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Under the Surface
Last Updated:
2024-12-30 23:54:35
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Never meant to be The Starry Tantrums of Paris
Isabella -The next morning started like any other—a blur of meetings, emails, and hurried cups of coffee. I had just settled into my desk when Derek approached."Isabella," he began, his tone careful, "I need a favor."I raised an eyebrow, already sensing where this was going. "What’s the favor?""Amy’s out on leave today, and we need someone to supervise the shoot." He gave me a hopeful smile, as though that would soften the blow.I blinked. Supervise the shoot? That was Amy’s domain, not mine. But Derek looked genuinely stressed, and it wasn’t like I could say no without good reason."Alright," I said, standing up and grabbing my notebook. "I’ll handle it.""Thank you," he said, visibly relieved. "The studio’s already set up. Just... try to keep Paris in check."That last comment made me pause. Keeping Paris in check? Easier said than done.The studio was a whirlwind of chaos when I arrived. Cameras were being adjusted, lights were glaring, and the director was pacing like a man on
Last Updated : 2024-12-31Never meant to be Party
Isabella -The invitation came out of nowhere.“Isabella,” she said, dragging out my name like we were best friends. “What are you doing tomorrow night?”“Nothing special,” I replied cautiously, sensing a trap.“Perfect!” she exclaimed, clapping her hands together. “I’m throwing a party at my beach house. You simply have to come.”I blinked. “Uh, thanks for the invite, but I don’t know if—”“Oh, don’t even try to wiggle out of this,” she interrupted, waving a manicured hand. “It’s going to be fabulous. Everyone’s coming—people from work, some old friends, and even a few familiar faces from high school. It’ll be like a mini-reunion!”That didn’t sound appealing in the slightest. “I am not sure.”She dismissed my concern with an exaggerated sigh. “Nonsense. You’ll know plenty of people, and besides...” She leaned in, her eyes gleaming mischievously. “Logan will be there.”That gave me pause. “Logan?”“Of course!” she said with a grin. “I told him about it when we had dinner the other ni
Last Updated : 2024-12-31Never meant to be The Party at Paris’s Beach House
IsabellaThe night was warm, the salty breeze from the ocean carrying with it the sound of laughter and music. Paris’s beach house was breathtaking, glittering with golden lights that illuminated the sprawling deck and the sand below. The entire scene felt like something out of a movie—perfect, polished, and far too intimidating.Despite Logan’s insistence that I wait and go with him, I had decided to arrive on my own. Something about the idea of walking in with him felt too complicated, too public.I had spent an unreasonable amount of time deciding what to wear, eventually settling on a fitted black dress with a plunging neckline and a slit up the side. It was a little risqué for me, but tonight, I wanted to feel pretty.As I stepped onto the deck, the party was already in full swing. The sound of waves mingled with the upbeat music playing through hidden speakers, and the air buzzed with conversation. Waiters weaved through the crowd with trays of champagne flutes, and the guests—e
Last Updated : 2024-12-31Never 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
Last Updated : 2024-12-31Never 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
Last Updated : 2025-01-04Never 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
Last Updated : 2025-01-05Never 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
Last Updated : 2025-01-05Never 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
Last Updated : 2025-01-06
Latest chapter
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
