I walked around the bathroom, gazing at the large coffee mark on my dress. The formerly graceful cream fabric was now damaged, with dark stains spreading over the surface. My frustration bubbled beneath the surface when I remembered the employee's indifferent demeanor, yet I set it aside. There were more urgent issues—such as the meeting I had arranged with one of our key clients in under an hour. I swiftly picked up my phone and called Stella. She answered on the initial ring. “Is that you, Natalie?” "What’s the matter?" “I need you to get me a new dress,” I said, attempting to maintain a steady voice. "Something formal." Now, something. "I have a meeting, and I can't arrive looking like this." Stella paused. "You're kidding." “What occurred?” “Coffee event,” I responded curtly. “Are you able to assist or not?” "Got it," Stella replied, and the call disconnected. Stella showed up twenty minutes later, carrying a stylish navy dress. “This was the finest I could discover quickly
The clock chimed 2 a.m., and I finally leaned back in my chair, suppressing a yawn as a sense of relief washed over me. The report was completed—comprehensive, refined, and prepared for presentation. My whole body throbbed from remaining in the same spot for hours, yet I permitted myself a brief, triumphant grin. Collecting my things, I powered down my laptop and picked up my bag. The office was entirely quiet as I walked toward the elevator, with the soft buzz of the air conditioning as my sole companion. While passing one of the side corridors, I observed a soft light shining through the crack of a door. A light had been left on by someone. With a sigh, I chose to explore it. Everyone had departed for the evening, so it was probably a mistake. However, as I got closer, I became motionless. I could hear voices—soft and muted, but distinct enough for me to recognize specific words. “…Natalie West…” My name is. I pushed myself up against the wall, trying hard to hear. "She’s be
I turned my head slightly, pretending not to notice Ethan as he approached. Maybe, just maybe, if I ignored him, he’d pass by without incident. But, of course, that wasn’t how my luck worked. Ethan walked straight up to us, his presence commanding as always. His sharp gray eyes immediately locked on me, a knowing smile playing on his lips. “Ethan Sterling,” Mr. Carrington said with a grin, extending his hand eagerly. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here.” Ethan barely spared him a glance. He ignored the outstretched hand and stepped closer to me, his fingers lightly brushing my arm. “Natalie,” he said, his tone warm and casual. “You look… tired. Have you been taking care of yourself?” My jaw tightened as I shot him a subtle glare. “I’m fine, Ethan. Thank you for your concern.” He smirked, leaning slightly closer. “You’re welcome.” The wink he added afterward only fueled my irritation. Mr. Carrington cleared his throat, clearly annoyed by the lack of acknowledgment. Ethan
I tapped my nails against the table, glancing toward the entrance. Lucas was nowhere to be seen, though I was certain he’d arrived. Maybe he was taking care of something outside—business, perhaps. Either way, I waited, refusing to let Ethan ruin my day further. Ethan, of course, had other plans. Sliding effortlessly into the chair meant for Lucas, he leaned back and crossed his arms, his expression as smug as ever. “Looks like your date’s a no-show,” he remarked, glancing at the empty seat across from me. “He’s not my date,” I said flatly, glaring at him. “Meeting, then,” he said with a shrug. “Either way, I’m keeping you company until he gets here. Can’t have you sitting here all alone. It’s bad for the optics.” “What are you doing?” I asked, my irritation rising. “That’s not your seat.” He shrugged nonchalantly as he reached for the menu. “Since Lucas doesn’t appear to be in a rush to take it, I figured I’d keep you company for now.” "I don't require company," I remarke
The stylish glass doors of Knight Enterprises glided open as I entered the building, my assistant and lifelong friend, Ethan “Eli” Grant, following closely behind me. His voice droned, lively as he discussed the specifics of a new project we were engaged in—a multi-million-dollar agreement that ought to have captured my complete focus. “Lucas, we must finalize the logistics by Friday,” Eli remarked, hurrying to stay alongside me. “The team still requires your consent for the funding proposal.” "I've already pointed out some changes—are you really paying attention?" I remained silent, my eyes locked forward as we walked towards the elevators. “Lucas,” Eli reiterated, his tone now more cutting. Still nothing at all. “Lucas!” Eli finally took hold of my arm, compelling me to halt and face him. "What's the matter with you, man?" You’ve been moving around like a zombie since yesterday. Initially, you claimed the meeting this morning was called off—which I seriously question—and now t
Upon reaching Jason's daycare, we were welcomed by the familiar sounds of children laughing and talking. As soon as Jason saw me from the play area, his face brightened like the sun. “Mom!” he shouted, sprinting at full speed in my direction. I stooped down just in time for him to leap into my arms, holding him close. The pressures of the day appeared to dissolve, even if just for an instant. Before I could rise, Ethan dashed in, smiling as he easily lifted Jason and twirled him around. Jason squealed with joy, his laughter echoing around. “Ethan!” Jason exclaimed eagerly, gripping his shoulders. "I recognize you!" You are Mommy's partner! "I saw it reported on the news!" I gasped, almost letting go of my bag. "Jason!" Ethan, naturally, appeared excessively satisfied with himself. His smile broadened as he held Jason tightly. “Clever child,” he said, giving me a wink. "That's incorrect," I replied swiftly, shooting a glare at Ethan, who was relishing my unease. Jason leaned hi
