Desiree glances at me out of the corner of her eye, her lips twitching like she’s debating whether to stay mad at me or give in. After a short while, she tilts the phone toward me, scrolling back to the beginning of the flight.“Here’s the first one,” she says, her voice a little softer now. It’s a shot of her in front of the jet, her hair blowing in the wind and that excited, almost childlike smile on her face. I can't help but smile too.“And this one,” she continues, swiping to the next photo. It's her making a goofy face in the luxurious cabin of my private jet, her tongue sticking out while she flashes a peace sign. “I was trying to get you to smile in this one, but you were too busy brooding.”“I wasn’t brooding,” I say defensively, though the truth is I probably was. “I was... thinking.”She arches an eyebrow. “Thinking? Sure, let's go with that.”We fall into a comfortable silence as she scrolls through more pictures—selfies, shots of the island from the window, random pictu
Desiree's POVI don’t even know how I feel right now.The trip to Santorini had been wonderful. On the plane, at least. Caspian’s private jet had spoiled me with luxury, and for a while, I was lost in the excitement. But meeting Paul and Gladys at the airport had really pissed me off. I’d felt my stomach twist the moment I saw them stepping out of the car like they belonged here.But I can't stay angry when I'm with Caspian.He has this way of disarming me, making me forget why I’m mad in the first place. But that doesn't mean the frustration has disappeared entirely. I just... bury it. As we walk through the entrance of the hotel, the lobby is eerily quiet, almost too quiet for such an extravagant place. The usual bustle of guests is absent, replaced by the soft hum of air conditioning and the occasional rustle of curtains. Even the staff seems subdued, moving like ghosts as they prepare for what will likely turn this serene location into a battleground.“I still can’t believe you
It’s early morning, and the sound of Caspian’s vibrating phone pulls me from sleep. The steady buzz is relentless, and I groan, shifting under the covers.“Caspian,” I murmur, reaching out to nudge him. No response.I roll over and give him a firmer shake. “Are you going to get that?”He stirs, rubbing his face as he grabs the phone from the nightstand. “Hello?” His voice is groggy. “Yes, we got in yesterday. Of course, we’ll be there. Alright. Bye.”I prop myself up on one elbow, narrowing my eyes at him. “Who was that?”“Mike,” Caspian says, dropping the phone back on the stand. “He says we’re all having breakfast together in thirty minutes.”“Thirty minutes? And he’s just now telling us?” I toss the covers off, already feeling the rush of panic. Caspian sighs, leaning back into the pillows like he’s still too exhausted to function. “You can start getting ready. I can’t feel my legs. You destroyed me last night.”I laugh, swinging my legs out of bed. “Try to keep up, old man.”With
Caspian's voice is calm, but I can feel the tension in every word.Mabel raises an eyebrow, feigning innocence. “What do you mean? We’re just gathering for a nice, casual meal. Can’t a family enjoy some time together without suspicion?”Caspian’s eyes narrow. “This isn’t family. This is a business meeting dressed up as a vacation.”Mike clears his throat. “It’s nothing formal, Dad. We just thought it would be good to get everyone together, talk a little about the future of the company. You know, something light.”“Light?” Caspian says. “Then why weren’t we told about this before?”I feel a cold chill creep up my spine. This is exactly what we don't need. Paul, Gladys, Mabel—they’re all too close, and now this surprise meeting with shareholders? It’s too much, too calculated.Mabel’s smile doesn’t falter. “Oh, we didn’t want to bother you with details, Caspian. You’ve been so busy lately, and we figured you could use a break. But you’re here now, and we’re all very excited about the fu
Caspian's POVThe bitch has won. Somehow, Mabel’s managed to twist the others around her little finger. But something feels off. I can see it in the way they avoid looking at me, their expressions tight and uncomfortable. Whatever they’re doing, they’re not doing it willingly. And Mabel? She knows how to push my buttons, to manipulate the situation to her advantage. “If there were any major changes,” I begin, “I should have been involved. This isn’t something you spring on people over breakfast.”Mabel smiles. “Well, you’re here now. No harm done.”“No harm?” Desiree asks. “You’re making major decisions without including the people who matter most. And the fact that Paul and Gladys are here—uninvited—tells me exactly what kind of game this is.”Mabel waves a hand dismissively. “Your issues with Paul and Gladys have nothing to do with this. That’s a personal matter, and frankly, not my concern.”Fiona, Desiree’s sister, speaks up. “Maybe we should just enjoy breakfast and talk later?”
