Brielle POV The drive to the bar was quicker than I anticipated, filled only with the low hum of the car engine and the thoughts I couldn’t silence. Why had Albert gotten himself drunk tonight? Was it because of our argument earlier? Or was there something else he wasn’t telling me?I wasn’t sure why I even agreed to go. After everything, after the hurtful words exchanged and the pain he caused, I still found myself heading straight for him when he needed me. Maybe I was a fool, or maybe my heart wasn’t as ready to walk away as I wanted it to be.When I arrived at Blue Bar, I spotted Albert immediately. He was slumped over a booth in the corner, his head resting against the backrest, his tie loosened and his shirt wrinkled. His hair was a disheveled mess, something I’d never seen before.The bartender gestured toward him as I walked in. “Over there,” he said. “He’s been asking for you all night.”I ignored the flutter of emotion that came with hearing that and approached Albert. His
Brielle POV I grabbed a towel and quickly cleaned up the broken glass and blood, not wanting to leave any evidence of the confrontation. As I finished, I leaned against the counter, my mind racing. Whatever Diana was planning, I had to stay ahead of her.The soft rays of morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, spilling into the bedroom. Albert stirred awake, his head pounding slightly from the remnants of the previous night's drinking. Blinking a few times, he let his vision adjust before turning his head to the side, expecting to see an empty room.Instead, his gaze landed on me. I was curled up on the couch, still asleep. My arms were tucked under my head, and the peaceful expression on my face softened the lines of worry that had seemed permanent lately.A faint smile crept onto Albert's face as he watched me, his chest tightening with an emotion he couldn’t quite name. He couldn’t remember much of what happened after the bar, but seeing me there, knowing I had taken care o
Brielle POV My cheeks flushed deeper as the silence stretched between us. I cleared my throat, breaking the trance Albert seemed to be under. “You… you can let go of me now,” I said softly, though my voice wavered slightly.Albert blinked as if snapping out of a dream. His arms loosened around my waist, but he didn’t step back immediately. Instead, he carefully helped me stand upright, his hands lingering just a moment longer than necessary to ensure I was steady on my feet.I quickly adjusted my towel, clutching it tightly around myself. The tension between us was palpable, and I could feel his gaze burning into me. I avoided his eyes, focusing instead on smoothing my damp hair.“Thanks,” I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper.Albert didn’t respond immediately. Instead, his hand reached out, gently brushing against mine. The contact sent a jolt through me, and I looked up at him, startled. His eyes were soft yet intense, filled with something I couldn’t quite decipher.“Please
Brielle POV As we pulled up to the office building, a familiar sense of nervous energy washed over me. It had been months since I’d last set foot here, and now, stepping back into the space where Albert and I had once built something together felt surreal.Albert glanced at me as the driver opened my door. “Ready?” he asked, his voice soft but tinged with curiosity.I forced a small smile. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”Walking into the towering office building alongside Albert felt different this time. His hand hovered near the small of my back, guiding me inside, and I caught the curious glances from employees. Some looked genuinely pleased to see me, while others whispered to one another, no doubt gossiping about my return.“Good morning, Mr. Carter,” one of the receptionists greeted Albert with a bright smile before her eyes landed on me. Her expression lit up. “Mrs. Carter! It’s so wonderful to see you again.”I nodded politely. “Thank you. It’s good to be back.”As we made our way
Brielle POV The moment Diana strutted into the office, my stomach sank. Her high heels clicked against the marble floor, announcing her arrival with an air of arrogance. Her smirk widened as her eyes landed on me, clearly pleased to see me sitting at my desk. The office buzzed with murmurs, and I could feel the weight of everyone's stares.I refused to let her presence rattle me, though. Squaring my shoulders, I kept my gaze on the computer screen in front of me, pretending to type furiously while my mind raced. What was she doing here? And then, as if to answer my unspoken question, Rebecca appeared in the doorway with Albert beside her.“Albert,” Rebecca said with a sickeningly sweet tone, “I have some exciting news to share.”Albert looked at her skeptically. “What now, Mom?”Rebecca beamed, turning her gaze to Diana, who was practically glowing with satisfaction. “I’ve hired a new secretary for you. From today, Diana will be your secretary.”My fingers froze mid-typing, and I fel
Brielle POV Albert sat beside me, his presence comforting but silent. He hadn’t said much since the assistant had ushered us into the room, but I could feel his tension simmering beneath the surface. I was on my own in this.“Thank you all for coming,” Rebecca began, her voice smooth as silk yet laced with authority. “I’ve called this meeting to discuss some important changes within the company.”The room fell silent, everyone waiting for her to continue. I gripped the armrest of my chair, bracing myself.“As you all know, Brielle has returned to the company,” Rebecca said, her gaze landing on me. Her tone was polite, but the venom beneath it was unmistakable. “And while we are all delighted to have her back…” She paused for dramatic effect, her smile never wavering. “…there are certain concerns that need to be addressed.”“Concerns?” Albert’s voice cut through the air, firm and unyielding. He leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing at his mother.Rebecca didn’t falter, though I
