"She's stunning," one woman admitted begrudgingly, but her compliment was overshadowed by venom. "But can you believe she's marrying Xavier Colleen? "What could she possibly see in him?""Oh, come on," another chimed in, leaning closer to her gossip partner. "You haven't heard the real story? She left her fiancé-someone just as rich, if not richer-for him. I mean, Xavier is a catch, sure, but everyone knows how he treats his women. Rumor has it, she couldn't resist his... well, you know." She giggled, her tone dripping with malice. "Bet she's addicted to him already."The words stabbed at Skye like needles, but she didn't falter. Her jaw clenched imperceptibly, and she kept her gaze locked forward, refusing to give them the satisfaction of seeing her react. Let them talk. Let them have their pathetic little gossip. She was no stranger to it-her life had been a spectacle ever since she agreed to this arrangement. But the raw, personal nature of their whispers still burned. How the he
She took a deep breath, her nails biting into her palms as she tried to center herself. Not here. Not now. If they wanted her to break, they would have to try harder. Skye was no stranger to being underestimated, and she wasn't about to let them win-not tonight, not ever.Her gaze wandered back to Xavier, who was watching her from across the room. His expression was unreadable, but his piercing blue eyes bore into her like a storm waiting to be unleashed. Had he heard any of it? Did he even care? She doubted it.Straightening her shoulders, she grabbed another glass of champagne from a passing waiter and downed it in one fluid motion. She welcomed the burn as the liquid slid down her throat, using it as fuel to fortify her crumbling walls. If this was her new reality, then so be it.But one thing was certain: she wasn't going to be a passive pawn in their cruel games. They wanted a fight? She'd give them a fight. She tilted her head back, the fifth glass of champagne slipping past her
Skye reached the restroom, shoving the door open with trembling hands. Her breath came in ragged gasps as she stumbled toward the sink, clutching its edge for support. She met her reflection in the mirror, her face pale, her mascara smudged from the tears she hadn't even realized were falling. Her carefully arranged hair now hung in disarray, framing her tear-streaked cheeks.The quiet sobs she had been holding back finally broke free, shaking her body as she leaned over the sink. "This was supposed to be my day," she whispered bitterly to herself, her voice breaking. "My wedding day."Skye leaned against the restroom sink, her body trembling as her sobs quieted. She wiped at her face, smearing the tears that had already ruined her carefully applied makeup. All she wanted was to leave this nightmare behind, to slip out of her wedding gown and crawl into bed, where the weight of Xavier's fury and the humiliating scene from the ballroom couldn't reach her. Her exhaustion pressed down
Xavier paced like a caged beast, his movements restless, agitated. His fingers repeatedly tangled in his dark hair, first smoothing it back, then gripping at the strands as though the act would steady his rage. His jaw was clenched so tightly it ached, his tongue pressing against the roof of his mouth in an effort to contain the storm brewing within him. His entire body was taut with tension, muscles coiled like a predator ready to pounce.His sharp blue eyes-cold and calculating-remained locked on the restroom door. What the fuck was taking her so long? His gut twisted with unease, an unfamiliar and unwelcome sensation that only served to further stoke his fury. She wouldn't dare try anything stupid... would she? The thought made his chest tighten.He wanted to storm in there, to slam the door open and drag her out if necessary. But Xavier knew better. That wouldn't be the smart move. He needed to keep his composure-or at least what was left of it. He ran a hand down his face, exhal
Skye's heart pounded against her ribcage, her breath coming in fast, uneven gasps as she clutched Elijah's hand, her fingers squeezing him like a lifeline. The thrill of their escape still coursed through her veins, adrenaline pumping wildly, making her skin feel electric."I can't believe we escaped the guards!" she burst out, her voice breathless yet laced with excitement, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she struggled to catch her breath. Elijah, on the other hand, stood beside her, a slow, knowing smirk curling his lips as he observed her reaction. He was calm-too calm, like this was just another night for him. His dark, hooded eyes studied her intently, flickering with amusement as he leaned against the nearest wall, hands tucked casually into his pockets. The contrast between them was stark-Skye, wild with exhilaration, and Elijah, exuding an almost predatory ease."Did you see my face when I thought the guards would catch us?" she stammered between her laughter, wiping
His eyes, hooded and unreadable, were pinned on her like she was something to be studied, dissected, and devoured all at once. Sky could feel it-his gaze-a slow caress over her skin, setting off a shiver that had nothing to do with the cold.She tilted her head back, gripping the stem of her wine glass a little tighter than necessary, as if it was the only thing tethering her to reality. "How did you meet my brother?"Such a simple inquiry. Innocent, even. But it wasn't.Her lips parted slightly, her breath coming in shallow waves as she stared at the words scrawled in the chest. It should have been easy to answer, but the truth held too many jagged edges. She wasn't ready to open up. Not to Elijah. Not to a man she barely knew-a man she had literally spewed her drink on hours ago.But there was something about him. Something that pulled at her in a way she couldn't quite name.Her throat bobbed as she swallowed, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass.Elijah, meanwhile, had not st
