In New York, the clock struck midnight. The rain began to fall, its drops hitting the roofs of tall buildings hard, adding to the gloom of the dark night. In a far corner of the city, a federal building stood tall, its main gate slowly opening. The dim light of a streetlamp bounced off the puddles, highlighting the figure of a man stepping out with his head held high.Samuel Abraham.The man in his thirties did not look like a recently released prisoner. An expensive gray suit wrapped around his body, giving him an elegant appearance that contrasted with his long sentence. His face was clean, without a beard, and his brown hair was neatly combed. Next to him, an older man in a black suit matched his pace, clutching a heavy-looking leather briefcase.“Welcome back, Mr. Samuel,” the old man said in a respectful tone. This was Roland, the loyal attorney who had always stood by Samuel's side through the toughest of trials. Roland knew his client's dark side — the secrets that were never
The sun had just appeared on the eastern horizon, its rays coming through the curtains of the magnificent bedroom window and shining on the face of Cassandra, who was still asleep. The morning air was cool, but there was another warmth that made her slowly open her eyes. As her eyes began to focus, the first thing she saw was Caspian, shirtless, his abs clearly visible, exuding a charming masculinity. He sat quietly on the sofa, reading a book while sipping his coffee. The aroma of fresh coffee mixed with the scent of Caspian's skin filled the room.Cassandra choked up, not expecting to see such a scene so early in the morning. Her body stiffened for a moment before she smiled weakly. “You're not wearing a shirt.”Caspian turned his head to reveal a seductive smile. “Good morning, dear. You're up. Would you like some breakfast?” He asked, getting up from the sofa and walking leisurely towards the kitchen. The muscles in his arms and back moved in sync, mesmerizing Cassandra, who cou
Alaric kept his promise to Selene—to introduce her to his father.They arrived at Caspian's house in the morning. Selene stood beside Alaric with an ambitious, veiled smile. She imagined how perfect her life would be now that she was part of Verity's family.But after ringing the bell several times, no servant came. There was no sign of life, and Caspian was nowhere to be seen. Alaric grew impatient, his face hardening.“Why isn't anyone answering the door?” muttered Alaric, his voice beginning to sound annoyed. Without hesitation, he opened the door, which turned out to be unlocked. “Just come in, Selene,” he ordered in an authoritative tone.As soon as they stepped inside, the scent of mahogany wood and fresh flowers immediately filled their nostrils. The ballroom-sized living room was deserted.Marble columns stood tall. Stained-glass windows with gold carvings reflected the morning sun. Huge crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, reflecting light onto the white marble floor th
Selene tried to calm her heart, but the opulence of Caspian's home still loomed large in her mind. The crystal sparkle of the chandelier, the perfect white marble, and the power inherent in Caspian's form were all the life she should have had. But in reality, Cassandra sat in the house as if she were the queen. She looked at Alaric sharply, her frustration growing as they sat in the car and drove away. “Why aren't you doing anything?!” Selene broke the silence, her voice rising. “We got kicked out without a fight! I haven't even had a chance to sit down, let alone enjoy tea in your father's mansion!” Alaric drummed his fingers roughly on the wheel, his face flushed with annoyance. “Didn't you see how angry Daddy was earlier? You're only making things worse with your attitude, Selene!” “Was I wrong?!” Selene shot her a smoldering glare. “Cassandra is nobody! She has no right to be in your father's mansion! I'm your future fiancé, Alaric! I should have a place there, not her!”Alari
Cassandra Winter thought this day would be the beginning of new happiness. In one month, she would be engaged to Alaric, the man of her dreams. But all those hopes were shattered instantly. Who could have imagined that her future fiancé was having an affair — and not with just any woman, but with her best friend, Selene?The heartache tore through her soul like a sharp knife stabbing inward. Cassandra stood in the doorway of the apartment, her eyes wide open at the sight of Alaric and Selene locked in a passionate embrace. They felt no guilt whatsoever, as if the world was theirs alone. Not a word escaped Alaric's lips as she walked away — no attempt to follow her, as if her departure was meaningless.“Give me another glass,” Cassandra said, her voice drowned out by the crowded bar. She ignored the concerned look of the bartender, who saw her chugging tequila like a drunk.Today, her red dress, which clung to her body perfectly, seemed worthless, like a hope that had now been dashed
Cassandra's fingers clawed at Caspian's bare back every time the man above her moved with passionate intensity. She could feel Caspian's tanned skin sweat under her touch, and she was sure that her hoof scratches would leave a mark.Pain radiated through her private parts as he entered without foreplay, leaving her breathless. As a quarter of her consciousness returned, Cassandra found herself caught up in feelings of regret for the nonsense she had spoken. However, her decision to proceed was deeply rooted in her soul. There was no going back-they were both striving for the fulfillment they craved.“Look at me, Cass,” Caspian whispered softly into Cassandra's ear as his hand wiped away the sweat that was running down her forehead.Cassandra, who had closed her eyes earlier due to the pain, finally opened them. She found concern in Caspian's dark eyes.“We can stop the game right here if your body can't handle my presence,” Caspian said, his tone fading as if he were eager to stop eve
