I blinked back confusedly, “His shadow? Mom-Wh-where are you getting all these from? I literally have my own company to look after.” How would I ever be in Damian’s shadow? We don’t intrude in each other’s affairs except I needed his help and he needed mine But mother just gave me this sarcastic and pitiful look that me feel more uncomfortable than ever. “Two sons both bearing a powerful name, and yet one thrives powerfully above the other,” she said, as she dabbed her lips with a napkin as if we were discussing something so serious. “Normally, I would say what one is doing is worth doing well, but no..” Why was she suddenly talking like that? Damian never for once talked down on me, or acted in a way that made me feel like he was superior. Besides, I wasn’t even in New York to begin with…. How in the world would I even be in his shadow if I was in a totally different place entirely. I wasn’t in a competition with Damian, and I never had been. My work, my life- it was m
“Lex, listen to me,” he pleaded as he took another step toward me, his hands raised in a calming gesture in an attempt to hold me. I watched as he fought himself mentally about where to place his hands, but then he held my shoulders and caressed them softly, and I knew how awkward it was for him He went from pounding me mercilessly to wondering where he could touch that wouldn’t offend me. “That would never happen. I won’t allow any harm to come to our son. I can be a competent father; I just need you to trust me. Our son. The way he said it, like we were a thing or couple of some sort. It made my stomach jump, but I didn’t want to feel that hope again—that maybe we could be a family and Cam would grow up with his father and live like heirs lived. I couldn’t let myself get sucked into that fantasy... “My son is everything to me right now, and he’s all I care about. I don’t need your lover giving me a hard time because of him,” I said. My voice was sharp, “I don’t care about Gen
VIEWERS DISCRETION It glinted under the dim light from the alley, sharp and small, but yet deadly. I had no idea what I was doing or what I was about to do. But at that moment, what went on in my mind was... “Take care of your problem, Victoria,” words that my brother had implanted in my head. “Let’s make this more fun, because no one threatens the Hayes family and gets away with it. I will make sure that you won’t live to blackmail anyone ever again.” I said, my voice soft and filled with joy. Then I began, the knife slid into him so easily, like cutting through warm butter. This was the knife I had planned to use to kill myself every time, but I regained my senses each time and I never failed to leave it unsharpened. I stabbed him, over and over, the blade sank into his flesh as I giggled, blood splattered all over my face, hot and sticky, but I didn’t care. I was having fun. He stopped moving after a while, his body went limp beneath me, but I kept going. I wasn’t done yet, n
DAMIAN’S POV I stood by the transparent office window as I watched the cityscape while I spoke into my phone. The call was with Anthony Gates, a loyal investor who had been with me for over a decade.“My personal assistant was supposed to help me reach out to you, but I insisted on making the call myself,” I said, while my tone remained professional.“My schedule is tight, and I wouldn’t be able to attend. But I hope a $20 million donation isn’t too little. I would do more as my contributions soon, but pardon my absence.”Anthony was about to launch his new airline, and his event was important for the press coverage. I wanted to support him, even if I couldn’t be there in person.“Not at-“ I continued, but I was abruptly cut off when my office door flung open and slammed into the wall. That would be $20million in damage if anything happened to it.I turned, my gaze shifted from the cityscape to the chaos that erupted behind me, Victoria.She stormed in; her heels clicked aggressive
LEXIE’S POV“I can’t believe you want to move back in with him,” Jenny said, her voice laced with disbelief. “Just like that?”I stood by the bed in silence as I folded Cameron’s tiny clothes into neat piles while Jenny sat on the armchair and bounced him gently on her lap. I could feel Jenny’s eyes on me the entire time, but I kept my head down to avoid her stare.“You’re seriously not ignoring me right now, are you?”I paused; my hands froze over one of Cam’s little shirts. I didn’t know how to explain it to her. Not in a way that would make me sound ridiculous, and not in a way that wouldn’t sound like I was giving in.Because a part of me wanted this, wanted Damian, wanted the family we could have had. I wanted to believe he had changed.“Jenny, it’s…it’s complicated right now.” I dropped the pile of clothes onto the bed with more force than I intended and turned to face her.“I mean, can’t you see? Landon won’t even talk to me. He hates Damian’s guts, and I can’t keep living he
LEXIE’S POV“I’m done for, Jenny.” My voice cracked as I curled up tighter on the couch, knees pulled to my chest. Tears blurred my vision, but I blink them back.I couldn’t bring myself to leave the house. How could I? I was still trying to grasp how everything crumbled before me so easily.Damian had made it clear—he was going to marry Victoria. It was a simple truth that made my stomach churn. I had no place here anymore, but for some reason, I still couldn’t leave.“Ms. Valour, are you ready for breakfast?” Mary, the house cook, her gentle voice cut through my many thoughts.“I’m fin—“ Before I could finish, I was interrupted by the sound of sharp footsteps.“There can only be one Ms. Valour, Mary.”My heart dropped, and I turned sharply. It was her—Victoria; she stood firmly at the entrance like she owned the place. Her eyes were dark, covered with smoky eye shadow that only seemed to enhance the wickedness in her gaze.I shot up from the couch and stood so fast I felt dizzy, li
