Austin was Axel's son. She tipped her head to the side and her eyes connected Axel’s. She was silent, but her eyes asked the one question hanging heavy on her tongue. “Is Austin your son?”Axel didn’t speak, but when a shuddered breath wracked through him, that was all the answer Lily needed to hear.Hysteric laughter erupted in her throat.Lily's head exploded and she bit down on her tongue, an attempt to keep herself from falling completely apart. “You mean you’re acquainted with this girl that broke our family?” Alice’s voice echoed louder than necessary. Of course she’d raise her voice—it was obvious her aim was to embarrass Lily. “Yes. She is the lady I was telling you about,” Austin answered, the corner of his mouth curved up.Lily smiled, nodding. This was their plan after all, to come here and make a mess of her where the world could see. But her anger wasn’t directed at them. She was angry at the man who put her in this situation.Axel. . .If only he was open about everyt
The silence in the room was so loud it almost drove Lily out of her mind. A small whimper elicited in her throat, the sound so low that no one could hear it. But Axel heard it, and he knew what it meant.He sighed, tired, resolved.If unhappiness was his fate, then he was willing to accept it. But he couldn’t stand by any longer and watch his ex-wife and son ruin the life of an innocent girl whose only crime was allowing herself to be swayed by him.“I warned you not to call her a whore again,” Axel said, his eyes intent on his ex-wife. Lily was still dumbstruck, her mind running in circles, trying so hard to understand what had just happened.Axel just hit a woman—her mind kept singing. And then for Alice and Austin, it was a surprise. Especially for Alice. Axel was never a violent man. He had never put his hands on her throughout their years of marriage, he never touched her in any harmful way no matter how many times she crossed the line.And it was in that moment that she realiz
Once Lily and Axel were both out of the door, the journalists came rushing toward them.“Is it true you dated the son of your Fiance?” “How do you feel about being the center of attention in a scandal?” “Is it true you got engaged to Axel George because of his Wealth?” Lily felt the urge to scream her lungs out. What was it with people and insinuating she got together with Axel because of his wealth? She came from money and everyone knew it. But it was a normal thing in society—belittling women and making it seem as though they were nothing without the men in their lives.She wanted to stop and lash out on the journalists, but Axel held her firm, pulling her through the crowd, shielding her from the desperate, hungry journalists. He guided her till they got into their car. Once they were safely inside, Lily immediately withdrew her hand from Axel’s and moved the edge of the seat. Axel sighed, his head bobbing once in understanding.“Take us home, James,” he said to their chauffeu
The stillness of the night seemed heavier now, the air thick with tension and unspoken truths. The faint hum of distant crickets only made the silence between them more unbearable. They still sat beneath the towering tree by the roadside, the soft rustle of leaves overhead doing little to soothe the chaos brewing between them.Lily’s gaze bored into Axel, her hands clenched tightly in her lap. The words she had asked moments ago hung in the air like a storm cloud.“Did you know about my past relationship with your son?”Axel didn’t answer. He couldn’t. The weight of her question, laced with both vulnerability and fury, pinned him down like a guilty verdict.Instead of replying, he glanced away, his jaw tightening, his throat bobbing as he swallowed hard.Lily’s heart dropped. She didn’t need a verbal confirmation. The way his shoulders tensed, the way his gaze faltered, told her everything she needed to know.“You knew,” she whispered, her voice trembling with disbelief. “You knew, d
It had been twenty four hours since Lily returned to her father’s mansion. Twenty-four hours since she fell apart, and twenty-four hours of crying that left her hollow. “I’ll be in my room,” she had muttered the moment they stepped inside. Her father’s voice had followed, gentle but heavy with concern. “Are you okay, butterfly?” Lily had turned to him, her eyes red and glassy. She tried to speak but couldn’t find the words. Finally, she croaked, “I don’t know, Dad. I don’t even know what *fine* means anymore. Everything feels wrong.” Daniels had stepped closer, his hand resting on her shoulder. “Talk to me, baby girl,” he urged, guiding her to the couch. As they sat, the floodgates opened. “I should’ve known,” Lily whispered, her voice trembling. “The resemblance, the way he spoke, the little things—it was all right there, and I didn’t see it. Twice, Dad. Twice I fell for him, and both times he fooled me.” Her father pulled her close as the sobs wracked her body. “I can’t
Lily woke to the steady vibration of her phone on the nightstand, its soft hum cutting through the silence of the room. Her eyes opened reluctantly, swollen and heavy from the tears of the night before. She stared at the ceiling for a moment, dreading whatever waited for her.The phone buzzed again, and she turned her head slowly, the light from the screen piercing through the dimness. Notifications filled the screen—dozens of them. She reached for the phone with trembling fingers, unlocking it hesitantly. Headlines leapt out at her: "Heiress Lily at the Center of Scandal," "Greedy Gold-Digger or Misunderstood Lover?"She scrolled past quickly, her heart sinking further with each passing headline. Her name was everywhere, tangled in rumors and venomous accusations. She tossed the phone onto the bed, pressing her palms against her temples as a fresh wave of nausea rolled over her. The room felt smaller somehow, closing in on her as the weight of the world’s judgment pressed down.
