POV: LAURENThe tension in the air seemed to thicken until a robust man with a mustache and an authoritative demeanor approached.“Now, Henry, do we really need all this drama?” he said in a conciliatory yet condescending tone. Only then did I realize it was Roger, James’s father.Henry let out a dry, ironic laugh, crossing his arms as the vein on his temple became more prominent.“Roger, you really should be more selective with your guest list!” he retorted impatiently, his imposing stance and icy gaze making his discomfort clear.Before any more words could be exchanged, I felt a gentle touch on my shoulder. The warm voice of Margareth caught me by surprise.“Mrs. Becker, my goodness, it’s been ages!” she exclaimed kindly, pulling me into a tight embrace. Her presence was almost a relief amid the chaos. She whispered into m
POV: LAUREN“Becker, Becker, what a surprise to see you here,” James said in a mocking tone, leaning in to whisper near my ear. “Have you become Henry’s pet now, going everywhere he takes you?”“Hello, James,” I replied, trying to maintain my composure as unease crawled up my spine. I took a step back, forcing a polite smile. “I’m here accompanying Mr. Carter because I’m his nephew’s nanny, and Theodor is also attending the party,” I added, standing from my chair. “Speaking of Theodor, I should go check on him.”“Nonsense!” Margareth intervened, gently holding my hand. “Let the boy enjoy himself a little without supervision. Why don’t you and James go dance? I’ve always admired your friendship. I thought you two might end up getting married one day.”“Why would you think that?” I aske
POV: LAUREN“Whoever got you to dance first and managed to take you home would win. I was heading your way that night, but then I heard your father felt unwell, and you left the ball with Ethan. What a surprise, huh?” James mocked, a malicious glint in his eyes.“How do you know that?” I asked, my voice faltering. James leaned in provocatively, grazing his teeth over the tip of my ear.“Oh, darling, Ethan bragged about it afterward,” he said with a laugh. “Your father’s 'illness' was caused by Ethan during that 'urgent meeting' they had earlier that day.” James laughed louder, clearly enjoying himself. “And you fell for it. His attention, his concern for your father—it was all part of the plan.”“That’s impossible,” I murmured, a knot tightening in my throat as my body began to tremble. I couldn’t hide the wave of tensi
POV: LAURENI raised my gaze to him, confused, but followed in silence to the railing. The view before us was breathtaking: a river reflected the soft glow of the moon, surrounded by trees that seemed to whisper in the quiet night.“What a beautiful view,” I remarked, mesmerized. I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the fresh night air fill my senses. I inhaled deeply, trying to calm the emotions that were so close to the surface.When I opened my eyes again, I found him fixed on me. He was watching me intently, as if he were trying to uncover every hidden thought in my mind.“Do you feel better?” he asked, his voice low and soft but no less intense. His fingers brushed a strand of hair that had fallen over my face, tucking it gently behind my ear.“Better?” I murmured, still confused, frowning slightly.“Yes, weren’t you t
POV: HENRYWith quick strides, I headed toward the sound of crying, not looking back. It was only when we stopped at the playground that I realized I had taken Lauren’s hand, pulling her along to match my pace. There was Theodor, sitting on the ground next to the slide, holding his leg and crying loudly.“Buddy, what happened?” I asked, kneeling beside him quickly. I noticed the stares from people around us and realized only then that my hand was still holding Lauren’s. She immediately let go, taking a step back and avoiding eye contact.“Uncle Henry, it hurts!” Theodor whimpered, crying even louder. My attention returned to him, and I saw blood running from his knee.“I told you this would happen, boy!” Mia stepped forward, her tone irritatingly smug. “I tried to stop him, but he pushed me and fell!”“That’s not true! She
POV: HENRYHer words lingered with me. Casting an intrigued glance at Margareth, I turned my attention back to Lauren, who was cradling Theo with an almost natural care.Before she could continue, I quickly intervened, taking Theo from her arms.“Let me handle this. He’s getting heavy,” I said, holding Theo securely as he rested his head on my shoulder, visibly exhausted. I glanced back at Lauren, who hesitated, her timid eyes avoiding mine, her expression carrying a hint of sadness. Perhaps it was because of my earlier harsh tone.I stepped closer and whispered so only she could hear:“You really are a fairy, aren’t you? You managed to make him stop crying.”Lauren’s eyes widened, her lips forming a small “O.” She slowly shook her head, still surprised, while gently stroking Theo’s back as he began to yawn.“Mr. C
