ELOISEThe night was unusually calm for New York—no sirens, no distant honking horns. It was just the quiet hum of the city beneath us and the distant shimmer of lights stretching to the horizon.I leaned on the balcony railing of my house, my fingers wrapped around the warm ceramic of my coffee mug, while Adam stood beside me, resting his weight against the edge.His face was hard to read tonight—calm but calculating. The kind of expression he wore when his mind was turning over something too heavy to leave unspoken. I’d grown used to the layers in his looks, but tonight, there was something sharper.“Are you going to tell me what’s on your mind, or do I have to pry it out of you?” I teased, though my voice came out softer than I intended.Adam’s lips quirked into the faintest smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “You’re getting good at that—reading me.”“It’s not hard. You practically radiate tension.” I leaned closer, resting my head against his shoulder for a moment. “Talk to me.”
ELOISEThe Astoria Royale buzzed with the presence of celebrities, influential politicians, renowned news anchors, and prominent CBS journalists, all gathered for tonight's grand event.Towering glass chandeliers bathed the grand ballroom in a soft, golden glow, and the scent of vanilla and champagne lingered in the air with some faint traces of expensive perfumes and cigars.It was intoxicating. Dizzying. I still wasn’t used to this, not even after all the lavish parties back in Scotland.I stepped onto the red velvet carpet leading into the ballroom, the click of my emerald stilettos barely audible beneath the hum of conversation, the smooth notes of classical jazz, and bursts of laughter.The crowd stirred when Adam and I entered. Cameras flashed from behind us, and photographers called out for us to turn and pose.The flashes were blinding, but Adam’s warm, steady hand at the small of my back grounded me. I glanced up at him.God, my husband was breathtaking tonight.Adam wore a s
ADAMThe music shifted again, this time to something bolder—a sign that the night’s main event was about to begin.The guests settled at their tables, and so did Eloise and I. Servers glided through the crowd, topping off glasses with champagne, some served canapés.Christopher then stepped onto the stage like a man who believed the world bowed at his feet—because, for now, it did. I smirked.“Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, his tone booming through the room. “Thank you all for joining us tonight to celebrate our annual holiday gala and another year of extraordinary success at CBS.” Polite applause followed. His smile widened.“This year has been one of tremendous growth, and we owe that to our investors, our partners, and of course, all of you.” He gestured broadly to the crowd. “But tonight, we celebrate more than profits. We celebrate vision—the vision that built this company into what it is today.” The applause grew louder, but Christopher held up a hand, silencing them.“And spe
ADAMLet me give you a little glimpse into who I was so you won’t be disappointed later. I wasn’t your typical guy, especially when compared to my brothers. They were the hopeless romantics, believing in fairy tale endings and falling head over heels for every woman Cupid threw their way. But let me save you from any illusions you might have had about me.I wasn’t the prince on a white horse everyone imagined me to be. I was more of a “knight in tarnished armor.”I always knew I was different. I was naturally inclined to seek control in every aspect of my life—from my social status and wealth to my relationships and even the decisions I made. I also preferred obedient women. I took pleasure in watching them kneel before me, pleading, exploring their own wicked desires, and willing to fulfill my every command. Some may label it as odd, but I never pretended otherwise. Consider yourself warned because I could be the most spiteful guy you’d ever meet. It might have been hard to believe,
ELOISEIf they gave out awards for being unlucky in relationships, I'd have a trophy case full of them. It was like I had a Ph.D. in heartbreak and a black belt in rejection.I couldn't entirely blame the guys, but if I had to place blame on something, it would have to be my issues.Jenna had set me up for a blind date at this exquisite restaurant in Midtown tonight. She told me this guy was a friend of a friend, and she'd been insistent in the past few days to the point where she was already bugging me. She had shown him my picture, and he became interested in knowing more about me. He'd already sent me flowers this morning, and I didn't want to be rude, so I decided to go so I could decline him politely face-to-face. What was his name again? I didn't even bother remembering.I finally arrived in front of the restaurant. I tucked away those unruly strands of my wavy red hair behind my ears, adding a touch of blush and lip gloss to complete the look.I paused momentarily, realizing I
