As I stood outside Thiago’s house, grappling with the shock and heartache of what I had witnessed, a thousand thoughts raced through my mind. The betrayal cut deep, slicing through the trust and hope I had invested in our relationship. I couldn’t bear to confront them, to demand an explanation that might only deepen the wound.With a heavy heart, I stumbled back to my car, my hands trembling as I fumbled for the keys. The engine roared to life, but I couldn’t bring myself to drive away just yet. My mind replayed the scene over and over, each iteration bringing fresh pain and disbelief.What had I missed? How could Thiago have let this happen? Was there something between them that I had been blind to all along?The minutes stretched into eternity as I sat there, lost in a storm of emotions. Anger, sorrow, and a profound sense of loss warred within me. The future I had imagined with Thiago—the one where we rebuilt his company, faced challenges together, and emerged stronger—now lay sh
After that day, the office had become my hide out. Work had always been a means of escape from reality for me, but recently, it had transformed into an obsession. Since the incident with Thiago and Cynthia, I had buried myself under piles of reports and endless meetings. I always find myself staying late hours in the office. Lucia had to force me to go out most of the times when it was already passed office horse. It’s like my mind was sharp, but my heart was a mess. No matter how hard I tried to shake off the personal chaos, it always lingered in the back of my mind like some sort of pest that was festering me.I sat at my desk, typing furiously, my fingers moving so quickly over the keys that I barely had time to process what I was writing. I needed the distraction. I needed to keep my mind off Thiago and the unanswered questions between us. But just as I thought I was getting somewhere, the inevitable happened, or rather someone came unexpected.And it was Cynthia, who walked rig
The next few days after my encounter with Cynthia who boldly came to my office to threaten me, felt like a slow, suffocating descent into chaos. No matter how much I wanted to ignore Cynthia’s blackmailing, I simply couldn’t just shake off the feeling that the walls around me were closing in and it was leaving the feeling of intoxicating suffocation, as though I was trapped.At first, it began as just small—just rumors regarding the investors reconsidering their stakes for the Bermudez group. Following that, however, Marcus and I had been receiving a few emails flagged as “urgent” from Thiago’s financial team. At first, it seemed like a coincidence. But as it escalate further, it eventually turn into an issue that made me realize that Cynthia wasn’t joking around.Cynthia was dead serious about what she told me that time.Following that, my daily routine at the office felt tensed for the Bermudez Group. As I have feared, the Investors who pledged to cooperate with us were now pullin
After filing the divorce papers, my heart felt heavier than ever. I hadn’t imagined it would feel like this—so final, so utterly devastating. But I had made up my mind. Cynthia’s threats were real, and no matter how much it pained me, this was the only way to protect Thiago and his company. If I didn’t do this, everything he had built would crumble. I would not let that happen.It was a quiet drive back to the house, the document lying in the passenger seat beside me like a ticking time bomb. As I pulled into the driveway, my stomach churned with a mix of fear and dread. I didn’t know what to expect from Thiago, but part of me feared the worst. He wasn’t the type to give up easily, especially when it came to things—or people—he considered his. And that included me.When I opened the door to our home, the familiar scent of leather and wood hit me, instantly reminding me of everything we had built together. The memories of laughter, arguments, late-night talks, and stolen moments of inti
The moment Thiago’s hands found my waist, pulling me close, every worry, every sharp edge of doubt faded, leaving just us. His gaze was intense, holding a mixture of frustration, desire, and something deeper I’d never quite managed to name. The soft warmth of his breath brushed against my cheek as he pulled me closer, and the world outside ceased to exist.He leaned in, his forehead gently pressing against mine, and whispered, “Do you still think about divorcing me?”The question hung between us, pulling all the tension of the last days into one single, excruciating point. My pulse hammered as I looked up at him. “Thiago,” I managed, the word escaping me before I could overthink it. “You know what I must do.”His hands tightened slightly at my waist as if grounding himself, and his lips brushed mine—softly at first, then deepening into a kiss that held an edge of hunger. I felt his arms slip around my shoulders, steadying me as he leaned in even closer. When he pulled away, his eyes se
The room was draped in shadows, the dim light casting a warm, almost sinful glow across the crimson velvet walls. My pulse quickened as I slay there with those spread clips attached on my pussy, feeling the cool air against my clit, and waiting for his next move. Every little sound, every shift in the atmosphere seemed to amplify the anticipation that hummed through me, making my heartbeat produce a relentless rhythm within my chest.Thiago stood a few feet away, watching me in that way he had, his gaze as heavy as a touch. Thiago then removed the spreader bar and clips. After that, he pulled a rope in his hand then held tightly, his fingers gliding over it slowly, deliberately, as if he were savoring the feel of it. The sight made my breath hitch. I trusted him implicitly, yet it was the unknown—the waiting, the quiet promise in his eyes—that sent a thrill sparking down my spine.He finally approached, his eyes dark and unwavering, his presence filling the space between us. “Do you
