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Chapter TwentySix

Author: Tory June
last update Last Updated: 2024-09-05 08:02:24

Next morning.

My alarm startled me from a restless sleep I didn't even know I had fallen into till now.

As I sat up, my heart hammered, the events of last night surged back with a panic like it never left.

Disoriented, I looked about and for a moment I couldn't remember where I was. But then the sight of my cute, familiar bedroom steadied me, even if it did not help to calm the strain coiling in my chest.

The picture.

My breath seized as I recalled the picture in the envelope. Still laying on the nightstand where I had left it.

Just what's happening to me?

I crossed to the window and peeked outside, kinda expecting to see someone hiding in the shadows, but the scene below was very normal.

A few neighbors walked their dogs, and a couple of kids were already on their way to school, their laughs drifting up to me.

Everything looked peaceful, quiet, as if I wasn’t being watched, as if I hadn’t gotten that scary message.

But I had.

And the picture was proof that whoever it was, a
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  • The "EX" Factor    Chapter TwentySeven

    “I’m done with the flight bookings. Everything’s all set,” Julie said, placing a folder on Tyler’s desk with an indifferent expression.She made sure to keep her tone casual, professional even, but Tyler could sense the tension lingering between them.. He glanced at her briefly, his eyes flicking over the folder before returning to his computer screen, trying to keep the conversation strictly business.The flight to London for the presentation and charity event was important, and Julie had handled the logistics seamlessly, as always. He needed her expertise, and that was the only reason she was still around. Nothing more.Tyler kept his face impassive, refusing to let any flicker of emotion slip through, even as the burning anger he had towards her tugged at the back of his mind. But now, all of that was behind him. Or so he told himself.Julie stood there, hands closed in front of her, her expression as unreadable as always. She also looked committed to behaving as though nothing

    Last Updated : 2024-09-06

  • The "EX" Factor    Chapter TwentyEight

    "Okay... which one, which one, which..." I mumbled to myself, narrowing my eyes as I stood before the mirror. My closet had never felt so overwhelming. I ran my fingers over different fabrics, feeling their textures glide against my skin. Tonight I needed the perfect outfit. Something that screamed confidence, elegance, but didn’t take away from the professionalism of the event.The charity auction I had been working on for weeks was finally here. Late-night revisions, the pressure of making every detail perfect.. it was all leading up to tonight.I paused, pulling out a classic black dress. The fabric glowed as it caught the light, sophisticated yet simple. "Maybe this one," I murmured, holding it against my body. But before I could settle on the choice, my phone buzzed, pulling me from my thoughts. “Annie?” I said, smiling as I recognized the name. My best friend, always with right timing.“Samantha!” Annie’s voice was brimming with excitement, almost vibrating through the ph

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  • The "EX" Factor    Chapter TwentyNine

    The drive to the venue was silent. A comfortable silence, only interrupted by Caleb’s smooth voice when he complimented me. "You look... stunning," he had said, his words lingering in the air longer than I wanted them to. I could feel his gaze on me from time to time, but I kept my eyes ahead, focusing on the road, the city lights blurring by. My nerves, despite my efforts to remain calm, were starting to build. Tonight was huge. My designs were being showcased for the world to see. For his world to see.Caleb pulled up to the venue, a grand hall befitting his status.. CEO of The Rinders Group. The parking lot was filled with luxury cars, each one gleaming under the streetlights, their owners stepping out, dressed in clothes worth more than most people’s rent. Basically, the air was thick with elegance, success, and power. "Here we are," Caleb said, parking the car in an area that appeared virtually set aside for him.People talking, joking, and greeting one another with simpl

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  • The "EX" Factor    Chapter Thirty

    I rushed out of the hall, my heels echoing on the car park pavement. My thoughts and heart raced as I was trying to comprehend what just happened. Tyler. Here. What the hell? "You look like you've seen a ghost." This familiar voice echoed and I immediately turned towards its direction. Julie. She stood right behind me, staring back at me with a mischievous smirk on her face. Of course. He brought his mistress along. Perfect. "So, he still keeps you around, huh?" My voice was harsh, full of the anger that had been building within me. "I guess some things never change." Her smirk widened, her eyes gleaming with the satisfaction of knowing she had upset me. "What can I say love? Some of us simply know how to stay in the game." "What do you want?" I spat, clearly wasn't having whatever drama it was she wanted. "Oh, just checking in to see how you are, sweetie." She paused, "And to be honest, you don't appear to be doing so well." Her laughing echoed around the p

