Jayden's povThe sex with Mirabella last night was thrilling, but a wave of regret kept hitting me afterward. Now, I could not stop questioning if I had made a mistake. Sure, I could blame the alcohol, but was that really a valid excuse? I let out a heavy sigh as I drove to the hospital to check on the boy I had hit last night as Ariana’s words of advice kept echoing in my mind. “I’ll deal with that later,” I muttered to myself, even though I hoped Mirabella would not feel hurt to prevent pulling us back together—exactly what Ariana had warned me against. When I reached the hospital's registration desk, I felt a small wave of relief when the nurse informed me the boy was awake and doing fine. Without wasting a second, I headed straight to his ward. The moment I walked in, our eyes met. He tried to adjust himself in bed but winced, clutching his side. “Take it easy,” I said softly, offering a faint smile as I moved closer. He kept his hand on his ribs, his eyes narrowing in susp
Mirabella's povI had expected Jayden to storm into my room first thing this morning, dragging me out of bed out of anger after what happened last night. Instead, I woke up on my own. It made me wonder if maybe, just maybe, he had actually changed like Eunice and Lucy kept insisting—and maybe he did deserve a chance after all.Then it hit me that I had completely flaked on my plan to meet Lucy at the art exhibition last night. Grabbing my phone, I dialled her number but got no answer. I tried again. Still nothing.Feeling a pang of guilt, I typed out a quick message: "I'm sorry, babe. Jayden and I couldn't show up there because something unexpected came up. You know I’d never ditch you on purpose, right?" "Let’s meet up later today so I can make it up to you. We’ve got a lot to talk about!" Even as I sent the message, my stomach twisted with worry. Was she still mad at me? Or worse, was she hurt? I told myself she would eventually reply or call me back, so I pushed the thoughts as
Mirabella's povJayden's voice dropped low. "You probably should have figured it out by now that you were operated on while you were at the club, like so many others in your position."He paused, his eyes fixed on the floor."A tracking chip was implanted in your arm to monitor your movements in case you tried to escape. It’s still there, and it’s how I’ve been able to keep track of you.”The fact that he was finally telling me now... stripping himself bare just like he had been doing of late was the final confirmation I needed that he's now changed and loved me dearly like he had been claiming.Slowly, he raised his gaze, his eyes meeting mine for the first time since he started speaking."You didn’t know, did you?" His voice barely above a whisper.He hesitated, then stepped closer, just two small steps, as if unsure of how close he could get. "I’m sorry for keeping this from you until now," he said, his voice cracking with emotion."I—""It’s okay," I said, cutting him off gently
Mirabella's povI left the hospital with Jayden and the boy, Lucas, whom he had adopted. To my surprise, Jayden was not just changing towards me—he seemed different overall, especially with how friendly he had been to Lucas since we left the hospital. The man who once seemed cold and distant now wanted to take a little boy on a tour around the house. “Are you sure the kid isn’t your long-lost son?” I raised an eyebrow and smirked.It was so unlike him that I could not resist teasing him about it. His face scrunched in confusion. “I don’t know what you are talking about.” “Have you forgotten how you used to barely tolerate me?” I shot back, crossing my arms. "And now here you are, ready to give Lucas the grand tour.” He let out a scoff, shaking his head in disbelief. “Don’t tell me you are jealous.” “Me? Jealous?” I shrugged nonchalantly, though my smirk gave me away. "Please. I’m just stating the obvious.” That was all it took to flip the switch. His gaze darkened as he bega
Mirabella's povThere was nothing more I had prayed for than to find a home—an actual home where love did not feel like a transaction or a weapon. Now, I had it. Jayden, our adopted son Lucas, and Eunice had become my everything. For the first time in my chaotic life, I felt like I belonged somewhere.The room buzzed with warmth as I sat in Lucy and Caesar’s luxurious living room, gushing about my life with Jayden. I spoke with a wide grin, my hands animated as I described Jayden's hilarious antics and his sudden obsession with baking cookies for me. But something was off. Her silence had been gnawing at me for minutes. She usually had this infectious energy that lit up every conversation, but now, she sat stiffly, her hands clutching the hem of her dress like it was the only thing holding her together. Her face was swollen, bruised, and far too quiet. My words faltered mid-sentence, the grin melting from my face. “Lucy, what happened to your face?” I asked.Her eyes darted away
Author's pov"So, you're saying he asked you what she likes?" Caesar smirked, the neon lights of the Aphrodite Club’s VIP section casting a glow on his face as he spoke to Noah, Mirabella's father.Helen had tipped Caesar off that Jayden had asked her for Noah’s contact info and address a few days ago.Curious about why Jayden was interested in meeting Noah, Caesar called him over to figure it out.When Noah confirmed the details, Caesar’s grin widened. "This is getting interesting," he mused, clearly entertained.After giving Noah a stack of cash and telling him to report back the next time Jayden reached out, Caesar dismissed him.Caesar could not stop smiling all through as he watched Noah leave. "This is it right? Since we've confirmed that asshole's weakness, it's time we strike." Levine snarled, a smirk playing on his lips.Helen, who had been sitting beside Caesar cut in, scoffing. "Has he really fallen for her? Even if he has, which I still can’t believe, her of all people?"
