Mag-log inGreer’s POVI stared at the message on her screen, hardly able to believe it.“Really?” I whispered, a genuine smile breaking across my face for the first time that day.“Yes!” Cassey laughed, looking just as thrilled. “They loved our brand story and the samples we sent. This is huge, Greer. There are going to be thousands of people there, potential customers, retailers, even beauty influencers. This could be our big break!”For a moment, all the stress about the mysterious money faded into the background. I pulled Cassey into a tight hug, both of us laughing with relief and excitement.“We’re really doing this,” I said, voice thick with emotion. “slowly, but we’re actually moving forward.”Cassey hugged me back fiercely. “We are. And we’re going to kill it at that trade fair. I’ll help you prepare everything. The branding, display setup, marketing materials. This is your moment, Greer.”I nodded, feeling a renewed surge of determination despite the strange cloud of the anonymous mon
Greer’s POV“Wait— what?! Greer, slow down. Twenty-five million?! Okay, breathe. Yes, you need to go to the bank immediately. I’ll meet you there. Don’t touch the money. Don’t spend anything. We’ll sort this out."Thirty minutes later, I was at the bank, heart hammering in my chest as I sat across from a senior manager in a private office. Cassey sat beside me, holding my hand for support.“I’m telling you, this money isn’t mine,” I explained, my voice shaky. “There must have been a mix-up with the account numbers or something. I only run a very small beauty brand. I can’t possibly have twenty-five million dollars transferred to me.”The bank manager, a calm middle-aged man in a neat suit, checked his screen again and smiled politely.“Miss Greer, I understand your concern. But this transfer was not a mistake. The funds were intentionally deposited into your account this morning. It is specifically earmarked for the development and expansion of your beauty brand, Lumina Bloom."I star
Greer’s POVThe confrontation with Veda still echoed in my head days later, but instead of breaking me, it solidified my decision. I couldn’t stay in that mansion any longer. Not even for one more week. Every corner reminded me of Calder’s control, Veda’s cruelty, and the version of myself I was desperately trying to leave behind. So I did something terrifying.I rented my own apartment. It was a beautiful, well-furnished one-bedroom unit in a quiet but decent neighborhood. The living room had large windows that let in plenty of natural light, a small kitchen with modern appliances, and a cozy bedroom with a walk-in closet. It even came with basic furniture; a sofa, dining table, and a comfortable bed. Exactly what I needed to start over. But renting it nearly wiped out almost all the money I had made from Lumina Bloom so far. I stared at my bank balance on my laptop screen, heart sinking. The deposit, first month’s rent, and moving costs had taken a massive bite. What was left was b
Greer’s POVEvery tiny progress felt like a victory. On the fourth day, I met with a local chemist friend who helped me perfect two of my original formulations, a nourishing hydrating serum and a gentle brightening mask. I tested them on myself first, then nervously on Cassey. She was still cautious around me, still processing everything she had learned, but she showed up anyway, offering honest feedback while we labeled small sample jars together.“You’ve got that fire back,” she told me quietly one evening. “This feels like the Greer I used to know.”Her words gave me strength. By the end of the week, I had my first ten sample kits ready. My hands were shaking as I launched a simple Shopify website I had built myself. No fancy team. No big budget. Just me. When the site finally went live, I sat back in my chair and let out a long, shaky breath. It was real now. My business existed in the world again. It was small, fragile, but completely mine.That evening, when Calder came to see m
Greer’s POVRelief washed over me. For the first time in a very long time, I felt like I had a real choice. Like I was being heard.“Thank you,” I whispered, resting my head on his chest. Calder kissed the top of my head, his arms tightening around me protectively. “But remember,” he added softly, “you’re still mine. This independence doesn’t change that. I’ll give you space to build your empire… but you will always come back to me.”I didn’t reply. I just closed my eyes and let myself breathe in his scent, wondering how long this fragile new balance between us could possibly last. For now, though, I had a plan. And for the first time, Calder wasn’t standing in the way of it.We lay in comfortable silence for a while, his fingers gently stroking my back. The events of yesterday kept replaying in my mind, especially the terrifying moment in the garden. A question that had been bothering me finally slipped out.“How did you know?” I asked softly, tilting my head to look up at him. “How
Greer’s POV He leaned in and kissed me. It was hard, possessive, almost punishing. His tongue claimed my mouth as his hands roamed down my body, as if he needed to remind himself that I was here, naked, and his. He pulled back, breathing heavily, then lifted me again and carried me straight into the large walk-in shower. The hot water cascaded over both of us, soaking his clothes. He didn’t seem to care. He pressed me against the cool tiled wall, his fully dressed body pinning my bare one beneath the spray.“I can still smell him on you,” he growled against my neck. His hands moved roughly, lathering soap over my skin, my shoulders, my breasts, my stomach, my thighs. He washed me with intense focus, scrubbing every inch where Desmond had touched me. His fingers slid between my legs, cleaning me there too, possessive and thorough.I gasped, gripping his wet shirt as the combination of hot water and his touch sent conflicting waves of fear and unwanted arousal through me.“Calder… your
Greer’s POV I ignored her completely and took my seat without responding. I did not have to wait long. A maid walked in shortly after. “He is here.”My lips curved slightly.“Let him in.” Moments later, Desmond stepped in. And for a second, the air in the room shifted.He looked good. Well dressed
Greer’s POV We left quickly after that. The drive to Cassey’s house felt like freedom. Every bump in the road made me wince and press my thighs together, the deep soreness flaring up again. Cassey chatted happily the whole way, excited about our impromptu sleepover, completely unaware that I was f
Greer’s POV He launched into instructions, his tone firm and commanding as he outlined expectations for donations, appearances, and how the family image would be maintained. Everyone listened carefully, even Veda. My mind kept drifting to the pinhole camera lenses I’d seen fall from Wells’s pocke
Greer’s POV Desmond deserved better than this. Better than a girl whose stepfather was blackmailing and fucking her whenever he wanted. Sleep came in fragments, broken by dreams of Calder’s hands pinning me down and Veda’s cold, disappointed face. When morning light finally filtered through the cu