Breakfast with Selene was still fresh in his mind — her smile, the laughter echoing among the aroma of coffee and warm toast. Alaric expected today to be like the days before, peaceful and uninterrupted. But as he stepped out of the car, an unexpected sight changed everything.At the end of the parking lot, Alaric saw a familiar figure. His father had just arrived, and beside him walked a familiar woman, but whose presence darkened the skies of Alaric's heart. His eyebrows shot up, confusion and fear creeping in. He clutched his briefcase tightly, as if it were the only thing keeping him from exploding.“She must have been complaining about my affair with Selene,” he thought, frowning as he walked quickly toward the CEO's elevator, which seemed to be getting farther and farther away. “How could Daddy be with Cassandra?” The two figures turned their heads, but instead of answering, Caspian checked his watch.“It's after hours, why are you still in the parking lot? Shouldn't you be at y
“Aren't we just pretending to make out? What if someone comes in again?” Cassandra panicked and didn't obey Caspian's command to pull up the skirt she was wearing. Caspian looked at her flatly. “Isn't it too late to be embarrassed? Alaric will definitely not keep quiet after seeing us together. Of course not.”Cassandra nodded, realizing that Caspian's plan to upset Alaric had worked.“Alaric will surely spread bad rumors about you flirting with me. Then what else are you afraid of? Weren't you ready to accept all the consequences when you decided to take revenge on Alaric?”Hearing those words, Cassandra fell silent. “If you're embarrassed to do it here, I can understand. We can postpone it until the evening.” Caspian relented, intending to let Cassandra down from his lap.However, Cassandra hugged him instead, reluctant to be lowered by the 40-year-old man. “I'm not embarrassed. Just let them see. After all, they can't do anything to me except gossip. That gossip won't affect me.
Selene tried to calm her heart, but the opulence of Caspian's home still loomed large in her mind. The crystal sparkle of the chandelier, the perfect white marble, and the power inherent in Caspian's form were all the life she should have had. But in reality, Cassandra sat in the house as if she were the queen. She looked at Alaric sharply, her frustration growing as they sat in the car and drove away. “Why aren't you doing anything?!” Selene broke the silence, her voice rising. “We got kicked out without a fight! I haven't even had a chance to sit down, let alone enjoy tea in your father's mansion!” Alaric drummed his fingers roughly on the wheel, his face flushed with annoyance. “Didn't you see how angry Daddy was earlier? You're only making things worse with your attitude, Selene!” “Was I wrong?!” Selene shot her a smoldering glare. “Cassandra is nobody! She has no right to be in your father's mansion! I'm your future fiancé, Alaric! I should have a place there, not her!”Alari
Alaric kept his promise to Selene—to introduce her to his father.They arrived at Caspian's house in the morning. Selene stood beside Alaric with an ambitious, veiled smile. She imagined how perfect her life would be now that she was part of Verity's family.But after ringing the bell several times, no servant came. There was no sign of life, and Caspian was nowhere to be seen. Alaric grew impatient, his face hardening.“Why isn't anyone answering the door?” muttered Alaric, his voice beginning to sound annoyed. Without hesitation, he opened the door, which turned out to be unlocked. “Just come in, Selene,” he ordered in an authoritative tone.As soon as they stepped inside, the scent of mahogany wood and fresh flowers immediately filled their nostrils. The ballroom-sized living room was deserted.Marble columns stood tall. Stained-glass windows with gold carvings reflected the morning sun. Huge crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, reflecting light onto the white marble floor th
The sun had just appeared on the eastern horizon, its rays coming through the curtains of the magnificent bedroom window and shining on the face of Cassandra, who was still asleep. The morning air was cool, but there was another warmth that made her slowly open her eyes. As her eyes began to focus, the first thing she saw was Caspian, shirtless, his abs clearly visible, exuding a charming masculinity. He sat quietly on the sofa, reading a book while sipping his coffee. The aroma of fresh coffee mixed with the scent of Caspian's skin filled the room.Cassandra choked up, not expecting to see such a scene so early in the morning. Her body stiffened for a moment before she smiled weakly. “You're not wearing a shirt.”Caspian turned his head to reveal a seductive smile. “Good morning, dear. You're up. Would you like some breakfast?” He asked, getting up from the sofa and walking leisurely towards the kitchen. The muscles in his arms and back moved in sync, mesmerizing Cassandra, who cou
