Chloe Bennett couldn’t believe her ears. For a moment, everything went dark and hazy, as if she were trapped in a nightmare she couldn’t wake from.
She shook her head, desperate to shake off the wave of hurt coursing through her. “What are you saying, Ryan? I… I don’t understand,” she stutters, fighting back the warm tears already gliding down her cheeks. She stands frozen in the living room, her heart hammering against her ribs as the harsh reality of Ryan’s betrayal hit her like a tidal wave. His words echo through her mind, each syllable cutting deeper than the last. Her breath grows unsteady. The room seems smaller, suffocating. Across from her, Ryan her boyfriend and Sienna her older sister sit side by side on the sofa, their hands intertwined. Their closeness was a cruel confirmation of what she had just heard—what she had lost. Chloe’s stomach twists violently. She clenches her fists while trying to control her breath. “I asked you a question,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper. “What do you mean, Ryan?” Ryan looked away, shame darkening his features. “Chloe, we’ve been wanting to tell you…” he began, his voice faltering. “Sienna and I… we’ve been seeing each other. It started a while ago, and we just didn’t know how to break it to you.” “While you were with me?” She asks, her voice firm yet gentle. “You’ve been seeing each other while you were with me” she repeats. Ryan swallows…..guilt clouding his face, he nods slowly while breaking eye contact with her. Chloe feels the air suddenly leaving her lungs. A sharp ringing filled her ears. She blinked rapidly, her mind rejecting his words. “No,” she whispers, shaking her head slowly. “No, this isn’t real. This has to be a joke.” Sienna flinched. Her face was flushed as she stood up abruptly, letting go of Ryan’s hand. “Chloe, I’m so sorry,” she pleaded, stepping toward her. “I never meant for this to happen. It just did.” Chloe’s body stiffened. It just did…. It just did? A bitter laugh broke through her lips. Her voice, once fragile, hardened with fury. “It just did? Really, Sienna?” She repeated angrily, her pulse pounding. “You went behind my back, and all you can say is it just happened?” She turned to Ryan, her eyes burning with betrayal. “And you,” her voice wavered, no longer angry but broken. “After everything we’ve been through? Everything we built?” “This is what you do?” Ryan ran a hand through his hair, looking pained. “Chloe, please—” “Don’t.” Chloe held up a shaking hand, charging towards him. “Don’t stand there and tell me you didn’t mean to hurt me. Because you did. You both did. This wasn’t some accident—you chose this.” Chloe yelled, hitting her fists against his chest. Sienna’s lip trembled. “Chloe stop please, just please stop” she yelled, her voice laced with fear. “I never wanted to hurt you, but I also…I love you Chloe.” Chloe let out a hollow laugh, cutting her off with a sharp gesture. “Love me?” she spat. “You call this love? You betrayed me in the worst way possible, and you still have the audacity to say you love me?” The room was charged with a thick, suffocating tension. Chloe felt her world collapsing around her. Her breath came in short, uneven gasps. The walls felt like they were closing in, pressing against her chest. She needed to escape, to get away from the suffocating reality of her betrayal. She needed to get out. Now. Without another word, she spun on her heel and stormed out of the room. Sienna called after her, but Chloe didn’t stop. She charged down the hallway, her mind racing, her vision blurred with unshed tears. Her heart felt too heavy for her chest. Why is this happening to me? She threw open the front door, slamming it behind her with a force that sent the sound echoing down the quiet street. Outside, the night air was cool against her burning skin, but it did nothing to soothe the storm raging inside her. Chloe let out a deep breath, the only relief she’s gotten in the past hour. She walked, faster and faster, needing to put as much distance between herself and the house as possible. Sienna’s voice rang behind her. “Chloe, wait!” She ignored her. “Go away, Sienna!” she shouted over her shoulder, her voice breaking. “Just leave me alone!” Sienna stopped. “I’m sorry Chloe, please come back” she yelled, knowing that it would do no good either way. Sienna stopped, tears streaming down her face as she watched her sister disappear into the night. Chloe’s silhouette grew smaller and smaller until it disappeared into the darkness. She didn’t turn around, she just kept walking. The farther she went, the more the numbness took over. The rage, the heartbreak, the humiliation—everything blurred into a dull, unbearable ache. She had lost them both in the same night. Her boyfriend. Her sister. Everything. Her feet carried her aimlessly through the streets, the city lights blurring as fresh tears welled in her eyes. She didn’t know where she was going. She just knew she couldn’t go back. Chloe walked aimlessly through the city streets, her mind was in chaos and her emotions were swirling. Her anger gave way to an aching numbness. She needed something to distract her from the pain. As she wandered, she stumbled upon a bar with a flickering neon sign. The temptation was too strong to resist. She pushed open the door and stepped inside, seeking refuge in its dim, comforting haze.The bar was crowded, the low hum of conversations blending with the soft clinking of glasses. He sat in his usual corner, swirling the liquid in his glass. He wasn’t here to drink, not really. He was here out of habit, a way to pass the time. And then he saw her. She walked in like she had no real destination—like the world had just thrown her out and she hadn’t decided where to land. Her steps were slow, hesitant, and yet there was a fire in her eyes, a storm she was trying to conceal. She took a seat at the bar, ordered a drink, and wrapped her fingers around the glass like it was the only thing tethering her to reality. He watched as she brought it to her lips, taking a slow sip, her shoulders rising and falling with a deep breath. Something about her caught his attention, though he wasn’t sure what. Maybe it was the way she gripped the drink like she was trying to draw strength from it. Or the way her gaze occasionally flickered to her reflection in the mirror behind the bar,
