***************CHAPTER 32~Kaia’s POV~The ride back to the office had been relatively quiet, Blaze’s confident smirk barely leaving his face as I sat beside him, my mind racing with thoughts about the day.When we arrived, I stepped out of the car, expecting the usual hum of activity at Apex Global. Instead, the lobby was filled with whispers, and the reason became clear the moment I heard her voice.“Kaia Gold,” Summer’s shrill tone rang out, amplified by the megaphone she held. “I owe you an apology.”I froze, my stomach dropping. A crowd had gathered in the open atrium, employees pausing their tasks to watch the spectacle unfold.“I deeply regret my actions,” Summer continued, her voice dripping with false sincerity. “I was wrong to tamper with your work, and I hope you’ll find it in your heart to forgive me.”She paused, and for a moment, I thought she might end it there. But then she added with an exaggerated pout, “Though I suppose not everyone has the grace to accept an apolo
***************CHAPTER 33~Blaze’s POV~The murmurs and whispers in the lobby faded as I strode to my car, my jaw clenched and my mind preoccupied. Kaia’s reaction to Summer’s apology—if it could even be called that—lingered in my thoughts.She was strong and resilient, but I could see the cracks in her armour. Summer’s antics weren’t just irritating; they were dangerous distractions.As I settled into the driver’s seat, my phone buzzed in the cup holder. The screen lit up with my father’s name.I sighed, tempted to let it ring out, but I knew better. With a resigned breath, I answered.“Blaze,” his deep, commanding voice came through the line. “Come home. We need to talk.”“Now?” I asked, irritation lacing my tone.“Yes,” he said firmly. “It’s important.”Reluctantly, I hung up and started the engine, sparing no time to inform Kaia. She would manage without me for the evening. She could handle herself just fine but now, I had some important things to do.***********The Black famil
**************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
*************Kaia’s POVThe car ride home was mostly quiet.Blaze was at the wheel, one hand on the steering, the other occasionally tapping against his thigh. I didn’t press him for conversation. We were both exhausted. Meetings all day, back-to-back check-ins with the project team, Kayne Kyle hovering like a charming shadow I didn’t ask for.By the time we pulled into the estate, the sky was already turning dusky blue, the last traces of sunset melting into the city skyline behind us.As soon as we stepped through the front doors, we were greeted by the scent of something warm and cinnamon-sweet wafting through the air.Blaze raised a brow. “Smells like cake.”“It’s too quiet,” I muttered, glancing around the hallway. “Which means—”“She’s back,” he finished.Sure enough, when we turned the corner into the main sitting room, there she was.Grandma Black.Sitting upright and elegant in her floral-print blouse and pearls, legs crossed, a steaming cup of tea in her hand and a full spr
*****************CHAPTER 127~Author’s POV~The rooftop lounge of Seraphine, one of the city’s most exclusive members-only clubs, buzzed with low conversation and jazz humming through golden speakers. The skyline burned orange with the last of the sunset, and the air was thick with cigar smoke and quiet power.Kayne arrived just as David Mercer waved him over from a private corner booth.“Good timing,” David said smoothly, raising his glass as Kayne took the seat across from him.“I figured you'd pick somewhere dramatic,” Kayne replied with a chuckle, resting his blazer on the arm of the chair. “What are we drinking to?”“Progress.” David leaned forward, his tone was much cooler now. “And control.”Kayne raised a brow. “Sounds vague.”“Blaze is unravelling. Slowly. I’ve seen it. Ever since Kaia, he’s more emotional, more unpredictable. You showing up—getting close to her—it’s exactly what we need to keep him off balance.”Kayne smiled lazily, but his eyes sharpened. “You sound like
*****************CHAPTER 126~Author’s POV~The evening sun shone through the tall windows of Kayne Kyle’s penthouse suite, filling the space with warm light. From the top floor, the sprawling city unfolded—buildings like steel giants against a cotton-candy sky. But Kayne’s gaze was inward, fixed on the amber liquid swirling in his glass as his feet rested on the cool surface of the glass coffee table.The intercom’s soft buzz broke the silence. “Sir, Mr. Draven is here.”A smile touched Kayne’s lips. He stood and straightened the cuffs of his shirt. “Send him up.”Two minutes later, the door yielded, and Draven Davion entered. Dressed in a black shirt and dark jeans, his attire suggested ease, yet his presence never did. He moved with confidence into his cousin’s house while his eyes raked the surroundings. “Nice place,” Draven commented, his gaze sweeping over the penthouse a second time as though taking in anything he missed on first glance. “As expected.”Kayne chuckled, extend
*****************CHAPTER 125~Kaia’s POV~I was still sitting in the living room of my parents’ house when my phone buzzed beside me.Blaze.For a second, I considered ignoring it. My mind was still wrapped around the truth I had just uncovered. The weight of that document hadn’t left my chest since I found it.But I answered.