Chapter 3
I watch the dress inch up my legs with every pull of his hand, baring more and more of me. The sight makes me giddy. It’s the only excuse for what slips out in response. “Should I call you Daddy, then?” He goes still. Just like that, he releases my dress and the fabric falls back to cover most of my thighs. Disappointment sours my stomach, but he’s not moving back. He skates his hand up my side barely brushing the curve of my breast before he grips my chin just tightly enough to hurt. “Is that what you want, Hailey?” He presses two fingers to my bottom lip and I open for him. “You want to call me Daddy while I do filthy things to you that you’ve only fantasized about.” He slips his fingers into my mouth, in and out, in and out, miming fucking. I watch him with wide eyes, but I don’t get a chance to decide if I like it or not before he clamps his remaining fingers tightly around my chin, his fingers almost deep enough to gag me. Paxton leans down and holds my gaze as his fingers stroke my tongue. “You want to call me Daddy while I slip my hand up your skirt and find out what you have waiting for me? While I bend you over this counter and eat your cunt until you come?” It’s almost too much, I can’t quite catch my breath, I really am going to gag, but he gives me no relief. “You want to ride Daddy’s cock?” I make a panicked sound and he releases me, sliding his fingers from my mouth. It feels dirty and wrong and I’m shaking with need. “Yes,” I whisper. “Yes, that’s what I want.” He searches my face. Maybe he thought he’d scare me off with all that, but instead I’m even more turned on. My hands drop to the hem of my dress. “Would you like to see?”Oh my god, is this really happening? Did I really challenge him like that and now he’s called my bluff? Paxton is not on my list of things I wanted from Dimitri, but I can’t deny that every filthy sentence he spills makes the heat in my blood pulse hotter. I want to be bad, to be dirty. I want to forget every bit of the last few days. I know the forgetting won’t last forever, but at this point I’ll take what I can get. I expect Dimitri to do all these things to me as my betrothed, but he stalks to other ladies right in front of me. When it’s pushed together, it basically creates a massive bed,and I’ve always wanted Dimitri to do all these as my fated mate. Paxton considers me for a moment and then drops onto the couch and situates himself against the back of it with his big legs stretched out. Like this, there’s no missing the way his cock presses against the front of his pants. He crooks his fingers at me. “Take off your shoes.” After a short silent debate, I stand on the ottoman and walk to him. But when I move to straddle him, he shakes his head. “No. Turn around. Lie down.” When I don’t immediately obey, he moves me how he wants me. Urging me onto my stomach facing the window, my shins and feet bent up against the back of the couch. It feels strange and awkward and it’s made worse by the fact we aren’t touching. He must sense my confusion, because he rumbles out a laugh as he takes the remote and puts a movie on. “You don’t remember this.” It’s only when the opening credits of a bullshit action movie start that I go still. “I was lying between you two like this.” “Yes.” He tosses one of the throw blankets over my lower half and then nudges my legs wider. “Just. Like. This.” And then his hand is there, burrowing under the blankets and sliding up to bracket my inner thigh. “You were wearing a skirt nearly as short as this. Were you hoping I'd finger you?” Embarrassment and desire twine through me. “Maybe.” My breath catches in my throat as his hand shift higher, his rough palm against my bare skin. I swallow hard. “Maybe I was hoping you’d do it.” “You're mine” he murmurs. “Let’s see how shameless, shall we?” He yanks the throw off with his free hand and tosses it aside. “Pull up your dress, baby” I reach drown and grip the hem of my dress, inching it up over my ass, baring me from the waist down. “Like this?” “Good girl.” He tightens his grip on my thigh. “Spread your legs and lift your hips.” As I obey, his hand shifts higher and cups my pussy. We both exhale shakily. I expected him to jump me, to rip off my clothes and fuck me against the nearest available surface. I didn’t expect him to recreate one of the dirtiest near misses we’ve had over the last two years. “Wet,” Paxton murmurs. “Were you that wet for me that day? Would you have let me…” He pushes two broad fingers into me. “You would have, wouldn’t you?” “Yes,” I moan. I writhe back against his touch, trying to take him deeper. I feel like I’m on fire, wanton and dirty and unable to stop. “I wanted your fingers so bad.” Just like that, they’re gone. “You want to be bad? Prove it.” I lift my head. “How?” “Come here.” I turn around to find he’s spread his legs a little and has his hand palm up on his thigh. His fingers are still wet with my desire, and that might embarrass me if I had room for thought. Paxton nods at his fingers. “Straddle my thigh. Right here.” Understanding dawns, bringing with it another wave of need. I have to grip his shoulders as I obey, and I come down lightly against his palm. He