Cole
Returning to the Buckman Corporation was inevitable. Since childhood, I’d been groomed for this—the long hours of training, the calculated lessons on how to outmaneuver enemies in a world where the weak are devoured. I learned early on that weakness had no place in my life, and I hardened myself accordingly. Smiling became unnecessary, and as for women throwing themselves at me? They were distractions, chasing the prestige of the Buckman name and fortune. Love was nothing but a vulnerability, and I had no intention of being weak. The warm water flowed down my shoulders, washing away the tension that had built up since my return. I stood under the stream, letting the heat soothe my muscles while my thoughts wandered. But the moment of calm didn’t last. A sharp knock at the door jolted me out of my haze. Wrapping a towel around my waist, I stepped out of the shower and walked toward the door. Opening it, I found Xavier, my secretary standing there, his usual composed expression firmly in place. "Sir," he began. "Your grandfather has been informed of your return and has requested your immediate presence at the Buckman estate." Of course, he did. I gave him a curt nod. "I’ll be there shortly.” He hesitated for a moment, his eyes darting past me into the room, I knew what he wanted to ask. The wrinkled sheets and the messy smell and perfume in the room all indicated what happened last night. My mouth pressed into a hard line as I remembered the woman from last night. There had been something odd about her, something I couldn’t quite place. I shook my head, dismissing the thought. She was probably just another one of Vanessa’s hired pawns, sent to infiltrate my defenses. A pretty face, a fleeting distraction, nothing more, but she was also the only one who'd succeeded so far. A hard look crossed my eyes as my mind wandered once again about last night. Adjusting the towel around my waist, "One more thing," I said. "Find her; the woman I spent the night with. I want to know who she is." "Understood, sir," Xavier looked around the room seriously, as if trying to find any clues about the woman. I casted one last look at the bed before turning away, ready to focus on the more pressing issue awaiting me at the estate. The Buckman mansion loomed ahead, an imposing sight that still managed to stir something within me. Its sprawling acres and grand design were magnificent, much like the Buckman name itself. I stepped out of the car, greeted by a chorus of “Welcome back, young master Cole” from the dozens of servants lining the entrance. I nodded curtly and made my way inside. “Father,” I greeted as I stepped into the sitting room, spotting him seated near the large window. Without hesitation, I crossed the room, and to my surprise, he stood and opened his arms for a hug. “Cole, it’s truly good to have you back,” he said with a genuine smile, his voice carrying an unexpected warmth. I returned the embrace briefly, feeling a flicker of connection I hadn’t felt in years. “Cole, welcome home, Son,” Vanessa chimed in, her voice dripping with practiced sweetness as she walked toward me, her arms wide open. “How was your trip? Your father and I missed you so much.” I ignored her, disgusted by her fake attitude, and went to sit on the sofa to check some of my mail from my phone. “Cole, why are you ignoring Vanessa?” Father suddenly asked. “She's just concerned about you, especially when we were expecting you to return home on your first day back to the country, but you went to stay at the hotel.” Before I could respond, Vanessa chimed in. “It’s all right, dear. I’m used to it. But Cole, you should remember, this is your home. There’s no need for you to stay at a hotel when you’re back. Your father and I only want what’s best for you. I’ve always treated you like my own son.” Her hypocrisy was infuriating, but I held my temper just enough to confront her. “Have you?” I said sharply, fixing her with a cold stare before I burst out laughing. My tone carried a subtle sneer as I said, “If I didn't stay in the hotel, wouldn't I miss the good show that someone specially arranged for me? Don't you agree, Vanessa?” Vanessa’s expression tightened, but she quickly masked it, her eyes darting toward my father to ensure he hadn’t caught on. “What are you talking about? I have a feeling you'll cause chaos in this house the moment you return,” Father said, oblivious to what was going on. Sensing the danger of my father finding out what she did, Vanessa panicked. If I exposed her schemes, it would shatter her carefully crafted facade of a good wife and mother. She quickly changed the subject, clinging onto my father's arm as she muttered softly, “Okay, okay, darling. Please don’t get upset. Cole just got back, and it’s not his fault. Please don’t blame him because of me.” Before I could say anything further, Grandfather’s voice rang