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CHAPTER 4
~Kaia's Pov~
For a second, I couldn't believe it. Termination? I opened the email and read the brief, cold message from HR. Effective immediately, my employment was terminated.
Shock, confusion, and then anger hit all at once. It didn't take three guesses to know who was behind this. Shawn. His revenge for me left him, a way to punish me for not playing along.
I could practically hear Shawn's smug laughter behind it, but instead of feeling defeated, I just felt… angry.
So typically stupid.
But I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of watching me fall. Setting the phone down, I took a deep breath. I'd wanted to leave that job anyway; all he'd done was speed up the process.
My mind raced with possibilities. I knew exactly what my next move was going to be.
I set my jaw and fetched my laptop from my bag, the only belongings I picked from my parents' house. Thankfully, I had spent a night there before my bachelorette to tend to some pressing work and left it there.
I deleted the email and immediately pulled up a list of top finance firms. If Shawn thought he could sideline me, he was wrong.
I spent the next few hours crafting applications and sending out my resume, feeling more determined with each click.
And when I was done, I felt something burn within me. Anger or joy? I wasn't sure, but I was thrilled.
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~Author's POV~
—Crescendo Club—An Hour Earlier—
Shawn sat at the bar with his best friend, Dan, tossing back his drink with a sneer. "Can you believe her? Most girls would be begging me not to leave. But Kaia? No, she's too good for that." He slammed his glass on the counter, jaw tight. "She'll regret this."
Dan raised an eyebrow, smirking as he leaned back in his seat. "So, what are you going to do about it?"
Shawn's lips twisted into a smug grin as he pulled out his phone. "I've thought about it."
"Already?" Dan asked rather shocked.
He nods, taking a swig of his wine. "Simple. I'm cutting her off from my mother's company. Let her see how far she gets without my help."
Just then, a voice cut through the hum of the bar. "Is that right?"
Summer strode over, her hips swaying as she stopped to order a drink at the bar. She gave both men a sly smile before stepping closer to Shawn, her gaze dark and predatory.
Without warning, she leaned in and pressed her lips to his, slipping her tongue past his lips in a slow kiss.
When she pulled away, Dan laughed, shaking his head. "Guess you're free to play around now that Kaia's out of the way."
Summer let out a soft, teasing laugh, sliding her hand down Shawn's chest and letting her fingers drift lower until they rested against his growing member.
She pressed against him, her hand grazing his groin through his trousers as she looked over her shoulder, watching for her drink. "It doesn't matter," she purred. "He's mine to fuck as I want."
Shawn let out a low chuckle, clearly enjoying the attention. "Drink up," he said, nodding toward the bar as her drink arrived. "Let's go finish what we started this morning."
Summer's eyes gleamed as she raised her glass to her lips, sipping slowly. Then, without another word, she grabbed Shawn's hand, and together they left the club without Dan.
***************
~Kaia's POV~
By evening, I had finally settled into the room and rearranged a few things to my liking.
I'd noticed that once the maids were done for the day, they all left, leaving only the butler, who apparently took care of Blaze's needs. No wonder the place felt so cold and empty.
With my stomach rumbling, I decided to go down for dinner, realizing I hadn't eaten all day. But as I reached the dining room, I noticed it was silent and empty.
Blaze wasn't even home tonight; it was just me and the ever-present butler, who stood silently by as I ate in solitude.
After dinner, I returned to my room, still too worn out to chat with my friends or even respond to their messages. I collapsed onto the king-sized bed, grateful for the chance to finally unwind. But before I could truly relax, there was a soft knock on my door.
"Kaia." Blaze's voice came through the door. I didn't know what he wanted or needed but I got the door and opened it for him.
The second he saw him, something flickered in his eyes but as soon as it came, it was gone. He cleared his throat, straightened his black jacket and greeted, "Evening."
"Evening."
"I wanted to check in on you to make sure you..." his gaze darted past my head to the room, noting some subtle touches. "I see you've made some changes."
I gave a nod. "Good. Here." He handed me a gold bank card and I hesitated. "Have it. It is yours as my wife."
I shook my head. "I'm sorry. I do not need your money. Having this is al…"
"You need it. Soon you will realize that my world stretches far from yours." I didn't know if I should feel insulted or not.
Regardless, Blaze continued. "It's an unlimited card. The butler or driver can go shopping with you tomorrow. I couldn't get all of your clothes and accessories. So, get whatever you want and need. Do not hesitate at all. And if there's anything extra you need, should you max out the card, let me know."
