Sophia POV:That afternoon, I stormed into Ethan's office, my heels clicking against the marble floor, like severing calls to action. His secretary could barely even utter a hello before I pushed it open. Ethan sat behind his massive mahogany desk, his expression calm as he glanced up from the stack of papers."Sophia," he said with a faint smile as if I hadn’t spent the morning fuming over him.I crossed my arms slamming the door shut with exact force. "We need to talk."He leaned back in his chair, his brow arching. "I figured. Go ahead."I walked closer, placing both hands on his desk. "What’s going on with you and Rachel? And don't kid me now that it's nothing since the whole internet is hooked on your so-called ‘chemistry.’.Ethan sighed, getting up and walking around the desk to face me. His height and calm demeanor usually made me feel safe, but now it only fueled my frustration.Sophia," he started, touching my shoulders, "Rachel and I are just good friends. Business partners,
Sophia POV: I've always lived a life that others could only wish for. Born into the Greenwood clan, my father, Greenwood is the wealthiest in New York, a tycoon in real estate and luxury. From waking up, the world was at my fingertips. Private school, designer clothes, lunch dates with Paris, it all just happened effortlessly.Hard work? Struggle? Those were foreign concepts. My father always told me, "You don’t work for what you deserve; you command it.". I've lived by that motto every day of my life.It’s no surprise that Ethan fell for me. We’re both products of power and prestige, two halves of a perfect dynasty in the making. Together, we’ll be unstoppable.My phone buzzed on the nightstand, interrupting my thoughts. I grabbed it, smiling, when I saw a text message from Marcia, my wedding gown designer.Marcia: “The dress is ready! Can you stop by the studio today for the fitting?" and so on.I quickly replied, eager to see the gown I’d been dreaming of for months.Me: “Absolute
Ethan. There, the heavy oak door to my father's room stood before me, polished brass handles glinting on the expression of strain in my body. I rang once and walked in without waiting for a response.“Ethan, my father, Mr. Gray, said, barely glancing up from the stack of documents on his desk. His glasses rested on the top of his nose, and his bearing was as impressive as before.I have to tell you something about Sophia," I said, "no point sitting down.Eye lifted" but did not interrupt perusal of manuscripts. “What about her?”“She’s… impossible, I said, the words spilling out before I could stop them. “She’s rude to people, constantly controlling, and so clingy that I can’t breathe. She's just making me do things I don't want to do. She also insulted Rachel just now in my presence again.That caught his attention. He put the papers aside, taking off his glasses and reclining in his chair. “Ethan, stop being dramatic. You’re engaged to one of the most powerful women in New York. Do
Sophia Pov: No response. The previous night, he hadn’t returned my calls and hadn’t even bothered to text me back.The nerve of him.I dropped my phone on the silk covers and my anger came to the top. He was ignoring me. Me.Giving up the attempt, I made a call that I seldom dial. Mr. Gray, his father.It didn’t even ring twice before he picked it up.“Sophia,” he greeted, his tone cool and businesslike.“Mr. Gray,” I snapped. Ethan has not replied to me since last night and that's totally unacceptable. I expect my fiancé to at least have the decency to answer my calls. You need to handle this.”There was a break, and then, his serene tone said, "I will see to it that Ethan will contact you within the hour.“Good,” I said sharply. If I do not hear from him soon I will re-evaluate certain arrangements—personal and business-oriented.The line went dead before I could say more, leaving me fuming but satisfied.---As promised by Mr. Gray, Ethan’s name soon appeared on my phone screen in
Ethan POV:The next morning, I sat in my office, staring at the latest reports from the marketing team without really processing any of them. My brain was still stuck on the dinner party from the previous night and the amount of mess Sophia had made out of my life. My phone buzzed, pulling me from my thoughts.Rachel was at the door.“Come in,” I said, my tone unintentionally brusque.Rachel entered, holding a sleek portfolio under her arm. Her facial expression was calm, professional, and nothing like the tempest raging in my soul.“I’ve been working on some designs for the fall launch, " she began, placing the portfolio on my desk. “I wanted to get your feedback before finalizing them.”I nodded, opening the portfolio and scanning the pages. Her sketches were always smart and strong but graceful, with a fresh feel, which would undoubtedly appeal to our customer group.“These are good,” I said, my tone softening slightly. “Really good. You’ve outdone yourself.”“Thanks,” she said wit
Ethan PovEthan leaned back in his chair, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. Across the table, Liam was happily munching on a plate of french fries, bumbling around as usual, while Grayson remained cool and composed, ruminating on his drink with a twinkle in his eye."Alright, Ethan," Liam said, leaning forward dramatically. "Spill it. What's going on with you and Rachel? You’ve been walking around like a lovesick puppy."Ethan exhaled, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "It’s not that simple, Liam. You know I’m engaged to Sophia. But... Rachel, she’s different. She makes me feel alive, like I'm finally able to express myself.Liam clapped a hand on the table. "See? That is the kind of thing that goes into movies about romance. Follow your heart, man! If Rachel’s the one making you feel good, well then go for it. Life’s too short to be stuck with someone like Sophia—no offense.".Grayson arched a brow, setting his glass down. "Liam, you can’t be serious. Ethan, I get it, you’re in
