ACEIt had been a week since Reggie’s death, and Sera was still standing tall in the middle of the storm. At least, that’s how it looked from the outside. But I knew she was barely holding herself together.Blackwood Group was in a state of uncertainty. The CEO’s absence left the giant corporation unsteady, and just as I expected, the board of directors and shareholders were starting to question who would take over.I got that information from my tutor.As the COO and a 10% shareholder, Sera was technically one of the key figures in the company. Being Reggie’s only child, she should’ve been in a strong position to take over.But things weren’t that simple.She wasn’t chosen as interim CEO. Someone with a larger stake—someone the board trusted more—ended up taking the position.I wondered how Sera was handling it all.Losing Reggie was already enough to shake her, but now, she had to deal with business politics on a level she’d never faced before. One wrong move, and she could lose eve
SERA “If I die tomorrow, will you cry for me?”The question slipped from Reggie Blackwood's mouth, accompanied by a lopsided smile that did not reflect the weakness of his body. Even with a pale face and frequently interrupted breathing, the old man still carried an aura of power.Sitting opposite him, I was transfixed. My hand holding the teacup suddenly felt too heavy, and silence crept into the room like fog.“Of course I'll drink champagne with your corpse,” I said after sipping the tea, trying to cover up my anxiety with a joke. A crisp laugh escaped the 66-year-old's lips. “Good idea,” he commented. “Who else are you going to drink with anyway?”I finally let out a long sigh, feeling tired. “You're being overly dramatic, Reggie. Your health is already much better. The doctor said—”“That pretentious man just wants me to survive longer.”“That's what a doctor does, isn't it?” I did not expect there to be a tremor in my voice, even though I wanted to sound cynical.“Sera, I'm ser
SERAA few seconds passed in silence before Reggie's heavy footsteps and slow breathing could be heard. The old man walked in, cane in hand, heading straight for the prepared chair at the end of the table. “Ah, you're all here,” he said, his voice calm but authoritative. “And I see my beautiful daughter has joined us. Good, so the four of you have met her.”I smiled faintly. Reggie referred to me as his daughter, which I thought was the best way for him to introduce me, confirming my status here.“This is the first time we've all gathered here. But there's no reason to be awkward.” He then glanced at me, as if asking for my approval, and I nodded slowly, though my heart was still full of question marks. “Ace, as the eldest, perhaps you could start to introduce yourself first?”The man across from me nodded in a calm and confident manner. “Okay, everyone, my name is Atticus—or Ace—Vance. I'm an attorney at the Hayes & Chan Law Firm.” I glanced at Reggie, asking silently, and he nodded.
SERAThis was the day Reggie had promised. Since a few hours ago, he'd actually sent four cars at different times to pick them up, the Blackwood Brothers. Betting my ass, Ace would definitely rise to the ridiculous challenge and come here in his CEO suit—err, his lawyer suit. As for the remaining three, I couldn't guarantee their arrival.And me … I couldn't say no, I probably didn't even have the courage to say no to Reggie's wishes. He's been very much a part of my life and I respect him immensely.“Is there anybody you expected to show up today?”I blinked, realizing I had been lost in my thoughts. “Wh-what?” I asked, coming back to reality and looking at Reggie. His thick book rested on his lap, his eyes behind his reading glasses looking at me attentively.“You've been... staring out the window for minutes.”I closed the window curtains. “Don't talk nonsense. I'm not interested in them.”“None?” Reggie raised one eyebrow.“Not a single one,” I insisted, then walked over to him.“W
SERA“I told you I'm done, Andrés. Don't call me anymore.”I accidentally heard someone's voice as I opened the back door. A figure in dark shadows turned around, and his eyes collided with mine.“Since when have you been there?” asked Damon without preamble as he put away his cell phone. Although his words were sharp, I could still hear the worry in his voice.I raised both hands in the air, pleading guilty. “Just recently, I swear.” Seeing that his eyes were still piercing, I added, “I just overheard—accidentally!—when you were talking about … breaking up with … your boyfriend?”Damon exhaled tiredly and sat down on one of the loungers by the pool. “Forget it.”With a little courage, I approached and took a seat on the lounger next to him, straightening my legs, gazing at the dark scene across the pool. The only sound that could be heard was the wind and the rustle of leaves.These days, I often wake up at this hour and the sleepiness never comes back quickly. I originally intended t
SERAThis was my first morning as part of the “new Blackwood family”. Since their arrival yesterday late afternoon, the atmosphere in the house is much different than usual. Especially in these transitional times, almost all the house staff were mobilized to take care of the Blackwood Brothers' move.They occupied the rooms on the second floor. Ace and Beck's rooms were in the left wing, close to mine and Reggie's. Meanwhile, Cal and Damon had rooms in the right wing. I rarely set foot there other than to workout.I walked out of my room, wearing a warm gray sweater. The sound of quiet conversations and things being moved caught my attention, coming from the room closest to mine. I looked into the room whose door was slightly open. There, Beck was busy giving directions to a staff member who was arranging books on a shelf. The room looked only half tidy, with other items scattered over the bed and floor.“Morning, Beck. So busy this early in the morning?” I greeted with a smile, leanin
