Since my marriage to both Caila and Aria, I hadn’t ventured out much. Not that it mattered. I knew the rumors would be swirling… the whispers, the raised eyebrows. It was inevitable, especially with my high profile and the fast marriage that had the media buzzing. But I couldn’t care less about the gossip.What truly mattered was business. Bad news was bad for business, and right now, I needed to close a deal with Darius Jason, the owner of Dynamo Tech, the only company in the tech industry that stood above mine. He was a tough nut to crack, but I had a way in… his weakness for beautiful women. Word had it he’d be at Orion’s House tonight, and I’d be there to make sure we sealed the deal.The limousine rolled to a stop in front of the building, and as always, my door was opened for me. I stepped out and walked to Caila, who waited for me just a step ahead of the car."Ready?" I asked, my lips curling into a smile.As I glanced at her face, the expression there made me smile.Orion's h
When Lucas called that he was close to the house, my heart began racing again. What have I done? I should have controlled my stupid emotions and buried the urge to text my ex. He was already close and I couldn't tell him not to come again. What if Jace found out that I had him over? I didn't know how he would react. Well… it's not like anything was going to happen between us. Before I could change my mind, I heard the gate open and the sound of a car driving on the drive way.I had taken a warm bath, freshened up over thirty minutes ago after I had texted him. The white sedan pulled up close to the house and Lucas stepped out. It had been three years and he hadn't changed a bit. It was probably the asian gene from his mom acting. When he saw me, his lips turned up and formed the easy grin I was too used to. He had grown his hair out and they fell just above his shoulders. He was dressed like he was going for one of his modelling photoshoot and not just to see me. When he got clo
I stood there, watching Solomon Sleighman at the far end of the room, laughing like he had no care in the world.The ease in his demeanor, the relaxed posture he assumed… it all disgusted me. I should have known his association with me would give him access into Orion House, but I did not expect him to show up here of all places, so at home, so comfortable, as though nothing had happened. As though he hadn't just used his daughters to save his crumbling empire. He was so oblivious of the fact that his presence had just ruined my plans of getting information about the new tech Darius was working on. Just his presence along. If I lost this chance to get this information to surpass Dynamo Tech, he was going to be paying for it. Heavily.I turned back to Caila, my eyes searching hers. "You really want to go?" I asked, hoping she'd change her mind.Caila nodded, her expression subdued. I felt a pang of disappointment, but I pushed it aside. When she was talking to him, she had to be in h
When Caila gasped at the sight of Lucas, my heart sank as I got up. I barely had time to process an appropriate explanation before Jace stormed into the room. His sharp eyes accessed her quickly before turning to me, the intensity in them like a lens under sunlight. Then his eyes darted to Lucas who was still sitting on the sofa without a care in the world and then back to me, his expression darkening. In that moment, it felt like the temperature in the room had dropped.Caila stared at me, shook her head and walked upstairs before I could even get a word out. I stood there, watching her retreat, feeling a pang of helplessness. Jace’s gaze fixed on me, his eyes now filled with an unreadable emotion. Something dangerous simmered beneath the surface. He took a step closer, narrowing his gaze on Lucas, then back at me.“What’s going on here, Aria?” His voice was low but it wasn't any less threatening.I couldn't let him get any pleasure from seeing me cower. I met his eyes with mine. “
I felt as though I had been sitting at my desk for ages. In reality, it had indeed been hours since it was nearly time for lunch; my fingers lingered above the keys, yet no words flowed. I had checked the distribution lines but I couldn't even see the names. The cursor flashed on the screen, seemingly taunting me for my lack of concentration on my work. My office was silent, almost oppressively so. I used to appreciate the tranquility and the opportunity to gaze out of the tall windows to admire the bustling traffic and the stunning ocean, but now I craved the sounds, anything to pull me away from my thoughts.I found it impossible to stop pondering over it.The kiss that didn't happen.I had told him, hadn’t I? Told him I’d throw up in his mouth if he tried to kiss me. But somehow, when he had come closer, his presence suffocatingly warm and powerful, I had leaned in. I had closed my eyes, waiting for him to close the distance, for him to place his lips on mine. My heart had pounde
JACE POVIt was not necessary to go to that business meeting. I could have easily sent someone else to represent me, but after what happened yesterday, there was no way I could stay in the same house with Aria after seeing her with her ex. The anger had simmered under my skin, and the only way to dull it, even just a little, was by keeping busy. Lucas… whoever the hell he was… was lucky I had already punched him lightly. If I hadn't, I would have tracked him down myself. But right now, I had instructed Edward to find out everything about him and what he had done to cause the rift between Aria and himself. The look on Caila's face and the way she had shook her head after seeing him didn't go unnoticed by me. There was something unusual that he had done...but she had stlill brought him into my house. I needed to know everything and until I understood it, I couldn't rest. “What's wrong?” Marcus asked.I looked at him, trying to push away the thoughts of the mess I’d created. Marcus w
