FLORA’S POV The next morning, I woke up later than usual, dragging myself into what had once been our room—mine and Jayden’s. I needed to gather a few things before I finally walked out of the Kensington estate for good. Thankfully, Jayden wasn’t in there. The last thing I wanted was to face his half-hearted, “I’m sorry, babe” apology attempt, which would barely qualify as an apology. Last night, I had locked myself in the guest room, cried until I fell asleep. And not those cute, single-tear movie sobs either—it was the ugly kind of crying that leaves you exhausted. Honestly, I wasn’t even sure why I cried so hard. Maybe it was because I knew it was the last time I would shed any tears over my soon-to-be ex-husband and his unbearable family. Even though I was the one asking for the divorce, it didn’t mean it didn’t hurt. I had loved Jayden for so long—aside from my dad, he was the only man I ever truly cared for. And yet, here I was, realizing he had been cheating on me with
FLORA’S POV The harsh brightness of the room hit me the moment I opened my eyes, making me wince and squeeze them shut again, waiting for the ringing in my ears to settle. For a brief moment, I felt like I was floating, weightless, but my entire body ached like I had been thrown down a ten-story building. Something warm touched my arm, and then I heard a voice—a voice I knew too well. “Oh my God, you’re awake. You made it.” I blinked a few times, staring up at the ceiling, slowly piecing together where I was. My head felt heavy, but I managed to turn it to the side and saw my mom, her bittersweet smile tinged with tears. She rubbed my arm gently, like she was trying to ground me back to reality. “Mom?” I croaked; my throat dry. “What are you...?” My voice trailed off as memories flooded back. The last thing I remembered... I glanced down at my body, panic creeping in. Then I looked at my mom, her eyes silently pleading with me to stay calm. She nodded, trying to reassure me. “Yo
FLORA’S POV I had forgotten what it felt like to be free. For two days after I left the hospital, I stayed in bed, weighed down by the ache of losing my baby. That child had been my anchor, giving me the courage to finally stand up to the Kensingtons and ask for a divorce. But what hurt even more than the loss was Jayden blaming me for what happened. Since we left, he hadn’t stopped calling. At first, I answered a few times, hoping for—well, I don’t know what I was hoping for. Closure? An apology? But instead, Jayden just spewed his usual nonsense, giving me “chances” to come back and promising to “forget everything” if I did. When I didn’t respond, he switched tactics, sending increasingly threatening texts about how I would regret it if I didn’t take him up on his offer. The audacity was truly something else. How could he not see that he was only making everything worse? It was like he thought this was all just some negotiation and not my entire life falling apart. Last night
FLORA’S POV One thing about the Kensingtons—they believed money could buy anything. I had heard Lisette say it countless times: Everything and everyone has a price, if you know the right one. It was one of her many reasons for treating me like a temporary accessory rather than her son’s wife. To her, I wasn’t Flora, a person with feelings—I was a commodity her family had “purchased.” They never accepted that I had married Jayden for love. From day one, they had slapped the “gold digger” label on me. That’s why they never saw the divorce coming. As Lisette stood there with her two bodyguards, one of them holding a briefcase like we were in the middle of a corporate meeting, I exchanged glances with Sasha and Mom. What “deal” was she planning to offer? Curiosity got the better of me, so I gave Mom and Sasha a subtle look, telling them to stay calm. Then, I moved to the couch and sat down, facing Lisette. “Alright, let’s hear what you’ve got,” I said, trying to sound more casual
JAYDEN’S POV Melissa had called earlier, claiming my mother was in some kind of danger. Normally, I would brush off her dramatic tendencies, but something about the urgency in her voice unsettled me. I left the Businessmen’s Summit early, barely staying until the end. My mother could be over-the-top, but this sounded different—serious even. When I got home, no one could really explain what had happened to her. The servants only said she came back drenched and looking like she was about to pass out. The moment I walked into the living room, Melissa sprang to her feet and rushed over, wrapping her arms around me like I had been gone for months. “You’re home, sweetheart! How did it go?” she asked, her voice dripping with sweetness. I gently peeled her off me, as though she were something fragile and poisonous at the same time. I wasn’t in the mood for her right now. I was still too raw from everything with Flora. Melissa looked the part, no doubt—wealthy background, drop-dead go
ALEX’S POV Everyone at the Summit kept telling me how lucky I was. They were inspired by my success, even though I hadn’t made it early in life. Almost all the other businessmen wished they had my charisma. But what they didn’t know was that my life was a complete disaster behind the scenes. My son wouldn’t speak to me—probably wouldn’t even if it were the last thing he had to do before he died. Loyalty and love felt like distant concepts, slipping further away by the day. I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was only a matter of time before everything crumbled. I had spotted Jayden at the Summit earlier and made a mental note to talk to him before heading back to my room. But catching him was about as achievable as scaling Mount Everest barefoot. After the meeting, I tried to make a beeline for him, but I was intercepted by a group of admirers, eager to discuss business deals and corporate nonsense. By the time I escaped from their clutches, Jayden had vanished. No sign of him