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  • The "EX" Factor    Chapter ThirtyOne

    "Let me go!" I snapped, wrenching my arm free from Tyler's grip. My pulse raced, emotions rushing through me. Tyler moved back releasing my hands. "Sam, calm down. Please, just let me explain."My brows furrowed in irritation. "Explain?" I let out an humourless laughter. "I don't understand, explain what exactly?" "Sam, I know you don’t want to hear it, but just give me a chance to at least explain, please," he urged, his voice lower now.I gazed at him, my voice shaking with anger. "Explain what please? How you almost killed me? How I lost our child because of you? How you labeled me a slut and tossed divorce papers at me without even asking a single question?" My voice cracked, but I kept back the tears. Not here. Not now.Tyler’s mouth parted, but no words came out."Explain what, Tyler?" I shouted, my voice echoing in the full parking lot. "Why aren’t you saying anything?"He inhaled sharply, taking a step toward me. "I didn’t know you’d be here, Sam. I swear, plus I had no

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  • The "EX" Factor    Chapter ThirtyTwo

    The rest of the evening passed in a blur. The auction went much better than I had expected, nearly too well. My designs were on full show, and the audience buzzed with excitement. Each bid appeared to raise the stakes, increasing the cost of the design I'd spent weeks coming up with. Then the final bid came in. Tyler. It had to be him, out of everyone in the room. He'd lifted his paddle and immediately outbid everyone. The room had fallen silent, a weird tension creeping over the audience as the auctioneer's hammer fell. Sold. To Tyler Wills. I didn't know what to feel at the time. Shock? Anger? Perhaps both. He said nothing, just he sat there grinning broadly as though he had just won some twisted game. The event ended soon after, and as people left the room's energy changed. I had done my part and met my commitments. Now it was time to leave. And so I found myself in Caleb's car, driving away from the scene, the tension between us thick enough to cut with a

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  • The "EX" Factor    Chapter ThirtyThree

    "Wow... such a cute, girly interior." Caleb's voice was gentle, carrying a touch of surprise as he walked inside. I grinned a little, watching him take in the space. My apartment wasn’t very big, but it was nice.. pastel pink pillows carefully arranged on my cream-colored couch, a few candles on the coffee table, and fairy lights hung over the windows. The framed images of sunflowers I’d picked up at a flea market added a pleasant touch. "Thanks," I said, slamming the door behind us. "All credit goes to the Rinders.” Caleb raised an eyebrow as he smiled. I nodded toward the couch. "Please, sit." He proceeded toward the sofa, and I took a quick glance around, quietly thanking myself that I hadn’t left a mess this morning. The home was clean, and for once, I felt like I had my life together.. even if it was just for a while.Caleb sat down, nestling into the cushions. "So," he began, his gaze roaming the room before resting back on me. "How's it been? Settling in here, I mean."

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  • The "EX" Factor    Chapter ThirtyFour

    I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection, trying to keep my thoughts stable as the minutes passed. Tonight was meant to be a celebration. Caleb had prepared a team dinner to honor me for obtaining the multimillion-dollar contract. I should be excited, grateful even.. yeah, I was. But something else drew at me, an invisible weight drawing me back, tying me to the memories I thought I'd put behind.Tyler.I breathed sharply, allowing the name to resonate in my mind for a second before shoving it back down and locking it away. He was in my past, not my future. Not anymore.. I've got to stop dwelling on these thoughts.. I smoothened my dress, the silky fabric cool against my skin, but it did not help me calm the storm within of me.My phone hummed as I got ready to leave and picked my bags. It was Caleb. I hesitated, stared at the screen, then after a few secs, swiped to answer."Hey," his voice sounded cool as usual. Trying to keep my voice firm so it doesn't rev

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