I felt like vomiting at his sinful words I clenched the hem of my dress, biting down on my lip to keep myself from saying something I’d regret. My chest tightened with frustration, but what could I do? Right now, I was under Josh’s control, whether I liked it or not.The way he looked at me as if I was some liar he couldn’t trust and it made my stomach twist. I wanted to scream at him and tell him I never went to see Kenneth, but the words lodged in my throat like a blade.Josh let out a sharp sigh, his gaze flickering with something unreadable. For a moment, I thought he might say something else, but then his expression hardened."You know what? Just do as it suits you."His voice was cold, detached, but I caught the brief sign of irritation on his face before he turned away. Like he wanted to believe he didn’t care, but deep down, maybe he did.The door clicked shut behind him, and the tension in my body finally broke. My legs felt weak, and I leaned against the wall, sucking in a
Damien Josh called out, "Hey, how have you been?" The man standing in front of us was impossible to ignore. He was tall, with sharp features and messy dark hair. He had a confident smirk on his face and moved with ease, like he owned the place.As he sipped his wine, his dark eyes locked onto mine, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. It was more than just a glance; it was like he was sizing me up. He licked his lip subtly, and I felt a flush rise to my cheeks."Who's this, Josh?" Damien asked, his voice smooth and teasing. Josh didn't look at me when he replied, "My fiancée." His voice was calm, but I detected a hint of tension.Damien's reaction was subtle, but I caught the slight raise of his eyebrows and the twitch of his lips. He looked at me again, this time with renewed interest. "Really?" he asked, his voice dripping with amusement. "Well, that's... unexpected."He took another sip of his wine, and I felt like he was savoring the tension. Josh cut in sharply, "Shit, please t
I sat on the bed, watching Josh walk out to the balcony. He didn't say a word, just kept his back to me. I felt a pang of confusion. What was going on?He stood outside, phone pressed to his ear, his other hand running through his hair. The night air rustled his shirt, but he didn't seem to notice. He was too stiff, too tense. Something was wrong.I sat up straighter, trying to read his body language. He wasn't calm. He was angry or frustrated. His shoulders squared, his fingers tightened around his phone. Then, just like that, he ended the call.He slid the door open and stepped back inside. The room felt colder, the energy he carried with him making me shiver. He picked up his suit jacket and shrugged it on without a word. His jaw was clenched tight, his lips drawn in a thin line."I'm coming," he muttered under his breath. He barely looked at me. It was like I wasn't even there. My stomach twisted with unease.He stopped at the door, his hand gripping the handle tightly. "Don't wai
I gasped, startled, as I saw Josh standing in the middle of the room. My heart skipped a beat, and I instinctively clutched the towel tighter around my body. "Josh?" I breathed, trying to sound calm despite the rapid pounding of my chest. "I thought you went out."He didn't respond immediately. His gaze swept over me, dark and intense, sending a shiver down my spine. "I… I came to pick up something," he finally said, his voice rougher than usual.My pulse hammered as I struggled to keep my composure. "What did you forget?" I asked, attempting to sound casual, but my voice wavered."My phone charger," he muttered, but the way his eyes burned into me made it clear he wasn’t really thinking about the charger.The air thickened between us, heavy and charged. I could feel the heat radiating off him, and my legs felt like they would give out. "You're dripping," Josh murmured, his voice low, husky.I glanced down. Water trickled down my thighs, pooling at my feet. My cheeks flushed hot as I
I slipped into a simple sundress, the thin fabric clinging to my still-damp skin. My hair hung loose around my shoulders, air-drying as I padded barefoot across the marble floor of the hotel suite. I needed space. Air. Something to clear my head after what had just happened in the bathroom. Josh's lips still felt like they were on mine. The kiss had been intense and passionate, like he was trying to prove something. It was almost too much to handle... it was like being drunk on emotions. And yet, it was all so confusing.I let out a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. I grabbed my phone and headed out of the suite. The hotel was even bigger than I’d realized, with tall ceilings and golden chandeliers that reflected light across the polished floors. The place oozed wealth and luxury, but I barely noticed it. My thoughts were tangled in a loop of Josh. I walked through the hallways until I ended up in the courtyard garden outside. The cool breeze felt nice on my skin as I stro
The car rolls to a smooth stop in front of Lumière Luxe Spa, and I barely manage to keep my jaw from dropping. The place looks like it was pulled straight out of a luxury travel magazine it has sleek glass walls, marble steps, and an entrance so polished it practically sparkles under the sunlight.I step out, smoothing my hands down my dress, suddenly feeling a little underdressed for a place like this. As if reading my mind, Josh appears beside me, calm and composed like he walks into places like this every day. Which, knowing him, he probably does.A line of perfectly dressed staff bows as we approach. It’s so formal that it makes me straighten my posture a little more. I catch a glimpse of myself in the glass doors—hair slightly messy from the ride, skin a little dull under the bright sun—and I quickly look away.“Welcome, Mr. Williams,” the manager greets with a warm, polished smile. Then his eyes shift to me, softening. “Miss… you are already beautiful. With just a little touch,
