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14 – Dancing on the Edge of Hope
Last Updated:
2024-10-20 20:31:45Related chapters
The Woman He Broke 15 – Where Hearts Break
*MAGO’s POV*My breath caught in my throat when I saw her standing near the counter of my bar, her eyes scanning the room as if she belonged here. ARLENE. Of all places, here—my sanctuary, my downfall. What the hell was she thinking, applying to be my apprentice? She shouldn’t be here. I shouldn’t have kissed her the last time we met. I should’ve known better.But how could I have known? She’s innocent—never been in a relationship, never kissed anyone before me. And now, because of my stupidity, I’ve put her in danger. Not physical danger, no—but something worse. Emotional destruction. I can’t allow her to fall for me. I ruin every woman I touch. They fall, and I drag them down with me. Every. Damn. Time.I’m a cheater. It’s not just some bad habit—it’s in my veins, a twisted inheritance from my mother. I remember my father’s desperate attempts to keep her, as if she were slipping away day by day. He thought getting her pregnant would hold her, would make her stay. But she left anyway
Last Updated : 2024-10-21The Woman He Broke 16- Dangerous Games
*ARLENE’s POV*I watched them disappear up the stairs to his office, and a wave of bitterness washed over me. What right do I have to stop them? None. He never promised me anything. But why do I feel so betrayed? It’s like a knife twisting inside me, and I hate myself for it.I let out a sigh and forced myself back to work. If he likes those types of women, then fine. I’ll show him I can be the bitchiest bitch he’s ever met. This negativity is eating me alive, and Patricia was right—crying is for the weak. I refuse to shed a single tear. Instead, I’ll play his game and beat him at it.I glanced at Dessa as she prepared her props for a flair bartending exhibition. A wicked idea sparked in my mind. I used to be the best at this—hell, I won the inter-school flairing championship. If I’m going to get close to Mago, I need to remind him just how damn good I am.I stepped up beside Dessa and started prepping my own bottles and glasses. She looked at me, her brow raised, but when she realize
Last Updated : 2024-10-22The Woman He Broke 17- Hearts on the Ground
*MAGO’S POV*"Do you know what pisses me off?" she slurred, her eyes narrowing as we stepped into my house. Her voice was laced with a mix of frustration and vulnerability. "I've been trying to catch your attention, but you can’t even flash me a smile. What do those other women have that I don’t?"Before I could respond, she turned, throwing her hands in the air dramatically. "I’m sexy," she said, her voice dripping with irony. "I’m pretty." She pouted, emphasizing her lips. "Don’t I have kissable lips?"I almost laughed at her drunken antics, but the situation was more serious than it seemed. I’d been with many drunk women, and I knew how these nights usually ended. But not this time. Not with her. She’s a virgin, and we’re definitely not ending up in bed tonight.She took a step forward, and her legs wobbled beneath her, making her lose her balance. I instinctively reached out and caught her before she could fall.“Sorry,” she murmured, pressing her face against my chest. “Mmm, you
Last Updated : 2024-10-23The Woman He Broke 18 - What Happens Next?
*ARLENE’s POV*I wake up in a haze, the room spinning slightly as I sit up, groaning at the unfamiliar weight of a shirt—much too big for me—draped over my body. My head pounds as I try to piece together the fragmented memories of last night, but everything's a blur.‘Oh no, no, no!’ I frantically scan the bed, my heart racing, looking for any sign—any telltale mark—that could confirm my worst fear. Nothing.‘But what if it didn’t happen here?’ My mind spirals.‘The car? The living room? The kitchen?’ I pace around, trying to piece together my night.I search my body for any pain or discomfort. My legs feel steady, my body normal, but the doubt lingers.‘Who was I with? What if it was some random guy... or worse, someone old? Ugly? Oh god, what if I’m...’I stop, clutching my hair in horror. ‘Pregnant? No, it couldn’t be. Could it?’Suddenly, a name flashes in
Last Updated : 2024-10-24The Woman He Broke 19 - Anatomy of a Broken Man
*ARLENE’s POV*The elderly care facility loomed ahead, its weathered walls casting long shadows in the fading light. My stomach twisted into knots as I watched Mago park the car. He stepped out, casually grabbing a single grocery bag, leaving the others behind. I hesitated, torn between staying in the car or following him, but before I could decide, I found myself circling the car and stepping out.“I might take a while,” he said, his voice almost too casual. “You should come with me.”The world seemed to stop spinning for a second. ‘Come with him?’ This felt like something more than just an errand. My heart raced, the thought of meeting his father made my hands sweat. I was about to follow him eagerly when he added, “Take the other grocery bags from the trunk.”My excitement deflated as I opened the trunk, staring at the three large grocery bags. ‘Really?&rsquo
Last Updated : 2024-10-25The Woman He Broke 20 - The Rules We Make
I crossed my arms, determined to hide the slight tremor in my fingers. “Go on,” I challenged, narrowing my eyes, daring him to test me. “You set your rules, and I’ll make my own boundaries.”Mago’s lips curled into that maddeningly arrogant smile, the one that made my pulse quicken even when I wished it didn’t. “You’ll move into my place,” he demanded, his voice low and authoritative, as if he’d already won.A sharp laugh escaped me, masking the nervous energy bubbling beneath my skin. He wanted control, but I wasn’t about to hand it over that easily. “That fast, huh?” I raised an eyebrow, pretending to be unfazed. “Fine, I’ll move in. But what happened to your ‘I don’t do virgins’ rule?”His eyes darkened, locking onto mine with an intensity that made the air between us sizzle. “After what you did last night,” he murmured, stepping
