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's POVThe night had gone far better than I had expected.Alessandro surprised me — in a good way. Sitting in his car, sharing simple burgers and fries while discussing architectural trends and business strategies, I found myself genuinely enjoying his company.He was thoughtful, insightful, and respectful, far from the slick charmer I’d initially assumed. I'd even brought pepper spray in my bag, just in case. But tonight proved that Alessandro wasn’t someone I needed to guard myself against.Time flew by unnoticed until it was nearly 11 p.m. when he pulled up in front of my house. The neighbourhood was quiet, the streetlights casting soft pools of light on the pavement.I stepped out of the car, and to my surprise, Alessandro did the same."Thanks for dinner, Alessandro. I really had a good time," I said sincerely."Thanks to you for joining me. I hope we can have more dinners like this in the future," he said, rubbing the back of his neck with a shy smile that made him look une
Sarah's POV"I never said I was here to take you back to the mansion," Adrian said smoothly, his tone a maddening mix of arrogance and something disturbingly close to care. "I'm here so that we can live together in this house from now on."His grey eyes gleamed with conviction as he leaned closer. "I can't let my beautiful wife live here alone."The words hung in the air like smoke, suffocating me. A wave of exhaustion washed over me, heavier than any burden I'd carried in a long time. It seemed that whenever I tried to piece my life back together, Adrian had a way of showing up and unraveling it all.Why couldn't he just let me be? What had I done to deserve this relentless torment? All I wanted was a simple life, free from the chaos he embodied but peace seemed like a luxury I could never afford around Adrian Parker.My jaw tightened as I forced myself to stay calm. Taking a deep breath, I pushed his hands off my waist with more force than necessary and took a step back, creating sp
Sarah's POVThe revelation that Adrian and Jessica had broken up caught me off guard. Just yesterday, they'd looked inseparable, as though planning a future together. Now, suddenly, they were no more.But frankly, that was none of my concern."You can use the guest room next to my bedroom," I said curtly, turning on my heel to walk away.I barely made it two steps before Adrian's hand shot out, gripping my arm firmly but not painfully. The heat of his touch sent an unwelcome shiver down my spine.I spun around, glaring at him. "Let go," I demanded.His grip loosened, but he didn’t release me entirely. "Don’t you want to know why we broke up?" he asked, his voice low but steady, pulling me just a fraction closer."Why would I care about your personal affairs, Parker?" I spat, yanking my arm free. "I don’t know what games you and Jessica are playing, but I’m not your pawn anymore. You can’t hurt me again.""This isn’t a game, Sarah," he said earnestly, his grey eyes darkening with emoti
Sarah POVBirdsong filtered through the open window, mingling with the golden rays of sunlight streaming through the curtains. I stretched, my body heavy from the previous night’s emotional turmoil.After a quick shower, I dressed in my work clothes a fitted blouse and sleek trousers. Sitting on the edge of the bed, I gathered my hair into a messy bun, preparing to face the day.The quiet creak of the door opening drew my attention. My gaze snapped up, and I blinked in surprise as Adrian walked in.He wore an apron over a simple black T-shirt and jeans, carrying a tray laden with breakfast. The sight was so absurd I almost laughed."Good morning, wife," he greeted with a smile that was far too charming for this early hour.I raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing?""I made breakfast for you," he announced, placing the tray on the bedside table.I stared at the neatly arranged food toast, scrambled eggs, a small bowl of fruit, and freshly squeezed orange juice. The presentation was imp
Sarah POVThe atmosphere in the car was thick with unspoken tension, as if the very air between us had weight. Adrian’s fingers gripped the steering wheel with casual confidence as we cruised along the road, the low hum of the engine filling the silence. I kept my gaze trained on the scenery rushing past, determined not to let his presence rattle me, but that was easier said than done.The sudden warmth of his hand resting on my thigh shattered my resolve. The touch was brazen, casual, as though it belonged there — as though he had every right.A jolt shot through me, not just of surprise but of something more dangerous, something I didn’t want to name. My instinct kicked in, and I immediately pushed his hand away."Adrian," I warned, my voice low but firm, barely concealing my irritation.He glanced at me with a smirk that was both infuriating and disarming, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "Relax, Sarah," he said smoothly as if I was overreacting to a perfectly innocent gesture.My