Ethan POV:Ethan walked back into the lounge where Liam and Grayson were waiting, both men looking up as he entered. The tension from earlier still hung in the air, but Liam broke it with a sarcastic grin."Well, if it isn’t the drama magnet himself," Liam said, leaning back in his chair. "Are you here to lecture us or apologize?"Ethan sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Apologize. What happened earlier shouldn’t have gotten out of hand. I’m sorry Sophia dragged you both into this mess." He looked at Liam specifically. "And I’m sorry for what she did to you. You didn’t deserve that."Liam waved a hand dismissively. "Don’t worry about it. I’ve taken worse. But, Ethan, you need to get your head straight. Forget the parents, the company, and Sophia’s tantrums. What do you want? If it’s Rachel, then stop second-guessing yourself. Trust your heart, man, and let the dice roll as they please.Grayson frowned, his expression pensive. "Liam, it’s not that simple. This isn’t just about f
Sophia POV:Sophia fixed her gaze on the drink in her hand, her thoughts swimming in a tide of anger, betrayal, and desperation. Michael sat next to her, leaning on the bar with his typical grin. She loathed that phrase but, right now, she did need him.She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, the memory of how they’d met flickering in her mind.It had been three years ago, during her time abroad. She’d been caught up in a scandal—some ridiculous mix-up involving a stolen designer bag at a high-end party in Milan. The local people showed no interest in her high social status or her histrionic assertion of her innocence.Michael had already been there, using the smooth-talking trait to get to the position. His charm had gotten her out of trouble, and she’d been grateful at the time. In the weeks that followed, they’d crossed paths again at a series of elite events, striking up a casual friendship. He’d seemed interested in her, but she hadn’t taken him seriously. Michael was fun,
Ethan sat at the head of the conference table, his sharp gaze sweeping over his team. The atmosphere was thick with tension. Danny had just finished his report, but it wasn’t the news Ethan had hoped for."So you're telling me," Ethan said, his voice steady yet tinged with frustration, "that after all this time, we still don’t have solid evidence against Sophia and Michael?"Danny shifted uncomfortably in his seat, rubbing the back of his neck. "We’re close, Ethan. But every lead we’ve followed so far keeps going cold. Somebody is covering tracks. I tried speaking with some of their staff but nothing came out from them"Greg continued. " I also tried checking her fundings and that of Micheal but it was clean. No foreign invested but the company is running a billion dollar project. Impressive I must say”Ethan let out a sharp breath, pressing his fingers to his temples. He despised this—the waiting, the uncertainty. Every moment that ticked by without action was another moment for Soph
Michael sat in his car, gripping the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles turned white. His heart pounded as he stared at the tall glass building in front of him—Rachel’s company.She has moved on.The words echoed in his mind, filling his chest with an unbearable ache. He had been torturing himself for many years with the idea that she would one day be back with him, that what they had is important. However, now she was drifting off, and he wouldn't allow that to continue.He made a sigh, stroking down his face before getting out of the car.As he approached the entrance, Donna, Rachel’s assistant, immediately blocked his path, her arms crossed over her chest.You're not welcome in here, Mr. Micheal," it said, a firm voice tone masking a concealment of emotion on the woman's face.Michael forced a smile, though his jaw was clenched. "Donna, I just need to talk to Rachel. Just five minutes."Donna didn’t budge. "She’s busy."Micheal squeezes his hands trying to mask the annoyance. "
The smell of the bar reeked of booze, cigarettes, and desperation. Dimmed lights danced against the dark wood, casting long shadows as Sophia sat at the far end with a half-empty whiskey in front of her. The amber liquid swirled absently in her glass before she took another sip; the burning did little to soothe the storm inside. People of different colors and shapes move around each other like two poles of a magnet..the smell of sweat, perfume, and cum made the room slightly darker, more drawing. She noticed two male men pleasuring each other's cocks. One was moaning a little louder than the background song, but they didn't give a single fuck if anybody saw them or heard them.She was running out of time.She needed Michael to take action. Just then, some men came sauntering up to her table, guffawing loudly. One of them, with a slicked-back haircut and a confident smirk, pulled a chair out for himself."Mind if we join you, sweetheart?"Sophia didn't even turn toward him. "I do min
The cool evening air brushed against Rachel's skin as she came out of her house, holding a garbage bag towards the trash bin. She inhaled deeply, trying to clear her mind, but no sooner had she turned around than she froze. Michael. He was standing a few feet away from her, his hands inside his pockets, his eyes dark with something unreadable.Rachel huffed loudly. "What is it, Michael? Hurry up. Really, I don't have time for your rubbish." Michael moved another step closer to her, the corners of his lips curling into a bitter smile. "You really played me, didn't you?" he said, low and dangerous. "You knew those kids weren't mine. You let me chase after them, trying to win their trust-wasting my damn time!”Rachel crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes. "I was telling you the truth, but you refused to listen. That is on you, not me." Michael's jaw clenched. The next thing she knew, he clutched her wrist, his fingers hard into her skin. Rachel winced, struggling to free her hand."
