Leah’s POVThe city is bathed in golden light as I step out of the cab in front of Cece’s apartment. I clutch mk purse and let out a breathe, and then, make my way towards the front door. Cece opens the door before I even knock. She’s dressed in a loose sweatshirt and leggings, her natural curls piled on top of her head. I had sent her a quick text before I got into the taxi, so she'd been expecting me. Her eyes sweep over me, and immediately, she steps aside in silent invitation. “You look like you need wine.”I huff out a laugh. “Maybe, I need more than just wine.”She ushers me in, and the familiar scent of lavender and vanilla greets me. Cece’s apartment has always felt warm and inviting—a place where honesty isn’t just welcomed but expected.She disappears into the kitchen while I sink into the familiar and comfortable plush couch, kicking off my heels. Cece's house always feel like a second home. A moment later, she returns with two glasses and a full bottle of unopened red
Dwight’s POVMaya and I step out of the restaurant, and I guide her with my hand on the small of her back. The cool night air does little to settle the unease coiling in my chest. She nudges me with her elbow, smirking."Try not to get lost in your many thoughts while I’m gone, Handsome."I force a chuckle. "I’ll do my best."She had noticed my mood and had not seemed offended or put off by it—she was a real keeper.She makes her way to a white Porsche Panamera, then turns around, leaning against it and facing me. "Even though you were mighty distracted throughout dinner, I quite enjoyed myself with you. You're a real enigma, Mr. Spencer."A woman who doesn’t make a big deal out of a man’s sore mood is a keeper. I’d say she deserves a reward.Maya’s voice dips into a low, sultry tone that sparks interest in me.I step toward her, and without taking my eyes from hers, dip my head low, not missing the way her breath hitches as I brush my lips against her smooth cheek."Is this an okay r
Leah’s POVThe ballroom is bathed in warm golden light, the chandeliers casting a soft glow over the elegantly dressed guests. The hum of conversation blends seamlessly with the classical music playing in the background. It’s the kind of event I’ve attended my entire life—polished, poised, and full of people who pretend to be interested in you while silently assessing how useful you are to them.Ethan and I arrive together, his hand resting at the small of my back as we step into the grand hall. I’m dressed in a midnight-blue gown, my hair swept into a low chignon, while Ethan looks effortlessly sophisticated in his tailored black tux."Remind me why I agreed to this again?" Ethan leans down, murmuring into my ear. His tone is teasing, but I sense the slight edge beneath it."Because my father specifically requested our presence," I reply, offering him a small smile. "And because networking at these events is good for both of us."He sighs but nods. "Right. Networking. Can’t wait."I
Leah’s POV The car is silent. Not the peaceful kind, but the kind that weighs on my chest, making it hard to breathe.Ethan’s hands grip the steering wheel a little too tightly, his jaw clenched as he stares at the road ahead. The tension between us is thick, crackling like a storm about to break.I keep my eyes on the passing city lights, my mind still spinning from everything that happened tonight. Dwight being there. The way Ethan watched me. The way he proposed—if that even counted as a proposal.He finally speaks, his voice controlled but sharp. "You never answered me."I swallow, already knowing where this is going. I fold my hands in my lap, steadying myself before turning to him. "Ethan, you weren’t even ready to propose."His knuckles whiten against the wheel. "What’s that supposed to mean?"I exhale slowly. "You had no ring, no plan. You just said it in the heat of the moment, in the middle of an argument."His grip tightens. "So what? A proposal only counts if there’s a ri
Dwight's POVI should have known she would be there.I should have prepared myself, braced for the inevitable. But no amount of forethought could have truly readied me for seeing her again... with Ethan.Leah.Sometimes, I forget just how entrenched she is in this world. Her father isn't just a businessman—he's a force, a name people respect, fear, and admire in equal measure. Long before I built my own empire, he was already at the top, shaping industries with a single decision.And that fame rubs off on Leah.The way she carries herself tonight, poised and untouchable, is a reminder of that. But I know better. I know the woman beneath the polished exterior—the one who once held my face between her hands and swore she'd always be mine.The moment I see her, something in me locks up, like a tightly coiled spring winding itself tighter.She looks beautiful. Of course, she does. That midnight-blue gown hugs her in all the right ways, her hair swept into a simple, elegant style that only
Leah’s POVThe city is still waking up when I step outside, the air crisp with the lingering chill of dawn. A faint hush settles over the streets, broken only by the occasional passing car. The sun has barely begun its ascent, casting a pale golden glow against the skyscrapers, reflecting off glass windows that stretch high into the sky.It’s too early for most people to be at work, but I don’t care.I need the quiet. The distraction from my own dark thoughts. I need space to breathe.Last night, I hardly slept. My mind wouldn’t stop replaying everything—seeing Dwight at the gala, the weight of his gaze on me, the unspoken tension crackling in the air. And then Ethan. His anger. His accusations. The way he left me there in the middle of the road, watching his car disappear into the night like I was nothing.It stings.Even now, hours later, I can still feel the cold air wrapping around me as I stood alone, stunned, my heart pounding in my ears. I told myself I wouldn’t cry, that I wo
