POV: HENRYShe held her breath.I liked that.“Sleep,” I whispered, burying my face in her hair, inhaling her scent, letting my touch linger at the curve of her waist before pulling back slightly. But not completely.It took her a while to relax, to let her body fully sink into the mattress. But eventually, it happened. Her breathing became more steady, though I knew she wasn’t asleep.Neither of us was truly resting.I felt the slight tremor in her body, the way her fingers clutched the sheets, and how her breath faltered every time my chest brushed against her back.And then I did the unforgivable.My fingers traced slowly along her arm, exploring her skin in a deliberate, firm stroke. When I reached her wrist, I pressed gently, feeling the rapid pulse beneath my fingertips.She let out a quiet, shaky sigh, as if trying to swallow any reaction.“You’re tense,” I murmured against her neck, my mouth close enough to catch the sweet scent of her skin. “Do you want me to move away?”Laur
POV: HENRYI asked Charlotte, my secretary and right hand, to bring the company’s documents and proposals. My laptop came along with them. She knocked on the door before stepping in, a broad smile spreading across her face as she saw me.“Boss, I see you're doing better.” She smiled, her voice sweet and slightly suggestive. “How are you feeling? I was so worried when I heard what happened.”I adjusted myself against the pillows, pulling the table closer to start working.“I'm fine; it was just a scare,” I replied, not paying much attention. “Give me an update.”Charlotte nodded, shifting to a more professional tone.“The contracts you sent are in their final stages. The negotiation team has kept up with your agenda, and I rescheduled the most important meetings for next month so you can fully recover.” She p
POV: HENRYI didn’t see Lauren for the rest of the day. I preferred to keep my distance—or at least, that’s what I told myself. The truth was, I needed to push her away. I was getting too involved.Time passed without me noticing. A soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. The housekeeper entered, carrying a dinner tray, and Theodor followed close behind, holding my medication with a displeased expression.“Thank you,” I said, taking the pills.The housekeeper hesitated, wringing her hands as if she wanted to say something. I sighed and tilted my head.“What is it?”“Forgive me, Mr. Carter. I don’t usually interfere, but.” She glanced quickly at Theo before looking back at me, uncertain.My mood was already sour.“Just say it,” I muttered, swallowing
POV: LAURENI woke up feeling awful. My body was exhausted, my head throbbed, and my stomach still felt unsettled from the night before. I could barely process why Henry had come to my room. Yesterday had been a nightmare—I spent hours throwing up, and now the dizziness made it a battle just to get out of bed.But what worried me the most were the cramps in my lower abdomen. They had intensified, and my stomach kept tightening from time to time. I bit the corner of my lip, nervous. Was my baby okay?I grabbed my phone and dialed Dr. Ravi’s number.“Hello, Dr. Ravi?” I whispered, afraid someone in the house might hear me. “It’s me, Lauren Becker. Do you have a minute?”“Mrs. Becker, it’s always a pleasure to hear from you,” his voice came through, cheerful. “Are you alright? You sound a bit off.”I sigh
POV: LAUREN“I told you, love, that this miserable infertile woman would come chasing after us the moment she found out we’re expecting a child.” Violet's voice was sharp, dripping with disdain.The surrounding air grew heavy. My body turned cold. My legs weakened.She was pregnant with Ethan’s child.My baby would have a brother or sister.My heart pounded in my chest, a tight knot forming in my throat.“I… I didn’t…” I tried to say something, but the news hit me like a punch. The shock kept me from continuing.“You must be dying inside, knowing you were incapable of fulfilling your husband's dream of becoming a father. Now that he’s with a woman of class, he’s finally achieving it.” Violet sneered, a cruel smile playing on her lips. “Poor thing, so useless that even
POV: LAURENI took a few steps back, trying to hold back the tears burning in my eyes. My stomach clenched in another sharp pang. My hands trembled, and my heart pounded violently against my chest. Fear consumed me.“There’s no need to be afraid of me, Lauren.” Ravi swayed slightly, a crooked smile forming on his lips.“What do you want from me?” My voice came out shaky, my breath uneven, and my entire body aching and exhausted.“You really don’t know?” He arched an eyebrow, his gaze trailing over me from head to toe with a disturbing interest. “You’re smart, Lauren. Unlike Ethan. I was never fooled by you.”I swallowed hard, panic rising inside me.“What do you want?” I lifted my chin, trying to mask my fear.“See? Sharp,” he mused, stepping closer, then again, until his face was mere inches from mine. His warm breath brushed against my skin as he whispered, “I want you, Lauren.”My body stiffened.Panic spread through every inch of me.Ravi pulled back just enough to glance at me fr
