Vanessa POVLiam’s laughter echoed through the hallways as I fixed his shirt collar. He wore a little tie he insisted on wearing since today is ‘Take your parents to school Day.’The excitement in him is very contagious, and for the first time in a while I felt a sincere smile forming on my lips along side a joyous feeling.Today was for Liam and I, not Edward, Daniel or any boy drama.“How do I look mommy?” He asked me, jumping around excitedly. “You look amazing honey. All the parents will be jealous of me.” I replied winking as I smoothened his shirt.We got to school, his hand entwined with mine with the body guards walking right behind us. I could feel so many eyes staring, watching us, Some filled with curiosity, while others filled with judgement. Silently, they whispered in low tones. But not low enough because I could hear the murmurs.“Isn’t that Vanessa Coleman?”“I heard she’s dating Edward Silver, the hot Billionaire.” Some women whispered, their gazes fixed on me as we
Vanessa POV The text echoed in my head as I got to Edwards’s office, it was just like the last time I came. I left Liam at home with the maids and his body guards, I felt too scared to take him out with me. The threat text had destabilized me, I just wanted all this drama to be suspended and over for good. Vanya glared at me as she saw me emerge from the elevator. But I didn’t have her time or energy. There were more issues on ground to worry about. The voices of murmurs and echoes hummed in my ears as I approached Edward’s office, sensing that he had some company. His office door was halfway open. A familiar voice came to my hearing. It was Susan. “Come on Edward, can’t you see that you and I are a perfect fit? I know I made some mistakes but we can make amendments.” Susan said desperately, running her hand on Edward’s sleeve. I felt annoyed from watching her. She wore a short gown, her boobs almost falling out From the top part of the dress. I couldn’t read Edward’s exp
Vanessa POV The lift doors slid open, revealing Edward’s sleek penthouse. Liam’s small sneakers sounded on the polished marble floor as he ran ahead. Edward's signature scent invaded the air. I could smell it faintly, a musky cologne. I adjusted the straps on my silk top and texted Daniel back. ‘I’m Spending some time with Liam and Edward. Okay, let's reschedule for next weekend.” I felt guilty, saying this to him. It felt like I was cheating him of not spending quality time with me. I glanced briefly at the emerald bracelet he gave me on my wrist for some closure. Next weekend had to be next weekend. Liam's joyful voice rang through the living room as soon as I pushed the send button. "Mommy, Daddy made dinner!" My gaze followed Liam's, and my breathing quickened. Liam had become more comfortable with calling Edward ‘Daddy’ My eyes noticed Edward as he stood at the dining table, wearing only a pair of grey sweatpants that hung low on his waist and stuck to his sexy chis
Edward POV Vanessa is a sweet temptation entwined in silk and fire. Her red hair sat over her shoulders, as she laid calmly on my sofa. her lips are a bit swollen from our kiss, her intense breathing is causing her chest to rise and fall in a way that tested every single bit of my self-control. I could think of nothing more but to touch her. I wanted to break down the strong walls she had built between us, to hear her cry my name the way she used to-raw, breathless, mine. But she continued to refuse. And this was driving me mad. I ran my hand through my hair and exhaled forcefully as I forced myself off the couch and proceeded towards the bar. If I didn't put some distance between us, I was going to do something risky. Something neither of us could take back. I poured myself a drink, the clear liquid settling in my glass as I tried to calm the rising heat coming from within me. "Do you know that you’re torturing me?" I muttered with longing. Vanessa expelled a trembling bre
Vanessa POVI realised I'd been in this contract marriage for a month. Time passed much faster than I thought, and I had saved enough money to make a substantial change. I acquired the space for my fashion shop. the actual opening is yet to be decided on, but just having the space felt like a dream. I could see the shelves beautified with my designs, the mannequins dressed in stunning gowns, and people all over the place, admiring my work.I woke up the next morning thoughts flooding my head of our time in the penthouse. Flashes of Edward's touch remained like a phantom whisper upon my skin. I hated the way it felt easy for him to draw me back in, how his looks could make my heart race with just one glance. But it didn’t matter. Regardless of how much I still liked him, the past hovered between us like a closed door I and I wasn't prepared to unlock it. How could I forget the heartbreak and betrayal that almost ruined me all those years ago. He made me feel special and then humil
Vanessa POV The last 24 hours had been nothing but trouble. Susan's controversy had spread rapidly throughout all blogs, social media platforms, and entertainment channels. The leaked sex tape, hidden affairs, and corporate wrongdoing associated with her name dominated the headlines. I was stunned, just like everyone else, but my stomach fell as I browsed through the comments and saw my own name dragged into the chaos. "Vanessa Coleman is lying. She has always had it out for Susan." “Susan deserved it!” "She faked her relationship with Edward and now she's trying to destroy Susan too?" "I wouldn't be surprised if she leaked this herself for revenge." And the worst one — “Edward is probably just using Vanessa. Can’t wait for him to dump her.” These were disgusting. And False. Once a rumor started to spread, it was hard to stop it. I sat on the edge of my bed, scrolling through the articles as fear grew within me. Even though I understood that I would always b
