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36. Etched in Stone

Penulis: Priyal Dessai
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2024-11-20 00:34:42
Although Ric claimed that he’s important and isn’t someone who can let himself be carried away due to his position, I know I haven’t seen him use his phone or his laptop — the one which he pulled out of the bag only to let me have a call with Anya — at all.

So either he has been keeping a track on whatever is on his schedule while I’m not paying attention, or he has been ignoring his work. Regardless, when he finally wakes and asks me why my forehead is wrinkled in his sleepy voice, I give out a hollow laugh and brush it off.

Instead of telling him his name is being dragged in the mess that is my life.

I’m immediately swaddled in guilt as he hooks his fingers around my neck and pulls me down for a kiss.

Then he kicks off the sheet, and walks leisurely to the bathroom all while being butt naked and effortlessly sexy.

I bury my head into the pillow, feeling the weight of everything pushing down and yet being held back by something just inches away. It’s like feeling the impact of a
Priyal Dessai

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  • The Man I Shouldn't Want: A Game of Seduction & Lies   37. Cracks in the Wall

    After that conversation, it’s like a wall has been built between us. Not a flimsy barrier that could be broken with a touch or a word, but a cold, unyielding wall that Ric seems unwilling to scale. He doesn’t talk to me — doesn’t even look at me. His usual, effortless confidence feels like a distant memory. Instead, he sits across from me at the breakfast table, quietly eating the meal Rose delivered in the morning. The scrape of his fork against the plate is the only sound in the room, loud enough to make me wince.I sit there, idly pushing the food around on my plate, the knots in my stomach leaving me incapable of taking even a single bite. The guilt of wasting it eventually washes over me, and I force myself to eat. The flavours that would’ve normally delighted me now taste like nothing. I swallow hard, willing the lump in my throat to disappear.A part of me is grateful for Ric’s silence. My mind is a mess, jumbled and disoriented, and I’m afraid that opening my mouth would only m

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-20
  • The Man I Shouldn't Want: A Game of Seduction & Lies   38. The First Strike

    Sleep is the last thing on my mind tonight. I lie in bed, my phone clutched tightly in my hand as I scroll through old messages in Ric’s chat. My heart aches with every swipe, and I wait — hope — for the familiar ping of a notification, for his name to flash across the screen, offering even the faintest thread of connection. But the sound doesn’t come, and neither does the relief I so desperately crave.The silence feels like an accusation, and I blame myself entirely.Why did I let Ric think my frustration — the aggravation I felt when I read that damned article — was about him? That I was upset because of his presence in my life, rather than the timing and implications of the article itself?It wasn’t about him.It was about Mike.About how his cruel, calculated interview laid the groundwork for the gossip to twist the narrative. How it painted me as someone who was with Ric long before I even knew about Mike’s infidelity — as if I had been the one betraying our marriage all along.

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-21
  • The Man I Shouldn't Want: A Game of Seduction & Lies   39. A Sip of Lies

    The morning air feels heavier than usual. The faint, crisp scent of the new freshener I tossed into my suitcase and brought back from the lakehouse weaves through the penthouse, momentarily distracting me as I drag myself out of bed. It’s strange how something so small, so simple, can hold my focus for longer than it should, pulling me away from the bigger, messier things weighing on my mind.I force myself to move, to start the day despite the sluggishness clinging to me like a second skin. After a quick shower and a few lazy attempts at pulling myself together, I convince myself to get ready.Just as I’m pulling out potential outfits from the walk-in closet, Maisie, the housekeeper, arrives. It’s been days since I’ve seen her, and her presence is a sharp reminder of how long I’ve let things slide. I know it’s Meera’s doing — her subtle way of ensuring the penthouse doesn’t devolve into chaos while I’m too busy to notice.Maisie moves with quiet efficiency, her footsteps soft against

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-22
  • The Man I Shouldn't Want: A Game of Seduction & Lies   40. No Baby, Just Lies

    Before I can even think, I grab my phone and snap a picture. The soft shutter sound feels louder than it is, but my focus is razor-sharp.“What are you doing?” Meera hisses, swatting my arm with just enough force to bring me back to the present without causing a scene. Her eyes dart around nervously. “You can’t do that!”I glance at her, my grip tightening around my phone. “Meera, look at her,” I whisper, my voice trembling as I tilt my head toward Hayley. “How is she drinking wine if she’s pregnant?”Meera freezes, her expression shifting as she finally registers what I’ve just said. Her gaze snaps back to Hayley, who’s now laughing lightly at something her companion has said, her hand grazing the rim of her glass.“I…” Meera’s voice falters as her brows knit together. “I almost forgot she was pregnant with everything else going on.”“Well, I didn’t,” I snap, my voice sharp but quiet. My thoughts race as I try to process what I’m seeing. Could she have lost the baby? The thought str