rewards me be pushing his fingers into me again. This time, I can’t help whimpering. “Take what you need, sweetie.” He grips my hip with his free hand and urges me to rock against his palm. “Ride my hand.” I shiver. “Your hand isn’t what I want.” “My hand is all you get right now. You have to earn my cock.” He smiles, slow and arrogant. “ I’ll get inside you when I’m good and ready, and not a moment before.” His voice goes hard. “Ride my hand, sweetie” He leans in, his voice low and sinful. “Show your Daddy how prettily you come.” Calling him that is downright wicked. “Okay,” I breathe. And then I begin to move, grinding against his palm, forcing his fingers as deep in me as I can get them. It’s not enough, but it feels so good and so bad at the same time. It’s made more complicated by the fact that I’m in a familiar setting, but things couldn’t be more different. He watches me a moment, his gaze dark and hungry and then leans down and captures my nipple through the thin fabric of my dress. He sucks hard, making me cry out, and then looks up. “Take off the dress.” I’m only too happy to comply. I wrestle it off me and toss it away. The way he watches me—God, I can’t breathe. My orgasm is bearing down on me, so I slow, wanting to make this last as long as I can. I lean back and prop my hands on the ottoman, giving him view of the long line of my body as I fuck his hand. His jaw goes tight. “You are so sexy.” “Thanks, Daddy.” He drags me closer. “I shouldn’t like that so fucking much.” He guides me to lie down between his spread thighs, my legs stretched wide as he drags me until I’m nearly in his lap. “But I do like it, Lily. I really, really do.” He parts my pussy with questing fingers and circles my clit slowly with his thumb. “Do you want to come?” I think I might die if I don’t. “Yes.” He’s still tracing me with his fingers, teasing me, examining me. “Tell me what this pretty pussy needs, baby girl. Ask me properly and I’ll give it to you.” I bite my bottom lip and look down my body at him. Do I dare say it? The alternative—not getting what I want—is unacceptable. “Make me come, Daddy. Please.” The slow slide of his fingers into me feels obscene in this position. As if I’m just a plaything for him to do with as he pleases. Against my better judgement, my gaze flies around the room. We’re totally exposed here. If someone walked in, there would be no doubt what we’re doing, no hiding how close I am to coming, no missing the fact that it’s his fingers getting me there. “What are you thinking about?” He asks almost idly as he pumps his fingers a little. “You just clenched around me.” “I, um…” I drag in a ragged breath. “I was thinking about how exposed we are right now.” “Not we. You are exposed. Spread out in only these tease of garters.” He spreads my pussy with his free hand and bends down to ghost his exhale against my clit. “You’re thinking about the look on his face if he found us like this.” I hadn’t been, but now I can think of nothing else. Fierce satisfaction soars through me. I’ve endured so much pain and humiliation because of Dimitri. I’m just enough of an asshole to want to respond in kind. “Maybe.” Another delicious exhale, the feeling almost enough to tip me over the edge. “I shouldn’t ask…” I stretch my arms over my head, writhing almost mindlessly against his touch. “Ask me. I’ll tell you whatever you want.” “When’s the last time he made you come, Hailey?” It sounds like it’s dragged from him, rough and brutal. “When’s the last time he worshiped your pretty pussy the way it was meant to be worshiped? Fingers and tongue, over and over again until you’re begging for his cock.” My back bows and the beginning of an orgasm curls my toes. I’m so close… But Paxton’s hand stopped moving, stopped the heady rise of pleasure while he waits for my answer. I whine and thrash. “Never. He’s never done any of that.” “He’s never made you come?” “No.” He never seemed to care, either. Not as long as he got his. Shock makes his voice harsh. “Not a single fucking time?” “No,” I whimper. “Not once.” His curse is the only warning I get before his mouth is on me. Licking and sucking and, holy shit, that feels good. I barely get a chance to enjoy it before I’m orgasming, my toes curling and my back bowing. I don’t mean to grab his hair and grind my pussy against his face, milking every last bit of pleasure from his clever tongue. I don’t mean to, but I’m not sorry I do it. Paxton shifts me higher on the ottoman and shoves it forward enough that he can go to his knees between my spread thighs. I tense. Most of the time when guys have gone down on me in the past, they’re in a rush, doing the bare minimum to get me ready enough to fuck me. I’m more than ready to fuck Paxton, but he’s giving my pussy slow, thorough kisses. Like he has all the time in the world. Like this isn’t even about my pleasure; it’s simply because he’s enjoying himself. Little by little, I relax, my mind unspooling beneath his tongue and the pressure of his fingers against my thighs, holding me open for him. “That feels good,” I whisper. He drags the flat of his tongue over my clit. “Stay the long weekend.” I lift my head. “What?” He’s watching