It hurts so much that I blame myself for being so hard on him all this while. The times he’d drop gifts and letters at my doorstep consistently every day. It might not have been a great ride, but Bryan loved me more than anyone else in this world would have. No words, no whimpering, just my eyes flowing with unending tears. “Quinn, you need to stop crying,” Eva advised, breaking the silence.“But I couldn't. "I will never get over this pain I’m feeling” I confessed. “He’s all that I have.”“Now I feel bad that you never acknowledged me. I’ve been with you through what, thick and thin and Bryan’s all you have?” Her words struck me and I could feel the hurt in her voice.“I’m sorry Eva, that’s not what I meant. It’s just that…." My tone was apologetic but she quickly hushed me.“Shhh_ I’m still here for you and I will never leave you, Quinn. I’m sure Bryan wouldn’t want you crying this way. You need to be strong.”I nodded in approval, as she drew closer to me, placing my head on her
Chapter 01_DINNER WITH MEI strolled across the sidewalk, my feet barely touching the ground as my heart beamed with excitement. It's my nineteenth birthday today, and the world seems to be unfolding its arms, embracing me with open possibilities.The news I had just received still resonated in my mind, like a sweet melody_ a scholarship for my outstanding academic performance. All the late nights, early mornings, and endless cups of coffee finally paid off.For the first time in my life, I felt the weight of my academic struggles finally lifting. I envisioned a bright future ahead of me. My dreams were within reach now.My excitement grew with each step. I turned onto my street. I couldn’t wait to share the news with Eva, my best friend and confidant. She called me earlier, she's probably waiting for me at home.I met Eva first at Eclipse, one of the biggest secluded clubs in the city where I worked part-time. Our friendship blossomed from that fateful night, and we became inseparab
BRYAN’S POVI checked my watch for what felt like the hundredth time. The meetings dragged on, my schedule was usually chaotic, but somehow she still managed to occupy my mind.I leaned back sipping the scotch, letting my fingers rest on the armrest, lost.I had been watching her eagerly since I moved back to the country. Her vulnerability and strength intrigued me.Her refusal to give up, even when things seemed impossible, inspired me. Her innocence, too, was very captivating.She’s even prettier now than I remember. Time has transformed her into a stunning young lady. Her beauty wasn’t just skin-deep, it radiated from within.Our childhood memories flooded back into my head – the laughter, the backyard barbecues. Our families' close ties made us inseparable. I recalled the countless times we explored the neighborhood, sharing secrets and dreams. A small smile formed on my lips.She is breathtakingly beautiful, with a slender yet athletic build. Her long silky hair framed her oval fa
His eyes roamed over me, lingering on every curve, filled with a hunger that made my skin crawl. "Stunning," he whispered, his breath caressing my ears.His fingers began to trace the curve of my cheek. I shut my eyes in disgust, trying to shake him off, but he held tight onto me. His touch sent shivers down my spine as I panicked.Jasper’s grin broadened as he continued, his hands sliding down towards my chest. I felt my face flush with humiliation and I wished the ground would open and swallow me whole.Just then, Mr. Jenkins, intervened awkwardly, "Mr Jasper, please, she's just a waitress, she doesn’t engage...ah...sexually with clients"Jasper chuckled, his little laugh made my body vibrate.“Well, then I’d be her first. She doesn’t get to decide, I make the decisions.” He added.Eva rushed towards us, kneeling. Her eyes were pleading.“I’m so sorry Sir, for my negligence. It was all my fault. Take…take me instead. I’ll go with you, I’ll do anything. Just let Quinn go, please. She’
BRYAN’S POVAs I opened the door for Quinn, her bewildered expression amused me.Her nervousness was so obvious that I couldn’t help but smile at her awkwardness.Once she settled in, I started the car and pulled away.My mind flashed back to the incident that forced me to reveal myself.Her current reaction mirrored the frantic nervous feeling I felt that day, watching her go through that attack.That night, I had saved her from Jasper’s grip. Her eyes were terrified when I looked back, her breathing heaving. Tension stirred within me and I screamed.“Get her to the hospital this minute.”Asthma.I remembered. She was asthmatic.My heart swiftly raced as I swiftly moved closer, cradling her fragile form.“Hang in there, help is on the way”, I assured him.Suddenly, her eyes rolled back and she slumped forward, fainting.Her friend caught her. “Get an ambulance, now!” I had barked at whoever stood close.The minutes ticked by like hours as we waited for the paramedics. Soon the ambulan
Eva's infectious laughter filled the air, and Matt's presence was surprisingly polite and courteous as we settled into a cozy restaurant, the aroma of sizzling meat and spices enveloping us.As we placed our order, my gaze drifted to the TV above the bar, catching my attention.Breaking news flashed on the screen: "Billionaire, Braxton Bryan Purchases Priceless Diamond Necklace at Auction." My heart skipped a beat.The camera pans to the stunning necklace, its diamonds glinting under the lights.My fingers instinctively rose to touch the identical necklace around my neck. A nervous tremble ran through my hand.One of my coworkers, Rachel, gazed wistfully at the TV. "I'll never make enough money to afford something like that." She remarked, her eyes wandering to my neck, and her brows furrowed""Wow, Quinn, your knock-off looks amazingly real!""Where did you get it?"I force a casual smile, trying to sound nonchalant. "Oh, I picked it up from a street vendor for seven bucks." The lie