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-22
  • The Man I Shouldn't Want: A Game of Seduction & Lies   41. Cutting Ties

    Anya calls me the second I step into the penthouse. “Natalie, I don’t care what distractions are swirling around you right now. Focus. Get through the audition, nail it, and: Land. That. Role. Anything less will be a disappointment, and I don’t tolerate disappointment.”A disappointed Anya is a force of nature, one I’d rather not face. She hangs up without waiting for a response, leaving her expectations lingering in the air.I exhale and toss my phone onto the couch. “No pressure,” I mutter to myself, because if I don’t land this role, the most disappointed person will be me. The next day becomes a blur of films. I curl up on the couch, immersing myself in Ryan Haymitch’s work. Movie after movie, scene after scene, until my butt is sore and my eyes burn. I feel like a student cramming for the most important exam of her life, only this isn’t about grades — it’s about everything.Haymitch’s work is as mesmerising as I remember. His storytelling is a symphony, every note is precise and

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-25
  • The Man I Shouldn't Want: A Game of Seduction & Lies   42. What's Best

    I sit on the edge of my bed, clutching the phone in my lap like it holds the answers to the universe.It’s best if we stop seeing each other. For you. For me. For everything.Ric is leaving me.The thought loops endlessly in my mind, squeezing the air out of my lungs with each repetition.I try to piece together his reasoning, but it feels like grasping at smoke. Why would he say this? Sure, he was upset about how I reacted to the article that dragged his name into the mess of my life. Was it the article itself? Or the backlash he must’ve faced after it circulated? Did something happen at work? Or did I do something wrong?Then another thought creeps in, insidious and unwelcome.My father.It has to be him. He must’ve said something to Ric. Twisted his words to sound like wisdom, like advice. But if that’s the case, why would Ric frame it as something that’s best for him too?I clutch the phone tighter, as if it might offer clarity, but the questions only multiply.I want him. I know I

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-26
  • The Man I Shouldn't Want: A Game of Seduction & Lies   43. The End of Us

    Anya’s voice is sharp and ruthless, “What were you planning to do? Ruin her like you ruined me?”I freeze, my breath catching in my throat.Her next words make my stomach churn. “I can’t believe you preyed on her when she was at her weakest! What did you tell her? Did you pretend to be an all good prince charming? Did you sweep her off her feet, pepper her with compliments? Showed yourself to be something you’re entirely not?”“Anya, this isn’t your business.” Ric’s voice is low, steady, but there’s an edge to it I haven’t heard before.“Not my business?” Anya’s laugh is bitter, almost venomous. “You’re making it my business, Ric. Listen to yourself! You’re acting like this is nothing to you, which is something I can believe. You’ve always been selfish, and heartless. But that girl is naive, and young! How could you even — ugh! That mask you wear can fool the world, but it can’t fool me. Don’t you dare act like you’re the noble one here, pulling out now to ‘protect her.’ You and I both

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-27
  • The Man I Shouldn't Want: A Game of Seduction & Lies   44. A Stage for Anger

    The audition room is larger than I expected — cold, clinical, yet suffocatingly intimate. It’s the kind of space where every flaw feels magnified under the harsh fluorescent lights. My heels click against the polished floor as I follow the casting assistant to the center of the room, the sound unnervingly loud in the silence.When I glance toward the table at the back of the room, I falter for a moment, unable to believe my eyes. It’s not common for the director to attend auditions, especially the initial ones. But this isn’t just any role, and Ryan Haymitch isn’t just any director.There he is, seated at the far end of a long table, flanked by a handful of others — producers, writers, perhaps studio execs. Haymitch’s presence dominates the room effortlessly. He’s everything I’ve heard and more: piercing eyes that seem to strip you bare, a calm yet calculating air, and an unspoken challenge hanging in the air—prove to me you’re worth it.“Miss Jones,” someone to Haymitch’s left says, t

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-11-28

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  • The Man I Shouldn't Want: A Game of Seduction & Lies   Epilogue

