Adrian’s Point of View"Lily?" I called out, descending the stairs into the living room, my voice echoing slightly in the empty space. I had been looking for her for the past five minutes, and just when worry started creeping in, I heard a muffled sound coming from the couch.I quickened my steps and found her lying facedown, her small frame trembling slightly."Hey, baby," I murmured, sitting beside her and gently lifting her into my arms. "Why are you here all alone?"The moment her face turned to me, my heart clenched. Her cheeks were streaked with tears, her lower lip trembling as she sniffled. Panic surged inside me."Lily," I whispered, tucking her hair behind her ear. "What’s wrong, sweetheart? Talk to Daddy please."She hiccupped, rubbing her tear-streaked face against my shirt. "I miss Mommy," she whimpered, her voice cracking with emotion. "You promised she’d be back before my birthday, but she’s still not here… and… and I don’t even know if she’s okay."Pain shot through my
Celia’s Point of View"That bitch!!" I spat in rageThe sharp honk of a car behind me barely registered as I gripped the steering wheel, my knuckles white with tension. My foot pressed hard on the gas, only to slam the brake as the traffic light turned red. My heart pounded violently in my chest, my mind a whirlwind of rage."Why the fuck was Adrian still keeping his guard up around me? After everything I had done to make him vulnerable, to force him to need me, he still held on to that wretched woman." I ranted to myselfTwo months. It had been two goddamn months since Emma disappeared, yet he still thought about her, still looked for her. How? Why? Wasn’t absence supposed to make the damn heart forget? Instead, it had only made his feelings for her stronger.My nails dug into my palm as I let out a low growl of frustration. This wasn’t supposed to be happening.The light turned green. Without thinking twice, I veered off course, making a sharp turn down the desolate road leading out
Adrian’s Point of ViewMy daughter Lily and I sat together in the living room, watching one of her favorite cartoon shows. Her little head rested on my lap as I gently stroked her soft curls. It was one of those rare moments, something I treasured, especially after everything we have been going through.After this, I planned to take Lily to see my mother at the hospital. She had been asking about her grandmother for days now, and I had promised we'd visit. Last weekend, we had to postpone because of Celia joining in to play with Lily, but I wasn’t going to let anything get in the way this time.Just as I was beginning to lose myself in my haunted thoughts and the sweet sound of Lily's breathing, the sound of footsteps echoed from upstairs, followed by something scraping against the bare floor. I turned my head quickly to catch Nanny Isidro coming down the stairs, struggling with a large suitcase.I frowned. Why was she carrying such luggage?Gently adjusting Lily so her head rested on
Emma's Point Of View The doctor’s words kept echoing in my head non stop like a haunting melody I couldn’t shut out. “If treatment doesn’t commence in a few days time, your brothers condition might get worse of perhaps he might lose his life.” The phrase played on repeat, each word cutting deeper than the last. I stared blankly at my laptop screen, the spreadsheets and deadlines a blur. My chest tightened as I grabbed my phone to check my bank account for what felt like the hundredth time today. My savings were laughable, a cruel joke in the face of the mounting medical bills. I had a good paying job but the bills that followed the pay was way more than I can handle, every cent I had managed to save wasn’t enough to scrape the surface of what they needed to save Brandon. The helplessness clawed at me, my throat dry, my hands trembling. I didn’t even hear the elevator chime at first. The sharp ding only registered when the doors slid open, snapping me back to reality. My eyes d
Emma's Point Of View The elevator doors slid shut with a soft ding, sealing me inside as the floor numbers ticked upward. My heart pounded against my ribs, a relentless rhythm of worry. Adrian Steele’s reaction to yesterday was anyone’s guess, and I wasn’t naive enough to think he’d just let it slide. The man wasn’t known for his mercy, especially not when it came to his staff. Rumors had it that I am the longest assistant he had ever had. The rest would one to work for him with the intentions of seducing him, it did work, they seduced him but the hot fired immediately after the fun. I on the other hand despises him and nothing would ever happen between us that's why I still have my job!I leaned against the cold metal wall, I took my mind off the consequences of my actions yesterday and the doctor's words began slicing through my thoughts like shards of glass. "Miss Carter, you are running out of time, If he has an episode like this one more time, we might not be able to save him."
