Janet Winget POV“Miss, we are here,” the driver announced, breaking my train of thought.“Thank you.” I climbed out of the cab. Yeah, Lucian agreed to let me go alone without him.It had taken a few arguments, but in the end, he relented.With one condition—that I take a cab rather than any other means of transport.I had wanted to argue about that too, but I didn’t want to be even later or spark a bigger fight.Facing the large building in front of me, my heart hammered faster than it already was.Why wouldn’t it?I had a job now—a stable one. Happiness bloomed in my chest, boundless and bright.At least after suffering my whole life, I finally had something I could call mine.I walked inside. Yesterday, the secretary had shown me around, but now, alone, the place felt so much bigger.Lucian really was something. As far as I knew, he had no ties to the Maris family, so building this business on his own, without any support, was impressive.I clutched the strap of my bag a little tig
Janet Winget POVEven I wanted to ask her why it mattered what I did, or why Lucian gave me the job after everything.It’s not like I took the job from Maris or the Winget family.Why can’t she just see me happy?Even though she’s the adopted daughter of my parents, they never cared for me. She never saw me as her sister.When I was a child, I used to see her as a sister—but she always made sure I remembered: even after sharing blood with my own parents, they were her parents.After spoiling my life, after putting me in jail—She really had to come here, insult me, act like I’m the problem.What did I even do to her? Nothing I can remember.And even if I did, she already ruined my whole life. What more does she need? Can’t she just leave me alone now—let me live?What wrong did I ever do to Dalton? Just loved him more than myself.And even he never once thought about how much pain he caused me.Sitting here, holding Lia in his arms, when not long ago he told me I was still his fiancée
Janet Winget POV“Janet, get a job and try to be civil.”The prison guard’s voice scraped against my nerves. I nodded lazily, barely listening. Three years locked away for a crime I never committed. Not a single visitor. My own parents and fiancé had betrayed me—all to “teach me a lesson.”The moment I stepped outside, cold rain hit my skin relentlessly. Perfect. Because when has my life ever gone right?I took a step forward.A Porsche screeched to a stop in front of me.My breath hitched. I knew that car. Knew the plate number. Knew the man inside the car.Dalton Maris. My fiancé. My betrayer.The window rolled down, revealing the face I hadn’t seen in three years. Still devastatingly handsome. Still cruel.“Get in.” His voice was the same. Calm. Commanding. Like nothing had happened. Like he hadn’t let me rot in prison without a word.My body screamed run, but my mind tangled itself in the past. I shouldn’t have cared. I shouldn’t have felt anything.But I did.I swallowed hard. “I
Janet Winget POV“Uncle?”Did I hear that right? Did Dalton just call the man who kissed me—Uncle?“Yes, my dear little nephew,” the man replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm—impossible to miss.The party had already been stunned into silence, but now, the air felt even heavier, as if no one dared to breathe.There was something about this man, something I couldn't quite pinpoint.Terrifying.Dalton grabbed my hand. “How are you, Uncle?”A shiver ran through me. ‘Dalton never touches me—at least not willingly.’And yet, here he was, holding my hand, fingers tightening like he was anchoring himself to reality. This was the same Dalton who had smiled just moments ago when my parents announced his engagement to Lia—completely forgetting about me.The same Dalton who had acted as if nothing had happened when this mysterious uncle of his had stolen a kiss from me. Commendable.I never even knew Dalton had an uncle.“You’re holding the wrong hand, Dalton,” the man said, his voice smooth b
Janet Winget POVI couldn't deal with the lies this man was spewing. Doesn't he realize how visible his lies are?Dalton, Lia, and my family knew I'd been in jail for the past three years. How am I supposed to be with him now?Even though he came here planning to lie, he should have at least gotten his facts straight before making claims.“Uncle, I think we need to talk alone,” Dalton said, his hand firm on my arm, Lia clinging to him.“He's right, Mr. Ashford,” my father added, stepping down from the stage, my mother following closely behind.Lucian’s gaze clung to me. “Sure, I don't mind. But I'd prefer it if you kept your hands off my woman.” His arm shot out, yanking me from Dalton's grasp, pulling me tightly against his side.I trembled inwardly, forcing myself not to show how deeply Lucian’s touch was affecting me.If looks could kill, Dalton would have buried me alive—shameless. Lia still hung on his arm, yet he stared at me like I was the betrayer.“Let's go,” Dalton said shar
