XANDER’S POVI sat at my desk in the study, holding the memory card from the recording pen. My heart pounded as I slotted it into the reader and connected it to my laptop. The screen flickered to life, and I was just about to press play when the door creaked open. I quickly closed the laptop, not willing to risk anyone finding out I had evidence to save Adeline.My mom walked in, her face softening when she saw me. "Xander, there you are," she said, her voice warm but tinged with concern."Mom," I greeted, trying to keep my tone neutral. I stood up, moving away from the desk to meet her.She crossed the room and hugged me tightly. "I've missed you," she said, her voice muffled against my shoulder. "I don't see you enough these days."I held her gently, feeling a pang of guilt. "I've been busy," I said, not wanting to elaborate. "There is a lot on my mind and there is so much work at the company."She pulled back slightly, looking up at me with those familiar eyes that held both love
SASHA’S POVI was still very angry about Xander’s attitude towards me as Tristan drove. The city lights blurred through the car window and I crossed my arms staring out, my mind replaying the scene with Xander over and over. How could he treat me like that? I deserved better.Tristan’s driving was fast and smooth. He didn’t say much, just kept his eyes on the road. After a while, I realized I had just followed him without asking where we were going. I turned to him and finally asked, “Where are we going?”He glanced at me, a sly smile playing on his lips. “You look like you could use some sex,” he said simply.I felt a rush of heat at his words. He had always been so direct. I smiled back at him. “I won’t argue with that,” I replied, feeling a thrill of excitement. Tristan’s obsession with Adeline annoyed me, but at that moment, I didn’t care. I wanted whatever Adeline had, even if it could be dangerous. I knew Tristan was a very dangerous man, but I didn’t care.The drive felt lik
SASHA’S POVI took a taxi home. Embarrassed did not even begin to explain how I felt.The driver glanced at me through the rearview mirror a few times, but I kept my eyes down. I could feel my face burning with shame. Tristan had left me in the hotel room without any explanation whatsoever. He didn’t even bother to call and ask if I had gone home.The taxi drove through the busy streets, I replayed everything in my head. Tristan didn’t really care about anything or anyone. He was so nonchalant, seeing people as disposable. But when it came to Adeline, it was different. He was always in her business, always showing interest. Even though he wanted to ruin her, he saw her as a worthy opponent and I was jealous of that. To him, I was just a pawn that could be disposed of at any time. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms.The taxi stopped in front of Xander’s house and I paid the driver and got out, feeling the cold air on my skin.My steps were heavy as I walked to the
SASHA’S POVI sat across Xander at the long dining table. His mother, Mrs. Devon sat at the head, smiling warmly. The dining room was elegant, with soft, golden lights illuminating the room. The table was set with fine china and silverware, and the aroma of roasted chicken and fresh vegetables filled the air.We hadn't eaten together like this in a long time. I knew his mom must have emotionally blackmailed him to come home. Xander rarely came home for dinners or anything anymore.The silence was heavy as we ate. I glanced at Xander, who was focused on his plate, chewing slowly. Mrs. Devon tried to break the silence."Sasha, how is your work going?" she asked, her voice cheerful.I looked up and smiled. "It's going well, thank you. I've been busy with new projects."Xander didn't even look up. He stabbed a piece of chicken with his fork and stuffed it into his mouth. Mrs. Devon noticed his lack of response and tried again."Xander, how is work at the company? Anything new?" she aske
XANDER’S POVHow could I have been so blind? I almost married Sasha. Finding out how wicked she was made me question my choices.I needed to get out of the house. I grabbed my keys and headed for the door. Just as I reached for the handle, my mom stepped in front of me, blocking my way.“Where are you going, Xander?” she asked sweetly. “Won’t you join me for dinner?”“I don’t have time, Mom,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.Her face fell, and she looked at me with sad eyes. “You haven’t had time for me lately, Xander. Can’t you spare a few minutes for your mother?”I sighed. I knew what she was doing, and it worked. “Alright, Mom. I’ll join you for dinner.”She smiled, and we walked to the dining room together. My heart sank when I saw Sasha sitting at the table, a smug look on her face. My mood darkened. This was why my mom insisted on me joining her for dinner. I sat down across from Sasha, trying to keep my composure.“How was work today, Xander?” Sasha asked, her voic
SASHA’S POVI entered the room and collapsed to the floor. What the hell was that? Xander just made it clear that he didn’t trust me. Does he know anything? There was no way he could have found out. It was just me and Adeline in that office, so there was no way he could have found evidence. Why did he have such an outburst?I sat there, breathing hard, feeling my heart race. The room was quiet, but my mind was loud and I was restless. I couldn't stay still.I got up and paced around, The more I thought about it, the more worried I became."Why did Xander act that way?" I muttered to myself. "He never behaved like this before."I walked to the window and looked outside replaying the scene in my head. Xander's angry face, his harsh words. It made no sense. He had no reason to doubt me. I had been careful, and didn’t let anything slip.I checked the clock. It was late, but I couldn't sleep. I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. I tossed and turned, trying to find a comfortable po
ADELINE’S POVI woke up that morning feeling groggy and a bit disoriented. The early morning light filtering through the curtains.I rubbed my eyes and stretched my arms. Just as I was about to drift back to sleep, my phone chimed. I picked it up, squinting at the bright screen.It was a text from Xander. The message read, "I've got the recording. I'll put it to good use. It's only a matter of time till you're out." My heart raced as I read the words. I closed my phone and took a deep breath, stretching my arms again."I know he'll do the right thing," I muttered to myself. But my mind was restless. I couldn't just lie there in bed. I needed to do something, anything, to calm my nerves.I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood up. The floor was cold beneath my feet. I grabbed my robe and wrapped it around myself. The house was quiet as I walked down the hallway to the kitchen.The smell of coffee always helped to wake me up, so I decided to make a pot. I filled the kettle
SASHA’S POVI stared at the text from my ex-husband in horror. My hands trembled, and the phone almost slipped from my grasp. "Meet me at Cafe Nine," it read. My mind raced. What did he want? Why now? There was no way I could go back to him.It was true he was still technically my husband, but I wanted Xander. I couldn't risk him catching me speaking to him.I paced the room thinking of what to do. I had left that life behind. But now, with this text, it felt like the past was clawing its way back to me.I sank into the chair, feeling distraught. I needed to go, to find a way to make him disappear from my life forever.But how? What if someone saw me? What if Xander found out?I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. I had to do this. I had to meet him and tell him to leave me alone for good. I couldn't let him ruin everything I had worked so hard to build.I decided to go in disguise. I couldn't risk being recognized. I pulled out a cap and a scarf from my closet. The cap was