Raisel – POVI sat across from Soren as he handed me a vodka, pouring whiskey for himself. His broad shoulders were tense beneath the tailored tuxedo, a perfect fit that made him look like something out of a magazine. No wonder every single woman at the wedding scowled when they saw me—the woman who had somehow managed to capture the attention of the most eligible billionaire bachelor. But the tension between us tonight had little to do with envy or attraction. It was something far darker.I watched him as he settled on the couch, unsure of where to begin. He was never one for conversations like this—too much of an introvert to spill his thoughts easily.“You should know I’m on your side,” Soren finally broke the silence as I took a sip of my vodka.“Genius, I figured that much, though I had my doubts,” I replied, and he frowned slightly. “But after tonight, I trust you more. It’s clear you’re serious about taking revenge on Alaric and Davina.” I sipped again, letting the burn distrac
Raisel – POVLenny and Lora were both off today because we were heading to Soren’s grandfather’s for lunch and dinner. I sat at the table, unable to take my eyes off the view before me—Soren, shirtless, his broad back flexing as he moved in nothing but sweatpants. He was making pancakes and brewing coffee, insisting I sit and wait. I’d protested, saying I’d cook, but he never listened. Now, I was glad I hadn’t pushed harder. His muscles rippled under his skin as he worked, and I couldn’t tear my gaze away.I wished, for a fleeting moment, that he was still the nerd with braces and glasses—the one with a lean body that had somehow transformed into this athletic figure standing in front of me. Shaking off the thought, I forced my attention back to my phone, feeling like a voyeur. I was sure he felt my stare. And when I felt his gaze return, it was like a jolt to my system. Heat rose to my cheeks, and I pretended to focus on an article about Davina and Alaric’s disastrous wedding. Pictur
Raisel – POVSoren’s grip tightened around my hand, silencing me with nothing more than pressure. His voice cut through the room, low and edged. “Grandpa, I told you to play nice—for once.” His eyes, narrowed to dangerous slits, flicked over to me. I dared a glance at Mr. Beau, but his face remained emotionless, utterly indifferent to the warning hanging thick in the air.“Calm down, Soren,” I whispered, though he didn’t turn to me. His gaze remained fixed on his grandfather, who watched us both like we were subjects under a microscope. “I’m not with Soren for his money,” I blurted, desperate to end the silent war already brewing between them.Mr. Beau’s voice was steady, cold. “Do you work?” The question slithered out as I gripped Soren’s arm, holding him back. To my surprise, he remained silent, his eyes lingering on where my fingers clung to him.“No,” I replied, my voice barely audible.“Hard to believe you’re not after his money, then.” His tone dripped with accusation, making So
Soren – POVThe new office is finally ready—a business I’ve built without a single cent of Dalton family money. Now, the task is to make it succeed. I glance over the files in front of me, filled with the specs for a new automobile—one that will give my competitors no room to breathe. My gaze briefly shifts to Gwen, my secretary, as she arranges the paperwork.Raisel is seated next to me, holding her composure though I can sense the tension she hides. Across the table, the other designers and engineers are present, waiting for direction. As I discuss the vision for the car, I make it clear: the model needs to be revolutionary, something that not only stands out but crushes the competition. The files contain every detail, the contracts have been signed, and I’ve ensured no one will leak or steal my ideas.I check my watch—two hours of discussion. It’s time to end this.“Meeting adjourned. I need the prototype ready in a month.”“A month is a tight deadline, Mr. Dalton,” one of the desi
Raisel – POVAfter a suffocating session with the counselor, I spot Soren in the waiting room. He sits there, oblivious to the hungry gazes of the women around him, his attention buried in his phone. I stride toward him, and when our eyes meet, he greets me with a smile that feels almost too innocent. “Here’s your Americano,” he says, handing me the coffee. I take it, forcing a grateful smile as he guides me out of the counselor’s office. I can feel eyes on us—phones pointed, pictures snapped, their interest feeding off the spectacle of our every move. But none of it bothers me. Not when I’m with him.We head to the car, ready to sell the apartment Alaric and I had once called home. A few potential buyers are lined up, and Soren insists on accompanying me. As the clients filter through, I go through the motions, showing them the penthouse that once held so many memories. A few offer to buy, but their offers fall short.“The house will be sold for no less than ten billion,” Soren decla
Soren – POV Raisel’s been giving me the cold shoulder ever since our fight last night. It wasn’t the first time we argued, but that doesn’t make it any easier. I hate seeing her upset, even if—strangely—she looks kind of cute when she’s mad. The way she glares at me, subtle but sharp… I hate it, but at the same time, I’m drawn to it. I sighed and glanced at my phone. Davina had sent another one of her threat messages. Apparently, she’s going to blow up some scandal about Dalton firm that could ruin me. She’s delusional if she thinks it’s that simple. My deal with her was clear: I’d give her dirt on Alaric, the guy she’s been obsessed with since college. She’s still stuck on him, even though her bad habits are the reason Alaric left her for Raisel. And I hate him for taking Raisel away from me. Davina and Alaric still kept in touch, even if it was all just dirty messages at this point. I heard about it from her best friend—who, coincidentally, I was sleeping with at the time. Yeah, s