I lifted my brows. "How does one max out an unlimited bank card? Am I buying the world?"
As funny as that was, Blaze had a straight face. "You never know with you women. Anyway, that should be all. Good night."
He stepped backwards and waited for me to say anything before walking away.
My lips parted, my eyes blinking in disbelief. I was tempted to toss it on the floor but something held me back.
"Alright Mr. Blaze, we shall see just how pokered your face can get."
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~Author's POV~
The next morning, a storm was brewing in the boardroom of Shawn's mother's company. Word of Kaia's abrupt firing had reached Mrs. Caldwell, and she was livid.
She stormed into the office, slamming the door behind her with such force that it rattled the walls. Shawn barely glanced up from his desk, lounging back in his chair, looking far too relaxed for someone who had just made a catastrophic mistake.
"What the hell were you thinking, Shawn?" Mrs. Caldwell thundered. Her eyes blazed as she glared down at him, fury radiating off her. "Kaia was a damn asset to this company—one of the best we've had in years. And you tossed her out like yesterday's trash, all because your fragile ego couldn't handle a little rejection?"
Shawn, who had been lounging casually, rolled his eyes. "She's just one employee, Mum. Besides, she's the one who humiliated me."
"Humiliated you?" Mrs. Caldwell's voice dropped dangerously low, a cold venom seeping into every word. "You ungrateful little fool. Did she humiliate you? Do you have any idea what you've done? Kaia agreed to marry you for God's sake—she could have had anyone, and she chose you. Perhaps she had jitters, you dimwit!"
Shawn scoffed at his mother's last statement. "Dam right, jitters."
His mother's fury heightened. "You want to talk about humiliation? You just made a complete fool of yourself and this company. You think you can afford to lose someone of her calibre over your pathetic pride?"
Shawn's smirk faltered as his mother's words cut through him like a blade. Mrs. Caldwell didn't stop there; she took a step forward, her voice louder and more forceful now.
"This was a reckless, impulsive decision that could ruin us. Do you understand? You've just thrown away years of hard work and connections, all because of your pathetic tantrum. And I won't stand for it."
She took another step toward him. "Mark my words, Shawn. This will come back to haunt you, and I won't shield you from the fallout. If Kaia takes her talents to a rival firm and we lose not just her talent but potential clients, I'll make sure you understand the consequences of your stupidity."
She stopped right in front of him, eyes blazing with fury. "I'll kill you myself if this destroys everything I've built."
**************CHAPTER 5~Kaia’s POV~By the following day, I had nearly forgotten about Shawn’s antics. Since we planned the wedding for Sunday, normal life began shortly after.Until now, I have not bothered to switch on my phone and have allowed myself some well-deserved rest while my brain has been replaying Shawn's betrayal. One might have found this stupid, seeing as I was straining my brain with pain and hurt but the truth was, I needed to remind myself why men were scum.I switched on my phone as an influx of messages came through but I ignored them, placing my phone on the table. I knew I owed people like my two best friends an explanation but now was not the time. I had lost a job and needed a new one ASAP. Six months may be long but it would be over quickly. I needed to secure a prosperous future for myself.I was still waiting to hear back from the companies I’d applied to when my phone buzzed with an email notification. Skimming the message, my eyes widened. It was an
**************CHAPTER 6~Kaia’s POV~He sat there, impossibly relaxed, his sharp suit tailored to perfection. That infuriating smirk tugged at his lips as if he’d been expecting this exact reaction. My bag slipped from my fingers, landing with a thud that echoed.The door open and the HR rep’s head popped in; her expression tinged with nervous energy when she darted her gaze frm me to Blaze. “I’ll just, uh, leave you two to it,” she stammered before retreating like she’d seen a ghost.I stood motionless, my heart pounding against my chest. My mind raced, disbelief and fury sparking desires within me. Of all the people I could’ve imagined behind that desk, why did it have to be him? Finally, I managed to croak, “You’re the CEO?”His smirk deepened. “Surprise.”I could feel my blood boiling. “You didn’t think to tell me?”“Would it have made a difference?” His calm, almost amused tone made me want to scream.