BOOK ONE OF THE KEITH SISTERS SERIES Nella, a woman disillusioned by heartbreak and betrayal, faces a series of challenges after losing both her corporate HR job and her relationship with Sam, who cheated on her. Seeking a fresh start, she takes a job at a flower shop and later lands a prestigious position at Elevé Cosmetics, where she becomes the personal assistant to Roy Logan, a cold and ambitious CEO with whom she shares a past one-night stand. As Nella navigates the complexities of her new job, she finds herself torn between Roy, whose vulnerabilities stir her, and Ethan, a steady and reliable friend who is secretly Roy’s fiancée’s brother. Meanwhile, Maya, Roy’s scheming ex, plots to tear Nella and Roy apart, and Nella’s toxic ex-boyfriend, Gray, becomes obsessed with her once again. When Nella uncovers dark secrets about her boyfriend and her connection with Roy deepens, she must confront conflicting desires, loyalty, and betrayal. Amidst the chaos, Nella faces an impossible decision—whether to follow her heart and embrace a tumultuous love with Roy, risk betraying her friendship with Ethan, or break free from the toxic relationships that bind her. In a world of shifting allegiances, Nella’s choices will shape her future, forcing her to decide whether true love is within her reach or if she is forever trapped by the tangled knots of her past.
View More~NELLA~
It was finally Sam's birthday, and I was determined to surprise him with the money he'd been asking for, along with a few other gifts. Unfortunately, fate had other plans. I wasn’t even in New York—I had been called to Chicago for an emergency meeting with my boss and a potential partner company. The thought of missing Sam's special day filled me with disappointment, especially since I had so badly wanted to be there, to hand him the money myself and witness the joy on his face. But, as much as I longed to be with him, I had to push through the meeting. Earlier that day, I had sent Sam the money, and his excitement over the phone was contagious. He was over the moon, and I could hear the happiness in his voice as he thanked me repeatedly. We talked for hours, unable to hang up, savoring every moment. I couldn’t wait to be back in New York. In just a week, I would finally see him again. I was still determined to make it up to him with thoughtful gifts when I returned. I loved him so much, even with all his flaws—he was perfect to me. After the meeting ended, my boss confirmed we were heading back to New York the following day. A rush of excitement flooded me. I couldn’t wait to be home, to surprise Sam, and make everything right. I returned to my hotel room, threw myself onto the bed with a sigh of relief, and immediately grabbed my phone to call him. I dialed his number, the phone ringing on the other end, but he didn’t pick up. "Maybe I should just surprise him," I whispered to myself, my heart racing with anticipation. I was about to dial Ashley’s number when, just as if on cue, my phone rang—it was her. Ashley. My childhood best friend. The next day, I was up four hours before our scheduled departure time, eager to make the most of every moment. I decided to shoot some content for my social media feed—after all, it was Sam’s first birthday since we’d started dating. As I posed for a few photos, I couldn't help but reflect on how far I’d come. My heart still ached from the end of my last relationship, a broken bond caused by something as uncontrollable as our different genotypes. But with Sam, everything felt different. I could finally breathe easy again. We arrived at the airport an hour ahead of scheduled . Our flight was delayed by two hours. No big deal. I continued shooting content, keeping my mind occupied while the minutes dragged by. By the time we finally took off, it had been more than fourteen hours before we touched down in New York. My excitement to see Sam had only grown in that time, and within the hour, I was already in Brooklyn. I had planned to head straight to his place with his gifts, but something inside me shifted. I wanted to make this moment unforgettable. I wanted to look stunning for him. We hadn’t chatted since this morning when I told him I’d have a packed day and might not be able to call. He had said he’d be at home, working on a digital project his friend had connected him with, and would likely be alone. As I stepped into my house, everyone’s surprise was palpable, but the joy was even more so. I’d been gone for two weeks, and the warmth of their welcome felt like a homecoming I didn’t even realize I needed. Without much of a pause, I hurried to my room to freshen up. I rarely wore makeup, but today was different. I went for a bold yet subtle look—just enough to enhance my features. A swipe of red gloss gave my lips a shiny, irresistible touch. I donned my silver jewelry set and let Lauren work on my hair, strengthening the curls