ALEX’S POV I skimmed through the list of new applicants for my assistant position, but none of the resumes were doing it for me. It wasn’t that they weren’t qualified—it was more that I didn’t even know what I was looking for. My last assistant had played a significant role in driving a wedge between me and my ex-wife, and the one I just fired... well, let’s just say “inappropriate” is an understatement. Maybe it was time to hire a male assistant. At least that way, I could avoid any more scandals hanging over my head like a storm cloud. Sighing, I scrolled through the male candidates. Seemed like the safest bet for a fresh start. I had finally agreed with David’s advice to give relationships a break and stick to... Subs. He had talked to Jackson, the guy who apparently knew all the right “connections,” and I was still waiting for an update. I glanced at my wristwatch—an hour past closing time. Great. Exhaustion was settling in, and I still had files from the design department to so
FLORA’S POV “Good girl,” he said warmly, and to my utter disbelief, a strange sense of calm washed over me. He stepped out from behind his desk, moving toward me with deliberate ease. My heart pounded so loudly I was sure he could hear it. Was that a hint of a smile on his face? As he stopped in front of me, I caught the scent of his cologne—something expensive and intoxicating. He tilted my chin up, locking eyes with me. I silently repeated a mantra in my head: Stay calm. Don’t panic. And if he crosses the line, you’re out. But despite my mental pep talk, my pulse raced. “Do you know,” he said, his gaze sweeping over my face, “you have the finest shade of hazel eyes?” My heart skipped a beat. No one had ever commented on my eye color before, and as ridiculous as it sounded, his words made me feel... flattered. And a little off-balance. “I like that you didn’t put up so much effort for me,” he continued, his voice dropping an octave. “So demure, so subtle... and it’s fucking lov
FLORA’S POV I met a few more people who were amazed by my presence. Before I was done talking to all those people, I felt better. As much as Cynthia’s little stunt earlier had rattled me, I wasn’t going to let one snooty wine heiress ruin my night. So, I let myself unwind and even flirted a little with some of the younger, single men. Every now and then, I felt Alex’s gaze on me. His eyes lingered just long enough to send a shiver down my spine, but he didn’t approach me. Instead, he remained engaged in conversation with Cynthia and the older man who had joined their little group earlier. After a while, the energy began to wane, and I found myself craving a quiet moment. As the music slowed and couples began to fill the dance floor, I slipped away to the rail overlooking the city skyline, still clutching the glass of champagne I had been nursing since the night began. “Can I have this dance, Ms. Roberts?” The smooth and familiar voice startled me. I spun around, and there he
FLORA’S POV “If that isn’t the charismatic Alexander Lee Bennett,” a sultry female voice chimed behind us, rich with amusement and laced with a faint accent. I felt Alex stiffen beside me, his grip on my hand tightening ever so slightly before he turned toward the source of the voice. I followed his gaze, my curiosity piqued, and my eyes met a piercing deep blue gaze staring into mine with a smirk. She looked stunning, and from her poise and the way she clutched her wine glass, I could tell she had been in this game for a long time. She was breathtaking, the kind of woman whose entire existence screamed old money, designer labels, and boarding school poise. Everything about her, her sleek, raven hair and her perfectly lined crimson lips, looked polished to perfection. She seemed familiar somehow, but I couldn’t place her face. “Cynthia,” Alex said with forced cheerfulness as he strode toward her. I watched as they exchanged kisses on the cheek, the kind of cheek kiss rich peo
ALEX’S POV “Are you nervous?” I asked as I stepped out and opened the car door for Flora, offering her my hand. She shook her head far too quickly, avoiding my gaze. “Not at all.” Liar. I could read her like an open book. Her fingers had trembled on the ride here, betraying the calm front she wore like armor. She had no idea just how much I noticed, every sigh, every nervous fidget, every time her teeth worried that soft bottom lip. One thing Flora doesn’t know about me is that I’m very observant, especially towards people I care about. And I care about Flora—a lot. And then there was that dress. Jesus Christ, that red sequin gown had me spiraling. It hugged every one of her curves as though it was custom-made to drive me insane. The slit up the side teased just enough of her smooth thigh to make my brain short-circuit. All the way to this goddamn event, I had been battling the overwhelming urge to pull her into my lap and take her right there in the backseat. I had been ro