“Yes! It would have,” I shot back, squaring my shoulders. “I came here as H
**************CHAPTER 7~Blaze’s POV~The door clicked shut behind her, and I allowed myself a rare moment of amusement. Kaia was fire wrapped in stubbornness, and though I’d expected resistance, her defiance had a certain charm.I walked back to my seat and leaned back in my chair, replaying the last twenty-four hours in my mind. From the moment she walked into my office, bag slipping from her fingers to her demanding why I’d hired her as my personal assistant—it was a show of fierce determination and vulnerability I hadn’t anticipated.She was a formidable presence. I respected that.When her application for the Head of Finance position landed on my desk yesterday, it caught my attention immediately. Not because of her qualifications—though they were impressive—but because of the name attached—Kaia Gold.It was the same Kaia who had, in a whirlwind of bad decisions and mutual desperation, become my wife.That night at the lounge, I’d seen her across the room, her laughter carefre
**************CHAPTER 8~Kaia’s POV~Later that night, I stood by the large window in my bedroom, staring out at the city lights as I tried to quiet my restless mind. Blaze’s words kept replaying in my head, his calm, arrogant declaration that I should work “where he could see me,” echoed in my mind. The sheer nerve of him.I crossed my arms, frowning as the memory of his smirk surfaced. This wasn’t just a job anymore—it was a challenge. It was a test of willpower.And if Blaze thought I’d roll over and play the obedient little assistant, he was in for a rude awakening.For now, though, I’d play his game. But I’d play it my way.Movement below caught my attention, and I peered down to see Blaze’s sleek car pulling into the driveway. My heart gave an involuntary jolt as I watched him step out, his broad shoulders silhouetted in the glow of the headlights.I wasn’t sure what I’d expected. Maybe that he’d come upstairs, knock on my door, and issue another round of commands. Maybe even
**************CHAPTER 7~Kaia’s POV~My eyes widened as I scanned the document Blaze had pushed across the desk. It was a detailed merger proposal—complex, high-stakes, and riddled with financial projections that would challenge even the most seasoned analysts.But that wasn’t what shocked me.The name of the company stood out like a beacon on the first page. Caldwell Enterprises.My heart stuttered, and I glanced up at Blaze, who was now lounging back in his chair with that infuriating smirk.“This is…” I trailed off, trying to keep my voice steady.Blaze’s gaze sharpened. “A merger proposal,” he said smoothly. “Caldwell Enterprises approached us last month. Their CEO is eager to partner with Apex Global. I want you to evaluate it, assess its viability, and draft a preliminary report by the end of the day.”I bit the inside of my cheek, my emotions whirling. He knew. He had to know. There was no way this wasn’t intentional.Shawn Caldwell’s name wasn’t explicitly on the document, bu
**************CHAPTER 10~Kaia’s POV~How do you explain to your two best friends that you got married before your wedding day—and to a complete stranger, no less?The incredulous stares from Tiffany and Bethany made my skin prickle. Bethany’s arms were still crossed, her policewoman pose in full effect, while Tiffany leaned forward, eyes wide, waiting for an explanation.“I’m waiting, Kaia,” Tiffany said, her tone teetering between frustration and disbelief.I sighed, rubbing my temples. “Okay, look. It’s not as awful as it sounds.” “Not as awful as it sounds?” Bethany's voice lacked warmth. “Yeah. We got married on the night of my bachelorette party,” I blurted out. Only then did I realize just how truly awful it sounded."You have just informed us that you married a man you barely knew, even before your wedding day, and then neglected to inform us."Tiffany leaned back with a loud scoff. “Who even does that? Is this some kind of post-breakup rebound thing? Because, Kaia, this is…
**************CHAPTER 11~Kaia’s POV~I stared at him, blinking as his words sank in. “A family dinner? This evening?”Blaze didn’t even flinch, his hands casually gripping the wheel as he steered the car. “That’s correct but not this evening. Tomorrow. My granduncle’s 70th birthday celebration.”I gaped at him. “And you dragged me away from my apartment tonight for a dinner happening tomorrow? Are you serious?”Blaze glanced at me briefly, his lips curling into that infuriating smirk. “Yes. You need a fitting tonight. Your dress must be tailored and ready for the event. Impressions matter.”I rolled my eyes, sinking back into my seat. “This is ridiculous.”