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
Sebastian's breath grew deeper and more pronounced as he advanced toward her, his dark eyes alight with an intensity that made Olivia’s heart race uncontrollably. Every inch closer seemed to electrify the air around them, and when his hand gently brushed against her cheek, it felt like a spark igniting. His thumb traveled softly along her jawline, and she couldn’t suppress the shiver that traced down her spine, a mix of anticipation and trepidation. They were so close now that Olivia could feel the warmth of his breath, ragged and uneven, mingling with her own in the charged atmosphere between them. His lips hovered mere inches from hers, and for a fleeting moment, the world around them faded away, time itself seeming to suspend as if holding its breath. But as if breaking free from a hypnotic spell, Olivia's instincts surged to the forefront of her mind. Adrenaline surged through her veins as she summoned all her strength and pushed him away, her palms pressing firmly against his
The day’s work finally draws to a close, a quiet relief settling over the car as it glides steadily along the dimly lit road. Olivia sits quietly in the passenger seat, her gaze fixed intently on the rain-slicked streets outside, where reflections of streetlights shimmer like small stars in a darkened sky. The soft, rhythmic hum of the engine fills the air, mingling with the distant sound of raindrops pattering against the windshield. In this cocoon of muted sounds, Olivia becomes lost in her thoughts, a tangle of reflections swirling in her mind. Sebastian, seated behind the wheel, steals occasional glances at her from the corner of his eye. He feels a familiar knot of tension in his stomach, his fingers tightening around the steering wheel. The weight of the silence between them hangs thick, filled with unspoken words that seem to echo louder than the rain. He shifts uncomfortably in his seat, a subtle dance of nerves and determination as he tries to conjure up something—anythin
Sebastian leaned back in his chair, a rare moment of serenity washing over him as he glanced at the clock. It was finally time for lunch—an excuse to steal a few precious minutes with his wife. He turned his gaze toward Olivia’s cabin, where she was immersed in her work, oblivious to his plans. Smirking to himself, he reached for the intercom and pressed the button to call her. Olivia picked up without looking at the caller ID. “Hello?” she said, her voice distracted but soft. “It’s time for lunch,” Sebastian’s smooth voice replied. “So?” she retorted, not bothering to mask the mild irritation in her tone. He chuckled quietly, a teasing edge creeping into his words. “Can I get my wife now?” At that, Olivia glanced up, her eyes meeting his through the glass wall separating their offices. A slight blush crept up her cheeks, but she quickly tried to compose herself. “I’m not hungry,” she said, hoping to deflect him. Sebastian’s smirk widened, his tone firm yet laced with affection
After breakfast, Sebastian led Olivia to the car. The ride to the office was quiet but charged with unspoken tension. She gazed out the window, trying to calm her nerves about the day ahead, while Sebastian occasionally glanced her way, a faint smile playing on his lips. As they entered the office building, the atmosphere shifted. Heads turned as they walked through the spacious, marble-floored lobby. Conversations paused, and whispers spread like wildfire. Olivia could feel the weight of everyone’s stares, a mix of curiosity, admiration, and jealousy in their eyes. Sebastian, unfazed, walked with his usual air of authority. Olivia, however, kept her gaze forward, her cheeks flushing faintly. She wasn’t used to being the center of attention. When they reached the top floor, he led her to a glass door beside his office and pushed it open. The cabin inside was stunning—sleek, modern furniture, a large mahogany desk, and floor-to-ceiling windows offering a breathtaking view of the ci
Olivia woke slowly, the soft light of morning peeking through the window. She was in an unfamiliar room, though it felt like the one she'd spent the night in. She turned her head and saw the bed was untouched beside her. Sebastian had given her privacy, sleeping in the room next door. She sat up, the heaviness of last night still lingering. She remembered everything clearly—the marriage, his cold ultimatum. You can go back to work, but on one condition: you’ll get special treatment, as my wife. The words echoed in her mind as she swung her legs off the bed and stood up. Her feet met the plush carpet, and she walked to the window, looking out at the sprawling grounds of his mansion. She could feel the weight of his condition pressing down on her. She didn’t want to accept it, but she had no choice. Special treatment, she thought bitterly. The idea of being treated like a trophy at work, her position tied solely to her marriage, didn’t sit well with her. But she needed to work. Sh
They heard the doorbell rang, their attention got diverted to it leaving Olivia's request " It must be the food delivery, I ordered your favorite. let's continue this discussion on the dining table" Sebestian said, making Olivia nod. Olivia entered in the dining room and settled on one of the chair of dining table, Sebestian also came after sometime taking the delivery. Olivia stood and served them both. The dining room was steeped in tension, every clink of cutlery against the plates amplified in the silence. Olivia sat stiffly, her gaze fixed on the table as she tried to summon the courage to speak."I need to go back to work," she said finally, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.Sebastian, seated across from her, raised his head slowly, his dark eyes narrowing slightly. He took his time setting his coffee cup down, studying her with an intensity that made her stomach twist."You can," he said, his voice calm yet commanding.For a fleeting moment, relief fluttered in
Sebastian walked into the living room, his footsteps soft against the hardwood floor. The glow of the television illuminated the otherwise dim space, casting flickering shadows on the walls. He immediately noticed Olivia, curled up on the couch, a blanket loosely draped over her. She had fallen asleep there, her head resting against the armrest, her body relaxed in a way that betrayed her exhaustion. The television played the final scenes of her favorite series, the familiar dialogue now a muted background hum. Sebastian paused, taking in the scene. Her face was serene, her features softened by sleep. A stray lock of hair framed her cheek, catching the faint light from the screen. She looked so peaceful, a stark contrast to the turmoil he knew she had been enduring. He moved closer, his eyes lingering on her. There was something utterly disarming about seeing her like this, so unguarded. She clutched the edge of the blanket as though it were a shield, a subconscious act of seeking
I leaned back in my chair, letting the memory of the morning replay in my mind. It hadn’t gone as planned, not at all, yet somehow, it felt perfect.I had wanted to surprise her with breakfast—her favorites, of course. I’d envisioned her sitting down, her guarded expression softening as she saw the effort I’d made for her. But instead, I’d ended up with burnt toast, overcooked eggs, and a kitchen filled with smoke.She had walked in just as I was waving a towel to clear the air, her eyebrows raised in surprise. For a moment, I thought she might laugh, but instead, she tilted her head, studying me like I was an unsolvable puzzle. Then, to my surprise, she’d suggested we cook together.I hadn’t expected her to offer, but the idea of working side by side with her was too tempting to refuse. So, I stepped back, letting her take the lead. She seemed more at ease as she moved around the kitchen, instructing me on how to whisk eggs properly and how much seasoning to add.Her movements were s
Sunlight poured through the oversized windows of the bedroom, casting golden patterns across the plush duvet. Olivia stirred, the soft glow of morning nudging her from sleep. Her lashes fluttered open, and she instinctively reached for the other side of the bed, but her hand met cool, undisturbed sheets. Frowning slightly, she sat up, her fingers brushing her hair out of her face as she glanced around the room.The elegant bedroom, with its neutral tones and luxurious touches, was eerily quiet. Usually, she would hear faint noises—the distant hum of staff going about their morning routines or the clinking of dishes from the kitchen. But today, there was only silence, save for the faint rustling of trees outside.Curiosity tugged at her. Where was Sebastian? It wasn’t like him to leave without a word.She slipped out of bed, her bare feet sinking into the soft rug. Walking over to the wardrobe, she chose a simple light-blue summer dress, its soft fabric brushing gently against her skin