Ivy’s POVWhen I saw Asher from across the hall, all of my fears, worries, and anger seemed to drift away quickly too. All of it that I had walked into that hall with dissipated into thin air.It was like seeing him made everything good again. I wasn’t angry at him anymore. I didn’t worry that we wouldn’t pass off as a good couple, nothing. He looked dapper in that black tuxedo, and it was hard to explain, but he pulled it off in a way no one else in the room could.He didn’t look like any of the other uptight, snobbish men prancing around. He was more laid back, his slightly overgrown hair fell over his face, those smiley honey brown eyes boring into me, and even in the distance, I could feel the desire swirling in their depths. Goosebumps spread all over my skin.And like a scene from a corny romance movie, we crossed the lengths toward each other, and I was almost close when he stopped in his tracks and looked past me. The desire in his eyes replaced by a stronger emotion, anger.I
Ivy’s POVAsher reluctantly let go of me before he marched off. I turned to Marcus, annoyed. “I don’t know what history is there between you two, but I don’t want to be caught up in it.”I made to walk away, but Marcus grabbed my hand and pulled me back. “I’m sorry, Ivy. It was not my intention; I’m sorry,” he apologized, his eyes growing softer.I was quite taken aback; I didn’t expect an apology. “I...”“It’s just, Asher and I have had a strained relationship for the longest time.” He scratched his brow. “I think he cares for you, and I just feel like you’re the only hope I have to get through to my brother. I...”I glanced at Marcus. It was hard to tell if he was being sincere.“I feel like with you, there’s a chance for us to work things out. This is why I want to be friends with you. I feel like we can get through to him. I...” He took my hand in his. “I’m sorry that it seems like I’m putting you into a corner; I would never do that intentionally.”I glanced at Asher. He was look
Ivy’s POVAsher not-so-subtly dragged me out of the hall; he didn’t bother to answer any of the questions Luca was throwing at him. I swallowed nervously, barely able to breathe with his long strides, my mind going wild with different scenarios.He turned sharply into a hallway and frantically punched the keys into an elevator, pulling me in as soon as the doors opened.The doors pinged, and the elevator shut. He pulled me close and captured my lips in a frenzied kiss. He slipped his hand around my neck, and the other hand went around my waist. I melted like jelly into his arms, giving in to his kiss. I had dropped every last bit of restraint I had on the dance floor. Here we were alone, away from all the prying eyes.I wrapped my hands around his neck, deepening the kiss. He let out a pleasured groan at the back of his throat, reverberating in his chest, sending tingles down to the tips of my toes. I leaned in closer until I was pressed up against him, my nipples hardened nerve buds.
IvyI was halfway through my hair and makeup when Marsha rushed in, wide-eyed and breathless. All eyes in the room turned toward her.“What is it, Marsha?” I asked in a panicky voice. The look on her face made me even more worried, and my mind raced in different directions.“We have a little situation downstairs,” Marsha said, glancing at the women behind me.I turned to them, “Give me a moment, please,” I whispered.I walked up to Marsha, and she took my hand, leading me out the door.“What is going on, Marsha?” I asked as soon as we were out of earshot.“It’s Max. He’s at the reception, and he’s attracting attention.”I halted. “What do you mean he’s attracting attention?”Marsha gave me a look but didn’t say anything. Instead, she pulled my hand and led me toward the reception area. We peeked together.I didn’t know what I was expecting to see, but it was definitely not Max carrying a huge balloon bouquet in one hand and a flower in the other. I exhaled and pulled away, not wanting
Asher’s POVMy thumb hovered over the screen, stuck on the same image I had seen dozens of times today. Ivy, looking as beautiful as ever, with Max handing her a massive bouquet of roses and balloons. The post was blowing up, and I couldn’t stop scrolling. More pictures. More comments. Most people were speculating that the gifts were from me.I tried to push the tightness in my chest away. Ivy wasn’t mine in any real sense. This marriage was just a contract. A convenient arrangement for both of us. It was impulsive, at least for her. I told myself it wasn’t serious. After all, I had explicitly told her I didn’t need fidelity, nor should she expect it from me.It was a lie I told with a straight face. And now I had to deal with this. Just the thought was maddening, and now seeing actual pictures of them together, her smiling at him, made my stomach churn.The door clicked open, and Ivy walked in, her heels clicking sharply on the polished floor, cutting through the quiet. She stopped f
Asher’s POVI let her go after that. I watched as she ascended the stairs, stealing glances at me and blushing profusely. I couldn’t go after her; I didn't trust myself to keep my hands off her if I followed her up to her bedroom. I wouldn’t hold back, so I stayed at the foot of the stairs, my cock straining in my pants.I peeked at my watch, it was a little past 9 pm. I downed the contents of my glass; I couldn’t stay in the house knowing she was up there. I tried to imagine what she was up to, picturing her naked in the bath, which did nothing to help me. The mansion didn’t feel big enough to protect her from me. If I stayed any longer, I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from charging into her room.I rang for the housekeeper. A tall, fat lady with black hair tied back appeared at the doorway. “My wife needs h—” I paused. “My wife,” I repeated, savoring the words. It made me feel so good on the inside. I looked to see the housekeeper still staring at me expectantly.“My wife needs he
