Bryan still hadn’t returned, nor had his mother, but Mia’s eyes remained fixed on them. They were the only people she knew at the occasion, making them her only source of familiarity in the unfamiliar crowd.“Hey,” a voice suddenly said from behind her, making her turn to see the speaker.“Hi,” Mia responded simply, her gaze falling on an unfamiliar yet stunning woman. The stranger was clad in a corset-style strapless dress that pushed up her chest, while the lower part had a dangerously high slit, revealing nearly too much.“Who are you to Bryan?” the woman asked suddenly, pulling Mia from her thoughts.“Ah? What do you mean?” Mia asked, caught off guard by the abrupt question.“Don’t play dumb with me, b*tch!” the woman snapped loudly, drawing the attention of nearby guests.“I don’t understand what you’re saying! And don’t you dare call me a b*tch!” Mia fired back, refusing to sit idly while being insulted.“How dare you try to steal my man? Bryan is mine, and I’m not going to st
Bryan heard the familiar voice behind him and turned sharply, his piercing gaze landing on his stepbrother, Dave, who stood there with a smug grin. Beside him was a woman who appeared to be his girlfriend. Without acknowledging them, Bryan returned his attention to his phone, ignoring their presence.“Don’t be rude, Bryan,” Dave said, feigning hurt. “As a brother, I saw you from afar and thought I’d come over to greet you in person. Why act so cold?”“Can you just stop this pathetic act? I don’t have time for your drama,” Bryan scoffed, his fingers moving swiftly across his phone screen.“You haven’t changed,” Dave smirked, pulling out a chair for his girlfriend, Mandy, before taking a seat himself. He knew Bryan was irritated, and that only fueled his amusement.Mandy turned her attention to Mia, who sat nearby. “Hey, pretty,” she greeted with a friendly wave.Mia, not wanting to be rude, responded with a nod.Leaning in slightly, Mandy whispered, “Are you Bryan’s girlfriend?” Her
Bryan arrived at the open space behind the building, but his parents were nowhere to be found. He had been told by the man who whispered in his ear earlier that they needed to see him immediately. So why weren’t they here? His eyes scanned the area, but there was no sign of them. Something felt off.A sharp, stabbing pain suddenly shot through his stomach, making him groan and clutch his abdomen. The sensation was intense, unlike anything he had ever felt before. He instinctively tried to steady himself, but his vision blurred, distorting the surroundings. Confused and alarmed, he attempted to head back toward the hall, but his legs betrayed him. The pain intensified, spreading through his body, and his groans of agony filled the empty space. His breathing turned ragged, panic creeping in.What the hell is happening? He needed to get out of here before it was too late. He struggled to push himself forward, but before he could take another step, something heavy struck the back of
Dave paced the length of the hotel room, his hands clenching and unclenching into fists. Mandy sat on the edge of the bed, watching him anxiously before turning to the hefty man standing in front of them.“Are you sure he’s not going to survive?” she asked, her voice laced with urgency.The man, known only as Red, smirked. “I’m sure. I hit him hard, right on the head. The force alone was enough to kill him. If you must know, I’ve never failed a mission. That’s why I come highly recommended.”Mandy exhaled sharply, nodding. “I know you’re good. That’s why I hired you. But I need a clean job, Red. If Bryan survives, he’s going to hunt you down. And if that happens, he’ll come after us too. He’s not the type to let things slide.”Red scoffed, his confidence unwavering. “I understand perfectly. This is my field, and I’m always extremely careful. If I wasn’t good, you wouldn’t have been given my name. Trust me, he’s a dead man already.”A smile of relief spread across Mandy’s face as she
Zoe served Livia a generous portion of meatballs, a wrapped sandwich, and chilled juice—just the way she had always liked it. As soon as Livia finished eating, Zoe wasted no time. She needed to know everything that had happened. Bryan was a demon, and there was no way he would have let Livia go without doing something to her or finding a way to get back at his captive.“He destroyed our relationship for her, Zoe, and I’m not going to let her have my Bryan,” Livia said, her voice laced with venom.Zoe frowned. “What do you have in mind?” She knew whatever Livia was planning wouldn’t be good. Livia was too desperate, and that was the problem with her. But what was so special about that arrogant man, anyway?“To get rid of her for good,” Livia said with a smirk.Zoe’s mouth fell open in shock. She had always known Livia was desperate, but she never thought she was capable of harming anyone. The words that had just come out of her mouth made Zoe realize she didn’t know her friend as
Mrs. Johnson Chapman stood outside Bryan’s hospital room, anxiety gnawing at her heart. The hallway felt suffocating as she waited for the doctor’s permission to go in. She needed to see her son, to know he was truly okay. The mere thought of losing him sent waves of panic through her. He was her only child—her entire world. She couldn’t bear the thought of something happening to him.“Ma’am, you don’t have to worry,” Phillip, Bryan’s personal bodyguard, spoke beside her. “I’m sure Lord Bryan will be perfectly okay. He isn’t as soft as everyone thinks. He’s brave, fearless, and strong. All you have to do is be strong for him too.”His words were meant to be reassuring, and they were—to some extent. For the past few hours, Phillip had been her pillar of strength, constantly offering encouragement. She was grateful for him, and more than that, she was grateful that Bryan had someone so loyal by his side.“Ma’am Johnson!” A familiar voice called out.Mrs. Chapman turned to see Fiona
