The next morning, the air was thick with anticipation as I prepared to meet the mysterious sender. My mind spun with possibilities—what could they know about Thiago that I didn’t? And why now?I arrived at Bayleaf restaurant early, my stomach churning. I had barely slept, the weight of last night’s conversation with Thiago still pressing on me. Was I walking into some kind of trap, or was this person genuinely trying to help me?I ordered a coffee, forcing myself to remain calm as I waited for the stranger to arrive. The minutes felt like hours, my mind running through every possible scenario. Was this some business rival trying to sow doubt in my relationship with Thiago? Or worse, was this someone from Thiago’s past?As the clock struck 10 AM, a man approached my table. He was tall, dressed in a well-tailored suit, his face unfamiliar. His expression was serious, his eyes scanning the room before they landed on me.“Bridgette Martinez?” he asked, his voice low but firm.I nodded, my
The mysterious man I met yesterday wouldn’t leave my mind. His dark, penetrating gaze, the way he casually hinted at Thiago’s secrets without ever revealing his own name—it all gnawed at me. There was a chill in the way he spoke, as if he knew something that I didn’t. Something dangerous. And as much as I wanted to pretend that I didn’t care, that I could confront Thiago directly, a part of me was terrified.What was Thiago hiding?He wasn’t the type to offer his secrets freely. I knew that much. But I had to know the truth, even if it was ugly. No, especially if it was ugly. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting to uncover, but the gnawing feeling that Thiago was hiding something dark couldn’t be ignored.That’s why I hired Marcus.Marcus caught my attention the moment I saw him in the café, mostly because of his ridiculous polka-dotted red tie. It was completely out of place, clashing horribly with the gray, nondescript suit he wore. It almost made me doubt his abilities—almost.“Mrs.
My body wouldn’t stop shaking. The sight of Marcus’s bloodstained tie had burned into my brain, leaving me on the edge of panic. What the hell had I gotten myself into? My breaths came short and shallow as I stared at the tie, trying to process it all. Thiago had killed Marcus. I didn’t want to believe it, but the evidence was literally right in front of me.I could still feel Thiago’s calm presence lingering in the room, like a predator who had just marked his territory. His words—smooth, confident, terrifying—echoed in my head.“I told you, that you don’t need to look for answers, Wifey. I can always provide you what you need.”I clenched my fists, trying to steady myself. I needed to breathe, to think, but all I could feel was the rising sense of dread in my chest. Thiago had gone too far this time. This wasn’t about control or manipulation anymore—this was murder.And for what? Because I dared to seek the truth?No. I couldn’t just stand here and be afraid of him. I had to do som
As the door clicked shut behind Thiago, the silence in the room was deafening. I stood there frozen, my heart racing, my mind still trying to catch up with what had just happened. I wiped my lips with the back of my hand, as if I could erase the kiss—the control he had over me. My body trembled, not just from the fear but from the shame of how my emotions were tangled, conflicting. I hated him. I hated what he had done, and yet... the way he held me, kissed me—it made me feel things I didn’t want to admit.How could I be so weak?I collapsed into my office chair, my hands shaking as I pressed them to my forehead. My thoughts spiraled in a million directions. Marcus was dead. Thiago had killed him without a second thought. All because I had dared to question him, to try and uncover the truth. What kind of man was I dealing with?No, this wasn’t just about me. If I stayed with Thiago, if I didn’t push back, who else would he hurt? How long before I became just another casualty of his t
The Cafe was dimly lit, with the faint buzz of conversations and the clinking of glasses filling the air. I could feel my heart pounding as I sat across from the man who had been feeding me information about Thiago. Something about this meeting felt wrong, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. The moment I arrived, I realized I was losing interest in what he had to say. Every time I looked at him, a nagging voice in my head screamed that I shouldn’t trust him, that I was playing a dangerous game behind Thiago’s back. And for what? More secrets? More lies?“Before we go over to what you want to tell me. There’s something I’d like to ask.” I began, leaning back in my seat, “what’s your motive in all this? Why are you so eager to tell me about Thiago’s dark secrets?”The man smirked, leaning forward, his eyes narrowing. “Let’s just say, I have my reasons. Reasons that are none of your concern.”His response was vague, evasive, and it didn’t sit well with me. I needed answers, not ri
