_Lexi's POV_I stood in the big hallway, feeling confused and frustrated. Julian had just told me I couldn't see my mom. "She wants to hurt you, Lexi," he said. "I won't let that happen."I thought about my mom and why she hated me so much. What did I do to make her so angry? I wanted to know the truth._Julian's POV_I walked away from Lexi, feeling worried. I knew she wouldn't like being told what to do, but I had to keep her safe. Her mom was a mean person who wanted to hurt Lexi.I went to my office and poured myself a drink. I needed to calm down and think clearly. I couldn't let my feelings get in the way of keeping Lexi safe._Lexi's POV_I stood in the hallway for a long time, thinking. I couldn't just do nothing. I had to find out the truth about my mom. And I had to do it on my own.I made a decision. I would find out the truth, no matter what. And I would do it without Julian's help._Julian's POV_I sat in my office, thinking about Lexi. I knew she was determined to find o
Lexi’s POV I looked up, seeing Julian walk into the room, and all the pain and helplessness I’d been feeling seemed to melt away. He immediately came over to me, concern etched in his features. He reached out to wipe away my tears, his touch gentle and warm. “What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice low and soothing.I closed my eyes, feeling a fresh wave of despair. But there was something else there too, something stronger, something I couldn’t ignore: the intense desire, the raw need I felt for him. I let out a shuddering breath, my voice barely above a whisper. “It’s just... family stuff. Nothing you can help with.”He didn’t look convinced. He knew there was something more, something I wasn’t telling him. But he didn’t press the issue. Instead, he took a step closer to me, his body just centimeters away from mine. I could feel the heat radiating off him, and I wanted nothing more than to throw myself into his arms, to escape into the comfort of his embrace.His hands came up to rest
Lexi’s POV He chuckled, his voice ragged with desire. “Beg me,” he said, his fingers continuing their slow, steady rhythm. “You know what I want to hear.” I writhed beneath him, my body tight with need. I wanted to give in, to give him what he wanted, but I needed it just as much.I whined, the sounds coming out of my mouth needy and desperate. “Please,” I managed to gasp out. “Please, I need you. I want you. I want you so badly it hurts.” He groaned at my words, his hand moving faster, the pressure building until I thought I might explode. He leaned down, his lips next to my ear. “Again,” he growled. “Say it again.”I repeated the words, over and over, until they were the only words I knew. “Please,” I begged, “please, I need you. I want you. I want you so badly. I can’t bear it. Please.” His body was taut above me, his muscles coiled with the effort of holding back. He gave a low growl. “Good girl,” he muttered, his words harsh and gravelly. “So good for me. I’m going to give you w
Lexi’s POVI knew Julian was right, and deep down, I didn’t want to admit it. He was always the rational one, always looking out for me. But still, the thought of not seeing my mother—it gnawed at me. “She’s dangerous, Lexi. You need to trust me”, Julian’s words echoed in my mind. But trust had been hard for me for so long, and that feeling wasn’t going away.It wasn’t just about finding answers—it was about facing the past. I had to do this. How else would I ever move forward? Julian didn’t understand what it felt like to live with questions that refused to leave you alone. He saw danger; I saw closure. And that difference was all that mattered.I watched him move around the house, packing for his business trip. His movements were hurried, efficient. He always had a way of making decisions quickly and acting on them without second-guessing himself. I envied that about him.His eyes darted to me every now and then, and I knew he was watching me closely. I hated being under his microsc
Lexi's PovJulian's absence was my biggest opportunity to leave the house and commence with my plans to meet my mother. I planned to make a special meal that everyone in the house could eat apart from myself, this is because I planned to add sedatives to the meal. Then head to Julian's control room and turn off the surveillance cameras. No one was going to be an obstacle to my plans.I called the maid, "Martha!""Yes ma'am," she replied, entering the room."Prepare the grocery list, we are going to do some shopping," I instructed."My apologies ma'am, but I was given a strong warning by Mr. Blackwood, not to let you out of the house until he returns," Martha said hesitantly."What? I didn't realize you were now a part of the security team Martha," I scoffed rolling my eyes at her."I'm afraid I can't defy his words, ma'am, I would lose my job, or even worse, this is about your safety," Martha explained."Whatever," I said, giving her a dismissive wave.As soon as she left for the groc
Julian’s POV I returned home earlier than expected. The business meeting had ended on a sour note, and I was in no mood for delays. As I entered the penthouse, I immediately sensed that something was wrong. The usually bustling atmosphere was eerily quiet, and the faint smell of blood lingered in the air. “Martha?” I called out, my voice echoing through the halls. There was no response. I quickened my steps, heading toward the living room, where I froze at the sight before me. Lexi was sprawled on the floor, her face pale and her lips stained with blood. Her phone lay beside her, the call still active. My heart dropped as I rushed to her side, scooping her up in my arms. Her breathing was shallow, and she was unconscious. “Lexi! Wake up!” I shouted, panic creeping into my voice. I grabbed her phone, hearing the faint sound of someone shouting her name on the other end. “This is Julian Blackwood. Who is this?” I demanded. “Julian, it’s Dr. Ashton. Lexi just called me. What’s happ
