BRADI'm taken aback by the transformation. Gone are the mahogany furniture and leather chairs, replaced instead with dark red velvet and metal restraints. The walls are adorned with various whips and chains, and a St. Andrew's cross stands prominently in the corner.Mrs. Raina, the woman I've been trying to impress for weeks in order to secure her vote for CEO, smirks at my reaction. "I see you like my little secret."I swallow hard, trying to process what I'm seeing. "I had no idea you were into...this."She steps closer to me, her heels clicking against the hardwood floor. "I like to dominate my men, Brad. Are you man enough to handle it?"My mind races as I consider the implications. I've come this far in my pursuit of the CEO position, and I can't back down now. I take a deep breath and nod. "Yes, I can handle it."She raises an eyebrow. "Take off your clothes."My heart races as I comply, my hands shaking as I undo my tie and slip off my jacket. I can feel her eyes on me as I un
ALANNAI am nervous, why do I always get this way when it comes to Nolan, I mean, I had faced the worst demons, but Nolan was both a dream and nightmare to me.My heart hammered a desperate beat against my ribs as the sleek black car pulled up to the quaint Parisian cafe. This was it. The first time I'd be facing Nolan one-on-one, since the bitter divorce, and not under the most ideal circumstances. I mean, even while we were married, he mostly avoided me and the only time we had sat to talk was about the terms of our divorce. A tense knot of anger and apprehension twisted in my gut.“I hate that he was making me go through such a dreadful process like this again,” I heaved,”I strode into the cafe gate, It was my favorite little haven in the city, a charming nook with checkered tablecloths and overflowing flower boxes that I'd always dreamed of bringing Nolan to. He'd never been one for "cute cafes," always opting for the trendy, high-end establishments. Taking a deep breath, I st
NOLANSeeing Alanna again after everything… the guilt, the longing, the sheer mess of it all, threatened to drown me. I am a mess.This wasn't just about the kids, not entirely. It was about a chance to open something between us.The cafe bell chimed as the door opened, and there she was. Alanna. Even after all this time, she took my breath away. Her hair, still the same cascade of fiery red, framed a face that somehow managed to be both fierce and vulnerable. She looked… different. Stronger, maybe. I stood as she approached, a nervous smile plastered on my face. "Alanna," I greeted, my voice cracking slightly. "Thanks for coming."Her gaze was cool, assessing. "Nolan," she replied simply, her voice devoid of warmth. "Let's get this over with."We settled into a booth, the silence thick with unspoken emotions. I cleared my throat, trying to break the ice. "This place… this was your favorite, right? You always wanted me to bring you here."A flicker of a smile played on her lips, fle
AlannaThe walk back to my office felt like I was walking on glass.Each step was a heavy effort, the weight of the ruined meeting clinging to me like a damp shroud. I hate him!I hate her!I hate my life!I hate myself for feeling so much for him! I cursed out loud. Tears welled up in my eyes again, blurring the already hazy cityscape. How could I have been so stupid? So naive? Nolan having sex with Chloe shouldn't have hurt this much. Logically, I knew it shouldn't. He was married to her, for crying out loud! Married people have sex, that's a fact of life. But logic wasn't winning this battle. My heart felt like a shattered glass, sharp shards of pain piercing me with every ragged breath. Reaching my office door, I fumbled for my key, my vision obscured by the traitorous tears. Finally, the door clicked open, and I practically stumbled inside, collapsing into the plush embrace of my armchair. Angela, bless her ever-observant heart, appeared at my desk in a flash. "Alanna?
