The soft, rhythmic clatter of pots and pans filled the quiet dining room. Alex stood at the stove, his movements methodical, almost mechanical as he prepared the meal. It wasn’t a lavish spread; far from it. He kept it simple—just enough to satisfy, nothing more. A gentle, delicate soup simmered on the stove, the aroma of chicken and vegetables filling the room. The soup was light, easy to digest, with soft pieces of tender chicken and carrots that floated lazily in the broth. There was a small serving of mashed potatoes on the side, creamy and smooth, seasoned lightly with just a pinch of salt. The meal was balanced—nothing too rich, nothing that could aggravate. It was the kind of meal that someone with a heart condition could manage, though he didn’t know about Venessa’s illness.He arranged the meal carefully on a plate, placing a small bowl of soup and a spoon next to it. His movements were slow, measured—as though each step he took was deliberate, as though he could feel the we
Her breath came in shallow, pained gasps, and she instinctively leaned into him, gripping his arm for support, her fingers trembling. “I… I’m fine,” she whispered through clenched teeth, trying to push away the discomfort.But Alex wasn’t convinced. He took a step back, his eyes narrowing in confusion. “Are you sure you’re fine? You’re not acting like it.”“I said I’m fine,” she repeated, her voice more insistent now, though strained. “Please, don’t call a doctor.”Alex frowned, still watching her carefully. Something wasn’t right. Why was she refusing help?Without thinking, he reached down and scooped her up into his arms, his movements sharp, as if he were afraid she might collapse in front of him. Venessa’s body was light, fragile, and as he cradled her against his chest, she instinctively buried her face into his shirt. Her hands were limp at her sides, her head resting against his shoulder.Her body was burning with feverish heat. He felt the sweat beginning to form on her fore
Venessa POV…I woke up slowly, the soft weight of sleep still heavy on my mind, and a dull ache pulsing in my chest. It wasn’t the kind of wakefulness I was used to—quick and sharp, with the pressing responsibilities of my day-to-day life. No, this felt like I was emerging from some kind of fog, as if I had been in a deep, dreamless sleep for hours.I blinked, adjusting my blurry vision, and then scanned my surroundings.Nothing was familiar. The room was not the cold, barren place I had been in last night, but instead, an expansive, luxurious space that was far beyond anything I had imagined. Soft, muted tones of cream and gray surrounded me, giving the room a warm, inviting feel, despite its size. The walls were adorned with abstract art that looked expensive, the light from the large windows spilling in, bathing the room in soft golden hues. The bed beneath me was a plush, king-sized thing, the sheets so silky they almost felt like they were caressing my skin. I could feel the coo
Venessa Hunt sat at the corner table in the crowded cafeteria, her fingers lightly tapping against the edge of her untouched tray. The clatter of trays, the murmur of voices, and the hum of overhead lights filled the space around her, but it all felt distant. She barely noticed the noise, too consumed by the icy silence across the table. Alex Graystone, the man sitting opposite her, looked nothing like a typical billionaire. He was a vision of cold precision, his tailored black suit cutting an almost impervious silhouette against the chaos of the cafeteria. His dark eyes locked onto hers, empty of warmth, calculating, as though she were just another business deal, a formality to be processed. He didn’t smile. Didn’t flinch. His expression was one of total indifference, his gaze piercing yet vacant, like a predator watching a prey he wasn’t quite interested in but knew he could capture without effort. There was no admiration, no warmth. His features were flawless, handsome in a way th
The evening sky had already sunk into the deep hues of twilight when Venessa finally arrived home, the soft thud of her shoes against the worn wooden floor echoing through the quiet house. She’d lost track of time—lost in the whirlwind of part-time jobs she’d taken on to keep things afloat. Despite working every possible hour, the bills never seemed to stop. The weight of the world seemed to press down on her shoulders as she pushed the door open, a quiet sigh escaping her lips. The house smelled faintly of something she couldn’t quite place—a mix of old wood, cooking spices, and something sharper, more synthetic. It was always like that here, a mixture of warmth and a subtle, unsettling tension. She paused in the hallway, taking a moment to collect herself. The last thing she needed was to let her emotions slip. “Venessa?” Her stepmother’s voice cut through the silence, sharp as ever. There was no warmth, no concern—just a directness that Venessa had grown used to over the years.