Mirabella's povI woke up to the soft golden glow of sunlight spilling through the blinds, warming and painting stripes of warmth across my skin.My body instinctively craved a stretch to shake off the remnants of sleep, but just as I began to move, a voice cut through the stillness. “Stop.” It was sharp, yet calm, and it made me freeze mid-motion. Slowly, I turned my head toward the voice, my gaze landing on Jayden.There he was, perched on a stool by the window, a streak of sunlight catching in the messy strands of his hair. A faint smile curved his lips, but his eyes were sharp, focused on the canvas before him. In one hand, he held a brush, dappled with shades of vibrant color, and his other rested lightly on the edge of the easel. The brush danced effortlessly over the canvas, his wrist flicking with confident precision.“Don’t. Move,” he repeated, softer this time, his smile widening ever so slightly.“What the hell are you doing?” I asked, my voice groggy with sleep. H
Mirabella's povFor days, I hadn’t given much thought to my conversation with Lucy and Caesar. I had been too caught up with Jayden—spending time together, going on dates, and having sex. But one evening, after dinner, he took me to what everyone believed to be his study room.At first, I thought he was taking me on another date when he mentioned earlier that he had a surprise for me until we stopped in front of the door.At first, I was not sure what I was looking at as the warm glow of a chandelier hanging from the ceiling slowly illuminated the space before me, revealing a breathtaking sight. Floor-to-ceiling shelves lined the walls, packed with books. A large wooden desk sat near the centre, between two chairs. But what truly caught my breath were the artworks. Framed paintings and sketches hung meticulously on the walls. Scattered around the room were more canvases, some stacked against the shelves, some propped up on easels as if abandoned. A scent of aged paper and faint t
Mirabella's povFor days, I hadn’t given much thought to my conversation with Lucy and Caesar. I had been too caught up with Jayden—spending time together, going on dates, and having sex. But one evening, after dinner, he took me to what everyone believed to be his study room.At first, I thought he was taking me on another date when he mentioned earlier that he had a surprise for me until we stopped in front of the door.At first, I was not sure what I was looking at as the warm glow of a chandelier hanging from the ceiling slowly illuminated the space before me, revealing a breathtaking sight. Floor-to-ceiling shelves lined the walls, packed with books. A large wooden desk sat near the centre, between two chairs. But what truly caught my breath were the artworks. Framed paintings and sketches hung meticulously on the walls. Scattered around the room were more canvases, some stacked against the shelves, some propped up on easels as if abandoned. A scent of aged paper and faint t
Mirabella's povI woke up to the soft golden glow of sunlight spilling through the blinds, warming and painting stripes of warmth across my skin.My body instinctively craved a stretch to shake off the remnants of sleep, but just as I began to move, a voice cut through the stillness. “Stop.” It was sharp, yet calm, and it made me freeze mid-motion. Slowly, I turned my head toward the voice, my gaze landing on Jayden.There he was, perched on a stool by the window, a streak of sunlight catching in the messy strands of his hair. A faint smile curved his lips, but his eyes were sharp, focused on the canvas before him. In one hand, he held a brush, dappled with shades of vibrant color, and his other rested lightly on the edge of the easel. The brush danced effortlessly over the canvas, his wrist flicking with confident precision.“Don’t. Move,” he repeated, softer this time, his smile widening ever so slightly.“What the hell are you doing?” I asked, my voice groggy with sleep. H
Author's pov"So, you're saying he asked you what she likes?" Caesar smirked, the neon lights of the Aphrodite Club’s VIP section casting a glow on his face as he spoke to Noah, Mirabella's father.Helen had tipped Caesar off that Jayden had asked her for Noah’s contact info and address a few days ago.Curious about why Jayden was interested in meeting Noah, Caesar called him over to figure it out.When Noah confirmed the details, Caesar’s grin widened. "This is getting interesting," he mused, clearly entertained.After giving Noah a stack of cash and telling him to report back the next time Jayden reached out, Caesar dismissed him.Caesar could not stop smiling all through as he watched Noah leave. "This is it right? Since we've confirmed that asshole's weakness, it's time we strike." Levine snarled, a smirk playing on his lips.Helen, who had been sitting beside Caesar cut in, scoffing. "Has he really fallen for her? Even if he has, which I still can’t believe, her of all people?"
