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In Step
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2024-11-29 22:49:37
Bab terkait
Never meant to be Balancing act
IsabellaIt was nearing midnight, and the office was finally quiet. My desk was cluttered with papers, files, and my laptop, the blue light from the screen casting a faint glow. My eyes burned from staring at spreadsheets all day, and my back ached from hours of sitting in the same position.Sometimes I wondered if Logan was torturing me intentionally. Surely, no one could have this much work piled on them in one week. Meetings, reports, scheduling, last-minute changes—it was relentless. It felt as if Logan expected me to anticipate his needs before he even voiced them, a task I was getting better at but not without effort.I sighed, reaching for my phone. Carl hadn’t replied to any of my texts today. My calls went straight to voicemail. Frustration bubbled up as I stared at the screen, debating whether to call him again.Finally, I decided to take a break and see him in person. If he wasn’t answering, maybe it was time for a face-to-face conversation.The dimly lit restaurant was coz
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-29Never meant to be Nagging
Isabella“Need a hand with anything?” she asked, her voice laced with its characteristic sweetness.I paused, glancing up at her. Amy had been unusually helpful lately, almost eager to insert herself into my workload whenever she could. The memory of her past manipulation still lingered in my mind, a quiet reminder to tread carefully.“Thanks, Amy,” I said, keeping my tone neutral, “but I think I’ve got things under control for now.”She leaned casually against the edge of my desk, her glossy hair catching the light. “Are you sure? I know people in every department. If you’re stuck on something, I can get the answers faster than anyone else here.”The offer sounded genuine enough, but I couldn’t ignore the undertone of self-serving intent. Amy always had a way of positioning herself as indispensable, especially when Logan was involved.“I appreciate that,” I replied with a polite smile. “I’ll let you know if anything comes up.”She hesitated for a moment, clearly disappointed that I w
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-30Never meant to be Disruption in the Routine
LoganThe day began as usual—or so I thought. My office door opened promptly at 8:30, the familiar sound of heels clicking against the hardwood floor. Except, instead of Isabella, it was Amy.Amy. With a smile so bright it was almost blinding and a cup of coffee in hand.“Good morning, Mr. Sinclair,” she chirped, placing the coffee on my desk.I looked up from my laptop, blinking in confusion. “Where’s Isabella?”Amy’s smile didn’t falter, but there was a flicker of something in her eyes. “I am helping her. I thought it would be a good idea to reduce her workload—she seemed overwhelmed.”Overwhelmed? Isabella? She thrived under pressure. And if she was overwhelmed, I would have known.I frowned, leaning back in my chair. “So, you decided to take over her tasks?”Amy gave a little shrug, trying to look casual. “Only her administrative ones. I thought I’d free her up for more important things. You know, like managing those Japanese clients and prepping the Tokyo presentation.”I picked
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-01Never meant to be A Dinner I Didn’t Ask For
Isabella“I can’t do this anymore.”He leaned back in his chair, folding his arms. “Can’t do what, Isabella?”“This!” I gestured wildly, my notebook and pen clutched in my hand like props in my frustration monologue. “You’re overwhelming me with work. It’s too much. I’m drowning, and it feels like you don’t even care!”His eyebrows rose slightly, though his expression remained unreadable. I pressed on, the words tumbling out now.“I didn’t want Amy’s help at first,” I admitted. “After everything, I thought it would complicate things, but honestly? She was actually making things manageable. She handled the smaller tasks, which gave me the time and bandwidth to focus on what really mattered—managing your clients, like Tokyo.”Logan’s expression darkened at the mention of Amy, but I ignored it.“But then you broke that arrangement! You decided that I couldn’t delegate even the smallest task. You pulled her off and left me to juggle everything again. Do you have any idea how exhausting th