The bass of the music vibrated in Lily’s chest as she stepped into the club, her face hidden beneath the brim of her cap. She stuck close to Kate, whose confidence seemed to shine even brighter in the dim, flashing lights. “Are you sure about this?” Kate asked, giving Lily a side glance. Lily nodded, gripping her jacket tightly around her. “I just need a break, Kate. One night.” Kate smiled, squeezing her arm. “Alright, but remember, I’ve got your back.” The club was alive with color and movement. The flashing lights lit up the crowd, and the music made conversation almost impossible. Kate guided Lily to a small corner table. “Wait here. I’ll get us some drinks,” Kate said, disappearing into the crowd. Lily sat still, her hands gripping the edge of the table. Every laugh and glance around her felt like a spotlight pointed her way. She tugged her cap lower, trying to blend into the shadows. Kate returned with two glasses, setting one in front of Lily. “Here, drink this. A
The cool night air stung Lily’s flushed cheeks as she glared up at Axel, her chest heaving with anger. His grip on her shoulders was firm, unyielding, and his piercing gaze bore into her, but it only fueled her rage. “Let go of me!” she hissed, wrenching herself free from his hands. “Lily, what were you—” Before he could finish, she raised her hand and slapped him across the face. The sound cracked through the quiet street like a thunderstorm. Axel’s head jerked to the side, his jaw tightening as he absorbed the blow. Slowly, he turned back to face her, his expression unreadable. “You don’t get to do this!” Lily screamed, her voice trembling with fury. “You don’t get to interfere in my life like you’re some kind of authority! Who the hell do you think you are?” “Lily—” “No! Shut up!” She jabbed a finger at his chest, her whole body trembling now. “Are you my father? Huh? Are you? Because you sure as hell act like it!” Axel stared at her, his face a mask of restraint, b
Lily laid in bed, completely bare, her skin flushed with anticipation, her heart pounding softly against her ribcage. She had kept her word. She was waiting for him. In bed. Naked.The sound of Axel’s footsteps echoed through the hallway. He was moving slowly, each step a smooth thud against the floor. It sent a thrill down Lily’s spine, making her squirm, a breath tumbling out of her. Then, the door creaked open. Lily didn’t move. Her pupils dilated as she watched Axel step inside, savoring his slow movement as his eyes found her. Axel stilled by the door, his eyes darkening, his throat moving as he swallowed hard. “Fuck,” he murmured under his breath.Lily giggled underneath her breath. “Took you long enough.”Axel didn’t respond. He didn’t have the right words, and his tongue felt too heavy. He simply stood there, rooted to the spot, eyes roaming over every inch of her exposed skin.Slowly, he closed the door behind him, locking it with a soft click.Lily bit her lip, watching as
Tired was too little of a word to describe how Axel felt. With a heavy exhale, he leaned back into his seat and rolled his shoulders with a grunt. The last few hours had been the busiest. Contracts were finalized, million-dollar deals were sealed, and he also had to pay attention to the illegal side of his business, making sure his empire stayed untouched. After a beat, he heaved out a breath and leaned forward, intending to reach for the glass of whiskey on his desk. His phone vibrated against the desk. He picked up the device, his brows furrowing when he saw that it was an unknown number calling him. He waited for the third ring before clicking the answer icon and pressing it to his ear. With a cold voice, he said, “Axel George.”“Mr. George,” a woman’s polite voice greeted. “This is Dr. Calloway from the rehabilitation center. We’re calling to update you on Austin.”Axel’s grip on the glass tightened slightly and his jaw locked. “I see. How is he?”“He’s doing well,” she told him
“Who the hell stitched this? A five-year-old?”Lily’s frustrated voice echoed across the busy workspace, sharp and loud enough to have all the workers silenced. She tossed the dress on a table, huffing out a tired breath. The seamstress flinched. “I—I can fix it, Ms. Daniels.”“You better, because if this disaster touches a runway, I swear I’ll personally throw you and your sewing machine off a building,” Lily snapped. “We are a luxury brand, not a high school home economics project. Do it again, and this time, get it right.”The woman nodded quickly, as she quickly grabbed the dress and ran off like her boss was about to chew her head off. And quite frankly, Lily wanted to chew her head off if she could. Lily exhaled a shaky breath as she massaged her temples. This wasn’t her—she was never like this with everyone, and the last thing she meant to do was snap so harshly. However, she was on edge lately, so stressed her mind had become dull to certain emotions. She had to think about
“You know we still need to find a way to convince my father,” Lily whispered into Axel’s mouth as his hands crept up the back of her thighs and squeezed her ass, kissing her more possessively. Demanding. Consuming. Axel hand landed a hard slap on her ass and Lily let out a hungry gasp, her body instinctively pressing against him. He took the opportunity to deepen the kiss, his tongue slipping into her mouth, claiming her.Axel growled deep in his throat as he squeezed Lily harder, his hands now roaming her curves while she gripped the front of his shirt and pulled him closer. “We’ll figure it out,” Axel murmured against her lips, his breath hot against her skin, exposing his desperation for her. “I don’t care how long it takes, Lily. I’ll make sure he gives his blessing.”“He’s not an easy man.” Lily pointed out.“He has been a friend and business partner for years, my love. I’ll handle him. He’ll give us his blessings.”Axel spoke with so much authority in his voice, making heat cr
