All Chapters of Dark Temptations: Falling For My Ex: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

I rolled out of bed and prepared for the morning. I would be meeting Michael in an hour. As I was about to make breakfast, I heard the sound of a car horn blaring outside. Walking over to the door, I met Michael standing there, clad in casual attire. What is he doing here?I froze for a moment, gripping the doorframe as I stared at Michael. Seeing him out of his usual sharp suits was disarming—jeans, a fitted sweater, and a leather jacket. It was a look that felt too personal, too... human. It's been a while; I almost forgot how handsome he was.“Good morning,” he said, his tone calm but with a hint of impatience. “Are you planning on inviting me in, or should we have our conversation on your doorstep?" I blinked, trying to compose myself. “Uh, good morning. What are you doing here? I thought we were meeting at the office." Michael raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. “Plans changed. I figured it would be more efficient to pick you up. Unless you’d rather drive separately and ri

I stood in front of the full-length mirror in my suite, making the final adjustments to my outfit. For today’s important meeting, I had chosen a sleek, tailored navy pantsuit that exuded both confidence and professionalism. The blazer fit perfectly, its sharp lapels accentuating my posture, while the fitted trousers elongated my silhouette.Under the blazer, I wore a silky ivory blouse with a delicate neckline—just enough to add a touch of femininity without being overly formal. A thin gold necklace rested against my collarbone, paired with understated stud earrings that complemented the ensemble.My heels were classic black stilettos, polished to perfection, adding just the right amount of height to complete the look. I’d kept my makeup subtle but polished—neutral tones with a bold swipe of deep plum lipstick for a touch of drama. My hair was swept into a low, elegant bun, with a few soft strands framing my face.As I slipped my portfolio into my leather tote bag, I took one last loo

I groaned, burying my face in the pillow as the events of last night replayed in my mind like an unwelcome movie.What the hell was I thinking?I rolled over, staring at the ceiling as mortification washed over me. The wine, the conversation, leaning into Michael like that—it all felt like a bad dream, but I knew it wasn’t.“Ugh,” I muttered, covering my face with my hands. Of all the people to get tipsy and emotional around, it had to be him.The knock at the door startled me out of my self-pity. “Arya, it’s almost time for breakfast. Don’t make me come in there,” Michael’s voice called from the other side, calm but unmistakably firm.I froze, my heart skipping a beat. He sounds so normal. Did I imagine everything?“Coming!” I called out, scrambling to get up. My head throbbed slightly, a reminder of the wine I’d indulged in. I quickly threw on a robe, trying to focus on looking composed—even if I didn’t feel it.When I opened the door, Michael stood there, dressed impeccably in a da

“Arya,” he finally said, his voice almost too calm. “What the hell was that?”"Damon and I are together. We are dating. He is my boyfriend.""But last night you—" Michael's voice faltered, his brow furrowing in confusion and disbelief as he tried to piece together what was happening. He stepped closer, his tone shifting, tightening with something that felt like frustration and something darker. "You were with me just last night, Arya. What the hell is going on?""Like you said, I was drunk."His voice was low now, almost a growl. "So you’re telling me you’re with him, yet you wanted me last night... What the hell do you want from me, Arya?" I swallowed hard, my heart pounding in my chest. There was so much I wanted to say, but the words felt stuck, caught between guilt and frustration."I don’t know what I want," I finally admitted, feeling vulnerable. "Maybe I never did. I thought... maybe I could control it. But I can’t. And now, I’ve got everyone pulling me in different directions

As we stepped off the plane and made our way into the terminal, I spotted her almost immediately—Lana, standing near the arrivals gate, looking as flawless as ever. Her bright smile grew wider when her eyes landed on Michael. She waved, her perfectly manicured fingers fluttering in the air like a beacon.I swallowed hard, suddenly feeling incredibly out of place. Of course, she would be here. Waiting. Always conveniently present when Michael and I had just spent more time together than I cared to admit.“Michael!” she called out, her voice saccharine sweet as she approached us. Without hesitation, she threw her arms around his neck, planting a kiss on his cheek. “I missed you,” she cooed.Michael gave her a tight smile, his usual stoicism firmly in place. “Hey, Lana,” he said, his tone devoid of warmth.I shifted uncomfortably, clutching the strap of my bag as I tried to blend into the background. This wasn’t a scene I wanted any part of, but there was no easy escape.Lana’s eyes dart