QUINN’S POVMy slender fingers absently toyed with the diamond necklace hovering around my neck.. The sparkling gemstones danced in the light, but my mind was swirling with questions. Every scenario with him becomes more perplexing than the last. Why was he showering me with extravagant gifts? Is he trying to get me drowned in love ? Was it a genuine attempt to sweep me off my feet or a calculated act to buy my affection? The uncertainty churned inside of me. I couldn’t neglect the feeling that I was trapped in a whirlpool of confusion. As exhaustion claimed me, my eyelids become heavy, and I drifted off to sleep, clutching the necklace. “Quinn”, a soft, innocent voice startled me. I turned to face the caller and my eyes melted at the sight of a little boy, his little cute eyes boring into my soul.I became curious as I leaned in, attentive to why he called.“You must grow up quickly and marry me” he declared, his voice filled with conviction. My heart skipped a beat as I woke up,
QUINN'S POV His piercing eyes, once bright with laughter, now seemed like they were staring right through my soul.For a moment, I looked at the man sitting beside me, struggling to find remnants of the little boy I once knew, but I couldn’t."You should have already investigated me," I continued, trying to keep my voice steady. "I was kicked out ten years ago, and I was just a child at that time."Bryan's expression remained unyielding, his jaw clenched in a fierce determination. "Do you think you're innocent?" he spat, his words laced with venom. "Let me tell you, not a single person in your family is innocent."Before I could respond, Bryan grasped my arm, pulling me out of the car. I stumbled, my heels scraping against the pavement. We were parked outside what looked like a villa, secluded and isolated. The desolate landscape and vast emptiness engulfed us."Bryan, please," I begged, trying to wriggle free.He dragged me upstairs, his grip unrelenting. I stumbled, my feet barely
It hurts so much that I blame myself for being so hard on him all this while. The times he’d drop gifts and letters at my doorstep consistently every day. It might not have been a great ride, but Bryan loved me more than anyone else in this world would have. No words, no whimpering, just my eyes flowing with unending tears. “Quinn, you need to stop crying,” Eva advised, breaking the silence.“But I couldn't. "I will never get over this pain I’m feeling” I confessed. “He’s all that I have.”“Now I feel bad that you never acknowledged me. I’ve been with you through what, thick and thin and Bryan’s all you have?” Her words struck me and I could feel the hurt in her voice.“I’m sorry Eva, that’s not what I meant. It’s just that…." My tone was apologetic but she quickly hushed me.“Shhh_ I’m still here for you and I will never leave you, Quinn. I’m sure Bryan wouldn’t want you crying this way. You need to be strong.”I nodded in approval, as she drew closer to me, placing my head on her
The ride home was very quiet, the most reserved ride I’ve ever had. I couldn’t hear a dime. I might be present, but everything about my spirit, soul and body was absent.It hurts so much that I blame myself for being so hard on him all this while. The times he’d drop gifts and letters at my doorstep consistently every day. It might not have been a great ride, but Bryan loved me more than anyone else in this world would have. No words, no whimpering, just my eyes flowing with unending tears. “Quinn, you need to stop crying,” Eva advised, breaking the silence.“But I couldn't. "I will never get over this pain I’m feeling” I confessed. “He’s all that I have.”“Now I feel bad that you never acknowledged me. I’ve been with you through what, thick and thin and Bryan’s all you have?” Her words struck me and I could feel the hurt in her voice.“I’m sorry Eva, that’s not what I meant. It’s just that…." My tone was apologetic but she quickly hushed me.“Shhh_ I’m still here for you and I will
-----------------"Whose child?" Quinn pressed, her brow furrowed in confusion.Thornton hesitated before speaking. "Your father, Sutherland, had a romantic affair with his second cousin, which resulted in your birth."Quinn and I gasped in unison. "What?" we exclaimed, shock and disbelief laced on our faces.Thornton continued, his voice filled with sadness. "He did marry your mother, despite the families being against them. I suppose it's because he loved her. I found out about their relationship because my first wife was a friend of your mother's."Officer Maddie's eyes widened in surprise. "What in heaven's name is going on here?" she asked, her voice firm, but I could tell she was confused.Thornton's expression turned cold. "When I threatened to expose Sutherland's secret if he dared to speak a word about Braxton's murder, he was terrified. He feared for his reputation and kept quiet all these years."Quinn's face twisted in anger and hurt. "His reputation? That's all he cared a
BRYAN'S POVWe walked into the police station, hand in hand, with Eva following close behind. "Excuse me," I said to one of the officers, "we'd like to speak with the officer in charge of Jasper Brown's investigation."The officer looked at us, obviously recognizing me, and asked us to wait. He stepped away for a minute before returning to escort us to a private room.Eva opted to wait outside, so we left her in the lobby. Inside the room, we met a lady who looked barely above middle age. "Hi, I'm Bryan Braxton, and this is _"Quinn Sutherland." She continued."We have information about Jasper Brown and his accomplice, Mr. Thornton that we would love to share with you."The officer, whose name tag read "Officer Maddie," looked at us with interest. "What kind of information?" she asked.We stared at each other and I spoke up. "We would like to be recorded."Officer Maddie nodded. "I see. Well, we've had Mr. Brown in custody, and we could use any additional information you can provide.
