Mona’s POVI can feel the weight of his eyes on me as I stand there, heart hammering in my chest. Ian doesn’t say anything for a long moment, his gaze searching mine as if trying to figure out if I’m being honest, if I really mean it when I say I’ll quit my job. Part of me is still reeling from the decision. It’s not easy, not by any stretch of the imagination. But looking at him right now, the tension etched into his face, the raw need in his eyes, I know that this is what he wants. And maybe it’s what I want too.He’s right. I’ve been torn between him and my job, between my old life and the life I could have with him. I’ve been fooling myself into thinking I could have both. But deep down, I know it doesn’t work that way. Not when it comes to Ian.His eyes soften, just slightly, and that’s enough to break something inside me. He believes me. For a second, he believes me. And that’s all I need.“I’ll do it,” I say again, my voice a little steadier this time. “I’ll quit. I’ll make it
Mona’s POVAfter I’d promised Ian—sworn, really—that I wouldn’t see Vance again or go back to his office, the weight of my words hung heavy in the air. I could still hear Ian’s voice, that firm, almost pleading tone, asking me to choose him and the life we were building. And for a moment, I believed I could. But then, I found myself in front of my laptop, scrolling mindlessly through emails and documents, and there it was—a message from Vance.“We need to talk. I have something to show you.”The words hit me like a sudden rush of adrenaline. My heart skipped, and I felt a familiar tug deep inside—one that pulled me back to him, to everything we shared. I hated how quickly it affected me, how easily I fell back into the rhythm of it.I told myself I wasn’t going to respond. I told myself I was done. But that promise to Ian felt like it was slipping away, just like that. I couldn't explain it, not to myself, and certainly not to Ian. The emotions swirled—guilt, desire, confusion—each on
Vance’s POVThe night air was cool as I slid behind the wheel of the car, Mona settling into the passenger seat beside me. I could feel the tension between us, thick and palpable, though neither of us acknowledged it outright. She was playing her part, doing exactly what I expected her to do—hesitating, questioning herself. It was the only game I knew how to play with her, and she was never one to walk away once she was this far in.“Where are we going?” Mona asked, her voice soft but betraying a hint of anxiety. I could tell she was trying to mask it, trying to maintain some semblance of control, but I knew better. She wouldn’t admit it, but she was curious. That curiosity would drive her, just like it always had.“You’ll see,” I said, my voice low and laced with a kind of mystery that I knew would keep her guessing. I wasn’t about to tell her everything. Mona needed to be swept into the night, and I wasn’t going to give her any chance to back out. I was already working on the edges
Chapter one Mona "Please you have to help me." I cried. "And why would I do that?" The older woman sneered. "If you don't help me, my mother will die," I dropped down to my knees, hanging my head while tears poured down my eyes, "All I need is a loan. I swear to repay." "And how do you plan to do that," Mrs. Elliot rolled her eyes, "You don't even have the means to make any money or any property of value." I didn't care what I'd have to do; selling my eggs, my blood, my organs, my dignity. I'd find a way to make back and repay that money. But right now, I was desperate and my mother was running out of time. "I'll get you back your money," I sobbed, "Just help me. I need ten thousand dollars. You know my mother has served your family faithfully for many years." I'd grown up in the Elliot household where my mother had been a nanny and maid. She'd strived and broken her back out of loyalty to the Elliot family, until she had fallen sick. As soon as she hadn't been able to do her
twoMona"What do I have to do?" I asked suspiciously. I didn't trust Mia. She was a rich, spoilt kid who would never suffer any consequences for her actions. I was sure that whatever she wanted me to do was illegal. If I ended up in jail, my mother would have no idea what my fate had been. The last thing she needed with her weak heart was any sort of stress or concern to aggravate her issues. "As I said, something very simple." She repeated, "All you have to do is seduce a man." I jolted, eyes going wide with shock,"S-seduce a man?" I screeched. Irritation filled her face, "Hey, not so loud!" She snapped, "This is a super secret mission between you and I. If this gets out, I'll deny ever speaking to you. So what do you say, are you serious about saving the cleaner's life?"My hands curled into fists at my sides and i nodded eagerly, "What do I have to do?" In my twenty years of age, I'd never had a boyfriend, I had no idea how I was supposed to seduce a man. But as long as such
Mona"I'm here for the party," I told the bouncers at the door nervously, hoping they wouldn't see through the rented dress and shoes and realise I was a fraud. "No invitation, no entry," one of them said derisively. I pulled out the black card and held it out to the man. He collected it carefully and flipped it over, accessing it closely. After a moment where my heart pounded like drums in my chest, he nodded and stepped aside. "Welcome to Rose Vine hotel." He saluted.I stepped into the tastefully decorated foyer, trying not to slip on my four inch heels and fall on my face. My jaw dropped open as I took in the chandeliers, and expensive decor. It looked like something from those shows mama and I used to watch on the television, while envisioning ourselves having that sort of money. I snapped my jaw closed when I noticed someone staring at me curiously. I couldn't afford to look like I was an imposter here. My legs carried me deeper into the building to where men and women floa