THE FOLLOWING MORNING…The morning sun streamed through the curtains, its golden warmth tracing patterns across the bed where I lay tangled in the sheets, a quiet sense of peace settling over me. I could no longer how I ended up in our bed, perhaps Thiago carried me here from the forbidden room.Last night, Thiago had torn down my walls as he fucked me hard, breaking through all my defenses and I ended up yielding to his carnal calls. Thiago consumed every part of me in a passionate and rough sex I could have ever imagined I was capable of.His touch, his presence, had reminded me of the man I’d fallen for, the man who could unravel my resolve with a single look. Now, as I watched him sleep beside me, I couldn’t help but marvel at how someone could frustrate me to the point of madness, yet still make me feel complete.Thiago stirred, his eyes fluttering open as he looked over at me with a sleepy smile. “Morning, Wifey,” he murmured, pulling me closer as if he had no intention of lettin
The morning had a strange, electric calm as Thiago and I readied ourselves for the day ahead. We had anticipated Cynthia’s reaction, but neither of us could quite predict how far she’d go to maintain her grasp on the Bermudez Group. I glanced at Thiago, who was adjusting his cufflinks with a steady hand, the faintest of smirks on his lips.“You seem… unusually calm,” I said, slipping into my blazer and watching him in the reflection.He looked up, his gaze meeting mine in the mirror with that familiar glint. “Calm, yes. But prepared? Even more so.” He turned to face me, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “Today isn’t just about protecting the company. It’s about protecting us—what we’ve built together.”I felt a warm rush of resolve fill me as I nodded. “Then let’s go and make it clear who’s really in charge.”When we arrived at the boardroom, most of the members were already seated, chatting in low murmurs. Cynthia was there too, seated at the end of the table, her eyes narrowi
The weight of Victor’s words settled deep in my chest long after they were spoken. I stared down at the amber liquid in my glass, but it offered no answers. Only more questions.Had I already lost the ability to choose? Had Thiago already decided for me?Victor sighed, rubbing his jaw as if he were debating something. Then, he leaned forward, elbows on his knees, and met my gaze.“I need to tell you something,” he said.A chill skated down my spine. “What?”He hesitated. Just for a second. And that alone sent warning bells ringing in my head.“Victor,” I pressed.His lips parted, but before he could speak, his phone buzzed sharply on the table.He glanced at the screen, and whatever he saw made his expression darken.I frowned. “What is it?”Instead of answering, he stood abruptly, snatching his jacket from the chair. “You should stay here tonight.”“What?” My heart stuttered. “Why?”His jaw tightened as he typed something on his phone. “Thiago’s looking for you.”Cold dread curled in
I clenched my fists, my pulse hammering in my ears. “I don’t have to choose anything.”Javier let out a quiet chuckle, his gaze steady, almost expectant. “That’s where you’re wrong, mija.” He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper. “You’ve already chosen—you just don’t realize it yet.”A chill ran down my spine.Thiago stepped between us, his broad shoulders cutting off Javier’s view of me. “If you’re done playing riddles, we’re leaving.”Javier exhaled sharply, clearly unimpressed. “You’re a fool if you think you can keep her out of this, Bermudez.” His gaze flickered back to me, dark amusement in his eyes. “And you, Bridgette… you’re an even bigger fool if you think you can outrun your own legacy.”Something in my chest tightened, but I refused to let it show. I lifted my chin, forcing steel into my voice. “Watch me.”Javier just smiled. “Ah, mi pequeña tormenta,” he murmured. “We’ll see how long that defiance lasts when the world comes crashing down.”Before I could say an
The air in the car felt suffocating. My pulse pounded against my ribs, but I refused to let my panic show.Thiago's expression had turned to stone, his body tense beside me. "How does he know we're here?"Mateo shrugged, too casual. "Your father has eyes everywhere, Bermudez. Did you really think you could waltz into Madrid unnoticed?"Thiago exhaled sharply. His fingers tapped against his knee in a slow, calculated rhythm—a sign that he was thinking, strategizing.I forced my voice to stay steady. "What does he want?"Mateo tilted his head, considering me. "To see you, of course. He’s given instructions for you to be brought to him—immediately."Brought. Not invited. Not welcomed.My fingers curled into fists. "And if I refuse?"Mateo’s smirk deepened. "Then you already know what happens next, princesa."I swallowed hard.Thiago shifted beside me. "She’s not going anywhere she doesn’t want to." His voice was calm, but the edge beneath it was lethal.Mateo chuckled, but his eyes remai
