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
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
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
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'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
Olivia’s eyes flutter open, slowly adjusting to the soft sunlight that filters through the sheer, gauzy curtains. The golden light casts a warm glow across the room, illuminating the exquisite details of her surroundings—a lavish suite decorated in muted neutral tones, with gleaming gold accents that catch the eye, and an opulent crystal chandelier that sparkles overhead. Every inch of the space exudes luxury, yet it feels oddly foreign to her. Her head feels heavy, a dull ache pulsating through her temples, and her limbs are burdened as if weighed down by invisible chains. As she sits up in the plush bed, the soft linens whisper against her skin, and she takes a moment to process the disorienting strangeness of it all. The events of the previous night come rushing back to her like a tide, bringing with them a particularly chilling memory: Sebastian’s disquieting words echoing through her mind: “Now, I’m not going to disturb you.” A shaky exhale escapes her lips, the silence in th
Olivia sat frozen, her heart racing as she locked eyes with Sebastian, the weight of the situation hanging heavily in the air. The dim light of the room cast shadows across his face, highlighting the tension that radiated between them. “Did you do this?” she asked, her voice trembling, barely more than a whisper but tinged with an undeniable sense of disbelief that hung like a thick fog.Sebastian, perched beside her with an unsettling calmness that sent shivers down her spine, turned to meet her gaze. His expression was a mask of neutrality, but Olivia could sense something dark simmering beneath the surface—an unsettling flicker in his eyes that hinted at depths she had never dared to explore. “He got what he deserved,” he said, his voice steady and devoid of any hint of remorse, as if he were discussing the weather rather than the fate of a man she could only imagine in the depths of her mind.A wave of nausea swept through Olivia as the implications of his words crashed over her l
Olivia sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers absentmindedly twisting the hem of her shirt. Her mind replayed the events of the previous night on an endless loop—the cold edge in her voice, the frustration she had let slip, and the way Sebastian’s expression had faltered, even if only for a moment. She sighed deeply, burying her face in her hands. Was I too harsh? Maybe I misunderstood him… The thought unsettled her. She couldn’t deny that Sebastian’s behavior was strange—obsessive, even—but there were moments, fleeting as they were, when he seemed genuinely concerned for her. She hated how complicated it all felt, how her emotions kept tangling up in ways she didn’t understand. She stood abruptly, trying to shake the thoughts away. “I need to stop overthinking,” she muttered under her breath. But the gnawing guilt wouldn’t let go. Maybe I should do something… something to make up for last night. The idea popped into her head before she could second-guess it. She frowned at h
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