The car pulled up to the edge of the beach, and as soon as I stepped out, the scent of the ocean hit me—fresh, salty, and oddly calming. I glanced around, taking in the private beach stretching endlessly before us. The sand was so white it almost looked untouched, the kind of pristine that made you hesitant to leave a footprint. I’d seen beaches like this dozens of times, from the Amalfi Coast to private islands in the Maldives, but they never failed to leave me in awe.“Wow,” I murmured, unable to stop myself. Regan didn’t respond. He was too busy pulling his phone from his pocket, already distracted as the driver unloaded our bags from the trunk. The beach house stood a little further back. The house was striking—modern, minimalistic, and drenched in sunlight. Glass walls reflected the ocean, and the sleek wooden decks were accented with lush greenery. It was the kind of property that screamed exclusivity, even by my standards.The driver handed me my suitcase with a polite smile,
I woke up slowly, my eyes fluttering open to the soft light filtering through the window. For a moment, I was confused. The bed felt colder than it had the night before. I blinked, trying to push the lingering fog of sleep away. I sat up, glancing around the room. The door was ajar, and the faint sound of something clattering in the kitchen caught my attention. Curiosity tugged at me, so I pushed off the bed, walked toward the window. I peeked out at the view—blue sky, the calm waves of the ocean stretching into the horizon—and for a moment, everything felt surreal. After a brief moment of peace, my stomach growled loudly, reminding me that I hadn’t eaten anything since the flight the day before. I made my way to the bathroom, quickly brushing my teeth and washing my face before heading toward the source of the sound. When I reached the kitchen, I froze in the doorway. Regan was there, but not the Regan I was used to seeing. He was cooking, his movements fluid as he worked over the
Soon after, I decided to step outside. Slipping into my favorite red dress—a flowy piece with delicate floral patterns that danced in the breeze—I felt lighter. The dress hugged me in all the right places. I let my hair fall loosely over my shoulders.Barefoot, I stepped onto the warm sand, Max trotting happily at my side. The beach stretched endlessly before me, the waves glimmering under the midday sun. I took my time, feeling the grainy texture of the sand beneath my feet, and the salty breeze brushing against my skin. Max wagged his tail enthusiastically, occasionally bounding ahead before circling back to me.After a while, I found a spot close to the water’s edge and sank down onto the sand, pulling my knees up to my chest. Max settled beside me, his golden fur shimmering like liquid sunlight. “You’re such a sweet boy, aren’t you?” I murmured, running my fingers through his soft fur. “I mean, look at you. You’re perfect. Too perfect to be hanging out with someone like me.” Max
As I stepped into the house, my heart still racing, I bolted to my room to get out of my soaked dress. I couldn’t stop thinking about the way Regan’s hand had felt in mine, or the way his gaze lingered just a little too long. I slipped into a soft, oversized shirt, hoping it would calm the chaos swirling inside me. But the second I opened my door, there he was again—standing by the window, his silhouette bathed in moonlight. “You changed fast,” he said, his voice low, carrying that teasing edge that made my stomach flip. “Could say the same for you,” I shot back, noticing his loose joggers and plain black shirt. He looked infuriatingly good, and I hated how aware I was of it. “You know, you looked really happy today. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you like that.” “Is that… a bad thing?” “No,” he said quickly, shaking his head. “Not at all.” We stood there, the dim light from the window casting shadows between us. The air felt heavy, charged with something I couldn’t name.His
His fingers brushed softly against my skin, trailing along my legs, igniting a fire that spread through my entire being. I let out a long, quiet sigh as his touch neared places that left me trembling, the anticipation unbearable. A gasp escaped me, my voice trembling as I murmured through the haze of pleasure clouding my mind, "Regan." I lost control when he gently trailed his nose up mine, his touch igniting a fire within me. His hands moved with such deliberate tenderness, removing my remaining clothes as though I were something precious. My head spun, overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment.A soft moan escaped my lips, reverberating in the quiet of the room, as his fingers glided over my skin, leaving a trail of warmth. The sensation sent shivers down my spine; each caress more electrifying than the last. His tongue traced along mine, the motion slow and deliberate, sending shockwaves through my body. My gasps filled the air, unrestrained and raw, as I felt the ache of desir
When I opened my eyes, the soft light of dawn filtered through the curtains. It took a moment for the events of the night to settle in my mind, and when they did, a mixture of emotions washed over me. Regan’s arm was draped around my waist, his body warm against mine. He was still asleep, his breathing slow and even, his face relaxed in a way I rarely saw. It was strange to see him like this—unguarded. Peaceful. I stayed still, not wanting to wake him, but my heart raced when his arm tightened slightly around me, pulling me closer.“You’re awake,” he murmured, his voice husky with sleep.“So are you,” I whispered back, a shy smile tugging at my lips.He didn’t say anything for a moment, his gaze unreadable as it lingered on my face. Then, almost in a whisper, he said, “You’re not what I expected.” I blinked, unsure how to respond. “What does that mean?” Regan smirked faintly, his thumb brushing against my hip. “You’ll figure it out.” Before I could press him further, he rolled awa
