SevenThe mansion was lit with warm golden lights, and the gentle hum of slow music filled the air, blending with the rich aroma of the exquisite dishes being prepared. Talia and Marco entered the grand Donovan residence together, though Marco’s brisk pace left her trailing behind. The moment they crossed the threshold, Mrs. Lyra, Marco’s mother, hurried toward them, her face twisted with disdain."Talia!" she hissed, rolling her eyes in disgust. Without warning, she tossed a pair of house slippers at Talia. The harshness of her gesture made Talia flinch, though she quickly lowered her head in respect. "Put those on," Mrs. Lyra snapped. "I don’t want your cheap shoes ruining the polished floor."Talia bit the inside of her cheek, her body stiff as she bent to retrieve the slippers. She barely had a moment to steady herself before Mrs. Lyra’s voice cut through the air again."Still so shabby, even after marrying into our family. What a disgrace," she sneered, glaring at Talia’s worn sh
EightWhen Leo shouted fiercely, the room froze. Everyone's expressions reflected shock—Mrs. Lyra's eyes widened, Marco stiffened, and the maids stood paralyzed.Marco broke the silence, his voice incredulous. "What the hell is wrong with you? What do you think you're doing?"Leo turned to him, his voice ringing with anger. "What I’m doing? I’m telling you all to stop bullying Talia, for crying out loud!" His voice grew louder, more defiant. "It’s been five years, and nothing has changed. The same patriarchal nonsense still runs this family."He stormed towards the door, but halfway there, he stopped next to Mrs. Lyra. His fists clenched, his teeth grinding, he leaned in close and whispered, "It’s still so boring here." The venom in his words stung. Then, without another glance, he stormed out, leaving Marco stunned, unable to muster a response.Mrs. Lyra, panicking, jumped from her seat and tried to chase after Leo, but suddenly she clutched her chest, breathing heavily. Sweat poured
NineAs soon as they got home, Leo hesitated at the door. "Talia, let me escort you to your room," he suggested, his voice softer than usual. But before he could take another step, she pulled him close, her arms wrapping tightly around his waist. Her breath was warm against his neck as she whispered, "Leo, have sex with me."Leo's body froze, and his eyes widened at her bold request. He stared down at her, disbelief etched into every line of his face. "Are you... not afraid of what I might do?" he asked, his voice low with a mix of shock and something darker.Talia met his gaze, unwavering. "I'm not afraid," she said confidently, her eyes steady on his. "I want you to have sex with me. Now."Leo blinked, struggling to process her words. "Have sex?" he repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief.She nodded firmly, her hands already moving to undo his tie and unbutton his shirt. "If we don’t have sex, how are we going to have a child?" Her fingers worked quickly, her intentions clear. "I
TenTalia woke to something pressed to her mouth. When cold water touched her lips, she parted them and drank.After a moment, he shook his head. “You’re not finished yet, Talia. Your heat isn’t quite over.” He set a hand to her lower stomach, his palm cool against her heated skin, then pressed to massage there.The action had her gasping, her body sore and tired but unsated.He stopped, sliding his hand to her hip and offering a purr. “It’s okay, love. Easy. I thought you’d be sore by now.As she woke more, as the touch of his fingers and his scent surrounded her, she found her heat rising again. It threatened to pull her beneath its waves again.Leo's lips quivered, he smiled. “Your pupils are dilating, and your breathing is speeding. You’re feeling it, aren’t you?”Talia arched into the touch, her damp thighs rubbing against each other as the hormones that drove her heat increased, as they dragged her under the weight of nature.He leaned in and pressed his forehead to hers, the ac
ElevenThe next morning, Talia woke up, the sunlight filtering through the curtains. She quickly dressed for work, noticing that Leo was no longer beside her. When she stepped outside, a car was already waiting. As she approached, she saw Leo seated inside."Good morning," they greeted each other politely as she slid into the car.To her surprise, Leo reached into the seat next to him and handed her a small food flask. "Make sure you eat when you get to work. Don’t starve," he said with a soft smile.Talia blinked, taken aback. "You did all this?" she asked, unable to hide her surprise at this sudden gesture. "I can just buy food at the office. You don't have to go through the trouble."Leo hesitated before responding. "The mornings are hectic. This is the least I can do for you right now."She glanced at the flask, then back at him. "You've already done enough, Leo. Thank you," she said, smiling despite her inner confusion.Leo's gaze softened as he watched her. "You need to take car
TwelveLeo clenched his fists as Talia’s father glared at him, visibly shocked by his audacity. The older man’s expression hardened. "I bet you want money, right?" he sneered. "I’ll give it to you, just so you can get the hell out of Talia’s life." With a swift motion, Leo flipped his hand away and pulled a still-stunned Talia close to him.“I knew there was something up! So, you found yourself a new lover, huh? Don’t you dare bring shame to our family!” her father spat venomously, his voice filled with disdain. Talia’s heart clenched at the harsh words."Lover?" Leo scoffed. "I’m her lawful husband—" But before he could finish, Talia nudged him, cutting him off.“He’s my husband’s older brother,” Talia said firmly, her voice steady. Leo’s expression darkened, disappointment flickering in his eyes as he stared at her.Her father’s mood shifted instantly, a fake smile spreading across his face. "Oh, the eldest son of the Donovan family? No wonder you're extraordinary. Excuse my rudenes
