Chapter: CHAPTER 20GIANNA Enzo’s body turned stiff in my arms and, as if coming to the realization of the name I had just called, he immediately jerked away from me. With burning eyes, Matteo’s gaze danced between the both of us as if trying to put pieces of a puzzle together. I expected a reaction from him, but instead, he stumbled back on unsteady feet and retreated towards his side of the wing. Enzo hissed as he followed his son, hot on his heels. I followed after him, not nothing what else to do, but as soon as he realized I was behind him, he paused, making me come to a halt. With warning signs blaring through his eyes, I swallowed hard and lowered my gaze to the marble floor. “Just let me know if he heard anything,” I said in a tight whisper. He stood quiet, but I knew he was contemplating saying something to me. I hated his silence. It made me feel stupid and naive. But this was Matteo we were talking about. I barely knew him and I didn’t want to hurt him. So he s
Last Updated: 2026-06-16
Chapter: CHAPTER 19GIANNA I looked at my flushed state in the mirror as my mind trailed back to how I felt when Enzo touched me. Not even the cold shower I had just taken could do justice to the way I felt. With a towel wrapped around my chest, I walked to my closet and changed into my pajamas. Turned off the main room light and headed to my vanity. A couple of minutes into blow-drying my hair, I noticed a shadow moving by my door. My stomach churned aggressively because I knew who it was, and the worst part was that I was going to let him come in if he knocked. No. I wouldn’t open the door. I promised myself as I continued with my hair. A couple more minutes passed and I was done. Luckily, the shadow was gone, but even with that, I sat quietly with my breath held in so I wouldn’t do anything stupid like go too close to the door and letting him in. After sitting for a little while longer and making sure there was no shadow lurking by the door, I got up, turned off the vanity
Last Updated: 2026-06-15
Chapter: CHAPTER 18GIANNA “I can’t believe that arrogant man.” I announced as I stormed into the kitchen, dropping my purse and phone on the counter. “What is it?” Aria asked from the dishwasher with a plate in her hand. I wanted telling her everything that had happened at the club, but at the same time, I didn’t want to go into much detail. So I settled on a lie, which on my path, wasn't a complete lie. “It’s Enzo, he kicked me out of the club after requesting for me to be there.” I yanked out a stool and sat. “Can you imagine that?” She put the plate down and with a hand over her mouth, she tried suppressing her laugh. “It’s Enzo.” She said between giggles. “You want to talk more about it?” “It’s not funny Aria, stop laughing.” I whined. “But do you at least want to talk about it?” She tried putting on a serious face but failed miserably. “Not really.” I whispered and lowered my eyes to avoid her gaze. She gave me a warm hug and went back to offloading the dishwashe
Last Updated: 2026-06-12
Chapter: CHAPTER 17GIANNA The voice slithered down my spine before I could think of turning. “You like what you see?” My breath snagged. For a heartbeat, I prayed, thinking I’d imagined it. But no—heat was pressed into my back, unmistakable, suffocating. Why is he here? Of all places? Don’t be stupid, Gianna. This is his club. Of course, he’s here. Oh God—what if he heard me whisper his name? My lips still tingled with the memory. I squeezed my eyes shut, in a desperate plea, silently begging the universe to take it back. Slowly, I turned my head, like a prey caught in a hunter’s gaze. And there he was. Enzo Moretti. The man I couldn’t escape, no matter how many walls I built. It had been less than twenty-four hours since I’d last seen him, and still he looked devastatingly good. Dark suit molded to his broad shoulders, shirt undone at the throat, the edge of a tattoo crawling across his chest like a secret I once knew. His eyes carried shadows. Hungry shadows that dem
Last Updated: 2025-09-29
Chapter: CHAPTER 16 GIANNA I stood in front of the club, contemplating whether I should call an uber or just swallow my pride and find out what Enzo wanted. After the way he night’s events between us, I wasn’t expecting him to want to see my face. Lord knows how much I don’t want to be here. But here I was anyway. It took a lot of convincing from Aria before I got into the car he sent to pick me up. And besides, I had something important to talk to him about. So why not kill two birds with one stone? I sat at the bar, as instructed by one of the bodyguards stationed at the entrance of the club, while I waited for Enzo. “Hello, ma’am, what would you like?” The tattooed bartender with long blond hair brushing his shoulders asked. I don’t know if I’m meant to be drinking, especially here. But who cares, anyway? I gave him a small smile. “I’ll get a glass of martini, please.” “That’s a great choice.” He winked at me as he flipped his hair back. “Your drink will be ready in a bit.”
