ReignaI had a dream. A nightmare, rather.“Babe, look. This is-” Axle’s voice rang so loudly in my head as I ran away, my feet is damp from the pouring rain, and my tears are mixing along the cold droplets from the sky. When I turned on a nearby alley, there stood Carlisle with his eyes mirroring the hatred he has for Violet.“I need you to do your job and stay out of things that don’t concern you.” His voice, as loud as Axle’s, made my heart throb and my head ache. The rain poured more, with storms lighting up the pitch black night.In that world, I was standing in front of him, but for some reason, he can’t seem to feel anything as he stared back at me.That was a short, painful, nightmare.Morning arrived far too quickly, pulling me from the restless haze of a sleepless night. My body felt heavy, my chest still knotted with the emotions from last night’s confrontation. Carlisle’s words, the unspoken distance between us, and the bitter taste of my own feelings made it hard to even
ReignaIf there is one thing I could do right now—it is to not be left with Carlisle alone at all cost.I stepped into the office that morning, clutching a warm coffee cup in my hands like it was armor. The sterile white walls of XCC Corp. had never felt so unwelcoming. Usually, the hum of printers and soft clicks of keyboards grounded me in routine, but today, the air was heavy, as though everyone was waiting for something to snap.Or maybe that weight was just me, dragging in the unresolved tension from Family Day. “It’s okay. You can do it, Rei.” Encouraging myself, I went on with work, hoping nothing will go wrong.Entering his office after three knocks, I kept my professionalism as I conversed with him. “Your schedule for today,” I said quietly, sliding the folder toward him.For a moment, I thought he wouldn’t respond at all. Then his voice came, low and restrained. “Reigna.”I stilled, my breath catching. There was an edge of something personal in his tone, something tentative.
Reigna“Maybe I should try to talk to him once and for all.” As an emotional woman myself, I am having trouble deciding whether to guard myself from further pain from his words, or approach him and face this directly so I could heal and understand.This is just a game…who cares if he’s still affected by his ex?“This is making my head ache.”The morning air was heavy with anticipation. A I sit on my desk, my nerves are buzzling with anxiety and hesitancy to face them because today was the day Violet Harrington would step back into Carlisle Amoroso’s world—and mine.She, as the head architect for this project, will be working with us for three months until the proposal is finalized, and they could proceed with the discussion of investments and construction.Her reappearance wasn’t just a ghost from Carlisle’s past; it was a wrecking ball aimed at the fragile balance we’d been trying to maintain since Family Day.I hadn’t seen Carlisle smile in weeks, and every interaction between us ha
Reigna“What else do you think will happen?” smug, Carlisle spoke in a shameless manner. “You left. My son needed a mother.”With those words said, the subtle visibility of hurt in her face somewhat pained me too—no one wants to be replaced, after all.“You think that’s easy?” she asked, scoffing with her arms crossed, looking back and forth between Carlisle and I. “He’ll grow and realize it all.”Just thinking of that future scares me, but… “That future is still far.” I spoke, determined to prove my place.No matter how unstable we are, I am still, for now, Erwin’s mother.Laughing humorlessly, she looked at me from head to toe. “You look nothing like my son. He’ll raise that question soon enough.” Smirking, she stepped closer, her blue eyes piercing on me like daggers aim to shatter me whole.“Secretaries really like being side chicks.” She sneered. “No wonder the tension’s high at work.”“You’re talking all high and mighty as if you didn’t chose to walk out of their lives on your o
ReignaJust think of this is a normal day, Reigna.I stood outside the old house, the porch light flickering like a broken heartbeat. My hand hesitated on the doorknob, the chipped paint and worn wood feeling foreign, though I’d spent most of my life here. The weight of the call from Axle still clung to me, my chest tight with a mix of dread and defiance.I pushed the door open, stepping inside the familiar yet unwelcoming space. The living room was exactly as I remembered—dated furniture, faded wallpaper, and the suffocating air of disapproval that seemed embedded in the walls. My mother’s sharp voice greeted me before I even saw her.“Look who finally decided to show up,” she said, her tone dripping with disdain as she appeared from the kitchen.She looked the same—pristine makeup and a floral apron, as if she were trying to play the perfect hostess. “The prodigal daughter graces us with her presence.”“Mother,” I greeted stiffly, keeping my tone neutral.Her lips thinned as she eye
Reigna“Mommy, hurry up!” he called me as I helped Lilly wipe the dishes clean, while Christy washes them.“Hold on, baby!” I replied back, smiling as I focused on my work.“Young master really loves you, ma’am. We’ve never seen him like this.” Christy respectfully spoke, Lilly nodding in agreement.“He wasn’t like that with anyone. Young master rarely acts like a child, but with you, he truly is a little boy.” Lilly added, warming up my heart.The morning light painted soft streaks across the hardwood floors, the warmth of the sun mirrored by the gentle laughter that bubbled from Erwin as he played with his toy cars. Today is Sunday, giving us the liberty to be free from our own responsibilities.It had been a long time since a day felt so calm, so normal. For the first time in weeks, I allowed myself to breathe, the weight of our complicated lives momentarily lifted.“I just wish this peace will stay forever.” I spoke, but as if I had called a disaster instead of a blessing, that sp
