Masuk~Lora~The moment I stepped out of the restaurant, I pulled my phone from my purse and immediately dialed James.As much as Christian claimed he had found a lead, there was no way I was meeting him alone. Maybe I was being overly cautious after everything that had happened recently, but I had learned the hard way that trusting people too easily could get me killed. Besides, if this really turned out to be something important, I'd rather have someone I trusted close by.The phone barely rang twice before James answered."Well, that was fast," he said. "I thought this was supposed to be a romantic date."I snorted. "Trust me, there was nothing romantic about it.""I'm guessing things didn't go well?""You could say that. Anyway, can you come pick me up? I need to head somewhere."There was a brief pause before he asked, "You're not driving?"I smiled despite myself. "When have you ever known me to willingly drive if someone else is available to do the job?"James laughed on the other
~Lora~Michael swallowed hard, tugging at the collar of his suit as though it had suddenly become too tight.A knot formed in my stomach.I frowned. "Please don't tell me she's pregnant."He blinked.Across from him, Ivy nearly sprayed her water. She coughed violently, pressing a hand to her chest."What?" she choked out.Heat crept up my neck."Nothing," I muttered, waving a dismissive hand. "Just tell me what it is.”"So... you know how Ivy also majored in fine arts?" Michael started, his hands moving nervously at first.I raised my brow. But he continued anyway."And how.. she specialised in fashion designing, before she went on to study business administration?"I slowly shook my head. "Mhmm-mhmm. I don't."I mean, how would I? I didn't know anything about her, and frankly, It’s none of my business."Oh. Yeah. Uhm. Right," he added, adjusting himself in his seat. He was practically vibrating with excitement. "Anyways, she just signed this huge deal for our company. But she needs
~Lora~I have never felt so completely devastated. I don’t think I have ever cried as much as I did in the early hours of today.After Alex stormed out on me, I waited.I sat on the cold tiles of his hallway for nearly two hours. I just sat there, shivering, waiting for him to walk right back through that front door and tell me he was sorry.But he never came.I called his phone for what felt like forever. Over and over, until the ringing stopped and it started sending me straight to voicemail.He was done with me. I could feel it in my bones. He was so upset, and a horrible voice in my head kept whispering that he would never want to see my face again.And now, I was paying for it.Right now, I knew I had made a stupid decision by agreeing to Michael’s appeal. After Michael found out I came back early from my so-called two days’ trip, he begged me to go out on a date with him.I only said yes because I couldn't bear to go back to our empty house or father's house.I didn't want
~Lora~"Don't do this... baby, please. Don't do this to us," I breathed.All the fierce anger left my body in a single split second.The raw, aching yearning completely overtook me, heavy and sudden.I took a small step forward, trying to draw nearer to him. I was desperate to close the distance between us before the space became permanent.Alex didn't move toward me.Instead, he just slowly raised both of his large hands, keeping his palms flat out in the air.It was a silent, devastating barrier. He was telling me to back off."I'm not doing anything," he whispered.The exhaustion in his voice was so much worse than any of his shouting."This conversation is over, Lora. I laid it out for you. Clear as day. I didn't ask you to leave your husband publicly. I didn't ask you to blow up your life or face any shit."He took a deep breath, his bloodshot eyes locking onto mine."I told you that you could stay in that marriage for as long as you need to handle your business," he continued,
~Lora~The silence he left behind was too heavy to breathe in.Before I even realized what I was doing, I threw the sheets off my body and scrambled out of bed. I grabbed the duvet, wrapping it tightly around my bare shoulders, and ran out of the room."Alex! Don't do this!" I called out to him.My bare feet slapped against the cold steps as I raced down the stairs. The warmth of our shared shower felt completely gone now, replaced by a sudden, terrifying chill.When I reached the bottom, I saw him standing by the kitchen counter. He had already pulled on his pants, his chest still bare, his broad shoulders hunched over as if he were trying to physically brace himself for something.I rushed forward, crowding into his space, desperately trying to catch his eyes. "Alex..."I reached out to touch his arm, but the second my fingertips brushed his skin, he flinched and pulled away. The rejection felt like a physical blow to my chest."Baby, listen to me, please," I begged, my voice cr
~Lora~Alex leaned down, his lips brushing against my ear as he delivered the words.I held my breath, my chest tight with excitement. I couldn't wait to hear whatever secret he had been holding onto all morning.Then he whispered it.My smile died instantly.The air left my lungs, cold and sudden."Be my exclusive, baby." The words echoed in my head.I blinked up at him, waiting for the punchline.It never came.Before I could stop it, a nervous, involuntary laugh escaped my throat.Why did I do that?But he didn't laugh, his expression changed, hardening into something completely different.My brow furrowed."Wait... are you serious right now?" I asked, my voice trembling.His forehead wrinkled together, and without a word, he shifted, removing his weight from me. The sudden loss of his body left me feeling completely empty, the cold air hitting my damp skin. He sat up on the edge of the bed, his back rigid. "Of course I'm serious." "I don't want one night, Lora. I don't want mem
~Lora~He didn’t strike back, didn’t even look angry.Instead, Alex slowly touched his lip, looking at the blood on his fingers with a dark, fascinated sort of wonder. Then, he did something that made my breath hitch… he sank to his knees.He knelt right there between my bound legs, looking up at
~Lora~“What do you want with me?” I mouthed, thrashing against their grip.Twisting and pulling until my muscles burned, and my strength was fading. When the last of it drained away, I went limp.Rough hands forced my arms behind my back, the rope biting deep into my wrists. They shoved me into
~Lora~Michael’s eyes jumped, his brows furrowed together like he was trying to translate a language he didn’t speak.“What?” I snapped, irritated.“You’re joking.” He let out a short, dry laugh that died in his throat. He tried to shrug it off, but his shoulders stayed tight, locked in place.“No
~Lora~"Why do you still have this?" I jabbed his chest with my index finger.He tensed, his jaw tightening. "Why? Does it bother you that I didn't erase it?""I told you to get rid of the tattoo, Alex. What do you want people to think when you finally meet someone?"“Sssh,” he murmured, leaning in







