The morning sunlight filtered through my curtains, but it didn’t bring the usual warmth. It felt sterile, cold even, as if the world had conspired to rob me of comfort. Sitting at the edge of my bed, I stared blankly at the floor, replaying last night’s events over and over in my head.Alexander’s words still stung, but it wasn’t his cruelty that lingered the most—it was Sebastian. The way he had intervened so seamlessly, as if he had rehearsed every line, every gesture. For a moment, I had felt safe in his presence, but now, in the harsh light of day, I couldn’t shake the strange unease that had settled over me.With a sigh, I forced myself out of bed. I had a job to do. Routine was my only solace.---The office was alive with its usual buzz of activity, but I felt like I was moving through a fog. I made my way to my desk, nodding absentmindedly at my colleagues’ greetings. The familiar surroundings brought a flicker of comfort, but it was fleeting.I tried to lose myself in work, c
I sat in the darkened study, my fingers steepled beneath my chin as the silence closed in around me. The dim glow of the city’s lights seeped through the cracks in the heavy drapes, but it was nothing compared to the storm raging within me. Olivia. Her name wasn’t just a sound; it was a tether, binding me to a reality I couldn’t bear to lose. Yet, something was wrong. I had felt it for days now, an unmistakable shift in her demeanor. She was pulling away, retreating behind a wall I hadn’t seen coming. Was it possible she knew? The thought twisted my stomach into knots. I had been meticulous, careful. Every message, every glance, every encounter was designed to seem accidental, harmless. I had built my presence in her life like a puzzle, each piece falling into place without her realizing. But Olivia was sharp. If anyone could figure it out, it was her. I clenched my fists against the armrests of my chair, the leather creaking beneath my grip. The idea of her knowing—of her seei
The airport was bustling with activity, the echoes of announcements mixing with the chatter of travelers. Olivia stood outside, clutching her suitcase as the cold night air bit at her skin. Her heart was pounding. She checked her phone for the umpteenth time, confirming her cab’s arrival time. The minutes dragged. Every second felt like an eternity as her mind raced with thoughts of the past few weeks—of the humiliation, the pain, the suffocating obsession that had clung to her life. She shook her head, forcing herself to focus. This was her chance to leave it all behind, to start over. The headlights of the cab finally pierced through the darkness. The driver rolled down his window, asking, “Ms. Brooks?” She nodded and climbed in, her suitcase placed neatly in the trunk. The driver adjusted the rearview mirror, giving her a quick look of reassurance, but Olivia remained silent, staring blankly at the passing streetlights. Her phone buzzed in her lap. She hesitated before flipping
Sebastian’s grip on Olivia tightened as she struggled against him, her body stiffening in his arms. Her breath came in shallow, panicked gasps as she instinctively pushed at his chest. She was disoriented, the weight of the world pressing down on her as she tried to make sense of what was happening. “No… please,” Olivia murmured weakly, her voice trembling. She wanted to fight, to break free, but the disorientation from fainting, combined with the heaviness in her chest, left her powerless. Her limbs felt like lead as she hung there in his arms, her head lolling to the side as she tried to gather enough strength to resist. Sebastian didn’t respond, his expression unreadable. His hands cradled her with a gentleness that contrasted with the force he used to hold her close. His eyes lingered on her face, tracing the lines of her features as if committing every detail to memory. His movements were deliberate, steady—almost tender, but there was an unmistakable hunger in the way he held
Olivia sat on the edge of the sofa, her posture tense, arms crossed tightly over her chest. The dim lighting of Sebastian’s spacious study cast long shadows across the room, amplifying the unease that hung in the air. She gazed at him, her brows furrowed, her lips pressed into a thin line. The weight of unanswered questions had grown too heavy to bear. “I’ve had enough,” she said, her voice sharp but trembling. “Enough of your cryptic words, your vague gestures, and your riddles. If you’ve got something to say, Sebastian, then just say it. Get straight to the point.” Sebastian stood by the large window, his silhouette framed against the backdrop of the dark, sprawling cityscape. His shoulders stiffened at her words, and for a moment, he didn’t turn to face her. Instead, he gazed out into the night, his hands clasped behind his back, as though drawing strength from the world beyond the glass. Finally, he sighed—a long, slow exhale that seemed to carry a burden he had been holding
Olivia stepped back instinctively, her eyes wide with a mix of fear and disbelief. She clenched her hands tightly at her sides, her breathing shallow. “You don’t own me,” she said, her voice trembling but defiant. Sebastian’s expression darkened, his intense gaze pinning her in place. The air seemed to grow heavier as he took a deliberate step closer, the space between them shrinking. His presence was overpowering, the quiet menace in his demeanor sending a shiver down her spine. “You don’t understand, little bird,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. He leaned in slightly, his piercing eyes locking onto hers. “You don’t have any choice. You were mine the moment I saw you.” Olivia felt the walls close in around her, the room suffocating with his words. “You’re insane,” she whispered, her voice cracking as she stumbled back. Sebastian tilted his head, a ghost of a smirk curling his lips. “Call it what you will,” he said, his tone eerily calm, “but it won’t change anything.” His