Vanessa POVAs the car drew into Daniel's penthouse driveway, I inhaled, attempting to quiet the pandemonium in my thoughts. The crisis surrounding Susan's tape was only worsening, and the bloggers had turned against me. The blog articles used crazy sentences about me for Clickbait:"Vanessa Coleman: A Manipulative Social Climber or an Innocent Bystander?" "Is it a Coincidence? The woman who stole Silver’s heart also happens to be at the centre of Susan's fall!" The words tormented me. I wasn’t foolish. I knew public opinion was volatile, but this? This was risky. Stepping out of the car, I straightened down my fitting black dress, the silk clinging to my contours in a manner that made me feel strong despite the circumstances. I allowed my hair to flow freely on my shoulders, I needed all the air I could get. Why did Billionaires enjoy living in penthouses? I was too concerned to observe the extravagance. Arriving at the entrance, the security let me in. The elevator ride
Vanessa POV I gasped nervously, pulling away from Daniel as I turned to see Edward standing in the doorway. Of course, I had a feeling he would follow me, but I wanted to believe otherwise. He looked angry, and his daring stare lingered on Daniel like a predator eyeing its prey. But Daniel didn’t even flinch. Rather, he leaned his back against the counter, wearing an evil grin as he crossed his arms. “Ever heard of knocking or ringing the door bell Silver?” Daniel asked calmly. Edward's entire body exuded barely contained rage as his fingers trembled at his sides. "You're quite brave," Edward snarled as his blue eyes darkened before me. “How can you have so much nerve walking in here like you own her?” Daniel asked moving closer to Edward. He appeared calm, but I could tell the tension was slowly rising. Edward laughed. It came out humorless. “Vanessa and I have a son together. And we are exploring our relationship.” He said, his voice rising a little. The words stung me
Edward’s POVThe glass in my hand was sweating. I hadn’t even touched the damn drink yet. Whiskey, neat. My old go-to when I wanted to forget, when I wanted to feel something burn before the numbness settled in. It was a little past midnight, everyone at home was asleep. But I was restless.I sat in the back of my sleek, black rolls Royce, fingers drumming against the leather seat as the city lights flickered past the tinted windows. New York was still buzzing, as always, pretending like nothing was falling apart. But for me, everything in my world was unraveling—and fast.Kaz was back. My company was compromised. Vanessa… she wasn’t mine the way I wanted her to be. And Daniel. Fucking Daniel, always a step closer to her heart than I was.“Sir?” My driver turned his head slightly. “We’re here.”I looked up. The red neon sign of Club Volta buzzed above the entrance, hazy in the misty night air. The place where I first laid eyes on Vanessa after 5 years. Where her fire and defiance sla
Vanessa’s POVThe ride back to the mansion was quiet, too quiet. Liam had drifted off to sleep in the backseat, clutching his buzz light year action figure to his chest, while Edward kept his eyes on the road, jaw clenched, knuckles white on the steering wheel. I could tell something was wrong. Not just the fatigue etched into his face, but the way his posture had shifted—like a man bracing himself for impact.I’d overheard part of his phone call earlier. Just a few clipped words. More updates about Kaz, he fled. not in custody—but it was enough to churn my stomach. I didn’t press him about it when we left Daniel’s penthouse. I didn’t need confirmation to know that the man who haunted my nightmares had once again slipped through the cracks.The mansion came into view, warm lights glowing through tall windows. It was supposed to feel like coming home, but all I felt was dread creeping into my chest. The moment the car stopped, Edward turned to me, eyes softening slightly.“I’ll carry h
Daniel POVSunday, 29th AprilThe late morning light sliced through the penthouse windows, casting sharp lines over the hardwood floors. Vanessa was still upstairs with Liam, cocooned in a thin bubble of calm that I didn’t want to break. Edward had stepped out to prepare the mansion for their return, since Vanessa and Liam were going back today. Kaz had fled New York so it was safe for them again, but my senses told me otherwise. The past few days have been intense and overwhelming.The world outside didn’t stop spinning just because we needed peace.I grabbed my jacket, left a note by the coffee machine—just in case—and slipped out of the penthouse without a sound. The hallway was quiet. My security detail stood outside the door, nodding once as I passed. They knew the drill by now: stay close, stay alert, stay ready.Ten minutes later, I was buried behind my desk at Westborne inc’s satellite office on the East Side, trying to plow through enough paperwork that I had to clarify befor