Leah’s POVThe rhythmic clack of heels against the sleek hardwood floor fills the studio, each step deliberate, each stride confident. The models move with practiced ease, their poised expressions betraying nothing but cool professionalism. Some walk with effortless grace, others with a deliberate fierceness, their gazes locked straight ahead as if the world itself is watching.I sit upright, my pen poised over my clipboard, scanning the line of women as they move across the room. Each one is here with a purpose—to prove she belongs, that she’s the right choice for our campaign. Their movements are calculated, their expressions perfected from years of training, yet even in their flawlessness, I search for something more. Something real. Something that feels like it belongs to the brand we’re trying to build.Beside me, Dwight stands with his arms crossed, eyes sharp as he observes each model with a calculating gaze. His presence is infuriatingly steady—controlled, composed, completely
Leah’s POV The meeting with the models wraps up smoothly, final notes jotted down, final decisions hovering in the air. The energy in the room is lighter than before—maybe it’s relief, maybe it’s the satisfaction of progress. Either way, I exhale, finally allowing myself to loosen my grip on the clipboard.Dwight stretches, rolling his shoulders back, his sharp eyes flicking toward me. “We’ve earned a break.”I glance up, surprised. “A break?”“Lunch,” he clarifies. “You need to eat. So do I. And after sitting through hours of models trying to impress us, I think we’ve more than earned it.”Alright.It’s not unusual for Dwight to take control like this, making decisions without waiting for input. Normally, I’d argue, insist I had work to do, that I didn’t need to be treated like some employee he was rewarding.But today?Today, I let him.Because a part of me—a traitorous part—wants to go.Wants to enjoy this moment. There’d been an easy camaraderie between us today, the sort of rapp
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND ELEVEN Leah’s POVI stood in the middle of the guest room, my fingers idly grazing the edge of the dresser, trying to take it all in. The place didn’t feel real—at least not in the sense that it belonged to someone I used to love. It was too modern, too polished. A sleek contrast to the chaotic mess my mind had become.Dwight had shown me around with the precision of someone trying not to linger too long. The kitchen, the alarm system, the espresso machine I’d probably never use, and then the guest room—with fresh linens and my favorite scent diffused lightly into the air like he’d somehow known I’d be here tonight.I was alone now. The soft sound of his retreating footsteps had long faded down the hall. But the space still felt charged, like something invisible tethered us together. I exhaled slowly and glanced around again. The room was beautiful. Minimalistic yet warm. Soft beiges and greys. A plush area rug. It felt like him. It also felt safe. And that al
Dwight's POVThe moment I hang up Leah’s call, I’m already halfway out the door.I don’t think. I just move.The city blurs past as I tear through the streets like a man possessed. I don't care how many traffic laws I break or how many horns blare at me in protest. Leah is scared—and for good reason. And I'm not going to waste another damn second.I should’ve pushed harder today at the office. I knew something was wrong. The way she sat through that meeting, eyes vacant, her usual fire smothered under whatever weight she was carrying. I told myself to keep my distance, told myself it wasn’t my place anymore after she insisted she was fine.Maybe I was just a stupid coward who was afraid of digging deeper.And now here I am, racing through the night because a car was parked too long outside her window and she’s scared out of her mind.The last time this happened, it was me being hunted. Stalked. Dragged into the dark.And now they’ve moved on to her.I clench my jaw so tight it aches.
Dwight's POV The moment I hang up Leah’s call, I’m already halfway out the door.I don’t think. I just move.The city blurs past as I tear through the streets like a man possessed. I don't care how many traffic laws I break or how many horns blare at me in protest. Leah is scared—and for good reason. And I'm not going to waste another damn second.I should’ve pushed harder today at the office. I knew something was wrong. The way she sat through that meeting, eyes vacant, her usual fire smothered under whatever weight she was carrying. I told myself to keep my distance, told myself it wasn’t my place anymore after she insisted she was fine.Maybe I was just a stupid coward who was afraid of digging deeper.And now here I am, racing through the night because a car was parked too long outside her window and she’s scared out of her mind.The last time this happened, it was me being hunted. Stalked. Dragged into the dark.And now they’ve moved on to her.I clench my jaw so tight it aches.
