BRYAN’S POV"It's that time of year again - the winter vacation, finally! I exclaimed, leaning back in my office chair.A period where everyone's stress melts away.My mind drifted to Quinn. She's been overwhelmed lately, and this break would be exactly what she needs.And she'll be spending it with me.My business trip to Paris aligns perfectly. A time to seal crucial deals, and make unforgettable memories with her. Where Days of luxury, art, and romance awaited us. I’m sure my assistant has everything in check.I picked up my phone, dialing my assistant.“Come to the office. Now.”He arrived promptly. “Sir?”“Have you confirmed the Paris arrangements?," I instructed."All set, sir," he replied. "Villa, art studio, Louvre tour, transportation."I nodded, satisfied. “Good! Send a message to Quinn’s boss, confirming her extended leave.”“Her boss has already received my discreet call; her absence is approved. There will be no distractions tonight.I nodded, urging him to go out.I know
EVA’S POVI heaved a sigh of relief the moment I settled on the couch. It was such a hectic day, not having Quinn around.I needed to know how the trip went, so I dialed her number eager for an update. The phone cradled between my ear and shoulder. Her voice chimed in, sounding delighted."Eva! I'm so glad you called. We have just arrived, and Paris is stunning!"I grinned, envisioning Quinn's excitement. "I'm glad you're having a great time! Don't forget to take lots of pictures.""Already on it," Quinn laughed. "Bryan's been amazing as well”, she whispered, and I laughed."Make sure to spoil yourself rotten”"Will do," she promised. "What about you? How's life without me?"I laughed. "Same as usual, already missing you.She scoffed. “With my recent disappearance, I’ll probably lose my job after this trip.”“Our boss fears Bryan, he’d do literally anything he requests”, I reassured her."Nevertheless, I miss you too," Quinn said, her tone softening. "But I'll make it up to you with st
QUINN'S POVAs the plane touched down in Paris, I felt a thrill of excitement. Bryan, sitting beside me, smiled."Welcome to the City of Light," he said with sparkling eyes.Stepping off the plane, the crisp Parisian air refreshed me. I looked up at the majestic airport architecture."Wow," I breathed.Bryan chuckled. "You're going to love this city."My eyes widened as we stepped into the luxurious apartment. The sprawling living room, adorned with modern art and floor-to-ceiling windows, offered breathtaking views of the Eiffel Tower."Welcome to our Parisian retreat," Bryan said, his eyes sparkling.I explored the expansive space, discovering a kitchen, a library, and a private balcony.I saw a small walkway, leading me to a stunning bedroom. My jaw dropped. The spacious room boasted an en-suite bathroom, a walk-in closet, and a majestic gigantic bed.Bryan walked in minutes later with them, carrying our bags behind him. He gestured to the luggage. "I took the liberty of packing for
QUINN'S POVI stepped into the bedroom, my heart racing. Bryan lay on the bed, his eyes fixed on me."Hey," he said, his voice low."Hey," I replied, trying to sound calm.I approached the bed, unsure what to expect. Bryan patted the space beside him."Come here," he whispered.I hesitated, but my body moved of its own accord. I sat beside him, feeling his warmth.He wrapped his hands around me, pulling me close. His lips brushed against my ear."I've wanted to do this all night," he whispered.He traced my skin with his fingers, sending shivers down my spine. I leaned into his touch and he stopped abruptly.As the night wore on, my cravings became more intense, but he never crossed the line.I wanted him to continue touching me so badly, just like he did at dinner. But surprisingly, he slept, neglecting me.---The next morning, I woke up to find a different Bryan already up and about. He was dressed and ready to leave, his eyes fixed on his phone."Morning," he said, barely looking
QUINN'S POV We arrived at the Musée d'Orsay, its grandeur took my breath away. Bryan led me through the halls, stopping at Monet's Water Lilies."This is my favorite," Bryan said, his eyes locked onto the artwork. "There's something peaceful about it."I stepped closer to it, examining the painting's soft colors. It was indeed a beauty."It's beautiful," I agreed, feeling a sense of calm wash over me. I loved arts so much, I could spend hours sitting in front of a painting and not even realize it.But what surprised me was Bryan's recent appreciation for art. Growing up, he never showed interest.I remember how, as a kid, Bryan would scribble randomly with his brush, creating a very chaotic mess. The only reason a board would be placed in front of him was because of me. He would join me to paint just so he could be closer to me.Now, he stood beside me, admiring the very thing he once disliked.I couldn’t help but wonder what changed him? How did he develop such a refinery taste?Brya
BRYAN'S POVI watched Quinn rush out of the car, tears streaming down her face. My conscience prickled, but I suppressed it.It was all a game, after all. A game to see how much she cared.FLASHBACK_I remember the day I met Camille, at a charity gala at the Grand Palace, supporting a renowned art foundation. She was stunning, witty, and shared my passion for art.Her green eyes lit up every time she smiled. Her raven-black hair fell down her back, framing her heart-shaped face.Intrigued, I made my way through the crowd, exchanging pleasantries with acquaintances along the way."Bonjour, mademoiselle," I said, approaching her. "You seem to be enjoying the evening."She turned, her gaze fixed onto mine. "Oui, merci," she replied, her French accent melted my heart. "The art is breathtaking."We strolled through the exhibit, discussing art, culture, and life. Her name was Camille, a freelance journalist covering the Parisian art scene.Our conversation flowed effortlessly. We shared laug
