~Aaron~Her green eyes flared with anger while the lady sitting next to her clasped her hands together in excitement.I bit the inside of my cheek, forcing myself to look away as I focused on memorizing the faces of her coworkers. Up until now, I hadn’t fully understood why I decided to buy out the company.It was for Joan. But I had never been the type to act on impulse. Yet the moment the thought crossed my mind, I acted. And now? I owned a company I had no real use for.All to get the attention of a woman. Not just any woman—the one who had captured my heart.The meeting ended earlier than expected, and as the employees filtered out, murmurs filled the air.“Ms. Madison, can I talk to you for a second?” I called out, and everyone froze. Whispers buzzed through the room. The lady from yesterday nudged Joan, winking before walking off.One by one, the others followed until we were the only ones left.Joan crossed her arms, pressing her lips into a thin line. Her green eyes, once so e
~Joan~I took a sip of the lemonade in front of me, glancing around the small Chinese restaurant where Brielle had asked me to meet her.She’d insisted we meet after work, claiming she had something important to tell me—something that couldn’t wait until we were at the office.I’d picked a seat facing the entrance so I could see everyone who walked in or out. I sighed, setting my glass down and glancing at my watch.9:25 PM. So much for meeting at 9.She didn’t drag me out here just to bail on me, right?Just as that thought crossed my mind, the door opened, and someone stepped inside—someone I knew all too well.Rhoda.She scanned the restaurant, a frown tugging at the corners of her mouth. Digging into her purse, she pulled out her phone, her lips moving as she mumbled something before bringing it to her ear.Then her gaze landed on me.Our eyes locked.Her brows knit together, her brown eyes widening slightly before her expression hardened and she looked away. I swallowed, my throa
~Joan~“Nice to see you're here,” I slurred as I finished the last of my drink. Denzel scowled, pulling out a chair and sitting across from me.His eyes darted around, landing on the empty vodka bottles scattered across the table before meeting my gaze again.“Are you drunk?” he asked, narrowing his eyes. I waved him off lazily.“A little bit. But I'm still sober,” I muttered, signaling the waiter. I’d stumbled into this bar and just kept ordering drinks.Then I called Denzel to come over. I never told him where I was, but he showed up anyway… he works with the boss after all.My chest tightened painfully as Aaron crossed my mind.“You can't be drunk and sober at the same time. How many bottles have you had?” His voice was calm and soothing, but it wasn’t the voice I wanted to hear right now.I was going crazy.Denzel waved the waiter off, placing both hands flat on the table.“I’ll take you home now. Where do you live?” he asked gently. I scoffed, my irritation bubbling up.“I didn’t
~Joan~The month passed quickly, and I still hadn’t reached out to Aaron. Somehow, though, he managed to stay in touch, sending me texts on how his day went and made it a duty to deliver flowers to my door, making it so goddamn hard to get over him.I never replied to any of them but I still found myself falling deeper. It was infuriating.He made sure to stay out of sight—I didn’t even see him at the office. Rumor had it he’d put Noah in charge of running the company and reporting back to him.What were the chances he’d pick someone exactly like him? Cold and handsome? None, right?But he did anyway.I stared at the message on my phone, my lips tugging into a slight smile.Unknown: Hectic day. I’m so fucking tired. Wish I could see you, talk to you, hold you. I miss you, kitten.“Unknown?” I jumped, startled, nearly dropping my phone. Brielle straightened up with a smirk on her face.I shot her a glare and slammed my phone face-down on the table. Her grin slowly faded.“Come on, Jo.