Lexi’s POV The second time I woke up, the room was dim, lit only by the soft glow of a bedside lamp. My throat still felt raw, but the intense burning was gone. I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through my stomach. “Take it easy,” Julian’s voice came from a chair in the corner. His tone was calm, but I could see the tension in his posture. He was watching me closely, like he was afraid I’d disappear if he looked away. “Julian,” I rasped, my voice barely audible. He moved to my side, pouring water into a glass and holding it to my lips. “Drink slowly,” he said, his tone softening. I sipped the water, wincing as it soothed my dry throat. “What… happened?” “You were poisoned,” he said bluntly. “Someone in the house tampered with your food or drink. Probably the wine.” My mind raced, flashing back to dinner. Martha had seemed nervous—too nervous. My stomach sank. “Martha,” I whispered. “She’s gone,” Julian said, his expression darkening. “But I’m handling it.” I wanted to
Lexi’s POV The sterile smell of the hospital room mixed with the lingering scent of antiseptic, but I could hardly focus on it. My mind kept racing, replaying the moments that led up to this. My body still ached, the poison’s effects leaving their mark, but my mind was sharper than ever. Julian’s words rang in my ears, but the silence he left behind felt more ominous than any of the revelations he’d shared. I couldn’t ignore the gnawing feeling deep in my chest—the one that whispered that things were far from over. Even though Julian had assured me it was finished, I didn’t feel safe. Whoever was behind this wasn’t someone who gave up easily. I shifted in the bed, careful not to jar the throbbing pain in my side, but the movement was enough to draw Julian back into the room. His eyes softened when he saw me, though a layer of tension still clung to him like a second skin. “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice betraying a hint of concern. “I’m fine,” I lied. He didn’t believe me. I
Elixir’s POV The night stretched endlessly before me, dark and intoxicating. A storm lingered in the air, the scent of rain mixing with the ocean breeze that drifted through the open balcony doors. The world outside my estate was quiet, too quiet, but that only made the pulse of my own thoughts louder, clearer. I had always preferred the night. It was in the darkness that true power thrived, where people’s worst fears came to life, where shadows whispered secrets that daylight tried to bury. The night had always belonged to me, just as much as it had once belonged to Alexa my sister. But Alexa had been weak. Impetuous. Too desperate for vengeance, too obsessed with proving herself. And that desperation had been her downfall. A smirk curled my lips as I shifted the weight in my arms, glancing down at the tiny figure wrapped in a soft white blanket. My daughter stirred, a soft whimper escaping her lips as her small hands reached for something unseen. I watched her, my heart tigh
Lexi’s POVI wasn’t sure why I kept coming back.Maybe it was guilt. Maybe it was curiosity. Or maybe it was because a part of me, despite everything, still wanted to believe Kayla could be saved.But with each visit, that hope faded a little more.The clinic was quiet, the kind of quiet that felt heavy rather than peaceful. It had the sterile scent of disinfectant mixed with something unplaceable—something that made my stomach turn every time I walked through the doors.Kayla’s room was at the end of the hall, tucked away from the others. A nurse nodded at me as I approached, her expression unreadable. I wasn’t family. I wasn’t even a friend. But no one ever questioned why I was here.Maybe they saw the hesitation in my steps, the wariness in my eyes. Maybe they knew that whatever had brought me to Kayla wasn’t simple.I stepped inside, my breath catching in my throat.She was by the window again.She always was.Her hair, once meticulously styled, was now unkempt, strands falling in
Lexi’s pov The night was a blur of toasts, laughter, and stolen glances between Julian and me. Friends and family gathered, congratulating us, offering their blessings. Even Alexander, dressed in the tiniest little tuxedo, was passed around like royalty.And through it all, Julian never left my side.When the night was winding down, and it was just the two of us again, he pulled me into his arms, resting his forehead against mine.“Ready to be my wife?” he asked, his voice low.I smiled, my fingers threading through his hair. “I was ready the moment I fell in love with you.”His kiss was slow, deliberate. Full of promises.Promises I knew he’d keep.The WeddingJulian didn’t just plan a wedding. He orchestrated an event.It was extravagant, breathtaking, and absolutely perfect. Every single detail was meticulously arranged, from the grand venue to the candlelit pathways that led to our vows.The ceremony took place in a private estate overlooking the ocean. White roses lined the aisl