Last Updated: 2025-09-09
Chapter: CHAPTER 15ENZO “Boom!” The sound of my gun echoed through the club's basement. The bastard who’d been helping Paulo thought confessing would save him. Thought telling me the truth meant mercy. He was wrong. I’d walked out of the club last night with the intention of letting him live, but after the night’s event, my hands needed blood. So I came back and handled it in the only way I knew how to. I’d made promises to myself the day Gianna walked through her father’s door. Promise I already doubted I could keep. And tonight, I almost crossed a line I swore I wouldn’t. But I won’t let myself become bait to the madness she stirs inside my head. I saw the way her gaze lingered on me. I’m not blind. Hunger burned in her eyes—hunger she tried and failed to hide. God help me, if I hadn’t scared her off, I might’ve given in. I might’ve shown her exactly what those thoughts could cost her. I can’t wrap my head around how much she gets under my skin. I left my house for two bloody week
Last Updated: 2025-09-09
Chapter: CHAPTER 24LILLIAN Stepping out of Ronan’s office, I immediately sank into one of the waiting chairs, pressing my trembling palms against my thighs. My chest rose and fell in uneven bursts, as if I had just run a marathon instead of nearly letting my counselor devour me on his desk. Trying to calm the rapid beat of my heart before Joe came in. The click of a keyboard pulled my attention, and my eyes met with that of Ronan’s assistant. She was staring. Not just the casual glance of someone curious about a client—no, her eyes were sharper, probing, like she knew exactly what I had been doing behind that closed door. Does she know? Does she see the way my fingers are trembling, or the way I look out of place? Maybe she’s used to this, married women running out of Ronan Carter’s office, clutching their shame like I’m doing right now. I quickly dropped my gaze to my hands, which wouldn’t stop fidgeting in my lap. The elevator dinged, and before I could gather myself, Joe stepped out
Last Updated: 2025-09-30
Chapter: CHAPTER 23LILLIAN ~THURSDAY~ I looked at the time, 1:30 am, almost twelve. I’d been sitting in my office for the past three hours, fighting with the part of me that wants to go to Ronan’s office. And after all those hours, that part of me won. The guilt should’ve weighed heavier than it did. Instead, I shoved everything work-related aside, packed my things together, and walked out of my office before that reasonable part of me could catch up. On my way out, I spotted Whitney talking with one of our interns, her posture sharp as always as she listened to him. “Hey, Whitney.” My voice was too tight. “Can I talk to you for a second?” “Sure, ma’am. What is it?” “I want you to cancel every appointment I have for the day.” Her eyes widened. “But, ma’am, we have Rushka Gonzala coming in for a fitting.” She scrolled quickly through the office iPad. “You want me to cancel her, too?” “Yes,” I said without hesitation. My chest was burning, but my face stayed cool. “Tell he
Last Updated: 2025-09-30
Chapter: CHAPTER 22LILLIAN I stepped outside, reading the note for the third time while I waited for Joe to bring the car around. YOU LOOK BEAUTIFUL IN THIS DRESS. The words made my stomach churn. My thumb brushed over the neat, bold handwriting like I could erase the heat it left on my skin. “Who’s that from?” I startled, jerking my head up to meet Joe’s curious eyes. Wait. Did he just ask me that? Which means the bouquet was not from him. “It came from the restaurant,” I lied smoothly, the words rolling off my tongue like they’d been waiting there. “The receptionist said it’s a compliment from them.” Joe narrowed his eyes, suspicion flashing for a second before he forced a smile. “It looks lovely. Are you ready?” “Uhm… yeah, I am.” My gaze flicked around the street, pretending to check if I forgot something, when really I just needed a second to steady the frantic beat of my pulse. He guided me through the small of my back, his touch firm but impersonal, and I slid int
Last Updated: 2025-09-29