Lily stormed down the stairs, her breathing coming in shallow bursts. She reached the bottom of the stairs, ready to leave when a familiar voice stopped her in her tracks. “Lily?”Lily turned around and looked up to find Kate standing at the entrance of the hallway with her arms folded over her chest. Then she smirked, her eyes dragging over her best friend.Kate sighed. “Please don’t look at me like that.”Lily shook her head as a small laugh rumbled in her throat. “How am I looking at you, Kate? Like I’m disappointed?”Kate thinned her lips into a straight line. “You are, aren’t you?”“I mean…” Lily scoffed, looking her up and down. “You’re still here. Still sleeping with my father. I thought one time was enough?”Kate’s jaw tightened. “And I thought you weren’t going to judge me.”Lily threw up her hands. “I’m not judging you, Kate, I just don’t understand. My father is not exactly a good person. He’s selfish. He doesn’t care about anyone but himself. And yet, you’re—”“Let me dec
Lily parked her car in the long driveway of her father’s estate, her stomach testing uncomfortably as her mind churned with the thoughts of what she wanted to discuss with her father. She looked up at the manor looming before her, bathed by the soft light of the late afternoon and sighed. Ever since she put her head down to work on her brand, she rarely came home. But the few times she did come home, she hadn’t felt this level of discomfort. Today, she wasn’t just a daughter visiting her father; she was a woman prepared to fight for the life she wanted.It was going to be a fight because knowing her father, Lily knew it wouldn’t be easy to convince him after what had happened in the past.Pushing the heavy front door open, she stepped inside, the quiet of the house wrapping around her like a cold embrace. The staff acknowledged her with polite nods, but she barely noticed. Her focus was on one person—her father.She made her way up the grand staircase, her steps quick but measured.
Lily woke up with a jerk, her heart racing as the persistent, frantic ringing of the doorbell filled the quiet manor. For a moment, she lay still, her eyes adjusting to the faint light filtering through the curtains. When she looked beside her, Axel was still sound asleep, his arm draped over her waist, his breaths slow and steady. He looked so peaceful, so unguarded, that she hesitated to disturb him.He really must be tired if he wasn’t awake at this time with the loud ringing of the door bell—she reasoned.The doorbell rang again, louder this time, pulling her from her thoughts, followed by a pounding knock. Lily sighed and carefully slid out from under Axel’s arm, doing her best not to wake him. He stirred slightly but didn’t open his eyes. His exhaustion was evident, and she didn’t blame him; the intensity of last night had left them both drained.Reaching for her robe, Lily wrapped it tightly around herself and padded out of the bedroom. Her steps were slow, her body still he
“Open your mouth and show me how sorry you are, baby girl.”Lily’s knees were weak, burning underneath her, her hands trembling as they slid up Axel’s thighs up his pulsing cock. Her breath hitched as Axel’s hand came to rest beneath her jaw, tilting her head up. His thumb brushed over her parted lips, lingering just enough to send a cascade of shivers down her spine.“Look at me, little bird,” Axel commanded softly.She lifted her gaze hesitantly, her eyes meeting his. The hunger in his piercing blue eyes made her pulse race. It wasn’t just lust. It was something deeper, more primal. Something that told Lily he wanted her to fully submit to him.She shuddered.Axel’s hand moved to cradle her cheek, his thumb trailing to her chin before guiding her closer. “Good girl,” he murmured, “now open that mouth. Wide.”Lily’s heart drummed in her chest as she opened her mouth. Her tongue flattened at the base of Axel’s dick and licked up, wrapping around his head. Axel jerked forward with a g
Lily’s cheeks were still flushed as she stepped out of the car when they arrived at Axel’s estate. Axel’s hand rested on the small of her back, leading her into the manor while her legs still trembled from the exerting activity they’d indulged in aka their passionate rendezvous in the office and car. She could feel the heat on her skin, a mixture of embarrassment, shyness, and exhilaration. Her hands smoothed her dress down as if attempting the evidence of what transpired between them. Axel walked beside her, his face smug with a satisfied expression. His lips twitched into a knowing smirk whenever he glanced her way, and it only made Lily blush harder. The heavy door shut behind them with a resounding thud. The quiet of the manor wrapped around them, an almost tangible reminder that they were completely alone now. “Where’s everyone?” Lily asked, as she fidgeted, her fingers playing with the hem of her dress. She felt vulnerable under Axel’s intense gaze, like a butterfly pinned