It was 1 a.m. when I noticed the door to Caila’s room slowly opening. She had developed a routine of secluding herself in her workspace for entire days, surfacing only late at night, acting as if nothing was wrong. I knew that she usually waited until she thought I was asleep before sneaking back in, as though it made the distance between us easier to bear. But tonight, I knew better.She was avoiding me. And I… I had been avoiding her, too. The understanding struck me with the force of a heavy weight. I hated it. I hated that we had drifted apart because of everything, because of the mess Jace had put us in, because of my actions too. This tension between us... it wasn’t something I could ignore anymore. I was literally tired of it.It had been two days since Jace went to that business meeting, and as much as I hated to admit it, the house felt colder without him. But this... this was something different. It was the quiet, suffocating silence between me and my sister that hurt the mo
The time was 7pm and I should have probably been at home having dinner with Caila but I was at Grilo Restaurant waiting for Lucas to show up. I felt bad for lying to her that I was going to be with Rita but there was no way I could tell her that I was going out to have dinner with Lucas. I had already told her that seeing him was a mistake that I was going to make again.The Restaurant, was on a quiet street. The lights inside made it look cozy and welcoming. When I went in, I felt like I was going back in time. Lucas and I used to come here often. We would sit in the corner, talking and laughing together. The smell of food and wood reminded me of old times. I remembered the way the sunlight used to stream through the windows, casting a warm glow over everything. I remembered the sound of Lucas's laughter, the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled. Being back here brought it all flooding back. I checked my time and realized that the time was 7:30pm and he was yet to com
JACE'S POVI rarely came down to the business and that was because I rarely handled this type of business by myself but today is different. Very different. I couldn't remember the last time my life had been this chaotic. Work stress, Travel stress, I loved it but these emotions that were rising? I hated it. It was making me lose control and that was one thing I hated. I hated losing control. I hate feeling like I'm at the back seat of my life and someone else is taking the steering wheel and steering me in the exact opposite direction I wanted to go. I was so fucking pissed right now that I could feel the slight tremor in my arms. But what was pissing me off more was Luke. He had tried to spy on me using Aria and that was another thing I hated - spies.The door opened and I entered the basement. The basement was one of the places I brought people who were finding it to talk under regular circumstances. I bring them there to encourage them to talk.But unlike one of the blackspots
ARIA'S POVDespite all the argument we always had in the house, it was such an irony that Jace insisted that we sat down at the dining together everytime we wanted to eat. But today both Jace and my sister were late and I was starving. I had to wait though. Jace hated when his food arrived before him so I sat there waiting. Immediately I had gotten back from work the previous day, I had collapsed on the bed and sleep had taken over me. I had not heard if Jace had returned home or not. Just then Jace steps out of his room and heads towards the head of the dining table. The house chef immediately brought the food and arranged it in front of them. One look at Jace and I knew he was livid. He still had that signature scowl but it had deepened. He looked like he could burst into a fight any moment.“Where is she?” he asked. “Caila,” he called her name like it tasted bitter in his mouth. I shrugged but said nothing, already stuffing things on my plate like a peasant. Caila steps out o
CAILA'S POVAs I gradually opened my eyes, the warm sunlight flooded my face, a soft touch that roused me from my sleep. I blinked several times, allowing my eyes to adjust to the brilliant light streaming into my room. Yet, there was something off; I usually kept my curtains drawn, so awakening to such brightness was unusual. Who could have raised the blinds?I pushed myself up and blurred my eyes until they became accustomed to the glaring light. As I surveyed the room, I observed the dominant dark and grey tones that enveloped the area. The walls, furnishings, and even the bedding were all painted in different shades of grey, complemented by deep wood and leather accents. This established a somber, masculine atmosphere, but what had caused my bed to shift?However, it was the discomfort in my lower abdomen that drew my focus, quickly followed by noticing subtle marks on my neck and shoulders. I flushed as I remembered the way Jace had held me tightly, his fingers digging into my s