QUINN'S POVEva and I were still reeling from the shock of Matt's betrayal, lost in our own thoughts, when the doorbell rang again. I let out a frustrated sigh and made my way to the front door angrily."I thought I asked you to leave, Matt!" I yelled, but my voice trailed off as I took in the figure standing before me. It was Bryan."Matt?" he repeated, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Matt was here?"I nodded silently, still trying to process the sudden change in events. As I gazed at Bryan, I couldn't help but notice how worn out he looked. His eyes seemed sunken, and his face was laced with deep lines. This wasn't the stern, looking Bryan I had grown accustomed to; this was the Bryan I remembered from my childhood.I gulped down the huge form of saliva in my mouth. It took everything in me to not jump on him right now and hug him so tightly. I missed him so much. Bryan's eyes scanned me from head to toe, taking in my almost invisible baby bump. I felt a flutter in my chest as our
I made my way through the crowded room, nodding to familiar faces and exchanging brief hello's. The smell of smoke and sweat filled the atmosphere and I breathed it in deeply. I felt alive.I spotted one of my girls, a stunning blonde, dancing on stage. She caught my eye, winked and smiled, and I giggled. She was mine, one of my best earners, Stella.I continued to make my way towards the VIP section, where my partners and I conducted our... business. We deal with more than just drinks and music here. We dealt in secrets, in desires, and in the forbidden.I made it all happen.The Devil's Kiss was my pride and joy, a massive facility with over 80 rooms, each one designed to cater to a specific desire or fantasy. We had room for every taste, from the ordinary to the extreme.My girls were the lifeblood of the club, and I had over 50 of them working for me. They were all stunning, each one handpicked for their unique looks and characters that they possessed. I had girls of every ethnici
BRYAN'S POVI lounged on my couch, crunching on a crispy snack, when my attention drifted to the TV screen that flickered with breaking news. The anchor's serious tone caught my eyes."Breaking news: A high-profile sting operation has led to the arrest of Jasper Brown, the newly appointed CEO of Aurora's conglomerate, on charges of sex trafficking and distribution of hard drugs. The investigation carried on by a journalist, spanning several months, has uncovered a complex web of illicit activities involving some of the city's most influential figures."The anchor's words hung in the air, as the screen behind her displayed a mugshot of Jasper, his usual smirk being replaced by a scowl followed by blurry footage and photos from the club, taken by the undercover photographer. "The evidence, obtained through a daring undercover operation, reveals shocking scenes of exploitation and abuse. Photos and videos, taken from within the club, show victims being coerced into sex work and patrons
JASPER'S POVI stepped into the dimly lit club, the pounding music and throbbing lights enveloping me like a warm embrace. This was my domain, my sanctuary. The place where I could let my guard down and be myself. Most especially, it maintained its aura of exclusivity.I made my way through the crowded room, nodding to familiar faces and exchanging brief hello's. The smell of smoke and sweat filled the atmosphere and I breathed it in deeply. I felt alive.I spotted one of my girls, a stunning blonde, dancing on stage. She caught my eye, winked and smiled, and I giggled. She was mine, one of my best earners, Stella.I continued to make my way towards the VIP section, where my partners and I conducted our... business. We deal with more than just drinks and music here. We dealt in secrets, in desires, and in the forbidden.I made it all happen.The Devil's Kiss was my pride and joy, a massive facility with over 80 rooms, each one designed to cater to a specific desire or fantasy. We had
MATT'S POVIt's been two months since everything changed. Two months since the turn of events and Bryan has been all over the news, his saga with Eva at the hospital, news about his health and his resignation as CEO of Aurora corporation. It's not been easy for anyone seeing his constant appearance on the television.I myself have been working tirelessly behind the scenes, gathering evidence and building a case to ease his feelings. I've had a few close calls. Like the last time I was snooping around the warehouse, I almost got caught. But I didn't give up. I couldn't give up. Not after everything I've seen and everything I've learned.Jasper's treatment of those around him has been horrifying. He manipulated, used, and hurt people without a second thought. And Quinn...I knocked on the door, and she opened it, looking more beautiful than ever in this pregn glow. This newfound peace definitely agrees with her, and it's amazing to see. "Hey Matt! It's good to see you," she snapped, ope