LEXIE’S POV “I’m done for, Jenny.” My voice cracked as I curled up tighter on the couch, knees pulled to my chest. Tears blurred my vision, but I blink them back. I couldn’t bring myself to leave the house. How could I? I was still trying to grasp how everything crumbled before me so easily. Damian had made it clear—he was going to marry Victoria. It was a simple truth that made my stomach churn. I had no place here anymore, but for some reason, I still couldn’t leave. “Ms. Valour, are you ready for breakfast?” Mary, the house cook, her gentle voice cut through my many thoughts. “I’m fin—“ Before I could finish, I was interrupted by the sound of sharp footsteps. “There can only be one Ms. Valour, Mary.” My heart dropped, and I turned sharply. It was her—Victoria; she stood firmly at the entrance like she owned the place. Her eyes were dark, covered with smoky eye shadow that only seemed to enhance the wickedness in her gaze. I shot up from the couch and stood so fast I felt
LEXIE’S POV “I can’t believe you want to move back in with him,” Jenny said, her voice laced with disbelief. “Just like that?” I stood by the bed in silence as I folded Cameron’s tiny clothes into neat piles while Jenny sat on the armchair and bounced him gently on her lap. I could feel Jenny’s eyes on me the entire time, but I kept my head down to avoid her stare. “You’re seriously not ignoring me right now, are you?” I paused; my hands froze over one of Cam’s little shirts. I didn’t know how to explain it to her. Not in a way that would make me sound ridiculous, and not in a way that wouldn’t sound like I was giving in. Because a part of me wanted this, wanted Damian, wanted the family we could have had. I wanted to believe he had changed. “Jenny, it’s…it’s complicated right now.” I dropped the pile of clothes onto the bed with more force than I intended and turned to face her. “I mean, can’t you see? Landon won’t even talk to me. He hates Damian’s guts, and I can’t keep
LEXIE’S POV “I can’t believe you want to move back in with him,” Jenny said, her voice laced with disbelief. “Just like that?” I stood by the bed in silence as I folded Cameron’s tiny clothes into neat piles while Jenny sat on the armchair and bounced him gently on her lap. I could feel Jenny’s eyes on me the entire time, but I kept my head down to avoid her stare. “You’re seriously not ignoring me right now, are you?” I paused; my hands froze over one of Cam’s little shirts. I didn’t know how to explain it to her. Not in a way that would make me sound ridiculous, and not in a way that wouldn’t sound like I was giving in. Because a part of me wanted this, wanted Damian, wanted the family we could have had. I wanted to believe he had changed. “Jenny, it’s…it’s complicated right now.” I dropped the pile of clothes onto the bed with more force than I intended and turned to face her. “I mean, can’t you see? Landon won’t even talk to me. He hates Damian’s guts, and I can’t keep
LEXIE’S POV “I’m done for, Jenny.” My voice cracked as I curled up tighter on the couch, knees pulled to my chest. Tears blurred my vision, but I blink them back. I couldn’t bring myself to leave the house. How could I? I was still trying to grasp how everything crumbled before me so easily. Damian had made it clear—he was going to marry Victoria. It was a simple truth that made my stomach churn. I had no place here anymore, but for some reason, I still couldn’t leave. “Ms. Valour, are you ready for breakfast?” Mary, the house cook, her gentle voice cut through my many thoughts. “I’m fin—“ Before I could finish, I was interrupted by the sound of sharp footsteps. “There can only be one Ms. Valour, Mary.” My heart dropped, and I turned sharply. It was her—Victoria; she stood firmly at the entrance like she owned the place. Her eyes were dark, covered with smoky eye shadow that only seemed to enhance the wickedness in her gaze. I shot up from the couch and stood so fast I felt
LEXIE’S POV“I’m done for, Jenny.” My voice cracked as I curled up tighter on the couch, knees pulled to my chest. Tears blurred my vision, but I blink them back.I couldn’t bring myself to leave the house. How could I? I was still trying to grasp how everything crumbled before me so easily.Damian had made it clear—he was going to marry Victoria. It was a simple truth that made my stomach churn. I had no place here anymore, but for some reason, I still couldn’t leave.“Ms. Valour, are you ready for breakfast?” Mary, the house cook, her gentle voice cut through my many thoughts.“I’m fin—“ Before I could finish, I was interrupted by the sound of sharp footsteps.“There can only be one Ms. Valour, Mary.”My heart dropped, and I turned sharply. It was her—Victoria; she stood firmly at the entrance like she owned the place. Her eyes were dark, covered with smoky eye shadow that only seemed to enhance the wickedness in her gaze.I shot up from the couch and stood so fast I felt dizzy, li
