Sarah POVMy breath hitched. Alessandro. Of course, it was Alessandro.The bouquet of crimson roses rested delicately in my arms, the soft petals brushing against my skin like silk. The sweet, heady fragrance mingled with the faint scent of coffee that lingered in the office air. I stared at the note nestled between the blossoms, the bold black ink etched into the cream-colored paper demanding my attention.Ester peered over my shoulder, curiosity glinting in her eyes as she read the note. “Wow. Talk about grand gestures,” she said, her voice tinged with amusement. “So... what are you going to do?”I remained silent, the conflict within me swirling like a storm. Alessandro always had a way of pulling at my heartstrings, but after everything that had happened, could a bouquet of roses and a well-worded apology truly make things right?“I don’t know,” I admitted quietly, the weight of indecision pressing down on me like a heavy cloak.Ester placed a reassuring hand on my arm, her voice s
Sarah POVThe familiar deep, velvety voice filled the silence of my office, sending an unexpected shiver down my spine.“Hello, Sarah.”I clenched the phone tighter in my hand, heart skipping for reasons I wasn’t ready to acknowledge. His tone was confident, tinged with warmth and a hint of mischief. Alessandro Dante never sounded unsure.“I assume you received the bouquet?”“Yes.” I kept my voice steady, masking the confusion that lingered. “It was… unexpected.”A pause followed, thick with unspoken thoughts. I could almost picture the faint smile tugging at his lips.“Sometimes the best things are,” he said smoothly.I leaned back in my chair, my fingers absently curling around the phone cord. “Is this your way of convincing me to have dinner with you?”“Convincing you?” His voice turned playful. “I was hoping you'd already decided.”Despite myself, a small laugh escaped my lips. “Bold assumption.”“Well,” he quipped, “I like to think boldness gets results.”I couldn’t suppress the
Sarah POVI stood rooted behind my desk, my arms crossed tightly over my chest as Adrian Parker stepped into my office. His usual air of arrogance clung to him like a second skin, but there was something different about his eyes today less guarded, almost pleading.“What brings you here, Parker?” I asked, keeping my tone steady despite the surge of unease his presence always triggered. “Another accusation or another threat?”His jaw tensed, and for a moment, he didn’t respond. I watched him carefully, noting the flicker of something indecipherable in his gaze. He seemed to be grappling with thoughts he wasn’t ready to share, but his eyes never left mine.Then, without warning, he closed the distance between us in two swift strides. His hands cupped my face, his touch startlingly gentle.“Sarah, I am so sorry,” he said, his voice raw with emotion. “I shouldn’t have trusted Jessica.”I blinked, stunned. Had I heard that right? Is Adrian Parker apologizing?I pinched my arm discreetly, ha
Sarah POVAdrian’s presence loomed in the room, his broad frame tense, yet his eyes brimming with a desperate softness that belied his usual arrogance. He took a step closer, his voice low and pleading.“Sarah, you said you forgave me, right?” His fingers curled around my hand, firm but trembling. “Then, baby, why can’t you come back to the mansion and be with me?”I stood rooted in place, my breath catching in my throat. His words, that familiar endearment I had once longed to hear, now felt hollow.“I said I forgive you, Adrian,” I said, meeting his gaze head-on, “but I can’t forget what you did. I can’t forget how you treated me. I can’t go back to living with you and pretend like nothing ever happened.”His face contorted, sorrow etching deep lines across his otherwise perfect features.“Sarah, I know I hurt you—badly. You have every right to be mad at me,” he admitted, his voice thick with guilt. “But I want to fix things between us. I want to fix this marriage. I want to get to
Sarah POV“Sarah, please don’t say this,” Adrian pleaded, his voice hoarse with emotion. His eyes, usually cold and calculating, now held a flicker of vulnerability.I didn’t respond. There was nothing left to say.Gathering my phone and a few scattered papers, I turned toward the door, eager to escape the suffocating tension that filled the room. Each step felt heavy, burdened by the weight of the past Adrian and I shared a past I was determined to leave behind.Just as my hand reached for the door handle, something thudded against my shoes.I froze, glancing down to find Alessandro’s rose bouquet lying at my feet, its vibrant petals bruised from the impact.Anger simmered beneath my skin as I lifted my gaze to Adrian, who stood there, holding Alessandro's note between his fingers like it was a piece of evidence of a crime. His jaw was clenched, the veins in his neck taut with barely contained fury.“Who is AD?” he demanded, his voice rising sharply. “Why is he sending you these flow
Alessandro's POV"Alright then, see you tonight," Sarah said softly before ending the call.I stood frozen for a moment, staring at the dark screen of my phone as a grin crept across my face. She said yes. Finally, she said yes.It felt like a weight I hadn’t realized I was carrying had just been lifted off my chest. I'd spent the entire day replaying our awkward conversation from this morning, convincing myself that I had blown any chance of seeing her again. But now, hope bloomed in my chest like the first wildflower after a harsh winter.I couldn't stop smiling not the polished, charming smile I reserved for business meetings, but a genuine, stupid grin that made me feel like a giddy teenager. If my team saw me right now, they'd probably wonder what had gotten into me.Sliding my phone into my pocket, I leaned back in my chair, letting my thoughts wander to her. Sarah.She wasn't just beautiful though, God knows, she was stunning in a way that made heads turn wherever she went. It