Mona"W-what?" I stammered. "I didn't think you had it in you honestly," she continued laughing, "All I said was that you should get some incriminating photos with him. But I guess a win is a win anyway." "Is your engagement with him broken?" I asked, eager to get this over with. "Of course. Father is about to release a press statement announcing that his precious daughter won't be marrying such a monster," she said happily, "I am finally free and it's all thanks to my quick thinking. Mother would be so proud of me." "So our deal is over?" "What deal?" She asked flippantly. Confusion made my eyebrows pull down low, "I don't understand. You got what you wanted. You owe me a check for fifty thousand dollars.""Oh darling," she drawled, "I have no idea what you're talking about." My blood immediately ran cold, "I don't understand. What do you mean by that? We had a deal!" "What deal?" Mia laughed, "I don't make deals with pathetic scum. Why would I? It's not like I need your help
Muna"We're leaving," Ian said to me. I was still processing the words when he bent, picked me up like I weighed less than a feather, and began to walk back to his car. The camera flashes resumed with a vengeance, and through my haze, I spotted several of the reporters staring after us in shock. "Let me go." I tried to wiggle away, but he held on tight. "Not a chance, Miss Carter." He said in a hard voice, "You started this, and you're going to finish it." A dark promise rang in his voice and I shivered in terror, wondering what I had gotten myself into. I was in deep trouble, I could just feel it. Ian didn't strike me as the sort of man who just forgave and let things slide. The question wasn't if he was going to have his revenge for the assault, the question was what he was going to do to me. He dropped me into the passenger seat of the car and buckled me in before going around to the driver's seat and sliding in. Before the paparazzi could get over their shock, the car had pe
Vance’s POVThe night air was cool as I slid behind the wheel of the car, Mona settling into the passenger seat beside me. I could feel the tension between us, thick and palpable, though neither of us acknowledged it outright. She was playing her part, doing exactly what I expected her to do—hesitating, questioning herself. It was the only game I knew how to play with her, and she was never one to walk away once she was this far in.“Where are we going?” Mona asked, her voice soft but betraying a hint of anxiety. I could tell she was trying to mask it, trying to maintain some semblance of control, but I knew better. She wouldn’t admit it, but she was curious. That curiosity would drive her, just like it always had.“You’ll see,” I said, my voice low and laced with a kind of mystery that I knew would keep her guessing. I wasn’t about to tell her everything. Mona needed to be swept into the night, and I wasn’t going to give her any chance to back out. I was already working on the edges
Mona’s POVAfter I’d promised Ian—sworn, really—that I wouldn’t see Vance again or go back to his office, the weight of my words hung heavy in the air. I could still hear Ian’s voice, that firm, almost pleading tone, asking me to choose him and the life we were building. And for a moment, I believed I could. But then, I found myself in front of my laptop, scrolling mindlessly through emails and documents, and there it was—a message from Vance.“We need to talk. I have something to show you.”The words hit me like a sudden rush of adrenaline. My heart skipped, and I felt a familiar tug deep inside—one that pulled me back to him, to everything we shared. I hated how quickly it affected me, how easily I fell back into the rhythm of it.I told myself I wasn’t going to respond. I told myself I was done. But that promise to Ian felt like it was slipping away, just like that. I couldn't explain it, not to myself, and certainly not to Ian. The emotions swirled—guilt, desire, confusion—each on
Mona’s POVI can feel the weight of his eyes on me as I stand there, heart hammering in my chest. Ian doesn’t say anything for a long moment, his gaze searching mine as if trying to figure out if I’m being honest, if I really mean it when I say I’ll quit my job. Part of me is still reeling from the decision. It’s not easy, not by any stretch of the imagination. But looking at him right now, the tension etched into his face, the raw need in his eyes, I know that this is what he wants. And maybe it’s what I want too.He’s right. I’ve been torn between him and my job, between my old life and the life I could have with him. I’ve been fooling myself into thinking I could have both. But deep down, I know it doesn’t work that way. Not when it comes to Ian.His eyes soften, just slightly, and that’s enough to break something inside me. He believes me. For a second, he believes me. And that’s all I need.“I’ll do it,” I say again, my voice a little steadier this time. “I’ll quit. I’ll make it
