I'm already standing, walking to my bedroom. I step inside, and lock it—this time with bolts. I take a long shower, washing off everything that happened today. By the time I slip into bed, exhaustion lulls me into a deep, dreamless sleep.The loud ringing of my phone wakes me. I groggily reach for it, rubbing my eyes as I glance at the screen. An unknown number.For a moment, I consider ignoring it, but something makes me pick up.“Hello?” My voice is hoarse with sleep.Silence.“Hello?” I try again.Then I hear it—the familiar voice,“Nina.”I sit up instantly. “Emerson?”“Yes.” I exhale. “Are you okay? How are you feeling?”“I’m fine,” I say. “Don’t worry about me.""I… I wanted to come after you. I wanted to stop you and talk to you... When you left, I wanted to hold you, to take care of you. I knew you needed me, but I also knew you wouldn’t have liked that. So, I just had to stand there and let you leave.”I sigh. “It wouldn’t have made a good picture if I wanted to quit and prov
He takes a breath. "I cannot work with Emerson. I’m not working with your ex-fiancé. I’d rather work with your ex-husband than work with your ex-fiancé."I raise an eyebrow. "Wow!""We already have bad blood, okay?" he says, shaking his head. "I don’t want to be in a situation where I say something about you sleeping so beautifully in my bed, and then I find myself in the hospital again."It’s a joke. And I laugh, because—well, it’s true.He grins. "See? You’re laughing. Good beginnings."I shake my head, amused. "So? What are you proposing?""Not proposing," he corrects. "I already did the proposal. I pitched it to the team, and the Blackwind board, and they understood me. They agreed with me."I frown. "Agreed with what?"He leans forward. "You don’t want to go back to the company. But you’re passionate about this project. You want to do this. So if you and I are going to work together, why not do it from here? We can set up an office here—just like A, B, and C."I hesitate. "And wh
My husband’s phone pinged with a message. I was about to take it to him at work because he’d forgotten it at home. The message was from my sister. Curiosity piqued, I entered the password to unlock the phone and went to the message.“I AM PREGNANT.”My eyes nearly bugged out of my head. Pregnant? I had to sit down for this. I sank into a nearby chair and began scrolling through the messages between my sister and my husband. The evidence was clear: they had been having an affair for a very long time, and now it looked like she was pregnant. Something I couldn’t even manage to do.A tear escaped my eye as I tried to compose myself. It shouldn’t have been a complete surprise, considering how close they had recently become and how oddly they had been acting. I had suspected they might be involved, but I didn’t want to believe that the two people I trusted most could betray me in this way. Still, I should have suspected it.She’s probably not pregnant with him, I lied to myself as I texted
While still dancing and thinking about the man who had just walked into the bar, I felt the guy I was grinding against starting to get a little too handsy. His hands clumsily wandered towards my waist, then my butt, and soon he was trying to slip his fingers inside my dress. I swatted at his hands, but he didn't stop. Frustrated, I decided to leave the dance floor, but he grabbed me and pulled me back.I was too drunk and uncoordinated to fight him off effectively. As I pushed him away, telling him to leave me alone, “Let go of me…..let me go.“ His hands continued their unwanted exploration. The music was too loud and everyone around us was lost in their own world, and no one seemed to notice or care.Just as his hand began to gain entrance into my dress, rising higher and higher, dread filled me. I struggled to push him away. Suddenly, I heard a fierce growl. "Stay away from her! She said no."The man was shoved away from me, and I looked towards my rescuer. The voice sounded fam
“No, I don't think it's a great idea. I think I’m just going to go. You're already here, you’re fine," he responds, clearly uncomfortable."What if something happens to me?" I ask."Nothing's going to happen to you here. Its a great hotel and there is good security. I wouldn't just leave you anywhere.....," he says."How do you know that?“ I interrupt him."Because....." He sighs as he watches me again before asking, “What do you want from me now?““ Come inside, we can stay on the couch or something. Don’t leave me alone; I really don’t want to be alone tonight. Please....!"He looks at me, weighing his options, before finally relenting. "Alright, fine," he says, closing the door behind him and stepping into the room.He goes and takes a seat on the sofa, and I sit down next to him. "Do you want some coffee?" he asks. "Maybe I could order it or something.""No, just a glass of water, maybe," I say softly.He pours water into a glass from a bottle and hands it to me. Our eyes meet, an
“Yes, Rita is the one I should have married. It was a mistake marrying you, but don't think you can come crawling back to me. When we're finally divorced, I don't want to ever see you again.""I will never crawl back to you, but you'll regret betraying me and going behind my back. I’ll make sure of it.""Aha, you wish." He answers mockingly "You can't do nothing. You have no power, atleast not without me. You are going to regret this decision. I am still on the fence on wether I should fire you from the company, so tread lightly.""Whatever you want Eric" I say back with a broad smile."I don't know what I ever saw in you. Rita is just so amazing to me and we are so happy together."“You can't fight love, sis” Rita adds proudly, kissing Eric's cheek.Emerson, who had been sitting quietly all this time, finally spoke up. "Eric, I'm really disappointed in you. You know that Rita and Mina are sisters. What you did has broken her family. Why would you sleep with Nina, and even worse, get
