Ava’s POVThe streets were alive with color and sound. Music echoed through the crisp winter air as dazzling floats rolled by, their lights casting a warm glow against the dark sky. Performers in elaborate costumes danced, their energy infectious. The crowd around me buzzed with excitement, children sitting on their parents’ shoulders, couples huddled close, everyone caught up in the magic of the parade.I couldn’t help but smile as I took it all in. It had been so long since I had seen something like this—since I had felt something like this.I lifted my phone, snapping picture after picture of the floats, the glowing lanterns, and the snow-like confetti drifting down. The scene reminded me of the parades my family used to attend when my father was still around. Back then, we would arrive early, my dad lifting me onto his shoulders so I could get the best view. Mom would always bring a thermos of hot chocolate, and we’d sit on a blanket, wrapped in scarves, watching as the performers
Ava’s POVBack at Logan’s house, I let out a deep sigh, feeling the exhaustion settle into my bones. The parade had been overwhelming—the crowd, the cameras, the unexpected moment with Logan. My mind was still a tangled mess of emotions, but at least now, in the quiet of his home, I could finally breathe.Or so I thought.“The maid took the day off,” Logan announced casually as he tossed his keys onto the kitchen counter.I blinked. “Okay…?”“So, we’re making dinner.”I nearly choked. “We?”Logan shot me an amused look. “What? You think I can’t cook?”I folded my arms. “Can you?”There was a brief pause—just long enough to confirm my suspicions—before he shrugged. “I’ve learned the basics.”I narrowed my eyes. “Which means…?”“I won’t burn the house down.”Not exactly reassuring.Seeing my doubt, Logan leaned against the counter with a smirk. “You don’t have to just stand there and judge, you know. You can help.”I scoffed. “I will help. Someone has to make sure we don’t end up with a
Ava’s POVThe soft hum of conversation mingled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee as rain pattered gently against the windows. Warm light spilled from vintage lamps, casting a cozy glow over the worn wooden tables and mismatched chairs.On the wall hung two beautiful clocks—"The Perfect Lovers," as they were affectionately called. They always moved in perfect synchronization, their hands dancing together in harmony. Watching them, I couldn't help but imaged my future lover.It was a night like any other in the quaint coffee shop, until a regular customer walked in.As the coffee shop prepared to close, I’m packing up the last few items and heading to the storage room in the back.Suddenly, the power went out, plunging the room into darkness. I gasped, momentarily disoriented."Are you okay?" he asked, his voice steady but laced with concern."Yeah, I just... I can't see a thing," I replied, a nervous laugh escaping my lips."Let's find the electric box," he suggested. We began to
Ava’s POVAs Logan made his way through the crowd, shaking hands and greeting employees, I knew I couldn't avoid him forever. Our paths were about to cross once more, and I had to be prepared for whatever came next.The sound of my co-worker’s scream sliced through the steady hum of the office, sharp and abrupt. My head snapped toward the commotion, and so did everyone else’s.The scream wasn’t blood-curdling, more like the excited, high-pitched kind you’d hear at a concert. And as I followed everyone’s gaze, I realized why.Logan.He was standing at the entrance of our open-floor workspace, his presence commanding without effort. His tailored suit fit him like a second skin, and his dark hair, slightly tousled, looked too perfect to be accidental. His eyes scanned the room, calm and assessing, until they landed on me.I froze.Our eyes locked, and time seemed to stretch unnaturally thin. My heart thundered in my chest, the sound deafening in my ears. The recognition in his gaze was i
Ava’s POVAs I left the bathroom, I was determined to avoid any further confrontation with Logan. I wanted to ignore him and avoid conflict at all costs. The last thing I wanted was to draw attention to myself—or to the unmistakable water stains clinging to my clothes like a badge of humiliation.And yet, there he was. Logan. Leaning casually against the wall, as if waiting for someone—as if waiting for me. His dark eyes flicked up from his phone, sharp and focused the moment he saw me."Ava," he said, his tone neutral but tinged with concern. "What happened? You’re soaked.""It’s nothing," I replied quickly, brushing past him. "I’m fine."But of course, Logan didn’t listen. He never did. I felt his hand, warm and steady, close gently around my arm. I stopped, but I didn’t turn to face him."You can’t walk around like this," he said and Logan take off his coat and try to offer it to me to cover my wet blouse. "Let me help you. Here—""I don’t need your help, Logan." I snapped, glaring
Ava’s POVThe atmosphere in the office was tense as we gathered for the meeting. George, the man in charge of high-tech products, was already in a heated discussion with Jennifer, who was blonde and responsible for luxury goods. They had a history—George was Jennifer's ex-boyfriend, and their past relationship only added fuel to their professional rivalry.I didn’t have to guess who would lead our team. George’s name was practically stamped all over this project. His history of successfully managing collaborations with high-tech companies made him the obvious choice.George's arrogance was well-known in the office. He had a habit of belittling others, always convinced that he was the most suitable candidate for any task. Jennifer, on the other hand, was sharp and resilient, never one to back down from a challenge.Before either of them could respond, George leaned back in his chair with a smirk. “Let’s be honest here,” he said, his tone dripping with arrogance. “With my experience in