Adrian’s Point Of ViewThe steady hum of my office filled the silence, broken only by the faint ticking of the clock on the far wall. Outside, the city stirred with life, but here, within these four walls, I was locked in thought. My chair creaked as I leaned back, fingers steepled under my chin, staring at the faint reflection of myself in the dark monitor.Emma Carter.Her response still echoed in my mind, crisp and defiant, though her voice held a strong uncertainty which made me believe I could crack her if I pushed harder "With all due respect, sir, I cannot marry you. You are my boss"The corner of my lips curled upward, a wry smile forming despite myself. She actually thinks she is better than me? She thinks she could just walk away from the deal I’d laid on the table?"Two years, No emotions, No intimacy" She had indirectly turned it down but she’d learn soon enough.I’d offered her salvation, an escape from her desperate reality, any girl would jump on my lap at such opportun
Emma's Point Of View The air in the hospital wing was cold and sterile. The faint scent of disinfectant clung to everything, making my stomach churn. I sat on one of the hard, wooden benches near the nurse’s station, the creak of my shifting weight echoing faintly in the quiet. In my right hand, I clutched a file.. the infamous contract Adrian Steele had handed me. In my left, a cheque with enough zeroes to save my brother’s life. I stared at them one at a time, my thoughts a chaotic mess of fear, anger, and desperation. How had it come to this? How had I ended up here, forced to decide between my dignity and my brother’s life? A bitter laugh bubbled in my throat, though I swallowed it back before it could escape. Adrian Steele. Just thinking about him made my blood boil. His smooth, infuriating voice echoed in my head: "Marry me… or get the fuck out of my Office. And if you choose to get fired, I’ll make sure you never work in this city again. I mean every word of it." I belie
Emma's Point Of View The air in the luxury suite was thick with the hum of activity. I sat in the center of the room, surrounded by a swarm of stylists, makeup artists, and hairdressers who seemed determined to reinvent me. Brushes swished across my cheeks, hot tools hissed in my hair, and a steady stream of orders filled the air."More volume on the crown.""Darken her eyeliner. She needs to look bold.""That dress has to be steamed again, every wrinkle must disappear!"Their chatter blurred into white noise as I stared at myself in the mirror. Was that even me anymore?It wasn’t the first time I had prepped for one of Steele Enterprises grand events. For three years, I’d been in the background at every company anniversary and gala, efficiently managing guest lists, sorting out seating arrangements, and ensuring everything ran smoothly. I was always the effective assistant. The invisible one.But tonight was different.Tonight, I wasn’t Emma Carter, the assistant. I was Emma Steele,
Adrian’s Point of ViewMy daughter Lily and I sat together in the living room, watching one of her favorite cartoon shows. Her little head rested on my lap as I gently stroked her soft curls. It was one of those rare moments, something I treasured, especially after everything we have been going through.After this, I planned to take Lily to see my mother at the hospital. She had been asking about her grandmother for days now, and I had promised we'd visit. Last weekend, we had to postpone because of Celia joining in to play with Lily, but I wasn’t going to let anything get in the way this time.Just as I was beginning to lose myself in my haunted thoughts and the sweet sound of Lily's breathing, the sound of footsteps echoed from upstairs, followed by something scraping against the bare floor. I turned my head quickly to catch Nanny Isidro coming down the stairs, struggling with a large suitcase.I frowned. Why was she carrying such luggage?Gently adjusting Lily so her head rested on
Celia’s Point of View"That bitch!!" I spat in rageThe sharp honk of a car behind me barely registered as I gripped the steering wheel, my knuckles white with tension. My foot pressed hard on the gas, only to slam the brake as the traffic light turned red. My heart pounded violently in my chest, my mind a whirlwind of rage."Why the fuck was Adrian still keeping his guard up around me? After everything I had done to make him vulnerable, to force him to need me, he still held on to that wretched woman." I ranted to myselfTwo months. It had been two goddamn months since Emma disappeared, yet he still thought about her, still looked for her. How? Why? Wasn’t absence supposed to make the damn heart forget? Instead, it had only made his feelings for her stronger.My nails dug into my palm as I let out a low growl of frustration. This wasn’t supposed to be happening.The light turned green. Without thinking twice, I veered off course, making a sharp turn down the desolate road leading out
Adrian’s Point of View"Lily?" I called out, descending the stairs into the living room, my voice echoing slightly in the empty space. I had been looking for her for the past five minutes, and just when worry started creeping in, I heard a muffled sound coming from the couch.I quickened my steps and found her lying facedown, her small frame trembling slightly."Hey, baby," I murmured, sitting beside her and gently lifting her into my arms. "Why are you here all alone?"The moment her face turned to me, my heart clenched. Her cheeks were streaked with tears, her lower lip trembling as she sniffled. Panic surged inside me."Lily," I whispered, tucking her hair behind her ear. "What’s wrong, sweetheart? Talk to Daddy please."She hiccupped, rubbing her tear-streaked face against my shirt. "I miss Mommy," she whimpered, her voice cracking with emotion. "You promised she’d be back before my birthday, but she’s still not here… and… and I don’t even know if she’s okay."Pain shot through my