POV: LAURENI closed the door and let out a deep sigh, feeling my heart beat faster than usual. My hands were sweaty and trembling slightly as I tried to calm myself down. On the other side of the door, I heard slow, deliberate footsteps, stopping right in front of my door. My body reacted before I could even think. I took a step back, shaking my head in denial.“Please, don’t come in,” I murmured to myself, my voice barely a whisper. I took a few more hesitant steps back, watching the shadow under the door slowly move away. My chest tightened, and a wave of confusion washed over me. “What am I doing?”I turned and walked to the mirror, desperately trying to unzip the dress that stubbornly refused to budge. I bit my lips, frustrated with the situation.“It would be easier if we just picked up where we left off,” I muttered under my breath, almost joking with myself. “At least the dress would come off more easily.”The words slipped out before I could stop them, and suddenly, an unwant
POV: LAURENMy heart raced, fast and erratic, as if it were trying to escape my chest. I turned slowly, trying to compose myself, but it was impossible to ignore his presence. Henry stood there, as imposing as ever, with a glass of drink in his hand. His dark, piercing eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that seemed to cut through all my defenses. It was as if he could read every thought and every desire I tried to hide.Before I could say or do anything, the dress I had been holding so carefully slid down my body, falling softly to the floor. The cold air of the mansion touched my skin, but it wasn’t that that made me tremble. It was his gaze. His eyes traced every inch of the fabric as it fell, as if memorizing every curve, every detail of my body. He didn’t rush. Every movement of his eyes was slow, deliberate, as if savoring the moment.I felt exposed, vulnerable, but also… desired. The way he looked at me was unlike anything I had ever experienced—it was deeper, more intense.
POV: LAURENA soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. When I opened it, the housekeeper stood there, holding an elegant box out to me.“This arrived for you,” she said with a slight smile.I hesitantly took the box, feeling the weight of what it meant.“Did Mr. Carter send it?” I asked, suspicious.“Yes, he asked you to get ready for dinner—without delays,” she confirmed before stepping away.I took a deep breath and carried the box to the bed. Undoing the ribbon, I slowly lifted the lid.Inside, a white dress lay neatly folded—delicate and sophisticated. The lace details made it even more refined, and for a moment, I swallowed hard.“He’s got to be joking.” I murmured.The dress was stunning—almost too stunning. There was something about it that reminded me of a wedding gown. My fingers glided over the fabric, and the thought of what Henry might be planning settled in my mind.Was this a date?I shook my head, pushing the thought away. No… He was practical and calculated.
POV: LAURENBeing around Henry was becoming dangerous.I touched my lips, still tasting him, the vivid memory of his kiss burning against my skin. My body felt branded by the firm grip of his hands, as if he were still there, holding me, provoking me.I bit my lip, trying to push the sensations away. Running my hands over my face, I let out a frustrated sigh.“What am I doing?” I muttered, staring at my reflection in the mirror.My eyes looked brighter than usual, and my cheeks were flushed.I couldn’t keep doing this.“This is already complicated enough.”I exhaled slowly, trying to rearrange my thoughts.“But why did he come here last night?” I murmured, remembering the knock on the door, the way his gaze devoured me, and the kiss he stole without hesitation.“Damn it!”The worst part?I liked it.No one had ever kissed me like that.No one had ever touched me with that kind of intensity, as if I were something precious and forbidden all at once.Not even Ethan—my ex-husband—had eve
POV: HENRYMy voice came out firm, unhurried. My eyes traveled over her body, taking in every detail of the thin nightgown that clung to her curves.Damn it… why did she have to look so irresistible?“We’re already done here,” she countered, her voice steady but her gaze hesitant. She tried to pull her arm free, but I tightened my grip slightly, keeping her in place.“There was nothing.”I raised an eyebrow, assessing her tense expression.“Nothing?” I repeated slowly, leaning in slightly.“Nothing,” she insisted, averting her gaze.“Then why are you running from me?” I stepped closer, brushing a strand of her hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear. “Why are you looking at me like that if nothing happened?”Becker p
POV: HENRY“Damn it…” I muttered as I opened my eyes, bringing a hand to my forehead, massaging the throbbing pain. My mouth was dry, my head heavy. “How the hell did I get home?”I tried to move, but I felt something pressing against my shoulder.Frowning, I turned my head to the side.Lauren.She was lying beside me, her hand resting on my chest, her head nestled against my arm. Her hair spilled over the bed—soft, fragrant, silky.My gaze traveled down her partially covered body. The thin nightgown clung to her curves, revealing just enough to make my breath hitch. One of her legs was draped over my hip, her bare thigh exposed, dangerously close to revealing more than it should.Shit.She was stunning.I swallowed hard, shifting carefully so I wouldn’t wake her.
