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In Step
Last Updated:
2024-11-29 22:49:37Related chapters
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
Last Updated : 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
Last Updated : 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
Last Updated : 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
Last Updated : 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
Last Updated : 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
Last Updated : 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’
Last Updated : 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.
Last Updated : 2024-12-01
Latest chapter
Never meant to be Unspoken Regrets
Isabella"I found your diary by accident," he continued. "Back in high school, the day in the library. You dropped it when... well, when Patty and I were being idiots."I flinched at the memory, my fingers digging into my arms."At first, I didn’t think much of it. I thought I’d give it back to you the next day. But you weren’t at school."I looked up sharply, and he met my eyes."I didn’t know what happened," he said softly. "I didn’t see you again after that day. I asked around and found out your grandfather had passed away. And... I don’t know. I guess I just assumed you needed space. Then school ended, and you were gone."His words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of things left unsaid."I should’ve found a way to give it back," he admitted, his voice breaking slightly. "But instead, I kept it. And I read it."My heart twisted painfully. Hearing him confess to reading my most private thoughts felt like a violation all over again, but there was something raw and genuine in hi
Never meant to be How it all began
Logan’s POV, 2016The air in the library was heavy with the mingling smells of old books and cheap disinfectant. The dim overhead lights gave everything a muted glow, the perfect cover for fooling around. Patty giggled as I pulled her closer, her hands resting lightly on my shoulders."Logan," she whispered, glancing around nervously, though her smile betrayed her excitement. Her skirt was hitched up and wrapped around my waist."Relax," I said with a smirk, leaning in to kiss her again.We were tucked away in the far corner, hidden behind rows of rarely borrowed encyclopedias. It was supposed to be a quiet, uneventful afternoon until I heard it—a soft shuffle, like someone had accidentally walked in on us. Patty stiffened, her head whipping around."Who’s there?" She demanded, her voice sharp and grating.From behind a shelf, a familiar face emerged—Isabella. She looked startled, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she clutched her books tightly against her chest."I’m sorry," s
Never meant to be Fractured Resolve
IsabellaThe adrenaline was fading, leaving me shaky and light-headed. My knees buckled, and before I hit the ground, Logan caught me. His strong arms wrapped around me, holding me upright as I clung to him, my breath shallow.“Isabella, you’re bleeding,” he said, his voice filled with alarm.I touched my forehead, feeling a warm, sticky wetness. Pulling my hand back, I saw red smeared across my fingers. The sight made my stomach churn, but I shook my head.“I’m fine,” I managed, though my voice wavered.“Fine?” Logan repeated incredulously, his jaw tightening. “You’re bleeding, and you can barely stand. We’re going to the hospital.”“No,” I protested weakly. “It’s just a scratch. I don’t need a hospital.”Logan ignored me, his concerned gaze scanning my face. “You’re in shock. Let me—”“I said I’m fine,” I interrupted, my voice firmer this time. I straightened myself, though the effort made my head spin. “It’s nothing serious. Just... help me home.”Logan looked unconvinced, his lips
Never meant to be Unfinished Business
Unfinished BusinessIsabella -A smirk tugged at the corners of my mouth before I could stop it. “Good for her,” I said, turning back toward the stairs.“Isabella, wait,” he called out, his voice sharper now.I ignored him, taking a step forward. But then I felt his hand on my arm, gripping it tightly.“Why did you tell her?” he demanded, his voice thick with accusation.I spun around, yanking my arm free. “Tell her what?”“Don’t play dumb,” he snapped. “You told her everything. About me, about us.”I laughed dryly, crossing my arms. “You mean about you cheating on me? And her? Please, Carl. Grace deserved to know the truth. You have no one to blame but yourself.”His face twisted with anger, his eyes narrowing. “You ruined my life,” he hissed, stepping closer.I glared at him, refusing to back down. “You ruined your own life. Maybe you should have thought about that before sleeping with both of us.”His expression darkened, and for a moment, I thought he might back off. But then his
Never meant to be Drawing the Line