FLORA’S POV As soon as I stepped out of the interview room, Vicky was waiting, her warm smile as radiant as ever. In one hand, she held a steaming mug of coffee, which she extended toward me. “Come here, my good luck charm,” she said, spreading her arms wide. I couldn’t help but return her smile as I walked into her embrace. The soft patting on my back was soothing, grounding me after the whirlwind of interviews and public appearances. “How was that interview?” she asked once we pulled apart, her eyes scanning my face with genuine interest. “It was... refreshing,” I replied as we started walking out of the building. Trailing behind us were her assistant and a couple of bodyguards. Vicky nodded approvingly. “Your story is inspiring, Flora. You’re now the new face of fashion in Rockshire. I knew you were a diamond the very first day I saw you, and I’m so glad you proved me right.” Her words sent warmth flooding through me. “Thank you, Vicky. I’m truly grateful for the opportu
MELISSA’S POV Five Days Later… “Miss Roberts, congratulations on such an incredible debut! Your designs were a showstopper and left the audience in awe, and your decision to walk the runway yourself was such a bold move. What inspired you to take on that challenge?" The interviewer’s voice droned from the TV. I rolled my eyes so hard they nearly stayed in the back of my head. Flora's smug smile on the screen was the cherry on top of the torture. She thought she was so clever, didn’t she? Riding on the back of pity to catapult herself into the limelight. Jayden, sitting beside me on the couch, leaned forward like a lovesick puppy. "Thank you so much!” Flora began. "To be honest, it wasn’t part of the plan at all. The day before the event, I found out my signature piece had been sabotaged. It was devastating. Someone had destroyed my dress, and all my sketches had been wiped from my system. To make things worse, my model called in sick just hours before the show." Jayden sighe
FLORA’S POV There was silence in the room for a while. Maybe Alex had finally come to realize the truth—that I wasn’t the perfect person he thought I was. I couldn’t bear the thought of setting myself up for disappointment. Sure, I basked in his praises, but deep down, I knew he could never see me as anything more than his Sub. Whatever we had was transactional, wasn’t it? And I didn’t want to delude myself otherwise, knowing the caliber of person he was. Especially after what happened with Jayden. “Jesus Christ,” Alex muttered, breaking the silence as he removed the blindfold from my eyes. I blinked rapidly, the sudden light making my vision blur. My gaze dropped to the space between us, avoiding his eyes like they were molten lava. But Alex wasn’t having it. His hand cupped my face, tilting my chin upward. “Give me your eyes, Flora,” he commanded. I obeyed, locking my gaze with his piercing amber eyes. “You are perfect,” he said firmly, like he was stating a universal truth.
FLORA’S POV I knew the answer he wanted to hear, but deep within, I wasn’t convinced I was perfect at all. Before I could answer, my phone began to ring, shattering the charged silence. Alex sighed and eased off the bed, and I waited with bated breath. “Can I at least answer my phone?” I asked. “No, you can’t,” Alex growled. There was silence for a moment before he added, “Your mom is calling.” My heart skipped a beat. Of course, she was calling. Alex had dragged me away so suddenly I hadn’t even had a chance to see my mom and sister. “Hello?” Alex said into the phone. “Hi,” my mother’s familiar voice floated through the speaker. “Can I speak to Flo?” “Oh, Flora is kind of busy right now,” Alex said, and I could imagine his wicked grin in my direction. “She’s, uh... got herself a punishment.” My jaw dropped. My mother’s silence on the other end spoke volumes. My chest tightened with tension as my brain scrambled to decode what Alex had just said, and what Mom might be imagi
FLORA’S POV Alex didn’t speak to me until we arrived at his place. Luckily, it was empty since Clarissa and the other housekeepers had left. He got out of the car, strode over to my side, and opened my door with a precision that only added to my confusion. Before I could ask what was happening, he lifted me off the ground, tossing me over his shoulder like a sack of flour. My stomach clenched in both fear and excitement. “What are you doing?” I asked, half-laughing, half-nervous. “Keep shut,” he growled, his voice was low and commanding. He carried me through the house, up the stairs with quick strides. I expected him to stop at his bedroom, but instead, he pushed the door to his infamous red room open. Before I could process it, I was tossed onto the bed, the softness of the sheets did little to cushion the shock of the moment. Alex loomed above me with a look masked with anger. “It’s time to get what you deserve, Flora.” His large hands grabbed my ankles and yanked me to
FLORA’S POV The show was about to begin, and I was a total mess. Alex had practically hauled me into a restroom tucked away in one of the hotel suites after I had texted him in full-blown panic mode, declaring my intent to quit. “I really don’t think I can do this,” I whispered, wringing my hands as if in prayer. “What the fuck is wrong with you, Flora?” he hissed, grabbing my shoulders as if trying to shake some sense into me. “You can’t let all this hard work go to waste.” I flinched. “But... what if they don’t like it?” My voice cracked, and I imagined the audience booing, jeering, and sneering as I stumbled across the runway. And then there was Lisette, Melissa, and whoever else had taken it upon themselves to sabotage me. Even if they weren’t actively plotting my demise tonight, their smug faces in the crowd would be unbearable if I failed. Alex exhaled sharply, visibly trying to keep his cool. “We talked about this last night. You’re not here to perform a goddamn Broa