Lucian Ashford POV"What?!" she gasped, eyes widening in shock.If only she knew how true my words were—her scent, her presence, driving me to the brink of madness.How dare the Winget family—and Dalton Maris—treat her like they did.They would all pay. Every single one of them."Stop wriggling," I murmured, my voice low, "you're only making me want to kiss you more.""Have some shame," Janet snapped, pushing against me. I tightened my hold, her struggles only fueling my need."I'm still your nephew’s fiancée," she hissed.My lips curled into a slow, mocking smile. "You still have the guts to call yourself that? After he threw you in jail? After he humiliated you today?"More than anger, I felt pity. She really is clueless.After everything Dalton had done, clinging to that title was nothing short of pathetic.Janet stiffened in my arms, her fists pressing weakly against my chest. She wouldn't meet my eyes. Maybe she already knew how pathetic it sounded."Let go of me, Lucian," she wh
Janet Winget POV"Wake up, Janet."At the sound of my name, I lazily opened my eyes, my body feeling unbearably heavy.Cold air brushed against my skin as my gaze landed on Lucian—walking while carrying me in his arms.Instantly, I jolted awake.When the fuck did I fall asleep?Maybe it was the way he’d been holding me, cradling me on his lap, his touch so careful, so comforting. It must've lulled me without me even realizing.This man is so sweet to me—even though he claims it's all for his own benefit—something he refuses to explain.But in my entire life, no one had ever treated me with such gentleness.I didn’t want to trust it. I shouldn’t trust it. Yet somehow, his actions made it impossibly hard not to."I can walk, you know," I muttered.Lucian looked down at me and smiled—God, he looked dangerously handsome when he smiled."And I can carry," he said. "That's what you should know."My heart slammed against my ribs like it had a mind of its own. Not even with Dalton had it ever
Janet Winget POV“It’s surprising.”What does he mean? Of course I would think this way—after the way he kissed me, after not telling me why he helped me or what he wanted.Now he’s taken me to this expensive hotel for dinner, and this is the only thing running through my head: he wants to sleep with me.“What is surprising?” I said, taking a bite of my food. It melted on my tongue, burning it slightly.His eyebrows lifted. “That without even drinking a sip of wine, you’re already drunk enough to ask that.”I narrowed my eyes. He was definitely teasing me.“If you don’t want to sleep with me, then why did you kiss me?”“I didn’t say I don’t want to sleep with you.”My blood ran hot. “Why are you confusing me?”“There’s nothing to be confused about. You asked, and I replied.” Lucian cut his food with elegant precision.How can he move so gracefully when we’re talking about something so filthy?“Are you playing games with me? What exactly is your problem? Why do you keep throwing more q
Janet Winget POVEven I wanted to ask her why it mattered what I did, or why Lucian gave me the job after everything.It’s not like I took the job from Maris or the Winget family.Why can’t she just see me happy?Even though she’s the adopted daughter of my parents, they never cared for me. She never saw me as her sister.When I was a child, I used to see her as a sister—but she always made sure I remembered: even after sharing blood with my own parents, they were her parents.After spoiling my life, after putting me in jail—She really had to come here, insult me, act like I’m the problem.What did I even do to her? Nothing I can remember.And even if I did, she already ruined my whole life. What more does she need? Can’t she just leave me alone now—let me live?What wrong did I ever do to Dalton? Just loved him more than myself.And even he never once thought about how much pain he caused me.Sitting here, holding Lia in his arms, when not long ago he told me I was still his fiancée
Janet Winget POV“Miss, we are here,” the driver announced, breaking my train of thought.“Thank you.” I climbed out of the cab. Yeah, Lucian agreed to let me go alone without him.It had taken a few arguments, but in the end, he relented.With one condition—that I take a cab rather than any other means of transport.I had wanted to argue about that too, but I didn’t want to be even later or spark a bigger fight.Facing the large building in front of me, my heart hammered faster than it already was.Why wouldn’t it?I had a job now—a stable one. Happiness bloomed in my chest, boundless and bright.At least after suffering my whole life, I finally had something I could call mine.I walked inside. Yesterday, the secretary had shown me around, but now, alone, the place felt so much bigger.Lucian really was something. As far as I knew, he had no ties to the Maris family, so building this business on his own, without any support, was impressive.I clutched the strap of my bag a little tig
Janet Winget POV“Why are you not ready yet?”As I came out of my room, I saw Lucian, already dressed in a three-tiered suit, sipping something from a cup.My mind rebooted. Damn, I forgot he’s going to stay here from now on.I glanced down at myself, realizing I was still in my night suit, looking like a complete fool.He scanned me from head to toe. “You look no less than a cutie, Janet.”Why could I hear the mocking in his voice? “What are you doing?”“Are you still sleepy? Can’t you see I’m drinking coffee? We only have one hour left before we need to leave for the office.” His words snapped my brain awake.I had overslept after staying up too late last night, exhaustion dragging me down even now.Even my mind felt foggy, still trying to catch up from sleep.“I’m going to be late.” I spun around and hurried back into my room to get ready.“You won’t get late. When the boss of the company is sitting here, no matter how long you take, you can never be late,” Lucian called after me.