Chapter: CHAPTER 21LILLIAN Oh my God. What’s he doing here? I can’t seem to get a break anymore. It's like he’s hunting me, showing up to places I shouldn’t see him. It’s becoming scary… and intoxicating. It took everything in me not to close my eyes and breathe him in. That musky scent of his wrapped around me like a cloud I didn’t want to escape from as he reached our table. My pulse quickened, traitorously, even as I tried to keep my face neutral. “Dr. Carter. What a surprise to see you here.” Joe’s voice was too smooth, too cheerful. “Likewise.” Ronan’s reply was clipped, his gaze locked on me while I tried to look anywhere but into those eyes. “Your lovely wife here mentioned you were out of town.” “Yeah, I was.” Joe’s hand slid over mine on the table, possessive, heavy. “Came back not long ago. Lillian thought dinner would be good.” I swallowed hard. Why is he lying? Why would he lie about something so small? Ronan finally dragged his gaze away from my burning face and foc
Last Updated: 2025-09-29
Chapter: CHAPTER 20LILLIAN “Hello, father.” He lifted his eyes from his phone, his glasses balanced on the bridge of his nose like they’d been there for decades. His face was carved into that same stern expression he always wears when I’m around, like I’m already a disappointment and I haven’t opened my mouth yet. “Lillian.” His tone was clipped, his voice a sharp edge. “Have a seat.” I lowered myself into the chair across from him. A bottle of water sat on the table, condensation sliding down its side, showing that he’d been sitting there for a while. “I didn’t know what you wanted, so I got us both a glass of water.” He set his phone down with calculated care. “That’s the menu. You can order whatever you want.” “Thank you, father.” My eyes dart everywhere but his face. “I’ll order when we’re done.” “Haven’t I taught you confidence? Or have I failed as a father?” My head snapped toward him, heat rushing to my cheeks. “Father?” “You see?” He gestured at me with disdain, like
Last Updated: 2025-09-24
Chapter: CHAPTER 19LILLIAN Well, I guess I’m officially the crazy one. Because here I am, standing in his office building, palms sweaty, heart thundering as if it’s trying to rip out of my chest. What the hell am I doing here? “Hello, ma’am.” I snapped my head toward the receptionist’s desk. She had a practiced smile, her ginger hair tucked neatly behind her ears. “Hello,” I replied, forcing calm into my voice. My eyes flicked down to her name tag. “Jane. Is Mr. Carter in?” “Yes, he’s in.” “Uhm…” My throat bobbed. “I didn’t book an appointment, so I don’t know if he’s free.” “Oh, that’s no problem.” She tapped across her keyboard, her nails clicking lightly. “Let me check his schedule. And—yes—he’s free for the next two hours.” Two hours. God, what am I doing? “Alright. Thank you,” I murmured. My heels clicked against the floor as I walked toward his door. I rubbed my damp palms against my pleated skirt, trying to dry them, as if that would erase my nerves. I kno
Last Updated: 2025-09-21
Chapter: CHAPTER 5EMILY “Have a seat,” he said as he clicked the door shut. The sound echoed through the office, making me flinch. I was still standing there when he moved past me like a lion in its territory. His perfectly tailored suit stretched across his broad frame as he settled into his chair. “I hate repeating myself, Ms. Carter.” He gestured toward the seat in front of him. His eyes followed every movement I made as I quickly sat down. “Sorry, sir,” I apologized quietly. Silence settled between us as he studied me, his steady gaze making me squirm in my seat. He cleared his throat. “So, Ms. Carter, how does it feel being one of the luckiest people who get to work at Way’s Enterprise?” I opened my mouth to answer, but suddenly forgot how to speak. He seemed so casual. Too casual. Like he didn’t remember who I was. Not even from the bar. Which only made me wonder why a man who promised to make my life miserable was acting like this. “I asked a
Last Updated: 2026-06-09
Chapter: CHAPTER 4EMILY ~Flashback to Six Years Ago~ “Hey, four eyes!” Troy, Cole’s best friend, called from behind, and laughter erupted from their group. Even Cole was laughing. “Please, Troy.” I said quietly, keeping my eyes down as I walked faster. “I’ve told you to stop calling me that.” But the seven of them surrounded me like a pack of predators, blocking every escape. “Aw, don’t be shy now,” one of them sneered. “You love the attention, don’t you?” “Maybe if you stopped stuffing your face, we’d actually see your eyes behind those glasses,” another added. I swallowed hard. “Please, Troy. Stop.” “But I’m not lying, you smelly, fat girl,” he mocked, pouting dramatically. More laughter followed. My throat tightened painfully, but I refused to cry. Not again. “I’m not doing this with you,” I muttered, trying to move around them. “I have a chemistry class.” Before I could take another step, something yanked me backward. “Not so fast, fatty.”