Chloe woke up, her head pounding like a bass drum as she slowly opened her eyes. Her mouth felt dry and her eyelids were very heavy. "Shit" she whispered trying to recall events of the night before, but everything still seemed like a blurred out memory. Chloe inhaled deeply thinking it was for the best.As she twisted under the covers, her body opposed each movement. The sheets were luxurious, far too nice compared to the night she vaguely remembered. She sat up, holding the sheet to her chest as she buried her face in it and her heart began to race. What was she doing? this wasn't her bed, this wasn't her room and the faint scent of cologne on the pillows made her very much aware that she hadn't been alone all night."What have you done Chloe?" she muttered. Losing her balance as she sat up too quickly, the hangover punishing her for it. Her dress - where was her dress?. She scanned the room, spotting her stillettos discarded near the door, her black silk dress draping over an armch
“Oh shit, oh shit” Chloe muttered under her breath, her steps unbalanced as she pushed open the gate of Damien’s penthouse. Last night was a mistake. Just a stupid impulsive mistake. She needed to get home. Needed to forget about what just happened. Needed to forget about him. But how could she? His voice? His touch? His scent? She could still feel him. Chloe shrugged, she shouldn’t be thinking about him. Her phone buzzed before she could gather her thoughts. She searched through her purse, cursing when she saw her sister’s name flashing. Sienna. Chloe let out a frustrated sigh. She didn’t want to hear her sister’s voice. She didn’t want to talk to her, but against her better judgment, she answered. “What?” She snapped. “Where are you?” Sienna’s voice was maddeningly composed. “You know you’re supposed to be here by now.” Chloe frowned. Her mind is still sluggish from the alcohol and exhaustion. “Here? Where’s here?” Sienna sighed. “At Dad’s Chloe. The meeting? You’re s
Chloe jolted upright, her breath ragged, her sweat-clung skin a testament to the turmoil brewing inside her. The darkness of her room enveloped her, the only sound heard was the steady thud of her heart against her chest. Her gaze fell upon the phone lying on the bedside table, its screen a cold, dark rectangle. As she stared at it, her chest tightened, the words echoing in her mind like a mantra: "See you soon, Chloe." The voice lingered, deep, dark, and dangerous, laced with an undercurrent she couldn't quite place. It wasn't the words themselves that unsettled her; it was the way he said them. Was it a promise, a warning, or a joke? Chloe pressed a hand against her chest, forcing herself to breathe through the panic crawling up her throat. The past few days had been a blur of anxiety and anticipation. Ryan's behaviour had grown increasingly erratic, and Sienna's presence seemed to fuel the tension. And then, there was the meeting with Damien Cross looming on the horizon, maki
Ryan Hastings had always been a man of contradictions. On the surface, he had it all—charm, good looks, and the effortless confidence of someone born into wealth. People gravitated toward him, drawn to the easy smirk and devil-may-care attitude he wore like a second skin. But beneath that polished exterior was a man at war with himself. A man burdened with choices that never seemed to align with the person he wanted to be. Chloe had once been his anchor. The one thing in his life that felt honest, untouched by the weight of his family name and the shadows that came with it. With her, he had been different—softer, maybe even better. And yet, he had ruined it. Ruined her. Ryan had never been the kind of man to dwell on regrets. At least, that was what he told himself. Yet, as he stood across the street watching Chloe step out of the coffee shop, the weight of his choices pressed against his chest like an iron fist. His gaze followed her as she moved, gripping a cup in one hand, h
Damien Cross stood on the balcony of his penthouse, a glass of whiskey in his hand, watching the city move beneath him.Even at this hour, it never truly slept. Streetlights bathed the wet pavement in gold, headlights cutting through the dark like fleeting streaks of fire. The distant hum of traffic and the occasional sharp blare of a hum blended into a steady rhythm.Damien loved watching the city in its element. It was his favourite nightly routine, but that wasn't what intrigued him. It was the people, from this height, people looked insignificant - tiny fleeting figures scurrying from one place to another, chasing things that didn't matter. Wealth, Power. Love. Illusions.He had long since discarded such notions.Power wasn't something one chased. It was something to be taken.Damien had spent his life mastering that truth, it was the foundation of everything he built. People, after all, were easy. They could be manipulated, moulded, controlled - so long as you understood what th