    [Two years later]My body is slick with sweat, every nerve ending alive and tingling as Ric’s hands explore my skin. His touch still feels new, still ignites a thirst in me that has no desire to quench anytime soon. His lips trail down my neck, making me heave, making me almost lose my mind. I arch into him, my fingers digging into the muscles of his back, urging him closer. His hands roam over my body, tracing the curves of my hips, the softness of my thighs, and the sensitive spots that make me gasp with pleasure. He knows exactly how to touch me—he has mastered the art of how to make me feel alive and desired every breathing moment. His fingers find their way between my legs, teasing and stroking until I'm writhing beneath him, desperate for more.“Fuck, Ric. I love you,” I breathe, squealing. “I love you. I love you. I love you.”“You're so beautiful,” he murmurs against my wet folds before his lips capture mine in kiss so deep, I can’t tell where he ends and where I begin. He

  • The Man I Shouldn't Want: A Game of Seduction & Lies   89. The End of a Nightmare

    “Elliot Jones’ Empire Crumbles: A Closer Look at the Allegations.”“The Hidden Crimes of a Business Titan: Elliot Jones Exposed.”“Mogul Under Fire? The Double Life of Elliot Jones Revealed.”“The High Price of Power: Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Elliot Jones and His Web of Deceit.”“The Case That Shook the Nation: Elliot Jones’ Alleged Crimes.”Seeing my father stand there, looking helpless, his face tight and red with anger satisfies me in a way nothing else could. Today is the day he falls, and now, he can see it with his own eyes—his empire crumbling. The delusion is gone. Mike’s voice echoes through the courtroom. “I was threatened,” he says, eyes darting nervously toward Elliot. “I kept silent because I feared for my life.”I sit beside Ric in the rows reserved for the trial attendees, my heart pounding. Ric leans in, his voice low and teasing, “I can’t believe this is happening. How did you manage to pull that off?”I give him a sly smile, keeping my eyes on Mike.

  • The Man I Shouldn't Want: A Game of Seduction & Lies   88. A Deal With the Devil

    Getting into Mike's office is surprisingly easy. I thought it would be the most difficult task of all, but now, standing here, I realize just how wrong I was. Maybe it’s because I made it happen—my own actions leading to the lack of staff and security. With investors pulling out, his new business flopping instantly, and even his car gone, I wonder just how deep in debt Mike really is.I look around the office, taking in the bare walls and the lack of personal touches. It’s a cold place. It gives me a sense of satisfaction, knowing how little work must happen here. The only thing I find remotely appealing is the fireplace—if you can even call it that. It’s more of a decorative piece than anything else.The door creaks open, and Mike steps in, freezing as his hand remains on the doorknob. His eyes widen when he sees me, and I can almost hear the gears turning in his head.“Relax,” I say softly. “No need to be on alert. I have a proposition for you.”He doesn't move, his eyes darting aro

  • The Man I Shouldn't Want: A Game of Seduction & Lies   87. My Protector, My Hero

    “High-Stakes Drama: Friend and Business Partner Richard Steward Fires on Business Mogul Elliot Jones in Shocking Miami Lakehouse Incident.”“Ric Steward Shoots Elliot Jones to Protect Alleged Lover, and Jones’ Daughter in Lakehouse Scandal.”“Business Partnership Ends in Gunfire: Ric Steward Wounds Elliot Jones.”“It Gets Very Real and Gruesome: Hear what’s new in the Natalie Jones’ Drama.”“Where does Michael Cooper stand amidst all this? New updated in the chaotic life of Natalie Jones. Here’s everything you missed that shook Hollywood this Spring!”The weeks that follow are difficult. And lonely. I’m thrust into a routine where I spend most of my time surrounded by lawyers, and legal jargons. It’s a lot at once, and I think I underestimated how quickly it would consume me. And with only Meera by my side who is still recovering from the traumatic event that occurred at the lakehouse, I find myself sitting in therapy sessions after experiencing several panic attacks. My days are s

  • The Man I Shouldn't Want: A Game of Seduction & Lies   86. Done Pretending

    The rain-soaked air clings to my skin as the police car disappears down the road, taking Ric with it. My heart feels like it's been wrenched from my chest, leaving an empty, aching void. I can barely breathe as the reality of what just happened crashes down on me.We can’t stay here. The lakehouse is now a crime scene, and the officers made it clear we need to leave. The words still echo in my head: “This area is now under investigation. You’ll need to find somewhere else to stay.”Meera stands beside me, her face pale, clutching her phone like it’s a lifeline. Matt paces back and forth, still carrying the guilt on his face. I don’t think any of us had the slightest hint of something like this going down on a trip that was supposed to heal us. If anything, it has traumatised all of us beyond repair. But, the truth is out. Dad killed Neil. And he was so close to killing me and Ric…“We need to find a place,” I croak. Even if we could stay here, I wouldn’t, not with the memories of wh