Thiago watched me carefully, gauging my reaction. He was waiting for me to flinch, to back down—but I didn’t.Instead, I met his gaze head-on. “Fine,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. “Let’s do it.”A slow, satisfied smirk curled on his lips. “That’s my girl.”I ignored the way my pulse jumped at those words. “Do you have a plan, or are we just throwing ourselves into the fire and hoping we don’t get burned?”His smirk widened. “Oh, we’re the fire, princesa. And it’s time they learn that the hard way.”He turned, already pulling his phone from his pocket. “Pack a bag. We’re leaving in an hour.”I blinked. “Wait—what?”Thiago didn’t even look up as he typed out a message. “You wanted to go on the offensive. That means moving fast.”Panic warred with the determination burning in my chest. “Where are we going?”He finally met my gaze, and for the first time, I saw something beyond amusement and arrogance. I saw purpose.“To the last place they’d expect us to be.”A chill ran down m
Thiago’s entire posture shifted—controlled, calculating. His fingers tightened around his knife, but he didn’t move. Not yet.The blade against my throat pressed in just enough to sting. Not enough to cut. A warning.“Let her go,” Thiago said, his voice dangerously soft.The man behind me chuckled. “Now, now. You of all people should know how this works.”A shiver ran down my spine. They weren’t just some random attackers. They knew Thiago.I felt my captor shift slightly, his grip tightening. “Put the knife down, Bermudez.”Thiago’s jaw clenched. His knife hovered midair, hesitation flickering for just a second.Then, without warning—He threw it.Not at the man holding me.At the other attacker.A sharp cry echoed as the second man collapsed, the knife buried deep in his thigh.The split second of chaos was all I needed.I jerked my head back, slamming it into my captor’s nose. He cursed, his grip faltering.I didn’t waste time. I dropped, twisting free just as Thiago lunged.His fi
I clenched my fists, forcing myself to keep my expression neutral. If this was a test, then I couldn’t afford to let them see any hesitation. Lucia grinned, sensing my frustration. “Don’t look so tense, Bridge. You wanted in, remember?” I shot her a glare. “You’re enjoying this way too much.” Thiago, who had been silent, stepped closer. His presence sent a ripple of awareness through me, but I refused to react. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a single item—an old-fashioned stopwatch. “You have sixty seconds,” he said, pressing the button. I barely had time to register his words before Lucia shoved me—hard. My balance wavered, and the next thing I knew, I was tumbling down a small incline, my arms scraping against rough earth as I hit the ground with a grunt. I groaned, rolling onto my back, but before I could get up, Thiago’s voice called down to me. “Fifty seconds.” Shit. I scrambled to my feet, heart pounding as I took in my surroundings. The woods stretc
The next morning, the training began.Lucia wasn’t gentle. She didn’t ease me into it, didn’t give me time to hesitate.“Again,” she snapped as I stumbled back from a sharp blow to my ribs.I gritted my teeth, lifting my arms to block her next strike. My muscles burned, my breath came in ragged gasps, but I refused to fall.“Sloppy,” Lucia muttered. “You’re thinking too much. Stop trying to predict—react.”Thiago stood in the corner, arms crossed, watching. He hadn’t said a word since we started.I hated that I wanted his approval.I lunged forward, aiming a punch at Lucia’s side. She dodged effortlessly, then swept my legs out from under me. I hit the mat with a grunt.“Better,” she admitted. “But not good enough.”I glared up at her. “You love this, don’t you?”She smirked, offering a hand. “A little.”I ignored her and pushed myself up.Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Thiago’s mouth twitch like he was fighting a smile.Lucia clapped her hands. “Alright, let’s move on. Time to ge
Lucia gripped the wheel so tightly her knuckles turned white. “Somebody better start talking before I drive this damn car into a wall.”Victor ran a hand down his face, still tense. “Santiago attacked Bridgette. Thiago handled it.”Lucia’s eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, locking onto me. “You handled it, didn’t you?”I swallowed, my fingers still curled into fists. The weight of the gun’s grip still felt imprinted on my palm.“She shot him,” Thiago confirmed, voice rough.Lucia nearly slammed the brakes. “You what?”“He was going to kill me,” I snapped, defensive. “I didn’t have a choice.”Silence.Then Lucia exhaled, shaking her head. “Damn it, Bridge.”Victor, however, was focused on something else. “He’s not dead?”Thiago’s lips curled in something almost amused. “No. But he’ll wish he was when he wakes up.”Victor cursed. “We should’ve finished him off. Now he knows Bridgette isn’t just some pawn—he’ll come for her harder.”My stomach twisted. He was right. This wasn’t the ki
I took a step back, my breath coming too fast. I needed space. Air. Something solid to hold on to, but all I had were shifting lies.Santiago watched me, his smirk fading into something more dangerous—anticipation. Like he was waiting for me to break.I wouldn’t give him that.I forced my voice steady. “You don’t get to decide for me.”Santiago sighed, almost bored. “You think you have a choice?” He gestured lazily with the gun. “You were born into this world, hija. You don’t just walk away from it.”Victor stepped forward, his hand subtly shifting toward his jacket. “She’s not you, Santiago.”Santiago laughed. “And you still think you can save her?” His amusement vanished in a blink. “I’m giving her a way out. If she’s smart, she’ll take it.”My heart pounded. “And if I don’t?”His expression darkened. “Then you’ll regret it.”A flicker of movement. A breath of warning.And then Victor lunged.I barely had time to react before he was on Santiago, knocking the gun aside. A shot rang o