Vanessa POV The clock on Daniel’s living room wall ticked too loudly.It was almost noon, but time felt suspended—caught between the silence of waiting and the heaviness of fear.I stood by the window, arms folded tightly across my chest, watching the clouds roll in over Manhattan like bruises. Rain threatened in the distance, but all I could feel was the chill of dread creeping up my spine. Edward left for a business meeting and hadn’t come back yet. I tried to tell myself that was okay—that he was probably stuck in traffic, or giving the police a statement, or just… breathing. But deep down, I knew something had happened.I had sensed it in his voice earlier.The call wasn’t long. I’d only caught the tail end when Daniel stepped out of the room, but I heard the tension. The clipped tone. The sharp inhale before he hung up.Kaz.He’d found him. I didn’t need confirmation—I just knew.“Mommy?”I turned. Liam stood behind me, clutching a stuffed bear to his chest. His curls were messy
Edward’s POVThe sun hadn’t risen yet, but the city was already beginning to stir beneath me. I sat behind the wheel of my car, parked a block away from the rundown building that Detective Slater had mentioned over the phone. A warehouse near the East River, supposedly condemned but still lingering with shadows. I tightened my grip around the steering wheel, knuckles white. My private investigator Jonathan, sat in the passengers seat.The moment Slater called Daniel, I was already slipping on my coat. The name Kaz had my blood running cold.“You sure this is the place?” I asked again into my Bluetooth headset.“I don’t joke about guys like him,” Slater responded, his voice crackling with static. “Anonymous tip came in. They said someone matching Kaz’s description has been hiding out here the last few nights. No security cams in the area, but the timing lines up.”I stared at the building, its brick walls crusted with grime, rusted metal doors barely holding onto their hinges. “What
Vanessa POV The room was dark, but the silence didn’t comfort me. It was the scream in my head that woke me—loud, raw, too real. My chest heaved as I sat up, drenched in cold sweat, heart thundering. For a second, I couldn’t breathe. Kaz. His voice echoed in my mind like a jagged replay, his hands pinning me down, his threats crackling like fire through my veins. Even the shadows around me seemed to shift like they belonged to him. I turned to check Liam. My darling son was fast asleep, curled in a blanket and unaware of the chaos around us. Safe. For now, I reached for my phone, then stopped. It was just after 4 a.m. I blinked into the dim light, my eyes adjusting slowly. My limbs trembled as I forced myself out of bed and tiptoed into the hallway, my body stiff and sore from the nightmare’s grip. Still, the unease in my chest didn’t lift. It was like a hand was clutching my heart. I didn’t want to go back to bed. My feet moved almost instinctively, padding across
Vanessa POV Wendy Hawthorne walked in like she owned the damn place. I blinked, stunned, as her heels clicked sharply against the hardwood floor of Daniel’s penthouse, her designer trench coat billowing like she’d just stepped off the set of a soap opera. She paused dramatically in the entryway, clearly expecting an audience. Her brunette hair styled in waves gleamed under the warm lights, and her lips curled into a half-smile when she saw me. “Well, this is a surprise,” she purred, setting her oversized sunglasses atop her head. “Didn’t expect company, Danny. Though I suppose you’ve always liked strays.” Daniel, who’d been clearing the table with a dishtowel still in hand, stiffened beside me. “What the hell are you doing here, Wendy?” he asked, voice sharp with irritation. Wendy swept into the dinning room like she hadn’t heard him, her gaze flitting between the dimmed lights, the warm plates on the dining table, and finally—me. “I see you’ve been entertaining.” “Ans
Daniel POV The soft chime of the elevator echoed through the penthouse as I opened the door, just in time to see Vanessa and Liam stepping out with Edward trailing behind them. My gut twisted a little—maybe it was the sight of Liam holding Vanessa’s hand, or maybe it was the way Edward’s gaze landed on me with that ever-present rivalry in his eyes. Vanessa looked exhausted, though still striking as always—her eyes guarded, her steps careful. Liam clutched a small suitcase in one hand and a toy car in the other, his eyes darting around the hallway like a curious little explorer. “Welcome,” I said, stepping forward. My voice came out smoother than I felt. “Liam, I got something for you.” The little boy tilted his head suspiciously, but I could already see the curiosity winning. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small treat bag—soft chewy caramels, the kind that didn’t stick to your teeth, thankfully. His eyes lit up. “Can I have one, Mommy?” Vanessa smiled faintly. “J
Friday, April 26th Vanessa POV The drive back to the mansion was heavy with silence. Edward’s car hummed quietly as we cruised through New York’s glowing streets, city lights throwing long shadows across the dashboard. The weight in my chest had only grown since Kaz reappeared—his return hadn’t just shaken me, it shattered something I hadn’t realized was still fragile. It wasn’t just the attack. It was everything—the fear, the buried trauma, the flood of memories. Edward kept stealing glances at me, his lips pressed into a tight line. He didn’t speak, but the air buzzed with the words he wasn’t saying. I knew he wanted me to open up. The problem was, I didn’t know how. Finally, his voice broke the silence. “You didn’t tell me about the texts.” My heart skipped. “The texts?” I echoed, trying to sound casual. “The ones about you and Liam. The ones you never mentioned.” A knot twisted in my stomach. I should’ve told him. But I didn’t. And now it was too late to pretend it