When I woke up the next day, I was happy. I woke up excited. I had a purpose, something to do, and for once, I didn't feel sorry for myself, and I was happy. I took a shower, got dressed, and headed downstairs. I had planned to have breakfast at a hotel, but then, something made me pause. Instead of leaving, I turned and made my way to the kitchen.When I reached the kitchen, I found Madeline busy with her tasks. Without a second glance, I greeted her cordially, "Good morning." She didn’t respond, but I didn’t care. I only did it out of respect anyway. I walked straight to the fridge, grabbed a jug of juice, poured myself a glass, took out two eggs, and some sauces, and then headed over to the cooker. I lit it up and got busy with my breakfast, catching Madeline throwing me evil glances from the corner of my eye. But nothing was going to ruin my mood, not today. I fried my breakfast, then sat at the kitchen island, choosing not to go to the dining table, and began to eat.“This is
I kissed him hard, and then, just like I knew he would, he took control of the situation. His hands in my ear, in my hair, in my neck, going towards my arms, then touching, fumbling my breasts, then towards my waist, taking a handful of my but in his arms, driving me crazy and making me grind on his already hard dick. I kept driving myself insane on top of him while his hands kept wandering everywhere, kissing everywhere, I didn't even know and I don't even care, because the feeling I'm going through right now is just too good. I can't help but scream all the stuff that comes out of my mouth right now. And just as my hands go towards his zipper and I open it and get my hands on his very hard, very smooth dick, I hear him curse. “ fFuck … You're gonna be the death of me.““Don't you die on me yet, old man? “ I answer back with a little, lazy, sexy laugh, which makes him curse me even more. I pull my panties aside, without even taking them off, and put myself on top of his nuclear d
Emerson didn’t speak right away, and neither did I. The silence between us felt strange and heavy. But it wasn’t just the news about Eric and Rita, it was everything that had brought us to this point, all the unspoken things I couldn’t name. I wanted to ask him why he had felt the need to tell me, why he thought I needed to know this. But I didn’t. Instead, I just sat there, numb, the quiet between us stretching on."Okay then, um, I think I'll just go," Emerson said, almost like he didn’t want to."Okay," I answered. He stood up, looking around the room, his gaze lingering on the objects that filled the space, but his thoughts seemed far away. I couldn’t tell if he was actually going to leave or if he was just lost in the moment.He took two steps forward, toward the door, then suddenly stopped and turned back. He came back to the chair and sat down, still watching me, as if waiting for something. I kept my eyes on him, unsure of what was coming next, my mind racing, trying to figu
I didn’t go to Emerson’s bedroom last night after he told me about the family dinner. I don’t know if he was expecting me or not, but I was too hyped. I had too many thoughts working overtime in my head, and the night seemed too heavy to go to him. Instead, I spent the night alone, letting the anticipation build.Now, standing in front of the mirror, I could feel the excitement running through me. The white dress I wore hugged all the right places, accentuating my curves in ways I didn’t usually allow myself to see. My hair was freshly done and styled to perfection, and my makeup was flawless, highlighting my eyes and lips, and making me look like a model I never had the chance to be.It was 7:30, time to head downstairs. I wasn’t just going down there as a guest—I was going down as the host I was born to be, ready to meet my ex, now married to my sister. I wasn’t sure what to call someone who you were related to but didn’t really want to be related to. The whole thing felt twisted, a
I open my mouth, about to come up with a retort, when suddenly Rose appears and announces, “Dinner is served. Please come to the dining room.”“Thank you, Rose,” I tell her with a bright smile because she just saved me from serving Rita the answer she deserved. I didn’t know what I was going to say, but I was sure it would have destroyed the whole day. So, Rose was kind of a lifesaver today. Rose widens her eyes from my smile and quickly retreats, but before she goes, I call her back.“Rose, could you show Rita, my sweet daughter-in-law, to the dining room? I’m going to get Emerson and Eric; we’ll be right with you.”Rita turns her head to look at me so fast, I think her neck might snap. But as I look at her, I realize that her being my daughter-in-law is far better than her acting like my sister when she doesn’t really mean it. When she isn’t, and probably never has been. I give her a wide smile as Rose continues waiting, and then I turn around and start heading toward Emerson’s off
Emerson sighs, giving me an apologetic smile before turning back to Eric. "Please just eat the food, Eric. It’s not like you’re allergic."Eric begins, "Even though you’re taking her side…" but Emerson cuts him off with a firm, "Eric, please." Emerson’s gaze on him is layered, suggesting there’s more behind tonight’s dinner than the dishes on the table."I’m not eating this," Eric says, voice tight with frustration. "If you didn’t want to have us here for dinner, you shouldn’t have asked me and my wife to come." He gestures towards Rita. "I didn’t bring my heavily pregnant, beautiful wife here to eat food she doesn’t even like."But as he glances back at Rita, he’s met with the sight of her plate already half-empty, her fork poised with another bite of seafood. The way she’s savouring it only adds to Eric’s agitation. He glares at her, disgust flickering across his face, which only makes me smile. I know how much Rita loves seafood; it seems pregnancy has only deepened her cravings.