The morning light seeped through the grand, floor-to-ceiling windows of Sebastian’s mansion, bathing Olivia’s room in a muted glow. She stirred awake, her mind clouded by the chaos of recent events. Her heart felt heavy as the memories came rushing back—Sebastian’s dark declaration of possession, the way his intense gaze seemed to pin her down, and the realization that she was no longer free. Olivia sat up in bed, her fingers gripping the silk sheets. Her reflection in the ornate mirror across the room caught her attention. She looked pale, her eyes carrying the weight of sleepless nights. She let out a shaky breath, pushing herself to stand. Moving to the window, she pulled back the delicate lace curtains. The mansion’s sprawling gardens stretched before her, meticulously landscaped with precision. But what caught her attention were the men stationed at various points. Dressed in black suits, they blended into the shadows, yet their presence was unmistakable. Each was armed, th
The grand dining room is bathed in soft morning light streaming through tall windows. Olivia hesitates at the entrance, her gaze sweeping over the opulent setup. A long table stretches across the room, covered in a white tablecloth and adorned with an array of dishes. The aroma of freshly baked croissants and brewed coffee fills the air. At the head of the table, Sebastian sits casually, dressed in a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up. He’s sipping from a porcelain coffee cup, his eyes flickering toward Olivia as she steps in. “Good morning, little bird,” he says softly, a hint of amusement in his tone. Olivia freezes at the nickname, her stomach twisting uneasily. Despite her apprehension, she forces herself to walk forward. We just wished each other,” she snaps then sit, her voice guarded. Sebastian gestures to a chair near him. “Come, sit. Breakfast is ready.” Olivia glances at the table, her eyes widening in shock. Every dish in front of her is something she lov
The soft clinking of cutlery against fine china had faded into silence. The dining room was dimly lit, the chandelier above casting a warm glow over the polished mahogany table. The scent their dinner and freshly baked croissants still lingered in the air, but Olivia could hardly focus on anything except the man sitting dangerously close to her.Sebastian.His presence was overwhelming, his body angled toward hers, his knee just barely brushing against hers beneath the table. The heat of him, the quiet intensity in his gaze, made her breath unsteady. He had barely touched his food, but his appetite seemed to be fixated elsewhere.Olivia lowered her gaze to her lap, gripping the napkin between her fingers. She knew what was coming. She had felt it in the way his eyes lingered on her, in the way his fingers toyed lazily with the rim of his coffee cup.Then, his voice—low, husky, laced with something dark—broke the silence."I’m completely fine now… and in a position to do anything."Oli
Olivia entered the house, feeling drained from the long day at work. She slipped off her heels near the entrance and let out a small sigh before walking further inside. The house was quiet, except for the low sound of the television coming from the living room.As she stepped in, she saw Sebastian sitting on the couch, one arm resting on the backrest while his eyes were fixed on the screen. The dim lighting in the room cast shadows on his sharp features, making his expression unreadable. A half-empty glass of whiskey sat on the table beside him.“You’re still awake?” she asked, her voice softer than she intended.Sebastian didn’t look at her immediately. He exhaled, keeping his gaze on the television. “Couldn’t sleep.”Something in his tone made Olivia uneasy, but she ignored it. She moved to the other side of the room, maintaining a bit of distance. “I didn’t expect you to be here,” she said after a moment.This time, Sebastian turned his head toward her. His eyes, dark and intense,
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air as Olivia moved around the dining area, setting the cups on the table. The morning felt quieter than usual, though she wasn’t sure if it was the house or just the weight in her chest.Sebastian sat at the head of the table, idly swirling the spoon in his cup. His movements were smooth but calculated, as if testing the limits of his recently freed hand. He hadn’t said much since waking up, yet she could feel his gaze on her—watching, waiting.She finally sat across from him, focusing on her plate, but the silence stretched thick between them. It wasn’t uncomfortable. It was expectant."How does it feel?" she asked, nodding toward his hand, though she didn’t really need an answer.Sebastian flexed his fingers slightly before resting his palm on the table. "Strange. Lighter. But it still aches.""You should be careful," she said, stirring her coffee, hoping the simplicity of conversation would keep the air from tightening around them