The sound of the paper rustling filled the otherwise silent room as Venessa’s eyes flicked across the contract. She hadn’t been able to bring herself to read it all at once—too much of the weight was too heavy. The parts that had already seemed unreasonable enough had left her with a tight knot in her chest, but now, her eyes froze at the next set of clauses, which seemed to mock her very existence. The ridiculousness of some of the provisions made her stomach twist in disgust. She hadn’t wanted to believe it could get worse, but here it was, laid out before her in cold, unyielding terms. She read them again, her mind struggling to process the absurdity. Clause 32: Sexual Obligations and Freedom of Choice Party B (the Wife) agrees to make herself available at any time for Party A’s (the Husband’s) sexual satisfaction. Should Party A desire intimacy, Party B must comply immediately, regardless of Party B’s personal feelings, state of health, or time of day. Failure to meet Party
Venessa’s chest was heavy as she walked down the hallway, her mind racing. She hadn’t even made it to the stairs before Meredith’s voice sliced through the air like a knife. “Venessa.” The coldness in her stepmother’s tone made Venessa’s blood run cold. She stopped in her tracks, her throat tight with emotion. Meredith always had a way of making her feel small, insignificant, like a child who could never escape her shadow. Venessa wiped the tear-streaked makeup from her face, but the traces of her earlier breakdown still clung to her skin. She tried to steady herself, but Meredith wasn’t waiting for her to compose her thoughts. “What the hell is this nonsense I hear?” Meredith demanded, her heels clicking sharply as she strode toward her. “You’re refusing the marriage? Refusing Alex Graystone? After everything I’ve done for you?” Venessa’s chest constricted at the venom in her stepmother’s voice. Her body tensed, but her lips parted as she tried to speak, trying to summon th
Venessa stood outside the towering glass-and-steel skyscraper, the world around her buzzing with the rhythm of the city’s unrelenting pace. The building before her seemed to pierce the sky, a symbol of power, wealth, and success. The polished exterior of Graystone Industries reflected the afternoon sun, casting a cold, almost clinical glow on the streets below. It was one of the most prestigious multinational corporations in the world—synonymous with strength, influence, and, of course, Alex Graystone. Graystone Industries was a monolith in the corporate world, its reach extending to every corner of the globe. The company’s glassy façade was both beautiful and imposing, a testament to the iron-clad grip Alex had on his empire. The sleek, modern structure stretched upwards for what seemed like miles, with the building’s sharp edges and clear windows reflecting the world in an almost perfect mirror. Venessa stood before it now, her fingers tight around the edge of the crumpled bro
Venessa POV…I woke up slowly, the soft weight of sleep still heavy on my mind, and a dull ache pulsing in my chest. It wasn’t the kind of wakefulness I was used to—quick and sharp, with the pressing responsibilities of my day-to-day life. No, this felt like I was emerging from some kind of fog, as if I had been in a deep, dreamless sleep for hours.I blinked, adjusting my blurry vision, and then scanned my surroundings.Nothing was familiar. The room was not the cold, barren place I had been in last night, but instead, an expansive, luxurious space that was far beyond anything I had imagined. Soft, muted tones of cream and gray surrounded me, giving the room a warm, inviting feel, despite its size. The walls were adorned with abstract art that looked expensive, the light from the large windows spilling in, bathing the room in soft golden hues. The bed beneath me was a plush, king-sized thing, the sheets so silky they almost felt like they were caressing my skin. I could feel the coo
Her breath came in shallow, pained gasps, and she instinctively leaned into him, gripping his arm for support, her fingers trembling. “I… I’m fine,” she whispered through clenched teeth, trying to push away the discomfort.But Alex wasn’t convinced. He took a step back, his eyes narrowing in confusion. “Are you sure you’re fine? You’re not acting like it.”“I said I’m fine,” she repeated, her voice more insistent now, though strained. “Please, don’t call a doctor.”Alex frowned, still watching her carefully. Something wasn’t right. Why was she refusing help?Without thinking, he reached down and scooped her up into his arms, his movements sharp, as if he were afraid she might collapse in front of him. Venessa’s body was light, fragile, and as he cradled her against his chest, she instinctively buried her face into his shirt. Her hands were limp at her sides, her head resting against his shoulder.Her body was burning with feverish heat. He felt the sweat beginning to form on her fore
The soft, rhythmic clatter of pots and pans filled the quiet dining room. Alex stood at the stove, his movements methodical, almost mechanical as he prepared the meal. It wasn’t a lavish spread; far from it. He kept it simple—just enough to satisfy, nothing more. A gentle, delicate soup simmered on the stove, the aroma of chicken and vegetables filling the room. The soup was light, easy to digest, with soft pieces of tender chicken and carrots that floated lazily in the broth. There was a small serving of mashed potatoes on the side, creamy and smooth, seasoned lightly with just a pinch of salt. The meal was balanced—nothing too rich, nothing that could aggravate. It was the kind of meal that someone with a heart condition could manage, though he didn’t know about Venessa’s illness.He arranged the meal carefully on a plate, placing a small bowl of soup and a spoon next to it. His movements were slow, measured—as though each step he took was deliberate, as though he could feel the we