In New York, the clock struck midnight. The rain began to fall, its drops hitting the roofs of tall buildings hard, adding to the gloom of the dark night. In a far corner of the city, a federal building stood tall, its main gate slowly opening. The dim light of a streetlamp bounced off the puddles, highlighting the figure of a man stepping out with his head held high.Samuel Abraham.The man in his thirties did not look like a recently released prisoner. An expensive gray suit wrapped around his body, giving him an elegant appearance that contrasted with his long sentence. His face was clean, without a beard, and his brown hair was neatly combed. Next to him, an older man in a black suit matched his pace, clutching a heavy-looking leather briefcase.“Welcome back, Mr. Samuel,” the old man said in a respectful tone. This was Roland, the loyal attorney who had always stood by Samuel's side through the toughest of trials. Roland knew his client's dark side — the secrets that were never
The afternoon breeze blew gently through the half-open balcony curtains, carrying the scent of fresh roses from the garden outside. The light of the setting sun shone on Selene's dark hair flowing down Alaric's thighs, making it look like a blazing fire, burning with the same intensity as the look in her eyes.Selene's delicate fingers caressed the surface of Alaric's skin as if she were playing an instrument she had mastered.“I've already distributed our engagement invitation to all of your family's business associates,” Selene said casually, without changing her position in the slightest. Her red lips curled into a slight smile that Alaric could hardly guess. “When are you going to introduce me to your daddy?” she asked, this time staring into Alaric's face, studying every change in his expression with the precision of a strategist.Alaric sat leaning against the headboard, looking undecided. His eyes darted from Selene's face to the view outside the window, as if hoping to find an
Cassandra was silent for a moment; her eyes glazed over again, but this time not only with sadness, but also with suppressed anger. She shook her head slowly, a few strands of blonde hair falling across her face. “What I owe you is not Alaric,” she whispered, the sound barely audible between her labored breaths. “What I owe are the memories — the memories I've built with him and all the time I've spent with him over the past three years. It's like it's all meaningless.” Cassandra's voice began to break mid-sentence, pouring out all the frustration and pain she had been holding in. She clenched her hands in her lap, trying to stop her body from shaking. “I didn't do anything wrong. I never hurt anyone. But why did the man I once loved and the best friend I trusted with all my heart betray me?”Her cries erupted again, louder than before. The pain she had been holding in finally exploded, filling the room with a sound that hurt the hearts of everyone who heard it.“All the time I spen
The sound of a car engine roared sharply on the busy New York highway. Caspian gripped the steering wheel tightly, lines of tension visible on his handsome yet serious face. His dark eyes looked straight ahead, taking in every detail of the road until Cassandra's Boutique came into view in the distance. What he found, however, was no ordinary sight.A group of journalists surrounded the boutique, their cameras flashing in a blinding light. They could be heard cheering and asking endless questions of the security guards, who were beginning to be overwhelmed by the flow of people. “This is crazy,” Caspian muttered, his lips pressed tightly together. “If they see me here, this is it. Another piece of bad news is bound to hit Cassandra.” He turned the wheel quickly and took a small road that only fit one car, hidden between old buildings. A faint smile played on his lips, full of satisfaction at knowing an opening that not many people knew about.Caspian parked his car at the end of the
Maxian was furious, especially when his business partners contacted him and questioned him about the new engagement invitations they had received. But worry dominated his feelings. Maxian knew that Casandra loved Alaric despite his wild behavior. And surely Casandra wasn't doing well, and he wasn't around when his younger sister needed someone.“I'm not concerned about Alaric and Cassandra's broken engagement. But why would he send out new engagement invitations to all my business associates and friends who have absolutely nothing to do with Alaric?” Maxian looked at the scene outside with an overwhelming feeling of anger mixed with shame, because Alaric's behavior seemed to emphasize that he wanted to humiliate his family.Maxian glanced at his secretary as he entered his office and then said, “Mr. Director, the meeting will begin in thirty minutes.”“I'll be there soon. I don't want to miss any important points at this meeting. All meeting summaries must be in my e-mail before eight
“Cassandra, let's have dinner.” Her older brother's heavy voice and a soft knock on the door broke Cassandra's reverie.With a lazy movement, Cassandra got out of bed and opened the door. She saw her brother standing there with a big smile on his face.“I stopped by your favorite Italian restaurant on purpose. I'm not working late, so let's eat together and share your daily life,” Maxian continued enthusiastically, making Cassandra unable to resist her brother's wishes. Actually, she was quite full since Caspian had taken her out to lunch all day and then explored the Chinese cuisine in the Asian district until six in the evening.“Okay. I miss my super busy brother too.” Cassandra made a small jump and then took Maxian's arm. They walked down the stairs together to the downstairs dining room.Cassandra and Maxian joked with each other as they walked past their childhood photos with their parents, neatly mounted on the wall. Their eight-year age difference did not make them awkward; i