ELOISE“God, Eloise! What were you doing over there?” Jenna accused me incredulously and on the verge of laughing.“That was embarrassing, Jenna! Where were you? That guy out there made me a laughingstock because of you!”She burst into laughter. “Are you crazy? Did you really think I know a guy like him? I mean, just look at him,” Jenna continued to laugh.“I know, I know,” I sighed.“He’s hot. Want to go back?”“It’s not funny. Get me out of here, cover my face, do something!” I rolled my eyes.“I’m sorry. Did you seriously think it was him? Oh, God.” She cleared her throat. “By the way, this is Nick. Nick, meet Eloise.”Nick seemed decent. He had a preppy appearance—polished and youthful. He wasn’t exactly the person Jenna had described. No wonder I mistook Mr. Suit for him. But honestly, I didn’t care anymore. Nick shook my hand and started a conversation.“Pleasure to finally meet you, Eloise.”I managed a half-hearted smile. “Likewise.”We settled at our reserved table, with Jen
ELOISEI woke up in the morning, fully conscious of what happened last night. Despite being wasted, I remembered Mr. Suit chauffeuring me home while Jenna played the doorman and guided me to bed.The car mix-up was embarrassing, but the real concern was how I allowed a stranger to take charge of my helpless self. I never let those kinds of situations happen to me. Who knows, I could have ended up with some psycho taking advantage of my drunken state. It was reassuring to think I wouldn't meet Mr. Suit again.Jenna was casually sipping her coffee and flipping through a magazine at the kitchen counter. She had been my housemate for a couple of years in the apartment my dad gave me. She used to work in my department until she found another job that suited her experience. But even after leaving the company, she stayed in the apartment with me. Living in such a spacious place alone could get lonely. Of course, I didn't ask her to pay for the rent, but we shared the household expenses.My
ELOISEMr. Suit looked even more stunning than last night, like a knight in shining armor with his angelic face and princely stance. My eyes hurt seeing him shining so brightly, like staring at the sun. His ocean-blue eyes were light and deep, drawing me in and making me want to be lost in them. And there was something about him, an irresistible charm that could make any woman feel butterflies in her stomach and a tingle between her legs. He was dressed in a perfectly tailored gray suit, looking sharp and clean. He had an air of formality that would make anyone think twice before accidentally bumping into him.But then, he raised an eyebrow. What the heck was he doing here in the office? And it looked like he came to see Chase. Did they know each other? How was that even possible? I’d been working at this company for a year, and I’d never seen Mr. Suit around before.Hold on. What if he came here on purpose to get back at me for what happened last night? Nah, that couldn’t be true. I
ADAMThe music shifted again, this time to something bolder—a sign that the night’s main event was about to begin.The guests settled at their tables, and so did Eloise and I. Servers glided through the crowd, topping off glasses with champagne, some served canapés.Christopher then stepped onto the stage like a man who believed the world bowed at his feet—because, for now, it did. I smirked.“Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, his tone booming through the room. “Thank you all for joining us tonight to celebrate our annual holiday gala and another year of extraordinary success at CBS.” Polite applause followed. His smile widened.“This year has been one of tremendous growth, and we owe that to our investors, our partners, and of course, all of you.” He gestured broadly to the crowd. “But tonight, we celebrate more than profits. We celebrate vision—the vision that built this company into what it is today.” The applause grew louder, but Christopher held up a hand, silencing them.“And spe
ELOISEThe Astoria Royale buzzed with the presence of celebrities, influential politicians, renowned news anchors, and prominent CBS journalists, all gathered for tonight's grand event.Towering glass chandeliers bathed the grand ballroom in a soft, golden glow, and the scent of vanilla and champagne lingered in the air with some faint traces of expensive perfumes and cigars.It was intoxicating. Dizzying. I still wasn’t used to this, not even after all the lavish parties back in Scotland.I stepped onto the red velvet carpet leading into the ballroom, the click of my emerald stilettos barely audible beneath the hum of conversation, the smooth notes of classical jazz, and bursts of laughter.The crowd stirred when Adam and I entered. Cameras flashed from behind us, and photographers called out for us to turn and pose.The flashes were blinding, but Adam’s warm, steady hand at the small of my back grounded me. I glanced up at him.God, my husband was breathtaking tonight.Adam wore a s
ELOISEThe night was unusually calm for New York—no sirens, no distant honking horns. It was just the quiet hum of the city beneath us and the distant shimmer of lights stretching to the horizon.I leaned on the balcony railing of my house, my fingers wrapped around the warm ceramic of my coffee mug, while Adam stood beside me, resting his weight against the edge.His face was hard to read tonight—calm but calculating. The kind of expression he wore when his mind was turning over something too heavy to leave unspoken. I’d grown used to the layers in his looks, but tonight, there was something sharper.“Are you going to tell me what’s on your mind, or do I have to pry it out of you?” I teased, though my voice came out softer than I intended.Adam’s lips quirked into the faintest smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “You’re getting good at that—reading me.”“It’s not hard. You practically radiate tension.” I leaned closer, resting my head against his shoulder for a moment. “Talk to me.”