POV: LAURENI didn’t speak. There was nothing to say in the face of those intense blue eyes that seemed to be searching for more than just an answer. My fingers slid through his hair, feeling the soft texture between them. He didn’t pull away, didn’t stop me. Every movement I made was met with his unwavering gaze.My eyes dropped to his lips, and without hesitation, I moved across the seat. I positioned my legs on either side of his hips and settled onto his lap. Henry didn’t look away. He simply tilted his head back, his strong hands gripping my waist.“Becker…” Henry whispered, arching an eyebrow, licking his lips, his gaze burning into mine.I could feel his erection pressing against me. I bit my lip, shifting my hips slightly against him. A low groan escaped his throat, his breath growing heavier as his fingers dug into my waist, claiming control.I leaned forward, brushing my lips against his, feeling his warm breath.“Lauren, I told you I wouldn’t kiss you again.” His voice was
POV: LAURENI tried to catch my breath, but the sensations were overwhelming.“The driver can hear us.” I managed to murmur, my voice shaky.Henry smirked, increasing his pace, completely ignoring my concern.“Right now, there’s only you and me.” He whispered against my skin before leaving my lips and nipping at my neck, trailing kisses down to my breasts. He kissed me over my shirt, his breath warm and uneven.My body clenched around his fingers, the tension coiling inside me, pulling me toward the edge of pleasure.“Fuck, Lauren…” Henry groaned, his arousal evident in the rigid strain against his pants. “You drive me insane.”I gripped his arm, my nails digging into his skin, trying to pull his hand away—but I was already too far gone, too close to the edge.&ldqu
POV: LAURENMy hands worked in sync with my mouth, sliding up and down in the same rhythm as my suckers, while my tongue played with precise movements, stimulating every sensitive spot. His length throbbed against my tongue—hot, rigid, utterly delicious.Henry threw his head back, his breathing ragged. The pace quickened, and with my other hand, I cupped his balls, massaging them gently, feeling his body tremble under my touch.“Fuck, Lauren…” he growled, his voice thick with raw pleasure. “If you keep this up, I won’t last, and I want to feel you around me.”In one swift, determined motion, Henry yanked me up, his lips crashing against mine with desperate hunger. My body pressed against his, and I felt his erection pulsing between us. I kept my hand wrapped around him, continuing my movements as he devoured my mouth.He groaned against my lips, bitin
POV: LAURENA gasp escaped me. My entire body throbbed, my breathing became uneven, and the heat between my legs was unbearable.Henry knew exactly what he was doing to me. And I didn’t want him to stop.“So ready for me, my Becker.” Henry’s voice came out hoarse, thick with desire and possession. His dark gaze devoured me as his fingers slowly slid over the thin fabric of my pants, shifting them just enough to expose my intimacy to his touch.The mere brush of his fingertip against my skin made me gasp, and a shaky moan slipped past my lips. A low, satisfied chuckle rumbled in his chest as he registered my immediate reaction.“Easy, little one,” he murmured, his lips curling into a smirk dripping with mischief. “We’re just getting started. I want to taste every inch of you.”“Henry…” His name spilled
POV: LAURENThe air between us grew thick, charged with electricity and desire. My heart pounded against my ribs, and my breath turned ragged as the heat of his body fused with mine. The rich, masculine scent of Henry surrounded me, igniting an insatiable longing that made my skin burn.“Henry…” My voice came out in a shaky whisper, caught between hesitation and surrender.His gaze, intense and filled with raw lust, locked onto mine. It was like an inescapable fire, consuming any last shred of resistance I might have had. My body pulsed under his touch, every inch of my skin sensitized by the searing path of his fingers. His strong hands slid along the curve of my waist, pulling me even closer against him, and a delicious shiver ran down my spine.“Stop running from what you want, Lauren.” His voice was low, husky, and intoxicating. His mouth hovered dangerously close to mine, and the promise in his words made me hold my breath. “You want me just as much as I want you. Say yes… and be