I can feel the frustration boiling under my skin, but I don’t take the bait. Instead, I gesture for Peter to lead the way.Outside the room, Peter exhales, rubbing his temple. “Caspian, I’m sorry. This wasn’t supposed to go like this.”“What’s going on, Peter?" I ask. "Why is Mabel being pushed onto the board? And why does everyone in there look like they’re scared of her?”Peter hesitates, his gaze shifting nervously, avoiding mine. “It’s… complicated. Mabel… she’s got something on the board members.”“What do you mean?”He sighs. “She’s been gathering information. Blackmail. Personal stuff she’s been holding over their heads for months. No one wants her on the board, but they don’t have a choice.”I take a step back, letting the weight of his words sink in. “Blackmail? Are you serious?”Peter nods, looking ashamed. “She’s got something on me too. That’s why I voted her in. If I didn’t, she’d destroy everything I’ve worked for.”I run a hand through my hair, trying to process what he
Desiree and I are back in our hotel room. She collapses onto the bed with a frustrated sigh, covering her eyes.“I guess our plans are ruined,” she says.“What plans?”She lowers her arm slightly, staring up at the ceiling. “We wanted to get her out of Mike's life. But she's still there, Caspian. We wanted to get her out of the company, and not only is she still there—she's now a board director. How did it get so out of hand?”I pace to the window, staring out at the view of the sea. “She’s blackmailing them,” I say.Desiree props herself up on her elbows, frowning. “I figured that much. So what are we going to do now?”Without replying, I pull out my phone and begin typing a message to Mike. He and I have unfinished business, and I won’t let him hide behind Mabel any longer. He’s got some explaining to do. ‘Meet me at the golf course in ten’, I write, then toss my phone back onto the nightstand.“I’ve already called my private investigator,” I say, turning back to Desiree. “Antonio w
I freeze, caught off guard. That was the last thing I expected."You want me to kick her out?" I ask, the words tasting bitter in my mouth.“Yes. That's the deal. You divorce her, just like you said you would.”I stare at him, trying to make sense of what he's saying. “You’re really going to use your ex-girlfriend as a bargaining chip, Mike? After everything she’s been through because of you?”He shrugs, taking another drag of his cigar. "It's not about her. It's about making sure you keep your word. If you're serious about getting rid of Mabel, I need to know you're not just playing games, keeping Desiree around for yourself."My anger flares, and I feel the heat rise in my chest. "I didn't raise you to be this petty," I say. "If this is your way of trying to manipulate me, you're walking a dangerous line."Mike’s expression doesn't change. He takes another slow puff of his cigar, the smoke curling up into the clear sky. “I'm just trying to protect myself, Dad. I can’t keep seeing he
I nod, my throat tight. “You better be.” The doors to the delivery room swing open, and suddenly, I’m surrounded by bright lights, the sterile smell of antiseptic, and the calm, authoritative voices of nurses. My mind is racing. My body, however, is focused on one thing: the relentless, excruciating contractions that feel like my insides are being wrung out like a soaked towel. “Breathe, Desiree. You’ve got this,” a nurse says, guiding me onto the bed. Caspian bursts through the door moments later, his hair disheveled, his suit jacket gone, and his sleeves rolled up. He looks like a man ready for battle. And, honestly, that’s what this feels like. “I’m here,” he says, taking my hand again. His grip is warm, solid, a lifeline in this sea of chaos. I glare at him through the pain. “You did this to me.” He leans down, brushing a kiss against my sweaty forehead. “I know, baby. And you’re doing amazing.” “Amazing? I feel like I’m being ripped in half!” I shout, my voice cracking wit
~~Months later~~ My best friend, Jessica, decided to organise a baby shower for me. She rented a penthouse. I know Caspian's involved in this. Who else is paying for the penthouse? The penthouse is everything Jessica promised and more—sleek marble floors, floor-to-ceiling windows with a panoramic view of the city, and enough floral arrangements to make a florist weep. There’s an extravagant dessert table with a towering cake. And, of course, the unmistakable Caspian touch—a champagne fountain. I take it all in, my eyes narrowing suspiciously as I glance at Jessica, who’s currently trying to pass off the event as “modest.” Modest my ass. “You’re sure this wasn’t Caspian’s idea?” Jessica flashes her most innocent smile, which is about as believable as a politician’s promise. “I mean, he may have helped. But you deserve this! Come on, Dee, when was the last time we celebrated you?” I snort, adjusting the sash draped across my belly that reads Mom-to-Be. “You mean besides the
Desiree's POVWe're at a press conference.Cameras flash like lights at a club, and the buzz of reporters fills the air like a swarm of relentless bees. I hate it. Every second of it. But I stand tall, my hand resting in Caspian’s, my knuckles white from the grip. He doesn’t seem fazed—his jaw set, his eyes gleaming. He’s in his element.Me? I’m a bundle of nerves hiding behind a tailored dress and a painted-on smile.The tension in the room is obvious. Every gaze is pinned on us, every microphone is pointed in our direction. There’s no escaping it.Caspian steps forward, adjusting the microphone. His presence is magnetic. Commanding. He could announce the end of the world, and people would believe it was for their own good.He clears his throat, and the room falls silent.“For weeks now, CypherEdge Dynamics has been under siege,” he begins. “An individual named Mabel Blackwood infiltrated our company. She blackmailed board members, manipulated shareholders, and attempted to undermine
