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Chapter Forty-four: The Hollow
publish date:
2026-06-26 19:54:56
Latest chapter
Valerio's Secretary Chapter Fifty: The Auction
Valerio's POVThe black tie feels like it’s strangling me. I’ve adjusted it several times, yet I can’t seem to breathe. I stand in front of the mirror in my penthouse, adjusting the cufflinks for the third time. An impeccable suit tailored perfectly, great watch, the man staring back at me looks like he has everything under control.Business-related, yes, but emotional and relationship-wise, definitely nothing good to write home about.I replay yesterday in my head. Her coldness and her words took me off guard. "You don't get to apologize and pretend it didn’t happen.” The way she looked at me, as if I were a stranger, had made my heart ache. “Che cazzo ho fatto?” (What the fuck have I done?)Perdonami, cara. The words had slipped out before I could stop them, yet she didn’t accept them. She walked away, taking a piece of my heart with every step she took.I told her it wasn’t over, yet I don’t know how to fix what I broke.My phone buzzes on the marble counter—Clara.Clara: I'm rea
Valerio's Secretary Chapter Forty-Nine: The Silence
Zara's POVThe flowers sit in the passenger seat as I drive home, their petals glowing under passing streetlights; Valerio’s cruel words loop in my head with every turn. You collect admirers like other people collect stamps. I grip the steering wheel until my knuckles ache, fighting back the tears that burn my eyes. Fuck you, Valerio.By the time I step into the apartment, the weight of the day presses heavily on my chest. I check on Liam, relief flooding me at his steady breathing and cool forehead. He’s safe; that’s what matters. I set the flowers on the kitchen counter, their soft fragrance a gentle contrast to the storm inside me, then collapse into bed, exhausted.My phone buzzes on the counter, and I pick it up.Unknown: I hope the flowers arrived safely. I apologize for taking your number from the business files. I wanted to send them properly. —KenjiI stare at the message for a long moment, a small, unexpected comfort settling in my chest. I type back.Me: They arrived, an
Valerio's Secretary Chapter Forty-Eight: The Flowers
Zara's POV"Valerio, darling," she says, her voice smooth as silk. "I was just coming to see you."She steps forward and kisses him—a full kiss, her hand sliding up his chest, her body pressing against his, and he doesn’t pull away. He lets it happen; his arm wraps around her waist, guiding her toward his office, without a glance back at me. I stand frozen at the elevator doors, the sound of their footsteps fading down the hall. The glass wall beside me reflects my own face, pale, eyes wide, with lips pressed tight. The humiliation burns hot in my chest, spreading like fire under my skin. “You were reading too much into it,” I tell myself, but the words feel hollow. The texts, the concern, and the almost-touch in the elevator…it all meant nothing. I walk to my desk on shaky legs and sit down, staring at my computer screen. My hands tremble as I force myself to take long breaths.In. Out. In. Out.“You are his assistant. Nothing more.” But the lie tastes bitter on my tongue, because
Valerio's Secretary Chapter Forty-seven: The Return
Zara's POVI wake up with Liam curled against my side, his small hand fisted in my pyjamas. His forehead is cooler now; the fever has broken. I press my palm against his skin and feel relief wash over me like a wave. His breathing is steady, his cheeks no longer flushed with that terrible heat. He is going to be okay.I slip out of bed carefully, not wanting to wake him, and head for the kitchen to make tea. I stare out the window, watching the sun rise over the city as I sip. I should feel relieved and grateful, but all I feel is exhaustion and emptiness.My phone buzzes on the counter.Valerio: How is he this morning?I stare at the message, the memory of the number of times I tried to tell him about Liam back then, fresh in my memory like it happened yesterday. Three years ago, I had the test in my hand, heart pounding as I waited for Valerio to come home. I had imagined the moment so many times; his eyes widening, that rare genuine smile breaking across his face, his hands on m
Valerio's Secretary Chapter 46: The Waiting Room
Zara's POVI don’t remember leaving his office.One moment I am standing there, frozen, watching the hurt in his eyes. The next, I am in the elevator, pressing the button for the parking garage over and over, my hands shaking so badly I almost drop my keys."Go home, Zara." His voice echoes in my head. "I am not asking. I am telling you."I’m already driving before I realize I have started the engine. The city blurs past me: red lights, stop signs, pedestrians, but my mind is still in his office, still replaying the way he looked at me when I told him about Liam. The concern in his voice and the way he said my name like a plea.“He would be a good father,” I think, if he knew.I push the thought away. I cannot afford to think about that now. I have to get home and check on Liam. I have to—My phone buzzes in the cupholder, and I glance at it at a red light.Valerio: Text me when you get home. Let me know how he is.I stare at the message for a long moment, my thumb hovering over the k
Valerio's Secretary Chapter Forty-five: The Fever
Zara’s POVI jolt awake to Liam’s small body burning against mine.The clock on his nightstand glows 3:17 a.m., and his skin feels like fire. I press my palm to his forehead, and my stomach drops. The fever has spiked hard, his cheeks flushed scarlet, his breathing shallow and fast. He whimpers in his sleep, tiny fists clutching my shirt tightly, and my heart breaks at the sight. "Mommy..." he whimpers, eyes still closed."I'm here, baby. I'm right here.” I whisper, voice cracking as I sit up and gather him closer, his little body trembling. I strip him down to his diaper, press a cool cloth to his forehead, and reach for the thermometer on the bedside table. I watch the numbers climb…103.8. Panic claws up my throat.I rock him gently, humming the lullaby he loves even though my voice shakes, while he makes soft, pained sounds that break my heart. I grab the children’s fever reducer and manage to get some into him with a sippy cup of water. He drinks a little, then curls back agains
Valerio's Secretary Chapter Twenty: The Photograph
Valerio’s POVThe office felt too quiet after Zara left. Her presence still lingers everywhere; at her desk, in the air, in the way the chair was slightly pushed back like she had left in a hurry. I sit down in her seat, leaning back, trying to make sense of the storm raging inside my head.These f
Valerio's Secretary Chapter Twenty-four: The Dance
Valerio’s POVThe gala is supposed to be just another night of calculated smiles and strategic conversations. Instead, it feels like the ground is shifting beneath my feet.I’m standing near the grand staircase, champagne glass in hand, nodding at something one of the European investors is saying,
Valerio's Secretary Chapter Twenty-three: The Gala
Zara’s POVThe gown feels too elegant for someone with a heavy heart as mine.I stand in front of the mirror in my small apartment, soothing down the deep emerald green dress I had bought on sales two weeks ago. It hugs my figure without being flashy; professional enough for an assistant, but still
Valerio's Secretary Chapter 15: The Basement
Zara’s POVMy legs are still unsteady when I return to my desk after the break room incident. Valerio’s touch burns on my hip, my waist, the sensitive skin below my ear. I can still feel the hard press of his body against mine, the raw hunger in his voice when he told me this wasn’t finished.I sit
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