me closely. “Stay the weekend with me, baby girl. Let me work out two years’ frustration on your tight little body and worship your pussy. Let me make you come so many times, you lose count.” Another long lick. “Surely that’ll satisfy your need for revenge.” I can’t think with him working with me like this. “But what if he comes to visit?” “He won’t.” He nips my thigh. “I’ll tell him to stay away if that’s what you want.” I don’t know what I want. If this is only revenge, having Dimitri catch us should be the ultimate goal. But if he catches us, this ends. I slowly reach down and sift my fingers through Paxton’s black curly hair. I lift my hips, drawing his mouth back to my pussy. “Yes, Daddy. I’ll stay for the long weekend.” His answering grin makes me shiver. “Good.” And then his mouth is on me again, resuming his slow tongue fucking. Even as I tell myself there’s no possible way I could come again, he coaxes my pleasure higher, easing me back to that cutting edge of desire. Quicker than I imagine possible, I’m whimpering and writhing and rolling my hips to grind against his mouth.“Oh my god, why does that feel so freaking good?” “Because.” He circles my clit with the tip of his tongue. “I have nothing but time, baby girl. Nothing but time and your pussy and a whole fuck-ton of patience. You think I haven’t imagined your taste? I finally get it and you think I’m going to rush? No. Fuck no.” I feel like I’m about to burst out of my skin. “Don’t stop.” He doesn’t answer with words, but he answers all the same. Each stroke drives me higher, winds me tighter. And then I’m at the precipice, suspended between one lick and the next, only to freefall down the other side. I come so hard, I shriek and clamp my thighs around his head. Shane wedges his big hands around them to force my legs wide again, to hold me open as he continues his assault until my bones turn to putty and I collapse. “No more. Oh god, no more.” His dark chuckle promises no mercy. “Hailey, you didn’t come here for two measly orgasms.” He’s at my pussy again, dragging his thumbs over my lips and parting me as if he can’t get enough of the sight of me. “So fucking pretty and pink and wet just for me.” “Yes,” the word comes out as a rasp. Paxton sits back a little but doesn’t stop touching me. He avoids my clit for now, but the slow, possessive strokes against the rest of me is both easing me down and riling me back up. He doesn’t take his attention from my pussy. “I’d like to remember this.” “Me too.” “No, I don’t mean like that.” He finally drags his gaze up to my face. My wetness is all over his mouth and chin. He looks like a fucking savage, and I love that he doesn’t care that I’m all over him. We’ve made a mess of each other and, as he said, we’re just getting started. He slowly goes into me with his throbbing cock and gives me pleasurable strokes slowly and steady. I vibrated on the bed spreading my legs wider for him. “Scream my name! No one will hear you baby. The windows are soundproof.” He said panting heavily. Paxton! I shouted. My breathing was haggard. He fucked me for few minutes before we both climaxed and wrapped around each other's arms in the car. He kissed my cheeks.Chapter 4Sun rays penetrated into my eyes directly, I felt my head ache alot. I was in Paxton's room- his bed!That was when I remembered what happened last night between me and that handsome stranger. His presence was comforting and unfamiliar. I got down from the bed and saw him standing on the mirror and wearing his shirts and pants. Look away immediately. He noticed my uneasiness and walked to me. “You enjoyed it last night, you saw everything…you don't have to look away now.” He said. My throat hitched and I swallowed hard. How did this happen? Paxton stirred. His voice, flirtatious as he draw closer to my ear, broke the silence. “Morning,” he murmured, he peeked my cheeks which send cold shivers down my spine.“Morning,” I replied softly, my mind still racing. What does this mean now?He grabbed my waist, running a hand through his dark curls. “Need a ride home?” he asked casually, his blue eyes locking onto mine.I blinked, caught off guard by how nonchalant he sounded, as
Chapter 5I stood there like a statue while he walked to me. He was smiling brightly at me. “Hey, Hailey! Thanks for coming!” Paxton called out, he bounced the ball toward the basketball court with his friends. I felt a flutter in my chest, a mix of excitement and nerves. He winked at me, and for a moment, I really want to keep seeing him again and again.“Awwn! He’s such a lover boy!” Jessy gushed, her eyes sparkling with admiration as she nudged me playfully. “C’mon, guys, let’s go sit over there,” Mia suggested, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm. We found seats on the bleachers, the old wood creaking beneath us, we sat down and watched the game.“Do you think Paxton will win again?” I heard one of the girls whisper, and I caught myself biting my lip, trying to focus on anything but their voice were so loud.“Yes! He’s so cute! Only his cuteness and smartness will make him win. He is a God!” another girl exclaimed, and a part of me felt jealous at their ease in gushing over him.
