**************CHAPTER 34~Shawn’s POV~The dimly lit bar reeked of cheap whiskey and regret, the kind of place where people came to drown their failures. For me, it was the perfect setting to plot my comeback.Sipping the amber liquid in my glass, I leaned back in my seat, my mind spinning with plans. The image of Kaia standing tall during her presentation today still burned in my mind, mocking me. She had always been strong, but now, with Blaze Black at her side, she was untouchable.For now.Beside me, Derek, my longtime friend and occasional enabler, swirled his drink lazily. He had the kind of face that could charm most people, but tonight his expression mirrored my simmering frustration.“Still thinking about her?” Derek asked, his tone dripping with disapproval.I scowled. “She humiliated me, Derek. After everything I gave her. And now she’s prancing around like she’s better than me.”Derek raised an eyebrow. “She is married to Blaze Black. That’s a pretty big step up.”I glare
**************CHAPTER 35~Kaia’s POV~The city faded as I drove through the quiet suburban streets, the gentle rustle of trees lining the road soothing my frayed nerves.After the whirlwind of emotions at work, I needed a break—an escape from the intensity of Apex Global, from Blaze’s unreadable smirks, and especially from the weight of being Kaia Gold, Blaze Black’s wife.So I turned to the people who had always been my sanctuary: Tiffany and Bethany, my best friends since college.Their shared house came into view, its porch light glowing warmly in the evening dusk. Parking in the driveway, I took a moment to inhale deeply before stepping out and heading to the front door.Before I could knock, the door swung open, and Tiffany’s wide grin greeted me. “Kaia!” she exclaimed, pulling me into a tight hug. “You finally decided to show your face, huh?”“About time,” Bethany called from the living room, her voice teasing. She appeared moments later, her glasses perched on her nose and a bo
**************CHAPTER 35~Blaze’s POV~The door opened to reveal a petite brunette with sharp eyes and a cautious demeanour. Tiffany, if I recall correctly. One of Kaia’s best friends.“I’m here for Kaia,” I said without preamble. “I know she’s here.”Tiffany hesitated for a beat, her eyes narrowing slightly as if weighing her options. Finally, she nodded and stepped aside, gesturing for me to enter.“She’s in the living room,” she said reluctantly.The house was cozy, with a warmth that contrasted the sharp, sterile edges of my world. I followed Tiffany until my eyes landed on Kaia.She was perched on the couch, a bowl of popcorn in her lap, her eyes glued to the television. The carefree smile on her face sent a pang of something unfamiliar through my chest—relief, perhaps, or maybe irritation at how easily she could detach herself while I’d spent the last thirty minutes looking for her.I cleared my throat. “Hello, Kaia.”Kaia froze, her head snapping toward me. The excitement on h
**************CHAPTER 37~Kaia’s POV~The moment Blaze’s car rolled to a stop in the driveway, I unbuckled my seatbelt and flung the door open, not sparing Blaze a glance. As I stormed towards the house's entrance, my heels clicked angrily against the pavement, and my heart pounded with frustration.I didn’t care about his insistent gaze boring into my back or the sound of his hurried steps chasing after me. All I wanted was to slam the door in his smug, self-assured face.“Kaia,” Blaze’s voice was calm but edged with warning, but I didn’t care.He wanted to drag me home, fine. He tried to act like he could dictate every moment of my life, okay. But I wasn’t going to let him get away with it without a fight.Halfway to the doorbell, I felt a strong grip wrapped around my wrist, stopping me mid-motion.“Kaia,” Blaze’s low voice growled from behind me.I turned sharply, glaring up at him. “What?”His grip tightened, but not enough to hurt. He spun me around, pressing me back against th
**************CHAPTER 38~Kaia’s POV~The boardroom was filled with energy as the executives gathered for the weekly strategy meeting.Blaze sat at the head of the table, exuding his usual commanding presence, while I took my usual spot to his right.Across from me, Natalie Price settled into her chair, her sleek bun and her designer suit practically announced her confidence. She flashed a smile at Blaze as she set her tablet down.“Let’s begin,” Blaze said, his deep voice cutting through the murmurs.As the meeting progressed, I outlined the financial trends and market forecasts for the upcoming quarter.