Mrs. Chapman clasped her hands together, her voice gentle yet filled with emotion. “I really want to apologize to you on behalf of my son. Please, find it in your heart to forgive him for all he has done to you.”Mia felt a lump form in her throat at Mrs. Chapman’s words. Despite everything Bryan had put her through, despite the pain and humiliation, she couldn’t bring herself to hold onto resentment. She doesn’t know what was wrong with her. She couldn’t just point her finger on the sudden change of everything.After all the forced sex, the tortures— him giving out instructions for her not to get treated just because she had broken his trophy and peed in her room.If she should keep all of it in her heart, she wouldn’t have dared to give her blood to Bryan— he wasn’t worth it.But then, She had already made her decision—to save his life. Holding grudges wouldn’t change the past. The past had happened and a new one needed to be created.“There’s no need to apologize, ma’am,” Mia s
Livia stepped into The Boomer’s Club, one of the most popular nightclubs in town, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. The place was alive with deafening music, flashing neon lights, and the chaotic energy of people dancing, drinking, and indulging in their vices. As her eyes scanned the room, she quickly sought out a dark, inconspicuous corner, a spot where she could drown in her thoughts without being easily recognized. The last thing she wanted was to wake up tomorrow and find her face splashed all over the tabloids with wild rumors about her night out.She exhaled deeply, exhaustion weighing down her shoulders. Life had been a mess lately—one disappointment after another. As she settled into her seat, she raised her hand to flag down a waiter, knowing there was no way her voice would cut through the thumping bass of the speakers.A familiar song played in the background, one of her favorites, making her unconsciously nod along to the rhythm. It was a small, fle
Bryan stepped out of the elevator and into the grand hotel lobby, adjusting his jacket as he walked toward the entrance. The space was buzzing with soft music, elegant chandeliers casting a golden glow over the pristine marble floor. His eyes immediately landed on Lincoln and Raymond, who were already waiting with the man assigned to take them around.Lincoln, as usual, was the first to react when he saw Bryan approaching.“Damn, bro!” Lincoln grinned, stepping forward and giving Bryan’s outfit an exaggerated once-over. “You look like you just walked straight out of a fashion magazine. Our manager really outdid himself this time.”Raymond, standing beside him with his arms crossed, nodded in agreement. “For once, I gotta admit he got it right. These outfits are fire.”Bryan smirked slightly. “You just realized he knows what he’s doing?”Raymond chuckled. “Man, I always knew, but you know me, I love to act like I don’t. Gotta keep the man humble.”The guy who was supposed to take t
The moment Bryan and his crew arrived at the luxurious five-star hotel in Mexico, they were escorted to their respective rooms. The hotel was nothing short of extravagant, with marble floors, floor-to-ceiling windows that offered breathtaking views of the city, and soft golden lighting that gave the entire place a warm, elegant feel.Bryan pushed open the door to his suite and stepped inside. The room was spacious, with a king-sized bed neatly made with crisp white sheets, a seating area with plush sofas, and a minibar stocked with expensive drinks. A large flat-screen TV hung on the wall opposite the bed, and a door led to an en-suite bathroom that had both a bathtub and a glass-enclosed shower.He tossed his duffel bag onto the bed and stretched his arms. It had been a long flight, and even though he wasn’t one to complain, he was grateful to have some time to rest before the concert later that evening. Just as he was about to sit down, his phone vibrated with a message.“Get s
Mia was deep in sleep, curled up comfortably under the thick blankets, when a soft but persistent knock sounded at her door. She stirred slightly, frowning as she tried to cling to sleep, but the knocking came again. Groaning, she sat up, rubbing her sleepy eyes before muttering, “It’s open.”The door creaked open, and Mrs. Chapman stepped inside, looking as lively as ever. She was already dressed, her hair neatly pinned up, and she had a warm smile on her face.“Wakey, wakey, my dear. It’s morning already,” she said in a cheerful tone.Mia yawned, stretching her arms lazily before smiling. “Good morning, Mom.”“Good morning, sweetheart. Now, hurry and freshen up. We have shopping to do today, remember?”Mia’s sleepy brain took a moment to catch up, but as soon as Mrs. Chapman mentioned shopping, her eyes widened slightly. She remembered their conversation the previous night—how they had planned to go shopping for the babies today.“Oh, that’s right,” Mia murmured, rubbing her stom