Chapter 6I took a quick shower and dressed up. Standing in front of the mirror, I barely recognized myself. The dress hugged me in all the right places, and my hair was done in a ponytail with ribbons, giving me a youthful glow."Perfect!" Jessy and Mia both smiled at me.We left around nine o’clock. The party venue was set in the woods, at the infamous fire pit. As we approached, the flickering flames cast an orange glow over the crowd. The air was thick with the scent of burning wood and the sound of laughter, cheers, and loud music.It was just a tent-like cabin made with words from the 1980s and since our school has been for ages, it was made for students in those days and now was slightly refurbished for the new generation students to use. Like us...At the center of the pit, was a huge burning fire. Everywhere was beautiful and noisy.The fire pit was surrounded by students. Boys and girls danced, drank, and flirted with each other, while others threw beer cans and acted like f
Chapter 7Hailey's POVPaxton draw me closer, his eyes gleaming with that all-too-familiar mischievous smile. “Did you enjoy last night’s sex?” His voice was low, teasing, yet carrying a dangerous edge that sent shivers down my spine.My heart pounded in my chest. I hesitated, feeling the weight of his gaze. The memory of last night still lingered, and despite everything, I nodded. “Yes, I did.” I hated that I couldn’t deny it. I don't have a choice!“Good,” he said, his voice thick with satisfaction. “Let’s do it again. One more time, and I promise, I’ll leave you alone.”Panic flared in my chest. I swallowed hard, trying to muster the strength to refuse. “No, Paxton. This was a mistake.” My voice wavered, betraying the conflict I felt inside. The words weren’t as strong as I wanted them to be.“I can't. Those girls drooling over you would definitely kill me, including Nikki.” I swallowed hard.He raised an eyebrow, his smirk deepening. “You’re worried about Nikki, aren’t you? About
Chapter 8Hailey's POV The next morning, I was still lost in sleep, completely oblivious to the fact that I had a lecture in just an hour. That was, until Jessy’s loud voice jolted me out of my dreams, making my heart leap out of my chest. “Hailey! Hailey! Wake up! I think I saw someone that looks exactly like Paxton in a ridiculously luxurious car waiting out front!” Jessy screamed. My eyes shot open as I bolted upright in bed. “What? Paxton?!” My heart pounded faster than it should have, and I felt a wave of anxiety rush over me. Still dressed in my pink Barbie pajamas, I stumbled to the window and looked down. And there he was. Paxton. Sitting in a sleek black car with his usual smirk. His eyes locked with mine, and instantly, I felt that stupid flutter in my chest again. Ugh, why does this keep happening? Why does my heart feel like it's about to leap out of my body every time he's around? Seriously, someone tell me what the heck is wrong with me! “Oh no, Jessy. What did I do
Chapter 9Hailey's POV The drive to school was thick with silence. I stared out the window, my arms crossed tightly against my chest, feeling Paxton’s presence but refusing to acknowledge it. Every time I glanced at him from the corner of my eye, I caught his lips twitching, like he wanted to say something, but didn’t. I wasn’t ready to hear anything from him, not after last night. When we pulled up to the school, I grabbed the door handle before the car had fully stopped. “Thanks,” I mumbled, stepping out quickly. Before I could take two steps, chaos hit. The flashing lights of a thousand cameras went off like fireworks, blinding me. A wave of murmurs swept through the students. “Is that Hailey with Paxton?!” “No way! Did they come to school together?” “Nikki’s gonna lose it!” My breath hitched, and my chest tightened. The crowd began pressing in, and I could feel myself panicking. I'm allergic to too much crowding. Just when I thought I’d be swallowed by the attention, Paxton’
Hailey's POV “Who amongst you did this?!” Jessy’s voice cut through the laughter like a knife, and an awkward silence fell over the classroom. Every pair of eyes darted between me and Nikki, who leaned back against her desk with an air of smugness. I could feel the weight of their gazes, and I was done with being the butt of their jokes. I marched over to Nikki, my heart pounding in my chest. “What’s gonna happen now?” someone whispered, but I didn’t care. “Nikki! How dare you picture me at the party without my consent?” I spat, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside. Nikki laughed, a high-pitched sound that made my skin crawl. “And who are you? A God? Or a poor scholar?” Her friends joined in, cackling like hyenas. “Now you listen to me, you jealous freak! It’s not entirely my fault that your beloved betrothed rejected you! You should get over your rejection already and move on. Crazy slut!” I couldn’t believe the words that poured out of my mouth. Where the hell did I get