Lexi’s POVThe night Julian proposed, I barely slept. Not because I was restless or uncertain, but because every time I closed my eyes, I replayed the moment over and over again. The way he looked at me. The certainty in his voice. The way his hands trembled just slightly when he slipped the ring onto my finger, as if this was the one thing in his life that truly mattered.I spent the rest of the night lying in his arms, listening to the steady rhythm of his breathing, feeling the warmth of his body against mine. It felt like a dream—one of those rare, beautiful ones that you never want to wake up from.But it was real.I was engaged to Julian Blackwood.When morning came, the first thing I saw was the ring. The delicate diamond glinted in the soft sunlight, a quiet reminder of everything that had changed. My heart clenched with something fierce and overwhelming.I turned my head, finding Julian already awake, watching me.“Morning, fiancé,” he murmured, his voice still laced with sle
Julian’s POVI had never been a man of grand gestures. My world had always been one of precision, control, and ruthless efficiency. Sentiment had no place in my life—until Lexi.She changed everything.She softened the edges of a man who had never known tenderness. She made me want things I never thought I could have. A family. A home. A future.And now, I was going to make sure she was mine forever.I had planned every detail of this night with the same meticulous care I applied to everything in my life. Nothing was left to chance. Lexi deserved the perfect moment, and I would give it to her.When the evening arrived, I found her in the bedroom, getting ready. She stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her earrings, completely unaware of what was coming.“You look breathtaking,” I murmured, stepping behind her.She smiled at me through the mirror. “You’re being suspiciously charming tonight.”I smirked, running my hands down her arms before pressing a kiss to her bare shoulder. “May
Julian’s POVThe moment I stepped into our penthouse, I knew Lexi was waiting. The tension in my shoulders eased just slightly at the sight of her sitting on the couch, Alexander cradled in her arms. She looked up as soon as I entered, her gaze scanning my face for answers.She knew.“Julian,” she murmured, her voice softer than I expected. “You’re back.”I walked over, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead before glancing at my son. He was asleep, his tiny chest rising and falling peacefully.“It’s done,” I said simply.Lexi’s expression faltered. “Victor?”I met her eyes. She already knew the answer, but she still wanted to hear it.“He didn’t make it.”She swallowed, nodding slowly. “I figured.” There was no sorrow, not really. Just an understanding. A quiet acceptance. “I guess he was too far gone, huh?”“He made his choice.” My voice was calm, absolute. “And he paid for it.”Lexi sighed, adjusting Alexander in her arms. “It’s just… a shame, that’s all.”“He would’ve never
Julian’s POVI should’ve seen it sooner.The missing shipments. The subtle miscalculations. The way the enemy always seemed one step ahead.And now, the fire. The attack. The taunting video.All of it led back to one man.Victor Hale.I stood in my office, my fingers curling into fists as Henry laid the last piece of evidence on my desk—a bank transaction, large sums funneled into an offshore account.Victor’s account.My closest men stood around me, their faces hard, waiting for my command.Henry exhaled sharply. “He’s been working against you for months, Julian. He didn’t just steal from you. He fed intel to your enemies. He gave them access. He—”“Where is he?” I cut in, my voice like steel.Henry’s eyes darkened. “We tracked him to a private safe house. He thinks he’s covered his tracks.”“He thinks wrong.”I grabbed my gun.Tonight, this endsJulian’s POVThe moment I stepped into Victor’s so-called safe house, I felt nothing but cold fury.He sat there, comfortably swirling a gl
Julian’s POVThe air was thick with tension. I sat in the backseat of my car, fingers tapping against my knee as Henry drove. The city lights blurred past, but my mind was razor-sharp.We had a lead.A warehouse worker had come forward—nervous, fidgety, but alive. He had information, something about missing shipments and seeing people he shouldn’t have.We were on our way to meet him.Henry’s grip on the wheel was tight. “Something about this feels off.”I nodded. It did. Too easy. Too convenient. But I wasn’t about to ignore it.The moment we pulled up to the meeting point—a rundown building near the docks—I knew.We were too late.The smell of blood hit first. Then, the sight.The worker was slumped against the wall, a bullet hole clean through his skull. A message carved into his chest with something sharp.“Too slow.”My jaw clenched. Whoever was behind this wasn’t just covering their tracks—they were taunting me.Henry crouched down, checking the body. “Still warm.”I turned to m
Julian’s POVI sat in my office, fingers steepled, staring at the whiskey in my glass. It was untouched. I wasn’t in the mood for it. Not when my mind was sharp, dissecting every possible angle of this betrayal.A single thief? No. That would’ve been too simple. Too careless.There was something bigger at play.Henry walked in, his usual calm demeanor slightly strained. I knew him well enough to recognize when something didn’t sit right with him.“What did you find?” I asked.He set a file on my desk. “It wasn’t just him.”I already knew that, but hearing it confirmed sent a slow burn through my chest.“Go on,” I said evenly.Henry opened the file, revealing documents, security logs, and numbers that didn’t match up.“We’ve been missing shipments for months,” he said. “Small amounts. A bar here, a bar there. Nothing too obvious. But it adds up.”I flipped through the pages. The calculations were clear—whoever was behind this had been careful. They knew how to move just enough to avoid