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 wish I could tell you that this is the typical love story where the guy comes and sweeps me off my feet. But it is not, and if you are here for that, then I suggest that you leave.” “I fucking hate my life.” As I clung to the pole, I could feel every set of eyes in the room burning into my skin. I could tell that they all knew I was doing this totally wrong. The music thumped in my ears, but my movements were clumsy. Tacky, if I’m not mistaken. I just wrapped my legs around the pole like a pair of tangled earphones or a wet cat stuck on the tree. I shouldn’t be here. But then I couldn’t afford not to be here... Jenny threw this sweet offer at me. “Listen, it’s just one night. And you need this money.” She assured me. “I’m not even asking you to fuck them or anything, but big men would be there. I’m not talking small business class; I’m talking rich ass business moguls that wouldn’t mind throwing cash at you.” I hesitated; the words to resist barely made it
LEXIE’S POV “Ahm….” Moans escaped my lips, my eyes screwed shut as the very handsome stranger violated every inch of my body. But surprisingly, the pain was slowly replaced by a sweet sensation. It was like, I was hurting but enjoying myself at the same time. “Open your eyes....” He commanded; his thrusts became demanding and more aggressive. “I can’t take anymore...” I whispered, ; my voice was parched. This was the third time he was taking me in. He was like a hungry animal; his appetite just increased the more he ate. “You will take anything and everything I give you.” He roughly tilted my face back towards him. I could no longer feel the lower part of my body; everything ached. Exhaustion soon followed, and all I wanted to do was sleep. He wouldn’t let me; he’d be mad. I didn’t know him at all, but I could tell that his personality would be someone who couldn’t be denied anything he wanted or wanted, even if he didn’t ask nicely. He didn’t need power; he was power himself.
LEXIE’S POV It’s been three weeks since I started living with Damian, and the life of a wealthy socialite is exactly as the common folks explained it. It was glamorous, with endless events to attend—awards to collect, auctions, and so many formal gatherings. What I was starting to enjoy the most was spending time with Damian himself; it wasn’t his aggressiveness that drew me more into him; it was his possessiveness. I felt like I was someone’s most prized possession for once in my life. “You have such beautiful features, Bella,” the male stylist, Fabio, who Damian had called to come style me up, complimented in his French accent as he held my hair up. I chuckled softly, looking in the mirror. “You think so?” I muttered shyly, as I admired how beautiful Fabio had made me look. My hand brushed my cheek slightly, and I flushed. I was starting to love this new life; it wasn’t me, but then I wasn’t out there hustling for my next meal. “Of course, Mon amour.” “Most perfect
He got up, and I felt confused and shy as Evelyn and Valerie turned to us. But he held my hand firmly and whisked me away. My heart raced as I moved through the crowd; Damian’s grip on my hand was strong, and I felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. He led me upstairs; we moved through the elegant corridors, each step echoing with the distant sounds of the auction below. We reached a door at the end of the hallway; he opened it and ushered me inside, then locked the door behind us. The click of the lock made my heart jump excitedly. He turned to face me, his eyes filled with so much intensity and hunger. Without breaking eye contact, he shrugged off his jacket and let it fall to the floor. “I-erm…” He cut me off; his lips crashed against mine. The kiss was intense, filled with nothing but hunger that left me breathless. His hands gripped my waist, pulling me closer until there was no space between us. His hands went down to cup my butt, giving it a rough knead. “Fabio is
LEXIE’S POV “Remember my words?” Damian’s voice was low but commanding; he never failed to remind me about the terms of our arrangement. “Stay by your side at all times, and no speaking out of turn,” I recited. “Good,” he murmured, his grip tightened just a little. The flash of the cameras was blinding as I stood on the red carpet and tried to balance my nerves. Damian’s hands were firmly wrapped around my waist, grounding me, but the anxiety that bubbled inside me was undeniable. I couldn't help but smile regardless; many times I had caught myself daydreaming of what it would be if I were his actual wife. Because I had grown to love him. Despite his few weird habits, like putting on gloves all the time or not having a driver. As much as curosity attempted to kill my cat, i just wanted him, the sex and tried to enjoy all that was attached to his surname as long as i could be with him Although this wasn’t my world. I didn’t belong here; at least the few events I had
CONT’D “Gosh, I can’t believe she allowed herself to be paraded like a handbag. Utterly downgrading, no self-respect; it’s disgusting.” My phone wouldn’t stop buzzing, and with every new notification, I felt a fresh wave of anxiety build up in my chest. The internet had been on fire since Victoria humiliated me at the event yesterday, and trust the blogs to make it even worse. “WANNABE GIRLFRIEND, LEXIE GETS HUMILIATED BY THE ICONIC VICTORIA HAYES. Talk about putting people in their place.” A part of me wanted to throw my phone across the room to stop seeing the flood of hate and ridicule that aimed directly at me. But I couldn’t help it—I kept scrolling. “The lengths women would go for money is despicable. Lexie is definitely a gold-digging wench. Did she actually think she could take Victoria’s place?” “Talk about a poor wannabe! Her taste in fashion is tragic. Victoria could be blindfolded and still outclass her at everything.” The comments went from hundreds to thou
He got up, and I felt confused and shy as Evelyn and Valerie turned to us. But he held my hand firmly and whisked me away. My heart raced as I moved through the crowd; Damian’s grip on my hand was strong, and I felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. He led me upstairs; we moved through the elegant corridors, each step echoing with the distant sounds of the auction below. We reached a door at the end of the hallway; he opened it and ushered me inside, then locked the door behind us. The click of the lock made my heart jump excitedly. He turned to face me, his eyes filled with so much intensity and hunger. Without breaking eye contact, he shrugged off his jacket and let it fall to the floor. “I-erm…” He cut me off; his lips crashed against mine. The kiss was intense, filled with nothing but hunger that left me breathless. His hands gripped my waist, pulling me closer until there was no space between us. His hands went down to cup my butt, giving it a rough knead. “Fabio
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