The next day, I was determined to be ready. I had set my alarm for 4:15 am, giving myself plenty of time to wake up and get changed before Alaric showed up. It was a struggle to drag myself out of bed, but I was determined to prove I could do this.When he knocked, I swung the door open and announced, "I’m ready." He just gave me a quick nod, as if he expected nothing less, and walked straight toward the door. His commanding presence took over, and it hit me—he had expected me to be ready. Ugh, I had mentally prepared myself for his stoicness, but it still stung. I wanted to surprise him.The training that followed felt like a full-on assault. After half an hour of running—my legs screaming for mercy—we moved straight to the weights. I pumped iron like I was training for war, and I was the only hope this country had for survival. Every rep felt like my body was about to break, but I didn’t let out a single complaint. Not even when Alaric told me to take the stairs to our floor instead
For the past few days, Alaric has refused to go easy on me. Every morning, the training was brutal—early wake-ups, relentless running, endless weights. But, to my surprise, it was starting to feel… easier. My body no longer screamed in protest with every movement, and though my muscles still ached, I could feel them strengthening. My stamina was improving, my breathing wasn’t as ragged, and today—today was a victory.I didn’t collapse the moment I stepped into my room.Sure, I was exhausted, my legs wobbled slightly as I walked, and my arms felt like they’d been put through a shredder, but I was still standing. That was progress.Sinking onto the edge of my bed, I took a deep breath before forcing myself up to do the stretches Alaric had recommended. The first day, I had skipped them, thinking rest was more important, only to regret it when I woke up unable to move the next morning. Lesson learnt.By the time I stepped into the steaming shower, the worst of the stiffness had started t
"Hey, hey!" Ciara protests, laughing as I practically drag her toward the elevator. "Slow down! What is going on?"I don’t stop. Not until we’re inside the elevator, and I jab the button for the ground floor like it personally offended me. Only then do I let out a breath, my pulse still racing from what just happened.Ciara crosses her arms, eyeing me expectantly. "Okay, now will you tell me what that was all about? I had wanted to say hi to Alaric, but you dragged me out like a crazy person."I hesitate, but there’s no point in hiding it. She’d wear it out of me eventually.So, I tell her.I tell her about how I walked straight into Alaric, how he caught me, and how he looked at me like that—like he actually saw me for the first time. How his hand brushed my face, how he murmured that he liked my hair down, how he had almost kissed me.Ciara’s reaction is immediate.Her entire face lights up like a kid on Christmas morning. "You two like each other!" she squeals, practically bouncing
As we turned, a woman strode toward us, her heels so impossibly high that I briefly wondered if she had some supernatural ability to keep her balance. She moved with an air of entitlement, each step calculated, her manicured fingers already reaching forward—Only for Ciara to block her effortlessly."Well, you can’t have it." Ciara’s tone was sharp, leaving no room for argument. "We saw it first, and we’re just about to pay for it."Then, turning to the saleswoman, she smiled sweetly, "Go ahead and pack it up for us.""Alright, ma’am," the saleswoman said, giving a polite nod as she turned—But before she could take a step, that shrill voice sliced through the air again."Stop that! I said I want this!"I clenched my jaw, already feeling irritation claw its way up my spine."Do you even know who I am?" she sneered, her icy blue eyes narrowing.At this point, even I was running out of patience."I’ll get you fired if you give them that dress, you bitch!" she spat at the poor saleswoman
"Miss Ashford, duh!" Ciara grinned widely, clearly still riding the high of the encounter. "Eleanor Ashford. She’s the only daughter of one of the oldest and most aristocratic families in the capital. They’re close to the Sinclair family—close to Alaric’s family."My heart skipped a beat at the mention of Alaric’s name. So Miss Ashford—Eleanor—was somehow connected to him. How? I tried to shake off the thought as quickly as it came."Wow," I murmured, still processing everything. "She’s so... cool.""I know, right?" Ciara replied, her enthusiasm contagious. "But most importantly, we have your dress, and I’m starving. We need to eat!" She gestured toward the exit as if it were the most important thing in the world right now.Before we left, the saleswoman who had been attending to us earlier apologised again, handing both of us a sleek black card. The words Premium Lux Member were embossed in gold on the front."Wow," Ciara whispered, looking at the card in my hand, feeling a mix of aw
I can’t believe I kissed my boss. In his home. And I loved it.But it’s been almost a week since that night, and... nothing.After the kiss, after I had nearly melted into him, he had gently pulled away, his breath warm against my lips as he whispered, "I just wanted to make sure you had the perfect first kiss." Then, just like that, he bade me goodnight and left me standing there—still reeling, still breathless, feeling the ghost of his lips on mine.The next morning, everything had gone back to normal. Almost too normal. He greeted me the same way, his tone even, his expression unreadable, like nothing had ever happened between us.But I knew something had happened.Because I catch him staring. Not just looking—staring. With so much heat and intensity that it makes my skin tingle and my stomach twist into knots. It’s in the way his eyes darken when they meet mine, in the way his jaw clenches as if he’s holding himself back.And now, I can’t stop wondering. Why is he holding back?Ma