~Joan~I just stood there, frozen, staring at the woman who was supposed to be my mother. She blinked at me, her smile faltering slightly, like she wasn’t sure how to hold it in place.I shook my head quickly, forcing a small, polite smile."I'm Joan. Alessia's colleague," I said, my voice steady despite the storm inside me. She nodded and walked toward her daughter, leaving me standing there, feeling like a shadow. I watched blankly as the two of them spoke in Spanish, their voices a soft hum I couldn’t follow. Brielle chimed in occasionally.Luna De Luca. The name echoed in my head, over and over.Goddamn it… fuck.My fingers trembled slightly as I grabbed my phone, typing furiously, the screen blurring for a moment before I blinked the haze away. That’s when Shayne’s text popped up.Shayne: I have good news. We're releasing your book tonight, and the clients want you to work on book two. They totally loved it.My heart gave a little jolt, but I barely let the feeling register. I i
~Aaron~My phone rang the next morning. It was Rhoda. We’d barely spoken since Joan left the restaurant in tears.Rhoda had been upset with me for setting her up with Joan without giving her a heads-up. I never had the courage to explain myself, knowing it was just her way of pretending nothing affected her.Adjusting the towel around my waist, I swiped the green button to answer.There was a sniffle on the other end. I froze.“Aaron?” Her voice cracked slightly, and I straightened up.“Rhoda? What’s wrong?” I asked, walking toward my wardrobe and grabbing a pair of pants.“It’s Joan…” Her voice trailed off, and for a second, it felt like my heart stopped. Joan?“What happened to her?” I asked sharply, hurriedly pulling on my pants and zipping up.“Her apartment was broken into. Some guys attacked her—they beat her until she passed out. Her neighbor rushed her to the hospital and called me.”I bolted out of the room, grabbing a T-shirt on the way.“She’s not waking up.”No. No, no, no
~Aaron~I stayed at the hospital day after day, only switching shifts with Rhoda to go home, shower, and change. I didn’t bother going to the office. It was either home or the hospital—nowhere else. When I walked into Joan’s hospital room, the sterile smell hit me first—antiseptic, mixed with the faint metallic tang of IV fluids. The steady beeping of the heart monitor was the only sound aside from Rhoda humming under her breath, wiping Joan’s forehead with a damp cloth.“Hey,” I muttered, my voice rough.Rhoda glanced up, offering a tired smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Hey,” she replied softly, letting out a long sigh as she dipped the towel back into the bowl of warm water, wringing it out with trembling fingers before dabbing Joan’s pale skin again.“How’s she doing?” I asked, lowering myself onto the edge of the bed since Rhoda occupied the only chair. I’d had the doctors move Joan to a private ward—I couldn’t stand the thought of sharing space with other patients. Wat
~Joan~It was dark, but I could hear the voices. Familiar ones. I wanted to open my eyes, but they were too heavy. I wanted to cry out for help, but my voice wouldn't come. Still, I could hear them."Hey, Jo. How are you doing today?" It was Aaron. I wanted to tell him I wasn’t okay, that everything hurt, but no words would come. His fingers brushed against my hand, warm and reassuring."Open your eyes for me, kitten. I fucking miss you." His voice was strained, thick with something raw. My lips wouldn’t move. When had speaking become so difficult?"I miss you too." The words echoed in my mind, but the darkness pulled me under before I could force them out.When I surfaced again, I had no idea how much time had passed. The room was silent now, still shrouded in that same suffocating darkness. My body ached in places I couldn’t name. I stayed still, listening, hoping someone would come.The quiet broke with the sound of a door creaking open. Then—soft, muffled sobs. Someone was crying.
~Joan~By the time we got to the apartment, it was already late, and Aaron and I had, well... thoroughly exhausted ourselves in the car. That was another wish ticked off my bucket list—getting fucked in the backseat. I wouldn’t deny it—it was hot. Just thinking about it sent a rush of warmth between my legs. I had never asked for a better birthday. "Why is it so dark?" I asked Aaron as we stepped out of the car. From the windows, I could tell the lights were out inside, though I was sure they had been on when we left. I hesitated mid-step. Aaron glanced down at me, and I swallowed hard. "Did someone break in?" I whispered, hating how quickly those ugly memories resurfaced. He wrapped an arm around my shoulder, drawing me closer. "No one broke in, and no one can," he muttered before pressing a kiss to the side of my head. I leaned into him. He smelled like me and that earthy musk of sex—a surprisingly intoxicating mix. "I'm moving out soon," Aaron said, and I tilted my head
~Aaron~Joan was acting weird. These past few days, her entire attitude had shifted, and trying to understand her was becoming impossible. Worse still, she wouldn’t even tell me what was going on. I hadn’t pushed further because, well, she was the type to recoil into herself when pressed. So, I waited, hoping she’d come to me in her own time. And, well, that wasn’t happening either. I’d stayed up the whole night—not because I couldn’t sleep, but because I was anxious. It was Joan’s birthday today, and while I’d planned an entire party for her, that wasn’t the only thing on my mind. I was going to ask her to be my wife. Now, I wasn’t so sure she’d say yes because, fuck, I barely understood her anymore. I glanced at my side, where she lay curled up... on her own. We always cuddled in bed—something I once hated but learned to love because Joan was involved. But last night, she asked me for space, said she wasn’t comfortable with me breathing down her neck. I let her have her way, but
~Joan~I stared at the piece of paper in my hands, my eyes fixed on just two words. Pregnancy: Positive Doctor Jax cleared his throat, and I looked up at him. He gave a small, warm smile. "You're in your first trimester, so your body will start changing," he said gently. I leaned forward, my mind racing. This wasn't real, right? I let out a small, awkward laugh. "I don’t think this result is mine. I mean, I feel fine. No dizziness, no nausea, nothing," I muttered. He nodded, unfazed. "Symptoms are different for every woman. You might not be throwing up or feeling dizzy, but you’ll notice other changes—mood swings, weight gain, and certain parts of your body getting fuller." I pressed my lips together, unable to respond. "We’ll need to register you for the antenatal program. You’ll come in twice a week—Wednesdays and Fridays—until you're due," he continued. I stared at my hands. Oh God, I was going to be a mother. It didn’t feel real. I had no idea how to react. Happy?