Mirabella's povThere was nothing more I had prayed for than to find a home—an actual home where love did not feel like a transaction or a weapon. Now, I had it. Jayden, our adopted son Lucas, and Eunice had become my everything. For the first time in my chaotic life, I felt like I belonged somewhere.The room buzzed with warmth as I sat in Lucy and Caesar’s luxurious living room, gushing about my life with Jayden. I spoke with a wide grin, my hands animated as I described Jayden's hilarious antics and his sudden obsession with baking cookies for me. But something was off. Her silence had been gnawing at me for minutes. She usually had this infectious energy that lit up every conversation, but now, she sat stiffly, her hands clutching the hem of her dress like it was the only thing holding her together. Her face was swollen, bruised, and far too quiet. My words faltered mid-sentence, the grin melting from my face. “Lucy, what happened to your face?” I asked.Her eyes darted away
Mirabella's povI left the hospital with Jayden and the boy, Lucas, whom he had adopted. To my surprise, Jayden was not just changing towards me—he seemed different overall, especially with how friendly he had been to Lucas since we left the hospital. The man who once seemed cold and distant now wanted to take a little boy on a tour around the house. “Are you sure the kid isn’t your long-lost son?” I raised an eyebrow and smirked.It was so unlike him that I could not resist teasing him about it. His face scrunched in confusion. “I don’t know what you are talking about.” “Have you forgotten how you used to barely tolerate me?” I shot back, crossing my arms. "And now here you are, ready to give Lucas the grand tour.” He let out a scoff, shaking his head in disbelief. “Don’t tell me you are jealous.” “Me? Jealous?” I shrugged nonchalantly, though my smirk gave me away. "Please. I’m just stating the obvious.” That was all it took to flip the switch. His gaze darkened as he bega
Mirabella's povJayden's voice dropped low. "You probably should have figured it out by now that you were operated on while you were at the club, like so many others in your position."He paused, his eyes fixed on the floor."A tracking chip was implanted in your arm to monitor your movements in case you tried to escape. It’s still there, and it’s how I’ve been able to keep track of you.”The fact that he was finally telling me now... stripping himself bare just like he had been doing of late was the final confirmation I needed that he's now changed and loved me dearly like he had been claiming.Slowly, he raised his gaze, his eyes meeting mine for the first time since he started speaking."You didn’t know, did you?" His voice barely above a whisper.He hesitated, then stepped closer, just two small steps, as if unsure of how close he could get. "I’m sorry for keeping this from you until now," he said, his voice cracking with emotion."I—""It’s okay," I said, cutting him off gently
Mirabella's povI had expected Jayden to storm into my room first thing this morning, dragging me out of bed out of anger after what happened last night. Instead, I woke up on my own. It made me wonder if maybe, just maybe, he had actually changed like Eunice and Lucy kept insisting—and maybe he did deserve a chance after all.Then it hit me that I had completely flaked on my plan to meet Lucy at the art exhibition last night. Grabbing my phone, I dialled her number but got no answer. I tried again. Still nothing.Feeling a pang of guilt, I typed out a quick message: "I'm sorry, babe. Jayden and I couldn't show up there because something unexpected came up. You know I’d never ditch you on purpose, right?" "Let’s meet up later today so I can make it up to you. We’ve got a lot to talk about!" Even as I sent the message, my stomach twisted with worry. Was she still mad at me? Or worse, was she hurt? I told myself she would eventually reply or call me back, so I pushed the thoughts as
Jayden's povThe sex with Mirabella last night was thrilling, but a wave of regret kept hitting me afterward. Now, I could not stop questioning if I had made a mistake. Sure, I could blame the alcohol, but was that really a valid excuse? I let out a heavy sigh as I drove to the hospital to check on the boy I had hit last night as Ariana’s words of advice kept echoing in my mind. “I’ll deal with that later,” I muttered to myself, even though I hoped Mirabella would not feel hurt to prevent pulling us back together—exactly what Ariana had warned me against. When I reached the hospital's registration desk, I felt a small wave of relief when the nurse informed me the boy was awake and doing fine. Without wasting a second, I headed straight to his ward. The moment I walked in, our eyes met. He tried to adjust himself in bed but winced, clutching his side. “Take it easy,” I said softly, offering a faint smile as I moved closer. He kept his hand on his ribs, his eyes narrowing in susp
Mirabella's pov“Why are you trying to drink yourself to death?” I asked Jayden, surprise and shock still etched on my face. He didn't say anything but only stared at the ceiling as though it held the answers to every question he was too tired to ask. The Jayden I knew was sharp, always in control. But version of him looked... shattered and exposed, a shift that had been obvious since he struck the boy. "Why are you doing this to yourself?" I asked gently, moving a little closer. He muttered something under his breath, too low to catch at first, but the words eventually registered.“What if the boy dies, uh?” His eyes darted to mine, wild and glassy, searching me for something I didn’t understand. "I can't just stop wondering about the possibility no matter how hard I try not to."It was hard to ignore the state he was in."You are drunk, Jayden," I said, closing the distance between us after realising there was no point in having this conversation with him again. "Come on, l