ReignaThe office was quieter than usual, save for the faint hum of the air conditioning and the rhythmic tapping of keys on my laptop. I shifted in my seat, pushing my thoughts away as I worked on the report Carlisle had asked me to prepare.“Do I have to print this for tomorrow’s meeting, sir?”“No need. I’ll do it myself later.” He was across from me, focused on his paperwork, his brow furrowed as usual. His aloof demeanor was something I’d grown used to, but there was always an unspoken pressure that lingered in the air whenever we shared the same space.As I try to return to my work, I couldn’t help but sneak glances at him.“Eyes on your paper, princess.”Snapping out of my trance, I blinked, instinctively rushing to look back at my work.Carlisle had his moments—rare, subtle moments—when he let his guard down. The small things. Today, he had gotten up from his desk and walked over to my side to grab the stack of papers I was holding."You’re doing great," he had said quietly,
Reigna“Mommy, do you know that dinosaurs are real?! I had a dream I was riding one!”Erwin who visited us out of nowhere this evening is now busy with his own drawings, rambling as he colored with his tongue sticking out, adorable as always.“Well, you know what they say, sweetheart. Dreams only put things that are real in your heart.” I smiled, answering from my desk as I focused on this final document.Carlisle, as always, was seated at his desk, his sharp gaze flicking between the documents in front of him and the occasional glance at Erwin. His presence was steady, grounding, though his silence spoke volumes. He was watching—always watching—but never intruding unless absolutely necessary.And then there was Violet.She sat perched on the chair closest to Erwin, her perfectly manicured nails tapping against the armrest as she observed him with a mixture of fascination and discomfort. Her attempts to bond with Erwin were… misguided, to say the least."Erwin, dearest," Violet cooed,
CarlisleThe moment the wheels touched the tarmac, I felt the shift. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but I felt it. The way Reigna straightened in her seat, the rigid tension in her shoulders, the way her fingers curled against the armrest as if bracing herself for impact. Not from the landing—but from everything that came after.She hadn't spoken a word to anyone since our confrontation in the lounge, not to me, not to Violet, not even to the flight attendants who offered her a drink she didn't acknowledge. She had locked herself in silence, a fortress built in mere hours, and I—I was the reason why.I want to believe her…I wanted to take her side and stop people from spreading malicious rumors about her. But I just can’t do it.Violet won’t drown herself on her own, right?Or she won’t lie and pretend she didn’t fell accidentally on her own, right?I just can’t see the point of her harming herself to paint Reigna bad. But I can’t truly convince myself that Reigna purposely hurt
Reigna“Miss Harrington shouldn’t go back by herself.”“I agree. She’s still shaken up from what happened yesterday. Please take care of her.”That is the picture: Violet Harrington is on the same ride as us.Carlisle’s private plane was luxurious—pristine leather seats, gleaming mahogany tables, the scent of aged whiskey lingering faintly in the air—but to me, it felt suffocating. Every breath I took was thick with tension, every glance stolen across the cabin a reminder that I didn’t belong here. Not anymore.I sat rigidly in my seat, hands clasped tightly in my lap, nails pressing into my skin hard enough to leave marks. Across from me, she lounged, draped in a silk blanket, her damp hair cascading over her shoulder in soft waves, her complexion artfully pale. Violet.She looked weak. Delicate. Like a woman who had suffered greatly.It was a lie. Every inch of it.I dug my nails deeper into my palms, forcing myself to stay quiet, to keep my expression neutral, even when the urge to
ReignaThe heat of the midday sun bore down on my skin, but I felt nothing but the ice curling around my veins, spreading like poison. The murmurs grew, swelling like a tidal wave, each whispered accusation crashing against me, pressing me down until I could barely breathe.“She actually pushed her…”“I always knew something was off about her.”“This is exactly why people like her don’t belong here.”No. No, no, no.I clenched my fists so tightly that my nails bit into my palms, my breaths coming in short, uneven gasps. My entire body trembled—not with fear, not with guilt, but with the suffocating, helpless frustration of knowing that nothing I said would matter.Because they had already made up their minds.Jonathan Devereaux, standing like some self-appointed judge, let out a disappointed sigh, shaking his head."Harrington has been nothing but gracious to you, and this is how you choose to repay her?" His voice was coated with condescension, as if he were disappointed in me, as if