After Thiago's possessive kiss, I felt my body go numb, my mind racing with questions I didn’t want to ask myself. The man who saved me just moments ago now seemed like both my protector and my captor. Every warning he gave, every word he whispered into my ear only deepened the confusion inside me.As he held me close, I could still feel the ghost of his kiss on my lips. I hated how I had responded, how even a part of me wanted to feel safe in his arms. But this wasn’t safety—this was a cage made of fear and control. His hand was still gently resting on my waist, as if he were holding me in place with ease.“I want to go home,” I whispered, barely able to meet his gaze.Thiago’s thumb brushed my cheek again, but there was no smile on his face, no warmth. He was studying me, reading me, perhaps waiting for me to protest more, to push him further. But I didn’t. I couldn’t.“Of course,” he repeated softly, as if considering the word. He nodded and finally released his grip on me, stepp
I sat there, holding Emma’s hands, trying to calm the whirlwind of thoughts swirling inside me. I knew she was right—I couldn’t keep this up. But leaving Thiago? That felt impossible. He was everywhere, in every corner of my life. I wasn’t sure I could disentangle myself from him, not without consequences. And apart from that, my confession that I must be falling for him was more than enough reason why it was too hard for me to just leave this life.Emma squeezed my hands again, pulling me back to the present. “Look, Bridgette,” she said softly, “I know this is hard. You must be overthinking that what you’re feeling towards him was love. What you need is someone who would tell you to wake up from that hallucination. And thankfully, you’ve got me. I am here to help you figure out how would you get out from this mess.”Her words were like a lifeline, but they also made me realize how much danger I could be putting her in by involving her. Thiago wasn’t the kind of man who let go easily
I barely had a moment to catch my breath after closing the door behind me before I felt his presence—like a storm rolling in, silent but heavy. Thiago’s hands were around my waist before I could even turn, his body heat radiating against my back. He didn’t say a word at first, only pulling me closer until my back was flush against his chest.“Finally,” his voice rumbled low in my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. “I’ve been growing... impatient.”His lips brushed the sensitive spot on my neck, and I stiffened. I knew where this was headed. “Thiago,” I started, trying to turn around in his grip, “Emma is my bestfriend—”“I don’t care about your friend, Wifey.” His tone was curt, dismissive. “What I care about... is you and your punishment that has been delayed.” He emphasized his point by spinning me around to face him, his oceanic blue eyes locking onto mine. His fingers lifted my chin, forcing me to hold his gaze. “Tell me, wifey, what did you talk about?”A pit formed in my stoma
The old pier stretched before me, silent except for the rhythmic lapping of the waves against the wooden posts. A single lamplight flickered above, casting long shadows across the damp planks. My heart pounded as I scanned the area, my breath visible in the night air.I checked my phone again. Midnight. I was a few minutes early, but whoever had sent the message wasn’t here yet.Or maybe they were watching.A gust of wind sent a shiver down my spine. I crossed my arms, not just against the cold, but against the gnawing uncertainty clawing at my insides. This could be a trap. Thiago could have sent the message, luring me here to force a conversation I wasn’t ready for. Or worse—someone else, someone more dangerous, could be behind it.I turned, about to leave, when I heard footsteps. Slow. Measured.I spun back, my pulse skyrocketing as a shadow emerged from the darkness.It wasn’t Thiago.Victor.His sharp features were cast in half-light, his expression unreadable as he stepped towar
Thiago kissed me like he was trying to brand himself into my soul—like he could erase every doubt, every betrayal, with the heat of his mouth.And for a moment, I let him.For a moment, I kissed him back, gripping his shirt like it could anchor me to something real.But reality crashed in just as fast.I shoved him away, breathless, my lips still tingling from the force of him.His chest rose and fell, his dark eyes locked onto mine with a heat that burned straight through me.“No,” I said, voice hoarse.Thiago’s jaw tightened. “Bridgette—”“No,” I repeated, stepping back. “You don’t get to do that. You don’t get to lie to me, manipulate me, and then kiss me like I’m supposed to forget everything.”His hands curled into fists at his sides. “I wasn’t lying to you.”“Really?” I let out a bitter laugh. “Then why do I feel like I just walked into a trap?”Thiago exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through his hair. “I didn’t tell you because I knew you’d react like this.”I crossed my arms.