"What?" Both Rita and Eric asked in unison, their voices laced with disbelief. "You can't be serious," Rita added, her face twisted in shock. Eric, on the other hand, was filled with a combination of anger and confusion. "It can't… you can't marry her. Dad, what do you mean you asked her to marry you? This will make me a laughing stock. You can't do this, Dad. You can't! She's my wife. You can't marry her!""Your 'ex-wife'," I corrected him, smiling as I took Emerson's hand in mine. By now, we had gained the curious gazes of people around us. The guests, sensing the tension, began to inch closer, eager to hear what the argument was all about. When they noticed our intertwined hands, mine and Emerson's the whispers started. Murmurs spread like wildfire. I could see Eric growing more anxious, his face reddening as the embarrassment consumed him. Rita stood next to him, clearly as mortified as he was."Dad, what the fuck do you think you're doing? You can't marry her!" Eric's voice
Tears welled up in my eyes, spilling down my cheeks as the gravity of the moment hit me. I had never expected this, not here, not now. I could barely hear the murmurs and whispers from the guests surrounding us, all my focus on the man kneeling before me."Mina," he continued, his voice firm and strong, sure of himself "I'm asking you, Mina, would you make me the happiest man in the world and agree to marry me?“"Yes, yes, yes, and again, yes! I'm ready, I will marry you!" I said, my voice trembling with excitement as I let Emerson, Eric’s father, slip the engagement ring onto my finger. The diamond was huge, far bigger and heavier than the one Eric had given me. My fingers felt the weight, and I couldn’t help but compare them. Emerson's ring was much more beautiful, a true piece of art and a clear statement. Unlike Eric’s, which now seemed like a hollow promise.He stood and pulled me into a hug. I hesitated, not sure if it was appropriate to kiss him right there with everyone watc
He takes a breath. "I cannot work with Emerson. I’m not working with your ex-fiancé. I’d rather work with your ex-husband than work with your ex-fiancé."I raise an eyebrow. "Wow!""We already have bad blood, okay?" he says, shaking his head. "I don’t want to be in a situation where I say something about you sleeping so beautifully in my bed, and then I find myself in the hospital again."It’s a joke. And I laugh, because—well, it’s true.He grins. "See? You’re laughing. Good beginnings."I shake my head, amused. "So? What are you proposing?""Not proposing," he corrects. "I already did the proposal. I pitched it to the team, and the Blackwind board, and they understood me. They agreed with me."I frown. "Agreed with what?"He leans forward. "You don’t want to go back to the company. But you’re passionate about this project. You want to do this. So if you and I are going to work together, why not do it from here? We can set up an office here—just like A, B, and C."I hesitate. "And wh
I'm already standing, walking to my bedroom. I step inside, and lock it—this time with bolts. I take a long shower, washing off everything that happened today. By the time I slip into bed, exhaustion lulls me into a deep, dreamless sleep.The loud ringing of my phone wakes me. I groggily reach for it, rubbing my eyes as I glance at the screen. An unknown number.For a moment, I consider ignoring it, but something makes me pick up.“Hello?” My voice is hoarse with sleep.Silence.“Hello?” I try again.Then I hear it—the familiar voice,“Nina.”I sit up instantly. “Emerson?”“Yes.” I exhale. “Are you okay? How are you feeling?”“I’m fine,” I say. “Don’t worry about me.""I… I wanted to come after you. I wanted to stop you and talk to you... When you left, I wanted to hold you, to take care of you. I knew you needed me, but I also knew you wouldn’t have liked that. So, I just had to stand there and let you leave.”I sigh. “It wouldn’t have made a good picture if I wanted to quit and prov
I go shopping and buy new clothes.Yesterday, when Trey came back from wherever he had disappeared to, he brought me a few outfits because, according to him, I didn't have any. But today, I doing the shopping. I have my own money—the money Emerson gave me for my trip—so I take myself shopping.I even go to the salon and get my hair done. My nails, too. I throw a spa day for myself, just me, a celebration of… whatever this new chapter of my life. In the evening I have dinner, and then I head towards Trey’s penthouse.I think it’s time I start looking for my own apartment. I have Emerson’s money, after all.Or, you know what? I could still go on that trip to Rio.These are the thoughts running through my head as I step into the elevator. I get off the elevator and I open the door. The moment I step inside, I freeze.I blink, processing the sight in front of me.Trey is standing right there, in the exact spot where I stood yesterday when he came home with that blonde bimbo.And he’s hold