“Perhaps.” His tone was maddeningly calm. “But it’s necessary.”I crossed my arms, my jaw tightening. “Why do I even have to go? Couldn’t you just tell them I’m busy or something?”Blaze’s smirk faded, replaced by a steely expression that sent a shiver down my spine. “My family expects to meet my wife. They insist on introducing my
**************CHAPTER 12~Kaia’s POV~I blinked, momentarily stunned by Shawn’s words. Brother? Blaze’s brother? The revelation was like a slap, but I quickly schooled my expression, unwilling to give Shawn the satisfaction of seeing me falter.Turning to Blaze, I searched his face for an explanation. He didn’t look surprised, nor did he bother offering me any clarification. Instead, his broke the ice, “Half-brother,” Blaze corrected. “And whoever she is with… I doubt it is any of your business.”Shawn’s gaze darkened. “Brother, it is my business. She called off our wedding without any reason, and now—”Without any reason? His words snapped something inside me. Anger surged through me, my heart pounding as memories of his betrayal flashed in my mind.My lips curled into a venomous smile as I stepped forward, my voice steady but laced with fury. Since Shawn wanted to embarrass me, he should not blame me for retaliating.“You should have thought about that before going balls deep in
**************CHAPTER 94~Kaia’s POV~L’Étoile – An Hour LaterI stepped into the upscale restaurant, my heels clicking against the polished marble floors as I glanced around. L’Étoile was known for its exclusivity—the type of place where only the city’s elite dined.Fitting, considering Shyne was nothing if not a pretentious, spoiled brat.I spotted her immediately. She was seated near the floor-to-ceiling windows, sipping delicately on a glass of red wine, dressed in a sleek, overpriced designer outfit that screamed money.She looked up as I approached, a slow, calculating smile spreading across her face.“Kaia.” She gestured to the seat across from her. “I was beginning to think you wouldn’t come.”I slid into the seat, crossing my legs smoothly. “And miss this little performance of yours? Not a chance.”Her lips twitched in amusement. “Always so feisty.”I arched a brow. “Cut to the chase, Shyne. I have better things to do.”She took another slow sip of her wine, as if savoring t
**************CHAPTER 94~Kaia’s POV~The first thing I noticed when I woke up was the empty space beside me. Blaze was gone.I frowned, shifting slightly in bed, my body still warm from where he had been. The sheets were slightly wrinkled, the faint scent of him lingering in the air. Damn him. Why did he have to smell so good?Sitting up, I ran a hand through my hair, preparing myself to start the day when something caught my eye—a small folded note on the pillow next to me.I blinked.Slowly, I reached for it, my heartbeat picking up."Good morning, wifey. Since I wasn’t there to see your face when you woke up, I figured I’d leave you with something almost as charming as me. Sleep well? Try not to miss me too much. I’ll be back soon. - Blaze"My lips parted.A warmth spread through my chest, and before I could stop myself, I was blushing.God, what was wrong with me?I tossed the note onto the bedside table, shaking my head. It was just Blaze being a smug jerk, playing his role. No
**************CHAPTER 92~Blaze’s POV~By the time I returned with the ice pack, Kaia was already curled up in bed, her expression guarded as she scrolled through her phone."Here," I said, tossing the pack onto the bed beside her.She didn’t look up. "Thanks."I raised a brow. "What? No biting comment? No threat to murder me in my sleep?"She sighed, finally glancing up at me. "I’m too tired for your bullshit, Blaze."I smirked. "That’s a first."Kaia rolled her eyes but didn’t argue. Instead, she shifted slightly, attempting to sit up, but the moment she moved her ankle, she hissed.I was beside her in an instant. Closer than I should have been.Her breath hitched as I reached forward, grabbing the ice pack and pressing it gently against her ankle.Kaia stiffened, her gaze flickering to mine.That tension was back—thick, stifling.I could feel the warmth radiating off her skin, and I could see how her chest rose and fell just a little too fast.Neither of us spoke.My hand was stil
**************CHAPTER 92~Blaze’s POV~With careful steps, I carried Kaia out of the bathroom and into the bedroom, placing her gently on the bed. She was still dripping wet, her skin flushed from the heat of the shower—or maybe from sheer mortification.The second I set her down, she yanked the covers over herself, wrapping the blanket around her like a damn cocoon. Her eyes burned with pure humiliation."Never," she muttered through gritted teeth, "do that again."I smirked, crossing my arms. "Then stop getting yourself into trouble."Her glare could have set me on fire.This was going to be fun.Kaia tried to shift under the blanket, but the moment she moved her injured ankle, a sharp hiss of pain escaped her lips.I immediately crouched beside the bed, my smirk fading. "Stop moving before you make it worse."Kaia let out a frustrated groan, throwing her head back against the pillow. "This is ridiculous. It’s just a small sprain."I arched a brow. "You sure about that?""Yes," she
**************CHAPTER 91~Blaze’s POV~The moment I stepped