ALANNAThis was the day, the day I had prepared for, for months. I felt a flood of emotions flood through me. I was both happy, anxious, nervous, sad and grateful all at once. The ballroom buzzed like a beehive, there was this certain elegance and refinement that could be felt in the air. A dazzling display of wealth and importance. Crystal clinked against crystal as champagne flutes collided in celebratory toasts.Excited chatter against the backdrop of the smooth jazz band. Tonight was the completion of months of tireless work, my fashion show – a vibrant display of my creativity – finally gracing the grand stage.“Congratulations Ms. Alanna,” a woman with a black dress greeted me, I didn't recognize her, so instead I responded to her with a smile. Despite the outward glamor, a knot of apprehension tightened in my stomach as I scanned the crowd. A sea of well-dressed bodies and expectant faces swirled before me. The city's elite were all here, of course: business moguls with
CHLOEI hate my life and all that it had turned into. The stupid scent of cheap beer hit me the moment I pushed open the creaking metal door of the bar. My eyes scanned the dimly lit interior, finally landing on a hunched figure slumped over a chipped plastic table in the corner. Dad. Even from a distance, I could tell he was several sheets to the wind."Dad?" I called hesitantly, my voice barely a whisper over the din of drunken chatter and thumping music.His head snapped up, revealing bloodshot eyes and a face creased with worry lines that seemed to have deepened considerably since the last time I'd seen him, a few months ago. A flicker of recognition crossed his features, followed by a weak attempt at a smile. He had asked me to meet him here after Alanna’s show. "Chloe! My little angel," he slurred, gesturing unsteadily for the empty seat opposite him. "Come, come, have a seat with your old man."My stomach clenched. The last thing I wanted to do was sit down at a grimy bar t
Here I was, a married woman, about to cheat on my husband with a man I had just met. But something about Lucas was irresistible. I had felt a spark between us as soon as we met, and I knew I had to have him.We walked into his house, and he pulled me close, kissing me deeply. I could feel the heat building between us as his tongue explored my mouth. I ran my hands through his hair, pulling him closer, not wanting to break the kiss.But eventually, he pulled away, taking my hand and leading me to his bedroom. I followed, my heart racing with anticipation. I knew what was about to happen, and I couldn't wait.As soon as we were in the room, Lucas pulled me to him again, kissing me with even more passion than before. I could feel his hard cock pressing against me, and I knew I had to have it. I reached down, rubbing it through his pants, feeling it grow even harder under my touch.Lucas broke the kiss, looking into my eyes. "Do you want this, Chloe?" he asked, his voice low and husky."Y
CHAPTER 79BRADI walked into the fashion event, I was on high alert. I had been told that Mrs. Raina, a member of the board, wanted to speak with me. I had no idea what she wanted, but I hoped it was good news."Brad, there you are," Mrs. Raina said as she approached me. "I'd like you to meet Mr. Collins, another board member."I shook Mr. Collins' hand and exchanged pleasantries. That's when Mrs. Raina dropped the bomb."Brad, Mr. Collins has asked what he can do to help you get the position of CEO. And I told him that you would be happy to show him a good time."I was shocked. Me, show a man a good time? I'm not even gay. But I needed that CEO position, so I reluctantly agreed.Mr. Collins led me to a private room, and I immediately felt uncomfortable. But I pushed my doubts aside and began to flirt with him."So, Mr. Collins, what is it that you like?" I asked, my voice dripping with suggestion."I like to be fucked," he replied, his eyes dark with desire.I was ashamed of myself,
ALANNAStanding at the back of the church, the soft melody of the wedding march echoing through the air. Who would have thought that after everything—after all the pain, the heartbreak, and the betrayal—I would find myself here, about to marry Nolan Westbrook, the man I once believed was the source of all my suffering? Life has a strange way of leading you exactly where you need to be, even when you fight it every step of the way.Pedro, my rock, my father in every way that mattered, stood beside me. He looked at me with pride, his eyes shining with unshed tears. "You ready, Dear?" His voice was steady, but I could hear the emotion behind it.I nodded, feeling my heart swell with gratitude. This was the man who had taken me in, loved me unconditionally, and gave me the family I had always longed for. And now, he was about to walk me down the aisle to start a new chapter of my life.As we began to move forward, the sight before me took my breath away. The church was filled with the peop
NOLAN"Closure doesn't come from forgetting the past but from facing it head-on."The wind blew softly as we stood at Chloe's grave, the air filled with the scent of freshly turned earth and the distant hum of the city. It had taken us a long time to get here, to stand at this place with a sense of peace instead of anger or regret. I looked down at the headstone, its cold surface a stark reminder of all that had happened, all that we had lost and gained.In my arms, little Chloe stirred, her tiny hands grasping at the air. She was so innocent, unaware of the twisted history that brought her into this world. But that was how it would stay. Alanna and I had promised each other that this child, this beautiful little girl, would never know the darkness that shadowed her birth. She would be loved, cherished, and protected from the truth that could shatter her world.Alanna knelt beside the grave, placing a single white rose on the headstone. Her voice was soft, but there was strength in it
ALANNAWhen Lucas stepped out of the shadows, gun in hand, my heart clenched with a fear I hadn’t felt in years. The happiness of moments before—Nolan’s proposal, the promises of a future together—seemed to shatter like glass around us. All I could see was Lucas, his face twisted with rage and pain, his eyes filled with a darkness that sent chills down my spine.It was as if everything we’d gone through, every battle we’d fought, was leading up to this moment. But instead of feeling strong, I felt vulnerable, exposed. Lucas was no longer the boy I once knew. He was a man consumed by hatred, and that hatred was directed at me.“You came into my life and took everything,” Lucas snarled, his voice trembling with barely suppressed anger. “You took my family, you took the only love I had ever known, and now you’ve ruined everything!”I tried to find the right words, something that could reach him, something that could make him see reason. But nothing came. All I could do was stand there, f
ALANNA"Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies."Shopping with Angela was just the distraction I needed. The weight of everything—Nolan’s court case, the uncertainty of our future—had been pressing down on me like a storm cloud. But here, in the brightly lit aisles, surrounded by the scent of fresh clothes and the chatter of happy customers, I felt lighter. Angela had a way of making even the most mundane tasks feel like an adventure.We wandered through racks of dresses, holding up options and debating the merits of each one. Angela was in the middle of showing me a deep red dress when she suddenly paused, a small smile playing on her lips.“Jake asked me to move in with him.”The words hung in the air between us, and I felt a surge of happiness for her. “He did? That’s amazing, Angela! How do you feel about it?”Angela looked thoughtful, her fingers brushing the fabric of the dress she was holding. “I don’t know. I mean, I love him, and I can see a future with him.