Lucian Ashford POV“Roger, boss.” I smiled.She didn’t know she was walking straight into my trap, no matter how much she wanted to deny it.The plan hadn’t been for me to stay here. The idea had come to me suddenly.And it would work better this way. I wasn’t about to let the Maris family find any excuse to insult me—or Janet.She didn’t realize I was the only well-wisher she’d ever had.I loved it that way, even if it hurt sometimes that she didn’t remember me. Didn’t remember the promises we’d made together.Still, it was better than having nothing at all.Dalton had come into her life before me, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t erase his existence.I would be the last—and only—man in Janet’s life.“I cooked, so don’t you think you should wash the dishes?” I pointed toward her as she started to leave.I didn’t actually want her to wash them. I could’ve done it myself. But this way, I’d get a little more time with her.I wanted to spend every second I could—her cute reactions always
Janet Winget POVThe spoon slipped from my hand, clattering against the table.“Why are you so shocked?” Lucian’s voice was maddeningly casual, like he hadn’t just bombed me with a question that knocked the breath out of me.This man. “Did you hear yourself?” I gritted out.“Of course I did. How wouldn’t I, when my ears are perfectly fine?”Sometimes it felt like he made it his mission to spike my blood pressure—and then acted like he had no idea why I was reacting.I am pissed.He kept doing things that made my heart drop, then behaved like I was the one overreacting.“Then you should think before speaking, Lucian. What do you mean, you want to stay here?”“I mean exactly what I said.” His eyes held mine, steady and unbothered. “It’s already so late. How heartless do you have to be to send me away—especially after I cooked for you?”I dug my nails into my palm. Why did his words always make it sound like I was in the wrong when it was his nonsense causing all this?“You’re an adult.
Janet Winget POV“After you.” Lucian opened the passenger door, and I slid in. He circled around and took the driver’s seat.Night had already fallen, and of course, I’d agreed to dinner—he asked.Not like I had much of a choice. He did help me, and I’d managed to review everything on time.But my head still buzzed from that kiss on my forehead… and the way he’d said he got hard because I cursed at him.This man had screws loose. That much was clear. No matter what I did—curse him, slap him, glare—he’d either flirt or get turned on. A normal person wouldn’t react like that.And now, he’d even refused his driver so he could take the wheel himself. Sitting beside him as he drove, sleeves rolled to his elbows, forearms flexing—I wasn’t going to lie. He was hot. Not just hot—gasoline.“What restaurant are you taking me to?” I glanced at him. His eyes stayed on the road.“The food will be great. You don’t have to worry about where I’m taking you.”Same evasive answer. He never gave a strai
Janet Winget POVHalf an hour had passed, and I was still staring at the file like it might suddenly translate itself. I’d read the same pages over and over, but they may as well have been written in another language.Which, unfortunately, they weren’t.They were in plain English. Just wrapped in numbers, charts, and terminology that bounced right off my brain.I’d searched half the terms, but even the explanations didn’t make sense. It was like falling into a black hole of data and jargon I wasn’t built to understand.The stress was building, hot and tight across my chest.And who was responsible for this?Lucian—the great and confident—who believed I could pull this off like it was nothing. Like this chaos was part of some grand learning curve.“This seat taken?”I jumped, head snapping up. Lucian stood in my doorway, already stepping inside like he owned the air around him.No knock. No warning.To be fair, he was the boss. Still—manners existed for a reason.“How did you know I wa
Janet Winget POV“Why did you do this?”Lucian sat in his chair, calm and composed, as we faced each other in his office.“In the meeting, you said I’d just review what they send and give input.”My mind spun. How could he act like this was nothing?It’s my first day. He told me the job was simple—just follow him. And now this? A task I’ve never done, in a field I have no background in?“I did say that,” he said smoothly. “Because you are going to do it. Darling, why so agitated?”Was he joking?Heat surged up my neck.“Lucian, I’ve never done anything like this—and in case you forgot, I’m your assistant.” My voice sharpened, loud and clear.“How could I forget?” His brow lifted. “And everything has a first time. You just need to try harder.”That was too much.“A few hours ago, you literally said my job was to shadow you. To manage your schedule. Nothing about reviewing product briefs or textile proposals.”It had made sense back then. He’d said it himself—my degree in media had noth
Janet Winget POV“Miss, this is your cabin. If you need anything, you can call us through the landline,” James said as he gestured toward the room. He was Lucian’s secretary.I stepped inside, stunned. I’d never seen anything like it in my life—sleek, minimal, elegant. It looked perfect.Lucian had kept his word.“I’ll take my leave,” James added before walking away.I drifted around the cabin, fingers brushing the polished wood, eyes scanning every corner.I still remembered that conversation. The way he’d looked at me—serious, steady—and promised he wouldn’t do anything that might hurt me.I hadn’t wanted the position. I hadn’t even applied for it. But I couldn’t deny it either.I was going to be his assistant.Which meant I’d be in his presence. Constantly.He’d said it was the only role he could offer. His company, Ashford, revolved around textiles. My degree was in mass communication and media. No overlap. No other openings.I couldn’t blame him for that. He gave me a job. That’s