I shifted my gaze to the window, pretending to be fascinated by the streetlights flickering past. But I wasn’t. Not really.What caught my attention was the way he smirked and adjusted his suit, as if he hadn’t just said something so casually dismissive.He wasn’t looking at me anymore—he was looking at his phone.Josh had left the moment we arrived. A murmured “Don’t wait up,” and he was gone, offering no explanation or even a glance back.Probably off to meet his friend.I sat at the edge of the couch, fingers tangled in the hem of my dress, eyes drawn to the reflection staring back at me from the mirror.The spa treatment had done wonders—my skin glowed, lips slightly plumper, lashes darker. I’m really feeling myself because I am super beautiful.The room was silent. I stared at the clock: 8:46 p.m. I reached for my phone. No missed calls. Just Silver’s chat bubble at the top of our thread—probably busy living her usual life.My stomach growled loudly. Of course I was hungry. I had
Nothing I murmured and he left me while smirking.I pulled my robe tighter around me, crossing my legs as I stole a glance at Josh. He looked effortlessly relaxed, sitting back against the headboard in a plain white tee and dark sweats, fingers lazily swirling the wine in his glass.His gaze flickered to me, sharp and knowing.“You’re staring,” he murmured.I quickly looked away, pretending to focus on my drink. “I wasn’t.”“You were.” His smirk deepened, and he shifted slightly, stretching his legs out. “You do that a lot when you think I’m not watching.”A flush crept up my neck. “You’re imagining things.”Josh chuckled, the low sound making my stomach flutter. “Am I?” He took a slow sip of his wine, then tilted his head. “Let’s play a game.”I raised a brow. “A game?”“Truth or dare,” he said, setting his glass aside. “Since we’re leaving tomorrow, let’s make it interesting.”I hesitated. But his gaze held mine, challenging.I sighed, leaning back. “Fine. You first.”“Truth,” he s
Josh's father gave him a hard stare as he said, "Josh, watch your tongue. I have always cared about you."Josh scoffed, loud and bitter, like a laugh stuck in his throat."Cared about me? How?" His voice cracked, but he didn’t care. "You claim to care and my mother's death still remains a mystery. You claim to care—how many times did you even spend with me while I was growing up? You claim to care, yet you went ahead and re-marry that devil of a woman."The room felt like it had dropped ten degrees. Silence hung for a split second before it shattered with a bang."Josh, watch your tongue!" his father roared, slamming his palm hard on the table. The glass of water beside him rattled, almost ready to spill. My heart jumped at the sound, but Josh didn’t flinch. Not even a blink.I looked at Josh, my face pale, hands curled tightly by my side. I didn't say a word, but my eyes followed every twitch in Josh’s jaw, my lips parted like I wanted to stop him—but I didn’t dare.Josh stood there,
As soon as those words left his mouth, before I could even process them, he threw a file across the desk. It landed in front of Josh with a loud, accusing slap. The flap flipped open, and I caught a glimpse of the bolded words printed across the top—Deeds of Transfer.My chest tightened.Deeds of transfer?I shifted slightly, trying to peek at the contents, but Josh’s hand closed over the pages before I could get a proper look. His posture remained rigid, but the slight twitch of his jaw told me he was just as stunned as I was.His father—Mr. William—looked at me then. Really looked at me. Not like I was a person, but something else entirely. Like a stain he couldn’t scrub clean.His lips curled in distaste. He shook his head slowly."You," he muttered under his breath, just loud enough for me to hear. "Still here."Josh scoffed and held the file up."So what’s this about, huh? You want me to transfer my property to Kenneth now? Is that it?"Mr. William didn’t flinch. Didn’t blink. In
Josh answered the call without a word. I watched his face, waiting for some kind of reaction. He didn’t give me one. Just silence. Then, out of nowhere, he grabbed my hand tight and pulled me out of the room like we were running from something.Before we made it out the door, he turned to the stunned staff and barked, “Nobody touches those dress. And do not attend to anyone on this room without my consent .”The entire room fell dead silent. You could hear a pin drop. The energy changed in an instant—thick and cold. Everyone froze, eyes wide and confused.Sophia smirked like she knew something the rest of us didn’t. Kenneth crossed his arms and looked too smug for my liking, like he was waiting for this moment. I didn’t like the way they were acting. It made my skin crawl.As we walked out, I felt Sophia’s stare burn through my back. It wasn’t just a look—it was loaded, like she’d said a thousand things in her head and wanted me to hear them all. My heart pounded. I didn’t dare turn a