out from upstairs. “Cole, to the study. Now.” We all turned to look at his stern, no-nonsense face as he stared at us. Grandfather was the only person I truly respected in this house. He had been my anchor when I’d been left adrift in the wake of my mother’s death, and when Father remarried and brought Vanessa home. I made my way to the study, but not before casting a sharp glare at Vanessa, silently letting her know that I saw through the manipulative games she was playing with my father. She, however, deliberately avoided my gaze, feigning ignorance. “Cole,” Grandfather called out, his voice warm as I entered the study and took a seat across from him. “Welcome back. You’ve really made this family proud. Your intelligence, your determination, and your exceptional achievements overseas over the past few years have been nothing short of remarkable. The way you’ve handled those international projects, built connections, and represented the Buckman name with such distinction has brought us immense honor. Everyone speaks highly of you, and it’s no surprise—you’ve earned it.” He paused, his expression softening as the pride in his eyes gave way to something gentler. “But seeing you now, I can’t help but feel a bit of sadness, too,” he said, his voice tinged with emotion. “You’ve worked so hard all these years, traveling alone, taking on so many burdens. While others your age were settling down, building families, you’ve been out there, on your own. And I know it hasn’t been easy, not since… well, losing your mother at such a young age.” He sighed heavily, his shoulders drooping with the weight of his words. “And your father… After he remarried, he drifted away. I know how much that hurt you. I won’t ask you to forgive him if you’re not ready. I can’t force that upon you. But I do hope, with all my heart, that you find someone who can truly make you happy—someone you can share your life with. You deserve that, more than anyone. I’m getting older, and I know I won’t always be here by your side. That’s why I want to see you build a family of your own. Someone to stand by you, to love you, and to give you the happiness you’ve missed all these years.” His voice faltered slightly as he reached out to gently place a hand on his grandson’s shoulder. “Promise me, you’ll think about it. You’ve accomplished so much, but life isn’t just about work. It’s about love, too.” “I promise, Grandfather,” I said softly, meeting his gaze. “I’ll think about it.” It wasn’t that I didn’t value the idea of family—I did—but marriage? Right now, with everything I had on my plate, it felt distant, almost foreign. I had spent so much time building my career, ensuring every project was flawless, that I’d never stopped to think about what I was missing. He smiled at my response, his expression a mixture of relief and warmth. For now, it seemed, my words were enough to bring him a small measure of comfort. Even though I wasn’t ready to marry anyone, not now, not anytime soon. But for the sake of my grandfather, I promised. It was the least I could do to ease his mind.Skylar “I'm sorry Mrs. McLair, you can't see Mr. Buckman without an appointment,” the butler announced when we got to the Buckman Mansion. After saying this, he was going to close the door. Today, we finally came to visit the Buckman mansion and my mom had told me to make sure I was on my best behavior, but we were turned away and didn't even get to meet Mr. Buckman. But in the next second, the butler's movement stopped at the sight of the envelope my mother suddenly took out. I had no idea what was in that envelope, and I couldn't even see what was so special about it, except for some special patterns and lacquer stamps with special totems. But I remembered that Mum had told me that with this envelope, I would definitely be able to marry into the Buckman family. Seeing the butler's expression grow progressively more solemn since he received the envelope from my mother, I guessed she was right. She was always right…so I guess she was right to let me marry a stranger. Before lon
Cole I could feel the weight of her gaze even before I saw her. She was the same woman I had spent a fleeting night with at the hotel, and she was standing in front of me with wide, nervous eyes. Her legs wobbled slightly as she descended the stairs, looking every bit like she was about to fall. It was all I could do not to reach out, though I knew I’d only make it worse. Instead, I just watched, my face a mask of indifference as she regained her balance. The atmosphere seemed tense, and She wasn’t the only one who seemed to be struggling. I could see it in the way she nervously adjusted her clothes, trying to avoid meeting my eyes. It was clear she had no idea what I was thinking, just as I had no clue what she was thinking. But I did know one thing—I was furious. Furious that she had shown up here at my grandfather’s house, under these circumstances. Furious at the idea that she might have some ulterior motive, that she could be part of some scheme orchestrated by my stepmothe