Logan Paris’s apartment was as opulent as ever, with its pristine white walls, expansive glass windows, and a sweeping view of the ocean.She greeted me at the door, her expression bright and deceptively warm. "Logan," she purred, leaning in for an air kiss. "To what do I owe this surprise? You never drop by unannounced."I brushed past her into the living room, my jaw tight. "We need to talk."Her perfectly arched eyebrows lifted, but she didn’t miss a beat. She closed the door behind me and sauntered over to a plush armchair, gesturing for me to sit as if this were a casual visit."I’m all ears," she said, crossing her legs and giving me a practiced smile.I remained standing. "Did you get that article printed?"Her smile didn’t falter, but something flickered in her eyes—amusement, maybe. "Why would you think that?""Cut the act, Paris," I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended. "You’ve been stirring the pot ever since Isabella started working at my company. Don’t think I haven
Never meant to be Damage Control
Logan -I sat at my desk, staring at the clock on the wall. The hands seemed frozen, mocking me with their refusal to move. Isabella wasn’t at the office today. I’d expected that much after last night. Hell, I probably would’ve done the same if I were in her shoes.The memory of her walking out still stung. Her tears, her anger, the slap—I deserved all of it. I’d screwed up. I knew it the moment I saw the diary in her hands. There was no way to explain, no excuse good enough to justify what I’d done.I rubbed my temples, willing the tension in my head to subside, but it clung to me like a shadow. I needed to fix this, but first, I had to give her space. Isabella wasn’t the kind of person you could pressure into a conversation. She’d come back when she was ready—if she ever wanted to hear me out at all.Just as I was about to dive into the mountain of emails piling up in my inbox, Derek walked in, holding his phone with a grim expression."You’ve got to see this," he said, sliding the
Never meant to be A Betrayal Too Deep
IsabellaI froze, staring at the worn leather cover with my name scrawled on it in silver ink. It was unmistakable. The corners were frayed from years of use, and the faint stain of spilled ink near the edge was exactly where I remembered it.What was this doing here?Slowly, as if compelled by an unseen force, I flipped it open.The familiar loops of my teenage handwriting stared back at me, messy and unrefined, but undeniably mine."January 12th. I saw Logan today in the hallway. The moment he looked at me, my heart felt as though it was about to burst. He appeared to be so serious. He’ll never notice me like that, though. He’s Patty’s boyfriend, and she’s perfect. Ugh, why am I even writing this?"My throat tightened, and I flipped further. Page after page, it was all there—my secrets, my insecurities, my dreams. The crush I thought I’d hidden so well.A lump formed in my throat as I pieced together the impossible truth. Logan had this diary. For how long? And why?My chest heaved
Never meant to be Shattered
Isabella The silence in the car was deafening. Logan’s words still hung in the air, heavy with meaning and impossible to ignore. He loved me. He loved me. And for a brief, heart-stopping moment, I wanted to believe that we could make it work, that the world outside this car didn’t matter.But then reality came crashing back, as it always did.I pulled my hand from his, the warmth of his touch lingering even as I turned to face him. My heart was pounding, but I steadied myself, forcing my voice to remain calm. "Logan," I began, "we’ve been through this before. We can’t have a relationship."His brows furrowed, and his jaw tightened, a flash of frustration crossing his face. "Why not?" he asked, his voice low but firm. "Why are you so determined to fight this, Isabella?""Because it’s not just about us," I said, gesturing vaguely at the world outside the car. "If we do this, it won’t just affect us, Logan. It’ll affect everything."He shook his head, his gaze never leaving mine. "I don
Never meant to be Confession
Isabella -The music shifted, becoming slower, more seductive. The soft rhythm of the song seemed to weave through the air, urging me to move."I am tired." I said to Trent.He stopped dancing, and I stepped onto the deck. I leaned against the railing, closing my eyes for a second to breathe in the salty air, trying to regain some clarity. But before I could settle into the moment, I heard the sound of footsteps behind me.“Leaving the party already?” Trent’s voice broke the silence, and I turned to see him standing a few feet away, his ever-present grin in place.“I just needed a break,” I said, forcing a smile as I adjusted my posture, hoping he wouldn’t push.He didn’t seem to take the hint. Instead, he moved closer, his eyes lingering on me a little too long. “I get it. Sometimes, all this”—he waved a hand toward the house—“can get a bit much, huh?” He stepped closer again, his tone lower now, more intimate. “But I’ve got to say, you look incredible tonight, Isabella.”“Thanks, Tr
