Chapter 1Oprah’s POV:My heart raced as I stormed into my apartment, frustration boiling beneath the surface. How could someone invade my privacy like this? With trembling hands, I crumpled the offensive note into a ball, my cheeks burning with anger as I tossed it into the trash along with the dress.The mere sight of that gossamer-like fabric, so revealing and suggestive, filled me with a sense of violation. It was the ninth anonymous package I had received in the past three months, each one more perplexing than the last. What had started as innocent gifts—a bouquet of Juliet roses, exquisite pastries, and elegant jewelry—had spiraled into something far more sinister.My boyfriend—ex, Avery—his betrayal still stung. His misunderstanding drove a wedge between us that seemed impossible to mend. How could he accuse me of such things, simply because of these enigmatic packages?I want to see you in this dress, then take it off with my hands, and kiss every inch of your body."You scou
Chapter 2Despite my efforts to remain composed, I couldn't help but notice how Burgess had changed over the years. Where once he had been sharp and flamboyant, he now exuded a sense of poise and composure that was unnerving.I begrudgingly acknowledged his charm, understanding why he attracted so many women. But beneath his polished exterior lay a darkness that sent shivers down my spine.mother's warm greeting was met with Burgess's indifference, his gaze barely flickering in our direction. The way he looked at us reminded me of how he used to gaze at stray animals or even beggars, a mixture of curiosity and disdain that made my skin crawl.I resisted the urge to flee, forcing myself to stay rooted to the spot as Burgess finally acknowledged my presence. His gaze bore into me, his words dripping with condescension. "Long time no see," he remarked, his tone laced with thinly veiled contempt.“Yeah,” I offered a casual reply, masking my discomfort behind a facade of indifference. With
Chapter 3My cheeks burned with humiliation as I caught a glimpse of Burgess looking at me with an inscrutable expression. Despite being involved in the altercation, he distanced himself completely, as if the entire situation were beneath him.In his eyes, I must have looked ridiculous in my current state. The thought filled me with a surge of anger and resentment, but I refused to show any sign of weakness in front of him.With a sneer, I turned to face Burgess, a taunting smile playing at my lips. I then directed my attention to mother, making a zipping motion across my lips to indicate that I would keep quiet. Without another word, I turned on my heel and made my way out of the estate, my departure decisive and unwavering.Outside, the rain poured down mercilessly, the wind lashing at me with unrelenting force. Despite the biting cold, I welcomed the discomfort, preferring to freeze to death than endure another moment of humiliation in the Harrison household.The road stretched befo
Chapter 4Pain shot through me as Burgess's grip tightened on my chin. "What are you doing... Mmm!" I protested, my voice muffled as he silenced me with a forceful kiss.At that moment, my mind went blank, and I was too stunned to push him away. Burgess's kiss was aggressive and dominating, leaving my lips bruised and bleeding when he finally pulled back.Gasping for air, I glared at him, my cheeks flushed with anger. "You're insane!" I spat, unable to contain my outrage.But Burgess merely rubbed his thumb against my reddened lips, his expression unreadable. "I'll do it if you dare to provoke me again," he warned, his tone sending a chill down my spine.Furious but intimidated by his ominous gaze, I remained silent as he turned to leave, his satisfaction evident in the smirk on his face.As he reached the doorway, Burgess tossed a final threat over his shoulder. "By the way, my father's turning fifty the day after tomorrow, and he wants to host a family banquet. You better not be abse
Chapter 5Her words struck a chord within me, stirring up memories of our shared past. We had once been inseparable, gossiping and laughing together like sisters. But as time passed, I came to realize the true nature of our friendship.Zoey had harbored a secret love for Burgess, my stepbrother, and had used our friendship as a means to get closer to him. When Burgess went abroad, Zoey followed suit, leaving me behind without a second thought.It was only then that I realized Zoey's true intentions—to win Burgess's affection at any cost, even if it meant betraying our friendship in the process.The realization left a bitter taste in my mouth, and I couldn't bring myself to respond to Zoey's question. Instead, I stood there in silence, grappling with the conflicting emotions swirling within me.The audacity of Zoey's presence, coupled with her feigned innocence, stirred up a storm of resentment within me. How dare she waltz back into my life after all this time, pretending as though not
Chapter 6I was on the verge of declining when I caught sight of Burgess's mocking expression. His smirk seemed to mock Roxanne's eagerness to secure a favorable match for me, as if she were trying to elevate our family's status through my association with the Jefferys.Burgess interjected casually, "The Jeffery family has always held themselves to high standards. I'm not sure Oprah would meet their expectations."His words were dripping with condescension, a thinly veiled insult aimed at my modest background. To Burgess, I was nothing more than an outsider, unworthy of the esteemed Jeffery family's attention.Refusing to tolerate Burgess's derision, I couldn't help but sneer in response. "Well, I suppose there's only one way to find out. I'll give it a try and see if Alfred and I are truly compatible."Burgess's expression darkened at my retort, his displeasure evident in the icy glare he directed at me. "You'll regret it!"But I refused to back down, meeting his gaze with unyielding
Chapter 7His final question hung in the air, suffocating me with its intensity. I felt like a trapped animal, cornered by his relentless pursuit and unable to escape his grasp.In a moment of sheer panic and desperation, I hurled my phone across the room, the sound of its impact echoing off the walls. I sat on the edge of the bed, my mind reeling from the onslaught of his crazed and perverse words.I couldn't fathom why he was so fixated on me, like a moth drawn to a flame. It both scared and intrigued me, leaving me feeling powerless and exposed in the wake of his relentless obsession.After composing myself, I carefully typed out my response to him. "If you are obsessed with me, why don't you come and find me directly? Sneakily harassing me will only make me hate you more."As the message was sent, I held my breath, waiting for his reply. But as minutes ticked by with no response, I felt a surge of frustration and confusion wash over me. Why was he so elusive? What was he hiding?Un
Chapter 8As I stood there, my eyes locked with Burgess's cold and proud gaze, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was merely entertainment for him, a spectacle to be observed and enjoyed at his leisure. His smirk only added to my unease, as if he relished the drama unfolding before him.Suddenly, someone approached Burgess with enthusiasm, addressing him as Mr. Harrison. My stomach churned at the sight of their camaraderie, knowing all too well the underlying motives behind Burgess's actions."I thought you wouldn't come tonight, Mr. Harrison," the person exclaimed.Burgess's response was calm and collected, his demeanor seemingly unaffected by the situation. "Even I need to unwind at times," he replied dismissively.The sycophantic individual continued, attempting to justify their presence in the private room. "Yes, yes, you are right, Mr. Harrison. We just have a drink and enjoy ourselves here, not for anything else, right?"I felt a wave of nausea wash over me as Burgess deliberate