“That’s an interesting perspective, Kaia,” Natalie said smoothly after I finished. Her smile didn’t reach her eyes. “But I wonder if we’re being overly optimistic with these projections. Perhaps focusing on more conservative targets would better align with industry trends.”I forced a smile, though my irritation bubbled withinThe projections are based on hard data, Natalie, not spec
**************CHAPTER 39~Kaia’s POV~My phone buzzed as I exited Blaze’s office, still fuming from our heated exchange. Glancing down, I saw the message was from an unknown number.David Mercer.It was David Mercer, CEO of Mercer Enterprises. His message read: Ms. Gold, I trust this message finds you well. I’d like to discuss the proposition I mentioned in detail. Would you be available for lunch today?I hesitated, unsure how to respond but when my mind replayed the scene in Blaze’s office, my decision began to take form. The bitterness from my conversation with Blaze was still fresh. A lunch meeting with Mercer wasn’t something I had planned, but right now, it felt like the perfect distraction from the emotions swirling inside me.The decision was made. I grabbed my bag and informed my secretary of my plans. “Cassie, I’ll be back before the end of the day. If urgent, forward it to my email and give me a beep.”“Yes, Ms. Gold,” she replied, her curiosity barely concealed.Mercer
**************CHAPTER 40~Kaia’s POV~I felt the air shift as the waiter’s voice carried through the restaurant. “This way, Mr. Black.”My stomach twisted into knots. Blaze was here.Of course, he’d pick this exact place, at this exact time, to hold his lunch meeting. Was he stalking me or what?There’s no way it could have been a coincidence, right?I forced my expression into something neutral, though my pulse was racing.David was still speaking, but his voice felt distant instantly. I could barely concentrate as I imagined Blaze walking just beyond the thin walls of our VIP room.‘Focus, Kaia.’ I schooled myself. Blaze wasn’t a problem now. I could finish with David and still go to him.I offered David an apologetic smile, trying to shake the distraction. “I’m sorry, I—what were you saying?”David’s perceptive gaze lingered on me briefly before he smiled, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “You seem a little preoccupied, Kaia. Everything alright?”“Yes,” I said quickly, thoug
**************CHAPTER 41~Blaze’s POV~The company had been buzzing with the usual chaos, but my mind was set on something—or rather, someone—else. Kaia.I had booked a reservation for lunch at La Vie earlier in the day, intending it as a brief escape from the suffocating grind. She’d been irritated with me all morning, in fact, since the previous day, but I figured lunch would soften the edges.At exactly noon, I called her office to let her know. To my surprise, her secretary informed me that Kaia had stepped out.Stepped out?Something about that didn’t sit right.She was still new, and I doubted there were already business clients she needed to chase after so soon. If there was, I believe she would have informed me concerning it. I decided to head to La Vie anyway, hoping she’d meet me there. When I arrived, I had the waiter guide me to the private room I had reserved. As I settled into my seat, I pulled out my phone and called her.The faint ringtone sound reached my ears—not
*****************CHAPTER 119~Kaia’s POV~Walking into Apex Global that morning felt like slipping into a familiar suit of armour.The moment I stepped through the revolving doors, the crisp chill of the air conditioning clung to me hard. I had barely slept, but I dressed sharply—black fitted trousers, a white blouse, a blazer, and heels that clicked purposefully against the marble floors.No more hesitation. No more distractions.I was here to work.As I approached the executive wing, Blaze’s secretary stood up from her desk, her hands folded professionally.“Good morning, Mrs. Black,” she greeted with a small nod. “Mr. Black is in his office… but there’s someone inside waiting for you.”I arched a brow. “Waiting for me?”She nodded. “Yes. He said it’s important.”“Right.” I adjusted my blazer and walked up to the double doors.I knocked once before pushing them open.Blaze stood near the windows, hands in his pockets, staring out like he was too focused on anything but the tension
*****************CHAPTER 117~Acer's POV~The club was dimly lit, the kind of place where the lights were low, the music was expensive, and the drinks even more so. Perfect for unwinding, or scheming—whichever came first, just like how Kelvin loved to call it.I slid into the leather booth, where Kelvin and David were already halfway through their drinks. Kelvin raised his glass in greeting, and David nodded.“About time,” Kelvin muttered. “We were starting to think you got lost in the city.”“I don’t get lost,” I said, grinning as I grabbed the drink waiting for me. “I just take scenic routes.”David smirked. “You always had a way with dramatic entrances.”I leaned back, sipping the whiskey. It was smooth. Just how I liked it.We talked shop for a bit—business, upcoming deals, the usual power-play conversation. Then Kelvin pulled out his phone, flicked to a picture, and slid it across the table toward me.“By the way, David’s been losing sleep over this one,” he said, half-laughing.