Soren’s POVA constant beeping pierced through the haze, tugging me back to consciousness. I squinted, my eyes struggling to adjust to the bright light overhead. Slowly, the blur around me sharpened. White ceiling. The sterile smell of antiseptic. A sharp, throbbing headache reminded me of where I was.I glanced down to see an IV needle buried in my hand, tubes connecting me to the machine that was keeping me alive. My grandfather sat in the chair beside me, his expression unreadable.I reached for the oxygen mask, pulling it off as I tried to find my voice.“You barely survived,” he said, his tone flat, offering no comfort.The memories of what had happened came flooding back all at once. Panic surged through me, and I shoved the blanket aside, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed.“Where are you going?” my grandfather asked, his voice sharp with warning.“Raisel... where is she?” I rasped, my throat burning with every word.A nurse hurried over, trying to stop me. “She’s in the
Raisel’s POVI fell silent after his confession. The room seemed to hold its breath, and a sigh escaped his lips as the silence stretched, becoming unbearably awkward. I didn’t know what to say. Soren studied me for a second longer, then excused himself and left the room.After being discharged from the hospital, we returned to the penthouse. My body still felt weak, but Soren moved around as if nothing had happened, back to his usual self.“Take this,” he said, handing me a small bottle of strange-looking liquid.“What is it?” I asked, eyeing it suspiciously.“An antidote,” he said, breaking the silence. I hesitated. “Raisel, it’s not the first time I’ve been poisoned,” he added with a faint smile, as if the idea didn’t shock him at all. “I’ve built up immunity, so I’m fine now. You can take this—it’ll help you recover.”“Who tried to kill you this time?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.“I have enemies everywhere,” he said calmly, showing no fear of another attack. “I don’t
Raisel’s POVMy head was spinning as I felt the weight of judgmental stares around me. Those looks—those whispers—brought back memories of my split with Alaric. The same unspoken accusation hung in the air: whore. It stung then, and it still stung now. I clenched my jaw, trying to shrug it off, when the sound of a door creaking open caught my attention.“Gwen,” I exhaled, relief washing over me at the sight of her familiar, sympathetic expression. It was a breath of fresh air amid this suffocating tension. She handed me a file, and I flipped through the pages quickly. A solution to the current crisis was underway, but we weren’t out of the woods yet.“Thanks for bringing this. I’ll report the next steps to Soren,” I said, my tone clipped but grateful.“He’s not in the office this week,” Gwen replied casually.I frowned. “What? Why? Where’d he go?”“No idea,” she said with a shrug. Then, with a sly look, she added, “But if I had to guess, I’d say it has something to do with you.”I bli
Soren - POVSusan sighed, shaking her head with a heaviness that filled the room. I sat on the edge of the couch, my patience thinning. She stood abruptly, walking off to her room without another word. Frustration twisted in my chest as I waited, but before I could follow her, she reappeared. In her hands were files, thick and stacked, which she dropped on the table in front of me.“What’s this?” I asked, picking up the top file. My hands tightened around it as I flipped through its contents. Photos of Raisel’s childhood in the orphanage, her college years, and, worst of all, her marriage to Alaric stared back at me. There she was, smiling—happy, even—standing next to him. A twisted knot of agony coiled in my gut. It never failed. Any time I saw Raisel with Alaric, whether in a photograph or in memories that refused to leave me alone, I’d spiral. I couldn’t think, couldn’t focus, couldn’t breathe.Instead, I’d bury the pain the only way I knew how—by drinking myself senseless in some
Soren - POVThe penthouse felt lifeless—empty and cold, even as sunlight struggled to pierce through the curtains. I lay motionless on the bed, staring at the ceiling, the weight of exhaustion pinning me down. I wasn’t really sleeping, just barely surviving on fragments of rest.The worst part wasn’t the sleepless nights; it was the endless nightmare of Raisel’s hatred. It felt like a prophecy, each passing moment bringing it closer to reality.The phone rang, cutting through the silence. I sighed and glanced at the screen. Grandpa. If I ignored him, he’d show up unannounced. I dragged myself to answer.“Morning,” he said.“It’s not,” I whispered flatly.“I know,” his tone carried a grim edge. “There’s a scandal blowing up. Apparently, your current girlfriend is all over the tabloids… cozying up to Joshua.”I shot upright, a sharp hiss escaping as the sudden movement worsened my pounding headache. I hadn’t checked the news yet—I didn’t need to. She said she was done with me, and I bel
