Thiago’s words hung in the air like a challenge, his steady gaze fixed on me as if daring me to contradict him. My fingers curled tighter against my lap, my stubbornness flaring despite the sincerity in his tone.“I’m not some damsel in distress that needs constant saving,” I snapped, glancing out of the car window at the blur of the city lights. “And you can’t just swoop in and expect me to owe you everything.”His grip on the steering wheel tightened, his knuckles whitening. “You can call it whatever you want, Bridgette, but the facts speak for themselves. You were in trouble, and I got you out.”I turned to face him, heat rising to my cheeks. “And I appreciate that, Thiago. But this doesn’t change the fact that I can take care of myself.”He let out a low chuckle, the sound laced with frustration. “Oh, really? Was signing away your inheritance part of your grand plan to take care of yourself?”The jab stung, and I scowled. “That was a distraction, Thiago. It was to buy time.”“You
Thiago’s car glided through the streets behind the police convoy, the tension in the air between us thick enough to cut with a knife. I glanced out the window, trying to distract myself from his earlier question. “Will you already believe me when I say that the only safest place you’ll ever be is by my side?”” His words echoed in my mind, stirring a mix of emotions I wasn’t ready to face.“Are you going to answer me, Wifey?” Thiago’s voice broke through my thoughts, smooth but edged with the insistence that always made my temper flare.I turned to him sharply. “First of all, stop calling me that. Second, just because you played hero today doesn’t mean I’m moving back to Sevi with you.”Thiago’s grip on the steering wheel tightened, his jaw clenching. “You’re being reckless again. Agatha is behind bars, but that doesn’t mean you’re safe. You need protection.”“I can protect myself,” I snapped, crossing my arms. “I’ve been doing it my whole life.”He scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping h
I tightened my grip on my bag as I followed Thiago into the police station, the sharp scent of disinfectant mingling with the hum of activity around us. My heels clicked against the tiled floor, each step feeling heavier than the last. This was the last place I wanted to be, but Thiago had insisted—no, demanded—that I file my statement against Agatha. He didn’t care that I felt exposed, or that every moment spent here reminded me of the tangled web of family betrayals I’d tried so hard to escape.“It won’t take long,” Thiago said as he opened the door to the interview room for me. His tone was firm but not unkind. “Just tell them exactly what happened. The more solid your statement, the stronger the case against her.”“I know how this works,” I muttered, stepping inside. “But don’t think for a second that this is me giving in to your demands.”He didn’t respond, only giving me one of his unreadable looks before gesturing for me to sit. The officer assigned to take my statement—a ster
As I walked into the museum where Sevi and I last went, the museum was already close and I had to resort to looking for a nearby cafe. The familiar scent of roasted coffee beans and freshly baked pastries wrapped around me like a warm hug. My eyes scanned the room, landing on him instantly. Sevi sat at our usual table near the window, his brows furrowed as he stared intently at his phone. He looked up just as I approached, and the tension in his face melted into a relieved smile."Bridgette!" he exclaimed, standing so quickly his chair scraped against the floor. "Where have you been? I’ve been worried sick! Do you even know how many times I called you?"I forced a smile, feeling a pang of guilt at the concern etched on his face. “I’m sorry, Sevi. I should’ve called you back earlier. Things got... complicated.”“Complicated?” he repeated, his voice rising slightly. “That’s all you’re going to say? You disappear, don’t answer your phone, and now you just show up like it’s nothing?”I s
The weight of Thiago’s confession followed me like a shadow, clinging to me even as I tried to leave it behind. The tears I’d been holding back since I walked out of his apartment stung my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I didn’t want to cry over him anymore. I didn’t want to feel anymore.But when I reached the solitude of my apartment, the dam broke. The tears came, hot and relentless, as I sank onto the edge of my bed. The memory of Thiago’s words played on an endless loop in my mind."I want everything with you. And I’ll wait as long as it takes."How could he say those things now? When I had finally gathered the strength to move on, when I had convinced myself that whatever we had was over—he came back with those words, cutting through my resolve like a knife.The knock on my door startled me. For a brief moment, I thought about ignoring it, but then the knocking grew more insistent. Wiping my tears hastily, I stood and opened the door, fully expecting it to be Sevi.It was
The air between Thiago and me was heavy with unspoken words. I couldn’t shake the mixture of anger, sadness, and confusion churning inside me. His declaration hung in the space around us, an invisible thread tugging at my heart, daring me to unravel it.But I didn’t have the strength to respond. Not yet. I pulled back, taking a steadying breath, needing space between us.“I need to go,” I said, my voice quieter than I intended but firm enough to make Thiago pause. “Sevi’s waiting for me. I can’t leave him wondering where I am.”His jaw tightened, his expression unreadable. “I’ll come with you.”“No,” I snapped, sharper than I intended. “You don’t need to.”Thiago took a step forward, his gaze unrelenting. “After everything that’s happened today, you think I’m going to let you walk out of here alone? You were nearly kidnapped, Bridgette. I’m not leaving your side.”“It’s not your choice to make,” I fired back, trying to summon the strength to keep him at arm’s length. “I can take care