  • The Man I Shouldn't Want: A Game of Seduction & Lies   85. Aiming for your Heart

    Another gunshot goes off, a millisecond later. My eyes fly open, but there’s no sensation of pain anywhere in my body. Instead, Dad crumples to the ground with a cry of pain. Panic envelopes me, muddling my mind. I can barely understand what’s going on around me. “Natalie, are you okay?” someone seems to ask, but my gaze is fixed on Dad, watching him struggle as he clutches his leg that is now bleeding with the gunshot. Then that someone shakes me by the shoulders, drawing me back to reality. It’s Meera. “Nat, please say something!” she urges, tears streaming down her cheeks. “W-What happened?” I blurt out, sounding hysterical, my chest heaving dangerously. Meera points out at the door. Matt stands there with a gun in his hand. When his eyes meet mine, his hand drops, and he falls to his knees, breathing hard. Shaking my head, I yell, “What the fuck just happened?” Meera seems to still be in her senses. She kicks the gun out of Dad’s reach. He continues to squirm, his blood st

  • The Man I Shouldn't Want: A Game of Seduction & Lies   84. The Final Chance

    I don’t know if I ever thought of the words I’d say to him when I saw him again after what Mike told me. But watching him stand there right now, looking smug, I know that no words will ever justify the pure rage I feel. There’s an overwhelming need to hurt him. Badly. A throbbing pain in my hand pulls me from my rage. As I unclench my fist, I see the bloody marks my nails have left in my palm.“What are you doing here, Natalie? Why come to the lake house?” Dad asks in a calm voice that has a dangerous edge to it. I feign innocence. “Why, Dad? Can’t I come take a vacation here? Considering I had a man try to nearly kill me, after I've been subject to public humiliation by my cheater husband who you’ve always welcomed with open arms?” Pausing, I draw in a breath, afraid that the anger I feel will crush my lungs. “I should be the one asking that question. Why are you here? You never cared to visit when Mom brought Neil and me here. Why come now? And why do you have my phone?”He shakes

  • The Man I Shouldn't Want: A Game of Seduction & Lies   83. Buried Secrets

    The search of Neil’s room leaves us both drained and disheartened. I scrutinize every nook and cranny, explore every possible hiding spot. The floorboards groan under our weight as I lift the mattress, revealing nothing but dust and a few forgotten coins. Beneath the bed, there’s only a stray sock and a cobweb. The closet holds nothing but old clothes and a pair of worn-out shoes. Even the old dresser, heavy and reluctant, is moved away from the wall, revealing nothing more than a few dust bunnies and a forgotten book.We find nothing out of the ordinary—no hidden notes or mysterious objects. The futility and exhaustion overwhelm me. I glance at Ric and see disappointment etched on his face, a mirror of my own feelings. The room is a mess. Neil’s old clothes are strewn about, furniture askew, and the air thick with dust.I slump onto the edge of the bed, raking my fingers through my hair in frustration. The coolness of the room does little to soothe the heat of my irritation. “There ha

  • The Man I Shouldn't Want: A Game of Seduction & Lies   82. A Promise to Keep

    “What are you saying, Chris?” I ask, my voice trembling slightly.He sighs, shaking his head. When he speaks again, his voice is low, almost embarrassed. “I should’ve known.”I press him further. “When did they say that?”“When Anya came to me with the fake dating idea,” he explains, running a hand through his hair. “She said it was… but that was a lie too. You never wanted this.”“What exactly did she tell you?” I ask, my heart pounding.He exhales sharply. “That you liked me but were too shy to act on it. And Meera, it was her who asked me to show up at your penthouse that night—before you left for the lakehouse.”I feel the ground shift beneath me. “Chris, I didn’t know they said that,” I mumble, the weight of his words sinking in.He shakes his head, disappointment evident in his eyes. “I can’t believe this. I thought I knew what was going on, but now…”The sting of his disappointment cuts deep. “I’m sorry, Chris. I never wanted to hurt you.”There’s a long pause before he finally

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