Skylar I woke up to the sound of my phone buzzing on the nightstand. My mind was still hazy. It took me a moment to gather my thoughts, but as my eyes adjusted to the morning light coming through the curtains, I noticed a neatly wrapped box resting at the foot of my bed. Frowning slightly, I pushed myself up and reached for it. The deep blue ribbon was tied with some kind of expertise, the paper smooth and elegant. I was about to call my mom to ask who owned the package, but mom beat me to it and knocked on my door. As she walked in, I greeted. “Good morning Mom. Who-” She cut me off before I could finish. “Cole Buckman sent it earlier this morning.” Cole Buckman sent me a package? She left shortly after, giving me a small smile. Curious, I pulled the package apart, my breath hitching as I lifted the lid. Inside lay a breathtaking white dress—simple yet refined, with delicate embroidery adorning the edges. The fabric felt soft beneath my fingertips. He actually sent this?! T
ColeThe car ride back had been quiet. After signing the marriage agreement, I decided to take Skylar back to her home.Outside, the city lights flickered past in a blur, and I let myself relax against the driver’s seat, one hand on the wheel. The silence wasn’t uncomfortable. If anything, it felt like a quiet understanding had settled between us.But that peace shattered in an instant.The first thing I noticed was the faint haze in the distance. At first, I thought it was just fog rolling in, but then the acrid scent of smoke drifted into the car. My throat tightened, and my grip on the wheel instinctively clenched.Skylar noticed it too. She straightened in her seat, her fingers curling against her lap.“Do you smell that?” she asked in a low, concerned voice.I didn’t answer, my eyes locked on the thickening smoke ahead. The closer we got, the more obvious it became—this wasn’t just some small fire. This was something bigger. Then, as we turned the last corner, the scene unfolded
SkylarWhen I woke up the next morning, the room felt too big, too empty. The unfamiliar ceiling above me reminded me that this was not my home. My home… The memory of the flames and smoke filled my mind again, and I felt a dull ache in my chest. Everything I had known was gone in a single night. I took a deep breath, not wanting to get emotional this early morning. Then, I remembered him- Cole. Despite all his coldness, he had taken me in last night. He hadn’t mocked me, hadn’t thrown me out, and hadn't treated me like a burden. He had simply let me stay. The memory of his arms around me, the way he had supported me when I was too numb to stand on my own, sent a strange warmth through my chest.I never expected kindness from Cole. Our marriage was nothing more than an arrangement, and he had never given me any reason to believe he cared about me. But last night… Last night had been different.I pulled the covers off and sat up. I had to do something. Cole had done so much fo
ColeThe bar was loud and lively, filled with the sounds of clinking glasses and laughter. People were talking, drinking, and enjoying themselves, but I wasn’t paying much attention. It had been a long time since I last saw my friends, and the moment they learned I was back in the country, they insisted on throwing a small celebration for my return. I sat with them, sipping my drink, feeling the familiar burn of alcohol in my throat. Across from me, my friends were engaged in a lively discussion, but I only half-listened, my thoughts drifting. "Still the same cold bastard," Adrian, one of them teased, nudging me with his elbow. "He's probably thinking about a multi billion contract even while drinking," Fred chimed in. I smirked, but I didn't argue as I took another sip of my drink, the familiar burn of whiskey trailing down my throat as I exhaled. They weren’t entirely wrong. A blonde woman slid into the seat beside me, her long manicured nails lightly grazing my arm as she
Skylar I stayed in bed longer than usual, pretending I needed more sleep. But in reality, I was just avoiding Cole. After what happened last night, facing him felt impossible. My heart still raced when I thought about it—the weight of his body, the heat of his breath so close to mine, the way his lips had barely brushed against the corner of my mouth. Just thinking about it made my face burn. I groaned and pulled the blanket over my head. Maybe if I stayed here longer, he would have gone to work and I wouldn’t have to see him. I waited, watching as time slowly passed by, but my stomach betrayed me, grumbling loud enough to remind me that I needed food. With a sigh, I finally got up and freshened myself before heading downstairs, telling myself that he must have left for work by now.I came to an abrupt stop at the bottom of the stairs. My eyes widened, and a soft gasp escaped before I could stop it. He was seated by the counter, casually scrolling through his tablet as if he had
