lot of hatred a lot of anger a lot of confusion are used to wish I can disappear into the same here but because I can't I am in the Greeks mansion and I have to get out of here before I do something else different from what I have done before, at this point I don't know if I am doom or if doom just decided to locate me because it has all vine from bad to worse , it's never getting better, it doesn't seem like it ever will! Why do I keep making this kind of mistakes, before Aidan wakes up what should I do now? I cannot just forgive him just like that! I've come this far just to go back to what broke me into a million pieces . I think I should go back to Kane, a familiar hand that will draw me into comfort. It's true that with every instincts and nerve in my body I feel like this might not be the best decision to make but for now in the absence of any decision or any ideas yet , I have to lea
Artemis' POVI barely made it past the main hall when a hand gripped my wrist, firm and unyielding. Before I could protest, I was pulled into a dimly lit corridor, the deafening sounds of music and laughter fading behind thick walls. My breath hitched as I was backed against the cool marble, my body locked between it and an all-too-familiar presence.Aiden.His eyes burned with a dangerous mix of frustration and something else—something raw and unfiltered. His chest rose and fell sharply, his fingers still wrapped around my wrist like he was afraid I’d disappear if he let go.“What the hell was that?” His voice was low, rough, barely restrained.I scoffed, yanking my wrist free. “That?” I let out a bitter laugh. “That was me moving on, Aiden. Or what else does it seem like? You should try it sometime.”His jaw clenched, a muscle ticking violently at the side. “You don’t believe that.”I glared at him, willing my heart to slow down, to stop reacting to the nearness of him. “I believe w
Artemis' pov The moment I stepped into the grand ballroom, the air was thick with wealth, power, and tension. The chandeliers cast a golden glow over the sea of expensive suits and designer dresses, but none of it held my attention. My eyes found him almost instantly, now this grabbed my attention. Aiden. Dressed in black, effortless and untouchable, with a drink in hand and a lazy smirk on his face as some woman leaned into him. Kane’s arm slid around my waist, pulling me closer. "He sees you," he murmured, his lips dangerously close to my ear. I forced a smile. Good. Let him watch. Let him feel what I felt. Let him understand the feeling, he seem not to understand that's why he did it in the first place, and I thought we had a moment. I hope this leaves him chattered and broken just as I am, it's time to pay him back in his own coin, jerk. The Push and Pull Kane played his part well, his hands lingering just a second too long, his voice low and intimate. I laughed at things I ba
Artemis’ POV Spending time with Kane had become inevitable. He was always there—waiting, watching, offering comfort when I didn’t ask for it. And maybe I needed it. Maybe I needed someone to remind me that I wasn’t a fool for feeling this way. But no matter how much I tried to lean into the safety he provided, something in me refused to let go of the truth. I still loved Aiden . I wanted to believe Aiden. I promised to trust him, to stop letting doubt control me. But the image of that woman draped over him was burned into my mind, and no matter how much I told myself there had to be an explanation, the ache in my chest wouldn’t fade, I try my possible best to wave it aside but it finds it's way back in , worse than how it felt before. Was I a fool for always giving him the benefit of the doubt? Had I been blind to the truth this entire time? The betrayal still burned, but the idea of replacing him with Kane felt... wrong. And it wasn’t just because my heart wasn’t ready—it was bec
Artemis’ POV Kane’s apartment was nothing like Aiden’s. It was modern and sleek, with dark furniture and warm lighting that cast soft shadows on the walls. It wasn’t cold and impersonal like Aiden’s penthouse, but that didn’t mean it felt like home either. I sank into the plush couch, my body heavy with exhaustion, my mind swirling with too many emotions to process. Kane handed me a glass of whiskey, the amber liquid glowing under the dim lights. I didn’t even like whiskey, but I took a sip anyway, letting the burn chase away the ache in my chest, that's the list I could hope for. He sat beside me, close but not too close, watching me with something unreadable in his eyes. "I always knew he’d hurt you." His words were quiet, careful, but they cut deep. I swallowed hard, gripping the glass tighter with a trembling hands. "You don’t know that," I muttered, but my voice lacked conviction. Kane sighed, rubbing a hand over his jaw. "Artemis, come on. How many times has he let you dow
Artemis’ POV I could still hear the murmur of the event behind me—the soft clinking of champagne glasses, the distant hum of conversation, the occasional bursts of laughter. The air smelled of expensive perfume and polished elegance, but none of it mattered anymore. Because the only thing I could think about was him. And her. Aiden. Standing there with that woman draped over him, whispering something in his ear like they had a shared secret. The way her fingers trailed along his chest, the way he didn’t push her off fast enough. I had promised myself I wouldn’t doubt him again. And yet, here I was, my heart pounding so violently in my chest that I thought I might break apart. The opulent ballroom felt suffocating, the walls closing in. My dress—one I had picked carefully for tonight, for him—suddenly felt too tight, too restricting. I needed air. I turned sharply and pushed past the crowd, my heels clicking against the marble floor. My vision blurred, my throat tightening as
Kane’s POV Power was a game, and I had played it long enough to know that patience always won. From where I stood, I could see everything—the glittering ballroom, the swirling conversations, the way Artemis glowed beside Aiden like she was meant to be there. It was disgusting. She was meant to be mine. I swirled the whiskey in my glass, forcing a relaxed posture, even though anger simmered beneath my skin. How many times had I watched Aiden take everything that should have been mine? The empire, the respect, the glory, the fame, Artemis. But not tonight, nope, I disagree with every single vein in my body, not anymore. I took a slow sip, watching as my carefully laid plan fell into place. The woman I had paid was already making her way toward Aiden. A perfect mixture of seduction and feigned innocence, she was exactly the kind of trap that would catch Artemis’ eye. And Aiden, that arrogant bastard, wouldn’t see it coming. I had ensured that everything was timed to perfection. The
Artemis’ POV I should have known Aiden had something planned when he told me to be ready by eight on the dot and refused to give any details. He can be so stubborn at times. But I hadn’t expected this. The rooftop was transformed into something out of a dream. Fairy lights draped above us, casting a golden glow over the intimate dinner setup. The cool night air carried the faint scent of roses, and the distant hum of the city below only made this moment feel more secluded, more special. Aiden stood beside me, his presence warm, grounding. His hand rested lightly on my lower back, guiding me toward the table. I turned to him, my voice barely above a whisper. “Aiden… did you do all of this?” Impressed was an understatement, he really outdid himself I loved it. He smirked, the kind that made my stomach flip. “Who else?” My chest tightened. He wasn’t usually the type for grand romantic gestures—not like this. He showed love through quiet actions, through fierce protection. But tonig
Artemis’ POV For the first time in what felt like forever, there was peace. Not just the absence of chaos, but real, tangible peace. The kind that settled deep into my bones and made me believe—truly believe—that maybe, just maybe, this was real. That Aiden and I had finally found our way back to each other. The morning light cast a soft golden hue across the bedroom, warming my skin as I stretched under the covers. Aiden’s arm was heavy over my waist, his breath slow and steady against my shoulder. Even in sleep, he held onto me like he was afraid I’d slip away. I turned my head slightly, taking him in—the tousled dark hair, the strong jawline softened by sleep, the way his lashes cast faint shadows against his cheek. He looked younger like this, free of the weight he always carried. I reached out, brushing my fingers along his jaw, tracing the faint stubble there. His lips twitched slightly, and then his grip on me tightened as he shifted closer. “Are you watching me sleep?” His