Paxton's POV The Lambo rolled to a smooth stop in front of the mansion, and I slid out, shoving my hands into my pockets. The maids were already lined up, heads bowed as I walked past them. "Good day, sir!" they chimed in unison, but I didn’t bother to acknowledge them. My mind was somewhere else. Just as I reached the staircase, I felt something cold and sticky dribble onto my chest. I glanced down to see orange juice staining my uniform. “You idiot!” I roared, turning to the maid who had spilled the drink. Her face went pale as she dropped to her knees, trembling. “Are you blind? You’re fired!” “I’m so sorry, sir! Please, it was an accident—” she pleaded, but I was already walking away, the anger bubbling up inside me. **I don’t have time for this.** I reached the sitting room and found my mom pacing. I barely had a chance to greet her before she started in on me. “Paxton, I want you to reject her! That girl... Hailey or whatever her name is, she’s not worth it! You need to be
**Hailey's POV** The sun streamed into my bedroom, casting a golden glow across the room as I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. My mind wandered to eight years ago—a day filled with both excruciating pain and immense joy. I had fought tooth and nail to bring my daughter into this world. I smiled at the memory, my eyes misting slightly as pride swelled in my chest. My baby girl wasn’t a baby anymore. She was growing into a smart, curious, and wonderful young lady. Today, she turned eight—a milestone that felt like it came too fast. I turned away from the mirror, wiping a tear that escaped, and walked over to wake her up. She was still bundled under the covers, her small face peeking out as she slept soundly. " Emily, my love, wake up," I said softly, brushing a few strands of hair from her forehead. Her eyes fluttered open, and she blinked sleepily at me. "Mom?" she mumbled, her voice laced with drowsiness. "Happy birthday, sweetheart!" I said, grinning wi
**Hailey’s POV** I stood there, rooted to the bathroom tiles, my heart hammering so loud I was sure Paxton could hear it. His piercing gaze burned into me, a mixture of frustration and something else I couldn’t quite name—pain, maybe? His words echoed in my head, bouncing off the walls of my uncertainty. Why didn’t I tell him about my daughter? The question lingered in the air, suffocating me. I wanted to run. Every nerve in my body screamed at me to turn and bolt, but my feet refused to cooperate. My hands trembled as I clutched my dress, the fabric bunched in my fingers like a lifeline. What could I say? The truth? That the little girl he had no idea existed was his? Or should I lie? Tell him some fabricated story about a nonexistent relationship to push him away? But then he asked again, his voice softer this time but no less intense. "Hailey, why didn’t you tell me? Are you trying to hide her from me?" I swallowed hard, my throat dry as sandpaper. My lips parted, but no so
**Hailey’s POV** I couldn’t believe this was happening. My heart was pounding so hard I was sure everyone could hear it, but I stayed perfectly still, frozen against the cold tiles of the wall as Paxton’s broad frame shielded me from view. The sharp sound of Audrey’s laughter grated on my nerves, and I bit my lip, fighting the urge to cry out in frustration. It was all her doing. Of course, it was Audrey. I should’ve known. The way she always found little ways to make my life miserable had become her twisted hobby. The orange juice "accident," the conveniently swapped bathroom signs—it all made sense now. Paxton shifted slightly, his muscles tense as he peered through the small crack in the door. His jaw was set, his expression unreadable, but the way his hand hovered protectively near me spoke volumes. "Do you need something?" he asked coolly, opening the door just enough to face them. His voice was steady, but I could feel the tension radiating off him. Audrey’s voice came
**Audrey’s POV** When I saw Hailey in the hospital today, my heart filled with a mix of satisfaction and regret. I had been the one to insist she come to collect her things. If I had known Paxton would be here today for his training, I would never have done it. Paxton was preparing for a major competition, and while I always imagined he played with me in mind, today it was different. His focus wasn’t on me. It was on her. The way his eyes lit up when she entered, how his movements on the field became sharper, more precise—it was as if her presence inspired him. My chest tightened, a bitter jealousy clawing at me. Who was she to him? A nobody. A poor, insignificant girl who had no right to steal his attention from me. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. I wouldn’t let her win. When she was about to leave, I cornered her. My voice was icy, laced with a venom I didn’t bother to conceal. “Don’t you dare step foot in this hospital again. You’re not welcome here.”