Skylar “Finally! I was starting to think you had disappeared off the face of the earth,” Amber exclaimed the moment she saw me and pulled me into a tight hug.After spending some time with my father, I decided to meet up with Amber, my close friend. It had been too long since we last caught up. I needed a distraction, and spending time with Amber was the perfect way to clear my mind.I laughed. “I’ve been… busy.”We found a table and sat down, and the moment they did, Amber gave me a curious look. “Busy with what? Work?”But before I could respond, Amber’s gaze turned to Xaiver, standing a few steps behind me. Her eyes lingered on him a little too long, and she leaned in, whispering, "Who’s that?""Oh, that's Xaiver…"Amber's lips curled into a mischievous smile as she studied him. “Wait a second… When did you change boyfriends?” I blinked, caught off guard. “What? No, Xavier isn’t—” But she wasn’t listening. Instead, she crossed her arms and nodded in approval, a smug grin sp
Skylar I never thought a simple night out would turn into something like this.Paul’s grip on my wrist was tight, his smug expression making my stomach twist in disgust. But what truly shocked me was the way he looked at Cole—like he was someone beneath him, someone insignificant.“And who the hell are you?” Paul sneered, his arrogance on full display.Cole didn’t respond. He just stood there, calm and composed, his dark eyes unreadable.Paul took that silence as weakness. His smirk widened as he straightened his shoulders. “Listen, pretty boy, I don’t know what you’re trying to do here, but you need to mind your own business. Walk away now, or you’ll regret it.”I could feel Amber tense beside me, too stunned to even utter a word. I also wanted to speak up, but Cole’s presence kept me rooted in place. He wasn’t reacting—wasn’t angry or offended. He was just watching Paul.Then, without a word, Cole turned slightly, as if ready to take me away again, but Paul moved to block him.“Wh
ColeThe moment I stepped out of the meeting room, I let out a deep breath. That was exhausting. My friend, Justin, who had recently returned from overseas, and I, along with some board members, had been exploring a business opportunity to increase sales and expand our market presence.The meeting had taken long hours, but it had been successful.“Man, that was draining,” Justin groaned, rolling his shoulders as we exited the meeting room. “You could say that again. But I'm glad we could get everyone on board.”Justin smiled. “You’re right. Why don't we hit a bar and unwind? I really need a drink before I lose my mind.” I nodded, running a hand through my hair. “Fine. Let’s go.” We headed to one of the most exclusive bars in the city and settled in the VIP section, a place meant to keep people like us away from unnecessary attention. The dim lighting and soft music were meant to be relaxing, but
Skylar I stared at the bar manager in disbelief, my heart pounding in my chest. Did he just say two hundred thousand dollars? For a second, I thought I had misheard, but the stern expression on his face told me otherwise. My mouth went dry. I didn’t have that kind of money—not even close. Before I could react, Amber stepped forward, her voice firm. “I’ll pay for it.” I turned to her, eyes wide with both relief and concern. Amber had always been bold, never one to let anyone look down on her. I could tell she didn’t want Paul or his friend to think we were helpless. With a determined look, she pulled out her card and handed it to the bar manager. I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. At least the situation was about to be resolved. But then, the manager’s expression didn’t change as he handed the card back. “Declined.” Amber frowned. “What? That’s impossible. Try again.” The manager sw
Skylar I frowned slightly, my eyes scanning the man who had just appeared in front of us. He looked familiar, but I couldn’t quite place his face. He was tall, messy black hair, a lazy grin that probably worked on some women—but not on me.Where had I known him from?His smirk faltered when he noticed my blank expression. His jaw tightened, and a flicker of frustration crossed his face. “You don’t remember me?” he asked in an angry voice. Amber let out a low chuckle, crossing her arms. “Wow, this is quite unexpected. Three years of chasing after Skylar, and she doesn’t even know who you are.” Three years? The realization clicked. Paul— he was one of the men I had rejected in the past. One of the many suitors I had long forgotten. “Oh,” I murmured, finally recalling. “It's you.”He stood with his arm lazily draped around a curvy blonde woman, his gaze sharp as he shot me a pointed look. That s