Last Updated : 2024-10-26The Woman He Broke 21 - Unleashing the Beast
*MAGO's POV*This is insane! I can't wrap my head around why I asked her to stay with me. I’ve never asked a woman to live with me before, let alone entertain the thought. But I did. And what’s worse, I agreed to her ridiculous no-sex policy unless one of her friends confesses their love to one of mine. What the hell was I thinking?I need to convince my friends to resist the temptation or I’ll be forced to take desperate measures to get Arlene into my bed. And the more I think about it, the more I realize—I’m bending my own rules for her. Why?There’s something about Arlene. She’s different. But that doesn’t mean I’m falling for her. No, I don’t fall for anyone. Not after what happened before. That’s a line I swore I’d never cross again.Flashback“Wow! What’s all this for?” Kaz’s voice broke
Last Updated : 2024-10-27The Woman He Broke 22: Taming the Wild Beast
*ARLENE’s POV*I didn’t sleep at all. My mind wouldn’t shut off, spinning in circles, replaying every word of the agreement I made with Mago.‘What the hell were you thinking, Arlene?’ I scolded myself. ‘You agreed to his terms. His terms! Have you lost your mind?’But then, a softer voice crept in. ‘You know why you did it. You want to be a part of his life. You want to break through that wall he hides behind. You want to know him.’‘Yeah, but at what cost?’ I snapped back. ‘This is Mago we’re talking about! He doesn’t care about anyone—he just wants to get you into bed. That’s all he’s ever after.’The thought made my chest tighten. ‘Don’t be stupid, Arlene. You’re just another game to him.’‘But he’s not a heartless jerk,&r
Last Updated : 2024-10-28
Latest chapter
The Woman He Broke 55 - The First Showdown
*Mago’s POV*The bar was packed, the air electric with anticipation as the first-ever gender battle began. The crowd buzzed with excitement, their cheers and whistles echoing against the walls. Arlene and I stood on opposite sides of the stage, both ready, both determined. I could see the fire in her eyes—a challenge, a promise that she wasn’t going down without a fight.I signaled to Dessa to start the music. As the first beats of the energetic track boomed through the speakers, I began my flairing routine. Bottles twirled and spun in my hands, catching the lights in dazzling flashes. The crowd roared with approval, egging me on as I tossed the shaker high into the air, caught it behind my back, and poured a perfect shot. I finished my first round with a dramatic slam of the shaker onto the bar, my signature smirk firmly in place.Then it was Arlene’s turn.She stepped forward with a coy smile, her moves smooth, c
The Woman He Broke 56 - Welcome Home
Mago’s POVFor three days, I went to work and came home alone. Arlene had been busy redesigning the house, pouring her heart and soul into it. I couldn’t help but smile at the thought. She was so into it, and honestly, I didn’t mind. It was our house. She was my wife. And I loved the idea of her leaving her touch everywhere—it made the house feel alive, like a home.But tonight was different. It was past midnight when I got home, and the house was dark and eerily quiet. I didn’t bother turning on the lights in the living room as I made my way upstairs. Passing by Arlene’s room, I paused for a second. The door was closed, but I could feel her presence behind it. I’d been fighting the urge to touch her for nights now, and the battle was getting harder. I knew I still loved her. But that love wasn’t strong enough to erase the pain her father had caused me.Shaking my head, I pushed o
The Woman He Broke 54 – Bar Wars: The Gender Showdown
*Arlene’s POV*Mago sat behind his desk, massaging his temple as he read through the financial report I handed him. The tightness in his jaw told me all I needed to know before he even spoke. The numbers were bad, worse than I expected. The newly opened bar across town had stolen not only our regulars but also our spotlight.“Our regulars are barely showing up,” I said, trying to gauge his mood. “And when they do, it’s just for a quick drink before hopping over to the new place.”Mago leaned back, letting out a frustrated sigh. “We need something more interesting than just serving drinks,” he muttered, his voice carrying the weight of his thoughts.“That’s exactly what I was thinking,” I said, trying to keep my tone professional despite the nerves twisting in my stomach. I had been preparing for this moment, waiting for him to ask for my input. “And it’s not jus
The Woman He Broke 53 - The Lies We Tell Ourselves
*Mago’s POV*I didn’t expect her to get up on that stage.Arlene—the woman I told myself I no longer cared about, the woman I convinced myself was nothing more than a tool for revenge—was up there, singing her heart out. She wasn’t the same sweet, innocent girl I’d known before. No, this version of Arlene was bold, confident, and utterly captivating.And I hated it.I hated the way the spotlight caught her, the way her voice softened the crowd, the way her movements seemed so effortless. But most of all, I hated that I noticed it.When the drunk fool climbed onto the stage and started dancing with her, my chest tightened with something I refused to name. I wanted to rip him off that stage, throw him out of my bar, and make it clear to everyone who she really belonged to. But I didn’t.Why would I?She clearly liked the attention. She smiled, played along—flirting effortlessly, like she was just another woman who wante
The Woman He Broke 52 – The Customer is Always Right?