Reigna“I shouldn’t have drunk all that last night.” I sighed, not remembering a thing from last night,Carlisle had left early for a meeting, leaving me to navigate the battlefield alone. I was accustomed to the treatment by now—the sidelong glances, the backhanded comments disguised as politeness. But today, it was worse.Because today, I was expected to be silent.The air was thick with the scent of expensive perfume and saltwater as I made my way toward the poolside lounge. Guests were scattered across the area—some reclined on plush sunbeds, others gathered in small groups beneath the canopy, engaged in conversations I had no part in.And at the center of it all, Violet.She was draped effortlessly on a chaise lounge, a delicate flute of champagne resting between her fingers. Dressed in an elegant ivory wrap dress, she looked like she belonged here, like she was the centerpiece of the entire world.And, in many ways, she was.Her soft laughter carried across the terrace as she c
CarlisleShe stumbled out of the elevator, her bare feet padding against the plush carpet, the soft giggle that left her lips laced with both defiance and exhaustion.I should have let her go. Should have let her retreat into whatever messy, alcohol-induced thoughts were swirling in her head. But I didn’t.Instead, I followed.The suite was dimly lit, the glow from the city lights outside casting faint shadows across the room. She walked—no, wobbled—toward the sitting area, her movements slow, almost hesitant, as if the weight of tonight was pressing down on her all at once.“You’re going to regret drinking this much in the morning,” I said, closing the door behind me.She scoffed, collapsing onto the couch with an exaggerated sigh. “Good. Maybe a hangover will distract me from the bigger problem.”I exhaled sharply, slipping off my suit jacket and tossing it over the armchair. “And what problem is that?”Reigna lifted her gaze, her expression a mix of frustration and sadness. “You.”
CarlisleEveryone is testing my patience.I sat beside Violet, my posture relaxed, my fingers grazing the rim of my whiskey glass as I listened to Devereaux retell a story I had already heard twice this evening. I had no real interest in the conversation, but I made the occasional comment when necessary, maintaining the effortless control expected of me.Violet, meanwhile, was in her element.She laughed, leaned in closer than she needed to, brushing her fingers against my arm as if she had every right to. And I let her—because letting her act familiar with me, letting her bask in the attention, was the easiest way to keep her content."Remember when we stayed in Paris that summer?" Violet mused, swirling the golden liquid in her glass. "That tiny villa overlooking the Seine? We were barely indoors."I nodded, but said nothing.Violet hated silence, and true to form, she filled it."But then again," she sighed dramatically, "you’ve always had a habit of leaving things unfinished, have
ReignaThis trip on a private island is t*rture.Carlisle wanted us to attend so we could furtherly shut down the rumors and rebuild my reputation. But hell, things kept on going south—and before I knew it, we are already here…celebrating Violet Harrington’s birthday.“Anxious?” I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard Carlisle’s voice, making me turn and face him. Dressed in his suit fit for his status, he looked too dazzling just to be alone with someone like me. His green orbs looked intimidating, yet his presence screams for everyone to approach him and pay respect.Currently, we are at the elevator, slowly approaching the venue where I’m about to be grilled alive once more. “I think I can’t stop myself from feeling it.”He stared at me for a short while, ad instead of responding through words, he tilted my chin and kissed me, causing my eyes to widen before I savored the feeling. Closing my eyes, I basked in the warmth of his kiss, having his tongue dance with mine eased my worr
Carlisle“Carlisle,” Reigna spoke, her voice soft as I fix my polo while watching her reflection through the mirror. “Uhm, maybe tomorrow, I should just stay inside?” she asked, her voice getting smaller as she finished her question.Ah. She’s bothered by it.“I’m not attending.” I finished fixing myself and kept my eyes on hers through the mirror that keeps us connected. “It’s just a birthday, princess. We’re not needed on it.”“But Carlisle-”“Let’s go out.” I turned to pick up my sports bag, ready to tackle another afternoon activity with the acquaintances involved in this hypocritic gathering. “The others are waiting. I was told we’re playing golf today.”“Carlisle…” her tone sounded defeated, but I heard no other complaints or suggestions, rather, I can hear the faint ruffling of her preparing her own things to bring as we face those ridiculous people once more.***The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the pristine green of the private golf course. A cool breeze
ReignaThe morning sun poured over the island in golden streaks, casting a warm glow over the sprawling estate that housed the guests of the charity gala. Everything looked postcard-perfect—the blue waves lapping at the white shore, the distant hum of morning chatter from the estate’s balconies, the glint of silverware catching the early light as staff prepared the grand breakfast buffet.It was beautiful.But it was suffocating.I sat at the edge of my bed, staring at the elegant resort robe draped over my shoulders. I hadn’t slept much. The weight of the previous night still sat heavy in my chest, pressing against my ribs like an ache that refused to fade.Carlisle had played his part to perfection.And I had stood beside him, smiling, nodding, pretending like his words didn’t carve into me.I exhaled sharply, pushing the thought aside. There was no point in dwelling on it. We had agreed to this. I knew what I signed up for. It wasn’t supposed to hurt.A sharp knock on my door snapp