CHAPTER 7: THE POWER SHIFT The costly walnut desk in Alex's workplace receives morning sunshine slanting through the drapes. He looks not at all. His fingers hang over his phone, his coffee cannot reach him, and the newspaper opens before him.The firm, brutal headline flashes back at him.ELIZABETH HASTINGS ENGAGED TO BILLIONAIRE SIMEON BLACKWOOD!His chest constricts. His steady, leisurely breathing does nothing to calm the tempest building inside of me.Page after page, the pieces examine every element: their claimed whirlwind romance, the passionate kiss at the gala, the way Elizabeth's hand rested against Simeon's chest as though she belonged there.The front page mostly features a picture. Her fingers tightened inside his jacket as Simeon's lips brushed against hers. The globe thinks this. Hell, even the picture gives it a lifelike quality.Alex's hold gets tighter, the newspaper's edges crumpling under his fingertips."You okay, boss?"Kara's voice oozes with something too nea
CHAPTER 8: A DANGEROUS GAME Tension hangs in the air like the promise of a storm. Simeon's office smells strongly like whiskey mixed with the thick leather of his chair. The metropolis lights behind him through the large glass windows, seemingly limitless into the night.Alex is standing close to the door, his fists closed, and his whole body expresses subdued anger. His perfect suit is flawless, but his demeanour is anything but. His eyes dart from Elizabeth to Simeon, landing on the man behind the desk like a cat weighing up its opponent.Trapped between them, Elizabeth senses their wrath weighing down on her. Her hands shake at her sides, but she locks her jaw to avoid appearing weak."What kind of twisted game are you engaged in?" Alex demands, his voice shrill like a whip breaking through the quiet.Simeon is still seated, fingers entwined, his face invisible. "I don't play games." Though his voice is smooth and somewhat bored, his eyes flash with something threatening. "I look
CHAPTER 9: ALEX’S BREAKING POINT The low murmur of discussion and the veil of cigarette smoke hardly let the faint brightness of the bar cut through. The air smells of stale bourbon and the bitter tang of sorrow clinging to Alex's skin. Nursing a half-empty glass of whiskey, his tie is unfastened, his sleeves rolled up, and his stance slumped on the high-backed stool.Again sip. The heat doesn't help him to dull the chest agony.His knuckles are white, and he grabs the glass tightly. Beside him, the newspaper is crumpled, its strong headline mocking him. Hastings Elizabeth Started working with Billionaire Simeon Blackwood.His stomach flips.It is a lie. It had to be.But the picture taken under it—the way she lets Simeon hold her, the way she stares at him—tells another tale.He swallows even another spoonful of whiskey while the fire scorches his throat.This is his fault.He went carelessly, stupidly. He let his needs and greed destroy the one decent thing in his life. She left no
CHAPTER 10: THE TRAP IS SETElizabeth finds her breath freezing in her throat.Though silent, the penthouse is not quiet; one finds it soothing. It is incorrect, thick, and smothering.Her fingers curl into the sheets, and she sits slowly. The city's glow produces faint streaks of light across the drapes, even while the room's corners remain dark.After that, a sound.A slink of motion beyond her door.Her pulse leaps over her ribs. She listens; she hardly breathes sometimes. Additional creaks. The weight of feet on the hardwood flooring of the corridor.She is not here by herself.She swallows hard as she gently and silently swings her legs over the bed. She walks coldly on the floor under naked feet toward the door. The air seems too peaceful, weighted with something invisible waiting.She puts her palms out for the handle; shadows move.Her heartbeat pauses.Her nose smells of leather and sweat. A hand closes over her mouth before she can yell. An arm dragging her rear against a p
CHAPTER 11: ALEX’S LAST PLEAThis is his last turn, his last opportunity to rectify the harm he has done and straighten things out.He fixes his gaze at the door, the heavy wood separating him from all she has lost. His stomach gets contracted. Though he has been here many times, he has never been like this. As the seconds an eternity, his heart thumps in his chest.He knocks at last. He flinches since the sound echoes louder than he could have predicted. He has no idea what he expects. She has been waiting for him to return so she can dash into his arms, tell him it will all be well and reassure him. Alternatively, he is preparing for the worst.The door opens creakingly.He initially notes her frigid, far-off eyes. Something he cannot place flickers momentarily, but it goes too fast."Elizabeth... "Before he can stop, his voice breaks. His words reveal him, and their quiver makes him feel less than he should be.Her lips push together in a narrow line, but her face is still unreadab
Chapter One: The Discovery The sound of the door shutting behind me was muffled by the racing of my heart. My chest felt constricted, my breathing still uneven from the conversation with Vanessa just a few minutes earlier. We had been talking about my future plans-Valentine's Day, the getaway to the Maldives, the perfect proposal Alex had promised me. The perfect life we were supposed to have. But when I walked through the door of our shared apartment, all of it came crashing down in an instant. The apartment was so quiet it was nearly unnervingly still, normally filled with the hum of life. My heels clicked softly against the hardwood floor as I stepped further inside. It was too quiet-something wasn't right. I expected to hear the faint sound of Alex's voice from the kitchen or see him at the counter with his usual cup of coffee. But as I walked into the living room, my stomach dropped. There, on the couch, was Alex-my boyfriend of three years-wrapped around his assistant, Elena