Nolan"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."The courthouse loomed before me, a symbol of the justice I’d been seeking ever since that fateful day. The memories of what Brad had done—of what he’d put my family through—played on a loop in my mind. There was no forgetting the fear in Alanna’s eyes, the sound of the gunshot, the moment when everything nearly ended for us. Today was about more than just a verdict; it was about setting things right, about reclaiming the peace that Brad had stolen from us.As I sat in the courtroom, the weight of the moment settled heavily on my shoulders. This wasn’t just about me. It was about Alanna, about our children, about the future we’d almost lost. I glanced over at Alanna, who was seated beside me. Her hand rested in mine, her grip tight and unyielding. We had come this far together, and we were going to see it through to the end.Mr. Collins, my lawyer, stood and approached the stand where I was seated. He was calm, composed, the
ALANNA“Family isn't just about blood; it's about who stands by you when the world falls apart."As we walked into the restaurant, the warm glow of the lights and the soft hum of conversation made me feel at ease. This place, with its cozy ambiance and inviting atmosphere, was perfect for the first dinner we’d have together as a family—one that finally felt whole. I glanced around at everyone, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness. It had been a whirlwind of emotions since discovering the truth about my past, and now, here we were, trying to create something new from the ashes of what once was.Nolan squeezed my hand gently as we approached our table. He could sense my nerves and, as always, knew exactly what I needed—a reminder that I wasn’t alone in this. The kids ran ahead, excited to see the menu and all the possibilities it promised. Mrs. Westbrook, who had become such a steady presence in our lives, followed behind them, her eyes twinkling with affection as she watched
ALANNAALANNA*"The truth is like a slow-burning fuse—inevitable and explosive, lighting up the darkest corners of our past."*The air in the room felt heavy, laden with the weight of all the secrets that had been suffocating us for years. Chloe's father sat across from me, his eyes tired and red, as if he had been wrestling with his conscience for a long time. I knew this conversation would change everything, yet I wasn’t prepared for what was coming.For so long, I had lived under the shadow of a truth I didn’t fully understand. I knew that the people I had called my parents weren’t truly mine, but beyond that, there was only darkness—a void that left me feeling lost and incomplete. Today, it seemed, that void was about to be filled.He took a deep breath, as if trying to steady himself for what he was about to reveal. "Alanna, I owe you the truth, even though it's a truth I've buried for far too long. You see, your real parents—they weren’t who you thought they were."I nodded, my
ALANNA“Some truths are too heavy to bear, but they must be carried nonetheless.”The phone rang late in the evening. Nolan and I were curled up on the couch, enjoying a rare moment of peace. When he saw Chloe’s name flash across the screen, he hesitated, the tension immediately creeping back into his shoulders. He glanced at me, his brows furrowed in concern.“I’ll answer,” I offered, knowing that whatever she had to say would weigh on him. He handed me the phone, relief mingled with worry in his eyes.“Hello?” I tried to keep my voice steady, but my mind raced with possibilities. Why was she calling now?“Alanna,” Chloe’s voice was weak, almost unrecognizable. There was an urgency in her tone that sent a chill down my spine. “I’m at the hospital. I need you and Nolan to come… please, it’s important.”Before I could respond, she hung up. I stared at the phone, my mind reeling.“What did she say?” Nolan’s voice broke through my thoughts.“She’s at the hospital. She wants us to come… N
NOLANI don't want this night to end," I murmured, my lips brushing against her ear. The words hung in the air, heavy with meaning and longing. I looked into Alanna's deep blue eyes, and I knew she felt the same way."Then let's not let it end," Alanna whispered back, her fingers trailing down my chest, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. The touch of her hands on my skin sent a shiver of anticipation running through me. I couldn't resist her any longer. I swept her off her feet, carrying her up the stairs to our bedroom, where we could forget about the rest of the world and just be with each other.I couldn't help but think about how far we had come. It wasn't just about the physical connection, though that was incredible. It was about the way she looked at me, the way she touched me, the way she made me feel. I knew that I had found something special with Alanna, something that I never wanted to let go of.I kissed her deeply, my tongue exploring her mouth as our bodies pressed t