The quiet hum of the ceiling fan did nothing to still the noise in my head. The soft sheets of Sevi’s guest bedroom wrapped around me like a cocoon, but sleep wasn’t coming anytime soon. My thoughts were an unrelenting storm, a mix of confusion, guilt, and an unwelcome glimmer of hope.I had heard Thiago out—against my better judgment, against the fortress I’d built to keep him and his excuses out. His words had cut through me, not because of their harshness but because of their sincerity. And the more I replayed them, the more my walls felt less like armor and more like a prison I’d built for myself.“I’ve never stopped loving you, Bridgette,” Thiago’s voice echoed in my mind. “That night, that kiss—it wasn’t real. Cynthia forced it on me, and before I could even explain, you were gone. But I’ve been chasing you ever since. I’ll never stop chasing you.”He meant it. I could see it in his eyes. For once, the Thiago I had come to know—the powerful, unrelenting, infuriating man—was stri
Morning sunlight streamed through the window, warm and golden, a stark contrast to the storm brewing inside me. I stretched lazily in bed, the soft linen sheets catching against my skin. The quiet hum of the city outside Sevi’s residence was oddly soothing, a subtle reminder that life went on no matter how chaotic things felt.Last night’s conversation with Sevi replayed in my mind, his words like a steady anchor amid the swirling uncertainty. He was right—I needed to face the truth, whatever it was. But the idea of confronting Thiago, of admitting even to myself that I might still want to give him a chance, felt like stepping into the eye of a storm.It wasn’t just fear that held me back; it was the lingering doubt that, no matter how much Thiago claimed to love me, history might repeat itself. Could I survive another heartbreak if it all went wrong again?I sighed, burying my face in my hands. For now, I had to focus on the present. And that meant navigating the delicate balance of
The jet cut through the night sky, its engines humming beneath us like a beast biding its time. I sat stiffly in my seat, staring out the window at the endless black void below. The reality of what was happening still hadn’t fully settled.My mother was alive.And she was in Spain.I turned my head, watching Thiago from the corner of my eye. He had leaned back, fingers tapping against his glass in slow, measured beats. His eyes were on me, as if he was waiting for me to break the silence.I refused to give him that satisfaction.Instead, I asked the one question that had been burning in my mind since we took off.“How long have you known?”Thiago’s tapping stopped. He didn’t look away, didn’t flinch. “A few weeks.”A sharp breath left my lips. “A few weeks?” I repeated, my voice cold. “You let me believe she was dead for weeks?”“I didn’t let you believe anything,” he corrected. “I was gathering proof. If I had told you too soon, you would have gone straight to your father and gotten
The private jet hummed softly beneath us, a stark contrast to the storm brewing in my chest. Spain. My mother. The words still didn't fit together in my mind. For years, I had assumed she was dead, lost in the wreckage of my father’s games. And now, she was suddenly alive? Hiding in another country?I gripped the armrest, my nails digging into the leather. “How long have you known she was in Spain?”Thiago didn’t hesitate. “A few weeks.”A sharp, bitter laugh escaped me. “And you just decided to tell me now?”He swirled the last of his drink before setting the glass down with a soft clink. “I told you when it mattered.”“When it mattered to you.”His jaw flexed, but he didn’t deny it. Of course, he wouldn’t. Thiago Bermudez wasn’t the kind of man to offer apologies.I crossed my arms, my body tight with frustration. “You should have told me the moment you knew.”His dark eyes settled on mine, unreadable but heavy with something that made my breath catch. “Would it have changed anythin
Thiago’s words lingered long after he pulled away, their weight settling like lead in my chest.You should have let me handle it.I clenched my fists, refusing to let his voice take root in my head. I had spent years fighting my battles alone, carving my own path despite my father’s suffocating grip. And now, for the first time, I had won. I had backed him into a corner, forced him to sign away what he had stolen.So why didn’t it feel like a victory?I forced a deep breath, turning away from Thiago. “I need a shower.”“Of course you do.” His voice was smooth, calculated. He leaned against the suite’s bar, watching me with an unreadable expression. “You always run when you don’t want to deal with something.”I froze mid-step but didn’t turn around. “I’m not running.”“No?” I heard the ice clink in his glass as he poured himself a drink. “Then look me in the eye and tell me you don’t feel it.”Feel what? The suffocating tension? The invisible noose tightening around my throat? The way