Sky trudged home after her night shift, the ache in her feet a dull reminder of the day’s work. She was exhausted, her mind clouded by fatigue, yet there was a spark of anticipation flickering inside her. Tonight was supposed to be special—it was her birthday, and Valentine’s Day too. She’d spent all day entertaining fleeting fantasies, hoping Andrew might surprise her with something thoughtful. She pictured herself stepping inside to find rose petals scattered across the floor, maybe even a romantic candle or two lighting up their tiny apartment. Something, anything, to show he’d remembered her.But as she pushed open the door, the dream shattered almost immediately. Her eyes fell on the floor near the entrance, where a lacy bra lay, entwined with a pair of men’s boxers. Sky’s breath caught. Her fingers tightened around the doorknob as the air around her thickened, suffocating her in disbelief. A chill crept up her spine, numbing her thoughts as she tried to swallow down the mount
Sky had crammed the last of her clothes into her suitcase, zipping it up with a snap that echoed around the empty room. She couldn’t stand to be here another minute, not after what she’d seen. Every glance at the couch clawed at her heart, a taunting reminder of her boyfriend, Andrew, entangled with her own sister on that very cushion. The image haunted her like a relentless ghost, replaying itself every time she blinked. This wasn’t a home anymore—it was a trap. The only way to free herself was to leave, to let the walls that bore witness hold the memories she refused to carry.Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, vibrating with Andrew’s apologies. Each text dripped with regret and excuses: "It was a mistake, Sky. “It wasn’t me. It was...it was the devil’s work." She rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath, “Blame it on the devil, huh? Typical. Take some responsibility, you son of a...” Her lips twisted into a bitter smile as she wished him the worst—a one-way ticket to misery.
His eyes, hooded and unreadable, were pinned on her like she was something to be studied, dissected, and devoured all at once. Sky could feel it-his gaze-a slow caress over her skin, setting off a shiver that had nothing to do with the cold.She tilted her head back, gripping the stem of her wine glass a little tighter than necessary, as if it was the only thing tethering her to reality. "How did you meet my brother?"Such a simple inquiry. Innocent, even. But it wasn't.Her lips parted slightly, her breath coming in shallow waves as she stared at the words scrawled in the chest. It should have been easy to answer, but the truth held too many jagged edges. She wasn't ready to open up. Not to Elijah. Not to a man she barely knew-a man she had literally spewed her drink on hours ago.But there was something about him. Something that pulled at her in a way she couldn't quite name.Her throat bobbed as she swallowed, her fingers tracing the rim of her glass.Elijah, meanwhile, had not st
Skye's heart pounded against her ribcage, her breath coming in fast, uneven gasps as she clutched Elijah's hand, her fingers squeezing him like a lifeline. The thrill of their escape still coursed through her veins, adrenaline pumping wildly, making her skin feel electric."I can't believe we escaped the guards!" she burst out, her voice breathless yet laced with excitement, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she struggled to catch her breath. Elijah, on the other hand, stood beside her, a slow, knowing smirk curling his lips as he observed her reaction. He was calm-too calm, like this was just another night for him. His dark, hooded eyes studied her intently, flickering with amusement as he leaned against the nearest wall, hands tucked casually into his pockets. The contrast between them was stark-Skye, wild with exhilaration, and Elijah, exuding an almost predatory ease."Did you see my face when I thought the guards would catch us?" she stammered between her laughter, wiping
Xavier paced like a caged beast, his movements restless, agitated. His fingers repeatedly tangled in his dark hair, first smoothing it back, then gripping at the strands as though the act would steady his rage. His jaw was clenched so tightly it ached, his tongue pressing against the roof of his mouth in an effort to contain the storm brewing within him. His entire body was taut with tension, muscles coiled like a predator ready to pounce.His sharp blue eyes-cold and calculating-remained locked on the restroom door. What the fuck was taking her so long? His gut twisted with unease, an unfamiliar and unwelcome sensation that only served to further stoke his fury. She wouldn't dare try anything stupid... would she? The thought made his chest tighten.He wanted to storm in there, to slam the door open and drag her out if necessary. But Xavier knew better. That wouldn't be the smart move. He needed to keep his composure-or at least what was left of it. He ran a hand down his face, exhal