“Why don’t you just let the poor woman have her food and enjoy it?” Emerson said, his voice calm but cutting through the tension at the table. “She’s pregnant, so whatever she feels like eating, just let her have it.”Eric’s gaze snapped toward his father, Emerson, accusingly. “You know what? You didn’t even want me here,” he retorted.Emerson sighed, his patience fraying. “I was the one who asked you here for a family dinner,” he reminded him.“Yes,” Eric countered, “and then your wife made this whole thing her stage for revenge, didn’t you?” He threw a sharp look in my direction.“Eric, please sit down,” Emerson said, his voice a bit firmer as he tried to keep some semblance of control. But Eric ignored him, now standing, looking ready to storm out.“I’ve had enough of today,” Eric spat. “We just came back from our honeymoon, where I was with my beautiful pregnant wife, enjoying our time together. And the first moment we get back, we’re thrown into this mess where people are trying
I looked at Emerson's double doors and then asked myself, why not? I mean, everything was going great, and the dinner was just perfect, until for some reason I disappointed Emerson. But that doesn't mean that the night has to end badly. There's still a chance that tonight can end wonderfully. That tonight can end in wonders. And so, I changed directions and started heading towards the master bedroom.I stepped inside, heading straight to the bathroom, and let the hot water cascade over me, breathing in the scent of Emerson’s shampoo as I washed. Using his things made me feel so close to him. After a long, relaxing shower, I wrapped myself in a fresh towel, dried off, and started brushing my hair in front of the dressing table mirror. I smiled at my reflection, feeling a sense of excitement. I was planning to surprise Emerson tonight, imagining his reaction as he walked in and saw me here waiting for him.Just as I was about to move towards the bed, I heard the bedroom door creak open.
Trey just grins. "I try."I roll my eyes at him. "I can’t believe you’re actually defending hanging out with Eric." I practically spit out his name.Trey rolls his eyes at me too. "Okay, first of all, I didn’t know he was going to throw the vase at you like that. And second, I get that you’re mad because he’s a cheater, but that doesn’t mean I have to cut him off completely. I can still talk to him. I can still be friends with him.""Yeah, because you’re also a cheater, aren’t you, Tracy Flager?"Trey freezes. His eyes narrow. "Okay, hold on a minute. Just because I’m friends with a cheater doesn’t make me one."I scoff. "Cheaters are the worst kind of people."" What if it was someone close to you? What if it was your mom for example? If you found out your own mother was a cheater, what would you do?" "If I found out my mom cheated on my dad, I would never speak to her again. Ever." My voice holds no space for doubt. Because I know it’s true. The way I loved my father? If my mom
“Come on, Trey, just tell me. Who is it?” I demand, my mind racing with a million different possibilities.Trey lifts his hands, making a grand gesture as if unveiling a piece of art. “Mommy dearest, of course.”I frown. “My mother?”He bursts out laughing. “Of course not. I don’t even know your mother. I meant my mom.”His mother? "Your mother?". He nods excitedly. “Tina flager?” I ask again He grins. “Yep! Isn’t it great? This is going to be an interesting dinner.”I stare at him, baffled. “Are you crazy? You want me to have dinner with your mother?”Trey just shrugs, like this is no big deal. Like the last time I sat at a table with him and his mother, it didn’t end with him in the hospital. Like his mother didn’t want to drag me to a police station by my hair.“The last time the three of us were at the same table, your mom literally tried to have me arrested, Trey.” “I know, good times,” he says, smirking. “Just think about it— in a few decades, when we’re old, sitting in ou
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