Chloe Bennett had never been the type to second guess herself. She was raised to be confident, to handle pressure the way her father did - without hesitation, without doubt.Every decision, every move she made had to be precise. Strategic. Flawless.That was the weight of being a Bennett. Now with the company resting in her hands, that weight had only grown heavier. She told herself she was ready. That she had worked too hard to question herself now. But doubt was a quiet, insidious thing. It crept in when she least expected it.Her upcoming meeting shouldn't have shaken her - she had faced worse or so she thought.Yet, as the hours drew close a tightness settled in her chest, one she couldn't quite shake.The rooftop of The Aurelius had always been her retreat. A quiet place, high above the chaos of her world, where she could breathe and think.Tonight, the soft hum of jazz music floated through the air, blending with the low murmur of conversation. The hotel was exclusive, reserved
Sienna leaned closer to the mirror, brushing another layer of mascara onto her thick lashes, then leaned back to inspect herself. “Perfect as always.” She whispers. Her reflection in the mirror was effortlessly poised. Brunette waves cascading over her shoulders. Her light brown eyes caught the soft morning light. There was always a natural elegance to her, from the delicate slope of her nose to the subtle pink in her cheeks, highlighting her high cheekbones and the caramel hue of her skin. “Chloe is so nervous about this meeting.” She said, her voice laced with the slightest bit of concern as she reached for her lip gloss. Ryan watched her from the bed, shirtless, his expression vague. His gaze trailed over the elegant curve of her back, the way she moved with practised grace. Sienna was beautiful, poised, everything a man like him would want. But as she spoke, all he could think about was how different she was from her sister. “How’s she holding up?” He asked, keeping
It had been two days since Ryan vanished. And Sienna wasn’t the type to worry. She felt it gave her wrinkles and folded her cheeks.But now, she stared at her phone, scrolling through the unanswered messages and missed calls he had left her.She had ignored them all. At first, it was out of anger—she was still furious about the dinner, about how he let Damien humiliate her.She hadn’t been in the mood to hear his excuses. She thought he’d eventually show up at her place like always, trying to smooth things over, but he didn’t.To ease her mind, she grabbed her coat and drove to his apartment. The key he had given her felt cold in her palm. And she hesitated before pushing it into the lock.The moment she stepped inside, her unease deepened. The place was clean. Not just organized, but unnervingly spotless. Ryan wasn’t a slob, but he wasn’t this meticulous either. The air felt stale as if no one had been here in days.“Ryan?” she called out, even though she knew she wouldn’t get an an
Chloe’s breath was uneven as she stormed out of Damien’s penthouse. The elevator doors hadn’t even closed behind her before she was pacing down the quiet street.Her body still pulsed from where he had touched her—where he had almost taken her. She could still feel the touch of his fingers, the way he had teased her, controlled her, made her want things she wasn’t supposed to want.She sucked in a sharp breath, gripping her arms as she came to a halt outside the penthouse. The city was still alive in the distance, but here, in front of his towering penthouse, there was nothing but silence.Her mind screamed at her for what she had almost done.But her body… her body begged her to go back.Why did I let him touch me? She thought to herself.Her eyes flickered down to herself. She could still feel his hands on her thighs, the pressure of his fingers gliding higher, the way his voice had made her tremble.She looked back.The penthouse loomed above her, the high-rise windows dark and inv
Chloe sat cross-legged in Nina’s apartment, holding a bowl of oatmeal. “So let me get this straight,” Nina said, reclining against the armrest. “Noah kissed you, and you just… what? Sat there?”“I didn’t sit there. I was— I don’t know, I was shocked. It wasn’t exactly something I saw coming.”“Girl, you’re acting like Noah is some stranger.” Nina waved a dismissive hand. “You two have history, and let’s be honest, you could do worse.”Chloe rolled her eyes. “That’s not the point.”“Then what is?” Nina smirked. “Is this about him?”“Who?” Chloe asked.“Damien! I mean what’s going on with him anyway?”Chloe shot her a look, but Nina just waggled her eyebrows.“Chloe, think about it. Damien isn’t exactly relationship material, but the man is sin-walking,” Nina continued, swirling the wine in her glass. “And you’ve already been there once, so why not try it again? No strings, no drama. Just fun.”Chloe scoffed as her fingers intertwined around her bowl. “I’m not thinking about Damien.” S
Ryan Hastings was a man hunted—not just by Damien Cross, but by his guilt and paranoia. The shadows in his rambling apartment emerged larger these days, whispering Damien’s name at every corner. His eyes darted towards the clock every few seconds, it had been days since he’d last heard from Damien.And for those days, he’d been living on the edge, waiting for the inevitable. The silence was worse than an outright attack. It meant Damien was planning, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. And that was far more terrifying than any impulsive act of violence.Ryan sat in his dimly lit house, a half-empty whiskey bottle on the table, glasses piled up in the sink, untouched food sat at the counter—he was falling apart in plain sight, but he didn’t care. Each sip of alcohol was an attempt to quiet the dread, but it only intensified it.Dozens of unanswered calls and texts stared back at him—contacts who had once been allies were now too afraid to associate with him. He had no one left.
