The hospital waiting room was nearly empty, bathed in the dull, sterile glow of fluorescent lights. The ticking of a clock on the wall echoed faintly in the otherwise quiet space. It was late evening, and most visitors had gone home. Only the occasional sound of a nurse’s hurried footsteps or the soft beeping of machines broke the silence.Leo sat hunched in one of the uncomfortable plastic chairs, his bruised knuckles resting on his knees. The throbbing pain from his recent run-in with the Gaglianos pulsed through his body, but his mind was far from the events of the night. His thoughts were fixed on Chloe.After the deal gone wrong with the Gaglianos, he couldn’t ignore the gnawing worry that had taken root, so he had come straight to the hospital, barely pausing to clean himself up. He wasn’t sure why, but Chloe had a way of drawing him in, making him care in ways he hadn’t expected.He ran a hand over his face, exhaustion tugging at him, but still, he waited. He had asked for C
Chloe stood in the sleek, glass-walled boardroom of Westbrook Industries, the early morning sun casting long shadows across the polished mahogany table. The smell of fresh coffee mingled with the faint scent of leather from the high-backed chairs surrounding her. She had arrived just before dawn, slipping into the company like a ghost. The doctors had advised her to rest, her brothers had insisted she take a break, but Chloe couldn't afford that luxury. Not now. Not with everything hanging in the balance.She stood at the head of the table, hands resting on the cool surface, feeling the weight of the room pressing in on her. Around her, the board members were murmuring in low voices, casting uneasy glances her way. She could sense their doubt, their thinly veiled skepticism. They didn’t trust her, not yet. And she collapsing yesterday after the press conference had only deepened their concerns.As Marcus ushered the last of the members into the room, Chloe took a deep breath, steel
Dan woke to the warm, wet sensation of soft lips moving up and down his length, the pleasure slowly pulling him from the haze of sleep. His eyes fluttered shut again as a low groan escaped his throat, surrendering to the familiar sensations coursing through his body. His fingers gripped the bedsheets, his muscles tightening as the intensity built. His head fell back against the pillow, and without thinking, he moaned, “Chloe…”The moment the name left his lips, his body froze. The pleasure reached its peak, and he came hard, but the name he had whispered in the heat of the moment lingered in the air like a bomb about to go off. For a second, the room was silent. Then came the sharp, cold shift in the atmosphere.“Chloe?” Sofia’s voice was like ice. She pulled away from him, her eyes narrowing as she stood at the edge of the bed, her lips still slightly swollen from her efforts.Dan opened his eyes, cursing inwardly as he sat up, the sudden tension between them cutting through the a
Sofia followed the nurse down the long hallway, her heels clicking softly against the polished tile floor. Her mind was elsewhere, replaying the argument from earlier that morning and the sting of Dan saying Chloe's name during an intimate moment. She maintained a calm expression, but anger bubbled just below the surface. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about Dan’s insistence on coming to the hospital today.As they reached the exam room, Sofia paused, suddenly remembering she had left her phone in her bag back in the doctor’s office. “Oh, I forgot something,” she told the nurse, turning on her heel and heading back down the hall.Her pace quickened as she neared the doctor’s office, the sound of Dan’s voice reaching her ears. She slowed; her curiosity piqued. Something in his tone was different—more urgent. She edged closer, just outside the door, her hand hesitating on the handle when she heard Dan speak.“...did you notice anything unusual about Chloe the las
The rooftop restaurant had a quiet elegance, secluded from the hustle and noise of the city below. Dimly lit by warm, amber sconces and lanterns placed delicately along the perimeter, it offered a sense of intimacy despite its open-air design. The view of the skyline was spectacular—twinkling lights stretching across the horizon, contrasting with the deep indigo of the night sky. A soft breeze carried the faint scent of jasmine, mingling with the aroma of the gourmet dishes being served.As Chloe sat at the table, the city spread out below, she could feel the tension in her shoulders. Though she couldn’t see it, the atmosphere wrapped around her like a heavy blanket. It was as if the world was closing in, and all she could do was hold her breath and hope the walls didn’t crumble. She heard Marcus step away, giving her and Leo privacy. For a moment, she wished he hadn’t left.Leo settled back into his seat across from her. She could sense him watching her, his attention intense but
The drive home from the hospital was unnervingly quiet. Dan kept his eyes on the road, his thoughts far away, replaying the revelation about Chloe’s pregnancy. The news felt like a heavy weight in his chest. He tried to maintain his usual calm exterior, but his mind kept drifting back to what Dr. Jackson had said.Chloe, pregnant. His child.Dan wasn’t sure how to feel—surprised, angry, confused. But more than anything, he needed answers. Why hadn’t Chloe told him? Was she planning on keeping it a secret?Beside him, Sofia sat in the passenger seat, her posture stiff, arms crossed over her chest. She hadn’t said much since leaving the hospital, just the occasional small talk about her check-up that Dan responded to absently. He had no idea that she had overheard his conversation with the doctor.As they pulled into the driveway of their house, Dan glanced at Sofia, noticing her tight expression. She hadn’t looked at him once during the entire drive, and now that they were home, she
