FLORENCE’S POVI stood frozen in disbelief, staring at Clarke Whitehill’s stunned face covered in dripping custard pie. The usually composed, effortlessly arrogant Clarke was now a spectacle—pie crust crumbling from his designer suit, cream smeared across his jaw, disbelief etched deeply into his features.My gaze swung quickly to Annalise. She was breathing hard, her chest rising and falling sharply, the delicate lines of her face twisted with anger and humiliation. Annalise was many things—fiery, loyal, brutally honest—but she wasn’t reckless. If she’d just shoved an entire dessert into the face of one of the most powerful men in the city, there had to be an incredibly good reason. And if my experiences with Mason were anything to go by, I knew exactly how frustrating the Whitehill men could be.The music faltered, fading into stunned silence. Guests turned toward the spectacle, whispers rippling through the crowd. Phone cameras rose subtly; eyes widened with shock and amusement.T
JADE’S POVI wasn’t supposed to be invisible.But somehow, Florence Hart had managed to do what no one else had: make me feel small. Again.When Mason ran after her during my birthday, I’d told myself it was temporary. Mason was always more emotional than he let on. That made him easy to sway. That also made it hard to keep in one place. I had accepted that and decided to keep trying. But at the fashion show, when I tried again—standing on stage, the lights warming my skin, the cameras waiting—my mic had been cut. Florence had ruined things again.I’d smiled through it. The crowd didn’t notice, but I saw her by the control booth, whispering to a sound tech with a headset.She didn’t even flinch.I was furious.Backstage was chaos—models rushing for final fittings, photographers barking orders, assistants buzzing with last-minute panic—but all I saw was red.I tore off my heels and stormed toward the dressing area, planning to give her a piece of my mind. Instead, I nearly collided
MASON’S POVThe interviews were finally over.My jaw ached from smiling, my collar felt like a noose, and my head was still spinning from Florence’s final words to me. I wasn’t sure what burned worse—the look in her eyes when she told me I wasn’t hers anymore, or the press eating it up like I’d just made a PR proposal instead of a personal one.I stepped out of the media tent and into the night, unbuttoning the top of my shirt as I walked. The air had cooled down, crisp and quiet in contrast to the chaos that had unfolded only an hour ago. The party was winding down, but a few guests still mingled under the last strings of fairy lights and half-empty champagne towers.I just wanted a minute to breathe.But peace was short-lived.Across the dimly lit lawn, near the now-empty runway, I saw them: my parents, Clarke, and Clarke’s new fiancée—still standing together, laughing, murmuring, sharing smug glances like they’d won something.I cursed under my breath. Of course they were still her
FLORENCE’S POVThe world was a blur of passing streetlights and engine growls.My head pounded. My wrists ached.I blinked through the haze, blinking faster as the realization settled like ice in my veins.I was in a car.My hands were free now, but only barely. Rope burns marked my skin, and every muscle in my body screamed with discomfort.Daniel Lockwood sat in the driver’s seat, humming to himself as if he hadn’t just gotten two goons to kidnap me and put me in his car. “Where…” I croaked, my throat dry. “Where are we going?”He didn’t look at me. Just reached forward and turned the volume knob on the stereo until the music faded into silence.I shifted slightly, hoping I could reach into my dress pocket for my phone. My fingers brushed against it—thank God—until, in a flash, Daniel’s hand reached across the center console and snatched it away from me.“Nope,” he said, voice almost cheerful. He rolled down the window and tossed it out without a second glance.The doors locked wit
FLORENCE’S POVThe car slowed, tires crunching over gravel as we turned into a long, tree-lined driveway. Through the gaps in the thick woods, I caught glimpses of what looked like an old, sprawling estate.And then it came into full view: a classic English-style villa, tucked away like something from a gothic novel. Stone façade, ivy creeping up the sides, dark windows that reflected nothing. It was beautiful in the way a haunted house was beautiful—elegant, timeless, and absolutely terrifying.I would have been excited if I weren’t terrified to my bones. The car came to a stop.My heart pounded as one of the men who’d kidnapped me stepped forward and yanked my door open. I barely had time to think before he grabbed me and hoisted me over his shoulder like I was luggage.“Let go of me!” I screamed, kicking. My ankles were still tied, and one of my shoes flew off into the bushes. I lost my balance mid-kick and nearly slammed into the ground.Daniel’s voice rang out behind me. Amused.
