LOGIN“It’s my turn to sing,” Anna yelled as she snatched the mic from Marcus. We were supposed to be at the restaurant, but instead… They all insisted on having drinks after dinner, which dragged us into this karaoke room with Anna swaying beside Marcus. “So I figured you might not be from Italy,” Mila said suddenly, making me avert my gaze to her. “Yeah, I came to start a quiet life away from home,” I replied evenly, though deep inside I knew that peace had shattered the day Adrian stormed back into my world. “So that means you’re starting fresh with no friends and…” “Oh, I have a best friend, but right now I don’t have anyone else here,” I answered. I didn’t even know if I should still call Liv my best friend or my stepmom. Thinking of her squeezed my heart as I missed her radiant smile. She was just like Mila the first day I saw her—gentle and kind, melting my defenses with a smile that lit my face like sunrise breaking through clouds. A dry laugh slipped from my li
I drifted out of my room and instantly froze when I spotted Adrian stepping out from the next door. I rubbed my eyes with the back of my hand to be sure I wasn’t hallucinating. Yet I'd be doomed not to recognize him. My breath caught in my throat as my fingers curled, and at the same moment he turned, locking eyes with me. “Hi.” He lifted his hand in a wave, and my brows furrowed. “What are you doing here?” I asked with a narrowed gaze. I thought he had stopped chasing after me, yet here he stood. He leaned casually against the doorframe, his gaze steady on mine. “Are you still stalking me?” I pressed, a frown settling on my face. He laughed softly. “This is my apartment. I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he replied, and I blinked in disbelief. The last time I checked, I was the only one on this floor! How had he managed to secure an apartment here? My eyes darkened as I watched him adjust his shirt. “I can drive you to work,” he offered suddenly,
The next thing I felt was him throwing me onto the mattress. My body bounced against it as my nostrils flared. “What kind of madness is this?” I demanded, and he smirked while unfastening his belt. Each movement made my heart stutter as I moved back cautiously while staring at him.Oh no, don't tell me he planned to have sex with me?“What does it look like? We’re going to shower, eat dinner, and then sleep. Or what were you imagining?” he asked, and heat crawled up my face. “This is abduction. I want to return to my apartment for heaven’s sake. I paid for that space,” I said, frustration dripping from my tone. Then he stripped off his pants. The outline of his cock pressed against his brief, making me swallow hard as I forced my eyes to meet him. I fought everything within me not to glance downward. He ran his hand through his hair lazily. “Why would you reject a mansion for that cramped apartment? Besides, I need you close for protection. It’s not safe out there,” he bl
I bit my lips as I glanced around and noticed other employees gawking at the car, shame wrapping around me like a heavy cloak as I bit down harder on my lips. Without hesitation, I climbed into the car before Adrian could create a scene, and the last thing I wanted was everyone whispering rumors about me and a lunatic. I really fancy this job!“What do you want—” The words barely escaped my lips when the car shot forward. I almost slammed my head against the dashboard as I turned and glared at him. “What the hell!” I cursed, and he flexed his hand lazily on the steering wheel. He glanced at me with a sly smile tugging his lips. “Relax, baby. I wouldn't hurt you,” he said flatly, and I felt like tearing his head from his shoulders. He wouldn't hurt me when I nearly cracked my skull on the dashboard just now? I wanted to scream and cause a scene, but I knew it was pointless, so I inhaled sharply to cage the rage brewing inside me. “Why did you come to my office? How did yo
“The devil finally got a hold of me,” I whispered, tugging my hair like a rope fraying under strain. And the maddest thing was that I couldn’t choose to leave this place. Where would I even go? London? I was certain he would hunt me down there. Returning to New York was the worst idea of all, that was where he discovered me in the first place. And now he is back in my life. “Dear God, why me?” I whispered, staring into emptiness. After contemplating for hours, sleep left me that night. I kept tossing, twisting the sheets, imagining every possible way he planned to reappear. Every creak in the hallway outside my apartment became his footsteps that night.~~ The next day, dark circles clung to my eyes like bruises from a battle I couldn’t win. I stared at the mirror like a ghost, then dragged myself through the motions of shower, clothes, and breakfast I could barely swallow. Then I left for work. Entering the studio, Anna and Marcus were already there. “Good mo
Jenna's POV “Are you insane?! How dare you try to kiss me!” I snapped, the vein between my brows pulsing as though it was about to burst from anger. Yet the bastard wiped his lips as he turned to face me with a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. “That is not a way to welcome me, Jenna,” he murmured in a low voice that made my stomach twist like a knot. My fingers dug into my palm. I should have known he would claw his way back into my life. How cruel to think I had escaped only to tumble back into his arms. Even if my heart once raced for him, I no longer desired him. He was poison for me and always would be! “Get out!” I blurted, locking my gaze on his. He arched his brow lazily, and before I could utter another word, he stepped forward, grabbed my hand, dragged me into the apartment and shut the door behind him. My body trembled in fury as I yanked my hand free. “Adrian,” I growled in a low voice. At this point, I knew shouting at him was useless. He humm
OLIVIA “Don’t Liv, that asshole and bunch of clueless people don't deserve your tears at all!” Jenna said, taking the phone away from me.I wiped my tears with the back of my hand. “It just…” I faltered, words dying at the tip of my tongue. The false narrative was what made me a little sad. I did
OLIVIA“Speak Olivia.” he said as he tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear.The question made my toes curl. What should I say? Accept to keep fucking him?But Jenna..A crease formed between my brows when I realized what I was thinking. If Jenna wasn't in the picture, I would probably accept to
OLIVIAThe sight felt like icy water drenching me. “W…what is happening?” My voice cracked as I turned to Kyle. I wanted to leave. Never had I wished for the floor to open and swallow me whole as I did at that moment. “I figured you also got proposed to like this after some deep research,” Ky
OLIVIA My breath caught. “What’s the issue?” I asked, trying to sound as calm as possible. Jenna sat on the bed. “You didn't tell me you got drugged last night?” she said, her voice heavy with concern. Relief fluttered inside me like a caged bird. I had thought she heard my moan or discovered