**Hailey’s POV** After Audrey’s call, I felt a heavy weight pressing on my chest. The thought of stepping foot in the hospital filled me with dread, but I had no choice. I needed my belongings. I prayed silently, hoping I wouldn’t run into Paxton. The last thing I needed was another confrontation or, worse, awkward small talk. When I arrived at the hospital, I slipped through the back door and entered the kitchen. The staff were busy, thankfully too occupied to notice me. My heart pounded as I stuffed my belongings into a small bag, my hands trembling. I needed to get out of here fast. As I exited through the back door, I decided to take the corridor by the Vipers’ basketball court. It seemed quieter, safer. But just as I was about to leave, my gaze unintentionally landed on the court. There he was—Paxton. He was playing basketball, his movements fluid and confident. His jersey clung to his body, damp with sweat, and his sharp features were illuminated by the overhead lights
**Hailey’s POV**I couldn’t help but feel a knot tighten in my stomach as I watched my friend, Jenny, drink from my wine glass. Her boldness, her determination to make me see things differently, was something I’d always admired—and yet, tonight, it felt as though she were digging into wounds I wasn’t ready to open.“Sweetie,” Jenny said, her voice soft but laced with concern. “Why are you trying to punish yourself like this? You don’t have to keep drowning your sorrows in that glass.”I looked at her, my mind foggy from the wine and from everything that had happened earlier. My heart felt like it was in a constant state of turmoil, and Jenny’s voice felt like the only thread connecting me to the present. But the truth was, I didn’t know what I was doing anymore."I can't forget him, Jenny," I murmured, almost in disbelief. The words tasted bitter, but they were real. “I can’t forget Paxton. Every time I close my eyes, I see him, I hear his name, and my heart starts beating faster.” I
Hailey’s POV I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. It felt like my life was spiraling into chaos, a never-ending drama I couldn't escape. One minute, I was absorbing the shock of the century, and the next, I heard the unexpected news: Boston was coming to the hospital. What was happening? Why was everything so unpredictable? I had no time to process it. And then I saw him again, but this time, he was standing next to Audrey, proposing to my boss.As if that wasn’t enough, the next thing I saw was Boston wearing a wedding ring around his neck. It seemed like some kind of remembrance, a keepsake. My heart pounded in my chest, struggling to keep up with the madness around me. What did it all mean? Why was he doing this? I could feel the panic creeping in, making my breathing shallow.But then, everything seemed to take a horrifying turn when I saw my daughter in the hospital. The world around me slowed down, like I was submerged in thick fog. I couldn't comprehend what was happening. An
Hailey’s POV I swear, I wasn’t even expecting that. When he said it, I thought I misheard him at first. "I want you to be my personal assistant," Paxton said, his voice cool, almost casual, as if it was the simplest request in the world. But when I turned to look at Audrey, the shock on her face was unmistakable. The look of pure disappointment and embarrassment that spread across her features made me feel sick to my stomach. She looked... disgusted. Disgusted that he’d choose me over her. And it wasn’t just the shock of being chosen; it was the unspoken message that whatever she thought she had with him, it meant nothing. I couldn’t look at her face any longer without feeling like I might vomit right there in front of them.But the worst part of all of this, the part that made my chest tighten and my throat close, was the fact that I couldn't say yes. Not because I didn’t want to. God knows I still loved him. The attraction was undeniable, a force that tugged at my heart every time
Hailey’s POV The tension in the air was thick, like the calm before a storm. I could feel my heart hammering against my ribcage, threatening to break free with every beat. Paxton was standing just a few feet away, his intense blue eyes locked on mine, his gaze both familiar and foreign. It was as if nothing had changed, yet everything had. He was standing there, asking me—no, offering me—a job as his personal assistant. The man I once knew, the one I shared more than just a fleeting moment with, was now offering me a chance to work beside him. And I couldn’t understand why. My palms were clammy, and my mind was a mess of confusion. My breath hitched in my chest, but I refused to let it show. I had to remain composed, especially in front of Audrey, who was glaring at me like I was nothing more than a piece of dirt on the floor. Her eyes burned with jealousy, and I could see her hands clenched at her sides, fighting the urge to lash out. I looked down at my uniform, the one I had jus