Alessandro's POVAfter half an hour of driving through the evening traffic, I finally pulled up outside Amario Enterprises. The tall glass building gleamed under the city lights, standing proud against the darkening sky. I reached for my phone and typed a quick message.Me: "I'm here."Sliding the phone back into my pocket, I leaned against the car, watching the building's entrance. The cool breeze tugged at my hair, but I barely noticed it. My heart thudded in anticipation, and I couldn’t help but hope this night would go better than the last.Ten minutes later, the glass doors slid open, and there she was.Sarah.Even after a long day at work, she looked effortlessly stunning. Her sharp office attire clung to her figure, and her ponytail swayed as she walked with that confident, graceful stride of hers. Her eyes scanned the parking lot until they landed on me.I froze, captivated by the sight of her. There was something about Sarah a quiet magnetism that made everything else blur in
The faint glow of streetlights flickered across the empty road as the hum of the city echoed in the distance, softened by the gentle lapping of the water nearby. For some reason, this quiet little spot felt perfect a space away from distractions, just for us.Sarah had always struck me as someone who appreciated simplicity. I still remembered her stories from our university days, how she’d practically lived in cosy little cafés around Boston. She used to say they were her escape — places filled with warmth, laughter, and the aroma of fresh coffee.Watching her now, sitting in the passenger seat, I couldn’t help but admire how effortlessly beautiful she looked. Her hair had come loose from her ponytail, framing her face in soft waves. She was busy rummaging through the paper bag, her brows furrowing slightly in concentration.God, she was adorable.She pulled out the burgers and handed one to me without looking up. "Here," she said casually."Thanks," I murmured, brushing her fingers s
Sarah POVI knew that if I wanted to truly move forward with Alessandro, I had to draw a line—one that Adrian couldn’t cross.Taking a deep breath, I typed out a message.Message to Adrian:Adrian, I need to be clear with you. I've chosen to be with Alessandro, and that means we need to set boundaries. I care about you as you are involved with my son, but I can't have you interfering in my relationship.Please respect that.My thumb hovered over the send button. A part of me feared how he would react—if he would lash out, try to manipulate me, or make me doubt my decision. But another part of me felt a quiet sense of relief. This was necessary. This was the right thing to do.I hit send.Seconds felt like hours as I waited, my stomach twisting in knots. I half-expected him to ignore the message or respond with something cryptic, something that would make me second-guess everything.But his response came quicker than I anticipated.Message from Adrian:I understand, Sarah. I don't want
Sarah POVAlessandro’s gaze lingered on me, his deep brown eyes searching mine for any sign of hesitation. I could feel the weight of his emotions pressing between us uncertainty, longing, fear. His jaw was tense, as if he was holding back words he wasn’t sure he was ready to say."Alessandro, you're right to ask," I said, my voice steady, though my heart was pounding. "I don't care about Adrian, I care about you. What happened to him... it was a moment of confusion, a mistake. I've realized that my heart has always been with you. That's why I told him we needed distance. I want you to know that you're the only one I want to be with."He exhaled slowly, crossing his arms over his chest, his posture still guarded. I could almost see the battle playing out in his mind—the part of him that wanted to believe me and the part that still held onto the pain of the past."And Adrian?" he asked finally, his voice softer now but firm. "What happens if he doesn't stay away?"I shook my head, step
Sarah POVA lump formed in my throat at the tenderness in his tone. I rested my head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.“Me too,” I whispered back. “I’m so glad we’ve been able to work through everything. I’m committed to us, Alessandro. I want you to know that.”His hold on me tightened slightly, and he pressed a lingering kiss to the top of my head.“I know,” he said. “And I’m committed to us too. Whatever comes our way, we’ll face it together.”As exhaustion pulled me into sleep, I felt a rare sense of peace settle over me. The doubts that had once gnawed at the edges of my mind were beginning to fade, replaced by the quiet certainty that Alessandro and I were on the right path.But even as I embraced that sense of calm, a small part of me couldn’t ignore the lingering weight of Adrian’s last message. His words echoed in my thoughts more often than I wanted to admit. There was something unresolved there, something that refused to fade into the backg
