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 – POVSoren was asleep on the couch when I left. I couldn’t bear to face him, not today. The office felt hollow, the empty corridors stretching out in eerie silence. Only Gwen was there, huddled in her cabin, her eyes flicking between me and the clock. “You should be resting,” she said softly.“I’ve rested enough,” I muttered, brushing past her. “I’m falling behind.” I motioned for her to follow me to the pantry, where I fumbled for the coffee machine, trying to steady my trembling hands.“I don’t want to... gossip,” Gwen whispered, her voice cutting off as if the words were dangerous to say aloud.I gave a bitter smile. “Gossip? Nobody talks to me. They just give me polite smiles, pretend nothing’s wrong, and walk away.” My voice dropped. “But you, Gwen... you can tell me anything. I don’t mind.”She took a slow sip of her coffee, her eyes clouded with concern. “You’re not... scared? After everything that’s happened?”“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t,” I sighed, the weight of
Soren – POVA funeral—supposedly a place for grieving, yet all I felt was an unsettling joy. Not a single tear threatened to fall. I had wanted to kill Nancy with my own hands, to savor her last breath, but someone had stolen that moment from me. When I reached her body, she was already dead, a bullet in her chest, and a gun abandoned at her side. I picked it up, my mind churning. Who had taken my vengeance from me? I knew it wasn’t Grandfather—he’d left Nancy’s fate in my hands. He trusted me to make her suffer, to break her, to force her to beg for death. Death wouldn’t have been her true punishment anyway. It was stripping her of her power and status, the things she craved most. That would’ve been her real end.I watched as Davina sobbed, with Alaric trailing behind her, feigning sympathy. Raisel stiffened beside me, her discomfort evident as Alaric’s gaze lingered on her. When I locked eyes with him, he quickly looked away, focusing instead on comforting Davina. My grandfather and
Raisel’s POVIt’s been a week since my outburst and the embarrassing moment of passing out after too many drinks. Soren hasn’t brought up any of those “friends with benefits” conversations, and now he’s acting distant, colder—almost like just a friend, but more aloof than usual. I don’t know why he’s pulling away. I let out a heavy sigh as I realize today is the day I’ve been both dreading and anticipating—the day I showcase my design. Soren has been so busy, constantly hounded by officers asking about the poison situation, and sometimes, they even question me.I dressed in formal attire, trying to calm my nerves as I reviewed the presentation slides. My hands were sweaty, and my heart raced. Crowds have never been my thing. A soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts.It was Nia, the new maid. “Breakfast is ready,” she announced quietly.“No, thank you, Nia. I don’t think I can eat,” I said, the anxiety churning in my stomach.“Eat.” Soren’s calm voice came from behind me as
Raisel – POVI had two days off after working overtime, trying to drown out the noise in my head with busy days and sleepless nights. Nia had left after making dinner, leaving the apartment silent, the kind of silence that pulls memories out of the shadows. I poured myself a glass of wine, despite the doctor’s warnings to steer clear of alcohol and focus on meditation. Like that would silence the chaos inside me.The phone rang, an unknown number flashing on the screen. I hesitated, then answered.“Sweetheart... how are you?” The voice slithered through the receiver, reeking of arrogance.I scoffed. “What the fuck do you want, Alaric?” My voice was venom, dripping with all the hatred I could summon.“You looked hot in that black dress... why didn’t you wear shit like that when we were together?” he slurred, his words laced with drunken lust.“Fuck off. Don’t call me again, or you’ll regret it.” I hung up before he could respond, but the calls kept coming, one after the other, each mor
Raisel’s POV“I’m going to cum,” I whispered, barely able to form the words. As I have been riding on his two larger fingers.“Raisel, I want to taste you. Cum for me.” His voice was low, commanding, and my body instantly obeyed, shuddering with pleasure. His fingers slowed their relentless rhythm, teasing me until he slipped them out of my drenched heat. I could only watch, breathless, as he raised them to his lips, coated with my arousal. The sight made my face flush, his eyes locking with mine, a smug smirk pulling at his lips as he tasted me. The act was intoxicating, both filthy and hot.“God, I’ve never felt this good…” I managed to breathe out.He chuckled darkly. “Raisel, we’re just getting started. You’ve no idea what I can make you feel.”My heart pounded, slamming against my ribcage, as his lips crashed into mine with a hunger that left me dizzy. I could taste myself on his mouth as his tongue dominated, demanding more, and I surrendered willingly. His hands moved with expe
Soren – POVBefore Raisel Wakes Up and Finds Soren’s SecertsSoren’s POVI couldn’t sleep. My mind was racing, but not with nightmares or restless thoughts. Raisel was here—sleeping in my arms, her body pressed against mine, warm and soft. It was surreal. I had to pinch myself to believe this wasn’t just a dream. She was right here. I brushed a stray strand of hair from her face, revealing her delicate features as she slept peacefully. Her skin, pale and flawless, was marked by love bites—my marks, claiming her as mine.But it wasn’t the physical closeness that made me feel this overwhelming sense of happiness. It wasn’t about the intimacy we shared last night. It was because she trusted me, allowed me into her world—not just emotionally but physically as well. I felt a sense of fulfillment I hadn’t experienced before. I was never one for cuddling, never the type to let a woman spend the night. I usually had them sent home with my driver, their addresses forgotten as soon as the door
Raisel’s POVI shoved clothes into my backpack, my hands shaking. Then I froze, wiping the tears streaming down my face. A knock on my door broke through my thoughts.“Raisel… I’ll explain the pictures, I swear, but… don’t leave. Give me a chance,” Soren’s voice came through, muffled yet desperate.I hesitated but opened the door anyway. I should at least give him a chance to explain. We sat down on the couch, the silence between us thick with unspoken words.“I’m not sorry… for what I did,” he began, his tone serious, almost hard. “I had a reason. It was to protect you…”I bit back the urge to snap at him. His explanation sounded genuine, but how could he justify invading my privacy in the name of protection?“Why are you so obsessed with keeping me in the dark, Soren? Who on earth would even want to hurt me?” I asked, my frustration spilling over. “I need answers, Soren.”“The less you know, the better,” he said coldly, his eyes dark and distant, like he was carrying a burden that c
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-