I started moving to the rhythm, letting the beat take me. I moved in sync with the drunk man, encouraging him, letting him believe I was into it. He spun around, laughing, and his hands reached for mine. At first, it felt like a harmless game. I was in control. Or so I thought.The crowd cheered, egging us on, and I felt my confidence rising. But then, the man’s grip tightened. His hands started moving in places I hadn’t invited him to, his touch no longer playful, but aggressive. His body pressed too close to mine, and for a moment, I felt trapped.Panic creeped up my spine. I glanced at Mago again, hoping—no, needing—him to step in. But he was still caught up in his own world, his attention divided between the women and his drink.The customer’s hands were all over me now, his breath hot on my neck as he leaned in closer, too close. I jerked away, but he only followed, grinning like he’d just won some sort of prize. I could feel the heat of his body pressing in, his hands now danger
The Woman He Broke 51 – All of Me, None of Him
*Arlene's POV*It was only 11 PM, but the bar was already a chaotic mess. The students, high on the thrill of a long weekend and the relief of finishing their exams, were letting loose, their laughter and cheers mixing with the pulsing bass of the music. The air was thick with the scent of alcohol, sweat, and the sharp tang of spilled beer.Quinn darted from one table to another, his tray barely staying balanced as he delivered drink orders. Dessa hustled behind the bar, her brow furrowed as she juggled glass after glass. But me? I was standing near the entrance, trying to ignore the sharp pang of frustration gnawing at me.Mago—my husband, though it felt more like he was a stranger—was surrounded by a small group of women, laughing too loudly, tossing their hair, and touching his arm like they were already in some private world. He didn’t notice me watching. He never did.I clenched my jaw, watching him flirt effortlessly while I held everything together. ‘It’s just a job. Just a job
The Woman He Broke 50 - Shots Fired
*Mago’s POV*Dessa met us at the entrance of the bar, her expression more tense than usual. “Boss Mago, I heard there’s a new bar opening nearby,” she said, her voice laced with concern. “It could be trouble for us. If it’s anything like the rumors, they’ll be taking our regulars.”Arlene frowned, glancing over at me. “When’s the opening?”“This Saturday,” Dessa replied, shaking her head. “I’m worried that the competition will pull people away from our place. It’s a risk—if we don’t do something, we might lose our crowd.”I felt the weight of her words, and Arlene’s expression mirrored the same tension. This wasn’t just a friendly opening—it was a direct challenge.“In that case, we need to make this weekend count,” I said, my voice steady but sharp with intent. “We’ll need to create an event that not only keeps our regulars coming back but also draws new faces to our bar.”Dessa looked at me, her gaze still uneasy but trusting. “What do you have in mind?”“We’ll need to make our drink
The Woman He Broke 49 – The Temptresses Meet
*Arlene's POV*“Where are you going?” Mago’s voice broke the silence as he saw me standing on the sidewalk, waiting for a taxi.“I’m meeting Janine and Patricia at Blue Plate,” I replied, glancing at him before adding with a casual shrug, “You can go ahead. I’ll follow you to the bar.”Mago frowned, his gaze lingering on me for a moment before he responded, “Get in the car. I’ll take you to Blue Plate.”His tone was firm, but there was something different—an unease, like he didn’t quite like the idea of me going somewhere alone.I raised an eyebrow, “You’re acting like I can’t go on my own. It’s just some girl talk, Mago. Janine and Patricia probably wouldn’t appreciate having you around for that anyway.”“Who said I was coming with you?” Mago’s eyes sparkled with a playful glint, though his tone was defensive. “I need to see Stuart at his office. Since it’s on the same street, I thought I’d drop you off first.”A slight blush crept up my neck, realizing I had misread the situation. W
The Woman He Broke 48 – The Alluring Temptress
*Mago’s POV*I’ve been trying—really trying—to keep myself together. But Arlene? She makes it damn near impossible. She moves through life with this unintentional grace, doing the most mundane things in a way that somehow feels provocative. It’s maddening. It’s infuriating. And it’s everything I try not to think about.Take this moment, for instance. She stood by the table, running her fingers lightly along its edge. A simple action, completely innocent—at least in her mind. But in my eyes, it was something else entirely. Her fingers moved with a lazy, unhurried rhythm, tracing the grain of the wood as if she were memorizing its texture. The way her nails lightly grazed the surface made my imagination spiral into places it shouldn’t go.And then there was her face. Her head tilted slightly, lips softly parted as she inspected the table, utterly unaware of the chaos she was causing. She didn’t even realize she was biting her bottom lip, just a little. It was enough to send a fresh wave