before letting them fall loosely to my shoulders. I stood before the mirror, admiring myself for a moment. I was glowing—confident and excited. My heart fluttered as I thought about Sam’s reaction. “You look stunning,” I whispered to myself, a satisfied smile on my lips. “Your ride is here,” I heard Payson call from downstairs. I grabbed my phone and, with Lauren helping me with the flowers and gift box, made my way downstairs. “You must be really ready for tonight,” my mom teased, her voice light but full of affection. “The daughter I know would never leave the house without that signature bun of hers.” I turned to smile at her and my dad as I reached the door. “Tonight’s different, Mom. I must have called from heaven,” I said with a blush, stepping outside. As my ride pulled up to Sam’s building, a rush of excitement overwhelmed me. I tried calling him again, but he didn’t pick up. "He's probably asleep," I whispered to myself, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. I paid the driver and asked, “Would you mind helping me with this gift box upstairs?” With a charming smile, he looked me up and down and replied, “How could I not help a princess like you?” His chuckle made me feel lighter as he assisted with the heavy box. I had Sam’s key, so I didn’t feel the need to knock. The door swung open easily, and I stepped inside. A wave of familiarity hit me, but then I noticed something strange—an unfamiliar scent lingered in the air. It was a perfume, and not one I recognized from Sam’s collection. I’d bought him nearly every scent he wore, so I knew his fragrances well. It was floral, almost too feminine, with a hint of vanilla. I hesitated for a moment, trying to brush off the strange feeling. Maybe he’d bought a new scent while I was away, I thought. But something about the fragrance felt wrong, out of place. The living room was quiet, and as I walked deeper inside, I noticed the scattered clutter. I couldn’t help but laugh. Adam—Sam’s least tidy friend—must’ve been around. I wasn’t exactly expecting a pristine apartment, but the mess was comforting in its own way. It felt like home. I placed the gift box on the table and turned to the full-length mirror that stood in the living room. I needed to check myself one last time. As I adjusted the neckline of my dress, the scent of the perfume hit me again—this time stronger. It was unmistakable. Too floral. Too feminine. I paused, confused, but quickly shook it off. Maybe I was overthinking. Sam didn’t know much about perfumes anyway. He probably wouldn’t even notice the difference. But I couldn’t ignore the feeling gnawing at me, the unease creeping up my spine. Something felt... off. The moment I opened the door, moving quietly in the hopes of not waking Sam, I was met with a sight that knocked the breath from my lungs. What I saw felt like a cruel nightmare, a scene I could hardly process. My heart plummeted to my stomach, and my chest tightened painfully as it thudded in my ears, beating so fast I thought I might suffocate. It couldn’t be real. No, I had to be dreaming—still lying in my hotel bed in Chicago, lost in some twisted dream. This wasn’t how it was supposed to be. I had come here to surprise Sam, not to find this. I blinked rapidly, trying to clear the haze of disbelief clouding my vision. But there it was, in front of me, undeniable and suffocating. The rush of betrayal cut deep, like a knife to my chest. My hands trembled as I gripped the door frame, my breath shallow. I could feel my pulse pounding in my neck, my body frozen, caught between anger and disbelief. I swallowed hard, trying to steady my voice, but it came out colder than I intended—frustrated, yet eerily calm. “Sam…” His name hung in the air, thick with the weight of everything I was feeling, as the reality of the situation started to settle around me like a suffocating fog. I had planned everything carefully. I thought the surprise would be perfect—I’d dressed so sexy, a beautiful flower for the night, a box of gifts that I knew he’d love and I was ready for the best sex which made me dressed sexy and even wore a g-string. I wanted to remind him how much he meant to me, how much we meant to each other. It was supposed to be our night. Sam, the man I had been with for a year now, was on his bed, but he wasn’t alone. Maya, the new intern at his office—the one I’d met a few weeks ago, the one I had praised for her work ethic, the one who had always been so eager and so polite—was straddling him. Her fingers were tangled in his hair as they kissed with a familiarity that felt like a gut punch. Time seemed to freeze. My breath caught in my throat, my body went rigid, and for a moment, I couldn’t process what was happening. My mind screamed that it couldn’t be true, but my eyes told me otherwise. I had walked in on something I never thought I would see. I blinked rapidly, trying to clear the fog