ELOISEWhen Adam and I first entered my place to meet Jenna and grab a few things, my best friend was already standing by the door, hands on her chest.She looked at us with disappointment written all over her face, but I knew it had more to do with the fact that I hadn’t told her I was getting married.“You traitor,” she mumbled.I sighed, not wanting to disappoint her further. I immediately hugged her.“I’m sorry. I have no excuse. But can we please sit inside so I can explain?”“You told me I’d be your maid of honor!”She glanced at Adam and scowled.“Another traitor.”“Hi! Jenna, right?” Adam flashed his sweetest smile.Jenna’s mouth dropped open, but she quickly looked away.“Just come in.” She stepped aside.We entered the living room while Adam looked around, taking in the space.“You do have a nice place here. Maybe we should stay?” he teased.Jenna gasped and rushed in front of us.“Are you guys—kicking me out?”I laughed. “Don’t listen to him. He’s just kidding!”We sat down
ELOISEThat evening, while I was showering, Adam joined me. He wrapped his arms around me from behind while his lips placed soft kisses on my shoulder. I moved my hair to the side and looked back at him. Even after everything, it still felt surreal. Adam was my husband now.Just a few weeks ago, I met this man because of a simple mistake on a blind date, and he became someone who supported me. But there was still so much I had to learn about him, many things we needed to resolve and discuss.Under the shower, we stayed silent, savoring each other’s presence. Words became unnecessary with each kiss on my shoulder, neck, and back. I surrendered to the surge of emotions, my body burning with every touch of his fingers on my skin.Adam’s lips traveled down my back to the space between my buttocks. I moaned, arching my back as his tongue slid through. I gripped the wall; the only sounds were the splashing water, my rapid heartbeat, and my heavy breathing. His fingers traced my slit, and my
ELOISEWhen the doctor left, Adam and I watched Davina sit beside Malcolm’s bed, her hand never leaving his face.The doctor told us he didn’t know when my brother was going to wake up, but he should still be able to from his temporary coma.Davina was the first to speak. “How… how could Callum do this to me? After everything…”Dad was standing by the window with his hands folded across his chest when he finally broke his silence. “Callum did it because I let him. Because my ambition and greed blinded me.” There was a long pause before he turned to face us. “I did this. I did this to our family... to Malcolm. I was too focused on making sure the Cunningham name stayed strong. I was one-sided.”Davina’s eyes flicked, and her lips pressed tightly together. “You can’t blame yourself for this. I asked you to—”“I can blame myself,” Dad cut her off. “I’ve seen the signs. To think that I almost gave away my only daughter.” He waved his hand towards me.My heart skipped a beat. I wasn’t sure
ADAM Eloise and I continued to move through the crowd, accepting congratulations and well wishes from the guests. I kept glancing around the room, scanning the crowd for any sign of Jonathan, but he had taken the initiative and was now talking to Callum. He had probably slipped away during the ceremony to begin his part of the operation. Now, all I could do was wait for him to make contact. Eloise chatted with her relatives near the buffet table when my phone buzzed in my pocket. I stepped away from the crowd, keeping my movements casual. I checked the message. It was from Jonathan: We spotted the ambulance, but one of my men outside hit a small complication. I glanced around again, making sure Callum wasn’t watching, and I remained calm. I moved toward a secluded reception corner, pressing the phone to my ear as I dialed Jonathan’s number. Jonathan gestured to Callum to wait a moment as he answered my call. “Jonathan, what’s going on?” I asked, my voice low but urgent. “I’m sor
ELOISE The band began to play another slow song, and Callum pulled me close, his hand resting on my lower back as we swayed to the music. His touch felt heavy and awkward, and it stung so painfully that it felt like he’d burn me alive. “You look beautiful tonight, Eloise,” Callum said, his voice low and smooth. “I’m sure Adam feels like the luckiest man in the world. It should've been me.” “I didn’t agree to this dance so that you could flatter me,” I replied, my voice steady despite the fear gnawing at me. His eyes squinted. “Are you flattered?” I rolled my eyes. “Hello, no. Where’s Malcolm?” He studied me momentarily, his eyes searching mine as if looking for something. “You know, I’ve always admired your strength. It’s not easy being in your position. But you’ve handled it remarkably well.” “Answer the question, Callum,” I said firmly. He sighed. “He’s safe. He’s right outside the premises, in a private ambulance with a doctor tending to him.” “How are we going to get him b
ELOISEIn fairness, I was in awe of the garden reception decorated with pastel colors, our color motifs, floral arrangements, and a lengthy buffet for fancy guests under the twinkling fairy lights. The soft mainstream music from the live band filled the air with laughter and conversations.From the outside, despite all the reasons and family drama, it was the perfect evening, just as I had always imagined for my wedding. I couldn’t shake off the thoughts of the challenges that awaited us.I walked through the crowd, exchanging smiles and greetings, but I was especially eager to see the Sebastians. As I approached their table, their presence at the reception meant a lot to me, and I hadn’t had the chance to greet them properly yet. I spotted them gathered under a large oak tree, the soft light making their happy faces glow. Rachel and Benjamin were sitting together, looking engaged in a conversation. Sitting next to them were Rafael and Julian, Adam’s older brothers, each holding one