The moment we arrived at the venue, I knew grand was an understatement.The Sinclair Charity Ball was held at the most exclusive event hall in the capital—a place Ciara said rarely opened its doors except for occasions of the highest prestige. The exterior was a masterpiece of classical architecture, its towering pillars bathed in golden light, reflecting off the polished marble steps leading to the entrance. Luxury cars lined the curved driveway, each one more extravagant than the last, with valet attendants dressed in crisp black and white uniforms ushering guests inside.As we approached the entrance, chandeliers glowed warmly through the massive arched windows, casting golden ripples of light onto the pavement. The sound of laughter and classical music hummed in the background, a blend of sophistication and old money.The moment Alaric and I stepped through the grand double doors, all movement in the room seemed to pause.The venue itself was nothing short of breathtaking. The vas
Edward Sinclair’s scowl deepened, the lines on his face growing sharper as he turned to Alaric. He barely even spared me a glance, as if my presence was entirely insignificant.“I can’t believe you would do this to your mother and me,” he said, his voice quiet but firm, laced with disappointment. “Finding out about your engagement at a party? Do you have any idea how that makes us look?”Tension rippled through Alaric’s frame, though his grip on my hand remained steady. He exhaled slowly as if reining himself in.“I’m sorry, Dad. It was… sudden.”“Sudden?” Edward’s sharp gaze flickered to me briefly before settling back on his son. “That’s an understatement. I didn’t even know you were seeing anyone.”His mother, Janet, gently placed a hand on his arm, as if to calm him. “Edward, let’s not do this here,” she murmured, though there was no true chastisement in her tone—just quiet grace.Edward’s jaw tensed, but he didn’t argue.I felt my spine straighten. It was clear that Alaric’s fath
AnnaI know I should have stayed back.I promised I would.But it’s different this time.Something in my gut twists with dread, and no matter how hard I try to ignore it, it keeps clawing at me. I know they were walking into a trap. And knowing they were going in with backup didn’t help soothe my fears not one bit. Not tonight. Not when Elias was desperate and dangerous. Not when Alaric looked at me like he might not come back.I wait until I can no longer see the tail lights of the black SUV disappear down the road before I move.My feet take me straight to the study, to the drawer where I had stashed Alaric’s gun weeks ago. The same one I’d stolen the very first day we met—back when he had threatened me to help him.A fond smile pulls at my lips at the memory.God, a lot has changed since then.The man who once cornered me with cold eyes and threats was now the man I love and loves me. Fiercely. Wholeheartedly. I had changed too—no longer afraid, no longer unsure of my place in the
Anna“Are you crazy? You can’t go there!” Damian’s voice cuts through the room like a whip, anger and concern laced in every word.“Actually, we’re both going,” Alaric replies dryly, arms crossed as he leans against the desk. “He asked for us both.”I don’t even try to stop the eye roll. The situation would be a lot funnier if I didn’t wholeheartedly agree with Damian.This was definitely a trap.We’d been ruthless lately—strategically acquiring Elias’s properties, shutting down his companies, exposing his shell businesses one after the other. He had to be desperate. Cornered animals don’t beg—they bite.“You really think he’s just going to surrender?” Damian scoffs, pacing now, eyes blazing. “After everything? The attacks, the manipulation, trying to ruin your company—hell, trying to ruin all of us?”“He sounded tired,” Alaric says quietly, his gaze distant, thoughtful. “Not defeated. But… done.”“Of course we won’t go in alone,” Alaric adds, his voice low but firm. “There’ll be back
3rd person povThere was a time he believed in the system.Bright-eyed. Sharp-minded. Hungry for knowledge and a future he’d been promised if only he worked hard enough.At fourteen, he was already leagues ahead of his peers. Teachers called him a prodigy. A scholarship—one funded by a generous tech conglomerate—was practically guaranteed. He would’ve gone to one of the best schools in the country, maybe even abroad. He would’ve made something of himself.Until it all disappeared.One morning, the whispers started. The funding for their orphanage was pulled. The private donors withdrew without warning. Within weeks, the place he called home was shuttered. Children were split up, sent off to unfamiliar homes, cold institutions with less oversight and even less compassion.Elias found himself in a hellhole disguised as a sanctuary.The beatings started early. First from the older boys, then the staff who turned a blind eye—or worse. No books. No computers. No more teachers praising his
