Agatha POV:My head throbbed, a dull, insistent ache that pulsed in time with the rhythmic beeping of a machine I couldn't quite place. I blinked, my eyes fluttering open, the harsh fluorescent lights of… a hospital room? … stinging my vision. Disoriented, I tried to sit up, a wave of dizziness washing over me, forcing me back against the starched white pillows.“Whoa, easy there.” A gentle hand pressed against my shoulder. “Just take it easy, Ms. De Rossi. You’re safe now.”A doctor, a young woman with kind eyes and a warm smile, stood beside my bed, a stethoscope dangling from her neck.“What… what happened?” I asked, my voice a raspy whisper, my throat dry and scratchy. “Where… where am I?”“You’re in the hospital, Ms. De Rossi,” she explained patiently. “You fainted in the cafeteria. Don’t worry, it’s nothing serious. Just exhaustion and… well, it seems you haven’t been taking very good care of yourself lately.”Fainted? The cafeteria… Nathan. Camille's baby…The memories of
Charles POV:The taste of Agatha’s lips, a bittersweet mix of tears and uncertainty, lingered, a phantom sensation against my own. The air in the hospital room crackled with tension, thick and heavy with unspoken words, unresolved emotions.Nathan’s presence, a ghost I thought I’d banished, hung over us, a shadow tainting the intimacy I craved. His eyes, those that mirrored my own hunger for Agatha, were a constant, irritating reminder of the past, of the bond they shared—a bond I was determined to sever, once and for all.I forced a smile, my hand lingering on Agatha's cheek, a possessive gesture meant to stake my claim, to ward off any lingering hopes Nathan might harbor.“Are you feeling better now?” I asked, my voice a carefully modulated murmur.Agatha’s gaze, usually so sharp, so focused, was clouded with confusion, her eyes darting between me and Nathan, a silent plea in their depths.“I’m… I’m not a critical patient, Charles,” she said, her voice a shaky whisper, her hand fl
Agatha POV:“Agatha, you’re being reckless! You can’t just discharge yourself. The doctor said you need to rest.” Charles’s voice was a mix of concern and… annoyance? I couldn’t quite tell.I ignored him, signing the discharge papers with a flourish, my hand surprisingly steady despite the lingering dizziness, the exhaustion that tugged at me.“I’m fine, Charles,” I said firmly, my gaze meeting his, unwavering. “Really. I need to be with my father. He needs me.”“But Agatha…”“No, Charles,” I interrupted, my voice sharper than I intended. “I appreciate your concern, but I can’t… I can’t stay here. Not when Dad is…”I couldn’t finish the sentence. The thought of him, lying in that hospital bed, hooked up to machines, his life hanging by a thread, was a physical ache in my chest.“Okay,” Charles said, his voice softening, his hand gently touching my arm, a possessive gesture that both comforted and irritated me. “I understand. I’ll… I’ll drive you.”“No,” I said, shaking my head. “I’l
Charles POV:The penthouse was silent, the only sound the gentle clinking of ice in my glass as I swirled the amber liquid, the city lights twinkling below like a scattered handful of diamonds. I should have been celebrating. NexGen was on the brink, Agatha, overwhelmed and vulnerable, was falling right into my carefully laid trap.Yet, a strange unease gnawed at me, a persistent hum beneath the surface of my carefully constructed composure.My father’s voice, sharp and disapproving, echoed in my mind. “NexGen? That’s a risky move, Charles. A De Rossi company? It’s not worth it.”He’d never understood my ambition, my drive to conquer, to possess. He’d always preferred the safe, predictable path, the steady accumulation of wealth and power. He’d never taken risks, never played the game with the same ruthless determination that pulsed through my veins.A soft chime announced the arrival of dinner. My stepmother, a woman whose name I barely remembered, glided into the room."Charles, d
Agatha POV:The penthouse apartment shimmered, a testament to Charles's impeccable taste and extravagant wealth. Sunlight streamed through floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the sleek, modern furniture, the abstract art that adorned the walls, the breathtaking view of the city sprawling beneath us.It was a world away from the sterile white walls of the hospital, the hushed whispers, the constant fear that had clung to me like a second skin.But even in this luxurious sanctuary, a knot of unease tightened in my stomach, a constant reminder of the weight I carried, the decisions I had to make, the tangled mess of my heart that I couldn't seem to unravel.Charles poured me a glass of champagne, the bubbles rising like tiny, effervescent hopes in the crystal flute. He handed it to me, his touch lingering on mine, a possessive gesture that both thrilled and unsettled me."To new beginnings," he said, his voice a warm caress, his blue eyes sparkling with a mixture of admiration and…
Jasmine POV:I tapped my pen against my notepad, the rhythmic click a counterpoint to the frantic pulse of my thoughts. Charles was at it again. This time, it wasn't a hostile takeover or a complex financial scheme – it was Agatha De Rossi, and as always, things were spiraling, fast.My phone buzzed. I knew it would be him, no need to even look at the caller ID. "Jasmine, I need to know everything about Nathan Richards’s finances. Leave no stone unturned!" The words, practically a command, were just a little bit too intense to be just for work, which was usually the case with Charles.I sighed, a small sound that was swallowed by the vast emptiness of my office. I’d been with Charles long enough to recognize the signs – the obsessive focus, the restless pacing, the underlying tension that radiated off him like heat from a furnace. He was smitten, utterly consumed by this woman, and it was making him… reckless."Of course, Charles," I replied, my voice a carefully modulated blend