Brielle POV As Albert and I stepped out of the restaurant, leaving Diana behind, I felt a sense of relief. But deep down, I knew Diana wasn’t someone who would let things go so easily. And I was right.We had barely walked a few steps toward the car when a loud gasp and the sound of a body hitting the floor made us turn around.“Ahh—Albert!” Diana’s voice rang through the restaurant like a siren.I turned to see her sprawled on the floor, clutching her stomach, her face contorted in pain. She writhed dramatically, her hands pressing against her abdomen as though she were in unbearable agony.People inside the restaurant gasped, some even standing to get a better look. A waiter rushed to her side, asking if she needed help, but she ignored him, her tear-filled eyes locking onto Albert.“Albert, please… the baby… something’s wrong,” she whimpered.My heart dropped. Not because I believed her, but because I knew exactly what she was trying to do. This was classic Diana—always scheming,
Brielle POV Albert rushed over to Diana, concern etched across his face as he bent down to help her up. She clung to him like a lifeline, pressing her body against his as if she could barely stand on her own.I clenched my fists, feeling a wave of frustration wash over me. I knew exactly what she was doing, using every opportunity to make me feel like an outsider, to make it seem like she belonged by Albert’s side more than I did.“Albert, I’m sorry,” she whispered weakly, her voice trembling as she blinked up at him with fake, teary eyes. “I didn’t mean to take up so much of your time. I know how busy you are with work, and yet… you still choose to be here with me. Thank you so much.”I almost scoffed at how dramatic she sounded. She was acting like a helpless damsel in distress, knowing Albert had a protective instinct when it came to people in need.Albert sighed, his grip firm on her arms to steady her. “It’s fine, Diana. Just take care of yourself.”His tone was distant, but Dia
DIANA'S POV "You should be scared too," I shot back. "Because if Emily finds out the truth, she won’t just go after me, she’ll go after you too. And then what?"Nicholas chuckled darkly. "Then I guess we’ll just have to make sure she never finds out."I glared at Nicholas, my patience wearing thin."I don't want to wait any longer here," I said firmly. "I'm going in there to pack my things, and you better make sure you're coming with me."Nicholas sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Diana, don’t act out of impulse…""I'm not acting out of impulse!" I snapped, cutting him off. "This is the only way. If Albert comes back and finds me here, everything will get complicated. And if Emily keeps getting closer to you, she’ll start asking questions. Do you want that?"Nicholas remained silent, his expression unreadable.I took a deep breath, trying to control my frustration. "You were the one who told me to trust you, Nicholas. But look at what’s happening! You’re getting distracted. Y
Emily POV “No big deal?” Diana repeated, standing up. “Do you even know what time it is?” Her eyes darted between us, filled with something I couldn’t quite place, anger? Jealousy? Worry?I sighed, rolling my eyes. “Diana, we’re adults. We don’t need a curfew.”Diana clenched her jaw. “Emily, you have no idea what you’re playing with.”I frowned. What was her problem? She had been acting so weird since I got back. And why was she so concerned about Nicholas and me?Nicholas placed a hand on my lower back. “Come on, Emily, let’s go.”Brielle’s POVThe business deal had gone smoothly, and Albert and I finally wrapped up everything. It had been a long, exhausting trip, but at least it was successful.I glanced at Albert as we walked out of the meeting room. He looked satisfied, but I could tell he was eager to get back home."Finally done," I sighed, stretching my arms. "I can't wait to get some rest."Albert nodded, adjusting his suit. "Yeah, it's time to head back. I just hope everyth
DIANA'S POV "You worry too much," he said, stepping closer until I could feel his breath against my skin. "Emily is just a distraction. A fun one."I scoffed. "Yeah? And what happens when she starts asking questions? What happens when Albert finds out you’re messing with his little sister?"Nicholas shrugged. "Then I’ll deal with it."I grabbed his arm, forcing him to look at me. "This isn't just about you, Nicholas!" My voice dropped to a whisper. "If we get caught, if they find out about us, do you think Albert will just let us go? Do you think he’ll just forgive us?"For a moment, something flickered in Nicholas' eyes, doubt. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared."Let me handle this, Diana," he said, his voice softer now. "Emily is harmless."I exhaled sharply, shaking my head. "No one is harmless, Nicholas. Especially not her."I stormed down the hallway, my hands clenched into fists."Nicholas is really out of his mind," I muttered under my breath, my heart pounding with fr