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-01Never meant to be A Moment Too Strange
IsabellaThe silence in the car stretched long after Logan’s words hung in the air. My fingers gripped the strap of my bag tightly. He watched me, his expression open but cautious, as though bracing for my response. I swallowed, my throat dry.“You’re apologizing to me?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended.“Yes,” he replied evenly, not flinching at my tone.“You think saying sorry fixes everything?” I blurted, the words spilling out before I could stop them. “That it erases years of humiliation? Do you have any idea how awful you made me feel back then?”Logan’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t look away. “I know it doesn’t fix anything,” he said quietly. “And I’m not expecting forgiveness. I just wanted you to know that I regret it. I was wrong, and I’m sorry.”I let out a shaky laugh, shaking my head. “It’s not that simple, Logan. You can’t just say ‘sorry’ and expect everything to go away.”“I’m not expecting that,” he said again, his tone soft but firm. “I just… I didn’t want t
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-01Never meant to be The Chaos Before the Surprise
IsabellaThe day had started good. Tomorrow was Carl’s birthday, and I was determined to make it special. I’d carefully planned every detail: a dinner reservation at his favorite Italian restaurant, a personalized leather wallet I’d ordered weeks ago, and a handwritten note I’d poured my heart into. Carl had been frustrated with me lately, and I saw this as the perfect opportunity to rekindle the spark we’d been missing.But, as it always seemed with my life lately, the universe had other plans. The chaos started small, like a slow leak before the dam breaks.“Don’t worry, Isabella,” Amy said brightly as she leaned over my desk in the morning. Her hair was perfectly styled, her nails impeccably manicured, and her tone just a little too sweet. “I know you’ve been drowning in work. Let me handle the numbers for the Tokyo report. You’ve been so stressed—I think you need a break.”I froze, my fingers hovering above my keyboard. My instincts screamed at me not to trust her. Amy’s past atte
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-01Never meant to be The Light That Revealed Everything
IsabellaCarl’s apartment was quiet when I opened it with the spare key. The smell of his cologne still lingered faintly in the air, and I smiled, imagining his reaction when he saw what I had planned for him.In a way, it was good that he wasn't home; this would be a perfect surprise. I placed the cake on the kitchen counter, carefully lifting it out of the box to display its decadent chocolate frosting and the small "Happy Birthday, Carl" inscription I had requested. Next, I set out the card, a simple yet heartfelt note I’d written, and made sure it was angled just right to catch his eye.Satisfied, I grabbed the sleek black dress from my bag and retreated to his bedroom to change.The fabric hugged my curves in all the right places, the plunging neckline and thigh-high slit giving me a confidence boost I didn’t know I needed. A quick touch-up to my makeup, a spritz of perfume, and I was ready.I perched on the edge of the bed, my heart fluttering with nervous excitement. Carl didn’
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-01Never meant to be The Pub Surprise
LoganI didn’t know what was more frustrating: the mountain of paperwork waiting on my desk or the fact that Isabella had been icier than the office air conditioning unit lately. She had barely acknowledged my heartfelt apology about high school, and if anything, she had turned colder.At first, I brushed it off. Maybe she was busy. But the more I thought about it, the more it grated on my nerves. Why was I so bothered? I’d never been one to lose sleep over what someone thought of me—yet here I was, replaying every clipped reply she had given me in the past week like some lovesick teenager.Derek strolled into my office, his usual smug grin in place. “Hey, Logan. Heading to the club tonight? They’ve got a DJ from Ibiza, and let’s just say the crowd will be worth your time.”I glanced at the clock. It was late, and the idea of forcing a smile in a sea of over-perfumed partygoers made me want to gouge my eyes out. “Not tonight,” I said curtly, loosening my tie.Derek raised an eyebrow.