SERAI stepped out of Reggie's study with my mind spinning. Reggie had clearly taken the wrong approach. Instead of giving his sons a choice, he'd given them an ultimatum. I knew he had a good reason, I really did, but I hoped he could differentiate between family and business relationships.As I descended the stairs, I caught a glimpse of a black car speeding out of the driveway through the large window. I rubbed my temples; this was definitely not going to be easy.“Good morning, Miss,” Grant greeted me with his usual smile. He studied my face for a moment before returning to setting the breakfast table. “Couldn't sleep again last night?”I nodded. He always seemed to be able to figure things out just from my face. “I suppose waking up a bit later wouldn't hurt anyone, would it?”Grant chuckled softly. “Your habit of waking up early is impressive—though sometimes, a little alarming. Tea this morning?”“Tea sounds lovely,” I replied. I glanced back out the window, hesitating for a mom
SERAThere was no sign of Ace and Damon returning. Reggie wasn't concerned about it, not even curious about where they were. He was even more enthusiastic about having me take a tour of the house with Beck and Cal—Reggie actually suggested I choose one of them, but for many reasons, I chose not to choose.The cold air blew softly, making the orange and gold leaves fall around the vast grounds of the Blackwood Estate. The sun shone slightly from behind the hills, creating a calm and warm atmosphere. Beck, Cal, and I walked hand in hand down the stone path to the back garden.“I bet you guys rarely get this kind of atmosphere in the hustle and bustle of your jobs.”Cal snorted with laughter, tucking his left hand in the pocket of his chinos. “I admit, I've actually forgotten what a peaceful morning feels like. Usually, I start my day running around the hospital.”“Even on weekends?” I asked curiously.“I've got stuff to do on weekends too.”I looked at him, giving him a wry smile. And h
ACEIt had been a week since Reggie’s death, and Sera was still standing tall in the middle of the storm. At least, that’s how it looked from the outside. But I knew she was barely holding herself together.Blackwood Group was in a state of uncertainty. The CEO’s absence left the giant corporation unsteady, and just as I expected, the board of directors and shareholders were starting to question who would take over.I got that information from my tutor.As the COO and a 10% shareholder, Sera was technically one of the key figures in the company. Being Reggie’s only child, she should’ve been in a strong position to take over.But things weren’t that simple.She wasn’t chosen as interim CEO. Someone with a larger stake—someone the board trusted more—ended up taking the position.I wondered how Sera was handling it all.Losing Reggie was already enough to shake her, but now, she had to deal with business politics on a level she’d never faced before. One wrong move, and she could lose eve
ACEI didn’t expect the night to end like this.This wasn’t how I wanted it to be.The heat of her skin, the way her breath hitched, how she gave herself to me completely … I wanted all of that. But not this. I didn’t want Sera sitting there in silence, her expression empty, while the people around her talked as if she were nothing more than a bargaining chip in a transaction.I always knew Reggie and Sera only had each other. But tonight, in a room full of men in black suits who cared more about assets and stocks than memories and loss, that fact felt more real than ever.There were no relatives of Reggie here. No one claiming to be his brother, cousin, or even an old friend. Just people who, at some point in their lives, had a professional interest in Reggie or Sera. And now, after Reggie’s death, they watched Sera like hawks circling their prey, waiting to see if she was strong enough to hold onto what he left behind or if she would crumble under the pressure.Meanwhile, the four o
CALThe repast was held at Blackwood Estate. The main hall was filled with mourners standing in small groups, each holding a drink, their voices humming softly in the air.But not with grief.From the start, I knew this wasn’t just a gathering to remember Reggie. It was a stage for his business associates to secure their positions in the world he left behind.The guests spoke in hushed tones, but their conversations lacked the weight of loss. Their words were the same ones they’d murmur at a gala or a corporate summit. Their clothes were black, but their expressions didn’t carry sorrow. Their discussions revolved around stocks, assets, and speculation about who would take control now that Reggie was gone.I caught pieces of their conversations.“Sera Blackwood might sell off the assets in a few months. She’s too young to handle this alone.”“Or maybe she’ll hold onto them. We know she’s smart, but without Reggie … is she strong enough?”“She can’t run it by herself. A board of directo