Raisel – POVThe room was heavy with tension, so thick it felt like the air itself had turned solid. All eyes were on me, but the unspoken energy in the room wasn’t about me. It was about Soren. His presence alone was enough to tighten every throat in the room.“As you all know, there’s been an issue with the car sensor failing,” I began, my voice steady, calm, despite the storm brewing beneath my skin. “I’ve found a solution.”Soren’s voice sliced through the air like a blade. “What have you come up with?” His cold tone made the hair on the back of my neck rise.I didn’t flinch. “I’m getting to that, Mr. Dalton,” I replied, holding onto my composure. “I ran a series of diagnostic tests to pinpoint the exact conditions causing the sensor delay,” I said, my voice measured, professional.“And? What did you find?” His words were sharper now, laced with curiosity, but there was something else there—something darker.I clenched my fists under the table. “The issue could be caused by several
Soren’s POV“Mission Raisel accomplished.” A smirk tugged at my lips as I read Jace’s text on my phone. Perfect. Everything had fallen into place—because I made sure it did. It took a lot of manipulation to create this so-called “problem” and ensure Raisel would be the one to fix it. There’s no way I’m letting that asshole Joshua get anywhere near her.The temptation to storm into Chicago and drag her back home myself was almost unbearable. But that would only make her hate me more. And Raisel hating me? That’s the one thing I can’t risk.“Sir, the situation is getting worse.” Gwen’s voice cut through my thoughts. She entered the office, her expression tight with worry.I glanced at her calmly, and she frowned, as though confused by my lack of panic. “You don’t seem concerned. Sir, if we don’t fix this, we’re out of car models, out of investors, and ultimately... out of business.”“Take a breath, Gwen,” I said.She nodded, though the tension in her shoulders didn’t ease. She placed a
Raisel’s POVI took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. “Yes, I’m in. But I have my conditions,” I said, my voice firm despite the tremble in my hands. This isn’t what I want. Not at all.Joshua’s eyes darkened with intrigue. “And what might those be?” he asked. He didn’t shut me down immediately, which meant there was hope—however slim—that I could claw my way out of this mess.“You will respect boundaries,” I demanded, my tone sharp. “When I say no, it means no. You won’t blackmail me or manipulate me into doing things.”He leaned back, exuding the kind of confidence only a man like him could radiate. “I don’t have to force you into anything, Raisel.You’ll beg me for it,” he said smugly, his arrogance filling the room like a storm cloud.I rolled my eyes so hard I was sure they’d stick. These Dalton men—arrogant, entitled, and infuriatingly aware of their allure. And,God help me, why wouldn’t they be? With their striking looks, obscene wealth, and dangerous power, they practic
Raisel’s POVJoshua’s words won’t stop echoing in my head.“Listen to me carefully,” he said, his voice cold, calculated. “If you want to stay out of trouble, accept my deal. Pretend you’re in love with me.”I blinked, trying to keep my composure. “And what happens if I don’t accept your deal?” I asked, my voice barely steady.His smirk darkened, curling his lips into something both handsome and sinister. “Then you and Soren are in for a rough time,” he warned. He let that threat hang in the air before continuing, his words like venom. “Your project—the one launching the new car?It’ll stay nothing more than a dream. I’ll make sure of it.”My stomach dropped.I gulped. This man is heartless. No empathy at all. He’s… he’s the devil himself.“I… I…” I stammered, unable to string words together.“I’m giving you three hours to think it over,” he said with that insufferable smirk still plastered on his face. To most, he might look charming; to me, he was the worst kind of monster. Untamed.
Soren – POVThe office was a mess, buzzing with tension. People tiptoed around me, subtly dropping hints and questions: When will Raisel be back? We need her to move forward. I knew they needed answers from her, but I wasn’t about to push. She deserved space—time to heal. Losing someone is one thing, but watching a man die in front of you, a man you once cared for? That’s a whole other kind of trauma.Me? I felt the opposite. There was a sense of calm in knowing one of the bastards was finally out of the picture. Dead and gone.Still, the work couldn’t wait. I stepped in, made a decision on her project. It was something Raisel would’ve approved of—or at leastI hoped so. I couldn’t let the deadline slip.It was late when the call came. I was sitting at my desk, nursing a cup of lukewarm coffee, when my phone buzzed.“Mr. Soren Dalton,” the voice on the other end said. It was Officer Denvor, the man in charge of the investigation into Nancy’s murder.“Speaking,” I replied, already brac
Raisel - POVHe didn’t answer me. Instead, he grabbed my hand and urged me to walk with him. I froze, unmoving. He glanced back at me, exhaling loudly in exasperation.“Ugh.” He sighed, then smirked. “I’m just kidding, Raisel. You’re way too easy to rile up.” His laughter rang out, light and teasing.I relaxed, muttering a curse under my breath as I finally followed his lead. He had no idea how much he’d just scared me. We ended up at a cozy little spot called the River Crab House, savoring crab cakes and crisp Chardonnay in a surprisingly quiet lunch.“You know, it’s been ages since I’ve had lunch with someone,” he said after a long stretch of silence.I raised an eyebrow. “You expect me to believe that?” My tone was sharp with disbelief. “You’re the CEO of Dalton. I’m sure there’s no shortage of people eager to keep you company.”His expression shifted—distant, almost wistful. “I don’t dine with snakes,” he replied flatly, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he side-