“Mr. Hart,” Aaron’s voice oozes through the line, smug and infuriating. “I trust you’ve been thinking about my offer.”“More like thinking about how to kill you,” I mutter under my breath, then louder: “I’ve considered it. But I need proof Desiree is alive. Now.”A pause. Then, Desiree’s voice, faint but there. “Caspian, please…”It takes everything in me not to lose it. “I’m here, Desiree. Hold on.”Aaron returns. “Satisfied?”“Barely,” I say. “You’ll get what you want. But not a second before I see her safe.”“Fine,” Aaron agrees. “Bring the drives to the location we’ll send you. Alone. And no tricks, Hart. Or she dies.”The line goes dead.Antonio is already moving, giving quick commands into his headset. “They’ll never see us coming,” he promises.I grip the phone. “They’d better not.”Because if they do, I’ll burn the entire city down before I let them take her away from me.---I park a block away from the designated warehouse, my pulse thudding in my ears. I sit there for a mom
The tone sends a chill down my spine. Calm, too calm, like this is a business deal and not—“Where is she?” I say. “If you’ve touched her—”“Tsk, tsk,” the man interrupts, almost amused. “Let’s not start with threats. You’re not in a position to make them.”I grip the phone tighter, my knuckles white. “You have no idea who you’re dealing with.”“Don’t I? Your reputation precedes you, Mr. Hart. Ruthless. Powerful. But none of that matters here.”My free hand balls into a fist at my side. “What do you want?”Finally, he gets to the point. “You’re going to deliver something to me. Two things, actually. First, the drives you took from Mabel’s mother’s house.”My mind races. How does he know about those?“And second,” he continues, “your shares in the company. Sign them over. All of them.”I laugh, sharp and humorless. “You think I’ll just hand those over? Do you know what they’re worth?”“Oh, I know exactly what they’re worth.” His voice drops. “I also know what she’s worth to you.”The a
Caspian's POVIt’s been over two hours since Desiree disappeared, and the hospital has called the police against my wishes.I’m pacing the waiting room like a caged animal, the fluorescent lights buzzing overhead doing nothing to quell the pounding in my skull. Every passing second feels like an eternity, a loud and unrelenting reminder that she’s not here, that I don’t know where she is, that I failed to protect her.“Mr. Hart,” one of the officers starts, her voice too calm, too measured, like she’s asking about a lost cat. “Let’s go over this again. You’re sure your wife didn’t… leave voluntarily?”My fist clenches so hard my knuckles crack. I whip around, staring at her like she’s grown a second head.“Voluntarily?” The word leaves my mouth dripping with venom. “You think she just decided to disappear in the middle of a goddamn ultrasound?”The other officer, a man with a face so nondescript I could forget it in seconds, clears his throat. “We’re just trying to establish all possi
Desiree’s POVI wake up feeling like my head has been split in two.Pain radiates from the back of my skull, throbbing with every heartbeat. My mouth feels like I’ve swallowed sand, and the metallic tang of blood lingers on my tongue. I try to move, but my arms won’t budge. Cold metal digs into my wrists, and the sharp edge of panic slices through the fog clouding my mind.“Welcome back.”The voice is smooth, almost polite, but it sends a chill racing down my spine. I force my eyes open, blinking against the dim light until the blurry figure in front of me sharpens into focus.Aaron.He leans casually against a table, his arms crossed, a smug grin stretched across his face. He looks like a villain from one of those old spy movies—too polished, too composed, too damn pleased with himself.“What the hell,” I croak, my voice raspy. “What is this, amateur hour? I thought kidnappers were supposed to wear masks.”He chuckles, slow and deliberate, like he’s savoring my sarcasm. “You’re in go
Caspian's POVDesiree has been gone for too long.I glance at the clock on the wall, tapping my fingers on the armrest of the chair in rhythm with my heartbeat, which is getting louder and faster with every passing second. Maybe I’m being paranoid. Maybe this is one of those “pregnancy bladder” situations everyone warned me about. But how long does it take a pregnant woman to pee? Five minutes? Ten? I’ve lost track of time, but it feels like hours.I shift in my chair, trying to shake off the gnawing sense of unease creeping up my spine. The ultrasound pictures are still in my hand, slightly crumpled from where my grip has tightened.“She’s fine,” I mutter to myself. “She’s fine.”But the words don’t stick.Standing abruptly, I glance toward the hallway leading to the bathroom. The corridor feels longer than I remember, its sterile walls closing in like they’re mocking me. Every instinct in me screams that something isn’t right.Dr. William steps out of an adjacent room, looking surpr
Dr. William turns to us, his smile widening. “It’s a girl.”For a moment, the world stops. A girl. We’re having a daughter.“A girl,” I repeat, the words tasting foreign and magical on my tongue. Tears spill over before I can stop them, and I press a hand to my mouth, overcome with emotion.Caspian is silent beside me, his gaze fixed on the monitor. When he finally speaks, his voice is rough, as if he’s struggling to keep his own emotions in check. “A girl,” he echoes. Then, with a soft laugh, he adds, “God help her if she inherits your stubbornness.”“Excuse me?” I glare at him, though the tears streaming down my face probably ruin the effect. “She’s going to be the perfect combination of both of us, thank you very much.”“Let’s hope she leans more toward your good looks than my temper.”“Let’s hope she doesn’t inherit your ego,” I shoot back, though my voice is choked with laughter.Dr. William chuckles, stepping back to give us a moment. “I’ll print out some pictures for you two. T