CALI knew this was coming.For days, I’d seen the signs. Every chart, every number, every response from Reggie’s body—it all pointed to the same thing. His time was running out. I wanted to deny it, to believe maybe he had a few more days. But no. Tonight, it’s happening.Walking out of the ICU, my breath felt heavy. I was used to death. As a doctor, I had delivered bad news to countless families. But this was different. This wasn’t just another patient. This was Reggie.And this was about Sera, too.That’s why I convinced her to wait in the suite—the place where we always stayed while waiting for Reggie. I knew she wouldn’t like that decision—Sera hated being controlled. But she was also too exhausted, too fragile to witness this firsthand. So I made the choice for her, even knowing she’d probably hate me for it.As I closed the door behind me, I saw Ace at the end of the hallway. He wasn’t leaning against the wall or sitting on the bench. He stood tall, hands buried in his jacket p
SERAI didn’t remember how I got to the hospital.Everything felt like a thick fog. The city lights flickering through the car window, Ace’s voice constantly speaking beside me, but I couldn’t catch a single word.All I could think about was Reggie. And fear.Fear of the worst possibility, one I didn’t even dare to name in my mind.The moment the car stopped, I pushed the door open before Ace could stop me. I ran through the hospital corridors, past unfamiliar faces—doctors, nurses, other visitors. I didn’t care about them—I didn’t even care about my own unsteady steps.I almost crashed into a nurse when I turned the corner, but I didn’t stop. My breath was ragged as I kept running until I saw that door. And Damon.He was standing there, steady and unhurried, as if he had been waiting for me. I could barely recognize the expression on his face. No fear, no shock. Just silence, hinting at something I didn’t want to hear.Beck was there too—sitting on one of the chairs outside the room,
SERA“You’ll come when I let you,” he whispered like the devil himself. “Be a good girl and tell me what you want.”“In your dreams.”I felt his smirk on my neck. “Come on, don’t be shy. Beg for it, and I'll give it to you.”I bit my tongue. I refused to give in. But my body told a different story—it had already surrendered to him long ago. And he knew it. He knew I was on the edge.His kisses trailed lower, teeth grazing my shoulder before he whispered in a tone that made my body tense. “I can wait all night, Sera. But the question is… can you?”A quiet growl escaped me. This man … he loved dominating me, pulling me into the rhythm of his game until I had no way to fight back.“Sera.” His voice dipped lower, firmer. “Say it.”I clenched the sheets beneath me, my entire body tense from the urges I could no longer contain. My breathing was ragged, and finally, the sound escaped my lips.“Fuck me,” I whispered, so damn low, but I knew he heard it. Swallowing hard, I gathered the last bi
SERA“Do you feel this?” he whispered. “It beats just as strongly as yours, doesn’t it?”I should have pulled away. I should have denied his words. But I didn’t.Instead, my hand slid lower, tracing over his toned abs—the body of a man built on discipline.And that was when Ace smiled in satisfaction. He knew I was mesmerized by him. And he was right. But I wasn’t going to admit it.“I knew you wouldn’t run.” His hand moved down, gliding over my thigh. “And I’ll make sure you never want to.”I was trapped in the way he controlled everything. Controlled me. And I hated how much I liked it. How much I wanted more. Ace and his game of dominance—this time, I had a feeling he was going to win.His lips brushed against my collarbone, trailing soft kisses before pressing deeper into my skin.“Ace…” I finally spoke, my voice hoarse and uncertain. My hands pushed against his shoulders—too lightly, too weak to be a real push.“It’s too late to hesitate, sweetheart,” he murmured with a deep voic
SERABy the time we reached his bedroom door, I swallowed hard. I should stop this. I should pull my hand away, take a step back, say something—anything—that would give me an excuse to leave. But I just stood there, letting him open the door and pull me inside. The sharp click of the door locking behind me rang in my ears, sealing off any chance of retreat.I looked up, meeting his intense gaze. My breath felt heavy, my chest rising and falling abruptly, whether from the tension that still lingered from something happened in the car or the realization of what might happen tonight, I wasn’t sure.He didn’t say anything, but I could see the hunger in his eyes. The way they traced my face, the way they lingered on my lips. My body waited, while my mind desperately searched for an escape.Then he pulled me closer, and I could feel the heat radiating from him, smell the mix of his masculine scent and the faint trace of wine from dinner. And now, he was only an inch away, his voice filling
ACEThe air inside the car felt warm, even with the AC still on. The night outside was eerily quiet, broken only by the rustling of leaves swaying in the wind. Dim street lights cast a faint glow on the dashboard, creating soft shadows on Sera’s face.I sat in the driver’s seat, one hand resting on the wheel while the other lay lazily on my thigh. Sera, seated beside me in the passenger seat, still wearing her night dress—the one I chose. A deep blue that blended into the night, baring her shoulders in just the right way. The fabric clung to her body like it was made for her. She turned her head toward me, her gaze searching mine for something.“I’ve kept my promise,” she murmured.I turned to her, locking eyes. “And you think that’s enough?”She was silent for a moment, then a small, challenging smirk tugged at her lips. “You really are never satisfied, are you?”I knew this game. I knew when she was teasing and when she was trying to deflect. And I wasn’t in the mood to play along.