AnnaI wake up to the feeling of strong arms pulling me close, a warm chest pressing against my back. For a moment, I let myself sink into it, into him. The dim lights of the early morning seep in through the curtains, but Alaric’s embrace is anything but peaceful—it’s tight, protective, almost… tense.I blink the sleep from my eyes. “Alaric?”His hold loosens slightly, just enough for me to turn and face him. His eyes are already open, watching me like he’s memorizing every detail. There’s something in them that wasn’t there before; had something gone wrong?“How did it go?” I ask softly, brushing my fingers along his cheek.He sighs and presses his forehead to mine. “As expected. He’s not going to stop. And worse, it's not because he wants power or money, but because he thinks this is justice.”My heart sinks. “So, what now?”“The next few days…” He trails off, jaw tightening. “They’re going to be dangerous, Anna. He’s not done. And the closer we get to exposing everything and stopp
AlaricI watch her from the edge of the room—curled up in the window seat, sunlight catching in her hair, legs tucked under a blanket and reading a book. For a moment, everything feels quiet. Peaceful. And for the first time in what feels like forever, that quiet doesn’t terrify me.But it doesn’t last.“I suppose it’s time I told you everything,” I say, breaking the silence. Anna looks up, her eyes meeting mine—steady, patient. She’s always known when I was holding something back. It has been 4 days since Celeste told us everything she knew, which was more than enough to finally put everything into perspective.I move to sit across from her, fingers laced together.“His name is Elias Voss.”Her brow furrows. “Elias…”“He grew up in a government-run orphanage,” I continue, “one that was heavily funded by the company—back when my father was in charge. It was a passion project of his, actually. He used to visit once a year, donate books, clothes, supplies… But something happened. The fu
**Explicit content ahead**He carries me into the bedroom, his grip strong but reverent, like I’m something fragile he’s afraid to break. The moment we reach the bed, he lowers me gently onto the sheets, hovering over me like he’s afraid to rush. His fingers trace the line of my jaw, down my neck, and I shiver under his touch."Take off your clothes." He looks shocked which was exactly what I was going for."What??"“I said, take off your clothes, Mr. Sinclair,” I murmur, my voice low but teasing, a sly smile tugging at my lips.He arches a brow, but there’s a flicker of surprise in his eyes—he wasn’t expecting this version of me. Truth be told, I wasn’t either. But something about being with him—with Alaric—makes me feel bold. Safe. Desired.Normally, I’d shrink away, let him lead. I’ve always been the one to follow, to please, to hope for scraps of affection. But not tonight. Not with him.Tonight, I want to claim him.I lean back into the pillows, watching intently as he slowly beg
We finally return to Alaric’s home, and as soon as I step inside, a wave of familiarity crashes into me.The scent of warm wood and subtle spice. The soft lighting. The quiet hum of the house.God, I missed this place.I slip out of my shoes slowly, letting the comfort of it all sink in. It’s only been a few months, but everything that happened between then and now makes it feel like a lifetime. My gaze drifts to the grand staircase and the tall windows, and for a moment, I just let myself breathe.We’d left Celeste with Tristan at the safehouse. He insisted on staying behind to watch her, and I trusted him—but still, a flicker of worry lingers in my chest. I hope she doesn't try anything stupid. I hope they’re okay.Shaking the thought off, I pull out my phone and call Damian. He picks up on the second ring and the conversation starts off tensed but I give him everything. I tell him about Celeste, the revelation, the name of the man behind it all, and how we finally have leverage.By
Something in me softens as I watch Celeste shrink into herself.Gone is the haughty woman who stormed into Alaric’s office, who tried to pit us against each other and stood tall beside a man she thought was invincible. Now, she’s… a discarded pawn, trembling on the edge of irrelevance.I walk over quietly and kneel beside her, lowering myself to her level so she doesn’t feel surrounded or attacked. Her eyes flick to mine, red-rimmed and wide, like she doesn’t know whether to expect mercy or mockery.But I speak gently.“If you tell us everything you know,” I say, my voice calm and honest, “Alaric will let you go. No more games, no more threats. Just tell the truth, Celeste. Help us stop him.”Her lips tremble, and I see the fight start to leave her body.“No one else has to know,” I add. “But you can’t go back to him. Not after this. And you know that.”She blinks rapidly, a single tear slipping down her cheek before she quickly wipes it away, as if she still doesn’t want to appear we
I lean against the far wall, arms crossed, staring at Celeste’s unconscious form slumped in the chair. Her long hair is a tangled mess now, falling across her face like a broken curtain. It’s hard to believe that just hours ago, she was barging into Alaric’s office in full control, heels clicking like she owned the place. Now she’s here—drugged, tied up, stripped of all that bravado.After she collapsed, Alaric had Tristan haul her through the private elevator, the one most employees don’t even know exists. No one saw us leave. No one knows where we are. The safe house is far from the city, heavily guarded, and soundproof.She stirs.I straighten instantly, watching her brows twitch, fingers flexing behind her bound back. Her eyes flutter open slowly, scanning her surroundings—and then she sees us.Alaric beside me, sharp and unreadable. Tristan near the door, arms folded. Jason to her left, silent and brooding. And me, watching every flicker of emotion play across her face.Her breat