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-01
Bab terbaru
Never meant to be Epilogue
IsabellaThe city lights shimmered below us, casting a golden glow over the balcony. A gentle breeze carried the distant hum of traffic and the scent of fresh roses from the garden below. It was quiet, peaceful—perfect.I leaned against the railing, watching the world move beneath us, when two strong arms wrapped around my waist from behind. Logan’s warmth enveloped me, his chin resting lightly on my shoulder.“You’re staring,” I teased, tilting my head to meet his gaze.“I can’t help it,” he murmured, pressing a soft kiss to the side of my neck. “You’re breathtaking.”A blush crept up my cheeks, but I rolled my eyes playfully. “You say that like you haven’t seen me a thousand times before.”Logan turned me around, his hands framing my face as he studied me with that intense, unwavering focus that always made my heart stutter. “I could see you a million times and still not get enough.”I bit my lip to keep from smiling too wide, but it was useless—he always had this effect on me.“Bes
Never meant to be Everything felt right
IsabellaI never expected to see Logan at my home. But there he was, walking down the garden path like he belonged here, like he had every right to show up after everything.The evening air was warm, carrying the scent of roses and freshly cut grass, but I felt frozen in place on the patio. My fingers curled around the edge of the wicker chair, my heart hammering a little too hard against my ribs.His gaze found mine, unwavering. “Hi.”I swallowed. “Hi.”An awkward pause stretched between us before I found my voice again. “How did you find me?”Logan shrugged, shoving his hands into his pockets. “I begged your mother to tell me.”I raised a brow. “She actually told you?”“She made me swear I wouldn’t make things worse.” His lips twitched like he was trying for a smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.I exhaled, glancing at the empty chair across from me. “Sit down.”He hesitated only for a second before stepping forward and lowering himself into the seat.“How are you?” he asked,
Never meant to be Fixing things
LoganParis was screaming.Not the kind of dramatic, crocodile-tear crying she used to do when we were together. No, this was full-blown, red-faced, glass-shattering rage.And honestly? I didn’t give a damn.“You ruined me, Logan!” she shrieked, pacing back and forth in my office like a caged animal.“Do you have any idea how many deals I’ve lost because of your stupid lawsuit?”I leaned back in my chair, completely unfazed. “I don’t know, Paris. Maybe as many as Isabella lost when you spread lies about her?”Her jaw clenched. “Oh, don’t give me that moral high ground bullshit. You never cared about her reputation before.”My eyes darkened. “That’s where you’re wrong.”I had let too many things slide in the past. Let Paris manipulate me, let her get away with her games, let her tear people down just because she could. But not this time. Not when it came to Isabella.Paris scoffed, arms crossing. “Do you really think I’m going to let you do this to me? I’ll fight you in court, Logan. I
Never meant to be Some life lessons
Isabella -After a long moment, we finally pulled apart. My mother wiped her eyes quickly, as if embarrassed by her own vulnerability. I let out a shaky breath, still trying to process everything, when she suddenly said, “I’m divorcing Robert.”I blinked. “Wait… what?”She sighed, rubbing her temples. “It was never a real marriage, Isabella. It was always an agreement.” She looked at me, her expression softer now. “And I don’t want to stand in the way of you and Logan.”I stared at her, completely caught off guard. “You don’t have to do that. I mean… I know things between you and Robert were never perfect, but still—”She let out a laugh, shaking her head. “Sweetheart, this isn’t a sacrifice. Trust me, it’s the opposite. I want this.”I frowned. “But why now?”She smiled. “I want to spend some time with myself, maybe even figure out who I am outside of all this. And I want to take care of your grandmother. She’s not getting any younger, and after everything, I think she deserves to ha
Never meant to be Forgivness
