Logan..My eyes widened as she kissed me, and the air around the park celebrated my victory. I had no idea what she had seen on her phone, but whatever it was, I was glad for it.“I need to use the restroom,” Aria giggled as we pulled away.As soon as she disappeared into the park, I picked up her phone and typed in her password. I had seen her enter it before, so I knew it by heart.Once her phone was unlocked, I quickly checked her text messages and social media accounts.My heart raced with the fear of being caught. I took out my phone from my pocket and started snapping photos of everything I could.While sifting through her messages, one conversation caught my eye. Aria and Damon were discussing a contract. I took pictures of their chat. After closing all the apps, I turned off the phone and slipped it back into her purse.When she returned, we walked through the park, our hands linked together, chatting until I dropped her off at Jessie’s place.****After dropping Aria off, I
Logan..“What do you think?” Lucy turned to me.My eyes were still wide in shock; the apartment was, you know, for the rich. Plain white walls and floor-to-ceiling windows. Never in a million years did I think someone like me would live in such an apartment.I headed towards the window, which offered a great view of the city from the twentieth floor.“Remember, you're not staying here for long. It’s just to make Aria believe you're rich. No girl would leave a rich man for a broke one.” She folded her arms.Her words crushed my heart, but it was a truth I had accepted long ago. The poor never really find happiness.I brought my cigarette to my lips, about to light it, when Lucy snatched it out of my mouth and tossed it to the floor, then stepped on it with her expensive black heels.“That was the last one,” I complained.“Yes, I know,” she retorted.“Why do you care?” I questioned.“I hate the smell of smoke,” she responded.It has to be more than that; she always complained over the
The CEO..Slipping into the car, I slammed my fist on the steering wheel. A strong desire to haunt Logan coursed through my veins. I should have watched the video before he left. I took deep breaths, trying to control myself.I started the engine and drove away, but no matter how fast I went, that stinging feeling followed me. The images of how he held her—her naked body against his—all followed me, digging pits in my stomach. My throat dried, and I needed a drink, a chilled one, to cool this annoying heat.Once I got home, I went straight to my wine cabinet and pulled out two bottles of alcohol and a glass. Lucy was smart enough to ignore me, just focusing on her phone.I collapsed on the sofa in my bedroom, took off my shirt, and angrily poured the alcohol into the glass, causing it to spill. I gulped it down. One glass turned into two, then three, and soon half a bottle was gone. Days like this made me regret my body’s ability to withstand alcohol. I just wanted to drink and blac
The toy...A week had passed, and there was still no contract to sign, leaving a disturbing feeling in my stomach that never went away."Aren't you done yet? It's already 2," Jessie said, peeping over my shoulder at my PC.Today was Friday, and we were closing two hours early. Jessie had suggested we go to an art café where I could paint my heart out. The problem was that I had no skill whatsoever in drawing."I'm done," I replied, switching off my PC. "We can go now."As I entered her car, she asked, "Heard from Damon?"I flinched at the mention of his name, unable to fathom how I could miss something I never had, or maybe I missed what I could have had.I fastened my seatbelt. "Let's not talk about him."I was doing my utmost to forget him. I had moved out of the apartment, leaving every outfit, every piece of jewelry—everything, including the car he had gotten for me. I didn’t want any reminders of him. But my heart refused to cooperate."Do we really have to go to an art studio?
The CEO..She kept struggling to reach for the paper, her soft body brushing against mine and sending a pleasurable jolt through me. A wide grin spread across my lips as she leaped for the paper I held just out of her reach.As she kept trying, my phone rang—it was my lawyer. I quickly ended the call.“Aren’t you going to pick that up?” My Binky questioned, putting some distance between us. “So, I’ll be getting the contract anytime soon?”I nodded, squeezing the paper back into my pocket.Her expression dropped, and I couldn’t tell if it was sadness or relief. Either way, I didn’t like it.“I’ll be taking my leave,” I said, heading toward the door. I turned back to her. “I’m very good at swimming; no river’s going to wash me away.” A smile tugged at the corners of my lips as her cheeks turned red.Stepping out of the studio, I spotted Zach and Jessie, cozied up on a bench outside. They kept calling it a "friends with benefits" thing, but it was clearly more serious. Watching them al
The Toy. “Happy birthday to you!” I sang the song loudly, clapping my hands as though I were an alarm waking Jessie up from her sleep. I couldn't fathom how she could sleep on her birthday; I'd have been too excited to rest. "Nope," I said, pulling her off the bed. "Oh, Ari," she yelped as she thudded onto the floor. “Today is my birthday; the best you can do is let me sleep.” “We have a lot to do,” I stated with a bubbly voice. “Like baking a cake, cooking, and watching a movie.” My expression deepened as I dashed to sit very close to Jessie on the bed. I cupped her hands and raised them up, positioning them between our chests. “Please, let’s go out for your birthday. Let’s not spend it like a regular Saturday.” I always knew Jessie was quirky, but planning on spending her birthday like every other day was the height of it. Even if I decided to throw a surprise party, we didn’t have any friends we could invite, and Jessie would strangle me to death if I dared to invite colleagu
