Kylie
The grand estate loomed ahead, a reminder of a world I’d stepped away from years ago. As the car pulled up the sweeping drive, I took in the scene before me. The Montez estate was more than just impressive; it was intimidating in its grandeur, with its high columns, sweeping balconies, and vast gardens that stretched out in every direction. I couldn’t help but feel the weight of my surroundings, as though I were walking into a space where secrets had been kept for generations.Tonight, I was here for a business dinner with Rage and several influential associates tied to the upcoming collection. I was nervous, yes, but something else lingered beneath the surface—memories that had begun to resurface since my return. I felt them now, stronger than ever, lingering in the darkened windows and familiar hallways of this grand estate.
As we entered the foyer, Rage’s hand brushed my elbow to guide me forward, a c
KylieI could taste every drop of alcohol as it flowed down my throat while everyone around me cheered in delight. I didn't know why I was doing this, but one thing was certain—I wanted to escape. I wanted to break free from the pain weighing down my heart. I was tired of sulking in a corner, but I also didn't know how to face all of this. It hurt me to see myself suffering, but it seemed like I had no other choice but to flee from reality."Drink more, Kylie!" shouted Vaness, my cousin, with a teasing and mocking tone. She wasn't my real cousin, but she was the closest relative I had in our new family setup. I grabbed another glass and downed it, hoping that every drop of alcohol would wash away the wounds in my soul.As the night deepened and the drinks piled up, I felt the pain in my heart slowly fading. But despite my efforts to forget everything, the weight of my emotions seemed to grow heavier. I carried every heartache and problem with me as I forced myself to smile. I couldn’t
KylieAfter everything that happened, I stumbled into the bathroom, my body still trembling from the intensity of our encounter. The lingering heat between my thighs and the sheen of sweat covering my skin reminded me of how wild and passionate it had been. I needed to clean myself, to wash away the evidence of our shared hunger. The cool water would help soothe the fever still burning inside me, a fever stoked by alcohol and the relentless desire that seemed impossible to quench.I turned on the shower, letting the cold water rain down on me, hoping it would cool the fire within. The shock of the cold made me shiver, but it was a welcome relief from the heat that had consumed me. I closed my eyes, leaning my head back as the water cascaded over my face, washing away the sweat and the haze of alcohol. For a moment, I let myself drift, trying to reclaim a sense of normalcy after the whirlwind of emotions and sensations that had overtaken me.But just as I began to find some peace, I fe
KylieI woke up to a splitting headache, my body aching from the aftermath of last night. The throbbing pain reminded me of how intense things had gotten. We didn’t just do it once; we went at it multiple times. I turned my head to the side, curious to see who I had spent the night with. That’s when I truly appreciated Rage’s face. Even in sleep, he looked striking—his strong, chiseled features, the sharp bridge of his nose, and his mestizo complexion.It’s ironic how peaceful he looks while sleeping, yet so wild and untamed in bed. I never imagined my first time would be so memorable, and he made sure it was, exceeding all my expectations.I hadn’t anticipated anything happening between us. After all, we don’t love each other. But the way he pleasured me was something I hadn’t expected. He was incredibly skilled, leaving no doubt in my mind that women probably chased after him for more. It’s easy to see why they would—he’s the kind of man you’d crave again and again.I swallowed hard
KylieI don’t know why I’m still here. They won’t ask for my opinion on business matters since Dad knows he won’t get anything useful from me. But I’m here because they want Atlas to marry me for their own selfish reasons.I glance at Vaness, noticing the irritation and frustration etched on her face. I know exactly how much she wants Atlas. I’ve always known this day would come; it’s clear that she’s not genuine in her actions and that envy has always simmered beneath the surface.“Kylie,” Atlas calls my name, pulling me out of my thoughts. I take a deep breath, turning to face him with an expression devoid of any emotion. To me, Atlas is just a friend—nothing more. But that changed when he confessed his feelings for me. Since then, I’ve grown even more distant from him, especially after learning about the arranged marriage.