Sebastian’s lips moved against hers with slow, deliberate intensity, his grip firm on her waist as if anchoring her to him. Olivia could feel the heat radiating off his body, the possessiveness in the way his fingers traced her spine. But just as she was starting to lose herself in the kiss, he tensed.A sharp inhale. A hiss of pain.She felt it instantly—the way his body stiffened beneath her, the slight tremor in his fingers as his injured arm betrayed him."Sebastian," Olivia whispered, pulling back just enough to search his face. "Your arm—"His jaw clenched, a flicker of irritation passing through his dark eyes. "It’s nothing," he muttered, shaking his head as if dismissing the pain could make it disappear.But Olivia wasn’t convinced. Her fingers instinctively reached for his wounded arm, concern etched across her face. "You need to be careful," she insisted softly, her touch hesitant but firm.Before she could say more, Sebastian acted. With a sharp movement, he tightened his h
Olivia hesitated for a moment, her heart pounding as she processed Sebastian’s request. The dim glow of the bedside lamp cast soft shadows across his face, highlighting the sharp angles of his jawline and the intensity in his eyes. He didn’t say a word—just lifted his uninjured arm slightly, an unspoken invitation. Swallowing hard, she finally gave in, cautiously lowering herself onto the bed beside him. As she settled in, he guided her closer, his free arm curling around her shoulders. The warmth of his body was unsettling, both foreign and oddly comforting. “You’re tense,” Sebastian murmured, his breath fanning against her temple. “Relax.” Olivia couldn’t. Every nerve in her body was on edge, aware of how close they were. She wanted to resist, to keep her guard up, but exhaustion and the weight of everything that had happened drained her resolve. Slowly, her body eased, molding into his warmth despite the voice in her head warning her against it. A satisfied hum rumbled in
The room is enveloped in a serene silence, punctuated only by the gentle, distant chirping of birds outside the open window, their melodies drifting in like whispers of hope. Olivia stands by the weathered dresser, her fingers gripping its edge tightly, as if using it for support against a tide of swirling thoughts and emotions. She feels the weight of unspoken words pressing down on her. Behind her, Sebastian sits on the edge of the bed, the rumpled sheets a stark contrast to his stillness. His shirt hangs loosely, unbuttoned, allowing glimpses of the bandages that wrap around his torso, stark white against his tanned skin. The wound on his side is fresh, a dark bruise blooming around the stitches, a painful testament to the chaos of last night’s events still etched into the fabric of their reality. "You should be resting," she murmurs softly, her voice barely breaking the silence, her gaze fixed on the natural light filtering through the window. "I’d rather have you by my side,"
Sebastian sat on the edge of the bed, his posture tense as he adjusted to the weight of the plaster cast that encased his right arm. The stark white of the cast stood out against his tanned skin, a painful reminder of his recent accident. He had already summoned Olivia's help earlier, but now, as she hovered in the doorway, uncertainty crept into her expression. The sight of his injuries—a deep bruise spreading across his forearm and the sharp angles of the cast—unsettled her more than she wanted to admit. "Go on," he urged, his voice low but firm, laced with a hint of frustration.Nodding slowly, she moved closer, her fingertips lightly grazing the cold, damp buttons of his bloodstained shirt. With each careful tug, she undid them one by one, feeling the fabric's rough texture beneath her fingers. She fought to ignore the way his chest rose and fell—a steady rhythm that sent a jolt of awareness coursing through her. As she continued, the air around them grew thick with unspoken tens
The gentle clink of silverware filled the spacious dining room, mingling with the faint aroma of freshly prepared food. Olivia stood at the edge of the table, her brow slightly furrowed with concern as she watched Sebastian attempt to eat. He was still in recovery, his movements deliberate and uncharacteristically slow, but he bore the discomfort silently, a hint of determination in his eyes. “Eat,” she urged gently, pulling out a sturdy chair across from him. “You need your strength to get back on your feet.” Her voice was firm yet laced with warmth, underscoring the deep bond they shared.Sebastian lifted his gaze, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips, his eyes gleaming with a mix of mischief and gratitude. He raised his fork slowly, savoring every bite as if to savor the moment itself. Olivia had not even managed to take a mouthful of her own meal when the sudden chime of her phone pierced the serene atmosphere, shattering the comfortable silence that enveloped them. Both th
Sebastian let out a low grunt as he shifted, the sharp sting of pain radiating through his body, a harsh reminder of his recent injuries. The dim light of the room felt both comforting and disorienting, especially as he blinked away the remnants of sleep. Just then, the door swung open with a creak, and Olivia hurried in, a tray of food balanced carefully in her hands. The rich aroma of warm toast and freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, enveloping him in a sense of home. Yet, her eyes barely flicked toward the food; all her attention was focused on him. As her gaze locked onto his, Sebastian noted the way her breath caught in her throat, a startled gasp escaping her lips when she saw him attempting to sit up. "Sebastian—!" she exclaimed, urgency threading through her words. Without hesitation, she set the tray down on the nightstand, the clatter of porcelain contrasting with the stillness of the room. In an instant, she was at his side, her presence both soothing and ele