Sarah POVHis words carried an unmistakable edge of jealousy, laced with something deeper frustration, maybe even desperation. I could hear it in the way Adrian spoke, the way he hesitated just a fraction of a second before choosing his words. He wasn’t ready to let go, that much was obvious. But I had already made my decision.I wasn’t going to let the past interfere with the fragile, beautiful thing Alessandro and I were rebuilding.Instead of answering Adrian right away, I chose to ignore the message, setting my phone aside with a steadying breath. The temptation to respond, to offer him some kind of closure, gnawed at me, but I resisted. The best thing I could do for myself for my relationship was to keep my distance. Even if it hurt.So I threw myself into work that day, immersing myself in tasks, focusing on anything that kept my mind from drifting back to Adrian’s lingering words. But even as I busied myself with emails and meetings, I felt the weight of the unresolved tension
Sarah POVHis words settled deep within me, reassuring me in a way I hadn’t realized I needed. But there was still one more thing I had to say, a truth that needed to be voiced.“I wanted to let you know that I spoke to Adrian,” I admitted, watching his face carefully. “I told him we needed some space. I want you to know that you’re my priority, and I won’t let anything or anyone come between us.”For a moment, Alessandro didn’t say anything. His expression was unreadable, but then his shoulders dropped slightly, and he exhaled a breath he had probably been holding for too long. When he finally spoke, his voice was steady, appreciative. “Thank you for that, Sarah. I appreciate it. I’ve been worried about how much he’s been around, but I didn’t want to pressure you.”I gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. “I understand,” I murmured. “But you don’t need to worry. I’m committed to making this work. We’ve come too far to let anything get in the way now.”His thumb brushed over my knuckles,
Sarah POVSarah's POVAs the days passed after Adrian's unexpected visit, the tension between Alessandro and me began to ease. We had successfully navigated a difficult moment, but I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that Adrian's presence was still a looming threat to our relationship. Even when things felt light and easy between Alessandro and me, a small, anxious voice in the back of my mind kept whispering reminders of the past—of Adrian’s influence, of the confusion he stirred within me. I knew I had to confront the situation head-on, not just for Alessandro's sake, but for my own peace of mind.It was a bright, clear afternoon when I finally decided to send a message to Adrian. The sun streamed in through the curtains, casting golden patterns on the floor, but despite the warmth of the day, I felt an unmistakable chill settle in my bones. The words didn’t come easily, but I knew they were necessary.Message to Adrian:Hi Adrian, I think we must maintain some distance for a whil
Sarah POVBeside me, Alessandro shifts. His voice is calm, firm, but there’s an unmistakable edge to it. “We’ve been trying to focus on our relationship and work through things together. I appreciate your concern, but I think it’s important for us to handle this on our own.”Adrian’s gaze flicks to Alessandro, and for a moment, the air crackles with unspoken tension. Then he looks back at me. “I get it. I just didn’t realize how deep things were between you two. I guess I’m still trying to understand where I fit into all of this.”A pang of something guilt, frustration, maybe both presses against my ribs. I take a deep breath, steadying myself. “Adrian, you have to understand that I’m trying to rebuild my relationship with Alessandro. I’ve made it clear that I need to focus on that, and your presence here complicates things.”For the first time since he arrived, something in Adrian’s expression shifts. His shoulders relax just slightly, and some of the steeliness in his eyes fades. Th
Sarah POVThe tension in the kitchen is thick enough to cut with a knife. The scent of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the rich aroma of butter sizzling in the pan, but none of it is enough to mask the growing unease settling over the room. Adrian takes a seat at the table without waiting for an invitation, his movements deliberate yet casual, as if trying to stake a claim on the moment. I sense Alessandro’s eyes on me, his concern pressing against my skin like a silent question. He doesn’t have to say anything—I already know he’s on high alert.I try to steady my nerves, pushing down the wave of anxiety clawing its way up my chest. This unexpected visit could be nothing more than an awkward inconvenience, a minor speed bump on the road Alessandro and I are rebuilding. Or it could be the kind of turning point that shifts the entire course of our relationship.I glance at Alessandro, searching for reassurance in the warm depths of his gaze. He gives me a small, firm nod—silent suppo
Sarah POVWe move in perfect harmony in the kitchen, our bodies falling into an effortless rhythm as we prepare breakfast together. The scent of sizzling butter and warm spices fills the air, mingling with the quiet hum of our laughter. It’s easy, natural like slipping into a well-worn routine.Alessandro reaches for the same cutting board as I do, his fingers grazing mine. The brief contact sends a spark through me, and I glance up at him, my breath hitching slightly. He notices. His lips curl into a knowing smile, and for a moment, the rest of the world fades away.“You’re distracted,” he murmured, his voice laced with amusement.I smirk, shaking my head. “You wish.”His laugh is low and warm, wrapping around me like a comforting embrace. As the food on the stove begins to sizzle, Alessandro gently nudges me with his hip, pulling me closer to him. His touch is light, almost teasing, but there’s something deeper in the way he looks at me.“Sarah,” he says, his voice dropping into a w