Ivy’s POVMy head spun and my stomach churned. The words Max had just let slip hung in the air like a poisonous cloud, suffocating me. Taylor drugged Asher. Framed him. Slept with Max. It wasn’t Asher.It was never him. The anger I had carried for so long, the hatred I had aimed squarely at my husband, evaporated in an instant, replaced by a heavy, crushing guilt that made my chest ache. He had tried to tell me. He had tried to explain. And I didn’t listen.My mind reeled, jumping back to that moment, the moment where we had resolved our issues. The time he had bound me to the bed. When he finally loosened the restraints, I was breathless, ready to lash out.But something stopped me. Maybe it was the look in his eyes, raw and pleading. Or the way his hands trembled as he undid the last cuff.“I’m sorry, flower,” he had murmured, his voice breaking. “For the stupid stunt I tried to pull earlier. I promise you I’d never have gone on with it. I don’t like her. I don’t like anyone. I don’
Asher’s POVThe loud beat of the bass shook the walls as I stepped into the dimly lit club. I spotted Luca almost instantly, sitting in a booth near the back, drink in hand. His easy grin faltered the moment his eyes landed on me.“Asher?” he called out, his voice a mixture of surprise and suspicion. “What the hell are you doing here?”I slid into the booth across from him without waiting for an invitation. “Could ask you the same thing,” I said coolly.He chuckled, though it lacked his usual charm. “I wasn’t expecting you to show up. We haven’t exactly been on great terms.” He passed me a glass and poured whisky for me.“Yeah, about that,” I said, picking up the drink he slid my way. “I figured it’s time we talk.”“Talk?” Luca echoed, leaning back in his seat. “This should be good.”“Since when?” I asked, cutting straight to the point.Luca raised an eyebrow. “Since when, what?”“You know what I’m talking about. Janine,” I answered. “When did you and my sister…” I trailed off. “Well,
Taylor’s POVMax stumbled into the room, blood smeared across his chin, his eyes darting around like a scared animal boxed into a corner.My gut twisted. My heart hammered in my chest. Something had happened.“Max,” I said, keeping my voice steady as I reached for the towel on the counter. “What the hell happened?” I extended a hand to him, looking him over for any bigger wounds other than the bruises on his face.He snatched the towel from my hand but didn’t answer. Instead, he wiped at the blood, his movements jerky, avoiding my gaze.“Max,” I pressed, my tone sharpening. “Talk to me. Now.”“Water,” he muttered, his voice hoarse. “I need water.”I exhaled sharply, grabbing a glass and pouring him some from the bottle lying around.He took it without a word, draining it in one go. Still, he wouldn’t look at me.“What did you do?” I demanded, stepping closer.His head bowed, his shoulders hunched. For a moment, I thought he’d bolt.“Max!” My voice cracked like a whip. “Fucking talk to
Ivy’s POVI sat at the dining table, staring at the untouched cup of tea in front of me. My fingers traced the edge of the mug, but my mind was a thousand miles away. Guilt and regret swirled inside me, thick and suffocating, threatening to choke me.I couldn’t believe I’d doubted him. Asher, my husband, the man who had told me he loved me, the man who had sworn to me that he didn’t hurt me in any way. Yet, I’d let those cursed images poison my mind.They had looked so real, so passionate. It felt like my heart would explode. I told everyone, everyone, that he cheated on me. And for what? A lie that Taylor created just to ruin us. I almost let her succeed.My thoughts turned to Dexter. It was supposed to be a casual fling, something temporary, but I encouraged it. I used him, even though I clearly didn’t want him.I let it continue so I could hurt Asher, and I had hurt him badly. Not only did I fail to trust him, but I also went as far as to betray his trust in me. I had been disloyal
IvyMy lips quivered, “I…I…”“I believe you know there’s got to be some sort of punishment for that.” His voice was a deep baritone.I sucked in a deep breath. I hated how wet I got instantly. No, no, no, this wasn’t okay. Punishment? What punishment? Who was I kidding? I knew where this was going.I saw how his eyes gobbled me up like I was dessert. The cuffs were still in his hands. He hadn’t put them away yet. I didn’t really know this side of Asher. He had kept it carefully hidden.It was a dangerous side to him, because I know there was almost nothing I wouldn’t agree to.“Ash…” his name came out breathier than I intended it to.I could see his eyes visibly darken with desire. “Take off your clothes, Ivy.”My cheeks turned red. “Asher, we have to talk first. I have to apologize. There are things we have to settle so we can—”“We haven’t stopped talking. You can take off your clothes while we talk…”“Asher…”“I don’t want to have to rip them off of you,” he said in a deep voice.I
Asher’s POVThe dining room felt suffocatingly warm. Save for the clinking of cutlery against fine china and the soft hum of background music, it was eerily quiet.The Sterling family dinners had always been like this, formal, stiff, and thick with tension. It was a dynamic we were all used to.But tonight, the atmosphere was different. It felt like a storm was brewing beneath the surface. I sat between Ivy and Janine, who was nervously picking at her food.Across from us, Marcus was brooding, his jaw clenched, eyes darting between our parents. Dad was quieter than usual, his face unreadable, while Mom did what she always did lately, filling the silence with polite questions about everyone’s well-being.“So, Ivy, how’s work been? I saw your pictures the other day, the one for Cube Magazine?” Mom asked, her voice bright but forced, and I looked up at her.Ivy smiled, nodding. “It was spectacular!” she declared, her smile widening. “Thank you so much, it means a lot that you like it.”M
Ivy’s POV“Hey, Mom,” I said, forcing a smile as I hugged her. It was stiff, awkward, like we were strangers rather than mother and daughter. I could feel the guilt bubbling up in my chest, the memory of my outburst still fresh. “You smell nice. New perfume?” We had planned this meeting for weeks, and the closer it came, the bigger my guilt grew.“Oh, this? It’s lavender and vanilla. I thought it’d be relaxing for the spa,” she said, her voice light but her eyes avoiding mine. “You look… radiant, as always. Modeling treating you well?”“Yeah, it’s good. Busy, but good. How’s the painting going? Last time you mentioned a new series.”“It’s coming along. I’m working on a landscape now. Your father says it’s too abstract, but I think it’s…” She trailed off, and we both fell silent, the air thick with unspoken words.We walked into the spa, the scent of eucalyptus and chamomile filling the air. The receptionist greeted us warmly, but I barely registered it.My mind raced, trying to figure
Ivy’s POVThe sun was warm on my skin, the gentle breeze carrying the scent of flowers as I lay on the soft blanket, my head resting on Asher’s thigh. We were together on a private beach that Asher had rented because he wanted to be with me.His fingers brushed a strand of hair from my face, and I looked up at him, my heart swelling at the love and adoration in his deep brown eyes. He held a grape between his fingers, dangling it above my lips with a playful smirk.“Open up,” he teased, his voice low and warm. There was a tinge of amusement in his voice.I giggled, reaching for the grape, but he pulled it just out of reach. “Asher,” I whined, pretending to pout. “You’re being mean.”“Mean?” He raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. “I’m feeding you grapes. Isn’t that what doting husbands do?”“Doting husbands don’t tease,” I shot back, though my smile betrayed me. I opened my mouth again, and this time he let me take the grape, his fingers brushing my lips as I did. I chewed slowly, s
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