Kylie I sat by the pool, lost in thought, mulling over the things I had overheard earlier. I didn’t know how I would tell Dad about it; he never listens to me anyway, especially when it comes to matters I deem important.“So, this is where you’ve been hiding.” Atlas’s voice broke through my thoughts. I looked up at him and sighed deeply. I didn’t understand why he kept coming around, especially when he knew I couldn’t reciprocate the feelings he had for me. But he continued to approach me, undeterred.He took a seat beside me, but I didn’t acknowledge him, too preoccupied with my own thoughts. “Are you really not going to talk to me?” he asked gently.“Why are you here, Atlas? Haven’t I been clear enough about my feelings toward you? Why do you still want to marry me?” I asked, my voice tinged with frustra
Kylie We went to the hospital just as Atlas suggested. I was starting to feel better, so I told him we didn't need to go, but his concern was overwhelming, so we continued. While waiting for the results in one of the rooms, I was startled when the door suddenly opened and my father walked in, accompanied by my aunt.My heart skipped a beat. What were they doing here? We hadn't informed them that Atlas and I were at the hospital, so how did they find out?“Dad, what are you doing here? I thought you were at the office?” I asked, trying to mask the anxiety in my voice.“We came home early, and the maids told us you and Atlas came here. What happened?” His voice was laced with worry. I didn’t expect him to be this concerned about me.“Nothing yet, uncle. We’re still waiting for Kylie’s results,” Atlas responded, and my father nodded, though the concern in his eyes didn’t waver.“You didn’t need to come here. We can handle this on our own. It’s better if you wait for us outside. It’s emb
KylieWe were standing before them—Dad, Aunt Celeste, and now Vaness—facing the inevitable. My heart raced as I saw the expression on their faces. They could sense that something was off, and I could feel the weight of what was about to happen.I wanted to stop Atlas. This wasn’t his responsibility. He didn’t need to carry this burden, yet the determination in his eyes was undeniable. He wanted this—to stand by my side, even if it meant sacrificing his own happiness and freedom. The sadness that washed over me was suffocating. He was willing to give up so much to form a family, just to help me."What do you have to say?" Dad’s voice was sharp, demanding. His gaze, more intense than I had ever felt, made the air between us heavy.The tension in the room thickened further when Vaness arrived. She looked at us, her face hard with confusion and suspicion.“What’s going on here, Aunt?” I heard her ask Aunt Celeste.“Well, they’ve been standing there for a while, but still, nothing’s come o
Kylie Once we reached my room, Atlas shut the door behind us, and the silence between us grew louder. I sat on the edge of my bed, my hands trembling as I rested them on my lap. He knelt down in front of me, his hands resting on my knees, his warm touch grounding me."Kylie," he began, his voice low and steady. "We need to talk about what just happened."I looked away, unable to meet his eyes. "Atlas, I’m sorry," I whispered. "I never meant for any of this to happen. You shouldn’t have to deal with this."He sighed, his thumb gently tracing circles on my knee. "I told you, I’ll help you through this. But we need to be careful. Vaness won’t let this go. She’s determined to find out the truth."I swallowed hard, the weight of his words pressing down on me. "You don’t have to keep pretending, Atlas," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I don’t want you to suffer because of me. I never should’ve dragged you into this."He lifted my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. His eyes were f
KylieThe grand estate loomed ahead, a reminder of a world I’d stepped away from years ago. As the car pulled up the sweeping drive, I took in the scene before me. The Montez estate was more than just impressive; it was intimidating in its grandeur, with its high columns, sweeping balconies, and vast gardens that stretched out in every direction. I couldn’t help but feel the weight of my surroundings, as though I were walking into a space where secrets had been kept for generations.Tonight, I was here for a business dinner with Rage and several influential associates tied to the upcoming collection. I was nervous, yes, but something else lingered beneath the surface—memories that had begun to resurface since my return. I felt them now, stronger than ever, lingering in the darkened windows and familiar hallways of this grand estate.As we entered the foyer, Rage’s hand brushed my elbow to guide me forward, a c
KylieThe morning air in the office felt thick with anticipation as I made my way to my desk, feeling more than a little unsteady. After last night’s conversation, where Rage had nearly admitted his haunting memories of our night together, the tension was undeniable. I’d spent half the night replaying his words, wondering how he could remember something so vividly and yet not connect that woman to me.When I arrived, the office was eerily quiet, only the hum of distant conversations and the soft whir of the air conditioning breaking the silence. My fingers traced the edges of my sketchbook, feeling the weight of the day settle over me as I prepared for yet another session with Rage. Just as I was about to immerse myself in a sketch, a shadow passed over my desk, and I looked up to find Rage standing there, watching me with that same unreadable expression he’d worn the night before.“Kylie,” he
