Novels by pelumy379

Chapter Twelve : The Meeting I Will Never ForgetAlina’s Pov The announcement came in the morning.“All designers should gather in the conference room by noon. The new Head of Design will be hosting her first meeting.”My heart sank as soon as I heard it. Everyone already knew who the “new head” was. Vanessa. The CEO’s girlfriend.I tried to calm myself. It was just a meeting. Just work. But no matter how I told myself that, my stomach twisted as if something bad was waiting for me there.At noon, I walked into the conference room with the others. The long table was already filled with files, glasses of water, and the faint smell of perfume. A perfume that was too strong, too sweet.Vanessa.She stood at the front in another bright dress, this time blue silk, her hair shining under the lights. She looked like she had stepped out of a fashion magazine. Everyone’s eyes followed her.And then Lucien walked in.The room seemed to shift. People sat straighter, whispered less. He carried t

Chapter Ten – The GirlfriendAlina’s POVI had been back at the office for two days.My body was still weak from the accident, but I didn’t want to stay home. I didn’t want to look like a burden. I wanted to work. To prove that I deserved the chance they gave me.Everyone treated me… different. Smiles. Greetings. Even the ones who ignored me before now tried to talk to me.I didn’t understand. Why?At lunch break, I heard it clearly for the first time.“Did you hear?” one of the assistants whispered, grinning. “We’re getting a new Head of Design.”“Yes,” another replied. “And she’s not just anyone. She’s the CEO’s girlfriend.”My spoon froze in the soup.Girlfriend?Lucien’s… girlfriend?My heart dropped. I tried to keep eating, but I couldn’t swallow.The girls at the next table giggled, their voices low but sharp enough for me to hear.“They say she studied in Paris. Very talented. Very beautiful. No wonder Mr. Hale chose her.”“Of course. She’s his woman. She doesn’t even need tal

Chapter Ten - Quiet After the StormI couldn’t stop crying.Even after they left, my tears kept falling, rolling down my face like the rain outside. My chest hurt, my throat burned, but the sobs would not stop. My body shook on the soft couch, but no comfort came.Everything they said still echoed in my ears. Worthless. Nothing. Just a woman who stays at home.Why did it hurt so much when I had already heard those words so many times before?But this time, it was worse. Because he… Lucien… heard it too.I buried my face in my hands, wishing the ground would just open and swallow me. I didn’t want him to see me like this. Weak. Broken. Humiliated.“Alina…” His voice was soft. Not like before when he was sharp, strict, or cold. This time it was low, rough, like it carried my pain too.I didn’t look up. I didn’t want to. But then I felt his hand on my shoulder. Warm. Steady. Gentle.“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I never knew they would come. I never wanted you to face that again.”My heart

Chapter Nine – Unwelcome GuestsAlina’s Pov I had finally settled into the room Lucien had prepared for me. My body still ached, my head felt light, and every movement reminded me how fragile I really was. I sat on the edge of the soft bed, trying to collect my thoughts. The house was huge. Bigger than anything I had ever seen. It made me feel small. Invisible.“Boss… I’ll soon be ready to resume work,” I whispered, my voice weak.Lucien’s eyes softened for a moment, and he shook his head. “No. Right now, you focus on recovering, Alina. That’s your job. Everything else… we’ll talk later.”I wanted to argue, to tell him I could handle it, that I wasn’t useless… but I knew he was right. My body was weak, and I couldn’t risk pushing myself.He nodded to the maid, who had quietly placed a tray of food by the bed. Lucien got up. “I’ll bring this to the kitchen first. Eat slowly, okay?”I nodded, and he left the room. For the first time in days, I thought I might finally have a moment of p

Chapter Eight – Care and InsistenceThe doctor finally stepped out, giving me a nod. “She’s stable now. You can take her home, but she needs rest. Make sure she doesn’t strain herself.”I looked at Alina. She was sitting up on the hospital bed, still weak, still pale, but trying to compose herself. Her hair was messy, her clothes wrinkled, and her eyes… those eyes were tired, yet alert.I stepped closer. “Are you okay to walk?” I asked softly.She hesitated, glancing down at her legs. “I… I think so,” she murmured.I shook my head. “Don’t think. Lean on me. I won’t let you fall.”Her lips pressed together. I could see her trying to be independent, trying to act like she didn’t need help. But I saw right through it. She was too weak. I couldn’t leave her alone, not now.We slowly moved toward the hospital exit. Every step she took, I supported her, my arm around her waist. Her hand clung to my arm, her fingers tight, like she was afraid to let go. I didn’t mind. I wanted her to hold on

Chapter Seven – Fury and FearLucien’s POVI stayed by her side, my hands carefully pressing, helping her ease the pain in her shoulders and back. She was trembling, pale, and broken, but alive. That was all that mattered.Then her eyes slowly opened.“Lucien…” she whispered, voice hoarse. Her gaze was weak, uncertain.“Shh… don’t move,” I said, gripping her hand tighter. Relief mixed with rage coursed through me. “You’re safe now. Don’t try to get up too fast.”I helped her sit up, gently guiding her onto the chair. Her legs shook, but I stayed close, ready to catch her if she fell. I fed her a few sips of water. She coughed softly, then looked up at me. Fear. Pain. Confusion.And then the door opened.Time froze.He stepped in, my blood ran cold.“Uncle Lucien! What are you doing with this… this bitch?”The words hit the room like a hammer. So he, he’s his husband? I never knew he was the one I called with the nurse phone the other day. My chest tightened, my fists curled. I turne