I watched him as his demeanor changed, the carefree expression on his face replaced with tension. My heart skipped a beat as I saw him glance at me hesitantly, his eyes filled with unease.“I… I need to leave,” he said, his voice tight.My stomach twisted with unease. “What’s going on? What’s wrong?”He remained silent.“Is it about Mom? Dad? What’s wrong? Tell me”Regan didn’t immediately respond. His gaze flickered to me, then quickly away, as if he didn’t want me to see the strain in his eyes. He took a deep breath and said the one word that shattered my heart.“No”The weight of Regan's words sank in, and my stomach twisted tighter with every passing second. I tried to process everything, but it felt like my mind couldn’t catch up with the emotions swirling inside me. The concern in his eyes, and the urgency in his voice, all pointed to something I couldn’t quite grasp, but I feared I already knew.I stepped closer, my heart hammering in my chest. “Is it……” My mind raced, hoping I
The tears fell freely down my face. I couldn’t understand what had just happened—Regan’s abrupt departure, the empty words, the silence. It was like everything that had felt so real between us had just slipped through my fingers. I didn’t know how long I stood there, letting the tears fall, before I heard the sound of tires crunching against gravel. A car pulled up, the headlights piercing through the dark night. I quickly wiped my eyes, trying to compose myself, but I couldn’t stop the tremor in my hands. The door opened, and a woman stepped out.The woman has soft, chestnut-colored hair that cascades in waves down her back. She had a warm smile. She wore a simple, elegant outfit—a tailored jacket over a soft blouse. Her smile widened when she saw me, and she walked toward me with open arms.“Miss Anastasia! I’m so glad to finally meet you. Your mother spoke so highly of you, and I was so thrilled when she called me and told me you and your husband were looking for a place to have a
Regan's POVAlan finally managed to wrestle me out of the bar, the bouncer barking threats behind us. My face throbbed with a dull ache; my knuckles were scraped raw. Fishing a crumpled pack of cigarettes from my pocket, I fumbled for a lighter. The flame sparked to life, casting a glow on my bloodied hand."Here," Alan muttered, shoving a napkin at me. "Clean yourself up, you maniac."I ignored him, taking a long drag on the cigarette, the harsh smoke doing little to soothe the ache in my chest. "Damn it," I rasped, the words laced with frustration. "I wanted to turn those creeps into mush."The bouncer, a burly man with a shaved head, reached the doorway and threw his arms out, effectively blocking our re-entry. "You're done here, buddy! Find another bar to wreck!" He puffed out his chest, trying to appear intimidating, but to me, he looked like a puffed-up pigeon."Relax, tou
Regan’s POVThe exhaustion clawed at me that mirrored the worry twisting in my gut. Anastasia's face, pale and unconscious, kept flashing behind my eyelids. Every sip of the amber liquid at the bar did little to drown the guilt that choked me."If only I'd choose her," I muttered to myself, swirling the ice in my glass with a trembling hand.The past few hours replayed in my mind, a relentless loop of self-blame. If I'd chosen to spend the evening with Anastasia, maybe, just maybe, things would have been different. She wouldn't be lying in a hospital bed hooked up to machines.Just as despair threatened to consume me, a hand landed on my shoulder. I flinched, startled, and turned to see Alan's familiar face etched with concern."Regan, what are you doing?" he asked, his voice low but laced with worry. "You look like you've been dragged through the wringer."I shrugged him off n
After a restless night, I finally tore myself away from Anastasia's bedside and went home to my condo. Exhaustion gnawed at me, and I knew I needed a change of clothes and a decent cup of coffee to function. Pulling off the scrubs, I traded them for a pair of comfy jeans and a loose-fitting t-shirt. With a quick caffeine fix in mind, I headed to a nearby 24/7 diner. These late-night havens were a godsend. Sliding into a booth, I nursed a strong cup of coffee, the bitter brew jumpstarting my foggy brain.The first rays of dawn were just peeking over the horizon as I returned to the hospital. Entering Anastasia's room, I froze in surprise. There, perched on a chair beside the bed, sat a woman I recognized all too well – Anastasia's stepmother, Marianne. She was a woman of striking beauty. But something in her makes me feel intimidated and that was new to my vocabulary. I seldom got intimidated. Anastasia was the one person who could truly get under this woman’s skin."She does n