KylieThe silence in the room lingered, thick and heavy, as we continued working on the final touches for the new collection. Rage sat across from me at the long table, his gaze focused on the sketches laid out in front of him, but I could sense his distraction. His earlier comment about Isabelle had shifted something between us, a crack in the perfect façade he had carefully maintained.As much as I tried to focus on the work, the weight of everything—the past, the present, his engagement—pressed down on me. The longer we stayed in this room together, the more the tension grew, coiling tight like a spring ready to snap.I glanced at Rage, watching him from the corner of my eye as he examined one of the designs. His sharp profile, the set of his jaw, the way his fingers tapped lightly against the edge of the table—everything about him radiated control. But there was something beneath that calm exterior, som
KylieThe city was quiet that night, and for the first time in days, I felt like I could finally breathe. After hours spent sketching in my apartment, with the weight of Gabriel’s words still heavy on my mind, I had taken a break and stepped outside onto the balcony for some fresh air. The cool breeze kissed my skin, and I welcomed the silence that stretched out before me, a welcome reprieve from the whirlwind of emotions I had been grappling with since arriving back home.I leaned against the railing, closing my eyes for a moment and letting the calmness of the night wash over me. But as I opened my eyes and glanced toward the building next door, I froze.There, on the balcony of the penthouse opposite mine, stood Rage.He was facing the city, his broad shoulders outlined by the soft glow of the streetlights below. His posture was tense, as though he was lost in thought, and t
Kylie The next few days passed in a blur, and I threw myself into my work as a distraction from the turmoil bubbling inside me. The discovery that Rage was engaged to Isabelle had shaken me more than I wanted to admit. He had seemed so genuine during our dinner, so attentive when we talked. Yet the whole time, he had kept something this important hidden from me.I could still feel the shock from that conversation with his parents, how casually they had mentioned Isabelle as if she were already part of the family. And Rage’s reaction when I brought her up—it was as if he had deliberately avoided the topic. I couldn’t help but wonder why. Was Isabelle’s role in his life more complicated than his parents had let on? Or was Rage simply a man who compartmentalized, keeping his personal and professional lives as separate as possible?Either way, I had to focus. I had a job to do, and i
KylieI let out a sigh of relief the moment I stepped through the door of the apartment, the comforting warmth of home settling over me. The evening with Rage had been… more than I’d expected. Between the dinner, his immaculate closet, and the unexpected appearance of his cousin, Gabriel, my mind was spinning.As I kicked off my heels, I found Tessa sitting on the couch, a glass of wine in hand, a mischievous smile already spreading across her face. She’d been waiting for me."So?" she said, raising an eyebrow as I made my way over to her. "How did it go?"I flopped down beside her, rubbing my temples in an attempt to ease the tension that had settled in my head. "It was… intense."Tessa handed me a glass of wine, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Come on, Kylie. Don’t leave me hanging. What happened? Did he remember anything?"
KylieAs the car smoothly glided through the city streets, I couldn’t help but glance over at Rage, who sat beside me with an air of casual elegance that made him look completely at ease. He was different tonight—more relaxed than he had been at the office, as if the dinner had loosened some of the tension I had felt between us. But the more comfortable he seemed, the more aware I became of my own nervous energy."Do you mind if we make a quick stop?" Rage asked suddenly, breaking the silence.I blinked, my mind still processing our conversation from dinner. "A stop? Where?""My place," he replied, his tone casual as though he was suggesting something completely ordinary. "There’s something I want to show you. I think you’ll find it interesting, considering we’re working on the new line together."I hesitated for a brief moment. Goin
KylieI stood in front of the mirror, smoothing down the fabric of my dress for what felt like the hundredth time. The soft, navy-blue material clung to my body in a way that was both elegant and comfortable, but no matter how I adjusted it, I couldn’t shake the nervous energy building inside me.Dinner with Rage Montez. The idea still felt surreal, like some strange twist of fate I hadn’t seen coming. I had spent five years trying to forget about him, trying to keep my distance from the painful memories of that night. And yet, here I was, about to share an intimate dinner with the very man I had been running from.“Mommy, you look pretty,” Liam said from behind me, his big brown eyes watching me with a curious expression. He was perched on the edge of my bed, swinging his legs as he observed my every move.I turned to him with a soft smile, trying to push the nerves away. “Thank you
Kylie"Mommy," Liam’s small voice broke the early morning quiet, tugging me out of the haze of thoughts that had plagued me through the night. I had barely slept, my mind looping endlessly around the problem that had come crashing back into my life—Rage Montez.I glanced down at Liam, sitting cross-legged on the floor of our apartment, his wide brown eyes—so much like his father's—looking up at me with a curious expression. He had been unusually quiet since overhearing my conversation with Tessa the night before, and I knew what was coming before he even said the words."Mommy, who’s my daddy?"The question hit me like a punch to the gut, my breath catching in my throat. I had known this day would come eventually, but I hadn’t expected it to come so soon, and certainly not like this. For five years, I had been able to protect Liam from the truth. B