Ava’s POVAs Amanda and I stood at the bus stop, my mind was in turmoil. Seeing Logan again was baffling at most. Why did I get to meet him here or all places? I struggled to understand why I reacted so strongly to his presence.Amanda must have noticed my confusion because she turned to me with a curious look. "Ava, are you okay? You seem a bit off."I forced a smile, trying to mask my inner turmoil. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a lot on my mind."She nodded, but I could tell she wasn't entirely convinced. "You know, there are rumors about Logan. They say he only has secret lovers and that many people know about his breakup, but no one knows who the woman is. It's a hot topic because everyone's curious about his choice of a girlfriend."The mention of secret lovers and the mystery surrounding his relationships made me surprised. I didn't think that such rumors are all related to me. I tried to keep my expression neutral, but I could not help to have my eyes a bit widened.Amanda glanced at
Logan’s POVI settled into the beach chair, adjusting my dark sunglasses as I let the simulated summer sun warm my face. The upscale rest center was an oasis in the midst of winter, with its artificial sunlight and serene seaside atmosphere. Despite the chill outside, the air here was warm, the kind of warmth that made you forget it wasn’t real.Prominent personalities, rich people, and influencers have gathered to the pool of the hostess of the party. Chatters of travels, business breakthroughs, and petty flirting are the main topics of each discussion as if they have not been talked about when they encountered each other the previous days.The place mainly was dominated by the scent of cocktail drinks and the chatter of too many people. It is still only nine in the morning. I was only behind them when I overheard their chatter.“Those people are our friends, right?” Leo, one of my friends asked as he adjusted his shades as he took a double check on the guests, examining the crowd an
Ava’s POVBack at Logan’s house, I let out a deep sigh, feeling the exhaustion settle into my bones. The parade had been overwhelming—the crowd, the cameras, the unexpected moment with Logan. My mind was still a tangled mess of emotions, but at least now, in the quiet of his home, I could finally breathe.Or so I thought.“The maid took the day off,” Logan announced casually as he tossed his keys onto the kitchen counter.I blinked. “Okay…?”“So, we’re making dinner.”I nearly choked. “We?”Logan shot me an amused look. “What? You think I can’t cook?”I folded my arms. “Can you?”There was a brief pause—just long enough to confirm my suspicions—before he shrugged. “I’ve learned the basics.”I narrowed my eyes. “Which means…?”“I won’t burn the house down.”Not exactly reassuring.Seeing my doubt, Logan leaned against the counter with a smirk. “You don’t have to just stand there and judge, you know. You can help.”I scoffed. “I will help. Someone has to make sure we don’t end up with a
Ava’s POVThe streets were alive with color and sound. Music echoed through the crisp winter air as dazzling floats rolled by, their lights casting a warm glow against the dark sky. Performers in elaborate costumes danced, their energy infectious. The crowd around me buzzed with excitement, children sitting on their parents’ shoulders, couples huddled close, everyone caught up in the magic of the parade.I couldn’t help but smile as I took it all in. It had been so long since I had seen something like this—since I had felt something like this.I lifted my phone, snapping picture after picture of the floats, the glowing lanterns, and the snow-like confetti drifting down. The scene reminded me of the parades my family used to attend when my father was still around. Back then, we would arrive early, my dad lifting me onto his shoulders so I could get the best view. Mom would always bring a thermos of hot chocolate, and we’d sit on a blanket, wrapped in scarves, watching as the performers
Ava’s POVThe beeping of the heart monitor was oddly soothing, a steady rhythm that grounded me in the moment. The IV in my arm stung slightly, but after hours of feeling weak and disoriented, the cool rush of fluids was a relief. My body felt lighter, as if the exhaustion that had been weighing me down had finally eased.I turned my head slightly, finding Logan seated beside me, arms crossed, his usual stoic expression in place. “Are you always this dramatic?” I muttered, my voice hoarse.Logan’s gaze flicked to mine, unreadable. “You collapsed.”I sighed, shifting against the hospital bed. “I was just dehydrated. Not exactly a near-death experience.”Before he could respond, the door opened, and a woman in a white coat stepped in. She was older, with graying dark hair pulled into a bun, her kind yet assessing eyes sweeping over me before landing on Logan.“Logan,” she greeted with a small smile, her tone warm but firm. “Still dragging people in here, I see.”His lips twitched in th