Noah Sinclair had always been the guy people could rely on. The dependable one. The one who had a plan, a strategy, an answer for every problem. It was why he was good at what he did—consulting for Bennett Industries, ensuring everything ran smoothly, and finding solutions before problems even arose. It was a skill that had taken him far in his career. But when it came to Chloe Bennett, things had never been simple. He met Chloe back in college. She had walked into his life with a solid presence without even trying. Sharp-tongued, brilliant, and ambitious—Chloe had never needed saving, never needed anyone to fight her battles. And yet, Noah had always found himself wanting to stand by her, wanting to be the person she could lean on if she ever allowed herself to. They had been friends, close ones. The kind of friends who stayed up late talking about everything and nothing, who understood each other in a way that made words almost unnecessary. But there had been a time when
It had been a long day for Damien. Meetings. Business deals. The final day of The Morelli Auction. A headache that refused to go away. He had thought that drowning himself in work would keep his thoughts occupied, but it hadn’t. Damien was still fuming from his last phone call with Ryan. How dare he ask him if he was playing games?Did anything look like a game to him?Before Damien could entertain more aggressive thoughts, his phone vibrated against the desk.A single glance at the screen made the night take a different turn for him.Chloe? Chloe had never called Damien since the day they met, so why was she doing so now?He stared at the phone, the call ringing out as he sat motionless.He didn’t answer.Seconds passed and the ringing stopped.And then, a voicemail notification popped up.Damien hesitated before pressing play.“Damien… it’s me….Chloe.” A shaky voice started. Damien listened to the voicemail until the end. A deep frown creased his forehead as he replayed the messag
The tension in the room heightened as Chloe pinned Sienna against the wall. Her eyes weren’t the same as they used to be. The soft gentle look that she had, now turned into something much darker.Sienna’s eyes flashed, but her smirk didn’t waver. She had not expected Chloe to come off this strong but she couldn’t let her guard down either.“Get your slimy hands off me,” she snapped pushing Chloe as much as her strength could.Chloe staggered, trying to steady herself.“Is this what you do? Go ahead being a nuisance in everyone’s lives.” Her voice thundered across the room.“No Chloe, just yours.” Chloe rubbed her fingers against her forehead.“I can’t believe you.”“Oh, please. Drop the act, Chloe.” Sienna stepped closer, voice dropping to a whisper, anger laced in every word.“You know what? I’m tired of you. It must be exhausting, pretending to be something you’re not. That perfect little daughter. That strong, self-made woman.” She tilted her head. “You want to know what’s pathet
The night stretched on, but for Damien, It was far from over. Midnight had settled over the city like a heavy cloak, muffling the usual hum of life. The streets below Damien’s penthouse were quiet. Only the occasional glitching of a streetlight captured attention. The distant howl of wind rushing between buildings. The city outside had gone into a quiet still, but Damien was more on edge than ever. Damien stood by his window, hands crossed behind his back, his reflection a shadow against the glass. He had been staring out at nothing for the past few minutes but in his mind? His mind was a mess. His patience was wearing thin. As the weight of the night settled into his bones, Damien felt a sharp pain strike his chest. Enough was enough. Ryan had made unforgivable mistakes and now he was going to pay for it. A sharp vibration broke through the silence. Ethan’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He glanced down at the screen before lifting his eyes to Damien. “Well?” he asked,
The silence in the car didn’t last long.Sienna’s hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly her knuckles turned white, her foot pressing harder on the pedal. The city lights blurred past them, but Ryan barely paid attention to the road—his focus was on her, the rage rolling off her in waves.“Can you slow down? I don’t plan to end up dead because of your recklessness.”“I cannot believe that bastard,” Sienna snapped, her voice sharp with fury. “Who the hell does Damien Cross think he is? Throwing me out like I’m some—some nuisance? And Chloe—ugh! Sitting there all high and mighty while I was being humiliated.”Ryan bit the inside of his cheeks, “You embarrassed yourself, Sienna.”Her head snapped toward him, eyes blazing in anger “Excuse me?”“You heard me.” His tone was even, but the weight of his words made her grip the wheel tighter.“You barged in there like a damn lunatic and expected what? A warm welcome? Damien obviously doesn’t tolerate drama, and you made yourself one.”Sie