Lindsay Melanie sent me the invitation, but I was so hesitant to confirm my presence at that party because, of course, it was her husband's party, who was Max's best friend, my ex-husband's brother, so I knew Gideon would be there. Zoey didn't need convincing; as soon as she received the invitatio
Zoey The party was in full swing. I didn't know what impressed me more: the undeniable luxury of the decoration or the people walking around, all of them looking like they came out of a movie. The atmosphere was vibrant, but in an elegant way—a play of soft lights and restrained laughter. The dres
Laura I was in a corner of Albert's party with a glass of sparkling wine in my hand, sitting on one of the corners sofas in the company of Ava while she was telling me some gossip, and I was wandering around a little distracted, my gaze in the direction of Jason, who was chatting with some of his f
Lindsay “Oh my Goodness, your brother doesn't stop staring at me like that. Is it because of my dress?” I asked, running my hand over my short, skin-tight dress that I had dared to wear for today. Why not, right? Max Bathory chuckled mischievously. “Maybe Gid is missing your feminine attributes, i
Laura “I can really see your own secretary hitting on your husband and you can’t? Good God, you never change, don’t you, Laura?” Ava was rolling her eyes as she said that to me. I was really in shock as I saw that scene unfolding in front of me and at that moment I couldn't hold back, I immediate
Max I had left Lindsay alone with her new boyfriend in order to give them both privacy, especially because Matt Weiss might feel a little intimidated if I was around since he knew I was Lindsay's ex-husband's brother. I was going to find some fun at that party when I felt my shoulders being grabbed
Max POV“Could you give me a minute, please?” I asked as I approached Albert Williams. He was talking to Mel, his wife, and now that I had approached them, they had both turned to look at me.“Is it urgent?” Mel asked me, but it wasn't like I addressed her.“It has its urgency, I admit,” I replied h
Max POV “You want me to talk to my husband to help Gideon; is that what I heard?” Laura was asking me that with a look of shock on her face. “That's right, you heard very well,” I replied. “I want you to talk to your husband to help my brother.” Laura Williams Davies wanted to roll her eyes rig
When I met her last week at a council meeting, I could tell she’d be a challenge—confident, charismatic, the type who knew how to play the game. “Ugh, Madison Goodwin is here too. What a rotten day,” I grumbled, rolling my eyes. Of course Abby would get close to Madison—she was her adopted cousin.
Annie POV I was still trying to process everything that had happened at the square. Caleb’s words—“I hope you suffer”—mixed with Nadia’s ultimatum about my revoked candidacy had left me in pieces. My dream of leading the student council, something I saw as the first step toward following in my mom’
Annie POV I was still sitting on the bench in the square, the echo of Caleb’s words reverberating in my head like thunder that wouldn’t fade. "I hope you suffer." He had shoved the bouquet of pink flowers against my chest and stormed off, leaving me with a mix of shock, anger, and something that
He hesitated, his smile faltering, but he sat, still clutching the bouquet like a shield. “Sure, about what?” I took a deep breath, looking straight into his eyes. “About you following me around. Showing up in my classes, staring at me all the time. It has to stop, Caleb. I’ve already told you I
Annie POV A month had passed since the first day of classes, and it felt like the universe was determined not to let me have any peace. Caleb was everywhere—in my classes, in the hallways, at every corner of the campus—always watching me from a distance with those brown eyes I once found comforti
Annie POV I was still standing in the hallway, Caleb’s words echoing in my head like a poorly tuned radio. He wanted to surprise me by coming to Oxwell. He still thought about me. He thought I was jealous. Each of his sentences looped endlessly, and I tried to figure out what I felt—anger, confus
“I know, I know,” he laughed, a light sound that seemed to brighten the space between us. “I couldn’t believe it myself when they accepted me. But it was a chance I couldn’t pass up.” I nodded, trying to find something to say that didn’t sound like the chaos swirling in my head. Caleb here, at the
Annie POV It was the first day of classes at college, and the tension between Abby and me still hung in the air like an invisible fog. Though we shared the same dorm, we didn’t speak to each other. We ignored one another completely, pretending the other wasn’t there. I spent my time interacting
Max POV The club was a circus of flashing lights and bass that made the floor feel alive, pulsing like a heart about to burst. The air reeked of gin and tonic, sweat, and overpriced perfumes, and I was at the bar counter, swirling the ice in my bourbon, watching the crowd throw themselves onto the