Agatha POV:“Jasmine,” I said, my voice a carefully controlled whisper, my gaze fixed on her, trying to decipher the emotions hidden beneath her usual calm demeanor. “What are you doing here? Is something wrong with Charles?”Her gaze flickered, a brief flash of something – anxiety? – before her face settled back into a mask of polite professionalism.“No, Ms. De Rossi,” she said, her voice measured, almost clinical. “Nothing has happened to Charles, not physically. It is… another kind of matter entirely.”I leaned back in my chair. The air in the office felt charged with unspoken tension, the silence a heavy weight that pressed down on me.“What do you mean, Jasmine?” I asked, my voice barely audible, my fingers tightening around my pen. “What’s going on?”She hesitated for a moment, her gaze drifting to the window, the city lights a distant, indifferent backdrop to the drama unfolding within these sterile walls. When she looked back, her eyes, usually so cold and calculating, wer
Agatha POV:The air in the children’s hospital playroom was a chaotic mix of giggling, chattering, and the rhythmic thump of small feet against the linoleum floor. Colorful murals of cartoon animals adorned the walls, bright posters encouraged everyone to “Stay Strong” and “Never Give Up”, and a mishmash of toys lay scattered across the floor like fallen confetti. It was a world away from the sterile silence of the ICUs, but even here, the weight of illness, of childhood suffering, was a palpable presence, a shadow that couldn’t be completely erased by the bright decorations or the forced cheerfulness of the staff.I smiled, trying to project an air of carefree joy as I bent down to help a little girl with a sparkly tiara that kept slipping over her eyes. Her face, pale and delicate, was illuminated by the sheer glee of wearing a crown, her eyes sparkling with an innocence that tugged at my heart. This charity event, a fundraiser for the children’s hospital, was something I had pe
Nathan POV:The music was too loud, the laughter too bright, the champagne too bitter.Each clink of a glass, each polite chuckle, each congratulatory pat on Agatha’s back felt like a punch to my gut.I stood in the shadows, a ghost at this opulent feast, watching the life I’d thrown away unfold before my eyes.And there she was, the center of it all, radiant in a black dress that clung to every curve.Agatha.My Agatha.Laughing, smiling, her eyes sparkling with a joy that was no longer meant for me.And Charles. Always Charles.He stood beside her, a constant presence, his hand resting a little too comfortably on the small of her back, his smile a little too intimate, his gaze a little too possessive.He was a serpent, slithering his way into her life, whispering poison in her ear, blinding her with his charm and carefully constructed lies.Each time he touched her, a fresh wave of rage, hot and thick, washed over me, threatening to drown me in its intensity.Each time she laughed a
Charles POV:"Pathetic, isn't he?"Councilman Hayes's words, laced with disdain, cut through the polite murmur of the charity gala. I didn't need to turn to know who he was referring to.I followed his gaze across the room, a wry smile playing on my lips. Nathan Richards, the once-mighty heir to the Richards empire, was a shadow of his former self. He stood alone by the bar, his usually impeccable suit rumpled, his tie loosened, his hair disheveled, his gaze fixed on Agatha with a desperate, almost predatory intensity.He looked like a caged animal, pacing back and forth, his eyes darting around the room, a mixture of anger, frustration, and a raw, exposed vulnerability that was almost… painful to watch."He's losing it, Charles," Hayes continued, his voice a low, conspiratorial murmur. "The company's in shambles, his family's turning against him, and now… this."He gestured towards Nathan with a subtle nod of his head."Publicly begging his ex-wife to take him back? It's… embarrass
Agatha POV:The salty air whipped through my hair, carrying with it the rhythmic roar of the ocean. We were strolling along the beach, hand in hand, the setting sun painting the sky in hues of orange, pink, and purple. It was magical, a scene ripped straight from a movie, and a stark contrast to the sterile hospital rooms and tense board meetings that had consumed my life lately.Charles had been true to his word. He’d whisked me away on a spontaneous getaway, a much-needed escape from the pressures of NexGen, the lingering shadow of Nathan, and the ever-present questions surrounding James.He’d rented a secluded beach house, a cozy haven nestled among the dunes, with panoramic ocean views and the sound of crashing waves as a constant lullaby.“Remember the last time we were at the beach together?” he asked, his thumb stroking the back of my hand, a touch that sent shivers down my spine.A laugh escaped my lips, a light, carefree sound I hadn’t realized I was capable of making anymo
