Edward POVI got back to the mansion, feeling provoked from the encounter with Daniel and Nessa. I made up my mind. I said I wasn’t going to go after her when she left, but I couldn’t help it. I cared too much for her.Hell I wanted to own her. But Daniel is getting in my way, now she has feelings for him. Shit.I climbed the staircase restlessly, making my way to Liam’s room. My son was fast asleep. Thank God the media didn’t know about him yet. The last thing I want is extending this looming danger to him. He is too young and innocent for all this. I unbuttoned my shirt in exhaustion. The past few weeks have felt like hell. I have people watching the mansion and company on a 24 hour surveillance, just to take extra measures.But with all this in place my mind was still racing.The tape leak, the rumors about Vanessa, the media storm. It was all too perfect in timing. There was something bigger at play here, and I need to figure out what it is before it’s too late. I settled
Vanessa POVThe weight of everything was beginning to overwhelm me. With Edward, Daniel and the Susan mess, I hardly had time to breathe, let alone examine my feelings. Every step felt like I was walking on broken glass, cautious and agonising. So I did the only thing I could think of: I called Mandi. My older sister. She had always been my rock, the one person who could make sense of my crazy existence. Without hesitation, she booked the first flight from London to New York with her two children, Gwen and James.She already expressed wanting to come and see me after she heard all the drama, but I lied that I was fine. Right now I couldn’t hold it in anymore, I was so close to breaking down.The moment she eventually arrived at the mansion, standing in my doorway with a weary but knowing grin, I felt as if I could breathe again.Mandi wasted no time, her arms flung around me as soon as we got into the mansion and sat down in the living room.“My sweet little baby.” She murmure
Edward POVI have been waiting for this moment. Waiting to look Susan in the eyes and witness her crumble under the weight of her own faults. She believed she could betray me by setting up Vanessa, working with Rodrigo, and walking away unscathed? No. She had already played her hand, and now it was my turn.I had my secretary set up a private meeting in one of my lesser-known apartments in the city. Somewhere neutral, where Susan wouldn't feel compelled to run.My intentions were very calculated, masked under the intention of an attempt to make peace with her and an apology. The way a moth drew to flame, she fell for it. The day was Friday, April 5th of 2024.8pm came and Susan arrived. She dressed in a way that screamed desperation, with a short white dress. Her eyes brightened up when she spotted me, as if she still thought she had a shot.I let her believe that.For now.She pushed some strands of her blonde hair behind her ears, giving me a little smile.“Edward… I was not e
Vanessa POVSaturday, April 6th 2024The night of the charity event came. Edward and Daniel somehow found a way to cooperate and make it work. The news was everywhere. Silver tech and co. In unity with Westborne inc.A charity event masked under a gala.I would have loved for Mandi to come with me but she insisted on staying back home with the kids because of the recent threats.The phone call scared me but I decided to not let it affect the plans. If I chose to go into hiding, I would be giving the person exactly what they wanted, playing right into their hands.Tonight I was going to remind everyone, that I am Vanessa Coleman and I fear no one.I invited Bella Swift, her son Jacob is a friend of Liam. She had been very helpful with the fashion house set up, and this time she would come with her husband for the event. He is a billionaire like Edward, and since they once worked together, they were sure to get along. Bella dropped Jacob off at the Mansion and Mandi and I planned some
Vanessa POV Across the room, admirers' stray looks lingered. Men who weren't Edward or Daniel looked at me with interest, their gazes approving, lingering a second too long. I smirked and raised my glass to my lips. Bella and I continued to talk, discussing the vibe of the evening and the newest adjustments. Daniel's stare could be felt from across the room on occasion. And then he was there alongside me. His appearance drew attention without effort. I rose my head slightly, my breath stopped in my mouth as I spotted the expression in his eyes—dark, intense, and full of unsaid meaning. "You look breathtaking tonight, Princess," he remarked, his voice tinted with something dangerously appealing. His lips twisted into a smile, his gaze running over my physique, fired a spark of heat through me. I kept my look calm. "You've already said that before, Daniel."“And I’ll say it as many times Darling.” He replied as he moved closer. “I’m trying my best not to steal you away from
Daniel POV Pain. It seared through my arm like fire burning my skin, yet I didn't even flinch. I've had worse. The paramedics stitched me up in my penthouse while keeping a low profile. The last thing I needed was the paparazzi flashing cameras and turning this into a dramatic headline. "Billionaire Takes Bullet for Fashion Queen—Love Triangle Intensifies." I sneered at the concept. What mattered was that Vanessa was safe. That was all I cared about. Vanessa was at my side from the minute we arrived, scrutinising my wound as if she could wish it to heal faster. Her hands shook as she grabbed for me. "Daniel, you're insane," she said, frustrated and with a gentler tone. "Why did you even do that?" I laughed a bit, leaning back on the couch, allowing the medic to finish dressing the wound on my arm from the bullet. "I couldn’t stand there and let you get shot princess. What kind of man would that make me?" She folded her arms, but her gaze betrayed her. She was sh
Vanessa POVApril 9th, 2024For the first time in days, things felt normal again. Due to the attack at the gala, the fashion house launch was pushed to the following week. I spent my previous days preparing for the launch of Queens by VC, diving into fabrics, designs, and business meetings. At night, I lost myself in quiet moments—reading, drinking wine, pretending my heart wasn’t at war with itself. The bodyguards still escorted me to most places, a few security measures had to be taken.Edward offered to send interior designers for my new shop so I stopped over after I dropped Liam off at school. The mannequins were spaced out, and the name ‘Queens by VC’ hung right above the building outside. I was on the verge of tears, this dream had been in my head for years. I was so fulfilled I got the opportunity to make it a reality.Easter was fast approaching and would hold this week, so I thought of a warm cozy Easter dinner at home at the mansion. I could invite Bella and her husband, D
Daniel POVThe moment Wendy walked in and Vanessa left, the atmosphere changed. Wendy's smile faltered, and her golden eyes narrowed. She was dressed too well. Perhaps overdressed even. Her hair rested on her shoulders in waves, brunette in color. and her makeup was flawless.She was also putting on a designer gown. This was all too much for just a visit to my penthouse.What’s the catch? Wendy Hawthorne was certainly a handful.The mask she wore wasn’t enough to conceal the slight trembling of her fingers, or the way her eyes roamed about, like she was searching for something,— power, affirmation, control.“Daniel, sweetheart.” She said softly, trying to sound gentle.“I needed to see you. I still want us, and the life we promised each other.” I sighed in exhaustion. I wasn’t ready for all this.“What are you really doing here Wendy? Tell me the truth.” She flashed me her catchy grin, the one she'd used on red carpets, with directors, and on me. "I just got out of rehab," she
Vanessa POVEven at night time, I couldn’t sleep. My eyes remained wide open.With the distant hum of the lively New York city and the occasional thuds from running up through staircases, it felt like the walls themselves were holding their breath. I lay in my king-sized bed, staring at the ceiling, the silk sheets tangled around my legs.Sleep wouldn’t come. It had been this way for days.I turned over and reached for my phone on the nightstand, half-hoping to find a message from Edward. Anything. Even a simple “Are you okay?” would have been enough.But my screen was empty.Nothing.Biting my lip, I opened my messages anyway and typed:You up?I hovered my thumb over the send button. Then, at the last second, I deleted the text.No.I wasn’t going to chase him.Not tonight. He was under pressure, a theft in his company, the weight of protecting Liam and I. It was a lot to handle.I could easily go to his room to check if he’s there but that could escalate things. But No.I rolled on
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