ThirteenIn the meeting room, everyone gathered around the table, the atmosphere tense and heavy. Malia's gaze was locked onto Talia, her expression a mix of aggression and jealousy. “What’s going on here?” Malia demanded, her voice cutting through the silence. “The sales department report didn’t meet the standards this month. Who’s responsible for this mess?” Her eyes bored into Talia with a mocking glare.Lisa, Talia’s friend, stood up defiantly. “Are you blaming Talia for this? You only got your position because of your connections with the Donovan family, not because of your abilities,” she shot back, her voice firm and unapologetic. Talia struggled to hold back a laugh at Lisa’s boldness.Lisa continued, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “It’s a miracle your performance ever meets the standard. Malia, you’re just a placeholder.” Malia’s face flushed with rage, but Lisa ignored her, leaning closer to Talia. “Talia, you have the Donovan name, too, right? Why don’t you get the same p
FourteenHis eyes were still glued to her, lingering far too long, but Talia pretended not to notice. She straightened her back and put on her most professional smile. "Good evening, Mr. Bernard," she repeated, holding up the documents. "I’m Talia from the Donovan Group, and I’m here to discuss cooperation with you." He didn’t seem to care about her words. Instead, a sheepish grin spread across his face, his gaze traveling slowly up and down her body. He stood up, his eyes darkening with lust as he moved closer."Ah, I remember now." His voice was slurred with alcohol as he walked towards her, his steps slow, predatory. "Talia… the beautiful lady from the Donovan Group." His grin widened. "Your company is too generous, sending me such a… feast." Without warning, he grabbed her hand, his touch rough and unwanted.Talia’s heart pounded, but she remained calm, quickly yanking her hand away. She forced her smile to remain intact, even though her stomach churned. "I think there’s been a
Greg's face was plastered with worry and panic, his brow furrowed and lips trembling as he fidgeted nervously. “Could it be that they’ve rekindled their old feelings, sir?” he ventured, hesitating as he spoke. His voice wavered, unsure whether he should even suggest such a thing.Leo’s reaction was immediate. His eyes darkened, the veins in his neck bulging as fury built inside him like a storm. His fists slammed onto the table, rattling the objects on it. “It’s *not possible!*” His voice exploded, raw and full of venom. His breathing quickened, each intake of air sharp and strained, the very idea of betrayal igniting something fierce in him.Greg stepped back, eyes wide with fear as he instinctively raised his hands in a defensive gesture. “S-sorry, sir,” he stammered, bowing his head to avoid Leo’s searing gaze. His heart raced, pounding against his ribs. Leo clenched his jaw so tightly his teeth ached, but the pain in his chest was far worse. His eyes darted back and forth as his
THIRTY FOURFear gripped Talia as she looked around the dark, suffocating room. Her heart pounded like a drum, her palms slick with cold sweat. She pounded on the door, her fists aching from the effort. “Mother! Mother! Please, open the door! Open the door for me! I know you're out there!" Her voice cracked with desperation as she slammed her body against the heavy door again, the sound echoing in the suffocating space.Outside, her stepmother smirked, her lips curling into a cruel grin. Her hand gripped the door knob tightly, fingers lingering as if savoring Talia’s agony. "Shut up, Talia!" she hissed, her voice dripping with malice. "Stay inside and let the matter settle. When everything falls into place, only then will I open the door for you. Do you hear me?!" Her voice was sharp, echoing through the cold, silent house.Talia’s heart dropped. She backed away from the door, chest heaving, her breath ragged. She fumbled for her phone, hands shaking, and frantically dialed the guards
THIRTY THREE Talia immediately stiffened, her name echoing through the hallway, spoken by a voice she didn’t recognize. A cold shiver ran down her spine as she turned slowly toward Leo, her heartbeat quickening with a mix of fear and frustration. “Let me finish this conversation with my mother tonight, Leo,” she said, her voice barely concealing the exhaustion that weighed heavily in her chest. Her eyes flitted away from his, avoiding the intensity in his gaze. “We’ll talk about this later.”She ran a hand through her hair, trying to soothe the tension pounding in her head. “And I think we both need time to calm down, to think clearly before we take any action.”Leo’s hand lingered on her arm, his touch soft yet filled with restraint. His lips pressed together as he held back the words he truly wanted to say. His eyes, though dark and stormy, flickered with something more tender—something Talia refused to acknowledge right now."Al