Charles POV:The boardroom buzzed with the low murmur of hushed conversations, the clinking of champagne flutes, and the scratching of pens against crisp, expensive paper.The air thrummed with a potent mix of relief, anticipation, and the subtle undercurrent of rivalry that always permeated these high-stakes gatherings.We’d done it. The partnership between Campbell Enterprises and NexGen was official. Signed, sealed, and delivered.My gaze drifted to Agatha, who was standing across the room, accepting congratulations from a gaggle of board members and investors.She looked radiant, her emerald green dress a vibrant splash of color against the muted tones of the boardroom.Her smile was dazzling, her laughter a melodic counterpoint to the dull hum of business chatter.But even from across the room, I could see the shadows in her eyes, the lingering sadness that clung to her like a second skin.The weight of her father’s illness, the messy drama with Nathan, and now the added pressure
Charles POV:The phone felt heavy in my hand, the smooth surface slick with a cold sweat that had nothing to do with the humid air. Richards’s voice, desperate and raw, echoed in my mind, a discordant note in the carefully orchestrated symphony of my life.“Campbell. It’s Richards. We need to talk. It’s about Agatha. And James Wei. I know everything.”Everything? What did he mean by that? How much did he know?My carefully constructed plans, the intricate web I’d woven around Agatha, were they about to unravel?Panic, cold and sharp, clawed at the edges of my composure. I forced it down, replacing it with a mask of calm indifference.“Richards,” I said, my voice smooth, controlled, a stark contrast to the frantic beating of my heart. “What a… pleasant surprise. To what do I owe this unexpected call?”“Don’t play coy with me, Campbell,” he snarled, his voice a low growl, laced with a desperation that sent a shiver down my spine.“I know about James. About what he did. About what you’
Nathan POV:My office, once a symbol of my power and success, now felt like a cage. The walls, lined with framed photos of past triumphs – the groundbreaking of the new Richards Tower, the signing of the lucrative deal with some European firm, handshakes with former presidents – now seemed to mock me. Each image was a reminder of a life I no longer recognized, a future that had slipped through my fingers like sand.The silence was the worst. It amplified the storm raging inside me, the storm I was barely keeping at bay.Camille’s words, a poisonous cocktail of truth and manipulation, echoed in my head. She’d left me, taken my child, and somehow, twisted it all to make me the villain. She’d laid it all out, making it seem like I didn't even visit my daughter and that I didn’t care about her.And the worst part? She’d done it all with the help of James Wei, that snake.My hand tightened around the worn leather of my desk blotter, the only familiar comfort in this spiraling chaos. It
Charles POV:Camille's scent, a faint trace of baby powder and something floral, lingered in the air long after she left. Agatha stood by the window, her back to me, her silhouette framed against the sprawling cityscape. My jaw clenched. I’d lost control of the situation. Of her. Again. The carefully constructed plan, the image of myself as the supportive, understanding lover, was crumbling.Jealousy, hot and sharp, clawed at my gut.It wasn't just Nathan anymore. Now it was Camille, the woman carrying his child, who seemed to have a strange power over Agatha."Why, Agatha?" I asked, my voice barely masked the storm brewing inside me. "Why are you helping her? She’s the one who helped ruin your marriage.”She turned, her eyes, usually sparkling with intelligence and a hint of mischief, were clouded with a compassion I found… irritating."My marriage was already ruined, Charles," she said, her voice flat. "It takes two people to make it work, and it also takes two people to make i
Agatha POV:I woke slowly, my senses gradually coming alive.The faint scent of coffee, the distant hum of city traffic, and the solid, reassuring weight of Charles’s arm draped across my waist.He was still asleep, his breathing deep and even, his dark hair tousled against the pillow, a lock falling across his forehead, giving him a vulnerability that was at odds with the ruthless, controlling man I knew he could be.My body remembered the feel of his skin against mine, the way he’d whispered my name, a mix of desire and a possessiveness that both thrilled and terrified me.But my mind was elsewhere, replaying the events of the past few days – Nathan’s tearful confession, James’s cryptic warnings, Camille’s unexpected departure, my father's illness, and the weight of NexGen on my shoulders.And Charles’s confession, his raw vulnerability as he spoke about his mother, his childhood, his pain. It had moved me, shaken me, made me question everything I thought I knew about him.He stirr
Agatha POV:His lips were warm, soft, a sensation I'd been fighting for weeks. The kiss unfolded slowly, hinting at something deeper than our usual interactions.A hunger I hadn't acknowledged flared within me, a longing that had been under my careful composure. I was losing myself in him, the sounds around us dissolving. For once, strategy didn't matter, control wasn't the goal. It was just… Charles.He broke the kiss, his eyes dark and intense as they searched my face. There was desire there, yes, but also a surprising rawness. It was a rare glimpse behind the charming facade. My carefully constructed walls had crumbled, leaving me feeling exposed.My heart hammered against my ribs, was this genuine? Was Charles a flawed man willing to reveal himself?“Charles,” I breathed, my voice soft against his lips, my fingers instinctively tracing the sharp angle of his jaw.He leaned closer, his breath warm on my skin. “Yes, Agatha?”“What… what was that?” I asked, my tone a blend of diso