The morning was cold, but he felt none of it as he stepped from his sleek black car into the towering Mavericks & Co building. His hair was a little tousled, the dark circles around his eyes evidence enough of the sleepless night. His workers, who otherwise looked forward to his arrival, hesitated at the sight of today's wrinkled shirt, and the tension in the square of his jaw flickered in their eyes.He ignored them. His footsteps were quick, his face hard as he entered the private elevator. The moment the doors slid shut, he let out a sharp exhalation, leaning his head against the cool metal wall. What the hell is going on?Rachel, the kids, Michael, SSophiain one big web of lies and deceptions, and he was right in the middle. By the time the elevator finally reached the top floor, his fists were clenched. The elevator doors slid open, and he strode into his office, slamming the door shut with a little too much force. No more than a second or two passed before his phone went off.
Ethan leaned back against the plush leather seat of his car, his fingers drumming absently on his knee. His mind reeled with the contradictions that had surfaced tonight. Rachel had told him that the kids' parents were abroad, but tonight, Daniella had looked him dead in the eyes and said, "Our daddy is dead. We want you to be our daddy."Ethan let out a sharp hiss, exhaled, and raked a hand through his hair. “Were they lying, or was Rachel?”He turned his gaze toward the city lights blurring past the tinted windows and asked, "John, do kids lie?" His chauffeur, with graying hair and wise eyes, glanced once in the rearview mirror at him. "Not really, sir. Kids are too honest for their own good. They lie if they're told to by an adult, or trying to protect someone." Ethan's jaw clenched tight. Protect someone…Without another word, he reached for his phone and typed a text to Liam.Ethan: Need to see you first thing tomorrow.Liam: That serious?Ethan: Just be there.He let out a
The moment Rachel stepped into her apartment, she let out a shaky breath, leaning against the door for support. The night had been a disaster-humiliating, painful-but as she unlocked her phone, her fingers trembling, the news headlines flashing across the screen made her heart stop. "Ethan Greenwood Defends Rachel at the Investor's Gala!" "Billionaire Ethan Greenwood Shakes Down Bullies in Defense of Mystery Woman!"Her eyes scrolled down the articles, her breathing hitching at the videos. Ethan, in front of a crowd, voices sharp and commanding, glare promising to send anyone shivering down their spines. He had defended her. Publicly.Rachel swallowed hard and turned to him. He was already heading to the door, his broad shoulders tense. Without thinking, she called out, "You can stay, you know." Ethan paused, his fingers on the doorknob, and he turned slightly toward her, his expression unreadable, but something, maybe a flicker of hesitation, crossed his features. "The kids are
Ethan fixed the cuffs of his suit as he closed the door on Rachel, trapping her inside. Her tear-stained face and shaking hands had kindled something dark within him, anger so sharp and cold, which seemed to curl around his ribs like a vice. He breathed out, straightening, and then turned back toward the entrance of the gala, his polished shoes tapping against the marble floor.The moment he was inside, the murmurs began. Eyes followed him, whispers rippling through the crowd like wildfire. At the center of it all, Sophia stood arms crossed over her chest, her lips curled into a self-satisfied smirk. Beside her stood the women who had tormented Rachel, basking in their supposed victory.In one moment, upon seeing him, Sophia's face changed. The smirk smoothed out into a small pout; her eyes, shining with water, made her head bob up in false innocence. "Ethan," she cooed, sliding toward him. "I was just saying—Rachel does not belong in events like these. You know how she can get … unst
The investor gala was one of the hottest tickets of the season. But for Mavericks & Co, it was the chance to pull in the world, forge links, broker deals, and even maybe get to the bottom of the identities of Emerald Designs' funding sponsors. Ethan put on his cufflinks and, for a few moments, looked at his cell phone, then dialed a number.Rachel answered almost immediately. “Ethan? Her voice was soft, with a hint of hope.“There’s an event tonight. I need you to attend with me,” he said curtly.Rachel’s heart skipped a beat. “You want me to—”“Don’t get the wrong idea,” he interrupted. “This is strictly professional. We’re attending to investigate the people behind Emerald Designs. Nothing more.”Rachel’s smile faltered, but she quickly recovered. “I understand. I’ll be ready.”---That night, stepping out of the car, Rachel wore a flowing midnight-blue dress with an elaborately beaded effect that shimmered in the light. The dress hugged her curves elegantly, and her hair cascaded d