“Ava...” Sean’s voice reaches my ears like a gentle whisper, but it feels more like an icy blade piercing my chest, intensifying the urge to cry. However, the awareness of being in a public setting feels like blinding spotlights shining directly in my face, making me feel overly exposed and suscepti
I offer Sean the most sympathetic face I can muster, accompanied by a quick eye-roll that silently says, “I told you so.” To my surprise, Sean handled the situation better than I anticipated. He chuckles and shakes his head, finishing his drink. “In my defense, she’s old enough to know the rules of
[SEAN] Have you ever experienced a deep sense of helplessness? A feeling of desperately wanting something, but being unable to pursue it out of fear of hurting the people you love most? These situations are all too familiar in my life. I have become the epitome of sacrificing my own happiness for t
“What just happened in there?” I ask, my voice unintentionally startling her. I immediately feel like a fool. “Sorry,” I quickly apologize, rubbing the back of my neck before gently turning her to face me. “Are you okay?” Her response to my question becomes unnecessary as the moisture on her cheek
As the elevator doors open on the fifteenth floor, I step out into a narrow corridor. Judging by the appearance of the property and its prime location, it seems that my stalker is either a fellow wealthy individual or someone skilled at disguising their identity, relishing in making others feel fool
[BRIAN] I know I made the right decision, although my emotions try to convince me otherwise. Kissing Ava was wrong, and fucking her was even worse. What the hell was I thinking? How did I let my attraction to her cloud my judgment, especially considering she’s half my age, my late daughter’s best
[AVA] “Listen up, sweetie,” mom says, grabbing my hand and intertwining our fingers. “I’m your mom, and all I want is what’s best for you. Is that so hard to believe?” I’m dying to respond: yes, that’s exactly what I think. But instead, I let out a sigh and prop my elbow on the table. “Mom, what’s
I remember putting on a brave face, telling them that they couldn’t do anything to me but make themselves look foolish. But inside, I was shaking like a damn leaf. I confided in my dad about the situation, and he stepped in to resolve it for me. It’s tempting to think that I made the right decision
He walks back to the couch, and for the first time, I notice a camera that’s already been set up.My stomach tightens.He grabs the camera stand with one hand and drags it closer to where I am. Adjusting the angle, he makes sure it focuses directly on me. Then he straightens, his gaze locking onto m
[AVA]I might have lost consciousness because the next time I open my eyes, the bright lights make me wince and squeeze them shut again.“Ah…” I whimper, only then realizing my ankle is badly bruised.“You’re awake.”A deep male voice rings in my ears, and I look up—only to find the same staff guy w
[AVA]Once Brian leaves, I sink back onto the couch, my fingers dialing Max’s number again.Maybe if he picks up, I can convince him to drop by on his own, and Brian wouldn’t have to go.But every call goes unanswered. And the more I try to convince myself it’s no big deal—that Max is just being him
I run my fingers through his wet hair. “Because I can’t stop thinking about what happens next. About who’s behind this. About how this doesn’t just affect me but everyone around me.”“You don’t have to figure everything out right this second, Ava.”“I know,” I whisper, but knowing and believing are
[AVA]I finally feel a little better—enough to let Brian freshen up after his long flight.He kisses me on the forehead and promises to join me soon.Maybe he knows that if I’m left alone, my mind will start spiraling again, drowning me in guilt. And once that happens, I won’t be able to focus on an
I unlock the door and pull the door open, only to find his familiar handsome face looking back at me.He’s dressed in a white shirt and blue denim jeans, and I don’t think he could look any better.I know, I know. I probably sound like some horny bitch, but I don’t care. It’s Brian. And being horny
[AVA]After dropping me off at Brian’s penthouse, Aaron insists on staying until Brian returns.But I can clearly see the disinterest on his face—he can’t stand another bored minute with me. So, I do what I know is right.I ask him to leave.Maybe out of formality, he insists once more that he doesn
[AVA]“I’m sure she didn’t mean it, Ava,” Miranda tries to say, but she might as well accept that her daughter will never see me as someone to be trusted.Whatever I’ve done to piss this woman off, one thing is certain—I don’t care anymore. I neither have the time to bother myself with her nonsense
Miranda's fingers tremble as she presses them to her temples. "Stop it, both of you," she whispers.For once, Coraline listens. She clenches her jaw so tightly I swear I can hear her teeth grind, but she doesn't say another word.Aaron, though—he’s still simmering, his shoulders tense, his hands fle