I was caught off guard when Ada called me in the middle of the night, especially after all the hype about her staying at the Thornton Hotel. However, I didn't hesitate to give her my address as soon as I picked up.Thirty minutes later, she was at my door, looking frazzled."I'm so sorry to barge in like this, Shelia," she said, her voice tight. "I couldn't sleep, and you're the only one I felt I could turn to right now.""Don't sweat it," I assured her. "Come on in and take a load off. We can talk as long as you need."After a couple of glasses of wine, Ada finally started to open up."I was planning to choose between Thornton and Warner for my wedding, but Thornton's really let me down. Shelia, I feel like you're the only one I can trust with this."Normally, hearing a client pick me would be thrilling, but seeing Ada so stressed took the wind out of my sails."Don't worry," I promised. "I’ll do everything in my power to make sure your wedding is flawless and memorable.""Tha
When Ada announced that KS would be handling her wedding, I laughed. Hugh was finished! He’d insisted on taking this project, only to fail spectacularly. It was amusing, really—now he wouldn’t be able to strut around in front of Dad.He had claimed that Ada’s partnership fell apart because of me, which was absurd. But now that this deal had blown up in his face, he would probably be kept out of the company for a long while.With my spirits high, I called over two male models, including the one who had danced with Shelia at the party. I gave him a sly smile."Well? Are you waiting for me to undress you?"Without hesitation, he stripped off his clothes and slipped a leather collar around his neck. "Of course not, ma’am," he replied, then began crawling over to me on his knees.I reveled in the power, watching Shelia’s former dance partner act like an obedient dog, completely under my control. It was the perfect way to boost my mood.I injected the good things on the table into my v
Shelia's POV:These past few days, I’d been pouring all my energy into Ada’s wedding, barely catching any sleep. But as the plans came together, I felt a huge sense of accomplishment. This was the first project I’d taken on since the divorce, and it held a lot of meaning for me. I cared deeply about making it perfect.Just as I lay down to rest at home, the doorbell rang.Zachary was standing at my door with a bag of food, and as I opened it, he brought out a bouquet from behind his back with a smile."Congratulations, Shelia," he said, handing me the flowers.I beamed. "I love your little surprises." He had a knack for romance."You look exhausted, Shelia. Have you been eating properly?""Well, I tried to eat well, but most days I get so busy I forget," I admitted with a shrug.He rolled up his sleeves and headed straight to the kitchen. A warm feeling spread through me. Back when I was with Hugh, I was always the one cooking, and he never took care of me. I used to convince
Hugh was kissing me while forcefully pulling me into the nearest room from the door. He slammed the door shut with a loud bang and locked it. Zachary clearly hadn't expected Hugh to suddenly lose it; he pounded on the bedroom door hard and fast, anxious and frantic.Inside, Hugh didn’t care. He pressed me against the door, his bloodshot eyes staring intensely into mine as if he could see right through me.“Tell me! Have you slept with him or not?”“What’s it to you?” I struggled against him, feeling both ashamed and angry. Why was he interrogating me like this? I wasn’t his pet to be treated however he wanted!“How far have you gone with him?” Hugh was still aggressive and hysterical. I turned my head away, not wanting to look at him. His madness and brutality made me feel disgusted.Seeing that I wouldn’t speak, Hugh became even angrier. He grabbed my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze, and then kissed me fiercely. His kiss was rough and intense, as if trying to suck my soul out o
In that moment, his gaze was sincere, as if losing me meant losing his whole world. His thumb gently brushed my palm, slowly trying to break through the walls I'd built.But I kept reminding myself—this was all an act, just another way for him to regain the power to hurt me. Without hesitation, I shook off his hand.Just then, Zachary appeared, holding a set of keys. His anxious face came into view. I hurriedly pushed Hugh away. His gaze darkened dangerously, like an enraged predator, glaring at me.I didn't dare look at him. Instead, I clumsily tried to straighten my clothes. Zach's handsome face showed a mix of fatigue and gloom. When he saw my swollen lips and messy hair, his expression dimmed even more.Did Zachary hear everything from outside the door? I wondered, my heart racing.Zachary quickly composed himself. "You two..." His eyes shifted from me to Hugh, standing behind me, his tone accusatory."This is between Shelia and me. It's none of your business," Hugh said cold
Zachary and I were sitting close together. I knew how selfish I was being, enjoying his company while my heart was still tangled up with another man—a jerk, no less.“Zachary, am I being too selfish, treating you like this?” I asked.“Don’t say anything. You’re exhausted. You need to clear your mind and get some rest,” he interrupted me, standing up and helping me off the couch. “I’m taking you somewhere.”I didn’t resist. Maybe it was his firmness that left me with no energy to argue, or maybe I really needed an outlet to release all my pent-up emotions.He drove us to a private horse ranch on the outskirts of the city. The vast green field stretched out like an ocean, the tender grass swaying gently in the breeze, filling the air with a fresh, clean scent. Sunlight bathed the meadow in a soft golden glow.“Do you know how to ride?” he asked, leading a sleek black horse over to me.I shook my head. I’d always wanted to learn, but for one reason or another, I never found the time
I'd never spoken up so fiercely in defense of someone before. Seeing Zachary like that ignited a fierce need to protect him. When he saw me stand up for him, his eyes filled with appreciation. I knew my words had hit Richard where it hurt. Guys like him—spoiled since childhood—couldn't stand being told they were inferior, especially in areas they prided themselves on.Sure enough, Richard's face darkened instantly, and he glared at me, teeth clenched. "You dare lecture me?"He sized me up, then suddenly yanked me into his arms. "Oh, I thought you were some innocent little thing, but turns out you've got your eye on my brother. What, trying to climb the social ladder? Why not play with me instead..."Before he could finish his disgusting words, Zachary lunged at him, grabbing his collar in one swift motion. His voice was icy cold, like a chill straight from hell. "Richard, if you dare speak to Shelia like that again, I'll tear your mouth apart!"Richard was caught off guard by Zacha
Zachary’s voice felt like a ray of light, piercing through the darkness of my despair. I clung tightly to the saddle, leaning my body forward to reduce the resistance.Zachary, riding his tall white horse, flew past me like the wind. He grabbed hold of my horse’s reins, trying to bring the wild animal under control.“Damn it, stop!” Zachary shouted, yanking hard on the reins. The horse, “Red Hare,” let out a pained whinny, rearing up on its hind legs. The sudden movement startled me, and I lost my balance. I could feel myself slipping from the saddle, about to fall...“Stop!” Zachary’s voice trembled slightly with urgency, and I could see the veins bulging on his hands as he pulled on the reins with all his strength. The horse, in response to the sharp tug, reared even higher, nearly throwing me off as I screamed in fear.At the same time, Zachary leaned back, lowering his body as far as possible, and I could almost hear the harsh scrape of his back against the ground. Under his