Josh rises from his seat slowly, but there’s something in the way he moves that makes everyone pause. Conversations die mid-sentence.I feel my chest tighten as I watch him. He doesn’t look at me. He’s walking—no, gliding—with that kind of quiet command that makes it feel like only he has the right to speak. His eyes are locked on Sophia.He walks toward her—not in a hurry, just calm and steady. But there’s something in his movement. Like every step carries weight, like he’s made up his mind about something big.I feel it in my chest, in the way the room seems to hold its breath. It’s not loud. It’s not dramatic.But it’s serious. Real.And it makes my skin prickle.My breath catches in my throat.Sophia turns sharply when she notices him approaching. Her smile flickers—then fades. She tries to hold her ground, but her arms cross in front of her chest.Josh stops right in front of her.His voice is calm and level—but I can hear the edge underneath.“Or maybe… one of you is just a fool
Kenneth and Sophia were standing there at the doorway.My stomach twisted in that all-too-familiar way—the one I thought I had outgrown. But no—here came another trouble. I sighed in frustration.Josh looked at them and then turned sharply to the staff. “Does anyone come in here now without my permission?”The woman froze like a deer in headlights. Before she could reply, Kenneth strode in with that effortless arrogance he wore like cologne.“Easy, bro,” he said, grinning. “Didn’t realize you were guarding the door like a bouncer now.”Josh’s nostrils flared. “Then maybe you should start realizing a lot more.”Kenneth glanced around, hands in his pockets, acting like everything Josh said was trash.I stayed where I was—halfway between stepping out and staying hidden. My breath caught in my throat. Not out of fear. Not even sadness. Just… frustration.Sophia was silent, her eyes flitting across the room like she was taking mental notes.Josh turned back to Kenneth, eyes sharp. “What ar
The woman standing in the doorway is strikingly beautiful, with a well-sculpted face that looks like it belongs in a magazine. Every angle of her features is perfectly balanced—sharp cheekbones, full lips, and eyes that seem to flicker with something just beneath the surface.Her dark hair is pulled back in a neat yet effortlessly messy bun, and she wears a simple outfit that looks expensive in the way only truly high-end clothing can. It’s casual, yet she carries it with a quiet confidence that makes it seem like she’s the one who owns this place, not the other way around.She stood on the doorway for a while, almost like someone who doesn't need an invitation to step into the room, but she still waited for one—from Josh—before she could fully come inside.From where she stood, she took a moment to glance around, her gaze moving from person to person, before looking back at Josh. I watch his body freeze, his eyes going wide for the briefest second, and then he covers it, quickly scho
I dragged myself into bed like a ghost moving through her own skin.Josh’s phone call didn’t matter. At least, that’s what I told myself. Over and over. It was none of my business. We weren’t that kind of couple. We weren’t even a real couple. And yet…My chest tightened.I wasn’t supposed to be involved. I wasn’t supposed to feel this... close. This tangled. This curious.But I was.Too curious. Too attached.It was stupid.I curled up on one side of the bed, staring into the shadows, his words from earlier echoing in my mind—the part about his childhood. His father. The silence in his tone. That tight edge that only comes from carrying years of hurt and pretending it never mattered.He must have been so lonely, I thought.Something in me ached at the idea. Josh always looked so composed—like nothing could shake him—but there were cracks. If you paid close enough attention, you’d see them. And now I couldn’t unsee them.I turned again, burying my face into the pillow.His father's wa
I tried to form the words, to say something—anything. But my mouth felt dry, like it had been drained of all moisture. The tension was suffocating, my heart racing as my mind scrambled for something to hold onto."Yes, I’m fine," I finally managed to croak out, the words barely more than a whisper. I forced a smile that didn’t reach my eyes, praying he wouldn’t notice the storm raging inside me.But of course, he noticed.His gaze, once directed at the TV, snapped to me like a hawk zeroing in on its prey. The shift in his attention was instant, piercing. Josh stood up slowly, his movements deliberate as he strolled toward me. Each step felt like a drumbeat pounding in my chest. I couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe. My body froze, locked in place as if my feet were nailed to the floor.Before I knew it, he was standing in front of me—just inches away, close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from him. The space between us seemed to shrink, suffocating me with his presence. I inst
The phone was still pressed to my ear when Josh’s father said coldly, “I think I’ve given you enough time to think.”His words hung heavy in the air, slicing through the silence of the kitchen like a blade. I clutched the phone tighter, my fingers trembling as if the device itself had turned into ice. My heart thudded against my ribs, each beat loud enough to drown out the soft hum of the refrigerator.I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat nearly choking me.“I—” My voice cracked, and I hated it. I hated how weak I sounded. “I love him.” It came out more like a whisper, fragile and scared.There was a pause. A heartbeat. Then that same cold voice, sharper this time: “That’s irrelevant. You knew what this was. You’ve had enough fun. Now it ends.”I could feel the sting in his words. Like venom.Why was this man always on my neck? Was it a crime to go to college? To fall in love and be played by his so-called son Kenneth? To exist in a world where I had to work twice as hard for half