The toy..."As I rummaged through my pockets, my heart raced like a wild animal. I felt a flush creep up my cheeks like a slow-burning fire. "I can't find the key," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.Damon's amber eyes widened, his gaze piercing through me like a sharp blade. The chain connecting us jangled softly, a constant reminder of our awkward predicament.Jessie and Zach approached us, their amused expressions a stark contrast to our tense situation."What's going on?" Jessie asked, her tone playful, but her eyes gleamed with concern.I held up the handcuffs, the metal cold and unforgiving against my skin. I seem to have misplaced the key," with a sheepish grin."It's not in my pockets."Zach burst out laughing. "Today is going to be fun for both of you."I shot him a mock glare. "This isn't funny, Zach."Damon is still having the emotionless look. "So, what do we do now? We can't exactly go around like this forever."Patiently waiting for him to smack his forehead s
The CEO . . She rose to a sitting position, her hands pulling mine. As usual, the words stuck in my throat. But I needed to tell her to get off this guilt-eating at me so we could stop acting like strangers. “What is that?” She questioned, her gaze focused on me, boring a pit in my stomach—it wasn’t actually her gaze but my stupid actions of that night that haunted me. I glanced around searching for alcohol, but all I got Tracy’s words instead, reminding me that alcohol would never drown out the pain or give me confidence. Internally, I chuckled; she had no idea what she was saying. I focused my attention back on her. The words are still heavy on my tongue. She shifted on the bed, and I could see curiosity eating her up. I cleared my throat. “I made a very big mistake.” My voice deepened. “I didn’t do this for revenge, and I feel so stupid because I gloated about it.” I watched her eyes widen slightly, her posture stiffening as if bracing herself for a punch. Shutting my ey
Lucy pov ...Amidst the lush greenery, the breeze sung a calm song to me. I sat on the bench watching other patients. They were all crazy. I scoffed and skimmed my hands on my patient outfit. I turned and faced Logan, who arrived a few seconds later. “It’s been ages.” Logan smiled. “I wanted to get red roses, but you said you love yellow flowers." He handed me a bouquet of yellow roses.I smiled and accepted it. “How’s your sister?” I faced him. “Tell me you have stopped smoking.”It’s been a long time since I had a conversation with the outside world. I had no family and no friends ever came to visit. It was nice to see him.Logan chuckled. “I have stopped smoking.” His green eyes gleamed beneath the yellow hues of the sun. “And for my sister.” He paused and clenched the edge of the wooden seat. “She didn’t make it.” His voice softened.“I am so sorry.” My chest tightened. I knew how much he loved his sister.“But I opened a bar.” A wide smile formed across his lips. “When you g
Lucy ..(This chapter contains violence that might disturb viewers. Viewers' discretion is advised.)The news had already spread like wildfire. Damon hadn’t said anything, nor have I; people could only wonder what happened that led to us canceling our wedding a day before. My friend had asked, and I told them that I ended it after discovering Damon wanted to absorb my company just like his father did to other companies.Leaning back on my office chair, I sighed. I was this close to having him. I jolted up as the door opened. “There’s a meeting with the board of directors,” Tina announced. “Now?” I raised a brow. “Why?” She adjusted her glasses. “Yes, Ma’am. I really don’t know. But all the members are around.” I sprang to my feet. The clicks of my heels echoed. My heart pounded. How come I wasn’t aware of the meeting? Sweat swathed across my palm.Opening the door, my eyes fell on the seven members—they were all here. It was hard for them to gather together, except something v
The toy ..I dragged the last luggage down the stairs and placed it at the door. I was tired of being his toy. I was stupid to think that we would end up together. I had enough savings to start up my life. I need to run away from Manhattan, from New York. I need to move far away, to another place.I glanced around the apartment; so many beautiful and ugly memories; both of them haunted me.Opening the door, I gasped as my eyes fell on Damon. I held the tears that welled in my eyes. My heart twisted yet fluttered. Pain and relief fought to dominate my chest—neither won.His eyes fell on my luggage, and he frowned. “Where are you going?” What is he going to say to me? No, stay here and watch me get married to another woman. I rolled my wet eyes. “I’m leaving Damon.” I tried to bolster my voice, to show resolve.He inched closer and shut the door behind him. His beautiful amber eyes burned into mine. The eyes I had loved so much, that had caused me so much pain. Now one of my babies