The moment Bryan left, Mrs. Chapman turned to Mia, stretching her arms as she sighed.“The sun is already setting. We should go inside before it gets too cold,” she said, brushing her damp hands against the towel draped over the pool chair.Mia, still busy licking her ice cream, let out a small hum. “Do we have to? It’s so nice out here.”Mrs. Chapman gave her a look. “Yes, we do. You’re not planning to sleep by the pool, are you?”Mia pouted but reluctantly got up from the poolside, grabbing a towel and tying it around her waist. “Fine, fine. But I’m taking my ice cream with me,” she said, taking another spoonful as they walked inside.Mrs. Chapman chuckled. “At this rate, you’ll end up getting a brain freeze.”Mia grinned. “That’s a risk I’m willing to take.”As they entered the house, their conversation shifted to random topics.“You know,” Mrs. Chapman started, wiping her damp hands with a smaller towel, “I’ve been meaning to ask—have you given any more thought to that charity ga
Bryan stepped out of the car as soon as they arrived home. Phillip, ever efficient, was already by the door, opening it for him. Without a word, Bryan got out, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings.As expected, the maids and bodyguards stationed around the compound immediately greeted him.“Welcome back, sir,” they said in unison.Bryan, however, barely acknowledged them. He simply strode inside, his mind already preoccupied.The moment he stepped into the living room, he paused.Empty.That was unusual. Normally, either Mia or his mother would be lounging on the couch, watching TV, reading, or waiting for him. But today, the house was eerily quiet.Frowning, he set down the shopping bag and looked around.“Brenda,” he called, his deep voice echoing through the space.Almost instantly, one of the maids hurried out from the hallway. Brenda was a young lady in her 20’s, efficient and quick on her feet. She wiped her hands on her apron as she stopped before him.“Yes, sir?” she ask
Bryan stepped out of the car as soon as they arrived at the studio. The tall building stood before him, its glass exterior reflecting the afternoon sun. He adjusted his jacket and walked in, his usual cold expression in place.As expected, Raymond and Lincoln were already inside. Raymond sat on a chair, scrolling through his phone like he had all the time in the world, while Lincoln paced around, talking animatedly to no one in particular.The moment Bryan entered, Lincoln’s face lit up. “Finally! Our superstar is here.”Bryan shot him an unimpressed look. “You talk too much.”Lincoln gasped dramatically. “Wow. No ‘hello’? No ‘what’s up, Lincoln’? Just straight to an insult?”Raymond barely looked up from his phone. “He’s right. You talk too much.”Lincoln placed a hand over his chest. “You both wound me.”Bryan ignored him and dropped his bag on the floor. “Let’s start practice. We don’t have time for this.”Lincoln sighed. “Fine, fine, Mr. No-Fun. But you have to admit, my energy
The morning light streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. Bryan stirred awake first, blinking a few times as he adjusted to the brightness. He turned his head to the side, and there she was—Mia, still asleep, her face peaceful, her hair slightly messy from last night. A lazy smile spread across his lips.She looked so beautiful.Bryan sat up slowly, stretching his arms before slipping out of bed quietly. He headed to the bathroom, freshened up, and got dressed in a black fitted shirt and matching pants. By the time he was done, Mia was still deep in sleep.He smirked. She had every reason to be exhausted after last night.Walking back over to the bed, Bryan pulled the covers down slightly, exposing her bare shoulders. His fingers brushed lightly over her skin before he leaned in and began trailing soft kisses along her shoulders, moving up toward her neck.Mia stirred, letting out a soft moan in her sleep. Bryan smirked against her skin but didn’t stop.
Bryan had just stepped out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist, his hair damp from the shower, when a soft knock came from the door. He ran a hand through his wet hair before walking over and opening it.One of the maids stood there with a polite bow. “Sir, Ma’am Mia asked me to let you know that dinner is ready.”Bryan exhaled, rubbing his jaw. “Alright. Tell her I’ll be down in a minute.”The maid nodded and left, and Bryan turned back into the room, shaking his head slightly. He got dressed quickly, throwing on a black T-shirt and sweatpants.Just before heading downstairs, his cell phone rang out. He picked it up staring at the unknown caller ID .He deliberated it to pick it or let it slide. After a while, he chosen the neither and it ranged and stopped.“If you want to reach me, perhaps you should call my personal bodyguard.” He mumbled to himself as he began making his way downstairs.When he reached the dining room, the table was already set, and both Mia and
Mia and Mrs. Chapman were still laughing when a deep, familiar voice interrupted them from behind.“So, I’ve been forgotten just because my mother is here?”Mia and Mrs. Chapman both turned toward the doorway, and there stood Bryan, arms crossed, his signature smirk tugging at his lips. His tall frame leaned casually against the door, but his eyes held that piercing sharpness, the kind that always made Mia’s heart race.Mia blinked, then let out a soft chuckle. “Forgotten you? Never.”Mrs. Chapman, sitting comfortably on the couch, let out a knowing laugh. “Oh, come on now, Bryan. I was just keeping your wife company. You know, making sure she doesn’t get too bored while waiting for you to finally come home.”Bryan smirked, stepping further into the room. “And here I thought she was supposed to be resting, not laughing all day.”Mia rolled her eyes playfully and stood up, walking toward him. As soon as she was close enough, she wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her face a