POV: HENRY
My 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: 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: 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: LAURENIt was a cold and rainy night. I had spent the entire day planning something special for Ethan and me. After so many days of him seeming distant and indifferent, I thought maybe a thoughtfully prepared dinner could help us reconnect. I made his favorite dish and set the table perfectly, with candles and flowers. The aroma of the roast still filled the house when I heard the front door open.“Ethan?” I called out excitedly as I walked out of the kitchen.He entered without even glancing at me. He took off his wet coat and threw it over the back of the sofa, heading straight for the stairs. Furthermore, he looked exhausted but also detached, as if being home was a burden.“You’re home earlier today. I made dinner. I thought we could eat together,” I said, my tone hopeful.Ethan stopped in the middle of the room, finally looking at me with his deep-set eyes and raised chin. His expression was filled with disinterest as he wrinkled his nose.“I already ate. I had a long meetin
POV: LAURENI grabbed the keys with determination, ready to confront Ethan. The photos on my phone clearly showed that woman sitting on his lap, laughing and drinking with him as if they were a couple. Was it because of her that he had changed so much?Ethan's cruel words echoed in my mind, each syllable a blow to my heart:“You will never be enough for any man. Your infertile womb makes you incomplete. You're incapable of making anyone happy.”My anger exploded, and I screamed into the emptiness of the car:“I made you happy for three years, Ethan! This isn’t fair!”I pounded on the steering wheel, feeling the pain throbbing in my wrists, but it was nothing compared to the pain in my chest. My eyes burned from the tears welling up, but I refused to let them fall.I looked at the photos on my phone again, my lips trembling, and my heart crushed with pain. The words escaped in a desperate whisper:“Please tell me this is a misunderstanding. Tell me you're not destroying our marriage li
POV: LAURENBefore the worst could happen, I felt strong arms quickly pull me away. My body spun, and I landed on something solid. I kept my eyes closed, my body trembling as I tried to process what had just happened.“Are you okay?” a deep and firm male voice asked near my ear.I slowly opened my eyes and found a strikingly handsome man in front of me. He had dark hair and intense blue eyes, and his serious gaze seemed to examine every detail of my face. His presence was as commanding as the sense of security he exuded.“Take your time,” he said, his expression serious as he watched me.It was only then that I realized I was lying on his firm, muscular chest. My face flushed with embarrassment, and I abruptly stood up, trying to regain my composure.“I'm sorry… thank you for saving me,” I murmured quickly, but before I could take another step, a wave of intense dizziness overwhelmed me. My legs gave out, my body grew heavy, and my vision began to blur.I felt his strong arms catch me
POV: LAURENStill lost in my confused thoughts, I was pulled back to reality by the insistent sound of a cellphone ringing next to the hospital bed. The name of my mother, Amelia, flashed on the screen. I answered quickly, still overwhelmed by conflicting emotions.“Mom?” My voice came out low, filled with uncertainty.“Thank God, I finally reached you! I’ve been calling for hours!” she exclaimed, the urgency in her tone impossible to ignore.“What happened? Are you okay?” I asked, feeling a growing tightness in my chest. “And Dad? Is he okay?”“Dear, we need you to speak to your husband,” my mother got straight to the point, her voice trembling with despair. “Your father’s company suffered a terrible blow. We’re on the verge of bankruptcy.”My heart began to race.“What? What do you mean, a blow?” I exclaimed, sitting up abruptly, the phone nearly slipping from my hand. “Mom, calm down! Explain exactly what’s happening!”On the other end of the line, I heard a sob.“I don’t understan
POV: LAURENOn the other end, he let out a dry laugh filled with contempt.“What kind of question is that?” he exclaimed impatiently, his irritation evident. “I spent three years by your side, and you were never able to get pregnant. It's time to face the truth, Lauren. You’re empty, incapable of having children. Accept it and stop wasting my time. Just tell me—do you accept my terms or not?”A sob escaped my throat, his words cutting into my heart cruelly, as he always knew how to do. My eyes dropped to my stomach, my hand lightly brushing against the fabric of the hospital gown. Silent tears streamed down my face, but my mind was racing.I lifted my chin, forcing myself to think about the future and everything at stake. My family was depending on me.“If you agree to my terms and sign the divorce papers, I’ll save your father’s company today,” Ethan added coldly, ignoring my sobs entirely. “So, do you accept or not?”I took a deep breath, fighting the lump in my throat.“I accept,”
POV: LAURENThe sun was setting on the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple as I stared at the coffin in front of me. My hands trembled, not just from the pain of loss, but from the guilt of not acting quickly enough. I hadn’t managed to fix the company in time. I let myself get consumed by the conflict with Ethan and took too long to save my father and his empire.His skin was pale, his lips a bluish hue. Flowers covered his body up to his neck. A tight knot formed in my chest, and the pain was overwhelming. Beside me, my mother sobbed uncontrollably, clutching the coffin and begging the man she loved to come back. But he wouldn’t. He would never again make us laugh with his nonsensical jokes, tell his stories, guide us with his wisdom, or protect us from the world.“Oh, Dad, why did you do this to us?” I murmured through tears, trying to swallow the lump in my throat. I leaned closer to the coffin and placed a kiss on his cold forehead. “Rest in peace. I promise
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