My heels clicked against the polished marble of the lobby, my heart still hammering in my chest. The rush of adrenaline hadn’t worn off yet, but the weight of what had just happened was starting to settle.I had won. I had finally backed my father into a corner, made him sign away the power he had stolen.So why did it still feel like a hollow victory?I pushed the thought away and focused on the present.Thiago followed a few steps behind, silent but watchful. I could feel his gaze on me, tracking every breath, every twitch of my fingers. He was still angry. No, not just angry—furious.And I wasn’t in the mood to deal with it.The moment we reached the car, I yanked the door open, but before I could slip inside, his hand shot out, slamming it shut again.I turned to him, fire flashing in my eyes. “Don’t.”Thiago stepped closer, his body blocking mine from the street, from the world. “You’re shaking.”I clenched my fists. “I’m fine.”His gaze swept over me, slow and calculated, readin
The silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating. My father’s fingers tapped against the rim of his whiskey glass, his mind working through the implications of what I’d just said. He was a master manipulator, but this time? He had backed himself into a corner.“You don’t have proof,” he said finally, but there was something uncertain in his voice.I leaned against his desk, forcing a smirk. “Oh, but I do.”Lucia’s voice crackled in my earpiece. “We have everything, Bridgette. His authorizations, timestamps, and even the IP addresses he used. All trace back to him.”I didn’t break eye contact. “I have enough to bury you in court. Fraud. Embezzlement. You’d be finished.”His jaw clenched, and for the first time, a flicker of unease crossed his face.Thiago, standing just behind me, chuckled lowly. “She’s not bluffing, Martinez.”I felt the heat of his presence at my back—solid, unwavering. And I hated that some part of me found comfort in it.My father exhaled slowly, setting his
I stormed through the ballroom doors, my heels clicking against the marble as I pressed a hand to my earpiece."Lucia, where’s Victor?" My voice was sharp, betraying none of the unease curling in my gut."Already on it," she replied. "He's pulling up transaction records now. But, Bridgette—""Just tell me."Lucia hesitated. "It looks internal."I froze mid-step.Internal?A chill swept through me. This wasn’t just some competitor hacking our accounts. This was someone inside Martinez Holdings.I pushed forward, ignoring the glances thrown my way as I made my way toward the exit. I needed to get to my office. Now.But then—A hand closed around my wrist.Firm. Possessive. Familiar.I turned sharply, my gaze colliding with Thiago’s. His eyes—dark, unreadable—searched mine."Let go," I said, my voice colder than ice.He didn’t. Instead, he studied me like I was a puzzle he was piecing together."Someone stole from you," he murmured. It wasn’t a question. He already knew.I yanked my wris
The world still saw me as Bridgette Martinez, the woman who clawed her way to the top, but behind closed doors, I was fighting battles that no one could see.Thiago's encroachment wasn’t just financial. It was personal. Everywhere I turned, he was there—at high-profile investor meetings, in the whispers of board members questioning my next move, in the shadow of every deal I tried to secure.And worst of all?He was still in my head.I sat at the head of the table, my expression unreadable as Lucia and Victor debriefed me on the latest developments.Lucia tossed a report onto the table. "Thiago's now the second-largest shareholder in Martinez Holdings."Victor leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. "At this rate, it won’t be long before he’s in a position to demand a seat on the board."A chill crawled up my spine. I had spent years making sure no one—not my father, not Cynthia, not any man—could take my power away. And yet, Thiago was tightening his grip without ever raising
I woke up tangled in silk sheets, the ghost of Thiago’s touch lingering on my skin. The city skyline stretched beyond the glass walls of the penthouse, bathed in the pale hues of dawn. For a moment, I let myself savor the illusion of peace.Then reality sank its claws back in.Cynthia was gone, but her words still echoed in my mind. You’ve only traded one cage for another.I turned my head slightly. Thiago was still asleep, his features relaxed in a way I rarely saw. But even in sleep, he exuded control—one arm draped possessively over my waist, his grip loose but firm.Carefully, I slipped out of bed, moving toward the floor-to-ceiling window. The city buzzed below, alive with possibilities and dangers.I wasn’t naive.Thiago’s offer of a merger was strategic, but it wasn’t just about business. He wanted control. Over the empire I had fought to build. Over me.And the worst part?I wasn’t sure I minded.A soft rustle behind me made me tense. “You’re thinking too much.”I turned to fi
…me a knowing look. “Doesn’t matter. It’s about perception.”I sank into the chair across from him, exhaling sharply. “So, what’s our move?”He smiled.That slow, dangerous smile that always meant trouble.A Week LaterCynthia was gone. Her empire, shattered. Her name, tarnished.But the world didn’t pause for my victory. The moment she fell, new threats emerged—rival companies trying to swoop in, investors questioning my leadership, and whispers in the dark from people who had once feared Cynthia but now saw an opening to take me down.And then there was Thiago.Always watching. Always waiting.It was late when he finally cornered me in my office, his presence stealing the air from the room.“You’ve been avoiding me, Wifey.” His voice was smooth, but there was something sharp underneath it.I didn’t look up from the contract I was reviewing. “I’ve been busy.”Thiago chuckled, low and knowing. “Bullshit. You’re running, and we both know why.”I exhaled slowly, finally meeting his gaze