THIRTY TWOMr. Diego's eyes widened, confusion and disbelief etched on his face as Leo’s bold claim hung in the air. The room fell silent, all eyes shifting to Leo and Talia, their tension palpable. Talia’s heart thudded in her chest as she avoided her father’s questioning gaze, desperately trying to maintain her composure.“Wait… you’re married?” Mr. Diego asked, his voice thick with curiosity, as if struggling to grasp the reality.Leo’s lips curled into a mischievous smirk, his sharp gaze fixed on Talia, who stood rigid beside him. Her pulse quickened under his stare, a storm of emotions brewing beneath the surface. He seemed to take pleasure in the subtle discomfort he was causing her. “Yes. I got married as soon as I returned to the country,” Leo responded smoothly, his voice laced with arrogance. “I just haven’t announced it yet.”Mr. Diego raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled by the sudden revelation. “It’s quite a rush! I wonder if one of the people here is your fiancée?” His wo
THIRTY ONE Malia sat on the edge of the bed, her gaze fixated on the floor, as her mother gently combed through her hair. The rhythmic strokes of the brush were meant to soothe, but the tension in Malia’s clenched fists betrayed her frustration. “You look absolutely stunning, Malia,” her mother, Mrs. Lyra, said, a smile playing on her lips. “I’m telling you, no man will be able to walk past without turning his head.” She admired her daughter’s reflection in the mirror, her voice dripping with pride. Malia’s lips tightened into a thin line, her eyes dark with jealousy as she met her mother’s gaze in the mirror. “That’s only if my idiotic stepsister doesn’t decide to crash the night and ruin everything, like she always does,” she muttered bitterly, venom seeping into her tone. Mrs. Lyra’s fingers paused for a second, her face twisting with a knowing smirk before she resumed brushing. “Oh, that’s right, Talia. The ever-perfect golden child. But did you hear?” Her voice lowered, al
THIRTY Talia glared at Marco, the heat of her anger burning in her chest as she avoided eye contact. She clenched her fists, every muscle in her body screaming with frustration. She didn’t want to be near him, let alone listen to whatever nonsense he had to say. “What do you want?” she snapped, her voice sharp and cold. Her expression remained hardened as she shifted her weight uncomfortably, wishing he would just disappear. Marco’s face tightened, his jaw clenching as he took a step forward, his hand reaching for hers. “Let’s go,” he demanded, his voice devoid of emotion as though he had the right to still control her. Talia flung his hand off her wrist as if his touch burned her skin, her heart pounding with irritation. “Just tell me what you want, Marco!” Her voice rose, shaking slightly from the mixture of hurt and anger coursing through her veins. “Stop touching me!” Marco’s eyes flashed with a hint of frustration, the calm facade slipping for a brief second before he compos
TWENTY NINE Talia’s face was a mask of forced calm as she walked over to Leo's table. Inside, however, her stomach churned with discomfort. She sat down across from him, plastering on a fake smile, hoping this encounter would be quick."Mr. Leo, what a coincidence seeing you here!" she said, her voice bright, but her eyes carried a glimmer of frustration she struggled to hide.Leo leaned back in his chair, a sly smile curling on his lips as he met her gaze. “Yes, Miss Talia. Funny thing though, my wife cooked for me today, so I didn’t even need to come here.”Talia froze mid-bite, her throat tightening as she swallowed her food a bit too forcefully. She quickly reached for her water, taking a sip to mask her growing irritation. *Oh please, stop talking nonsense,* she thought, resisting the urge to roll her eyes."Then why aren't you eating what your wife cooked?" she asked, her voice filled with false curiosity a
TWENTY EIGHT Lisa's face flushed with anger, her lips pressed into a thin line as she stormed toward Malia, her eyes blazing with indignation. She moved so quickly and forcefully that the tension in the air crackled around her, completely ignoring Marco who stood nearby, his gaze shifting between the two women with a quiet intensity.“Malia, I thought you were fired?” Lisa spat, her voice sharp and accusatory, her eyebrows furrowed in disbelief. Her fists clenched at her sides as she squared off with Malia, her anger palpable.Malia let out a slow, sarcastic laugh, her lips curling into a smug smirk. She stood tall, shoulders back, exuding a cocky confidence that only made Lisa’s blood boil more. “Fired?” she repeated, her voice dripping with mockery as she raised an eyebrow. “No, darling. I wasn’t fired. I was *demoted,* yes, but I’m still your supervisor.” Her smirk widened as her eyes flicked over to Marco, who gave her a small nod of approval, his expression unreadable but approv
Lisa finished talking, letting out a long sigh as her head drooped back onto the desk. The exhaustion in her eyes was evident, dark circles framing them. Her shoulders sagged, and within seconds, she dozed off.“Lisa, don’t sleep!” Talia’s voice broke through the silence as she barged into the office, her hand dramatically placed on her growling stomach. “Let’s go eat. I’m *famished*,” she added with a playful groan. Her eyes scanned Lisa’s sleeping form before she walked over, lightly tapping her on the shoulder.Lisa jolted awake, her eyes fluttering open, squinting in confusion before she realized where she was. She groaned, stretching her arms above her head as a tired smile curled on her lips. “Ugh, Talia, I was in the middle of such a good dream,” she mumbled, but the moment she caught sight of her phone, her grogginess faded. Excitement sparkled in her eyes as she reached for it. “Girl! I have some juicy gossip for you!” she exclaimed dramatically,