EVA'S POVI couldn't help but notice Matt's changed behavior ever since Quinn went on that trip with Bryan.He'd always been friendly, but now he’s so attentive, thoughtful, and even charming.I realized my heart never made a mistake when it chose Matt.As I sat at my counter, Matt walked in, carrying a small gift box. "Hey, Eva! He walked up to me smiling.“What you up to?” I giggled whilst trying to peep. He revealed a tiny box behind his back.“I saw this and thought of you," he mentioned, his eyes sparkling.I unwrapped the box to reveal a beautiful silver necklace with a tiny pendant sitting on top."Matt, this is gorgeous! Thank you!"He beamed, leaning in to kiss me openly.I fidgeted. “We’re at work”, I reminded him, but he didn’t seem to care.Some colleagues glanced over, raising eyebrows. I felt a flutter in my chest. Never has he ever been this open in our relationship."Welcome back, Eva," Matt whispered, his breath tickling my ear.Throughout the day, Matt continued to st
QUINN’S POVI slowly opened my eyes to find Bryan's gentle face hovering above mine, his soft lips brushed against my forehead in a tender kiss.Continuously."Hey, it’s time to leave," he whispered, his warm breath sending shivers down my spine.Drowsily, I asked, "What happened?"My voice was mixed with sleepiness and a hint of disappointment.Bryan's hands enveloped mine, his fingers intertwining with mine in a comforting hold. He patted my hands gently, his touch very soothing."I have an urgent meeting to attend to," he explained, his eyes apologetic. "But don't worry, we'll come back to Paris soon. I promise."I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant, but my heart ached at the thought of leaving this enchanting city. The past few days with Bryan had been nothing short of magical, and I wasn't ready for it to end."This trip has been...amazing," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.Bryan's smile fell for a moment, and I sensed a flicker of emotion in his eyes."They've already
BRYAN'S POVI walked out of the hospital room, bumping into Doctor Lee. He was a familiar face from my previous visit to his hospital when one of my workers had an emergency."Ah, Mr. Braxton! Good to see you again," he called in a friendly tone.I nodded curtly, my mind still reeling from the emotions that had overwhelmed me in Quinn's hospital room. "Doctor Lee.""What brings you here?," he asked."Oh, my girlfriend Ms Quinn. She was admitted here.""Oh really? I didn't know that." He remarked as he leaned in closely, giving me a brief update on her condition. "In that case, I have to share something with you, Mr. Braxton. Something that I think you should know."My gut tightened, seeing that he looked off. "What is it, Doctor?" I asked in a calm tone.Doctor Lee hesitated for a moment before dropping the bombshell. "Ms. Quinn is two months pregnant. Mr. Braxton."My world stopped.Pregnant? Quinn is pregnant?The doctor's words hung in the air, refusing to compute. I felt like I ha
MATT'S POVI rushed back to the hospital as soon as I got Eva's text saying Quinn was awake. My mind traveled back to when the doctor had shared the news about her pregnancy. The room went silent. I grew numb for a few seconds, my eyes fixed on her pale face. We all knew who the baby belonged to, and the thought of it pierced through my chest. I could feel Eva's eyes on me watching my every move, but I just couldn't bring myself to look up at her.I have no chance with Quinn now that I think of it.And maybe that's okay. I'm just glad she is awake and safe.I approached Eva, who was standing by the door with worry on her face. "Where's Quinn?" I asked while scanning the room."She's asleep," Eva managed to mutter.I nodded, feeling a bit relieved. "I had to finish up some work, but as soon as I was done, I rushed over here," I explained, though Eva didn't seem to be interested."It's fine, Matt," Eva cut in, her eyes fixed on Quinn's sleeping form. "It's been four hours, and she's bee
QUINN'S POVI walked into the living room, carrying a tray with a fresh drink for Matt. He had stopped by unexpectedly, and we chatted for a bit till I got thirsty and disappeared to get water.When I returned, I noticed that Matt and Eva were engaged in a heated discussion. They were speaking in hushed tones, but their body language told me something was wrong. Eva's arms were crossed, and Matt's looked all tensed.I set the extra cup of water on the table, turning to them, "What's going on?" I asked.They paused, looking at each other uncertainly. Matt opened his mouth to speak, but Eva quickly covered it with her hand.Matt looked at Eva, then back at me. I could sense his frustration."Okay, Eva, enough. Let Matt speak." I said whilst folding my hands. Eva finally removed her hand, and Matt took a deep breath of relief.Eva and Matt exchanged another glance, and then Eva nodded. The room fell silent for a moment before she spoke up."We found your dad's former secretary," she anno