Then, all at once, the decision is made."This is not worth it," I say, standing up so fast my chair scrapes against the floor. I’m not doing this. I don’t care about this job, this project, this entire damn company. I’m not safe here.No one stops me as I step away from my desk."People have put things in my drink," I continue, my voice growing louder. "I don’t even know if they were trying to poison me or just being assholes. I don’t know what they’re capable of. And now this?" I motion toward the broken vase. I look at Eric, who has a forced smile on his face. I know that smile, he knows he fucked up but he is not going to own up to it or apologize. "No. I’m done." I announceI turn toward Emerson. Our eyes meet. His expression is unreadable, but something flickers there—something like regret.I smile tightly, grabbing my bag. "I’m leaving."And this time, I mean it.I am out of the door and already in the parking lot, walking towards my car, ready to leave it all behind. But t
I wake up the next morning in a surprisingly good mood.And as always, when I’m in a good mood, it’s all white for me. A white suit, white shoes, and, of course, my white handbag.When I pull into the parking lot, I spot Trey right away. He’s leaning against his car, phone pressed to his ear, talking animatedly. The moment his gaze lands on me, his entire face lights up."There you go, Miss Harper," he greets, slipping his phone into his pocket. "I’ve been waiting for you. I thought since it’s my first day here, you could show me around."I arch a brow. "You don’t work for Black Wind Company, Treyson. You’re just an affiliate.""Still means I get to be here, doesn’t it?" He smirks. "Besides, don’t tell me you don’t want to see how amazing I look today."I roll my eyes, but I can’t help taking him in. He does look good—annoyingly."Well, you seem to be in a good mood," he notes.I don’t confirm or deny it. Instead, I just say, "You could say something like that."We chat as we walk in
The minute I step inside the penthouse, I close the door behind me and slump to the floor.And then, I start sobbing.I cry. And I cry. And I cry.I have no idea why the tears won’t stop falling. Maybe it’s exhaustion. Maybe it’s frustration. Maybe it’s everything catching up to me all at once.Then, suddenly—The door handle rattles.I freeze, my heart hammering. My head snaps toward the door in alarm.Then I hear Trey's voice—low, amused. A woman’s voice follows, laughing a little too much, a little too loud. And then—kissing sounds.Panic grips me.Oh God. They’re coming in here.I can’t let them find me like this. A mess. My mascara is probably streaked down my cheeks, my eyeliner smudged, my hair wild.I jump to my feet, wiping my tears in a hurry. I run my fingers through my hair, trying to smooth it down, to make myself look less like someone who was just breaking down on the floor.And then the door swings open and Trey walks in With her. The blonde beauty from the club.I sho
We were already in the parking lot. Emerson’s driver had stepped out, opening the car door for him.Then, Trey’s words came back to me.He just decides. One moment, he pushes you away and tells you to take time and think for yourself. The next, he decides you're his again. Just like that.And wasn’t that exactly what was happening?Right now, he had decided I was his girl again. Right now, I am sick, weak, and unable to stand on my own. So he was taking me home. Taking care of me. But what happens tomorrow morning when I wake up feeling fine? Will I still be his? Or will everything go back to how it was—cold, distant, uncertain?Was he doing this because he still loved me? Or was it guilt? Some sense of responsibility because he thought I couldn’t take care of myself?The more I thought about it, the more I realized something painful. Maybe Emmerson was right. Maybe I wasn’t capable of taking care of myself. I never had been. I'd never really been alone. And that scared me more than a
Silence.Trey turned to me then, really looking at me for the first time. His expression changed."Mina," he said, his voice softer. "What’s going on? Are you okay? Why didn't you call me?"I nodded weakly. "I’m okay." Which was kind of crazy, considering I wasn’t okay at all.I should have expected Trey to ask me first if I was okay, but maybe it didn’t matter. It wasn’t like he was my boyfriend or anything."I think I ate something bad," I admitted. "Or I have food poisoning or something. Emerson found me and took care of me. I just need to lie down and get some water."Trey hesitated, then said, "I’ll take you to the hospital."Before I could answer, Emerson spoke for me."That’s okay," he said. "I got her.""I insist," Treyson said.Emerson looked at him, then at the blonde, who was still standing at the door, watching our exchange in silence. Then, he spoke."You seem to be a little occupied at the moment," Emerson said. "Just leave it to me. I'll take care of her. I've been tak
I slumped back into my seat, lifting the champagne glass to my lips. The music around me, the crowd below moving in with the beat. But I wasn’t paying attention anymore.Trey was still downstairs with the blonde beauty.I took another sip, then another.I didn’t know how long I sat there, lost in my own thoughts, but suddenly, my stomach twisted. I was suddenly nauseous, and before I could process it, I was on my feet, rushing toward the VIP restroom.The moment I reached the toilet sink, I started vomiting.It was relentless. I emptied everything I had eaten, my stomach lurching violently, rejecting it all. Even when there was nothing left, I kept heaving—dry, painful retches that left me gasping for air. Sweat dripped down my back, soaking my clothes, making my skin feel clammy.I was a mess.My legs gave out, and I sank onto the cold tile floor, my body trembling. I couldn’t move. My limbs felt too heavy, my mind too foggy. My mouth tasted awful, sour and bitter from the vomit, but