Ian's POVWhat is she doing with him?I can't stop thinking about it—her with Vance. That bastard. My stomach twists every time I picture it. He’s nothing but trouble, and I’ve always known he’d be a problem. I always knew he couldn’t stay away from her.I’m sitting here, scrolling through my phone, trying to push the thoughts down, but they keep crawling back up, bubbling to the surface. Anger pulses through my veins, sharp and hot, with each swipe of my thumb.I hate him. I fucking hate him. That look he gave me—like he was daring me to do something. His arrogance. It makes me want to break something. To break him.I just want to go back to when it was just me and Mona. Before he showed up, before he started throwing his weight around. But I can’t even do that, can I? She’s the one who invited him into her life. She’s the one who… chose him.The thought makes my jaw clench, but I force myself to breathe.That fight—God, it keeps playing over in my head. I can’t stop seeing the way V
The room seemed to shrink as Vance’s control finally snapped. His jaw tightened, and the words that came next were forced out between clenched teeth.“No, Melanie. You’re the one who doesn’t get it,” he spat, his voice rising with the fury that had been simmering for years. “Mona is not like you. She doesn’t use people. She’s here because she wants to be here. I hired her because she’s good at her job—better than you. You want to keep thinking the world revolves around you, but it doesn’t. I’m done letting you tear people down just because you’re afraid of losing your control.”Melanie blinked, taken aback by his outburst, but Vance wasn’t done.“Get out,” he said, his voice cold and cutting. “Go back to your office, Melanie. You’re not welcome here right now.”For a moment, Melanie stood there, fuming, but then she narrowed her eyes, letting out a mocking little laugh.“You’ll regret this, Vance,” she said, her tone low and venomous. “You always do. Just wait. One day you’ll see what
Vance leaned against the desk, his body rigid with frustration as he stared at Mona, the weight of his sister's words still hanging in the air between them. He knew she had every right to be upset, even if she was trying to mask it by focusing on her work. But what his sister had just done—it was too much. No one should be made to feel like that, especially not Mona.He ran a hand through his hair, trying to pull his thoughts together, but his mind was a tangled mess. Melanie had always been a force of chaos in his life, always pushing, always testing boundaries. But to see her try to tear Mona down, to try to make her feel small—he couldn't stand it.He sighed deeply, moving closer to Mona’s desk. Her eyes were fixed on the papers in front of her, but he could see the tension in her posture, the way her shoulders were pulled tight, as if bracing herself for the next blow. He didn’t like it. He didn’t like the way she was withdrawing from him, the distance creeping in between them. He
Mona's povI stood, pacing the office for a few moments, trying to shake off the overwhelming wave of emotion that hit me. The tightness in my chest, the anger at Ian, the confusion about everything that was happening between Vance and me.But then, I stopped in front of the window, breathing deeply. And as I stared out at the city below, I couldn’t help but feel something else. Something that had been missing for so long. Something that made me feel lighter, freer.I smiled, just a little, as I let myself believe, for the first time in a long time, that I might finally be where I was meant to be.I twirled slowly in my chair, the soft leather creaking beneath me as I leaned back and let myself bask in the quiet stillness of the office. The city stretched out below me, the sunlight spilling in through the window, casting long, warm shadows across the desk. My heart was still racing, still caught in the whirlwind of everything that had happened today. The kiss on my cheek, the tension
Mona's POVI walked into the company with Vance by my side, the weight of his presence both reassuring and unsettling at the same time. I had gotten used to his calm, controlled manner, but I couldn’t deny the sudden surge of heat in my chest as he held my handbag in his steady grip. It was a simple act, but it felt so intentional, as though he were claiming something that had never been his before. And I was beginning to let him.I stole a quick glance at him, our fingers brushing for a brief moment before he pulled away. My heart skipped, just a little. Ian wouldn’t like this—me with Vance. Ian, who had made it clear that I belonged to him in the most suffocating of ways. Ian, who would never let me go, not even if I begged him. But Vance... Vance was different. He made me feel like I mattered, like I had a choice.I smiled to myself, glancing around at the people in the lobby staring at us. I could feel their curiosity pressing in on me, but I couldn’t care less. I was with Vance,
Ian’s POVI stood by the window, watching her slip into the car like it was the most normal thing in the world, like she hadn’t just dropped a bombshell on me. The black Toyota Camry—new, sleek, 2024 model—was the last thing I expected her to get into. The sound of the engine revved as the car sped off, disappearing around the corner before I even had a chance to react.I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. My whole body burned with a furious energy I couldn’t shake.Who the hell did she think she was? Walking out like that, acting like she had somewhere to go, like she didn’t owe me everything—everything.The anger that had been simmering inside me suddenly boiled over. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself, but it didn’t work. Not when she left me standing there, staring after her, a hole in my gut that only her departure could leave. It was like a weight pressing down on my chest, suffocating me with every passing second.No. She wasn’t going anywhere. Not like