I tapped my foot impatiently on the dusty floor, my eyes fixed on the entrance of the abandoned warehouse. Lucas was running late, and I was starting to lose my patience. I glanced at my wristwatch for what felt like the hundredth time."Five more minutes, and I'm leaving," I muttered to myself, already mentally preparing to walk away from this whole ordeal. But as I looked at my watch again, I realized that those five minutes had flown by faster than I expected, and Lucas was still nowhere to be found.I let out a deep sigh of frustration. "This is ridiculous, what was I even thinking believing all that bullshit" I said aloud, shaking my head. I pulled out my cell phone, signaling to my assistant that it was time to leave.Just as I was about to turn away, my assistant spoke up, "He's here, Sir." I turned to see Lucas hurrying towards us with an older man behind him. The man looked weak, with an emaciated face and sunken eyes that seemed to hold a very deep sadness.Lucas apologized
BRYAN'S POVMy mind was traveling as I tried to process the information Lucas had just dropped on me. I thought back to my childhood, to the countless times I asked my mother about my father's death. She always told me the same story: Sutherland had betrayed my father, and his death was no accident. She would whisper it to me in hushed tones, her eyes always filled with tears, sadness and fear whenever she remembered. It became a really difficult topic that I dreaded ever mentioning to her.But now, Lucas is telling me that Sutherland wasn't responsible? It didn't add up. I felt this sudden feeling of anger and confusion. I was supposed to have a meeting with fucking Jasper, but anything could wait right now.I quickly picked up the phone and dialed my assistant's number. "I need you to come to my office right away."As I waited for him to arrive, I paced back and forth in my office, trying to make sense of everything. Lucas's words kept echoing in my mind. Shortly after, there was a
LUCAS'S POVWe were able to get the directions to Bryan's floor and office number. I turned to my dad, who was busy hovering anxiously beside me. "Dad, could you please wait outside for a minute? I'll just go and... uh... drop off these documents."My dad nodded, though his eyes betrayed him. He still looked scared. "Okay, son. Be careful."I watched as he stepped outside, then I turned my attention back to the receptionist. She looked up from her desk with a polite smile on her face. "Hi there, can I help you?""Hi," I replied, trying to sound confident. "I'm here to drop off urm... some documents from City Audit Services."The receptionist's eyes lit up with interest. "Oh, great. Let me just take those from you."I hesitated, realizing that I didn't actually have any documents to hand over. Due to my find-outs, I noticed his company had a thing with the city audit service, and didn't even know when I blurted it out. Luckily, it worked for me."Uh, actually... I think I might have le
MATT'S POVI quickly grabbed my phone and dialed Eva's number, my mind on edge with anticipation. When she answered, I could hear the faint sound of chatter and music in the background."Hello, Eva. I need to see you right away," I said, trying to convey that it was urgent without alarming her."I'm in the middle of an event, Matt. Can we reschedule for later?" She asked, almost screaming into the phone.I hesitated for a moment before responding. "I'm afraid it can't wait, Eva. Is Quinn with you?" I asked, in hopes that Quinn's presence might make her more willing to leave."No, she stepped out a while ago, saying she had somewhere to go. What's going on, Matt? You're beginning to get me worried," she asked, her tone laced with concern.I took a deep breath before responding. "There's someone I want you to meet, Eva. Someone who has information that might be...enlightening. Please, just trust me on this. I'll text you the address. Can you get here as soon as possible?"Eva hesitated
LUCAS POVI sat in the dining room, surrounded by papers and files. Vic had managed to get his hands on some documents, but not everything I had asked for. I was amazed as I read through the papers - every detail, every story I had been told, was true.But I knew I had to be careful. Vic had warned me that if I presented this evidence, I could be in trouble for trespassing. I didn't want to risk it, so something else had to be done. I sat there, lost in thought, as my dad walked into the room. "What's going on, Lucas?" he asked, when he noticed the look of concern on my face."I have been trying to get in touch with B. Bryan for weeks now, but I just can't seem to get an appointment," I said, expressing my frustration.My dad raised an eyebrow. "Oh well, I can't help you with that," he added, as he proceeded to pour himself a glass of water.I nodded, trying to appear cool. "Yeah, I was thinking, maybe you would know someone who could help me get an appointment?"He shook his head. "
I walked back into the hospital, my feet just moving on autopilot. I approached the nurse's station where a friendly face disclosed that the children were awake.My heart skipped as I followed her to the children's ward. As we entered the room, my eyes landed on two tiny bundles of joy, sitting up in their beds and looking around with curious eyes as Maya made descriptions in the air like she was telling them a story. My eyes welled up with tears just from watching them.Maya caught my gaze and said, "Okay, kids, I want you to meet someone special. This is your Aunt Quinn." The little boy, with his messy brown hair, looked up at me and grinned. "Hi, Aunt."Avery, with her big brown eyes and curly pigtails, looked up at me and said, "Aunt Quinn, Mama says you're a fighter."I chuckled, taking a seat between their beds. "Well, I try my best to help people feel better and you guys have to be strong, okay?."They nodded as I took Avery's hand in mine. "I'll do my best to make you feel bet