Last Updated: 2026-06-09
Chapter: CHAPTER 3EMILY ~NEW YORK~ ~One month later~ ~Monday~ I looked at myself for what felt like the millionth time in the mirror after ten different hairstyles and seven outfit changes. Finally, I was satisfied. My hair pulled into a tight bun, and my white long-sleeved blouse looked modest enough for a first day while still fitting a little too well against my body. The matching pencil skirt hugged my hips perfectly, paired with sheer pantyhose and a nervous smile I couldn’t quite shake. After several minutes of debating between contacts or glasses, I settled on contacts. I ran my fingers over the sleeve of my right hand. The blouse was a last-minute choice after the first one got burnt. I checked the time. 8:35. “Crap,” I muttered. I was supposed to leave ten minutes ago. My feet slapped against the cold tiles as I hurried across my small apartment, grabbing my purse and slipping into my heels. I was halfway out the door when my phone buzzed inside my bag
Last Updated: 2026-06-09
Chapter: CHAPTER 2EMILY Four of the most handsome men I’ve ever seen sat confidently, their presence exuding money and power. Each of them was draped in expensive Armani and Prada suits, broad shoulders filling the seats like they owned the place. Is this heaven? I thought. If it is, someone please pinch me. A light bump at my side snapped me back to reality. “Are you okay?” Elle asked, her voice soft but laced with worry. “Uhmm…” I cleared my throat. “Yeah. Yeah. I’m fine.” My eyes darted back to the men. They were staring right at us, and I suddenly forgot how to breathe. Elle moved forward as if their attention didn’t faze her, but my feet felt like they’d been cemented to the floor. “Gentlemen,” she announced smoothly, placing the tray down. “We brought whiskey and vodka for each of you. Pick your poison.” Their attention shifted to the drinks, except for one. The one whose gaze stayed on me. My focus pulled towards him despite my better judgment. Even sit
Last Updated: 2026-06-09
Chapter: CHAPTER 1EMILY CARTER~NEW JERSEY~~Terry’s bar~ “Mommy, are you coming back soon?” I smiled, pressing the phone closer to my ear as I sat against the locker in the break room. “Soon, baby. I just have few things to settle, remember?” A small pause. Then, her small voice came through the phone, quiet and sad. “You always say that.” My chest tightened, but I kept my voice light. “And I always promise to come back, don’t I?” “Mm.” Another pause. “Grandma said you’re busy.” “I am,” I said quietly. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t miss you.” “I miss you more.” I let out a breath, blinking away the sting behind my eyes. “That’s impossible.” She giggled, and for a second, everything felt normal. Easy. “Okay, mommy. Don’t forget to call me tomorrow.” “I won’t.” “Promise?” “I promise.” The line went dead, and just like that, the quiet settled back in. I stared at my screen for a second longer than necessary before locking it. Reality always came back too qui
Last Updated: 2026-06-09
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