“Kaia,” Blaze’s voice came through, warm and deep. “I was thinking… dinner tonight? Just the two of us.”I hesitated, shifting on the couch. “I don’t think—”“It doesn’t have to be anything serious,” he cut in, gently. “Just you and me. Good food. Maybe some dessert we don’t finish because I can’t keep my hands off you.”I should’ve laughed. I almost did.But something in me wasn’t ready. Not tonight. Not after everything.Still, I couldn’t bring myself to say no to him. Not when he sounded so hopeful.“I’ll meet you there,” I said quietly.Later that evening, I arrived at the restaurant he had chosen—Maison Lune, a softly lit, elegant space tucked into a quiet
*****************CHAPTER 124~Author’s POV~Eriel Black was sitting in his cozy study, gently swirling the last bit of his aged whiskey in a crystal glass. The late morning sun poured in through the tall windows, filling the room with a warm golden light, but his mind was anything but calm.Not today.He had barely finished reading through his messages when one of the housekeepers knocked softly and entered with a bow.“Sir… Miss Crystal is here. She’s waiting for you in the living room.”Eriel’s brows lifted slightly. That was fast.He stood up without a word, set his glass down on the desk, and walked down the long hallway. The housekeeper disappeared behind him as he stepped into the big living room.And there she was.Crystal sat elegantly on one of the couches like she had all the time in the world, her legs crossed, one hand casually resting on the armrest as though she hadn’t been at the centre of a brewing storm. Her smile was faint, polite… and empty.“Uncle,” she greeted s
*****************CHAPTER 123~Kaia’s POV~The soft rays of sunlight filtered into the room through the sheer curtains, casting faint golden stripes across the bed. I stirred slowly, my limbs sore and heavy, my skin still tingling from the night before.The space beside me was empty.Blaze was gone.I blinked slowly, adjusting to the light. The room still smelled like him—warm skin, spice, and something undeniably masculine. I shifted slightly, my body humming in the places he had touched, kissed, and worshipped.As the memories returned, my face heated.I remembered how his mouth felt between my legs, how he growled my name like he needed it to breathe. And when we’d both passed out, exhausted and bare, I remembered waking up sometime in the middle of the night with his face nuzzled between my breasts, his soft breath warming my skin, his lips pressing lazy kisses there as if he never wanted to leave.I smiled to myself, biting my bottom lip.But just as I reached for the covers to r
*****************CHAPTER 122~Kaia’s POV~"I... I—""Cum," Blaze ordered.His teeth sank into my clit, and his fingers curled, and that was it.The dam burst, and my entire body convulsed.My voice cracked, and my limbs went numb."Fuck!"My body convulsed, and I was shaking, twitching, and shuddering.It was never-ending, and I couldn't breathe.His mouth stayed locked, sucking, and his fingers didn't stop moving.It was too much."BLAZE!!"But, Blaze kept his mouth where it was, and his fingers were relentless, and all I could do was cry his name, over and over, until I thought I might pass out.Finally, just when I was about to lose consciousness, Blaze's mouth slowed. He kissed and sucked lightly, his fingers drawing circles on the outside of my core."Are you okay?" he whispered, his mouth leaving my clit and returning to mine.I couldn't answer. It took about two minutes for me to fully recover all the while I smiled at him."Yes. Yes, I am," I replied."Good. Now, can I have y
*****************CHAPTER 121~Kaia’s POV~Blaze's tongue pushed deeper into my mouth, and I moaned. His steps faltered, and his grip around me, tightened.My mind was racing, trying to keep up with what was happening around me. But I knew where this was going, and I didn't want to stop it.We got to my room, and he kicked the door shut, and the next second, he was on me. His lips trailed down my neck, and his hands found the front of my robe.I gasped, but Blaze just continued his trail of kisses down my chest, tugging the thin fabric open as his lips explored the curve of my breasts."Fuck," I gasped.Blaze kissed lower, down my stomach and his hands slid beneath me, squeezing my ass, kneading, pulling me up, and then he dropped me gently on the bed.I landed on the sheets and sat up, but Blaze was already kneeling in front of me, his mouth inches from mine, his eyes wild."Kaia," he whispered. "Last chance. Tell me to stop."I shook my head. "No. I don't want you to stop. Ever."He
*****************CHAPTER 120~Kaia’s POV~Dinner ended with the same polished charm it started with. I tried not to stay too late. Once we were done discussing business, I finished my meal before announcing that I wanted to take my leave. Thankfully, he wasn’t much trouble and allowed me to leave. Kayne accompanied me out of the restaurant like he had all the time in the world. The valet handed over my keys, and I walked ahead, mentally reviewing everything we had discussed. Every word. Every pause. Every calculated compliment.I stopped beside my car, turning to say a brief goodbye.“Thank you for dinner,” I said politely but guardedly.Kayne didn’t move right away. He simply stepped closer, not into my space, just near enough that I noticed. Then, with the same smooth confidence he wore like a second skin, he leaned in and kissed my cheek once, then the other.It was light, professional or formal and nothing out of control but I was still tense.He straightened and extended his h