FLORENCE’S POVThe gravel crunched under my steps as I neared the wrought-iron gate, heart pounding with every movement.I could see it properly now—an old side entrance, rusted slightly, barely hanging straight on its hinges. Freedom was right there. My breath came in short gasps, my legs still shaky from the jump and sprint, but I didn’t stop.And then I did.Daniel Lockwood was already there.He leaned against the rusted iron frame with that same infuriating calmness—hands in his trouser pockets, one ankle lazily crossed over the other. His expression was utterly unreadable… except for the slight smirk tugging at his mouth.“Well well,” he stood up straight and walked over to me. “Have to say, I’m surprised!” My stomach dropped.The woman. She’d pointed me here. She’d told me to run.I was too exhausted to think about the betrayal. Out of curiosity, I spied the watch on Daniel’s wrist… 2:25AM. I sighed. “What was the plan anyway?” he asked, standing up straight and walking back
FLORENCE’S POVThree days.Three whole days had passed.It wasn’t the kind of captivity that bruised your body. No chains. No cells. No screaming.It was the kind that bruised your mind. Slowly. Quietly. Like a whisper brushing past your ear at night and refusing to leave.I didn’t have a phone. Daniel didn’t bring updates.Which could only mean one thing.Mason had chosen Jade. That’s why I was still here. That was why I was still walking barefoot across antique rugs and sipping lukewarm tea with Daniel Lockwood’s mother while the rest of the world moved on.I tried not to be surprised.But I still was.With too much free time in the big, empty house, my mind drifted to places I didn’t want to revisit. Like one time, when we were fifteen. I had begged Mason for weeks to come with me to the summer fair—just once, just for one night. He’d promised me he would. He said he would pick me up, and we’d go together, just him and I. Jade didn’t care for fairs anyway; she was more the type
FLORENCE’S POVFive days.Five days of captivity cloaked in luxury.Daniel had kept his distance, offering nothing but vague greetings and indifferent smiles whenever we crossed paths. It seemed my attempted escape had somehow earned his respect, giving me free rein within the villa’s walls.But freedom behind locked gates was hardly freedom at all.My days had settled into a strange, dreamlike routine. Morning sunlight spilling over polished marble, afternoon teas set upon delicate porcelain, and restless nights spent staring at moonlight pooling through heavy curtains. It was maddening—the constant luxury and comfort twisted into something oppressive.And yet, amidst the fear and uncertainty, there was one surprising comfort.Daniel’s mother. Margaret. She couldn’t speak or move much, confined to her wheelchair. Yet, her expressive eyes spoke so much, filled with warmth and sadness in equal measure. It took me two days to notice how often she glanced longingly at the bookshelves l
FLORENCE’S POVOnce Emily confirmed she was okay with doing the nude shoot—completely on her terms, no pressure—we got to work.It wasn’t even sunrise yet when I sent the first text, barely able to feel my fingers after such an emotionally wrecking night. But there was no time to sleep. We had a window—small and delicate—and I was determined to help her step through it.I remembered an art director I’d met at Fashion Week just a few days ago. French, sharp, and wildly creative, she’d shown me a campaign she did for a sustainable lingerie brand that felt more like a gallery exhibit than an ad. I’d tucked her number into my phone, not thinking I’d need it anytime soon.Now I was dialing with barely a second thought.Her response came in instantly.Florence? Mon dieu, I would die to work with you.I didn’t even need to explain much—just that it would be raw, elegant, empowering, and fast. That was enough. She was in.I’d never done anything this last-minute in my life.Usually, shoots to
FLORENCE’S POVEmily stared at the wine glass in her hand like she couldn’t remember how it got there.The room had quieted now. We’d coaxed her into eating something—a small plate of pasta and a few forkfuls of salad—and poured her half a glass of red. She hadn’t said much. She wasn’t crying anymore, but the silence around her wasn’t peace. It was a void.We sat around the little dining table in her suite, lit only by the dim overhead light and the soft glow from the city outside the windows. Rosa sat beside Emily, one protective hand resting lightly on her forearm. Rosa hadn’t even met Emily before this night, but had practically adopted her by that point. I was on her other side. Across from us, Raiden had flipped open his tablet and was already in fix-it mode.“I suggest we start with the basics,” Raiden said calmly, tapping through his notes. “Natalie, you’ll need to call the police. File a formal report. The earlier we do it, the better. Even if it doesn’t lead to anything imme
FLORENCE’S POVAs soon as Rosa and I reached her studio, I immediately grabbed her laptop. My fingers shook slightly as I typed in the gossip websites, terrified of what I might find. The screen quickly filled with images, headlines, and notifications—and there it was. Exactly as Emily had said.Her nude photos were everywhere.“Oh my god…” Rosa whispered behind me, leaning closer to see the screen. “This is so messed up. What sick asshole would do something like this?” Her voice tightened, anger radiating from every word. “I swear to god, when I find him…”I took a deep breath, pushing down the panic rising in my chest. “Can you tell where these photos were taken?”Rosa squinted, carefully scanning every detail on the screen, her eyes flicking rapidly back and forth. She shook her head slowly. “Honestly? There’s no windows, doors, or distinguishing features. It’s artificial lighting and a professional backdrop. Whoever took these photos knew exactly what they were doing. It looks li