The CEO..I climbed the stairs, each step feeling as heavy as the weight pressing down on my heart. Pearl had handed over the remaining 10 percent of the company shares to me, knowing that once the engagement and merger were finalized, the Wesley Corporation would likely dissolve Beckham Construction. The certificate was cold in my hands, but it felt meaningless now.As I passed by Lucy's room, the sound of her soft chuckle drifted out, followed by her mother's voice. I glared at the door. The thought of me spending the rest of my life with her was mentally gnawing. I was doing this for the child; once the child is enough, I'll get a divorce and just focus on my child. The memories of my childhood after my mother flooded in—just me and my father. "Damon isn’t around, right?" Mrs. Beckham asked. "Are you sure he is?"I was about to walk away, but the question glued my feet to the floor and, like a magnet, pulled my ears to the door."He isn't," Lucy replied, a note of excitement bub
The toy ..Tears streamed down my face, warm and bitter as they traced the curves of my cheeks. The room around me was silent like it was holding its breath, waiting for me to break.And I did.I muffled my sobs, pressing the back of my hand against my mouth, trying to keep it together, even though no one was around to witness. My elbows dug into my thighs as I leaned forward, staring at the two red lines on the pregnancy test. They glared back at me, mocking me. I shook my head, refusing to believe it. This couldn’t be real. What now? My mind raced, thoughts crashing into each other like waves against a rock. Damon’s wedding was just two days away. Two days. Even if I told him, what would change? I could hear Mr. Brian's voice in my head, loud and clear. Men know who they want to marry, and they keep the others around just for fun.I had brushed off those words when he first said them, but now they are repeated. in my mind, each repetition drilling pain into my heart—I should ha
The CEO..The drive was perfect, the kind of perfect that only comes once in a long while. The wind whipped through my hair as the convertible glided down the winding road, the sun casting a golden glow over everything it touched. The expression on my father when I testified against him in court felt like an award—a medal.Opening the door to my house, my gaze fell on Mrs. Beckham and Lucy.Mrs. Beckham stood in the center of the room, her presence cold.My smile faded, “Mrs. Beckham,” I greeted her with a curt nod. Mrs. Beckham was the female version of my father, so I spoke, a knot formed in my stomach as her presence gnawed at me.She didn’t return my pleasantries. Instead, she placed a crisp white envelope on the burly wood table, her eyes boring into mine. “Open it,” she instructed, her tone strict and firm. I hesitated for a second before crossing the room.I hardened my gaze as I snatched up the envelope, the paper cool and smooth against my skin. I tore it open and pulled
(This chapter contains violence that might disturb viewers. Viewers' discretion is advised.) The CEO . . I had changed into another outfit as I sat on the bed in my room. I constantly rubbed my hands, although they were clean. I could still feel Zach’s blood on my hand. How could I lose control? How could I hurt him? I smacked my head with my hand, letting out a grunt. Tracy trudged in. She only kept thinner and paler. “How are you doing?” “How is Zach? Is he up?” My fingers fidgeted. “No.” She tossed a file to me. “That’s the rest of my company.” “Why are you giving me?” Tracy’s expression softened. “Damon, I can die any moment. I need to leave my company with someone competent.” A weak smile stretched her lip. “Now let go and take your freedom from your father.” She gripped my hand, a failed attempt to pull me up. My chest tightened; this heart of mine had experienced too much pain. Another gloominess lingered at the mention of her dying any moment. I was too
The CEO . .Lying on the bed, I felt the sheets beneath me, my eyes closed, yet my mind was restless, buzzing with haunting images I couldn’t escape. Binky's tears haunted me; her face burned into my thoughts. But it was my father’s smile that truly kept me awake—the coldness, the quiet satisfaction he always had when things went his way. My hand gripped the bedsheet, twisting it, hoping it could ease my pain— but nothing.I couldn’t shake the thought—if only I’d been better, if only I’d been stronger if only I could’ve been more than this... this puppet he so easily manipulated. But I wasn’t. I was nothing more than a piece on his board and moved around to suit his game. The bitterness of it tore me from the inside out, choking with helplessness. If only I could turn the tables and make him pay for all of it. I wasn’t that person—not powerful enough, not anything enough.Stumbling to the closet, I flung open a drawer, my heart racing as I reached for the revolver inside. The c
Toy..I sat in the large, imposing courtroom. The air thickened with tension, but Nope still hung over, hoping Justice could be served. The murmurs of spectators seized as the proceedings began, leaving the shuffle of the papers. My eyes fixed on Damon’s father, who stood in the defendant box. Occasionally, he would stare at me and flash a smile that aggravated me. His words still rang in my ears, the way he casually told me how I looked softer than Aria outside the courtroom. I clenched my fist, hoping he would rot in jail for eternity. Mr. Jackson stood at the defendant's box. His eyes constantly darted between me and Mr. Wesley. My chest was tight like I was carrying the weight of the world on my chest. The flutters in my stomach were so grave that I might have developed stomach cancer. I sighed, hoping Damon’s threat should have walked in. Damon had messaged Mr. Jackson once he confessed to Mr. Wesley. He would protect him as Mr. Wesley would be powerless and be behind bars.