*****************CHAPTER 116~Kaia’s POV~Ever since our little scandal situation with Crystal, I was glad Blaze wasn’t running to Shyne just yet. Even though he got angry with me, it was understandable, yet things still felt so shaky.My mind thought back to the vacation house we stayed at and how Snow was planning something about getting me pregnant. I shook my head, not wanting to think of it and focus on my drive back home.I hadn't spoken to David since then and I know he wanted to hear from me. I did not wish to play a game and dance in anybody’s hands anymore. Back home, I dropped onto the bed, still slightly damp from my workout. The silence in the room wrapped around me like a blanket I didn’t ask for.My phone buzzed. It was a message from the office.The meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, 9:30 AM, with Kayne Kyle and Kaia Black.Great.I stared at the screen for a long time, then tossed the phone on the bed.Why did it feel like I was being thrown into a fire that Blaze
*****************CHAPTER 115~Kaia’s POV~I was halfway through reviewing the quarterly reports when a knock came at the door."Come in," I said without looking up.My secretary stepped in, holding a sleek folder in her hands. "Ma’am, I wanted to inform you of a new assignment."I raised a brow, finally glancing up. She looked... hesitant. That immediately put me on edge.She placed the folder gently on my desk. "Effective today, you’ve been assigned to lead the negotiations on the Apex Global energy expansion project."I blinked. "Wait. What?""Kayne Kyle will be the lead from the investment firm’s side. You’ll be working directly with him over the next several weeks to secure the partnership terms."My mind froze for a second. Kayne Kyle? The same man from Draven’s files? This was… sigh."Does Blaze know about this?" I asked carefully, keeping my voice calm even as my pulse picked up.She nodded. "Yes, ma'am. He was at the meeting this morning when the announcement was made. His fa
*****************CHAPTER 113~Blaze’s POV~The morning came too damn fast.After what happened last night in the second parlour with Kaia, I didn’t sleep. I just couldn’t. All the while my mind kept replaying her words. They were stuck to me like a thorn—“You seem incapable of love.”I wasn’t even sure if I was angry, heartbroken, or just numb.But before I could make sense of it, I got a call from the office.Emergency board meeting. No warning prior but then again, it was my company, shig like this happened especially with my father as the Chairman.I left without seeing Kaia. Didn’t say goodbye. Didn’t even look toward her door when I passed it.She was probably still asleep… or pretending to be.By the time I got to Apex Global, the city was already moving like it had no time for heartbreak.As soon as I got in, the conference room buzzed with tension. I sat at the head, flipping through the project files, trying to stay focused, but my mind was scattered. My team filed in one b
*****************CHAPTER 113~Kaia’s POV~The city lights flickered in the distance as we pulled up to Blaze’s house. I didn’t say a word. Neither did he.I just wanted to be alone.Once inside, I headed straight for my room and let the silence swallow me. The hot bath I took was meant to relax me, but even with the steam and lavender-scented soaps, my thoughts wouldn’t settle. Still, I emerged feeling lighter. Not better, but… lighter.I slipped into a simple blue off-shoulder gown, the fabric soft against my skin. It cinched at the waist with a thin strap and fell just past my knees. My hair was damp, tumbling down my back, and for once, I didn’t bother taming it.I had one more thing to do before I could let this day go—I needed to check in on Blaze’s grandmother. The way I left… it wasn’t right.I needed to apologise and explain my sudden departure. She deserved that, at least.I walked softly through the hallway and stopped outside her room. My hand hovered over the door before
*****************CHAPTER 112~Kaia’s POV~I didn’t sleep that night. Not really. I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, the waves crashing in the background like a metronome counting down to goodbye.Morning came too fast.I got up, showered, packed my suitcase, and took one long look at the view from the villa window. It was beautiful.But beauty didn’t mean peace.I zipped my bag and stepped out into the living room.Blaze was already there. He looked tired, like he hadn’t slept either. He stood when he saw me. “Kaia.”I didn’t give him a chance to speak.“This isn’t working,” I stated rather firmly, more so than I felt, so he did not try to sway me. “I need to go back.”To my surprise, Blaze didn’t argue. Didn’t ask me to stay. He just nodded once. “As you wish.” Even though I did not wish for it, the silence and stoic face he gave hurt the most.“Okay. See you later.”***************~Blaze’s POV~I watched Kaia walk away, her suitcase wheels rolling across the floor without wait
*****************CHAPTER 111~Kaia’s POV~I stormed into the bathroom and shut the door—not too hard, but enough to make a point. My fingers gripped the edge of the sink as I stared into the mirror. My reflection didn’t look as calm as I wanted to feel. I took a few deep breaths, trying to push back the swirl of emotions crawling under my skin.How was this even happening?Everything felt so sudden. One second, we were still untangling our mess, and the next, we were being shipped off to some luxury villa like we were on a second honeymoon. Not like we had one in the first place. Grandma meant well, but… this wasn’t how healing worked—not for me or us.I splashed water on my face and stood there, letting the cold sting pull me back to earth.When I finally walked out, Blaze was on the couch in the living room, his shirt sleeves rolled up, fingers sliding across his iPad as he scrolled. The villa was silent except for the gentle hum of the AC and the occasional rustle of palm leaves
*****************CHAPTER 107~Kaia’s POV~We arrived at the vacation suite later in the night. I stood outside the private villa, arms crossed tight over my chest. The soft breeze from the ocean did nothing to calm the irritation bubbling inside me."This is ridiculous," I muttered.Blaze sighed beside me, rubbing his temple like he was the one being ambushed. "I didn’t plan this.""Sure you didn’t," I snapped, dragging my suitcase across the smooth stone floor and inside before I said something I’d regret.The villa was stupidly perfect. Warm lights. Floor-to-ceiling windows that framed the beach like a painting. A giant bed with silky sheets that screamed honeymoon. There was even a jacuzzi out on the terrace, already bubbling like it had been expecting us.I didn’t care. I stomped in anyway.Blaze shut the door behind us and loosened his tie, eyes trailing after me as I flung my bag onto the bed and started unpacking. A little more violently than necessary. Okay, a lot more if I