Asher’s POVMy eyelids fluttered open, and I took a moment to adjust to the sharp lighting in the room. Sunlight streamed through the wide-open windows. I got up with a start, my head throbbing, a dull ache stubbornly lingering behind my temples. I massaged them as my eyes scanned the unfamiliar surroundings. I wasn’t at home, nor was I at Lucas’s place. Pulling off the blanket, I got out of bed. My gaze landed on a card in the pocket by the door.I grabbed it and peered at it - Diamond Crystal Hotel. Raking my fingers through my hair, I sighed exasperatedly. I knew this hotel; it was in my city, but I had no idea how I ended up here. My memory was foggy. I grabbed a bottle of water, suddenly feeling parched, and downed it in one gulp. I rubbed the bridge of my nose, trying to soothe the ache in my head.Fragments of the previous night slowly came to me. I glanced down at myself. I was still wearing yesterday’s clothes: a black silk shirt, black trousers, belt, and shoes. It looked li
Asher’s POVI looked up at the doorway as Luca walked in with a smile on his face.“Who’s the lady out there?” he asked, gesturing with his hands.My brows furrowed in confusion until I saw the stupid smile on his face. “Are you referring to my secretary?” I asked. He popped a gum, tossed it in his mouth. “Yeah, the hot blonde sitting in the reception…” He pulled out a chair and plopped down on it. “Where did you find a hot secretary like that? Is there an app? I need one of those!” He declared. “What’s her name, hook me up?”“Eww, no,” I answered. “I don’t want what happened with Lucia to happen all over again.” Lucia was my old secretary at Sterling Industries, and the only reason she didn’t come here with me was that she was still nursing a terrible heartbreak from her affair with Luca. “I like Stacy…” I caught the funny look in his eyes. “She’s efficient. She’s…”“Does Ivy know you have a crush on your secretary?” he teased me with an amused look on his face.I rolled my eyes. “No
Asher’s POVThe house was quiet.For the first time in weeks, there were no urgent phone calls, no reporters swarming outside, no meetings looming over my head. The chaos had finally settled, leaving behind a strange stillness that I wasn’t sure how to process.I stood in the dimly lit kitchen, staring at the untouched glass of whiskey on the counter. I had poured it out of habit, but I didn’t want it. I wasn’t sure what I wanted.Footsteps echoed softly from the hallway, and I turned just as Ivy stepped into the kitchen. She wore one of my sweatshirts, the sleeves swallowing her hands as she rubbed her arms. Her dark hair was pulled into a loose ponytail, strands falling around her face.“You’re still up,” she said, her voice quiet.I nodded. “Couldn’t sleep.”She hesitated, then leaned against the counter across from me. “Me neither.”For a moment, neither of us spoke. The silence between us wasn’t uncomfortable, but it was heavy. So much had happened. Too much. And now that everyth
Janine’s POVThe sun had already dipped below the horizon by the time I left the office. My shoulders ached from sitting at my desk all day, staring at numbers that refused to make sense. The vineyard was quiet, the workers gone, but the weight of responsibility hadn’t left with them. It followed me everywhere, sinking into my bones.I barely noticed Luca waiting outside until he spoke.“Come with me.”I blinked, startled. He leaned casually against his car, hands in his pockets, watching me with that unreadable expression he wore when he was up to something.I exhaled, rubbing my temples. “Luca, I have so much to”He shook his head. “Not tonight.”I frowned. “What do you mean, not tonight?”He straightened, stepping closer. “I mean you’re taking a break.”I huffed a laugh, exhausted. “I don’t have time for a break.”“You don’t have time not to,” he countered. “You’ve been running yourself into the ground, Janine. I see it. Everyone sees it.”I opened my mouth to argue, but nothing ca
Asher’s POV The chair beneath me is stiff, and the air in the office feels heavier than before. It’s been a week since Marcus’s funeral, but his absence still echoes through every inch of this place. I should be used to this by now. I should have settled into my role, into this office, into the life that was never meant to be mine. But I haven’t.I press my fingers to my temples, willing the headache away. The day has been nothing but meetings, numbers, and decisions I don’t feel qualified to make. Every time someone calls me Mr. Sterling, I feel like they’re talking to a ghost.The knock on the door is soft, but it cuts through the silence like a blade.“Asher?” Ivy’s voice is warm, a tether pulling me back before I get lost in my thoughts again.I exhale, forcing myself to sit up straighter. “Come in.”She steps inside, the scent of her perfume a familiar comfort. She doesn’t look at the paperwork on my desk or the unread messages on my screen. She looks at me, really looks at me,