~Aaron~I arrived home at exactly 10 p.m. to see Joan curled up on the sofa. My steps slowed as I approached her. Her hair had fallen over her face, hiding it from view. She was asleep—I could tell from her slow, steady breathing and the quiet stillness around her. A small smile crept onto my face. She’d probably fallen asleep waiting for me. My stubborn girl. I dropped my briefcase on the floor before crouching in front of the couch. Gently, I brushed her hair away, revealing her peaceful face. Her lips were slightly pursed, and her long lashes cast delicate shadows on her cheeks. She was beautiful. So goddamn beautiful that I had to look at her twice, still wondering how this amazing woman had fallen in love with me. I ran my hand down her arm, and she mumbled something, curling further into herself. She had put on a little weight lately, and while I loved that for her, something felt off. Something was going on. And aside from the secret I was keeping from her, we told each o
~Joan~"That's... great news," I muttered, downing the last drop of my lemon juice. Rhoda gave a small smile from where she sat opposite me. We had been trying to rebuild our relationship, starting from scratch, piecing together the trust we had both broken. "You really want him to move in with you?" I asked, watching as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Yeah? I don't know. But I want him closer," she said, her voice unsure. I pursed my lips and glanced around the small restaurant. She had texted me earlier, asking to meet after work, and while I would have preferred to spend time with Aaron, fixing things with her was just as important. Even though Aaron acted like our strained relationship didn’t affect him, I knew better. "Should I tell him?" I asked, tapping my fingers lightly against my empty glass. She pressed her lips together into a thin line. "He would overreact, but I think it's better to let him know Lucas is moving in with me," she said. I nodded, starin
~Unknown~The door creaked open, and I heard footsteps. Not just one set—I knew there were more.A switch flicked, flooding the dark room with harsh, artificial light. I kept my head hung low, trying to pry my swollen eyes open, but the effort was almost impossible. Every pulse of pain reminded me just how badly they had beaten me.Before I could process what was happening, ice-cold water crashed over my body. I gasped, the shock rattling through me as I jerked violently, straining against the binds cutting into my wrists.What the fuck?“He actually has the audacity to sleep,” someone snickered.I raised my head slowly, vision swimming, but I could still make out their faces. I recognized them.“Ace. Ace. Ace.” A man stepped forward, his voice dripping with mockery. Sparrow. I knew that voice anywhere.“How does it feel being held captive, knowing damn well you’re going to die?” he asked.I gritted my teeth, ignoring the way pain knifed through my jaw.I never expected it that night.
~Joan~"You're good? We could turn back if you want," Aaron asked, giving my thigh a reassuring squeeze as he weaved through traffic. I swallowed hard and nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just dinner. I can handle it," I muttered, turning to the window, trying to calm my racing heart. Dinner with the woman who gave birth to me shouldn't make me this nervous, but it did. Maybe it was just my body's way of reacting. Aaron glanced at me as he turned the wheel effortlessly, one hand steady while the other rested on my thigh. Alessia had sent me the address right after work, and I had spent way too much time picking out a dress. I shouldn’t care about impressing Luna, but a part of me wanted her to see that I turned out just fine without her. My phone pinged, and I hesitated before digging it out of my purse. Shayne. **Shayne:** *I have no idea if you're alive. Call me when you get this. I have news.* Pressing my lips together, I dialed her number. Maybe she had something good to sa
Sure! Below is your text with my suggestions naturally woven in for smoother flow, better transitions, and enhanced immersion while keeping the essence intact.Joan"Should I be surprised you're back at work?" Brielle asked, propping her chin on her hands, eyes locked onto my face."Like I told you before, no," I muttered. She rolled her eyes before slamming her hands on my desk, making my monitor shake slightly. From the corner of my eye, I saw Garrett jolt in surprise.Finally, I looked up from my computer. After spending an extra two weeks at home, I’d decided to come back, despite Aaron’s protests. Technically, he was my boss, but that didn’t mean he got to dictate whether I worked or not."You can't just waltz in here like nothing's changed. Our boss is your boyfriend!" she whisper-yelled before pointing at herself. "I've seen the flowers he sent you. Which, by the way, you gave to me." She crossed her arms. "So why are you here?"I huffed, leaning back in my chair. "Hey, don't j
~Aaron~ She was going to be the death of me. Joan was driving me fucking crazy, testing every shred of my self-control. It took everything in me to keep the hungry beast on a leash. She wouldn’t mind if I let go, if I took her rough and fast, but I didn’t want to—not yet. I wanted to savor every inch of her, memorize every curve of her luscious body. But she was making it so damn hard, grinding down against my torso with every intention of torturing me. I placed my hands on her abdomen, stilling her movements. The heat of her skin against my palms only made my cock throb harder. "Easy, kitten. Rubbing yourself on me like this won’t get you what you need… or will it?" I teased, trailing hot, wet kisses down her stomach. Her lips parted, a soft gasp escaping as her eyes turned a shade lighter—a detail I’d never noticed before. Most people’s eyes darkened when they were turned on. Hers did the opposite, glowing with hunger, making her look like something rare and untamed. "I need