LEXIE’S POV“I can’t believe you want to move back in with him,” Jenny said, her voice laced with disbelief. “Just like that?”I stood by the bed in silence as I folded Cameron’s tiny clothes into neat piles while Jenny sat on the armchair and bounced him gently on her lap. I could feel Jenny’s eyes on me the entire time, but I kept my head down to avoid her stare.“You’re seriously not ignoring me right now, are you?”I paused; my hands froze over one of Cam’s little shirts. I didn’t know how to explain it to her. Not in a way that would make me sound ridiculous, and not in a way that wouldn’t sound like I was giving in.Because a part of me wanted this, wanted Damian, wanted the family we could have had. I wanted to believe he had changed.“Jenny, it’s…it’s complicated right now.” I dropped the pile of clothes onto the bed with more force than I intended and turned to face her.“I mean, can’t you see? Landon won’t even talk to me. He hates Damian’s guts, and I can’t keep living he
DAMIAN’S POV I stood by the transparent office window as I watched the cityscape while I spoke into my phone. The call was with Anthony Gates, a loyal investor who had been with me for over a decade.“My personal assistant was supposed to help me reach out to you, but I insisted on making the call myself,” I said, while my tone remained professional.“My schedule is tight, and I wouldn’t be able to attend. But I hope a $20 million donation isn’t too little. I would do more as my contributions soon, but pardon my absence.”Anthony was about to launch his new airline, and his event was important for the press coverage. I wanted to support him, even if I couldn’t be there in person.“Not at-“ I continued, but I was abruptly cut off when my office door flung open and slammed into the wall. That would be $20million in damage if anything happened to it.I turned, my gaze shifted from the cityscape to the chaos that erupted behind me, Victoria.She stormed in; her heels clicked aggressive
VIEWERS DISCRETION It glinted under the dim light from the alley, sharp and small, but yet deadly. I had no idea what I was doing or what I was about to do. But at that moment, what went on in my mind was... “Take care of your problem, Victoria,” words that my brother had implanted in my head. “Let’s make this more fun, because no one threatens the Hayes family and gets away with it. I will make sure that you won’t live to blackmail anyone ever again.” I said, my voice soft and filled with joy. Then I began, the knife slid into him so easily, like cutting through warm butter. This was the knife I had planned to use to kill myself every time, but I regained my senses each time and I never failed to leave it unsharpened. I stabbed him, over and over, the blade sank into his flesh as I giggled, blood splattered all over my face, hot and sticky, but I didn’t care. I was having fun. He stopped moving after a while, his body went limp beneath me, but I kept going. I wasn’t done yet, n
“Lex, listen to me,” he pleaded as he took another step toward me, his hands raised in a calming gesture in an attempt to hold me. I watched as he fought himself mentally about where to place his hands, but then he held my shoulders and caressed them softly, and I knew how awkward it was for him He went from pounding me mercilessly to wondering where he could touch that wouldn’t offend me. “That would never happen. I won’t allow any harm to come to our son. I can be a competent father; I just need you to trust me. Our son. The way he said it, like we were a thing or couple of some sort. It made my stomach jump, but I didn’t want to feel that hope again—that maybe we could be a family and Cam would grow up with his father and live like heirs lived. I couldn’t let myself get sucked into that fantasy... “My son is everything to me right now, and he’s all I care about. I don’t need your lover giving me a hard time because of him,” I said. My voice was sharp, “I don’t care about Gen
I blinked back confusedly, “His shadow? Mom-Wh-where are you getting all these from? I literally have my own company to look after.” How would I ever be in Damian’s shadow? We don’t intrude in each other’s affairs except I needed his help and he needed mine But mother just gave me this sarcastic and pitiful look that me feel more uncomfortable than ever. “Two sons both bearing a powerful name, and yet one thrives powerfully above the other,” she said, as she dabbed her lips with a napkin as if we were discussing something so serious. “Normally, I would say what one is doing is worth doing well, but no..” Why was she suddenly talking like that? Damian never for once talked down on me, or acted in a way that made me feel like he was superior. Besides, I wasn’t even in New York to begin with…. How in the world would I even be in his shadow if I was in a totally different place entirely. I wasn’t in a competition with Damian, and I never had been. My work, my life- it was m
AIDEN’S POV I had been spending more time with Victoria for the past few days. It wasn’t in the ways I had imagined, neither was it under the circumstances I’d have chosen, but at least she was beginning to see me, to let me in Her illness was the reason we were staring to bond, something I wish she didn’t have to endure. Something I wished that I could take away from her, I hated that I didn’t know about it. The fact that she was going through all that pain by herself made my heart break, she needed someone to be there for her and I wasn’t, neither was Damian. But a part of me was selfishly glad that it had given me an excuse to be around her, to watch over her. A few years had gone by, and I finally got be so close to her physically, I had hope. But trust that no love story ever started over easy, and it would always be unfair to one person. That person was me, every time I was near her, it killed me to watch her obsess over Damian, the way her eyes lit up at the