Novels by Abby

Lena's POV “I know,” he said, glancing at me briefly before returning to chopping vegetables. “But you need to eat.”I leaned against the counter, watching him. His movements were precise.I stepped closer to grab a plate from the cupboard just as he reached for it too and our fingers brushed.I pulled my hand back quickly, but my skin tingled where we’d touched. His eyes flicked to mine for half a second before going back to the cutting board.“Why now?” I asked quietly.He didn’t look up. “Why what?”“Why are you suddenly… paying attention?”The sound of the knife against the board filled the silence before he answered.“It's not like I didn't want to pay attention ,” he said. “I couldn't, I was too busy but from now on I will try my best for the baby .”I didn’t know what to say.When he finished cooking, he placed a steaming plate in front of me. “Eat.”I took a bite. “It’s… really good.”His gaze held mine just a little too long before he looked down at his own plate. “Good.”We

Lena’s POVI had an appointment at the clinic today. My first proper ultrasound since coming back from Italy. I’d been counting the days not just because I wanted to see the baby but because I needed reassurance. After everything that happened, I had to know the baby was still okay.I was in the kitchen, tying my hair back, when Damian walked in. He was in a dark suit, looking like he’d just stepped out of a magazine cover.“Where are you going?” he asked.“To the clinic,” I said, avoiding his eyes. “It’s… a checkup for the baby.”He nodded once, grabbed his car keys from the counter. “I’ll take you.”I blinked at him. “You don’t have to—”“I know,” he cut me off, “but I’m going.”We didn’t talk much in the car. I sat with my hands in my lap, staring out the window while he drove. Every now and then, I could feel his eyes flick toward me but he never said anything.When we pulled up to the clinic, I reached for the door handle but he was already out of the car, walking around to open

Damian's POVI picked it up. The man in the picture was older now, his hair streaked with grey, but his sharp and calculating eyes were the same.My uncle nodded. “He moved operations overseas and built himself back up quietly. My contacts say he’s been taking smaller contracts in Europe and that he’s been asking questions about you for months.”“I kept my eyes on the photo. “Questions like what?”“Your travel schedule, connections and your security arrangements.”That was enough to make my grip on the photo tighten. The fact that Bell was even thinking about my security meant he wasn’t just watching from a distance, he might be planning something.I set the photo down, jaw tightening. “And your source is solid?”Henry leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers the way he always did when he was about to say something serious. “As solid as it gets. One of the men you fought in Italy had ties to a contractor Bell used in Prague last year, it's not direct but enough to connect the d

Damian’s POVBy three o’clock, the main press room at Blackwell Group was packed. Rows of journalists sat with their pens ready, cameras already clicking before I’d even stepped inside. I could hear the low hum of conversation, they were circling for blood.Good. Let them.Jakes walked beside me, murmuring, “Stick to the talking points we agreed on, no going off script.”I didn’t answer because I didn’t need a script.The moment I entered, flashes lit the room. I walked to the podium without breaking stride, adjusting the microphone once before speaking.“Good afternoon,” I began, my voice steady and deliberate. “I called you here today to address the recent rumors about the Blackwell Group.”The room hushed instantly.“You’ve heard whispers of instability, speculation about partners leaving and questions about my leadership. I’m here to tell you exactly what the truth is.”I paused, letting them hang on the silence.“The truth is, the Blackwell Group is not unstable. In the past week

Damian’s POVBy the time I walked into the Blackwell Group headquarters that morning, I already had three missed calls from Jakes, a dozen emails flagged urgent and a news alert flashing across my phone. The rumors were spreading faster than wildfire. If I don't shut them down, the damage may become permanent.I called Jakes to my office the moment I sat down.“When is the meeting with the partners scheduled for today?” I asked.“By nine, sir,” he replied.“Alright. We’ll try to sort things out then.------When it was time for the meeting, I arrived at the executive boardroom ten minutes early, deliberately taking the seat at the head of the table before anyone else came in. Position was everything in these kinds of fights, you had to look like you’d already won before the battle even began.Jakes came in with a folder and a coffee. “They’re already in the lobby. All but Keltor Finance.”“Send them in one by one,” I said. “I want private conversations before we sit as a group.”He no

Lena’s POVThe next evening came faster than I expected.Carter texted me in the afternoon: Be ready by six.I stood in front of my closet for ten minutes, staring at my clothes like they were strangers. What did someone wear to see the parents who had thrown her out? A dress? Too formal, jeans? Too casual. In the end, I chose a simple cream blouse and black trousers. It felt safe and neutral, like I was trying not to stand out.When Carter arrived, he looked the same as yesterday, calm but serious. The moment I stepped outside, the two bodyguards assigned by Damian fell into place behind us. Carter glanced at them but didn’t say anything until we were in his car.“Do they have to follow you everywhere?” he asked, starting the engine.“Damian insists,” I said, buckling my seat belt. “After Italy, he’s not taking any chances.”Carter nodded but didn’t press it.The drive to my parents’ house felt shorter than it should have. I stared out the window, watching familiar streets pass by, t