Asher’s POV The cameras flashed like lightning, the constant clicks filling the air as journalists jostled for position. A long table stretched before us, microphones lined up, waiting to catch every word. Janine and I sat in the center, facing the crowd, our names and titles displayed on small plaques in front of us.Sterling Industries was no longer Marcus’s. It was mine now.I adjusted my suit jacket, my fingers tightening around the edge of the table. The murmurs in the room died down as the moderator stepped up to the podium, tapping the mic to test the sound.“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming,” he began. “Today, we address the transition of leadership at Sterling Industries following the tragic loss of Marcus Sterling. His younger brother, Asher Sterling, will now take over as CEO, while Janine Sterling will assume leadership at Sterling Winery.”I felt Janine stiffen beside me. I didn’t look at her, but I knew what she was thinking—this wasn’t supposed to be her role
Janine’s POVI ran my fingers over the fabric of my blazer, adjusting the sleeves as I stood at the edge of the vineyard. The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and fresh leaves. It should have been comforting. This was Marcus’s place, the heart of everything he had built. But instead of feeling connected to him, I felt like an outsider trespassing on something sacred.I took a slow breath and stepped forward, my heels sinking slightly into the soil. I had walked these rows a hundred times before, but never like this. Never as the person responsible for keeping it all together. Marcus had made it look easy, but now that it was my turn, I felt like I was holding something too fragile, something that could shatter in my hands if I wasn’t careful.As I made my way deeper into the vineyard, I spotted a few of the workers tending to the vines. They moved with practiced ease, their hands working through the leaves, trimming, inspecting, ensuring everything was as it sh
Janine's POV I stood in front of my closet, staring at the rows of clothes that suddenly felt meaningless.What did someone wear to bury a brother?My fingers trailed over the fabrics, stopping at a simple black dress. It wasn’t fancy, wasn’t dramatic, just… appropriate. Marcus would have liked that. He always appreciated simplicity, things that were neat and put together.I pulled it off the hanger, holding it against myself in the mirror.It was ridiculous, but part of me wanted to hear his voice one more time, some teasing comment about how I was overthinking this, how I should just wear whatever made me feel comfortable. He never cared about appearances as much as people assumed he did.I squeezed my eyes shut.Marcus.My perfect, impossible, frustrating brother.My mind drifted back, grasping at the memories that felt both too close and impossibly far away.I remembered the time I got into my first real argument with Asher. I was furious, pacing in my room, ranting about how in
Asher’s POV I stared at the suit laid out on the bed.Black. Crisp. Perfectly pressed.Marcus would’ve approved. He was always the one who looked flawless, the one who knew exactly what to wear, what to say, how to carry himself. I was the mess, the one who never quite fit into the image of a Sterling.And yet, here I was.I sat on the edge of the bed, gripping the fabric between my fingers. The funeral was in a few hours. People were already gathering. I needed to get dressed.But I couldn’t move.It felt wrong. Putting this suit on, walking into that ceremony, standing in front of a coffin that held my brother’s body.I should have been the one in there.I swallowed hard, pushing the thought away. Ivy would be here soon. She wouldn’t let me sit here and spiral.With a deep breath, I forced myself up, moving on autopilot as I changed. The tie was the hardest part. My fingers fumbled with it, frustration boiling over as I tried to get the knot right.“Dammit,” I muttered under my bre
Asher’s POVThe news was everywhere.Every time I turned on the TV, there it was. Every time I scrolled through my phone, there was another headline. It wasn’t just about Marcus anymore. It was about Sterling Industries, about the board, about the future of the company.“Sterling Industries Faces Uncertain Future After CEO’s Tragic Death.”“Who Will Inherit Marcus Sterling’s Empire?”“With Marcus Gone, Can Asher Sterling Step Up?”I wanted to smash the screen every time I saw my name in those headlines. As if I wasn’t already drowning in grief, they wanted to throw expectations on my shoulders, shove a legacy into my hands like I was supposed to carry it without stumbling.I wasn’t Marcus. I never would be.The funeral preparations were already in motion, but none of it felt real. The calls, the arrangements, the condolences, they blurred together in a haze of exhaustion and pain. The house was filled with people coming and going, making decisions about flowers and speeches and seatin
Ivy’s POVThe steam still clung to my skin as I stepped out of the shower, wrapping a towel around myself. The bathroom mirror was fogged over, the edges beginning to clear just enough to reflect a blurred version of me. I reached out, dragging my fingers across the glass, watching as my reflection sharpened. My hair dripped down my back, water trailing over my bare shoulders, but I didn’t move to dry it.I just stood there, staring at myself.My eyes looked hollow, the dark circles beneath them more pronounced than usual. I looked tired. I felt tired.My chest ached with the weight of everything, pressing down on me like something physical, something heavy. Marcus was gone. Asher was slipping away. And I didn’t know how to stop any of it.I turned away from the mirror, walking slowly back into the bedroom. The sheets on the bed were untouched, the pillows still fluffed, undisturbed. I had barely slept the past few nights, and it wasn’t just because of Marcus. It was Asher.He hadn’t