Leah’s POVI grip the steering wheel tighter as the sun begins its descent behind the high-rises, casting long shadows over the glassy cityscape. The air conditioning hums softly in my Audi, a dull contrast to the static buzzing in my head. It’s been there all day—ever since I kicked Ethan out of my penthouse the night before. I should feel relieved. I should feel strong for finally standing up for myself. But I don’t. I feel haunted. Every part of me is still strung tight, like a violin wound too far past its pitch. I haven’t told anyone what happened. Not dad, not the driver who picks me up sometimes. Not even Dwight. Especially not Dwight. The memory of his hand brushing the loose strand of hair from my cheek keeps replaying in my head like a quiet whisper. I’d leaned into the touch—God help me, I’d wanted to. There’d been nothing romantic about it, not really, not in the way it should’ve been. But something about the softness, the moment of tenderness in an otherwise col
DWIGHT POVShe’s not herself.I knew it the moment she walked into the conference room. Leah always carried herself with a kind of self-assured grace, even when she was fuming, even when her eyes flashed with the heat of an argument. But today… she looked like a version of herself that had been dimmed. Her blouse was slightly wrinkled—unlike her. Her makeup, though minimal, didn’t quite conceal the shadows under her eyes. And the way she kept staring at the same spot on the table like she could bore a hole through it? Yeah, something was off.I told myself not to care. Reminded myself of the promises I’d made in Greece—to keep my distance, to let her do her job, and to stop letting my feelings cloud my judgment. But logic only goes so far when emotion’s been given a seat at the table.She barely said a word throughout the meeting. Gave vague nods, offered clipped feedback, and didn’t catch even one of Jordan’s exaggerated eye rolls. That, more than anything, told me something was wron
Leah’s POVThe elevator dings softly, and I step out into the quiet hallway of my penthouse building, heels echoing against the marble as I move toward my door. I’m already unfastening the clasp on my bag, mentally sorting through everything I need to do before tomorrow’s pitch—until I see him.Ethan.Leaning against the wall opposite my door like he belongs there.There’s an immediate chill. My stomach knots before I even speak. His presence here, at my home, makes the air feel tighter.It’s like déjà vu—Greece. That morning I’d stepped out and found Dwight waiting, his expression unreadable, his eyes full of history. But this isn’t the same. Dwight’s presence had brought calm, uncertainty maybe, but not fear. Not this dread pulsing beneath my ribs.“What are you doing here?” I ask, keys frozen in my hand.Ethan straightens, and I get a better look at him. His shirt is wrinkled and half-untucked, the collar spotted with something dark—coffee maybe, or liquor. His hair is a mess, stic
Ethan's POV The morning air bites through my shirt as I shove the door closed behind me. I haven’t changed clothes since yesterday—hell, maybe even the day before. The collar of my shirt is creased, and the cuffs are stiff with old sweat. The same slacks cling to me like a second skin, and I’m sure I smell like whiskey and unwashed dreams.But I don’t care.I just needed to get out of that damn house.The walls were closing in again. Same walls, same ceiling, same silence—broken only by the ticking of a clock I should’ve smashed weeks ago. The whiskey stain on the carpet had stared mockingly at me, reminding me of my loss of self-control. Reminding me of how I'd further messed up everything.When all this blew over, what was I going to do with Maria? I couldn't have her report me to the authorities. I couldn't bear seeing my name on the news. Being described as a creep. I wasn't a creep. I wasn't an assailant or whatever choice of words Maria would tell them. I had simply lost contro
Dwight’s POVShe hadn’t changed her perfume.That’s the first thing I noticed after Leah walked out of my office earlier. That same heady mix of vanilla and something softer—maybe jasmine—had lingered even after she was gone. I’d tried to stay cold. Professional. Detached. But the truth was, seeing her again had stirred something in my chest I hadn’t felt in a long time.It wasn’t love. Not quite. But it was close enough to sting.She hadn’t come back for me. She’d come back for the project. For herself. She had insisted on continuing—forced her way back in, even going through Felix to get it done. That kind of dedication? That kind of resolve? Damn it, I admired that.And Leah had always burned brighter than most.I rub my temple and sit straighter in my chair, the glow from my laptop casting shadows across the floor. The rest of the building is quiet, most of the remaining staff already gone for the night. Ever since the fire at the workshop, Glimmr had been running on reduced manpo
Leah's POVThe air outside the restaurant is cooler than it was when I arrived. Crisp night wind teases at the strands of hair that slipped from the clip at the back of my head. I don't bother fixing them. I cross the street without looking back. No need to. That conversation with Uncle Gerald is already burned into my brain. His voice. His carefully chosen words. The quiet desperation he tried to hide. It lingers, echoes under my skin like a bruise waiting to darken.I flag down a cab, and it pulls up promptly. Slipping inside, I rattle off my address to the driver and sink into the seat, resting my head briefly against the window. The city blurs past, a kaleidoscope of light and motion, but none of it touches me. I’m still stuck at that table, watching his eyes flicker with guilt and fear and something else. Something I can’t name.The ride is short. I tip the driver, then make my way into my building, heels clicking against the marble floor. The doorman offers me a polite nod, and