POV: HENRYLauren was visibly better after a few weeks of rest. The test results showed that everything was within normal parameters, which brought us immense relief. Theodor had grown even closer to her, reading to her belly every night, telling stories filled with promises for the future sibling, describing the games and mischief they would share.Since Becker’s bleeding incident, I simply hadn’t allowed her to sleep alone anymore. This change in our routine brought us closer in an intense and unexpected way. Her mind was fascinating—brilliant, full of ideas and suggestions that made our business conversations not only productive but also enjoyable. Without realizing it, she lifted a great weight off my shoulders, and I found myself eager to share every detail with her.“It's official—I think I've found my replacement.” My voice carried a teasing, playful tone, just enough to make her lift her blue eyes from the report and stare at me, surprised.“What did you say?” Her expression s
POV: LAUREN“Mom, please! Henry is going to freak out when he finds out what you did!” I exclaimed, watching another batch of cupcakes come out of the oven while Theo, covered in frosting from head to toe, worked on his masterpiece with chocolate and colorful sprinkles. “He’s already had way too much sugar!”“Oh, Lauren, let the boy be a kid!” My mom huffed, rolling her eyes as she tidied up the counter. “I raised you the same way, spoiled you with love and sugar, and look at you now—a grown, healthy woman. So let me spoil this little angel my way.”Theo looked up at me, his eyes shining with happiness, the tip of his nose smudged with whipped cream.“Grandma is amazing, Fairy!” the little one chimed in.I sighed, already defeated.“See?” My mom smiled triumphantly, winking at me. “I&
POV: ETHANThat damn billionaire looked at me with an air of superiority, certain that he had already won this battle. His threatening tone left no doubt—he knew about the embezzlement, and those incompetent fools in my finance department had miserably failed to cover up the evidence. I’d have to deal with this mess later.I drummed my fingers against the desk, calculating my options. So this was what it was about? Henry Carter was here to reclaim what his dear wife had lost. Lauren always had a knack for attracting trouble. Even after the divorce, she was still a nuisance. If I had gotten rid of her at the right time—an accident carefully planned—no one would have suspected a thing.The thought amused me for a moment, but I had to regain control. Carter was still in front of me, impatient, waiting for my answer.“So, what will it be?” he asked, his jaw clenched, his eyes locked
POV: HENRYEthan leaned slightly over the desk, his eyes filled with provocation, as if savoring each word before letting them out.“Mr. Carter…” He spoke slowly, dragging out his tone, feeding off the tension. “Man to man… I know you married my ex-wife.”I kept my expression impassive, though hearing Lauren’s name from his mouth was enough to irritate me. He noticed—and continued.“I also heard she’s expecting your heir,” Ethan added.My jaw tightened, and my fingers flexed slightly against the fabric of my suit, but I remained still, staring at him.He paused dramatically, his eyes analyzing every minute reaction, as if searching for a weakness to exploit.“But there’s no need to come here and mark your territory,” he said, a malicious glint in his eyes. “I ha
POV: HENRY“Where to, sir?” the driver looked at me through the rearview mirror.“PharmaCare Industries.” I ran a hand over my neatly trimmed beard, casting one last glance at the mansion. The life I was building there needed to be protected.I grabbed my phone and sent a message to Lucian. I needed him to meet me at Lauren’s ex-husband’s company with the financial documents detailing the embezzlement. Furthermore, I never understood my brother’s interest in doing business with PharmaCare. There were more solid companies and hospitals we had strategic partnerships with, expanding branches and investing in medical technologies far more profitable than Ethan’s ventures.The car glided smoothly into the parking lot. Checking my watch as I stepped out, I scanned the surroundings. No sign of Lucian.“Always late…” I muttered, massag
POV: LAUREN“Daughter, is that how you greet your mother?” My mom frowned, placing her hands firmly on her hips as she stared at me with disapproval. “This handsome man called me, saying my little girl needed me. You're pregnant, you need rest, and maybe a little motherly love would help you feel better.”My eyes widened, and I immediately turned to Henry, glaring at him as if I could set him on fire with my stare.“You called my mother?” I asked through clenched teeth, feeling my body heat with indignation. “And you told her about the pregnancy?!”He remained calm, as imposing as ever.“Actually, your mother saw the news about your dramatic entrance to the hospital in the arms of CEO Henry Carter,” Kate interjected, holding my mom's purse and trying to ease the tension. “So, let’s just say she kind of threatened to storm