Nicholas’ POVShe arched her brow, pretending to pout. "Oh? So I don’t stand a chance?"My eyes darkened slightly as I leaned back in my chair. "I didn’t say that."A slow smile spread across her lips. “Interesting”.As I watched Emily sitting across from me, a thought crossed my mind, this lady is dangerously beautiful.Her smile was playful, her confidence unmatched. The way she carried herself, the way she spoke, it was almost irresistible.I leaned back in my chair, arms crossed, as she sipped her drink. She was talking about something, probably teasing me again, but I wasn’t paying full attention. My mind was elsewhere, studying her.Maybe I needed to stop pretending. Maybe I needed to stop resisting what was already happening.I smirked to myself. Having Emily as my girlfriend, even if just for now, might not be such a bad idea.She was Albert’s sister, yes, but that only made things more interesting. Emily wasn’t like the other women who threw themselves at me. She played the g
DIANA'S POV I forced a laugh, keeping my expression neutral. So, she’s interested in him after all."That's nice of you," I replied smoothly, leaning back in my chair. "Nicholas is a good man. I’m sure he appreciates your kindness."Emily simply nodded, focusing on her breakfast.I sipped my juice slowly, my mind racing. I needed to figure out what she was up to. Was she genuinely attracted to Nicholas, or was she just playing around? I had to be careful.. As I took another sip of my juice, my eyes wandered across the living room. That’s when I saw it,a file resting on the couch. My heart skipped a beat.Nicholas must have forgotten it.Oh no. If it was something important, he’d be back for it soon. I leaned forward, reaching for it, but before I could react, Emily suddenly stood up from the dining table.“I’ll take it to him,” she said quickly, adjusting her dress. “I was actually planning to see my mom at the office today, so I can drop it off for him too.”I froze for a second,
Emily POV "Why?" I asked, my fingers lightly grazing his chest.Nicholas exhaled sharply, his control slipping. His hands finally moved, grabbing my waist, pulling me closer. I thought he was going to kiss me.His lips were just inches away, his breath warm against my skin. His grip on my waist tightened, his eyes dark with desire.But just as he leaned in, I placed a finger against his lips, stopping him."Not yet," I whispered, stepping back.Nicholas groaned in frustration, running a hand through his hair."Emily, what game are you playing?" he asked, his voice thick with need.I grinned, walking towards the door.I opened the door and turned to look at him one last time."Goodnight, Nicholas," I said sweetly before walking out, leaving him standing there, breathing heavily, dying to have me.Diana’s POVAs soon as Emily left the room, I stepped out from where I had been hiding, crossing my arms as I stared at Nicholas."What just happened right now?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
Emily POV "Emily. Albert’s sister," I said, watching his expression carefully.Something flickered in his eyes, but it was gone so fast that I almost thought I imagined it."Ah, Albert’s sister," he repeated, a sly smile playing on his lips. "I’ve heard a lot about you."I raised an eyebrow."Really? That’s strange because I haven’t heard anything about you."He chuckled, stepping closer."Well, I guess your brother and I don’t talk about the same things."There was something about the way he looked at me, intense, almost like he was testing me. But I wasn’t the type to be easily intimidated."Interesting," I said, keeping my voice neutral. "And what exactly are you doing here, Nicholas?"He hesitated for a second before flashing me a charming smile."Just helping out with a few things," he replied vaguely.I narrowed my eyes."Helping with what?"Before he could answer, a voice called from the other room."Nicholas, we need to talk!"It was Diana.I watched as something shifted in h
BRIELLE'S POV I turned to look at him, and before I could say anything, his warm hand cupped my cheek. His gaze was deep, searching, almost like he wanted to take away all my worries with just his eyes."Please, don’t feel bad anymore. I’m here for you," he whispered.I opened my mouth to respond, but the words never came. Albert leaned in closer, his breath warm against my lips. My heart pounded as our noses brushed, and then, his lips captured mine.It started soft, slow, as if he was giving me time to pull away. But I didn’t want to. Instead, I leaned into him, my fingers gripping his shirt as the kiss deepened.His hand slid to the back of my neck, tilting my head slightly, allowing him to kiss me even deeper. A soft moan escaped my lips, and I felt Albert’s lips curve into a small smile."I love you, Brielle," he murmured against my lips. "No matter what happens, I’ll always be here for you."I pulled away slightly, breathing heavily. His forehead rested against mine, his thumb
Brielle’s POVAs Albert and I stepped outside, the cool breeze hit my face, but it did nothing to calm the storm inside me. My father’s words kept echoing in my head."Rebecca tried to kill me."I was still trying to process everything when Albert suddenly sighed beside me."Brielle, I'm sorry… I really forgot to stay back outside like you asked," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "I was just so worried about you and your dad. I couldn’t leave you alone there."I looked at him, searching his face for any sign of doubt. Did he believe my father? Or was he still struggling to accept that his own mother could do something so terrible?"It’s nothing, Albert," I murmured, shaking my head. "I just… I don’t understand what’s happening. Why is your mother doing all this? Why is she getting more involved with my father?"Albert sighed again and ran a hand through his hair. "I don’t know. But I promise you, I’ll find out."His words should have been reassuring, but I couldn’t shake the