Sarah POVHeat flared in my cheeks as I scrambled to pull my skirt down, but his hand shot out, covering mine before I could.“What the hell happened to your thigh?” he asked, his voice laced with concern. He lifted the hem slightly, revealing the faint, discolored mark.“It’s nothing you should be worrying about,” I said curtly, snatching my skirt back into place.His jaw tightened. His eyes burned with an emotion I couldn’t quite decipher.“Did… Did it happen because of me?” His voice was hoarse now, almost fragile. “I mean… did I hurt you that night?”I froze. My throat felt dry, my hands clammy. My body screamed at me to look away, but I forced myself to meet his gaze.“Whatever happened to me shouldn’t be your concern, Parker. And for your information, this mark was not given by you that night when you ra—”“The night when I raped you,” he finished, his voice hollow. “The night I took you forcefully, without listening to you or your pleas.”I sucked in a sharp breath. This was th
Sarah POVWhile Adrian's personal assistant discussed a few points from Parker's side, I could hardly process any of his words. The constant tickling sensation on my skin made it nearly impossible to focus. Adrian's fingers traced slow, deliberate patterns along my thigh, sending unwanted shivers up my spine.No one could see what was happening under the table. Adrian and I were the only ones seated on this side, away from prying eyes. I tried to keep my movements to a minimum, terrified that any shift in position would expose more than I intended. My skirt had already ridden up dangerously high, and I knew that one wrong move could give Adrian a perfect view of my lingerie.The torture seemed to last forever. Every second beside him was suffocating. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the meeting concluded. I exhaled in relief as the event details were finalized, and people began gathering their things to leave the room.I remained seated, bidding farewell to everyone as they
Sarah POVThe cab soon pulled up in front of Amario Enterprises. I stepped out, adjusted my blouse, and walked into the towering building. The elevator ride to the conference floor felt longer than usual as I nervously smoothed down my skirt, making sure I looked presentable.As soon as I stepped off the elevator and made my way toward the conference room, I heard my name being called—no, yelled—from behind."SARAH!"The voice was loud, furious, and unmistakably Ester’s.I turned around, already knowing what was coming. "Shhh, lower your voice, woman. We’re still inside the office," I whispered, trying to calm her down before she made a scene."I wouldn’t be so loud if you had told me about your doctor’s appointment today! I would have accompanied you, Sarah," she said, her arms crossed, looking absolutely livid.I sighed, rubbing my temple. "Ester, it was just a routine check-up. No need to be pissed about it. There are still a lot more appointments to go; you can come along next tim
Sarah POVAlessandro exhaled sharply but nodded. He took out his phone and made a call. A few minutes later, his driver informed him the car was ready.As I walked past him, he grabbed me one last time, his forehead pressing against mine. “Please,” he whispered, “don’t shut me out completely.”I pulled away, forcing myself not to look back.I stepped outside, sliding into the waiting car. As we drove away, I caught one last glimpse of Alessandro standing in the doorway, his gaze locked onto mine until I disappeared from his sight.I turned away, staring out into the dark streets.I didn’t know what hurt more—the betrayal, or the fact that despite it all, a part of me still loved him.______________________________________________________________________________"Your reports seem pretty good compared to your last visit, Mrs. Parker," Dr. Annita said while scribbling something on her notepad."Thank you, doctor. I hope my baby is healthy and fine?" I asked, placing my hands protectivel