I forced myself to meet Santiago’s gaze, schooling my expression into something unreadable. If he was here, breaking into my penthouse in the middle of the night, it wasn’t just to chat.He wants something.I wasn’t going to give it to him.“You have about ten seconds to explain why you’re here before I call security,” I said, gripping the wine bottle so tightly my knuckles ached.Santiago smirked, the kind of lazy, self-assured grin that made my stomach twist. He took a slow step forward, completely unfazed by my threat. “Security?” he mused. “Mmm… You could call them. But we both know they won’t get here in time, mi amor.”His voice was smooth, practiced, laced with the kind of confidence that came from knowing he held all the cards.I refused to let him see the flicker of unease tightening in my chest.“I don’t have time for games, Santiago.”“I know,” he said, tilting his head slightly. “Which is why I’ll get to the point.”In one fluid motion, he reached inside his suit jacket. I
His lips moved against mine with a slow, deliberate hunger, as if he was savoring every second of my surrender. I should have pushed him away. I should have turned and walked out of this penthouse, out of his life, like I swore I would.But the second his hands gripped my waist, pulling me closer, every ounce of resistance melted away.Thiago knew my body too well. He knew exactly how to unravel me with a single touch, how to make me forget logic and consequences. His fingers trailed down my spine, sending a shiver through me, his kiss deepening until I was breathless.I tore away, gasping, my palms flat against his chest. “Thiago—”His forehead rested against mine, his breathing just as uneven. “Don’t tell me you don’t want this.”My fingers curled into his shirt, torn between desire and the storm raging in my mind. “It’s not about what I want.”He exhaled, a humorless chuckle escaping him. “Then what is it about, Wifey?”That nickname. The way it rolled off his tongue like a promise
The hallway felt too small, too suffocating with both men standing there—Victor rigid with frustration, Thiago exuding that quiet, commanding presence that had always been my undoing.I should tell him to leave. I should push past this moment and pretend my heart wasn’t beating too fast, that I wasn’t already losing this battle.But I didn’t.Instead, I met Thiago’s gaze head-on. “What do you want?”He tilted his head slightly, studying me, before stepping closer. Too close. The scent of him—expensive cologne, faint whiskey, something distinctly him—wrapped around me like a noose.Victor shifted beside me, his tension palpable. “You’re wasting your time, Bermudez. She’s done with whatever game you’re playing.”Thiago let out a quiet chuckle, his eyes never leaving mine. “That so?” His fingers twitched at his side, like he was resisting the urge to touch me. “Because she hasn’t told me to leave yet.”Damn him.Victor exhaled sharply. “Bridgette.” His voice was low, a warning.I swallow
The silence stretched between us, thick with words left unsaid. Victor's gaze remained steady, unwavering, as if he could will me into understanding the danger I was walking into. Maybe he could see the fracture lines forming beneath my skin, the way I was slowly unraveling under the weight of my own choices.But what choice did I have? Thiago was a shadow I couldn’t outrun. No matter how far I went, how fiercely I tried to carve out a life separate from him, he was always there. And worst of all, some part of me still wanted him to be.I exhaled sharply, shoving past Victor toward the kitchen, needing space—needing something to ground me before I lost myself completely in this never-ending push and pull. I reached for the half-empty wine bottle on the counter and poured myself a glass. My hand trembled slightly as I took a sip, the bitter liquid burning down my throat.Victor followed but didn’t say anything right away. He just leaned against the counter, arms crossed over his chest,
The silence between Victor and me stretched, taut and suffocating. He watched me like I was a puzzle he had almost solved but was too frustrated to finish.“Bridge,” he finally said, his voice softer now. “You don’t have to do this alone. You know that, right?”I swallowed against the lump in my throat. Victor had always been my safety net, the one person who saw the mess I was and still chose to stand by me. But even he couldn’t save me from myself.I turned away, rubbing my arms as though that could shake off the cold creeping into my bones. “I’m tired, Vic. Can we just—can we not do this tonight?”His eyes darkened, but he nodded once, reluctant. “Fine. But this isn’t over.”With that, he left, the door clicking shut behind him. I waited, standing frozen in place until I heard his footsteps fade down the hallway. Then, with a shaky breath, I turned and pressed my forehead against the door, letting my eyes close.Not five minutes later, my phone vibrated on the counter.I didn’t wan
The weight of Lucia’s words lingered long after she was gone, settling over me like an unwelcome shroud. The air in my apartment felt heavier, thick with the ghost of Thiago’s presence.I set the wine glass down with a soft clink, pressing my fingers against my temples. My head throbbed, not from the alcohol but from the war waging inside me. Thiago was a storm—unrelenting, consuming, and I was the fool who kept stepping into the rain without an umbrella.I forced myself to move, needing to shake off the static thrumming in my veins. One step, then another, until I was standing before my bedroom mirror. The woman staring back at me looked like a stranger. There was defiance in her eyes, yes, but beneath it, something else lurked—uncertainty.My gaze dropped to the ring, still snug on my finger. I could almost feel the phantom trace of Thiago’s touch lingering there. My hands curled into fists. I should take it off. I should have done it the second he walked out that door.With a sharp
The elevator ride to my apartment was silent except for the dull hum of the machinery. My fingers hovered over the ring on my hand, debating whether to rip it off before I stepped through the door. But I didn’t. I couldn’t. I stepped out into the hallway, my heels clicking against the polished floor, my pulse a steady drumbeat in my ears. As I neared my door, a whisper of hesitation curled in my chest, but I ignored it. My fingers trembled only slightly as I unlocked the door and stepped inside.The lights were already on.I froze.And then…“I was beginning to think you’d changed your mind.”Thiago’s voice curled through the space, rich and smooth, wrapping around me like a silk noose. He was there, lounging in my living room like he belonged. A bottle of wine sat open on the table, two glasses half-poured. Like he’d planned for this. Like he knew I’d come.My breath stuttered. “You broke into my apartment.”Thiago smirked, tilting his head. “Now, now, wifey. You gave me a key, reme