Alex POV…. “No. You’re not going anywhere.” The finality in my voice seemed to freeze the air between us. Venessa’s eyes shot up to mine, and for a moment, I saw the same defiance that had once made her so untouchable. But this time, it was different. She was breaking, and I could feel it. She didn’t speak immediately, but her fists clenched at her sides as she took a step forward, as if to challenge me. The tension in the room grew thick, choking us both. Then, without warning, her voice rang out, sharp and trembling with a mixture of anger and desperation. “Why do you need me? Can’t you just let me go? I hate you.” The words stung. They cut deeper than I was willing to admit. I stood still, absorbing her fury, but her hatred didn’t have the effect she was hoping for. It only made me more determined. More resolute. Her words barely had time to hang in the air before she raised her weak hands and slammed them—one after another—into my chest, her small fists landing with little f
Alex POV…..Her eyes flickered for a second, betraying the fear she was desperately trying to mask. She opened her mouth, but no words came. It was almost as if she was trying to come up with something that wouldn’t make everything worse, but she couldn’t. She knew what she had done. She knew I wouldn’t let this go.She backed up toward the wall, her body pressed against it like she was trying to escape the heat radiating off of me, but I was too close now. I was too close for her to run.“What do you mean?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. Her breath was shaky, and I saw the way her chest rose and fell erratically.I stood there, inches away from her now. My face was a mask of cold fury, but inside, the anger was boiling, rising, threatening to consume me. “The last words he said to you,” I repeated slowly, my voice deliberate, like I was savoring each word. “Happy birthday, baby girl.”Her breath hitched. Her lips parted, but no sound came out at first. And when she fina
Alex POV….As I moved through the corridors, my footsteps quiet on the plush carpet, I could already feel my heart beating faster. I wasn’t sure what I’d say to her, or how I’d even approach her after everything she saw last night. I could tell by the way she’d avoided me all day, But I couldn’t help myself. I had to know.When I was just a few doors down from her room, I stopped. I could hear it—the faint sound of her laughter. It was beautiful. I hadn’t heard her laugh like before . For a moment, I just stood there, leaning against the wall, listening. There was something about it that stirred something deep inside me. It was like a secret I hadn’t known she’d been keeping from me, a side of her I had never said.And then, curiosity got the better of me.I moved closer to the door, my pulse quickening with each step. I didn’t know what to expect, but I couldn’t stay away. I wanted to know what had made her so happy. What was it that was making her laugh like that?But as I stood jus
It was already late in the evening, and Venessa was feeling the exhaustion creeping up her spine. She hadn’t eaten anything since the early morning hours, and her heart condition had made the day feel heavier than usual. Despite the sharp pangs of hunger, she managed to keep her spirits up. A little distraction never hurt, and she figured a video call with Elliot would be the perfect way to unwind.Venessa sat up in bed, carefully propping her phone up above her knees. She lifted her legs, letting them rest comfortably as she adjusted herself to make sure her face was well-lit by the soft glow of her phone screen. She tapped the screen, and within moments, Elliot’s face appeared, his familiar smile instantly brightening the screen.“Hey, stranger,” Venessa said softly, her voice hoarse but warm. “Long time, huh?”Elliot’s face lit up, and he leaned in closer to the camera. “Hey, you! I thought you’d disappeared on me or something,” he teased, his voice playful. “Where are you? This
When she opened the door, she was surprised to see the maid who had been with Alex the night before. The maid stood before her, a polite smile on her face, holding a tray with a steaming cup of coffee and a plate of breakfast pastries. "Good morning, Miss Venessa," the maid said, her voice soft and respectful. "I brought you some breakfast." Venessa's eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at the maid. She couldn't help but wonder if the maid had been sent to spy on her, or if she was just being paranoid. "Thank you," Venessa said finally, taking the tray from the maid. "I appreciate it." The maid nodded and turned to leave, but Venessa called out to her. "Wait," she said. "What's your name?" The maid turned back to her, a hint of surprise on her face. "My name is Sophia, Miss Venessa," she replied. Venessa nodded, feeling a pang of guilt for not asking sooner. "Thank you, Sophia," she said. "I'll make sure to remember your name." Sophia smiled and nodded, before turning and disa
Alex, the enigmatic and ruthless billionaire, stood in the center of the room, his back against the wall and his pants unzipped. One of the maids, a petite woman with a timid expression, was on her knees before him. Her hands were working deftly, freeing his erect member. The soft light in the room danced across Alex's chiseled features, highlighting the sharp planes of his face and the tense muscles in his neck. Venessa's eyes widened as she took in the sight. She felt a wave of shock wash over her, followed by a creeping sense of fascination. Alex's eyes were closed, his head tilted back in ecstasy, as the maid's lips wrapped around his shaft. The sound of her gentle sucking and Alex's low, husky moans filled the air, creating a sensual melody that seemed to reverberate deep within Venessa's chest. Venessa felt a shiver run down her spine as she watched the scene unfold. She couldn't fully grasp what she was seeing - was this even a thing? The maid's movements were so deliberate