Sarah P.O.VHe stood there, casually leaning against the wall as if he hadn’t just drugged me and brought me to this godforsaken place against my will. His dark eyes held an unreadable expression, but I didn’t care. My rage burned away any hesitation.“Where the hell am I?” I snapped, ignoring the nausea clawing at my stomach.Alessandro sighed as if I were the one being unreasonable. “Relax, Sarah. You’re safe here. We’re at my mansion.”Safe? The audacity.“How dare you bring me here without my permission?” I shot back, venom lacing every word. “Being anywhere near you is the last thing I want.”His expression hardened. “You’ve been avoiding me for three days, Sarah. You blocked every possible way for me to reach you. This was the only way to make you listen.”The sheer arrogance of this man.“There is nothing to talk about,” I hissed. “I saw everything I needed to. You betrayed me, Alessandro. You betrayed us.”I turned, determined to put as much distance between us as possible. Bu
Sarah P.O.VThe pounding in my head continued a relentless, unforgiving rhythm that made every thought feel sluggish and distant. My eyelids felt like they weighed a ton as I forced them open slightly. The dim light in the room barely illuminated my surroundings, but even in my disoriented state, I knew something was wrong.I tried to move, but a sharp, searing pain shot through my body, rendering my limbs weak and useless. My breath hitched, panic spreading through me like wildfire. I was still in my work clothes, the fabric wrinkled and slightly damp from sweat. That detail alone should have reassured me, but it didn’t.Because this wasn’t my room.My heart pounded against my ribs, and my fingers clenched the sheets beneath me. The walls dark, almost suffocating stood in stark contrast to my usual bright, open spaces. I scanned the unfamiliar surroundings, my breath coming in short, panicked gasps. My mind reeled as a sense of utter wrongness settled into my bones.Where the hell wa
Sarah P.O.VEster shifted uncomfortably, hesitating before she spoke. "Sarah... the woman he was kissing she wasn’t just anyone.""What do you mean?" I asked, my stomach twisting."She was your step-sister, Chloe."Her words hit me like a ton of bricks. My mind reeled as I tried to process what she had just said."No," I whispered. "You must be mistaken.""I saw her, Sarah. When we were leaving the restaurant, I caught a glimpse of her face. It was Chloe."I shook my head, feeling my breath hitch. "Why? Why would Alessandro be with her? Are they having an affair?""I don’t know," Ester admitted. "But I think you deserve to find out the truth."I felt numb. My mind was racing with a thousand thoughts, none of them making sense.Ester gently rubbed my back. "Whatever you decide to do, I’ll support you."I nodded absentmindedly, offering her a weak smile in gratitude. We sat there for a few more minutes before finally deciding to leave.We walked together to the parking lot. Unlocking th
Sarah POVHe stood at the doorway, his face a mixture of desperation and regret. His usually composed demeanour was gone, replaced by something I had never seen before something that almost made me falter.Almost.I clenched my jaw, gripping the edge of my desk to steady myself.“What the hell are you doing here?” I asked coldly, my voice betraying none of the turmoil inside me.“I just want to talk,” he said softly, stepping inside despite the icy glare I sent his way.“There’s nothing left to talk about,” I snapped. “I told security not to let you in. How did you ”“I had to see you,” he interrupted, his voice filled with urgency. “Please, just hear me out.”I let out a bitter laugh. “Hear you out? After what I saw? After what you did?”“Sarah, it’s not what you think ”“Don’t,” I cut him off sharply, standing up. My hands trembled, but I refused to let him see my weakness. “Don’t insult me by pretending there’s some ridiculous explanation that could justify what you did.”“Just giv
Sarah' P.O.VI don’t think a single word exists that could encompass the emotions swirling within me right now. The pain, the anger, the heartbreak—it all felt too overwhelming, too suffocating. My mind was a battlefield, my heart a shattered mess, and no matter how hard I tried to suppress my thoughts, they kept resurfacing, tormenting me relentlessly.What I witnessed two days ago still haunted me, replaying in my head like a cruel joke. It was as if life had decided to mock me, to remind me of my foolishness, of my gullibility. How could I have been so blind? How could I have been so naive to believe that Alessandro was different?I had truly thought he was. He had made me believe it with his gentle words, his reassuring smiles, and his promises. But in the end, he proved me wrong just like everyone else had.I had allowed myself to trust him, to let my walls down, and what did I get in return? Betrayal. Deception. Heartbreak.Ever since I had stormed out of that restaurant with Es