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
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
Then, we both spoke at once."I think—" he started."You should—" I began.We both stopped, realizing we had spoken simultaneously. He smiled wryly. "You go first."I shook my head. "No, I think it's best I listen. Mine will come in later."His stares were becoming intense, so I lowered my gaze, unsure of what to say. He took a step closer, his eyes never leaving mine. I felt this pile up of emotions as he drew nearer.Without thinking, I reached out, taking his hand, feeling the spark of connection in my heart's pulse. Bryan managed to give my hand a gentle squeeze."My lawyer was able to recover my companies from Jasper," he announced. "Unfortunately, Jasper didn't put up a fight."I looked up at him. "That's good news, Bry."He nodded. "Yes, and I've also placed the companies in the hands of one of my trusted shareholders. He'll take care of them."I felt this sadness, knowing he wouldn't be there to oversee his business empire anymore. "How long will you be here?" I asked abruptly,
QUINN'S POVThe ride home was very quiet, the most reserved ride I’ve ever had. I couldn’t hear a dime. I might have been 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 pain in her voice.“I’m sorry Eva, that’s not what I meant. It’s just that…." My tone turned apologetic but she quickly hushed me.“Shhh_ I’m here for
-----------------"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 ab
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
QUINN'S POVEva's voice broke the silence. "Did you know Jasper was involved in such terrible things?"I paused, thinking back to the times Jasper and I spent together. He had been so charming and perfect, leaving no hints about his dark secrets.I shook my head, "I had no idea," I replied. "He seemed like the perfect gentleman."Eva nodded in approval. "Exactly! That's what makes it so scary. He is so good at hiding his true nature. However, when he spiked your drink and food, that was a sign of a drug dealer. Trying to force himself on you was also a sign of a rapist. I'm glad you had nothing to do with him in the end. I can't imagine _"I felt a shiver run down my spine as I remembered that night. "I did sleep with him," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper cutting her short.Eva's eyes widened in shock. "Are you saying...," she gasped, "Is he the father of your baby?" she asked, her voice trembling.I quickly shook my head. "No, no, it's not that. It's just that... I don't r
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 r
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