FLORENCE’S POVWe stood in silence for a few seconds, waiting. Rosa leaned in and gently pressed her ear to the door like she’d done this kind of thing before.“Anything?” I whispered, my voice barely above a breath.She held her position for another beat, then pulled back. “Nope. Seems like it’s empty.”I let out a small sigh. “Okay, maybe—”“Florence?”I nearly screamed. I spun around with my whole body, stumbling back a step. My heart jumped straight into my throat.A guy with tousled curls and splattered paint on his sweatshirt stood a few feet away, carrying a canvas under one arm. His expression lit up when he saw me.“Ian,” I blurted out, instantly recognizing him.He grinned. “Wow, you remember me!”Of course I remembered him. We’d met on that yacht I was checking out for the Eternity-Amora event a few months back. He was one of the hopeful photographers trying to land a commission. He’d given me his card, a sheepish smile, and a surprisingly good portfolio. I’d meant to rea
FLORENCE’S POVMy heart thumped wildly in my chest as I immediately switched apps, fumbling slightly with my trembling fingers. My thumbs flew across the keyboard, rapidly typing a frantic message to Emily.Where are you? That pic behind you was stolen from a gallery a few nights ago??The screen glowed softly as I hit send. My throat tightened as I watched Emily’s status shift from offline to online. The little green check marks appeared, signaling that she had read the message.Seconds passed. My breath stalled in my chest.Then, abruptly, Emily’s status returned to offline.My stomach churned. It felt intentional—heavy and pointed, like a slammed door in my face.“What’s got you all stressed?” Rosa asked from across the table. Her voice startled me back into the noisy café where we’d been laughing just minutes ago.I blinked, trying to shake away the anxious haze clouding my thoughts. “It’s nothing, it’s just some silly family drama.”Rosa’s eyes brightened mischievously, her lips
FLORENCE’S POVMy silence stretched just a little too long. I could feel it. That uncomfortable beat of tension, the kind where everyone realizes someone in the group is no longer smiling.Rosa jumped in quickly, her tone light but purposeful. “Dad, don’t be weird. Florence is his girlfriend.”Ashton blinked, visibly startled. “Oh! I—really?” He looked at me, hands raised in surrender, flashing a sheepish grin. “Well, damn. I’m sorry, Florence. I meant it as a joke.”I forced a smile. “All good.”But it wasn’t. Not really.The conversation moved on, but something in me had curled inward. Raiden and Ashton returned to talking about next season’s silhouettes, material shortages, and the problem with micro-trends killing long-term vision. Rosa threw in a comment here and there, mostly teasing her father, while I lingered behind them like a quiet accessory to someone else’s night.Their words blurred in my ears. I felt small—again.Invisible, the way I used to feel at events where Mason
FLORENCE’S POVI stood there for a long time. Longer than I should have.I should have asked him why he was looking for me despite choosing Jade. I should have asked him why he ended up bloodied and broken in the hospital. I should have asked him if he ever found Daniel after speaking to Emily. If Daniel was the cause of the scars on his face. I should have done lots of things. But all I could do was replay his words in my head. Can we still be good friends?So gentle. So final.It was like I’d stepped outside my own body during the conversation and only now—now that he was gone—had I reentered it.The music had shifted, the crowd moved around me, but I felt frozen. Like I was watching my own life through a glass window.I smoothed down my dress. Straightened my spine. Took a slow, steady breath.Right.I had a good life. I was in Paris. I had a kind, loving man waiting for me. A man who saw me. Who never needed reminding to listen.I wasn’t the girl standing outside a glass wall an
FLORENCE’S POV“What are you guys doing in Paris anyway?” Emily asked, adjusting the strap of her designer bag like it was a microphone she planned to drop at any moment.“Oh, just… on vacation,” I replied.She raised her eyebrows, clearly impressed. “Wow. It’s serious if you’re taking holidays together.”I shrugged, trying to play it cool. “Yeah, you know it’s going well since—”“I don’t care for details,” she said quickly, waving me off like I was about to bore her to death. “I’m meeting someone else later anyway. Young photographer, super cute and very into me. Which is exactly what I need after the narcissist that was Daniel.”“Um… okay. Bye, I guess?”But she was already halfway down the corridor, disappearing into the post-show haze of crew members and models packing up.I lingered a moment, unsure of what to feel about that whole interaction. Then, I turned back toward the main venue, scanning for Raiden in the sea of guests. I spotted him near the refreshments, chatting anima
FLORENCE’S POVAs soon as the final model stepped off the runway and the lights began to rise, I rose from my seat like a fire had been lit beneath me.“I’ll be right back,” I told Raiden.He blinked in surprise but didn’t stop me. “Want me to come?”“No,” I said quickly, already stepping past him.From the corner of my eye, I saw him turning his attention to one of the designers seated nearby, sliding effortlessly into conversation. Typical Raiden—he could read me without even trying. He knew I needed space. And I appreciated him for that.But right now, all I could think about was Emily.She was here.Not just here but on the runway, front and center. Strutting down like she hadn’t vanished off the face of the earth after Daniel had kidnapped me. After Mason had nearly died. After everything.I pushed my way backstage.The buzz was overwhelming—stylists shouting, models laughing, and garment bags flying from one end to another. The air was thick with perfume, hairspray, and leftov