IsabellaI felt a lump rise in my throat, but I didn’t interrupt. I needed to hear this, no matter how painful it was.“We fought all the time,” she continued, her voice growing harder. “He would yell, and I would yell back. He accused me of trapping him, of ruining his life. And I… I hated him for it. I hated him for making me feel like I was nothing, like I was a burden. But I stayed because I didn’t know what else to do. I had you, and I thought… I thought I could make it work.”She stopped again, her hands trembling as she wiped at her eyes. “And then he died. It was a car accident—drunk driving. Everyone thought it was so tragic. They pitied me, the young widow with a baby. They called us the perfect couple, the high school sweethearts who never got their happy ending. But they didn’t know the truth. They didn’t know how much I hated him, how much I resented him for everything he put me through.”Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, and I took a step back, struggling to proc
Never meant to be A name unspoken
IsabellaI froze, my breath catching in my throat. My mother, too, seemed startled. She leaned forward, her perfectly manicured hands clasped tightly in her lap. “Yes, Mom,” she said, her voice softer than I’d ever heard it. “I’m here.”My grandmother’s eyes searched her face, as if trying to place her in a world that had long since slipped away. “Where’s Matthew?” she asked, her tone almost childlike in its innocence. “Is he coming?”My mother’s expression faltered, just for a second, before she smoothed it over with a practiced smile. “He’s away for work,” she said gently. “But he’ll be back soon.”My grandmother nodded, seemingly satisfied, and closed her eyes again, her grip on my hand loosening as she drifted back into sleep. I stared at my mother, my mind racing. Matthew? Who was Matthew?My grandmother had said it with such familiarity, as if it were a name she had spoken a thousand times.The silence in the room was heavy, broken only by the sound of my grandmother’s steady bre
Never meant to be The House of Memories
Isabella -The gravel crunched beneath my feet as I walked up the familiar path to my grandparents’ house. The air smelled of pine and damp earth, a comforting scent that carried me back to summers spent running through the fields, carefree and untouched by the weight of the world. But now, the house stood as a quiet sentinel, its white paint chipped and its shutters slightly askew, as if it too had aged alongside me. I paused at the front steps, my hand resting on the weathered railing, and took a deep breath. This was my refuge now, the only place where I could escape the chaos that had become my life.The key turned with a soft click, and I pushed the door open, stepping into the dimly lit foyer. Dust motes danced in the slivers of sunlight that filtered through the curtains, and the air was thick with the scent of old wood and forgotten memories. I dropped my bag by the door and let my fingers trail along the wall as I walked further inside. The house was exactly as I remembered i
Never meant to be Confusion
Logan You could practically hear the tension crackling in the air.Amanda froze, her wine glass hanging in mid-air like she had just witnessed a murder. My father’s expression darkened so fast, I thought he might actually explode.My mom, however, looked downright delighted. “Oh, this just keeps getting better,” she mused, looking between them with the kind of joy only found in well-aged revenge.Dad, jaw clenched, exhaled through his nose before muttering, “Logan, this is not the time—”“Oh, I think it is,” I cut in. “You’re really going to sit there and act like you have the moral high ground? After everything?”Dad stood, his eyes locked onto mine, but before he could unleash whatever dramatic speech he had prepared, Mom clapped her hands together again. “Alright, that’s enough of that. Robert, listen to me, and listen well. I do not have the energy to deal with your nonsense. Approve this relationship. Let my son be happy.”Dad didn’t budge. Amanda, who still looked like she regr
Never meant to be Buried Secrets
Logan’s POVI skimmed through the annual report. Sinclair Industries was vast—far more than just the gaming division I managed. My father oversaw several subsidiaries, and while I generally stayed out of his affairs, I made it a point to review the financials at the end of each fiscal year.But something wasn’t adding up.I frowned as I examined the numbers for one of our European acquisitions. A massive loan—hundreds of millions—was taken from a French bank. I hadn’t been informed of this, and given the sheer size of the investment, I should have been.“What the hell is this?” I muttered, flipping through the pages.Derek, who was standing by the window, turned toward me. “Figured you’d notice that.”I shot him a sharp look. “You knew about this?”He shrugged. “Not all the details. Just that your father took a sizeable loan to buy that European company. It’s been under wraps, probably because he didn’t want questions.”I exhaled slowly, my mind running through the implications. My fa