of disbelief that clouded my vision, but it didn’t change. The sight before me was undeniable, suffocating. I barely recognized the sound of my own voice as I whispered, “Sam...” His name came out as a question, a cry for understanding. But he didn’t answer. Instead, he pulled away from Maya, his face flushing with panic. He opened his mouth to say something—anything—but no words came out at first. And then Maya pulled back too, quickly, almost as if she had been expecting me. She didn’t look ashamed. In fact, she looked almost... relieved. The realization hit me in waves, the horror sinking deeper with each passing second. Maya knew I was coming. Maybe she knew I would find them like this. She didn’t even try to hide her confidence, even as her cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and satisfaction.~Nella~My life couldn’t be less of a drama. Honestly, it seemed like every corner I turned, something new was waiting to topple me over. And just when I thought I had enough on my plate, Maya had to serve me another helping.The afternoon sun was dipping lazily when my phone buzzed with a message from an unknown number. Curious, I picked it up, not expecting anything earth-shattering.“Hello, good afternoon. ORM Hospital calling. Kelly speaking. Am I speaking with Miss Nella?” a calm, polite voice floated through the line.“Yes, this is Nella,” I replied, sitting up straighter instinctively.“We have a private healthcare card registered under your name by Mr. Roy Logan,” Kelly explained smoothly. “You can schedule an appointment for your mother anytime. We do advise you come early, so we can carry out some preliminary checks.”I blinked in confusion. Roy? What was he doing?“I’m so sorry, ma’am, but my mother has already been registered at another hospital. We won’t be needing the se
~Nella~He slid into bed beside me, his hand wrapping around my waist like it was still his right.I stiffened, swallowing the urge to push him off. I tried to breathe through it, to pretend I was asleep — but the thought of him touching Ashley’s mom the same way made my skin crawl.Gently, I shifted, easing his hand off me in a sleepy gesture. Maybe if I was careful, he wouldn’t notice.But of course, he did.“Come on, Nella,” Gray said, his voice low and impatient. “Drop the act already. We need to talk.”I stayed still, refusing to react.I didn’t move.Didn’t breathe.He sighed sharply. “When are you going to get over this shit? I did everything for you. I’m doing this for us, Nella. And you’re just being… ungrateful. Dramatic. Over something other girls would kill for.And you’re acting like I’m the villain.”I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I flung the covers off and sat up, the anger burning too hot to ignore.“For us?” I hissed. “No, Gray. You’re doing this for your fucking selfi
~Nella~“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended, but I didn’t take it back. He needed to feel it — the sting of his presence. The audacity. The ache he left behind.Gray stood there, unshaken, hands buried deep in his coat pockets like the cold had nothing on him. His eyes — those same stormy eyes that once looked at me like I was his whole world — locked onto mine.“Why are you doing this, babe?” he said softly, like we were still standing in the kitchen last month, laughing over burnt toast and morning kisses. Like he hadn’t shattered me.I flinched. “Please, Gray. Don’t call me that.” My voice leveled into ice. “It’s too late. So again — why are you here?”Before he could speak, Payson’s voice floated from behind. “Who is it? Why are you taking so long?”Her steps neared, quick and light. Then she appeared at the doorway, her eyes widening when she saw him.“Oh. Gray,” she said, confused but polite.Behind her, I heard Mom’s voice — clear, alert. “Is th
~Nella~“Gray, please,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “I just want to go home.”He looked down at me, his jaw tightened. “Why are you acting like this?”“Why?” I echoed bitterly. “You bent me over and used me like I was nothing. That wasn’t love. That wasn’t even us.”“You didn’t stop me.”I stared at him in disbelief. “I begged you. That wasn’t consent, Gray. That was fear.”He took a step back like my words slapped him harder than I ever could. For the first time, his eyes faltered.“I— I didn’t mean to hurt you.”“It’s too late for that,” I whispered, brushing past him. He didn’t stop me this time.I walked out the door, the night breeze slapping my face like reality. My ride was waiting, the driver leaning casually against the car door, phone in hand. He opened the door when he saw me.I slid into the backseat, heart pounding. Just as we were about to pull away, the passenger door opened. Gray slid in beside the driver, eyes locked on mine through the rearview mirror.“
