**************CHAPTER 71~Blaze’s POV~The house felt suffocating.I stood in the middle of the room I had kept locked for years, the one Kaia had invaded earlier. Her words echoed in my mind, each one like a hammer pounding against my resolve."You don’t even see me, do you? You don’t care about me. I’m just some…replacement for the girl you actually loved."My jaw clenched, my eyes scanning the pictures on the walls. The sight that had once been a source of comfort now felt like a mockery. The photographs of Iris and me, the love symbols, the memories—they didn’t offer solace anymore. Instead, they reminded me of the chaos I had brought into Kaia’s life.When I first saw Kaia, I thought fate was playing a cruel joke on me. She looked so much like Iris—right down to her laugh, the way her curls framed her face, and the fire in her eyes. It shook me to my core.I didn’t marry her because of Iris. At least, that’s what I had told myself. But now, standing here in this room filled wi
**************CHAPTER 72~Kaia’s POV~Dinner with Blaze’s grandmother felt like stepping onto a stage, complete with bright lights and an audience expecting perfection.The dining room was elegantly set, as usual, with candles casting a warm glow over the polished table and the silverware gleaming under the chandelier. Blaze sat at the head of the table, as was his right, while his grandmother and I sat on either side of him.The meal began without incident. Polite conversation, a few questions about the food, compliments from his grandmother—it was all surprisingly civil.But then, of course, his grandmother decided to play matchmaker.“Kaia, dear,” she began, her eyes twinkling as she looked between the two of us. “Don’t you think Blaze is being a terrible husband right now?”I blinked, completely caught off guard. “Uh… I—what?”She tsked, shaking her head. “He hasn’t done a single romantic thing for you all evening! When your grandfather and I were younger, he couldn’t go a meal wi
**************CHAPTER 73~Kaia’s POV~It was my first time entering Blaze’s bedroom and taking a proper look at it. The previous time, during our love-making session, I was too far gone. When I woke up. I ran off without a second thought. lovemakingI must say, the bedroom was as extravagant as the rest of the mansion, with a king-sized bed that looked more like a cloud and floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a breathtaking view of the city lights.Blaze grabbed a blanket and a pillow from the closet, tossing them onto the couch. “See? I’m a man of my word.”I rolled my eyes, heading to the bathroom to change into something more comfortable—basically one of Blaze’s clothes. When I returned, Blaze was already sprawled on the couch, his phone in hand.The bed looked inviting, but I hesitated, feeling oddly self-conscious.“You’re not going to stand there all night, are you?” Blaze drawled without looking up.I huffed, climbing into the bed and pulling the covers up to my chin. “Goodni
**************CHAPTER 73~Blaze’s POV~I woke up first.Morning came with a quiet stillness. The soft glow of early sunlight seeped through the curtains, casting a golden hue across the room.Kaia was still fast asleep beside me, her breathing steady, her body relaxed. The tension she usually carried in her shoulders was gone, replaced by the peaceful calm of deep slumber.For a moment, I just watched her.It was… unusual, waking up next to her like this. The previous night had been different—intimate in a way I hadn’t expected. Not just because of the kiss, but because of the way she had let herself be vulnerable around me. The way she had asked me to stay.And I had.A part of me knew this was dangerous territory. Getting close to Kaia meant stepping into something I had tried to avoid since this marriage started—feelings.With a quiet sigh, I carefully slipped out of bed, making sure not to disturb her. She stirred slightly, her lips parting as if she might wake, but she didn’t.I
**************CHAPTER 73~Kaia’s POV~The house was quiet, eerily so. Blaze had left for work early in the morning, telling me to stay behind since his grandmother was still here. I had spent most of the morning in the living room, flipping through magazines and trying to keep my thoughts from drifting to the events of the past few days, especially this morning in the bathroom with him. Just that already brought thoughts of our intense fucking. Umm, well, lovemaking, and even though Blaze could act like it was nothing or it didn’t happen. It did for me, and I might say it was the best I had ever had.I sighed, my shoulders slouching. No matter how hard I tried, my curiosity kept tugging at me, leading me to one place: the room, Blaze’s secret room.I stood up and walked away. First to the kitchen and then to the swimming pool and then… I was so deep in my thoughts that I didn’t even realise where I was walking to.It wasn’t intentional, or so I told myself. My feet moved on their o
**************CHAPTER 76~Kaia’s POV~I closed the bedroom door behind me, exhaling deeply. Dinner had been… interesting. Watching Blaze fumble through cooking under his grandmother’s watchful eye had been both hilarious and strangely endearing.I had expected him to find a way out of it, to make some excuse or order food instead, but he had actually tried.And the food was good. From what I could gather, he could cook. I guess it was just us watching that made things different.I padded toward the bed, stretching my arms before sitting on the edge. Moments later, Blaze strolled in, running a hand through his hair. His white dress shirt was unbuttoned at the top, the sleeves rolled up, making him look effortlessly handsome.He caught me watching and smirked. “What? Still thinking about my culinary masterpiece?”I let out a small laugh, shaking my head. “Masterpiece is a strong word.”Blaze placed a hand over his chest mockingly. “I’m offended.”I rolled my eyes. “You nearly burned th
**************CHAPTER 77~Kaia’s POV~The next morning, I arrived at the office feeling somewhat lighter than I expected. Maybe it was because, for the first time since our fight concerning Iris, Blaze and I had managed to have a night without trying to rip each other’s heads off.I wasn’t foolish enough to think things were magically different between us now, but at least we weren’t at war. That had to count for something.I decided not to stay at home with his grandmother today and focus on work. I needed my life to continue, not to be at a standstill.I stepped into my office, expecting to spend the first hour going through reports, but instead, I was met with a sight that made me blink in surprise.David.David Mercer, CEO of Mercer Enterprises, one of the biggest competitors in our industry, was casually seated on the edge of my desk like he owned the place."Mrs. Black," he greeted smoothly, flashing that trademark smirk. "Or should I say Kaia? You look radiant as ever."I fold
**************CHAPTER 79~Kaia’s POV~I stretched lazily on the bed, enjoying the silence of Blaze’s bedroom. Since this morning at the company, both of us have more or less minded our business. Blaze had stepped into the bathroom for a shower, leaving me to my thoughts.Everything about today had been exhausting. From David’s unexpected visit to the office to Blaze’s over-the-top jealousy, I was drained.Blaze was getting possessive, and I couldn’t understand why. Was it just his ego? Or something else entirely?A notification popped up on my phone screen, pulling me from my thoughts. I reached for it, unlocking the screen to see a message from David.David Mercer: If you ever want out of your situation with Blaze, I’m more than happy to offer you a position elsewhere. No strings attached.I frowned. Out of my situation?It wasn’t shocking that David saw through my marriage. He was smart, and he had always been perceptive. But still, what was he getting at? Did he mean business and
*************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