Skylar I lay on my bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. Even though the family dinner and its drama had ended the night before, I still felt drained.The expectations, the scrutiny, and the pressure—it had all been suffocating, but Cole had handled it all.The sound of my phone ringing jolted me from my thoughts. I reached for it and saw Amber’s name flashing on the screen. A small smile tugged at my lips as I answered. “Hey.” Amber sighed loudly on the other end. “Skylar, I need a drink.” I immediately frowned, sensing something wrong. “What happened? You don't sound so good.” “I’m not,” she admitted. “My dad’s driving me insane.”That was all she needed to say. I knew how controlling and strict her father could be. “What is the matter this time?” I asked.“Can you imagine? My father wants to set me up in an arranged marriage!”I nearly sprang out of bed in shock at her words. Amber… in an arranged marriage? No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t picture it.Amber was
SkylarThe ride home was silent. Too silent. Cole drove with his usual calm demeanor, his fingers resting lightly on the steering wheel, his expression unreadable. I sat beside him, my hands clasped tightly in my lap, my heart hammering against my ribs. I stole glances at him from time to time, trying to gauge his mood, but his face remained impassive, giving nothing away. How long had he been standing there, just watching and listening to Ethan and I? Did he hear anything at all? I couldn't tell, and that really terrified me. I wanted to say something... anything. To casually ask a question that would help me gauge exactly what he knew. But what if I phrased it wrong? What if I ended up revealing more than I intended? One wrong step, one slip of the tongue, and I could make an even bigger mistake. My throat felt dry, and my palms were clammy against my lap. I clenched my fingers together, willing myself to stay still. Cole, on the other hand, remained completely unfazed.
The moment I stepped out into the garden, the cool evening breeze hit my red face, sweeping away the heat from the alcohol. I inhaled deeply, savoring the night air as it cleared my mind. The laughter and chatter from the banquet hall faded and turned distant as I walked away further into the garden. I needed this. Just a few minutes to breathe, to be away from the scrutiny of everyone watching, judging. I lowered myself onto a chair near the hedge, closing my eyes briefly. My thoughts drifted back to the banquet, to the moment Cole had taken the glass of wine meant for me and downed it without hesitation. The teasing remarks from the guests still echoed in my mind. "Cole really cares about his wife, doesn’t he?" Their laughter had filled the room, entertained by the fact that Cole had taken the glass from me. But they all had sat there in silence and had pretended not to see the way Ethan made things difficult for me. The only consolation I got was the way that scumbag’s fa
Skylar “Sorry I'm late.”The moment I heard that deep, familiar voice coming from the door, I almost forgot how to breathe. I just sat there frozen. I tried to turn to see the person who had just arrived, to confirm my doubts, but my body just wasn't cooperating. The moment he walked towards the table and stood across from me; I saw his familiar face, and every single word on my lips instantly dried up and vanished. My throat tightened, my pulse pounded in my ears, and an unbearable coldness spread through my body. Ethan. He was right there, sitting across from me. A face I never thought I would see again. A past I had buried, locked away, and sworn to forget. Yet, here he was, looking at me with those sharp, unreadable eyes. I barely heard Cole’s voice as he made the introduction. "Skylar, this is my stepbrother, Ethan." My heart stopped. My vision blurred for a second. His ste
ColeI couldn’t help but notice that Vanessa was giving Skylar a long, measuring look. She seemed to be watching Skylar’s every move, and then her eyes fixed on Skylar’s chest, lingering over the necklace that I had given to her.Vanessa was smiling, but I could see the hunger in her eyes. She kept staring at Skylar’s necklace—the Princess Victoria Rose rare and expensive jewelry piece. From my intel, I knew It was the final piece Vanessa needed to complete her royal jewelry entire collection, the very one she had been obsessed with for years. Too bad for her… she was never going to get it. I saw the exact moment Vanessa lost control. She couldn't help but reach out, her fingers grazing the necklace as if admiring it, but I knew she was trying to test its authenticity, to confirm if Skylar was actually wearing the real necklace.A warm smile played on her lips, but I wasn’t fooled. Her tone seemed light, almost playful, as she most likely asked