The next morning, Chloe sat behind her desk at Westbrook Industries, her fingers brushing over the smooth, cold surface. The office was quiet, but it did little to calm the storm brewing inside her. After last night’s dinner with Leo, her mind was swirling with emotions and decisions she wasn’t ready to make. Leo’s offer, as generous as it was, hung heavily over her.She had hoped for a quiet day to think things through, but there was no such thing in her world. The board was breathing down her neck, the company was on the brink, and now, her personal life was creeping dangerously into her professional one.In an attempt to keep herself sane, she reached for her phone and opened the audio novel app she had installed on her phone. It was one of the things that kept her busy while she was with Dan, and she needed it right now. To lose herself in a fantasy world.She had learnt to navigate that app, alongside the call app so it wasn’t an issue for her without her sight. The episode she
The luxury spa was a place to unwind, with its simple design and gentle background music creating the ideal atmosphere for a relaxing afternoon of pampering. The air smelled strongly of lavender and eucalyptus, which was calming and refreshing. The sound of water flowing from a nearby fountain added to the peaceful atmosphere.Nancy Greyson reclined in a plush lounge chair, a glass of champagne balanced delicately in her hand. Her friends, who were also wealthy socialites, were gathered around, chatting softly and laughing. Nancy’s perfectly manicured fingers drummed lightly against her glass as she stared out of the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. The sun cast a golden glow over the skyline, but Nancy’s mood was far from bright.The conversation around her was nothing more than background noise—until one of her friends, Sabrina, broke through her thoughts."So, Nancy, what do you think about your step-sister being CEO of Westbrook Industries now?" Sabrina sounded am
The ride to the hospital was calm, with the sound of the car engine providing a steady background to Chloe’s thoughts. She had asked Leo to take her there to see her brothers first before driving her home.Sitting beside Leo, she found herself nervously fidgeting with the hem of her shirt.“You’re unusually quiet,” Leo said softly, his voice breaking the silence.Chloe tilted her head in his direction, offering a faint smile. “Just thinking,” she admitted. “About Adam and Francis. I can’t imagine how worried they’ve been.”“They’ll feel better seeing you,” Leo reassured her. “It’ll do them good to know you’re safe.”She nodded, her fingers tightening slightly on the fabric. “Thank you for bringing me here. I couldn’t go home without seeing them first.”The hospital came into sight, its plain outside shining softly in the afternoon light. As they pulled into the driveway, Chloe took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was sure to be an emotional reunion.Inside, the soft beeping o
Morning light filtered softly through the curtains, casting muted shadows across the guest room. Chloe stirred beneath the warm covers, her senses gradually awakening to the faint scent of lavender lingering in the air. The sound of a low, hushed voice caught her attention, drawing her from the edges of sleep.She remained still, her head resting lightly against the pillow, as she strained to catch the words.“...need to find out who it was,” Leo’s voice murmured in a firm but quiet voice. “I don’t care what it takes. They targeted her, and I won’t let it go unanswered.”There was a pause, presumably the other person responding. Leo’s tone softened but held its edge. “Just keep me updated. I want answers soon.”The line clicked off, and Chloe heard the faint rustle of movement. She let her breathing remain slow and even, unsure if she should acknowledge what she’d overheard. Before she could decide, Leo’s voice broke the quiet again.“Chloe?” he said softly, closer now. “You’re awak
The dining room grew quiet again as the remnants of their dinner were cleared away. Chloe sat back in her chair, her fingers tracing the edge of her napkin. Despite the tension of the past few days, this moment of calm felt precious, even fleeting. She exhaled softly, feeling her shoulders relax for the first time since the ordeal began.“Chloe,” Leo began, breaking the silence with a thoughtful tone. “Would you like to take a stroll? Stretch your legs a bit?”She tilted her head, intrigued. “A stroll?”“Just around the mansion,” he said. “It’s quiet this time of night. I can show you the garden, maybe even the library if you’d like.”Her lips quirked into a faint smile. “A guided tour of the Leo King estate? How could I say no?”Leo chuckled as he stood, moving to her side to offer his arm. “Shall we?”Chloe hesitated for a moment before taking his arm. “You’re the one who’s supposed to be resting, you know,” she reminded him in a teasing tone.“I’ll be fine,” he replied smoothly. “