Sheila's POVGerard's eyes welled up with tears. "We know we messed up," he choked out, "We were awful to her. But we still love her, and we just want to be here for her now."I scoffed a harsh sound that echoed in the room. "Hypocrites!" I spat, whirling around to leave. I couldn't stand to be around them for another minute.But Christopher lunged forward, grabbing my arm with surprising strength. "You don't get to tell us what to do! You're just her friend. We're her family!"I yanked my arm free, glaring at him with icy fury. Despite his handsome features, his arrogant attitude made him completely unattractive to me at that moment. "Actually," I shot back coldly, "I'm her Health Care proxy. That means I make the decisions about her care. And let's face it, Mr. Christopher Montreal, you've never exactly acted like a brother to her."His face drained of color, a mixture of shock and anger contorting his features. "What did you say?""You heard me loud and clear," I said, my vo
Sheila's POVA few hours crawled by each tick of the clock an agonizing reminder of the danger Anastasia was in. Finally, word reached me that she'd been moved to a special private room. Soft lighting cast a warm glow on the plush furniture, and a vase filled with fresh flowers sat on a table beside the bed.Pushing open the door, I found a kind-faced nurse monitoring the readings on a nearby machine. "Excuse me," I said softly. "Can you tell me if—""Dr. Sheila, I presume?" she interrupted gently, a knowing smile on her lips. "Yes, Miss Anastasia is resting comfortably now."I nodded my thanks. Walking over to the bed, I gazed down at my best friend. Anastasia looked pale and fragile. Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision. Reaching out, I took her hand in mine, its coolness sending a shiver down my spine. "Hey, Tasia," I whispered. Even though I knew she couldn't hear me, the words tumbled out."Please wake up," I pleaded, my voice breaking. "I have something to tell y
Sheila's POVMy chest burned with anger—a fire that had been simmering since the day I discovered that he was cheating with his wife—with my best friend. The sight of him now only fanned the flames.“This is your fault,” I spat, the words slicing through the tense silence like a blade. My voice trembled, heavy with fury and grief. “You need to leave. Now.”Regan flinched as though I’d struck him. His face twisted, his stormy eyes filling with guilt and something that might have been pain. But then, he straightened. His shoulders slumped moments ago, squared slightly as he took a deep, steadying breath. The shift in his posture sent a jolt of fury through me.“I’m not going anywhere,” he said, his voice rough but firm. “I need to see Anastasia.”I stared at him, stunned by his audacity. His gaze was firm now, though his face still bore the marks of exhaustion.“Absolutely not,” I snapped, stepping forward to block his path. “You’re not going anywhere near her, Regan. She doesn’t need y
Sheila’s POVThe door to the operating room swung open with a soft hiss, releasing a waft of sterile air tinged with antiseptic. I stepped out, still clad in green scrubs, my hands trembling faintly from the adrenaline of the past hours. Tugging off the blue net cap, I raked a hand through my sweat-damp hair, my chest tightening as the weight of what just happened began to settle in."Dr. Cortez," a nurse called out as she hurried toward me. "The patient's family is here waiting outside."I froze, my brow furrowing. "Family? Are you sure about that?" My voice came out sharper than I intended, the lingering edge of fear and exhaustion bleeding through.It wasn’t uncommon for patients to arrive at the hospital without anyone. But Anastasia... Anastasia’s world was complicated. Her family was complicated."Yes, Doctor," she replied softly, her eyes glancing briefly at the operating room doors behind me. "They're asking about her condition."My heart thudded painfully in my chest, the gho
I wiped my tears away with trembling hands and looked at him. Regan’s jaw was clenched, his face grim and unreadable. Yet, there was something in his eyes—an unspoken emotion that made my heart ache even more. He walked over to me, each step heavy with hesitation, and reached out a hand. His fingers brushed against the red mark on my cheek with a gentleness that belied the chaos around us.My eyes met his, brimming with tears and pain.“Anastasia,” he began, his voice raw and full of regret. “I’m so—”But he couldn’t finish. A voice cut through us like a knife, sharp and demanding.“Regan!”We both turned, startled, to see Zarina standing in the hallway, her arms crossed and her expression cold. Her voice was firm, leaving no room for negotiation.“I need to talk to you. Now.”Regan hesitated, his gaze flickering back to me. His hand dropped to his side, leaving the warmth of his touch lingering on my skin.“Zarina, not now,” he said firmly, his voice carrying an edge of irritation.“P
A flicker of movement on the edge of the stage caught my eye. The band members exchanged confused glances. Then, a familiar face emerged from the shadows – the old man from my music school, his kind eyes crinkled in a smile that held a lifetime of understanding. It was a small gesture, but it was enough.Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision. Taking a deep breath, I raised my trembling hands and hovered them over the cool ivory keys. The music book in front of me lay open, displaying the familiar score of "Moonlight Sonata."In that moment, guided by the raw ache in my heart, I began to play. The first notes were hesitant. But as I poured my emotions into the music, the pain of loving Regan, the bitter sting of betrayal, a transformation began to take place. The gasps of surprise from the audience, the almost imperceptible click of hundreds of cameras capturing the moment – all faded into the background.Tears streamed down my cheeks; each note a raw expression of the pain I