Emma’s Point Of ViewI had no idea how long I had been here. Days had turned into nights, and the passage of time felt like a cruel trick. The walls of this hellhole had no windows, only a dim bulb that flickered overhead, mocking me.Was Adrian looking for me?Was Lily okay?Just the thought of my little girl crying herself to sleep without me sent a fresh wave of agony through my chest. I clenched my jaw, forcing back the tears. I had to be strong. I had to survive.The door creaked open, breaking my spiraling thoughts. My breath hitched as one of the men walked in, carrying a plate of food. My stomach twisted painfully. It had been almost two days since I had eaten, but I refused to break. I wouldn’t let them win.The man sneered. “Here! You better eat." he he snares then said," My boss is being so generous, letting you even have a meal. If it were up to me, I’d leave you to starve.”I glared at him, my lips pressed into a tight line. My gaze flickered to the plate, I wanted to rej
Adrian’s Point Of ViewThree days.Three agonizing, sleepless, tormenting days since Emma disappeared.I sat in the dimly lit office of Detective Roy, my fingers curled into tight fists, my breathing shallow with barely restrained rage. Every passing second felt like a blade dragging against my skin, a cruel reminder that she was out there somewhere, alone, scared, waiting for me to find her.And yet, I had nothing. No leads. No goddamn answers.“I’m sorry, Mr. Steele,” Detective Roy said, his tone firm yet laced with exhaustion. “There’s been no solid lead on her whereabouts.”That was it.I exploded out of my chair.“What the hell do you mean no solid lead?” I roared, slamming my hands on his desk so hard that pens scattered and a cup of coffee trembled on its saucer. “You’ve had three goddamn days, and you’re telling me you’ve found nothing? What the hell am I paying you people for?”Detective Roy barely flinched, clearly used to outbursts like mine, but his silence only fueled my
Emma’s Point of View The first thing I registered was the cold. The kind that seeped into my bones, numbing every inch of my skin. My body ached as I stirred, my head throbbing with the weight of unconsciousness. I blinked, my vision adjusting to the dim light above me. It flickered weakly, casting eerie shadows across the warehouse’s bare concrete walls. My wedding dress, now wrinkled and slightly torn, clung to my body. I was tied to a chair, my wrists burning from the rough ropes biting into my skin.A slow, creeping dread settled in my chest. Where was I?I tried to shift, but the chair screeched against the concrete floor, the sound echoing in the silence. My breath hitched. Someone would hear me. Or maybe… someone already had.A door creaked open."Who’s there?" My voice was hoarse, desperate. "Please, let me go. I beg you! How much do you want? My husband... he’ll pay you anything! Just name your price! Please..."A figure stepped into the light, the glow illuminating their fa
Emma’s Point of View~~~Flashback~~~“Emma, you are the only woman I will ever love and hold till eternity. This may not be a vow at the altar, but it's my vow to you.”Adrian’s words echoed in my mind, wrapping around my heart like a warm embrace. "I love you too Adrian, I promise you my love and devotion. I want to wake up next to you every day for the rest of my life" I said back to him as he hugged me tightly, raising my head to meet his, he crashed his lips on mine, kissing me with so much passion and want, my hands flew to his hair as I massaged it! "I love you so damn much Emma" he spoke into my lips as I groaned.. ~~~Flash back ends~~~It had been two days since he made love to me, whispering sweet promises against my skin, as if engraving them into my soul. Sitting before the grand vanity mirror, I gazed at my reflection, feeling a rush of emotions. Six years ago, I would have laughed at the idea of marrying Adrian Steele. He had been nothing more than an infuriating, ar
Adrian’s Point Of View~~ Flashback ~~The soft hum of chatter filled the cozy café, blending with the clink of cups and the hiss of the espresso machine. I pushed the door open, the bell above jingling as I walked inside. My eyes scanned the room until they landed on herCelia had tucked herself away in a quiet corner, her fingers nervously playing with the handle of her cup.She looked up the moment she noticed me and offered a faint smile. “You came.”I pulled the chair out and sat across from her, my expression guarded. “What do you want, Celia?”Her smile faltered, her hands tightening around the coffee cup. “Adrian… can we not do this any longer?” She reached across the table, trying to touch my hand, but I pulled back instinctively.Her shoulders sagged, but she pressed on, her voice cracking slightly. “Why do you hate me so much? We used to be close. We dated, remember? Why is it so hard for you to forgive me for that night?”I inhaled deeply, weighing my words before I spoke.
Emma's Point Of View The scent of sautéed vegetables filled the kitchen as I stirred the pan, lost in the rhythm of preparing lunch. It was oddly therapeutic, chopping, stirring, seasoning each action giving me a moment of calm in the whirlwind my life had been lately.A pair of familiar arms snaked around my waist, pulling me back against a firm chest. Adrian’s breath brushed my neck before his lips followed, planting slow, deliberate kisses along my skin.I couldn’t help but chuckle. “When did you wake up, silly?”“A few minutes ago,” he murmured between kisses, his voice low and teasing, “and turns out, this beautiful lady of mine wasn’t in bed with me.”I smiled, leaning back into him. “Lily woke up early and wanted food. So, here I am, making her a healthy meal.”He nuzzled into my neck, pressing one more kiss there. “That’s a thoughtful mother right there.”He finally let me go, but not before sneaking a berry from the plate on the counter.“Adrian!” I scolded, giving him a pla