~Nella~I heard the front door click, then the soft creak of his shoes against the hardwood. Gray was home.My heart thumped wildly, even though I’d rehearsed what I’d say a dozen times. I had already changed into my dress, packed my things, and stood near the doorway like a woman on the edge—because that’s exactly what I was.He walked in, a little too casually for someone who’d lit my world on fire and left the ashes blowing in the wind.His smile faltered when he saw my bag. “What’s happening? Where are you going?”I didn’t meet his gaze. “I’m leaving, Gray.”He blinked. “Leaving?” His voice dipped lower. “Why?”I stepped past him, determined not to cry—but he grabbed my wrist, pulling me back with enough force that I stumbled slightly into his chest.“What the hell are you doing, Gray?” I snapped, jerking my hand.“What does it look like I’m doing? Answer me, Nella!” His voice cracked, like he wasn’t angry—just… breaking.My throat tightened. “What else do you want from me?” I ask
~Nella~How could I have forgotten about the lingerie?I had carefully picked it out from the popular Diva store, lured in by the red satin set that promised seduction and elegance all in one. I wanted everything about this weekend to be unforgettable—perfect. Not just because it had been long overdue, but because I needed the space and mood to talk about something more… something deeper. Like us. Like marriage.Sex was Gray’s language of love. He didn’t play around with it—ever.He walked out of the bedroom into the living room, carrying two wine glasses, each filled halfway with deep red wine that shimmered under the dim lights.“Here, babe,” he said, handing me a glass and settling beside me on the couch. I smiled as I accepted it, and we both took a quiet sip.Then, he leaned in and kissed me—slow, sweet, tasting of wine and warmth.“Hmmm… you actually taste better, you know,” he teased with a grin that made me giggle.Just when I was sinking into the comfort of that moment, he lo
~Nella~The rest of the ride to Gray’s apartment was light and easy. We chatted about our week, gossiped about our friends, and debated over the best late-night movies to binge. He joked about my obsession with spicy noodles, and I teased him for always ordering the same boring coffee. We laughed so much, I barely noticed we’d arrived until the car slowed in front of his building.Stepping into his apartment felt like walking into a surprise. The fridge was packed, the air smelled faintly of cinnamon, and on the kitchen counter sat a tiny basket filled with scented candles, satin scrunchies, and my favorite snacks.I laughed, unable to hold it in. “Oh my God, how long have you been preparing for this?”Gray looked proud of himself. “I’ve really missed you. What did you expect? There’s no way I was letting this weekend be a normal one. I planned everything down to the last pillow.”I shook my head, heart fluttering. “Okay… I’m here for all of it,” I whispered, pressing a soft kiss on h
~Nella~“But what if Roy’s actually serious about all of this?” Ash said, her gaze still fixed on the ceiling. “And now there’s Gray… you’re not seeing how messy this could get?”I lay still, watching the slow spin of the fan blades above. “There’s no mess, Ash. Gray’s my boyfriend. I have nothing going on with Roy.”She turned her head slowly, giving me a look that was somewhere between amused and skeptical.“I’m serious,” I added. “I love Gray. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with him.”“Yeah, yeah. But Gray’s been kind of… a bit too much lately and I want you to make the right decision when you’re still single,” Ash said. “And don’t act like you didn’t talk about Roy more than you should’ve after that night. One night stands don’t usually linger in conversation like that.”I shifted, cutting her off. I’m going to see Gray tomorrow anyway — spend the weekend with him. Just… drop it, Ash.”She nodded, quiet for once, and I turned over with a sigh. I closed my eyes, hoping f
~Nella~“Come on, babe, you know I have no idea what’s going on,” I said, grabbing a plate and serving myself breakfast. “Yeah, he said something about loving me, but I figured it was just another one of his games—like what he does with every other girl.”I walked over to the couch and sank into it while Ashley perched on the edge of the bed with her own plate.“But this doesn’t feel like some casual game,” she started, her tone thoughtful.“Ash,” I cut her off, looking at her pointedly. “Roy is filthy rich. Dropping cash like this is nothing to him. If wasting thousands is all it takes to mess with a girl’s head, then yeah, he’s probably done it a hundred times.”She opened her mouth to protest, but I didn’t give her the chance.“I have a boyfriend,” I said, more to myself than to her. “Let’s just drop it. He helped, fine—but I don’t want to be late for Lauren.”I stood and headed for the bathroom, trying to shut down the entire conversation.“Well,” she called out with a teasing lil
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