When Chloe woke up, the room was a bit dark and silent. The gentle sound of the air conditioning and the far-off footsteps were all that suggested that there was life in the mansion somewhere. Chloe was now lying in bed, feeling the soft mattress underneath her, which was very different from the chair where she had dozed off.She sat up slowly, disoriented for a moment. Her hands brushed against the soft sheets, and a faint scent of lavender lingered in the air. The faint ache in her muscles from the events of the day before made her sigh softly.“You’re finally awake,” a familiar voice said from somewhere nearby in a warm and teasing tone.Chloe turned her head toward the sound, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Leo,” she said softly. “You’re out of bed. You shouldn’t be up. You should be resting.”“Don’t tell me you’re going to be one of those grumpy nurses who would keep me in bed all day if they could,” he quipped with a faint chuckle in his voice.Chloe couldn’t help but laugh
The room was still and quiet, the only sound you could hear was the soft, rhythmic beeping of the monitors beside Leo’s bed. Shadows from the dim overhead light played across the walls, creating a calm amidst the storm that had torn through the night.Chloe sat slumped in the chair beside him, her head resting on the edge of his bed. Her breathing was soft, her face turned slightly toward him, her fingers still curled around his hand as if even in sleep, she couldn’t let him go.Leo’s eyes fluttered open slowly, his vision hazy and blurred at first. The ache in his chest was a dull throb, a reminder of the bullet that had narrowly missed his heart. He blinked, the fog lifting as his gaze focused on the figure beside him.Chloe.For a moment, he simply watched her. Strands of her hair fell across her face, and her lips were parted slightly in the relaxed stillness of sleep. Despite the exhaustion evident in the dark circles beneath her eyes, there was a softness to her features that
The room was dimly lit, filled with sweat and the smell of cigarette smoke. Signs of earlier chaos were everywhere, with debris scattered around and chairs turned over. The man in charge of the kidnap, a wiry man with a gaunt face and sharp, hawk-like eyes, paced back and forth, his boots thudding heavily against the concrete floor.Before him, three men knelt, their faces bruised, blood trickling down from cuts on their foreheads and lips. Each bore the aftermath of a mission gone disastrously wrong, but they kept their heads bowed, too terrified to meet their leader’s burning gaze.The wiry man suddenly stopped, his eyes narrowing on the closest man. “Just thirty damn minutes. Thirty!” he snarled, his voice echoing sharply against the cold, bare walls. “I told you to watch her, to keep her contained. All you had to do was scare her. Make her sweat a little. That’s it!”He took a step closer, his fists clenched at his sides. “And not only do you mess it up,” he growled, his voice dr
The office building had grown eerily quiet, the usual hum of activity replaced by the oppressive weight of uncertainty. Marcus paced in Chloe’s office, her cane and phone resting on the desk where he’d placed them after retrieving them from the floor outside. Every so often, his eyes darted to his watch. Over an hour had passed since Leo had taken off with Chloe. No updates. No calls.Marcus stared at his phone, his thumb hovering over Leo’s number. He’d called twice already, and each time, the line went straight to voicemail. “Damn it,” he muttered under his breath, shoving the phone back into his pocket.The silence in the room felt deafening. Marcus’s mind raced with worst-case scenarios. What if something had gone wrong? What if the men who had taken Chloe had backup? What if—No. He shook his head, forcing himself to stay calm. Leo would handle it. He promised he would. But the nagging feeling in his gut told him otherwise. He had waited long enough.Taking a deep breath, Marcu
Anton gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles white as he pressed the accelerator, speeding through the city’s streets with no regard for traffic lights or the blare of honking horns. The SUV roared past intersections, weaving through traffic like a predator hunting its prey. In the back seat, Chloe held Leo’s limp body against her, her tears staining his shirt as she tried to steady him.Her chest heaved with sobs, her mind consumed with guilt. “This is my fault,” she whispered in a trembling voice. “He’s hurt because of me. If I hadn’t been—”“Enough!” Anton’s voice interrupted her. “He’s not dead yet, so stop crying over him like he is. Save it for later, when he can yell at you himself.”Chloe flinched at his tone, biting her lip to hold back her tears. She knew he was right—her tears wouldn’t help Leo now—but the feel of his blood soaking through his shirt, his shaky breaths, and the shallow rise and fall of his chest shattered her resolve. She nodded weakly, holding
A moment later, another set of footsteps entered the room—a slower and more deliberate one.“Chloe?” The familiar voice called out.Chloe’s breath caught in her throat. “Leo?” she whispered, disbelief and relief flooding her at once.Leo’s voice was calm yet clear, piercing the musty atmosphere of the dimly lit room. “I’d be careful if I were you.” His gun was raised, trained with deadly precision on the man holding Chloe.The kidnapper paused for a moment, keeping his gun aimed at Chloe, his hand tightening around the handle. “You wouldn’t put her life in danger,” he sneered, but the slight tremor in his voice revealed his doubt.Leo’s eyes burned with cold fury. “You think I won’t put a bullet in your head before you can even pull that trigger?” His words carried no bravado, only the lethal certainty of a man who had done worse for less.The man hesitated, his resolve faltering under Leo’s intense gaze. “I just do my job, alright? Nothing personal. You want her back? Let me walk out