Se connecterSHAWNI ran straight into my mother the second I stepped into the hallway, and something in my chest braced itself before I'd even registered her face."Shawn—" Her voice caught on the single syllable of my name, already halfway to something softer, something that wanted to ask where I'd been, or maybe why I always looked like this lately, hollowed out and running."Not now." Two words. Ice-cold, delivered without slowing my stride, without letting my eyes so much as flick toward hers. I heard the small sigh she let out behind me—tired, resigned, maybe even a little hurt—and I heard the silence that followed it, and I just kept walking. Good. No lecture today. No probing questions I didn't have the patience to survive. I really didn't have the bandwidth for anyone's feelings right now, including, if I was honest with myself, my own.I didn't run into my grandfather either, which was its own small mercy. I crossed the foyer fast, footsteps echoing off marble, and on my way past the w
SHAWNI sat at the edge of the mattress and just looked at Miranda, because for one long moment I couldn't do anything else.Miranda slept the way she did everything—like the room belonged to her and always had. One arm thrown above her head, sheet pooled low at her hip, breath slow and even, utterly unbothered by the world she'd just taken apart. In the dim amber light bleeding through the curtains her skin looked warm, almost gold, and for a second I let myself just stand there, because looking cost nothing. Feeling something, though… that cost everything, and I wasn't sure I had it to spend on her.Insatiable. That was the only word that fit. Twice I'd tried to get up, and twice she'd hauled me back down by the wrist, laughing low and dark against my ear, refusing to let me breathe until she'd wrung a third finish out of me. My legs still didn't feel entirely mine. My lower back throbbed in that specific way that would ache for days. She'd used me like something she owned. And
SHAWNWhy? Why in the fucking hell would Elara do this to me?Did she… did she have any clue how much it had actually cost me to arrange that premium delivery today? Did she know how much of my remaining pride I had to swallow just to write those words? My hands were trembling violently as I sat on the edge of my freshly cleaned mattress, my eyes staring fixedly at the smartphone screen, watching the soul-crushing image of the ruined roses again and again, for the literal hundredth time.Worse? The cold, calculated woman had blocked my number again, right after sending the picture.Why? Couldn't she at least give me a single chance to speak to her? Even if it’s on the phone?To talk like civilized people, to let me pursue her properly from a clean slate? Why was she actively blocking me at every single stop, sealing every door before I could even breathe? What had I done so unpardonably wrong in our past that she refused to stop breaking my heart at every turn?I wasn't surprised
MIRANDAThe heavy soundproof door clicked shut behind me, sealing out the low hum of the club and enveloping the private suite in a luxurious quiet.In the center of the room, a pristine glass-topped table was already impeccably set, filled with an assortment of snacks, a light meal of artisanal finger foods, and an array drinks and vintage wines resting in a silver ice bucket. My anger dissipated somewhat as I took in the elaborate arrangement that had been prepared for my coming. It informed me that it wasn't a rushed, makeshift meeting at least; she had actually planned for me… had actually cared to plan.The private room itself was a masterpiece of decadent, modern design. The walls were upholstered in a deep, midnight-blue plush velvet that seemed to absorb the ambient light, accented by brushed gold geometric panels that mirrored the club's elite aesthetic. The furniture was minimalist yet aggressively expensive—two low-slung, curved lounge chairs wrapped in cream-colored Ita
MIRANDAAfter the insulting call, I felt an overwhelming urge to smash my smartphone directly into the paved sidewalk, or better yet, to physically manifest right across the cellular line and slap Charlotte to death. What on earth was the meaning of this childish power play? What did the bitch mean by ordering me to walk down the open street like a common pedestrian?My own vehicle was parked a mere few yards away near the café entrance. I could easily turn on my heel right now, slip into the plush leather seat, and drive slowly down the road to meet her—or better still, I could just go the fuck home. And then, I could text her some dramatic excuse about my pregnancy acting up and be done with it. So damn easy! The best thing even, considering the unfavourable circumstances…But I forced myself to calm down, taking a slow, shaky breath. Since I was already out here in the heat, I might as well go all out.Stamping down the furious rage that was actively building both inside and ou
MIRANDAFinally, the lukewarm chamomile tea began to burn the back of my throat as I sipped it slowly, staring blankly out the window of the upscale café. I tried with everything I had to completely ignore the toxic buzzing and whispered murmurs radiating from the other patrons around me—a suffocating noise that had literally doubled the exact second I had stepped foot into the restaurant.From the corner of my eyes, I could see two girls at a corner table blatantly holding up their smartphones, taking a couple of pictures of my face. On a good day, a beautiful day, I would have been absolutely ecstatic to receive that kind of attention. But these were not good days. Not at all.Since that disastrous engagement evening, and the social media post my mother had deleted from my timeline—which I understood now was so unnecessary, things really did take a turn for the worse. Even though the text had only been up for a mere sixty seconds, more than half of the city had already seen the
ELARADamn this foolish man! Damn his stupid contract! And damn his penchant to be all-knowing!So, I’ve been so ruined by Shawn that I can’t see a good thing if it stands right in my face? Tsk. How dare he? And what exactly is the "good thing"? Him? Please! The only thing good about Killian wa
MIRANDA“Yes! Tear her apart!” I sneered, as I laughed at the carnage on my phone screen. I was practically vibrating with a dark glee, scrolling through the snarky comments made by aggrieved netizens and the sudden, explosive outrage of the public. With my left hand, I gripped the phone like a w
SHAWN“Hey! Let me have two more!” I screamed at the bartender, holding up my empty glass before slamming it down to join the others—seven, maybe nine cups already cluttering the wood in front of me. My vision was beginning to smear into a blur of neon and shadow, my voice thick and slurry, aggres
ELARA“And I’m not joking, Elara…” “Kneeling won’t change a thing, Shawn. Get up.” I mused, feigning pity.Shawn shook his head and stayed on his knees, making his mother gasp in a mixture of shock and utter disbelief. Maxwell, however, remained mute, actually looking spaced out, as if he weren't