POV: LAURENHe moved forward in silence, his eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made my heart race. I stepped back, but it was useless. In one swift motion, Henry pulled me toward him and pinned me against the wall.His strong hands seized my wrists, holding them above my head, keeping me trapped as his face drew dangerously close. His gaze dropped to my mouth before he captured it between his teeth, biting down on my lower lip and sucking it slowly.A low moan slipped from me.He didn’t wait for anything else.He plunged into a deep, intense, and hungry kiss, exploring my mouth with no rush—but with absolute possession. His tongue moved against mine, setting the pace, while his hands released my wrists to roam my body.His firm touch slid beneath the hem of my nightgown, tracking every curve before gripping my leg and pulling it against his hip. I fe
POV: HENRYI had forgotten an important folder at home and had to go back to get it. I was supposed to meet some clients at the new nightclub—Lucian’s idea—who insisted on taking the French investors out for a night of fun before closing our business deal.I was just about to leave the mansion when a car pulled up in front.I stood still, watching as a tall, well-dressed man stepped out and walked over to the passenger side, opening the door with a chivalrous gesture.Then, I saw Lauren Becker step out of the car.My eyes narrowed as he took her hand and pressed a kiss to the back of it.Crossing my arms, I felt my fingers dig into my biceps, unable to understand why that small gesture irritated me so much.When Lauren turned around, her body tensed the moment she saw me standing there—like she had been caught in the act.
POV: LAURENThe following days passed without me seeing Henry as often. He was buried in work, and his presence in the house became almost nonexistent. I used the mornings, while Theodor was at school, to go to my prenatal appointments. To my relief, my baby was developing well and healthy. The nausea had eased, and for the first time in weeks, I felt like I could finally breathe a little better.I visited my mother and Kate, hoping to find some comfort in their presence. But reality hit me hard when I went to the bank to negotiate the debt my father had left behind.“This is absurd!” My voice came out louder than I intended, but I didn’t care. I placed my hands on the desk and stared down at the manager in front of me. “These interest rates are outrageous! How do you expect me to pay the creditors when the bank is robbing me like this?”The man before me wore an expensive suit and a
POV: HENRYThe warmth of her lips against mine was real, intense. Her uneven breaths mixed with mine, and all it would take was a single word for me to kiss her the way we both wanted. I kept the touch light, teasing and moistening my lips before brushing the tip of my tongue against hers, testing her reaction.“Mr. Carter…” Lauren murmured, her voice low, filled with something she couldn’t quite hide.Her arms slid around my neck, her fingers grazing the back of my head. She lifted slightly onto her toes, closing the space between us. My gaze locked onto hers, trying to decipher just how far she wanted to take this.“You’re not going to seduce me into accepting the contract,” she whispered against my mouth, a challenge disguised as provocation.Before I could react, Lauren gently pushed me away and turned her back, staring out at the view. I took a d
POV: LAURENMy heart clenched, and I knew that nothing I said now would make this pain completely disappear.“Theo, that’s not what I meant,” I tried to explain, but he was already pulling away.His hurried steps betrayed the weight of what he had just heard.“It’s okay, Fairy,” his voice came out thick with emotion, his shoulders hunched. “My parents didn’t want me either… neither did Uncle Henry.”A sharp ache tightened in my chest.“Hey, kid!” Henry called, his voice firm, but Theo had already bolted down the hallway, slamming his bedroom door shut.A heavy silence filled the room.Henry ran a hand over his face, his jaw clenched tight. Then, without warning, he turned and punched the kitchen counter, the wood vibrating from the impact.“Damn it!” he growled, his teeth gritted.I bit the inside of my cheek, feeling a lump form in my throat. The atmosphere felt suffocating.Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to stay clear-headed. I ran my hands through my hair, trying to ignore H