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You may not have even realised.Those words follow me for the rest of the evening, haunting my every waking moment. I didn’t realise, no. Not until just a few hours ago when it seemed like a possibility. The possibility of being pregnant with Ric’s child. I don’t know what I was expecting to hear, until the very last second before the doctor reentered with the results. But miscarriage had never struck my mind. It seems so bizarre now. A cruel joke, almost. Here’s a problem, but wait there’s a solution. And I’m not satisfied with either. The doctor said there had to be some more tests that needed to be done because she found something suspicious. I was too dazed to be concerned, but Meera stepped forward and asked if it was something to worry about. A lost child.I don’t think anything can take your attention away from that. A child you didn’t even realise you were carrying. On the way back, Meera tries to uplift my sullen mood by saying that it wasn’t quite a baby — just a bunch
I can’t tell if it’s the adrenaline coursing through me or the way his dark eyes hold mine, as if he’s searching for something he’s terrified to find.“Try,” I say again, my voice shaky. It’s a plea, a desperate attempt to save this. Save us. Whatever we are, I know it’s worth saving. I don’t know what thoughts are swirling behind those dark eyes, what decisions they’re weighing, what explanation he’s trying to weave into coherent words. All I know is that — whatever it is, I’ll take it. God, I hate him for making me feel like this — so exposed, so vulnerable. But I hate myself more for still wanting him, for needing him, even now.And when his eyes return to me it’s all I can do to not run to him and wrap my arms around him. A part of my brain tries to remind me of the way he dismissed me, disregarding all the time we spent together, all the kisses. But he did just say that he couldn’t keep pretending I didn’t matter, right? “Ric,” I prompt, unable to keep my patience any longer. “I
I laugh bitterly, the sound harsh even to my own ears. “Yourself? That’s what this is about? You think you’re some kind of monster I can’t handle? Do you know how ridiculous that sounds, Ric?”His eyes darken, his voice dropping to a near whisper. “You don’t understand, Natalie. I’ve done things… things that would make you look at me differently. Things that would make you run.”“Then explain,” I challenge, my hands tightening on his face. “Stop assuming I can’t handle it.”He hesitates, his throat bobbing as he swallows hard. When he finally speaks, his words are raw and jagged, like they’re being ripped from his soul. “I’ve killed people, Natalie.”Suddenly I can’t breathe. All the air around us seems to have vanished. I blink, my hands slipping from his face as his confession settles between us like a bomb.“What?” My voice is barely audible, but it’s the only word I can manage.He doesn’t look away, his gaze piercing. “I’ve killed people. It’s not something I can take back, and it
We fall asleep on the couch that night, tangled together in a mess of bad decisions and fleeting comfort. Ric’s arms remain firm around my waist, and my head rests on his chest, rising and falling with his steady breaths. The nightmares don’t come, and I wonder if it’s the warmth of his embrace or the devil’s presence itself keeping them at bay.I’ve killed people, Natalie.The words echo in my head as the first rays of sunlight filter through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing us in soft, golden light. My cheek is pressed against his chest, his heartbeat steady and strong beneath me. For a while, I just lie there, letting the rhythm soothe me in ways I don’t understand, in ways it shouldn’t.His arms don’t budge, even as I lift my head to study his face. The man who held me so tenderly last night. The man who kisses like he’s burning but pulls away like he’s drowning. The man who has killed people.I trace my finger along the lines of his face, memorizing the edges as if they could
I call Maisie and tell her not to come in today. No cooking, no cleaning. I tell her I need space, a day to myself. It’s a lie, of course, but she doesn’t press. When Meera calls asking if she can swing by, I cut her off with another lie. “I’m binge-watching some mindless show,” I tell her, feigning a lazy yawn. “Having you here would just remind me of the tragedy from yesterday. Let’s catch up later?” Anya’s call comes next. She wants to go over interview questions, her usual no-nonsense approach taking precedence over everything. “I can’t,” I say, forcing a hoarse rasp into my voice. “I think I’m coming down with something. Maybe tomorrow?” One lie after another. I weave them effortlessly, piling them up like bricks to fortify my cocoon. Because the truth is, I don’t want to see anyone. I don’t want to do anything except stay locked up in my penthouse with Ric. Ric, whose lips are currently tracing a path of fire down my thighs. My fingers knot in his hair, pulling and ho
Between kisses that leave me breathless and stolen touches that make me forget the world outside, Ric and I pore over the details of my presentation for the rest of the day. It’s a strange bubble we’ve created, a space where nothing else exists — no expectations, no consequences. Just the steady rhythm of our work and the occasional hum of desire pulling us back into each other’s arms.But the bubble was always bound to burst.The next morning, as sunlight creeps through the floor-to-ceiling windows, reality rears its ugly head. My phone buzzes once, twice, three times. I don’t bother checking it, knowing exactly who’s on the other end. The knocks come next, sharp and demanding, echoing through the penthouse like an alarm bell. I freeze, my breath catching in my throat.“Who is it?” Ric’s voice is low, groggy from sleep, but his body is already tense beside me.“Anya,” I whisper, dread curling in my stomach. She always ignores the bell, and knocks instead whenever she’s fuming.He sits
I leave my penthouse with Meera by my side, the world outside feeling too bright, too loud, for the space I’ve been hiding in. The air feels sharp against my skin as if it knows what I’ve been up to these past few days. I slip on sunglasses, trying to disappear into the back seat of the car, but Meera’s voice keeps pulling me back to reality.“You ready for this?” she asks, flipping through something on her tablet, probably the calendar she’s micromanaged for me since forever.“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I mutter, staring out at the blur of buildings passing by.Am I ready though? I don’t know. My mind drifts to the last time I stood in my father’s office, barely escaping the scrutiny that was hurled at me. No preparation, no defense — I’d walked into that room a girl playing dress-up. I still remember the way those boardroom vultures had smirked, like they couldn’t wait to watch me fail.I haven’t heard from my father, Elliot Jones, in weeks. Not a call, not a message, not even a col
I expect to hear something from my father, having signed the deal, but there’s not much to be disappointed about. At one point, I could have laughed like an evil maniac after this achievement — despite knowing this win wouldn’t have been possible without Ric’s help — but now it’s just meh. Thank you, next. Meera, however, wants to celebrate with pizza. When she sees my confused face, she tells me I deserve it for just what a joke my life has become. She’s not wrong. And then she casually slips to me that I got the role in Haymitch’s movie.I almost choke on the piece of pizza I’m chewing. “When did that happen?”“Oh, the call came when you were in the meeting. Anya was thrilled, believe it or not,” says Meera. The mention of Anya takes away any bit of appetite I had. “She was?”“Yeah,” Meera agrees with a mouthful. A bit of sauce oozes out of her mouth and begins to drip down her mouth, but before I can say anything, Matt wipes it off with a tissue. I pretend to not notice the exc
[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
“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.
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
“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 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
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
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 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
“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