I stepped into my cozy home, the warmness and the comforting aroma of freshly baked cookies filled the house. Eva and her excellent baking skills.The moment she saw me, she flung her arms around me. “I’ve missed you, love” and we shared a heartfelt hug, both of us giggling as we chatted about everything and nothing.I handed her a box overflowing with outfits Bryan had bought for me, urging her to pick up whatever caught her eye. "I couldn't possibly wear all of these," I said with a grin on my face."Bryan's shopping sprees are legendary. See this "I pulled out a stunning red dress, holding it up against myself. Eva's eyes widened in approval."Quinn, you'd rock that!" she exclaimed.I chuckled, and for a moment, everything became normal again.As we delved into the box's treasures, I couldn't skip telling Eva about the mysterious woman in Paris. “Eva, there’s something bothering me,” I added, my voice almost in a whisper.“ I need to tell you about this woman in Paris." Eva's expr
As I stepped into my childhood home, I was surrounded by the familiar faces, yet I was still feeling out of place. Everyone was dressed in mourning attire, their faces filled with grief. My heart ached as I spotted my stepmother, her eyes red-rimmed, standing beside Anna's dugged grave.Anna's grave nestled closely to my mother's and it brought back memories.I wrapped my hair carefully into the black linen scarf that laid on my shoulders. My mind wandered, at the same time, observed the minute silence given to Anna_ and mama. For me.I took a deep breath for what felt like the hundredth time and joined the rest of the family, ready to say goodbye to Anna.At that moment, everything was over and everyone was busy offering condolences.I moved to the other side of the cemetery where my mom was buried.And I was shocked to my bones. My mom's ashes were staring back at me. I knelt down, eyes teary. Speaking to her as I held the ashes. Mom, I don't know what's happening in my life anymor
As I walked into the club, I felt like a spectacle. Everyone's eyes were fixed on me, their whispers and pointing fingers were unmistakable.I tried to ignore the stares, but my face burned with embarrassment. Eva approached me immediately with concern written on her face. "Quinn, honey, you look horrible. What happened?"She guided me to a quiet corner, away from the prying eyes."I had a fight with Clark," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.Eva's expression became pitiful "About Bryan?"I nodded, and Eva's eyes widened."But I insisted to accompany you and you refused. Quinn, people are talking. They know you're dating him."I sighed, confirming her suspicions. "It's true."“Especially our co workers, they feel you’ve been away for so long and over using the privileges you have.”Her voice dropped to a whisper. "All I can say is, you really need to Be careful, Quinn. Bryan's reputation... it's complicated."Just then, our boss, Mr. Jenkins, emerged from his office. "Quinn
QUINNS POVJasper's eyes sparkled with amusement as I approached. "Took you long enough," he teased.I smiled, taking the seat across from him. "Sorry, I was busy."He chuckled. "I had to plead extra with Eva to get you here. You know I don't ask, I make it happen."My skepticism must have shown, because Jasper held up his hands in mock defense. "Just joking, Quinn. Don't look so serious."He gestured to the empty chair across from him. "Sit, please."I looked around, searching for his security guards. But they were no where to be found. Looks like he came alone today. I hesitated for a moment before taking a seat next to him."So," he continued, leaning back in his chair."As friends, since that's what we agreed to be. Why haven't I seen you around in a while?"His tone was casual, but I sensed a hidden undertone."I've been busy," I repeated.Jasper's eyes crinkled at the corners. "Busy avoiding me?" He asked.I laughed, trying to ease the tension. "Maybe."His gaze fell on me as he
I had spent that evening lost in my favorite novel, curled up on the couch with a warm cup of tea. The words on the page blurred together as my mind wandered to the upcoming school resumption.My phone buzzed, breaking the silence. I hesitated, wondering who could be messaging me at this hour.It was Bryan's assistant."Hello, Ms Quinn, The boss would like to invite you to a special evening event. He'll pick you up at 7 PM. Dress code, informal."I frowned, unsure.Was this another date? I was actually tired of going on dates with Bryan. You can never tell how it's going to end.Or could it be another business event?The uncertainty made me uneasy. I tried to push the thoughts aside, focusing on finishing my book. But my mind kept drifting back to Bryan and what he had planned. Before I knew it, 6:45 PM arrived.I set aside my book, taking a deep breath.Time to get ready.I slipped into my little black dress, smoothing out the fabric. A quick glance in the mirror confirmed I looked po
BRYAN'S POVI watched Quinn's reaction, her eyes wide with concern as Matt stumbled in the ring. My plan was unfolding perfectly.It started months ago, when I discovered Matt's boxing talent. I saw potential, not just in his skills, but in his connection to Quinn.My Quinn.The one person who'd never seen me for who I truly was.I manipulated Matt's career, pulling strings to get him this fight. He was a fighter, so I picked a stronger opponent, the venue, the timing – all carefully planned out.My goal was to break Quinn's resistance and, most especially, teach him a little lesson due to the way he totally ignored me during our last encounter.She'd been slipping away, drawn to Jasper's charm and Matt's kindness. But I wouldn't let that happen.Tonight, Quinn would see Matt's vulnerability, and I'd be the one to comfort her.As the referee counted down, Matt's eyes met Quinn's. I saw the spark of recognition, and the desperation.But my grip on her hand tightened, reassuring her th
FLASHBACK_Before the wrestling event, I thought Matt and I had something real.But Quinn's arrival changed everything.As soon as she got back to work, Matt's affectionate touch disappeared. There were no more stolen glances or flirtatious smiles. In fact, it was as though our connection never existed.I tried to brush it off, thinking he was just busy.But the silence grew thicker, day in day out.I initiated conversations numerous times after work, hoping to reconnect with him yet it yielded nothing."Hey, Matt, how did your day go?" I would ask.And he would grunt, with his eyes fixed on his phone."Matt, did you see that new project briefing, Mr Jenkins has in his budget for the club?" I'd try.He would still nod, acting distracted.It hurts.It became obviously clear that he didn't want to speak to me and I felt like I had lost him.One day, I cornered him in the break room."Matt, what's going on? You're ignoring me," I said.He only shrugged, dismissing me "Just stressed, Eva.
QUINN'S POVI stood outside Matt's hospital room, watching him from the transparent mirror.With my concuence pricking me, I felt guilty.If it wasnt for me, Matt would have been hale and hearty. I took a deep breath before entering. The past few days had been a blur, but I needed to see him.As I walked in, Matt's eyes locked onto mine, a mixture of warmth and concern."Quinn," he called, his voice weak but genuine. "I'm glad you're here."I approached his bedside, feeling a sense of relief wash over me."I'm sorry I haven't had a chance to talk to you properly," Matt said, his eyes never leaving mine. "Not since I walked you to that cab that day"I smiled softly. "You've been busy recovering, I should be the one apologizing for not coming to see you yet"Matt's gaze intensified. "I had no idea you were into boxing. Seeing you at the ring that night with Bryan... I was shocked."I shook my head. "Nah, I'm not into boxing. Bryan invited me."Matt's expression turned curious. "You're n
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