The inside of the jet was elegant and opulent, featuring plush leather seating and glossy wood details. Jason had settled in comfortably, bouncing in a chair and pushing every button he could access. Ethan, as always, remained entirely unfazed, reclining in his chair as if this were merely another ordinary day in his bizarre existence. I believed I was the voice of reason amid this chaos—or at least I hoped so. “Hold on a moment,” I replied, looking over the cockpit through the ajar door. “We're lacking something.” “Missing what?” Ethan asked, raising an eyebrow. “The pilot!” I exclaimed, pointing toward the empty seat in the cockpit. Ethan shrugged nonchalantly, standing and making his way toward the controls. “No problem.” “No problem?” I repeated, my voice rising. “What are you doing?” “What does it look like?” he said over his shoulder. “I’m flying us there.” I froze, watching in stunned disbelief as he slid into the pilot’s seat and began flipping switches. “You can’
The park sparkled beneath the evening lights, the brilliance of vibrant bulbs lighting up each ride and walkway. Jason and Ethan were in front of me, sprinting towards a carousel, their laughter mixing with the joyful music playing in the background. I followed behind, my pace lagging as I allowed them their time. Then my phone vibrated, snapping me back to reality. I looked at the display—Stella. “Hi?” I replied quietly while moving to the side to steer clear of the crowd. "Natalie," Stella's voice chimed in, sharp and a bit annoyed. "Where are you located?" And where is Jason? "It's late now, and you still haven't come back." I looked at my watch, understanding just how much time we’d spent here. “I reluctantly confessed, ‘We’re at Disneyland.’” “Disneyland?” Stella's voice was filled with disbelief. "What are you up to over there?" "It's... complex," I replied, massaging my temples. "Let’s just say Ethan came up with a plan, and Jason is enjoying every moment." “Ethan Sterli
“I swear to God, these vultures never sleep,” Ethan muttered, peeking through the curtains. Outside, the front gates were swarming with reporters, their cameras flashing like tiny, desperate explosions in the dark. The murmur of frantic voices and shouting news anchors filled the air. A drone hovered overhead, circling like a mechanical hawk. I exhaled sharply, arms wrapped around myself. “It’s like I’m some kind of fugitive.” Lucas, standing beside Ethan, looked unimpressed. “Well, considering half the country thinks you bullied your assistant into attempted suicide and orchestrated corporate fraud, it tracks.” I shot him a death glare.Ethan snorted. “Jesus, Knight. You have the emotional intelligence of a brick.” Lucas didn’t even look up from his phone. “I’m just saying, walking out of here isn’t an option.” He wasn’t wrong. I clenched my fists, feeling my freedom slipping further away with each passing second. If we wanted to get out unnoticed— We needed a di
The house was silent. Until it wasn’t. I had been lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind too wired to even think about sleep when I heard it— A thud. Then the softest creak of a floorboard. My breath hitched.I sat up immediately, heart pounding, listening as the faintest sound of movement came from downstairs. Reporters? No. They wouldn’t be stupid enough to break in.Then who? A kidnapper?The very idea froze my blood. I grabbed the first solid object I could find— which, unfortunately, was a decorative metal candle holder—and crept toward the bedroom door. I pushed it open carefully, slowly, moving down the stairs on silent feet.My grip tightened around the candle holder.Then, just as I reached the living room, a dark figure moved. I swung. “What the hell—?” A strong grip caught my wrist mid-air, stopping my attack effortlessly. The familiar scent of woodsy cologne hit me a second before I recognized the voice. Lucas.“What the fuck, Natalie?” H
After days, the house was still for the first time. No arguing. No tension is dense enough to slice with a knife. No urgent gatherings regarding abductions, controversies, or corporate treachery. Lucas departed early to visit his mother, while Ethan answered a call and went upstairs. That resulted in me being isolated in the living room, sitting with my legs crossed on the floor, gazing at an unfinished chess match. I glared at the chessboard. "Bishop takes knight… but then the rook moves, and I’m trapped." Fitting. I sighed, running a hand through my hair. It didn’t matter anyway. My mind wasn’t on the game—it was on everything else. The kidnapping. The threats. The scandal. My career—my entire life—falling apart. I exhaled sharply, leaning back against the couch. How the hell had it come to this? Footsteps echoed down the hallway. A moment later, Ethan strode in, stretching as he flopped onto the couch beside me. "God, I needed that call," he groaned, rubbin