into the house, I was greeted by chaos.Kaia stood in the middle of the living room, arms crossed tightly over her chest, her jaw clenched as she glared at me. Beside her, Grandma looked absolutely thrilled, as if she had just witnessed the most romantic gesture of the century.And then—the tampons.Piles and piles of tampons stacked neatly by the entrance, looking like some kind of twisted shrine to female hygiene.I bit back a grin as I took off my jacket, strolling casually inside. "Ah, I see my surprise was delivered."Kaia’s eyes narrowed dangerously."What the actual hell, Blaze?" she hissed.Grandma, completely ignoring the tension, sighed dreamily, "Oh, Blaze, sweetheart, this is so thoughtful of you. A husband who cares about his wife’s cycle is a husband who cares for her heart."Kaia’s death glare intensified. "Blaze does not care about my—my cycle, Grandma!" she snapped. "He’s an idiot!"I smirked, stepping closer
**************CHAPTER 90~Blaze’s POV~I leaned back in my office chair, twirling my pen between my fingers, my mind still replaying last night’s conversation with Kaia.A whole month.A whole damn month of pretending we were happily trying for a child.I exhaled sharply, rubbing my temple. If there was one thing I knew about Grandma, it was that she never backed down. She was relentless, which meant we had to be smarter.Which brought me to my brilliant plan.I pulled out my phone and dialed the nearest pharmacy.“Good afternoon, sir. How may I assist you?”“Yes,” I said smoothly. “I need to place an order for tampons.”There was a brief pause on the other end.“Uh, of course, sir. Do you have a specific brand or type in mind?”I frowned. “Uh… no. Just… give me all of them.”Another silence.“All… of them?”“Yes. Every single type of tampon you have.”The person on the other end coughed awkwardly. “Um, sir, are you sure?”I smirked. “Absolutely. My wife—Mrs. Kaia Black—wants to try
**************CHAPTER 89~Kaia’s POV~I shut the bedroom door behind me, exhaling sharply as I turned to face Blaze. “She’s lost her damn mind,” I muttered.Blaze sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “You think?”I crossed my arms. “A whole month? Do you have any idea what that means?”His lips twitched. “That she’s giving us ample time to ‘bless her with a great-grandchild’? And yup, a lot of you know love making?”I glared at him. “Blaze.”His smirk faded, replaced by something more serious. “Look, I get it. But it’s better to act like we’re on board with whatever she has planned than to outrightly refuse her. At least until we figure out what she really wants.”I frowned, pacing slightly. This did not make sense. It was either she got the idea out of the blue or she simply had been planning this all along and it was also her reason, if not the major reason, for coming here. I heaved a sigh. I did not know how Blaze expected me to be on board with that. I mean we weren't seeing e
**************CHAPTER 88~Kaia’s POV~My blood boiled as I stared at Blaze, his jaw clenched, his blue eyes watching me with a mix of guilt and defiance.“You were spying on me?” My voice was sharper than I intended, but I didn’t care. I was furious.Blaze exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Kaia, I wasn’t spying. I was looking out for you. I was informed about Shawn and went to check the security footage to be sure.”I scoffed. “Oh? So, barging into my office, nearly ripping Shawn’s head off, and watching security footage of me is your idea of ‘looking out’?”His lips pressed into a tight line. “I was concerned about you. I was worried, alright.”I blinked, taken aback. Blaze never admitted things like that.For a moment, neither of us spoke. The tension between us was suffocating, but this time, it wasn’t just anger.It was something else, dangerous, and I refused to acknowledge. I didn’t want my feelings whacked around during tehse remaining few months. I exhaled sharply, sha
**************CHAPTER 86~Kaia’s POV~I arrived at the company as usual and decided to put in some work at the HOF office before going to Blaze’s. What I wasn’t expecting was the stupid surprise that awaited me. The moment my assistant buzzed in, I could tell something was wrong.“Ma’am, I, uh…” she hesitated. “Shawn Caldwell is here to see you. He says it’s important.”I froze.The name alone sent a shiver of irritation through me.Shawn? Here? Why?I had blocked him, ignored him, and made it crystal clear that I wanted nothing to do with him. And yet, here he was, bold as ever, daring to show up at my workplace.I exhaled sharply. My first instinct was to have security throw him out, but then…No.If Shawn wanted to play games, then fine. I needed to put an end to things with him anyway and finish whatever shenanigans he has had with me.“Send him in,” I said coolly.Moments later, the office door swung open, and Shawn Caldwell walked in looking as smug as ever.He raised his shoul