Chapter Two: The Proposal Simeon leaned back in his chair, tapping a pen idly on his desk, a small, amused smile playing on his lips as he replayed the events of earlier that day. It was hard to believe it had actually happened. He had been the recipient of a proposal—but not just any proposal. A proposal from a complete stranger. He couldn't help but have a chuckle to himself as he picked up the card Elizabeth had handed him. It had been ages since he'd had one of these days. Karin, his longtime secretary, tapped lightly upon his office door and made her way inside, a fresh cup of coffee balanced upon the tray in her hands. Her eyes always seemed to be on alert for when her boss required a break, and this was beginning to seem just about one of those days. Coffee, sir?" Karin asked, setting the mug on his desk as her warm smile fell on the glint of amusement dancing in his eyes. Long enough had she been around Simeon that it needed no spelling when something struck a particular n
Chapter Three: The Unexpected Encounter Elizabeth sat on the edge of her bed, the events of the day replaying in her mind. The audacity of her actions—the proposal to a complete stranger—seemed surreal. She had acted on impulse, driven by a mix of desperation and a desire to escape the suffocating grip of her past. Now, as she sat alone in her room, the weight of her decision began to settle in. Her phone buzzed, breaking the silence. She glanced at the screen: an unknown number. Hesitant, she answered. “Hello?” she said, her voice tinged with uncertainty. “Good evening, is this Miss Elizabeth Hastings?” a woman’s voice inquired. “Yes, speaking,” Elizabeth replied, her curiosity piqued. “This is Karin, Mr. Simeon Blackwood’s personal assistant. He would like to meet with you at your earliest convenience,” the voice continued. Elizabeth’s heart skipped a beat. Simeon Blackwood? The name was unfamiliar, and she couldn’t recall any prior interactions. “I’m sorry, but I don’t belie
CHAPTER 11: ALEX’S LAST PLEAThis is his last turn, his last opportunity to rectify the harm he has done and straighten things out.He fixes his gaze at the door, the heavy wood separating him from all she has lost. His stomach gets contracted. Though he has been here many times, he has never been like this. As the seconds an eternity, his heart thumps in his chest.He knocks at last. He flinches since the sound echoes louder than he could have predicted. He has no idea what he expects. She has been waiting for him to return so she can dash into his arms, tell him it will all be well and reassure him. Alternatively, he is preparing for the worst.The door opens creakingly.He initially notes her frigid, far-off eyes. Something he cannot place flickers momentarily, but it goes too fast."Elizabeth... "Before he can stop, his voice breaks. His words reveal him, and their quiver makes him feel less than he should be.Her lips push together in a narrow line, but her face is still unreadab
CHAPTER 10: THE TRAP IS SETElizabeth finds her breath freezing in her throat.Though silent, the penthouse is not quiet; one finds it soothing. It is incorrect, thick, and smothering.Her fingers curl into the sheets, and she sits slowly. The city's glow produces faint streaks of light across the drapes, even while the room's corners remain dark.After that, a sound.A slink of motion beyond her door.Her pulse leaps over her ribs. She listens; she hardly breathes sometimes. Additional creaks. The weight of feet on the hardwood flooring of the corridor.She is not here by herself.She swallows hard as she gently and silently swings her legs over the bed. She walks coldly on the floor under naked feet toward the door. The air seems too peaceful, weighted with something invisible waiting.She puts her palms out for the handle; shadows move.Her heartbeat pauses.Her nose smells of leather and sweat. A hand closes over her mouth before she can yell. An arm dragging her rear against a p
CHAPTER 9: ALEX’S BREAKING POINT The low murmur of discussion and the veil of cigarette smoke hardly let the faint brightness of the bar cut through. The air smells of stale bourbon and the bitter tang of sorrow clinging to Alex's skin. Nursing a half-empty glass of whiskey, his tie is unfastened, his sleeves rolled up, and his stance slumped on the high-backed stool.Again sip. The heat doesn't help him to dull the chest agony.His knuckles are white, and he grabs the glass tightly. Beside him, the newspaper is crumpled, its strong headline mocking him. Hastings Elizabeth Started working with Billionaire Simeon Blackwood.His stomach flips.It is a lie. It had to be.But the picture taken under it—the way she lets Simeon hold her, the way she stares at him—tells another tale.He swallows even another spoonful of whiskey while the fire scorches his throat.This is his fault.He went carelessly, stupidly. He let his needs and greed destroy the one decent thing in his life. She left no