The moment I hung up on Stella, my fingers were already dialing Granny West. She answered on the first ring. "Natalie." Her voice was as sharp as a blade, sending both relief and dread through me. I didn’t bother with pleasantries. “Did you see the news?” "I did," she said, clipped, controlled. Too controlled. There was no outrage, no shock—just an eerie, calculating stillness. My fingers tightened around the phone. “The board,” I exhaled. “They voted me out, Granny. Suspended me.” A pause. Then—"I’ll get to the bottom of it." I closed my eyes, exhaling shakily. “And Jason?” "He’s safe," she assured. "And he will stay that way." A weight lifted—but only slightly. Because Jason might have been protected. But I wasn’t.The second I lowered my phone, I turned to face Lucas and Ethan. Both men stood like statues, unreadable, waiting for me to speak. “What do we do?” My voice was sharp and straight to the point. Lucas exhaled, crossing his arms. “First, we cont
The moment I hung up, I knew Ethan wouldn’t let this go.And I was right.Less than twenty minutes later, the sound of screeching tires echoed outside. I barely had time to brace myself before a familiar voice boomed through the house. “West!” Lucas and I both turned toward the front door at the same time. I barely had time to process before Ethan stormed in, looking like he was ready to murder someone. His eyes landed on me first, scanning me for injuries, like he still didn’t believe I was unharmed. Then, slowly, his gaze snapped to Lucas. And just like that, the temperature in the room dropped. Ethan’s jaw was tight, rigid with restrained fury. “You really stayed here,” he said, his voice lower now—but no less dangerous. I crossed my arms. “Yes, Ethan.” His gaze hardened. “You should’ve called me.” Lucas, standing casually beside the counter, smirked over his coffee cup. “She did,” he said smoothly. “Just… after me.” Ethan’s eyes darkened.“You think this is
I woke up peacefully for the first time in a long time. No threats. No masked figures whispering cryptic warnings. No paparazzi flashing cameras in my face. Just… silence.For a moment, I let myself pretend. That I wasn’t caught in a corporate war. That I wasn’t being hunted by shadows. That I wasn’t a woman who had lost everything. For a fleeting second, I was just Natalie.But then reality crept in.I exhaled, pushing the covers off. I didn’t belong here. Lucas’s house was too familiar, too foreign. Every corner of it whispered of a past I had tried to bury. In the past where I wasn’t Natalie West, CEO. The past where I was Natalie Knight—his wife. As I walked down the hallway, my fingers brushed against the walls. I used to live like this. In a house too big for two people. With floors too polished and rooms too pristine. But back then, I didn’t feel out of place. Back then, this was my home. I used to wake up before him, slipping out of bed quietly to m
The car slowed to a stop in front of my house, the quiet hum of the engine the only sound filling the tense space. For a moment, I didn’t move. I could still sense the heaviness of that voice, how it crept into my thoughts as if it had embedded something within me—something I couldn’t remove. I wet my lips, looking at the driver, my heart racing. He didn't even glance my way. Just reached across the console and unlocked the door.“You’re home,” he said, voice eerily neutral. I hesitated. Like nothing had happened. Like I hadn’t been kidnapped. Like I hadn’t been warned. Like I hadn’t just been pulled into a game I didn’t understand. My fingers trembled as I pushed open the door and stepped out. The night air felt too cold, too sharp against my skin. I turned back, my lips parting—to say what, I wasn’t sure. But before I could blink— The car was gone. No screeching tires. No roaring engine. Just… gone. Like it had never been there at all. I stood frozen in plac
The car took a sharp turn, veering off the familiar road to my home and into a secluded area of the city. I stiffened. “This isn’t my house,” I blurted. “No, it isn’t,” he said flatly. Another turn—we entered a covered parking lot. My stomach plummeted. Panic clawed at my throat as the car rolled to a stop. My last chance.I grabbed the door handle and yanked.Locked. I tried again, harder. Still locked. Oh, hell no.Before I could start screaming, the driver stepped out, rounded the car, and yanked my door open. "Out," he ordered. I stared at him. “What if I say no?” His jaw twitched. "Then I'll carry you." I gasped. “That’s rude! That’s—God, *do you even know who I am? There are rules about this kind of thing! This isn’t how kidnapping works—” He exhaled sharply, clearly running out of patience. Before I could talk my way into more trouble, he grabbed my wrist— firm, but not brutal— "Don't make this harder than it has to be," he muttered. My pulse po
The door swung open moments later, and Amanda strutted in—head held high, completely unaware she was walking into a trap.She barely spared me a glance before flipping her hair over her shoulder and plopping down in the chair across from me. “You called?” she said, her voice bored. I folded my hands on the desk, studying her. “Tell me, Amanda… do you like working here?” She blinked, clearly not expecting that. “Excuse me?” “It’s a simple question,” I said smoothly. “Do you enjoy your job?” Amanda scoffed. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.” I hummed, tilting my head. “That’s interesting. Because lately, it seems like you’ve been more focused on certain extracurricular activities rather than your actual responsibilities.” Her smirk wavered. “What are you talking about?” I picked up my tablet and turned the screen toward her.The policy handbook glowed under the office lights. Specifically, the section on workplace relationships. Amanda’s face palmed instantly. I leane