Ava’s POVEver since I slept with Logan, I couldn’t shake the feeling that he was less of a businessman and more of a goddamn mafia boss.Everything he did had an air of quiet authority, of control, as if the entire world moved at his pace, to his will. And right now, I was caught in it.The snow was falling heavier now, the roads coated in white as we drove in tense silence. I had already made up my mind—I’d stay in a hotel for the night. Somewhere temporary. Somewhere far away from him.“I’ll book a hotel,” I said, staring out the window.Logan, who had been driving with the same frustrating calm, didn’t even glance at me. “Bad idea.”I turned my head sharply toward him. “Excuse me?”“The storm’s getting worse,” he said simply. “With extreme weather, hotels will start losing power and water. You’ll freeze before the night’s over.”I narrowed my eyes. “Then what do you suggest? Sleeping in the car?”Logan was silent for a beat before he spoke, voice smooth, calculated. “Stay at my ho
Logan’s POVThe crisp mountain air carried the scent of pine and freshly fallen snow as I stood on the balcony of the ski lodge, a glass of whiskey in hand. The slopes stretched below, blanketed in white, the resort glowing under the soft light of the evening. Inside, the fire crackled, casting long shadows across the polished wood floors.It was a rare moment of peace. A well-earned break."You're in a good mood."I turned slightly, meeting Andrew’s knowing gaze as he leaned against the railing beside me, a glass of his own in hand. He was always the observant one, quick to pick up on the smallest shifts in my demeanor.I smirked, taking a slow sip of my drink. "Someone tried to set me up for failure."Andrew raised a brow. "And let me guess… they failed?""Spectacularly," I said, amusement lacing my words.Andrew chuckled, shaking his head. "You almost sound disappointed."I wasn’t. Not really. There was something satisfying about watching my enemies scramble, about anticipating the
Ava’s POVThe silence between us so thick it was suffocating. The dim glow of the bedside lamp cast long shadows across the room, making Daniel’s expression unreadable. My heart pounded against my ribs, a painful reminder of everything that had led to this moment.“You agreed to this?” My voice was barely above a whisper, but the accusation in it was unmistakable.Daniel sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Ava, you don’t understand.”“Then make me understand!” I snapped, standing up. “Because right now, it just sounds like you sold me off to Logan like I was some kind of burden you didn’t want to deal with.”His jaw tightened. “It wasn’t like that.”“Then what was it like, Daniel?” My chest rose and fell with my ragged breaths. “Did you fight for me at all? Or did you just give in because it was easier?”He exhaled sharply, his shoulders sagging. “The price of refusal was too high, Ava. Logan made it clear—if I didn’t agree, there would be consequences. Ones I couldn’t risk.”I
Ava’s POVI wipe my tears away before they can fall, but Logan still catches the motion. His lips press into a thin line, and then he offers the same empty comfort as always."The next one will be even better."I almost laugh at the absurdity of it. Better? As if any of this could be better. As if I’d actually wanted this.I shake my head, swallowing down the nausea crawling up my throat. My skin still burns where he touched me, but it’s not from pleasure—it’s from shame. A shame I shouldn’t even have to carry because this isn’t on me.It’s on him."You don't have to say that," I murmur, voice flat. "You don't have to pretend to care."Logan exhales sharply, rubbing a hand over his face. "Ava, come on—""No." I cut him off, forcing myself to meet his gaze. "You won't let me leave, will you? Not until you think I’ve understood something. Not until you’ve made sure I know the truth.” My voice drips with sarcasm. "Go on then, enlighten me, Logan. What is it I’m supposed to know?"His jaw
Ava’s POVThe air in the room was thick with tension.I stood frozen in the corner, my breath shallow as Logan leaned against the door, his phone pressed to his ear. He had made sure to keep me trapped—restricting my movements, keeping me out of Daniel’s sight, all while his free hand traced slow, teasing lines down my arm.I gritted my teeth, biting my lip to stop a sound from escaping.I wanted to slap his hand away. I wanted to scream at him, to tell him to stop.But I couldn’t.Because on the other end of the phone… was Daniel.If I made a single noise, he’d recognize my voice.And then what? What excuse would I have?I glared at Logan, my mind cursing him a thousand times over. Bastard. He’s doing this on purpose.He was toying with me, deliberately making me squirm, making me feel helpless—enjoying every second of it.His fingers skimmed along my wrist, feather-light but possessive, like he was reminding me exactly who was in control here.I clenched my fists, my body rigid as I
Ava’s POVPain.That was the first thing I felt the moment I opened my eyes. A dull, aching soreness spread through my body, making even the smallest movement difficult. My muscles burned, my skin was still overly sensitive, and the harsh morning light filtering through the curtains made me wince.And then, the memories hit me like a tidal wave.Last night.Logan.His hands on my body. His breath against my skin. The way he had completely dominated me, unraveling every ounce of control I thought I had.I shot up in bed, my heart pounding in horror.I turned, realizing I was alone, the space next to me cold. My gaze flickered downward—and that was when I saw it.My dress.Or what remained of it.Torn, ruined, unwearable.Panic surged through me. I needed to leave. Now.I flung the covers off and swung my legs over the side of the bed, but the moment I tried to stand, pain shot up my legs, making my knees buckle. A startled gasp escaped my lips as the room tilted—And then suddenly, str