CHAPTER 8: A DANGEROUS GAME Tension hangs in the air like the promise of a storm. Simeon's office smells strongly like whiskey mixed with the thick leather of his chair. The metropolis lights behind him through the large glass windows, seemingly limitless into the night.Alex is standing close to the door, his fists closed, and his whole body expresses subdued anger. His perfect suit is flawless, but his demeanour is anything but. His eyes dart from Elizabeth to Simeon, landing on the man behind the desk like a cat weighing up its opponent.Trapped between them, Elizabeth senses their wrath weighing down on her. Her hands shake at her sides, but she locks her jaw to avoid appearing weak."What kind of twisted game are you engaged in?" Alex demands, his voice shrill like a whip breaking through the quiet.Simeon is still seated, fingers entwined, his face invisible. "I don't play games." Though his voice is smooth and somewhat bored, his eyes flash with something threatening. "I look
CHAPTER 7: THE POWER SHIFT The costly walnut desk in Alex's workplace receives morning sunshine slanting through the drapes. He looks not at all. His fingers hang over his phone, his coffee cannot reach him, and the newspaper opens before him.The firm, brutal headline flashes back at him.ELIZABETH HASTINGS ENGAGED TO BILLIONAIRE SIMEON BLACKWOOD!His chest constricts. His steady, leisurely breathing does nothing to calm the tempest building inside of me.Page after page, the pieces examine every element: their claimed whirlwind romance, the passionate kiss at the gala, the way Elizabeth's hand rested against Simeon's chest as though she belonged there.The front page mostly features a picture. Her fingers tightened inside his jacket as Simeon's lips brushed against hers. The globe thinks this. Hell, even the picture gives it a lifelike quality.Alex's hold gets tighter, the newspaper's edges crumpling under his fingertips."You okay, boss?"Kara's voice oozes with something too nea
CHAPTER 6: DANGEROUS YES Elizabeth's pulse beats in her ears as she sees Simeon turn the engagement ring between his fingers, the diamond catching the faint glow of the chandelier of the restaurant. He doesn't have any laughs. He has not laughed at all. Instead, an amused smile plays at the corner of his lips as though he has discovered a game far more interesting than the dinner before him."That's quite the proposal," he says, voice like aged whiskey, gaze fixed on hers with startling intensity.She pushes hard, her words returning to her like a stupid dare she hadn't anticipated being taken seriously. She stammers, reaching for the ring, then his fingers gently close around it with intentional ease. Forget it.He slants forward, elbows resting on the immaculate white tablecloth, every action under control. He says, "No," sliding the ring on his finger.Between them, the air gets tense.Elizabeth stiffens, fixed on the ring now pressing against his flesh. Her brain spins. This was
Chapter Five: The Past Revealed Early morning sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. I sat on the edge of the bed, my fingers tracing the delicate lace of the duvet. The events of the past few days had been a whirlwind, each moment more surreal than the last. I had proposed to Simeon Blackwood, a man I barely knew, in desperation to get away from the haunting memories of Alex. Yet, here I was, trying to sort through the labyrinth of my emotions and the decisions I'd made. I looked at the time—10:00 AM. Simeon had invited me to dinner the previous night, and we had talked a lot. His understanding and support were balm to my wounded soul. He had given me a choice: to confront Alex and get revenge or to move on and heal. I chose the latter, but it wasn't that simple. The tingle of the doorbell pulled me out of my reverie, and I rose to my feet, smoothing my dress as I walked toward the door. I opened it to a bouquet of lilies-smelling sweetly and
Chapter Four: The Past Revealed The evening air was crisp as I stepped into this posh restaurant, and the soft lighting that hit the polished wood floors made me feel cozy right away. I had been there before, but tonight everything felt different. Tonight, I was to meet Simeon Blackwood, the guy I had impulsively proposed to just days ago, a thought which still seemed surreal. But here I was, standing at a threshold that would usher a new chapter in my life. As I reached the maître d', his expression turned into a cordial smile. "Good evening, Miss Hastings. Mr. Blackwood is expecting you. Please, follow me." He led me toward a secluded corner of the restaurant where a table was set for two against full-length windows, offering me a view of the City skyline. Simeon had stood up when I was approaching; his tall build exuded confidence. He opened with a warm smile as he invited me to a seat. "Elizabeth," he said, his smooth voice reassuring. "Glad you could join me tonight." "Thank
Chapter Three: The Unexpected Encounter Elizabeth sat on the edge of her bed, the events of the day replaying in her mind. The audacity of her actions—the proposal to a complete stranger—seemed surreal. She had acted on impulse, driven by a mix of desperation and a desire to escape the suffocating grip of her past. Now, as she sat alone in her room, the weight of her decision began to settle in. Her phone buzzed, breaking the silence. She glanced at the screen: an unknown number. Hesitant, she answered. “Hello?” she said, her voice tinged with uncertainty. “Good evening, is this Miss Elizabeth Hastings?” a woman’s voice inquired. “Yes, speaking,” Elizabeth replied, her curiosity piqued. “This is Karin, Mr. Simeon Blackwood’s personal assistant. He would like to meet with you at your earliest convenience,” the voice continued. Elizabeth’s heart skipped a beat. Simeon Blackwood? The name was unfamiliar, and she couldn’t recall any prior interactions. “I’m sorry, but I don’t belie