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 POVI moved across the length of my bedroom, my arms crossed over my chest as I listened to Mandi’s fingers moving across her laptop keyboard. She had crossed her legs and was sitting on my bed, her gaze moving across the screen and a deep furrow developing between her brows.The children, Liam, Gwen and James were sitting on the floor, playing with their toys, unknown to them of the scandal that had my head racing.Mandi let out a faint whistle."Wow. Wendy Hawthorne is a piece of work.”I stopped pacing. “What did you find?" She turned the laptop towards me, and I leaned in to examine the writing. This is Wendy Hawthorne: A Story of Talent, Chaos, and Tumultuous Romance.The blog stated that Wendy is an award-winning actress, praised as one of Hollywood’s brightest stars. She had also starred in three blockbuster films—two romance dramas and one high-octane action thriller—that had all become instant hits and internet sensations. Directors loved her, audiences adored
Vanessa POVBella had been very helpful and supportive of me, she suggested lunch for the both of us at low key but exotic restaurant. I also want Mandi to have a good time in New York besides the Mansion, so our own sister outing was scheduled for later before she goes back to the UK.She extended her stay for the whole of April When I told her what transpired at the gala. Mandi was in complete shock and she tried her best to make me feel better. I recall her embracing me.“I’m so sorry you have to go through all this Vanessa. I’m here for you okay?” Her voice suddenly echoed in my head.Then My phone buzzed. A message from Daniel.“Can we talk? Please.”Carefully I glared at it, I could feel the weight of his request pressing down on me. I desired to ignore it, pretend he no longer existed. But the memory of him standing between me and a bullet was impossible to forget.I got carried away, as Donovan pulled up on the driveway.Bella chose a restaurant quietly tucked away in one of
Sunday April 13, 2024Vanessa POVA scent of roasted chicken filled the whole kitchen and extended to the corners of the mansion.It also mixed with the aroma of the fresh lasagna baking in the oven, alongside the cookies and cupcakes. A pot of spaghetti sauce cooked on the gas, while I brought out a batch of garlic bread from the oven to cool.Beside it, Mandi was making some taco chicken sandwiches and had also prepared a large bowl of salad, the dressing on it made it look so good.One of the maids moved the tray of mashed potatoes to the dining room, and I began to put some Chinese rice and honey glazed Turkey into my casserole dish.My mother watered at the sight of it.Roasted Fish and chips with some fresh pepper sauce were also one of my favorites. The fish roasted nicely as I set that on the kitchen counter, with the loads of other meals we had prepared.Mandi wiped her forehead dramatically. "Good lord! Remind me why we thought making all of this food ourselves was a good
Vanessa POVGolden fairy lights brightened the lawn in the mansion. I adored how It gave a lovely glow over the neatly cut grass. The fragrance of barbecue grilling filled up the air, mixing with the fresh perfume of roses from the neighbouring flower beds. A beautiful tune played in the background, and the entertainment Edward had planned made their appearance. My eyes widened with surprise when a group of salsa dancers, dressed in stunning red and gold, came into the yard, and took up different positions. The Latin music sounded stylish as it played the dancers moved in perfect sync, their bodies flowing and bursting with energy. I couldn't resist smiling at the sight. Edward had gone out of his way to ensure the night didn’t feel too tense after the awkward arrival of Daniel and Wendy.He leaned in slightly, his voice quiet in comparison to the background commotion. "I thought this would lighten up the mood after…" his voice trailed off, but I understood perfectly what h
Vanessa POVAs Edward and I entered Velvet Luxe, a classy club-restaurant with elegant decor, soft lighting, and a seductive jazz undertone humming beneath the bass of the music, the night air was clear.Different couples occupied the dance floor, swaying their bodies to the music and feeling the groove. The smell of Baylee’s and expensive perfumes, heavy in the air. Edward’s hand rested seductively on the small of my back. Then the waiters showed us a private booth near the bar.The booth was welcoming, the ambiance warm, the chairs felt very comfy and were made of leather. The lights hung on the roof and glowed dimly, setting the tone of the environment while making us feel at home at the same time.the server handed us two glasses of red wine,“A Toast” Edward replied.I raised a brow, smirking as I lifted my glass. “To what exactly?”He clinked his against mine. “To a night of forgetting.”A soft chuckle left my lips before I took a slow sip, letting the smooth burn coat my thr
Daniel POVThe car trip back to the penthouse was filled with stress. Wendy sat next me, arms folded, her beautiful dress bunched up in her clutch, fuming. Her reflection in the window showed a storm brewing—jaw tightened, lips squeezed tight, eyes flaming with wrath.I remained focused on the road, grasping the wheel, my own displeasure boiling beneath my skin. When Edward instructed us to go, I felt a weight of humiliation land on my shoulders. Not because of Vanessa. Not even due to Edward. But due to Wendy and the whole calamity she had caused. I knew I shouldn't have brought her. It was a bad idea. The moment I parked, she pushed open the door and stormed inside, her shoes tapping fiercely on the ground of my penthouse.Wendy spun around to face me The second the door slammed shut.“Daniel What the hell was that ?!”I sighed, rubbing a hand down my face. “Wendy, drop it. It’s over.”“Drop it? DROP IT?!” She let out a humorless laugh. “I was humiliated tonight! Do you e
Vanessa POVThe elevator ride to the exotic hotel suite was anticipating.Edward’s body heat radiated towards me as he stood close, his scent a mix of something unique, something only he owned. It intoxicated my mind, my senses. His fingers moved on my bare arm, igniting the excitement from earlier.He leaned into me, pressing his lips to my ears,“I’m going to make you beg for me, Nessa.” he whispered. His voice sending delicious shivers through me.I swallowed hard, my breath became uneven. I could still feel the rush from the Lamborghini ride, the reckless abandon, the speed— it all set my pulse high and racing. I was now standing near him, my stomach coiled in excitement like a tightly strung spring. I hardly heard the lift doors open before Edward grabbed my hand and pulled me inside the room.The suite was wonderful. A king- sized bed draped in soft looking silk sheets, amazing large floor to ceiling windows that showed the bright city skyline. Outside on the balcony, I co
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