CAILA'S POVAs my panties flew across the room, Jace hiked up my skirt. Somehow it felt hotter - fucking me in my clothes. Jace paused and stared down at me and though I couldn't see the horny mess that I was, I could feel it - my wetness slipping from my cunt.His face sank own on me, his lips consuming my clit. I shivered at the pleasure that rocked me from side to side. Even as I tried pulling away to slow him down, he just widened my hips, his strong hands locking them down and deepened the pressure. I cried out, my hips rising to meet his lips and my hands grasping his hair and pressing his head deeper. “Jace...” I gasped but he gave me no thought. His finger were next, plundering me with such skills like he knew the exact spot to touch to lead me to the gates of heaven.“You taste so good,” his growled, sending vibrations down that tipped me over the edge. The orgasm rocked through my body but he wasn't done. His fingers were back on as he cupped my breast and his thumb ran a
CAILA“Stay,” he repeated and this time I was sure. I closed the door behind me and walked back towards him. Settling down on his bed, I pulled off his shoes and set them on the ground as he laid properly.At first I thought he was going to fall asleep immediately but he jerked awake and sat up straight. Making me stand up sharply and move away from him.“I lost them,” he muttered softly.I turned around to see him sitting there with his knees brought up to his chest and his head in his hands.“I fucking lost them! I should have been there that night. It should have been me and not them!” He shouted. I stood there staring at him unsure of how to react. I knew it was the alcohol that was losing his tongue but should I hug him and tell him it was going to be okay? But Jace wasn't used to the soft treatment and was going to push me. But this wasn't the Jace I was used to. It made me hesitate.I sat on the bed beside him and asked the only question that was on my mind. “What happened?” I
CAILA'S POV"Are you okay?" Aria asked, her voice laced with concern as she stepped out onto the porch. It was nearly 12 AM, and the cool night air wrapped around us. Aria's tired face told me she'd had a long day… her eyes were heavy, and she looked like she’d been running on fumes. I could only imagine the stress she must be under, with everything that had been going on.I paused before answering, my mind torn between wanting to spill everything to her and wanting to keep the night’s unsettling events to myself. The image of Jace earlier… his defenses cracked, his mask slipping… lingered in my thoughts. It had felt like an intimate moment; a fleeting vulnerability I wasn’t sure I was meant to witness. I didn’t doubt my sister’s integrity, but that instance seemed like a secret I had to hold onto. At the same time, I had to reassure myself that my silence was out of concern; I didn’t want to add to her burdens, particularly after witnessing that expression on her face."Yes," I repli
CAILA'S POVI stood frozen in the doorway, my breath catching in my throat as the weight of Jace’s glare pinned me in place. It was like I was under a lens on a very sunny day. The room felt smaller, the air charged with a tension so thick it pressed against my chest. My pulse pounded as my stomach twisted. I should have known better than to let curiosity lead me here. I should have been cautious to know when he came. Jace’s gaze was like a blade, slicing through me without mercy. “I thought I made myself fucking clear,” he said, his voice low and sharp, each syllable laced with fury that seemed to have been already built up. My instinct screamed at me to take a step back, but my legs were rooted to the ground, my body refusing to make a move. “What the hell are you doing here?” I opened my mouth, but I couldn't compose myself enough to speak without stuttering. “I… I was just bored. Had a creative block, and I...” I stopped, hearing how pathetic the excuse sounded even to my ow
CAILA'S POVCreative block? Mental block? Artist block? Creator block? Whatever the name was, I was having it. I could stare at the screen for a look without hurting my eyes. I could sleep because I kept seeing an annoyed Jace and it was almost like a nightmare. I was home alone and I was bored as hell. Even the house servants and Edward were not inside. I decided to take a stroll around the house, see what I found. Since we came here - me and Aria, I have visited just three places. The dining because Jace started eating together as one of the rules even though he experienced limited vocabulary when we were eating, usually - pass me the bowl.The bedroom, because I slept there.Then my work space.Everywhere else in the house seemed foreign…As I reached the top floor of the house, I felt a little nervous. This was the area Jace had told us to stay away from. The hallway was dimly lit, with only a few faint rays of moonlight peeking through the windows. The walls were brown and the
ARIA'S POVIt was 8pm on a Friday morning and I was still at work. Few weeks ago I would have been at a club or sitting out with my friends but I couldn't bring myself to do that as I'd just be a killjoy. I couldn't go home because - Jace.It was two days after Jace had returned from his business trip, two days since he had ruined me with his words. Words that still laid fresh in my head, in an endless loop that was driving me crazy. So crazy that I couldn't focus. I couldn't believe that there was a time I thought that Jace had some humanity in him, that there was that tiny spec of goodness in him. I thought I saw it when he smiled at my sister's appreciation, when he had taken her out too, how he had treated her. Then I realized that it was all a mirage. When you get closer you realize that it was never there in the first place. He had even hurt her again yesterday. I had heard her crying all night but I couldn't even go to console her because I had lied to her too. What could I