Skye reached the restroom, shoving the door open with trembling hands. Her breath came in ragged gasps as she stumbled toward the sink, clutching its edge for support. She met her reflection in the mirror, her face pale, her mascara smudged from the tears she hadn't even realized were falling. Her carefully arranged hair now hung in disarray, framing her tear-streaked cheeks.The quiet sobs she had been holding back finally broke free, shaking her body as she leaned over the sink. "This was supposed to be my day," she whispered bitterly to herself, her voice breaking. "My wedding day."Skye leaned against the restroom sink, her body trembling as her sobs quieted. She wiped at her face, smearing the tears that had already ruined her carefully applied makeup. All she wanted was to leave this nightmare behind, to slip out of her wedding gown and crawl into bed, where the weight of Xavier's fury and the humiliating scene from the ballroom couldn't reach her. Her exhaustion pressed down
She took a deep breath, her nails biting into her palms as she tried to center herself. Not here. Not now. If they wanted her to break, they would have to try harder. Skye was no stranger to being underestimated, and she wasn't about to let them win-not tonight, not ever.Her gaze wandered back to Xavier, who was watching her from across the room. His expression was unreadable, but his piercing blue eyes bore into her like a storm waiting to be unleashed. Had he heard any of it? Did he even care? She doubted it.Straightening her shoulders, she grabbed another glass of champagne from a passing waiter and downed it in one fluid motion. She welcomed the burn as the liquid slid down her throat, using it as fuel to fortify her crumbling walls. If this was her new reality, then so be it.But one thing was certain: she wasn't going to be a passive pawn in their cruel games. They wanted a fight? She'd give them a fight. She tilted her head back, the fifth glass of champagne slipping past her
"She's stunning," one woman admitted begrudgingly, but her compliment was overshadowed by venom. "But can you believe she's marrying Xavier Colleen? "What could she possibly see in him?""Oh, come on," another chimed in, leaning closer to her gossip partner. "You haven't heard the real story? She left her fiancé-someone just as rich, if not richer-for him. I mean, Xavier is a catch, sure, but everyone knows how he treats his women. Rumor has it, she couldn't resist his... well, you know." She giggled, her tone dripping with malice. "Bet she's addicted to him already."The words stabbed at Skye like needles, but she didn't falter. Her jaw clenched imperceptibly, and she kept her gaze locked forward, refusing to give them the satisfaction of seeing her react. Let them talk. Let them have their pathetic little gossip. She was no stranger to it-her life had been a spectacle ever since she agreed to this arrangement. But the raw, personal nature of their whispers still burned. How the he
"Stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid!" she muttered, the words escaping her lips in between gasps. Her voice cracked, raw and broken, as she pounded her fists against her forehead. "How could I be so blind? So fucking stupid?" Her fingers dug into her scalp, her perfectly styled hair now disheveled and wild as she rocked back and forth in her seat.She was spiraling, the weight of her emotions crushing her like a tidal wave. Images of Xavier and Abigail together flashed through her mind-his hands on her, his lips against hers-and she let out a choked sob. "For Christ's sake, Skye!" she cried out, her voice hoarse from the strain. "What the hell were you thinking? You knew this wasn't real. You knew better, and you still-" She broke off, shaking her head violently as though she could shake away the shame and self-loathing that threatened to consume her.Her phone buzzed, Skye froze, her red-rimmed eyes darting toward the glowing screen. For a moment, she considered ignoring it, letting it
Abigail walked in with the kind of confidence that could silence a room, her heels clicking against the polished floor like a diva. She was stunning, dressed provocatively in a scarlet gown that clung to her every curve. . The neckline plunged daringly, revealing her ample chest, while the slit up the side of the dress showcased long, toned legs. Her lips, painted the same sultry shade as her dress, curled into a smirk that was equal parts alluring and menacing. And her eyes-sharp, piercing, and calculating-scanned the room before landing on Skye with laser precision."Well, well, well," Abigail drawled, her voice dripping with mockery as she sauntered further into the room. Her tone was sweet, but it carried an edge sharp enough to cut. "Isn't this just a lovely sight? The blushing bride, all dressed up and ready to walk down the aisle." She moved like a queen surveying her kingdom, each step deliberate and dripping with purpose.The words hung in the air like a slap, and Abigai
"Let me get this straight," Dante snarled, taking a step forward, his hands gesturing wildly. "You're telling me that Abigail-Abigail of all people-came to your penthouse last night, and instead of throwing her out like any decent man with a shred of loyalty would, you-" He faltered, his voice cracking with disbelief. "You slept with her?! You're getting married today, Xavier! To Sky! How the hell could you do this?"Xavier's expression didn't flicker, not even for a second. He adjusted his cufflinks, the soft metallic click somehow louder than Dante's shouts. "She came to me," Xavier said flatly, his voice devoid of any emotion. "She wanted it. I didn't go looking for her. She asked, and I gave her what she wanted. Simple as that."For a moment, Dante just stared at him, his mouth slightly open, as if his brain was struggling to process what he had just heard. "She wanted it?" he repeated, his tone climbing an octave. "She wanted it, so you just-what? Thought it was your duty to obli