Novels by Mus Story

That morning, Avery woke up with a different feeling. Sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains of Ashton’s bedroom, illuminating the fine dust particles dancing in the air. Avery stared at the engagement ring encircling her ring finger, letting the diamond’s sparkle reflect in her eyes.She smiled softly as she replayed last night’s memories in her mind. The perfect proposal—full of surprises—and ending with a beautiful night. She closed her eyes again and nestled her face against Ashton’s chest, who was still sleeping soundly beside her.Last night, they had truly painted a beautiful memory to mark the beginning of their new journey together. They talked, laughed, and shared a deep intimacy.“I love you, Ave. Don’t ever forget that,” Ashton whispered tenderly after they made love, before finally falling asleep while holding Avery tightly, as if afraid she might disappear.Avery felt like she didn’t want to wake up, afraid that everything would turn out to be just a dream. She wan

Over the past few days, Avery began to notice that Ashton had been acting strangely. The man who was usually calm, composed, and meticulous now showed odd behavior she couldn’t quite understand. Sometimes, when Avery stepped into his study, she would find him lost in thought, a faint smile on his lips, only for him to startle the moment he realized she was there.At other times, he seemed tense, distracted, pacing the living room without any clear purpose.Avery, who now felt closer and more comfortable with him, finally tried to ask.“Ashton, is something wrong at the office? You look nervous lately.”Ashton, who had been holding a pen, immediately dropped it onto the desk. He turned quickly toward her, his face flushing.“No! Nothing is wrong. Nothing at all.” His restlessness only grew. “I… I’m just thinking about a schedule, Avery. A very complicated schedule.”Avery frowned. “What schedule? Your meetings? You’re never this worked up over them.”“It’s not a meeting schedule. It’s

That morning, while Avery was deeply absorbed in designing her dream foundation in her bright study, her phone rang. An unfamiliar number. She frowned, curiosity mixed with a hint of hesitation as she answered it. “Hello?”The voice on the other end sounded hoarse and weak, painfully familiar yet strangely distant. “Ave? It’s me… Oliver.”Avery froze for a moment, then turned to Ashton, who was sitting beside her. “Oliver?” she whispered in disbelief. “How… how did you manage to contact me?”“I… I requested special permission for this call, Ave. Just five minutes,” Oliver said desperately. “I want to ask you for something. Something very important.”Avery took a deep breath, trying to steady the tremor in her voice. “Just say it over the phone, Oliver.” She glanced at Ashton, who had set his documents aside and was now looking at her with quiet support.Oliver fell silent for a moment. “I… I’m begging you, Avery. Please come and see me. I know I don’t deserve it, but… this might be ou

Several weeks had passed since the chaos of the trial subsided. Life, like a river finding its course again after a storm, slowly flowed back into a gentler rhythm. Knight Mansion now felt more spacious, warmer, as though the heavy burden that had long hung over it had finally been lifted.Avery began her therapy sessions, but this time they felt different. No longer about digging into the raw wounds of the past, they became a process of weaving strength for a brighter future. She learned to accept, to forgive, and most importantly, to believe that she deserved happiness.One bright afternoon, the Caribbean sun bathed the manicured garden on Ashton’s private island. The air was filled with the scent of tropical flowers and the soothing murmur of the sea. Ashton, Avery, and Sarah were watching Adelia, who had just discovered the joy of crawling.The little girl eagerly scooted across the clean green grass, her crystalline laughter breaking the afternoon stillness, a pure sound that bec

Leaving the private island felt like saying goodbye to paradise. Yet this time, the farewell no longer tasted bitter. As the helicopter lifted off, flying away from the white shores and tranquil turquoise waters, Avery felt a deep sense of calm. The intimacy they had found in the storm the night before had become their shield against reality.Inside the luxurious private jet, the atmosphere between Avery and Ashton was far from awkward. Ashton sat beside her, holding her hand tightly, his thumb occasionally brushing over the back of her hand.“Are you truly ready?” Ashton asked, turning to her. “We can postpone the meeting with the Prosecutor if you need more time. I’ll try to arrange it by lobbying them.”Avery shook her head and rested her head against Ashton’s shoulder. “No, Ashton. I have to finish this. I left my fear behind in the Caribbean. I don’t want Rose and Oliver to control my life any longer. Last night…” Avery paused, smiling faintly. “Last night made me realize that I’

That day, the island felt like a miracle, the very picture of a perfect holiday. The sun blazed overhead, the sea shimmered, and Adelia’s laughter became the main melody of the day. They spent every moment by the shore. Ashton even went shirtless, wearing only shorts as he crouched in the sand. His hair was tousled by the sea breeze, his hands smeared with water and wet sand as he tried to build an impressive sandcastle.Avery sat nearby, watching him. Sarah, sipping a fruit cocktail on the terrace, shook her head in amusement.“I can’t believe he’s letting himself be like that,” Sarah whispered to Avery, pointing at Ashton, who was now shouting, “It’s collapsing! Our castle is under attack by the waves!” as a small wave toppled his tower.Avery smiled sincerely. “Me neither. Back at the mansion, he wouldn’t even let a single thread be out of place. Here, he’s just… a free Ashton.”Ashton, catching their conversation, turned around. “Don’t get it wrong. I’m still calculating the waves

The silence that followed after Liliana left felt suffocating. The door closed with a soft click, leaving Sebastian and Delilah alone in the room.Sebastian didn’t move. He remained standing where he was, his eyes fixed on the door through which Liliana had just disappeared, as if he could still see the woman’s back retreating from view.Unable to bear it any longer, Delilah was the first to break the silence. She tried hard to sound gentle and casual, yet what slipped from her lips was nothing but a veiled jab.“Hm. She’s exactly like your mother described.”At last, Sebastian tore his gaze away from the door and turned to Delilah. All the warmth and patience that had been visible earlier vanished from his face, replaced by a cold, impatient expression.“What do you want, Delilah?” he asked flatly, without emotion. It wasn’t a question that should have been spoken by a lover to his partner. Instead, it sounded like the voice of a CEO whose time was being wasted.Delilah’s once-bright

The next morning, Liliana walked through the glass doors of the Grandland Holdings headquarters with an aura of arctic serenity. She had slept soundly for the first time since their initial meeting, fueled by adrenaline and a renewed sense of purpose. She no longer felt like prey. She was a hunter, and she was surveying enemy territory.She had just placed her bag on the table of the temporary conference room allocated to her when the intercom buzzed.“Ms. Dawnson,” Clara’s perpetually nervous voice crackled. “Mr. Blackwood would like to see you in his office. Now.”Liliana sighed. She had expected at least a few hours of peace to work before the next confrontation. Clearly, Sebastian had no intention of granting her that luxury. Grabbing her tablet, she braced herself for another battle over lobby blueprints or budget projections.She entered Sebastian’s office without knocking. She would not give him the satisfaction of seeing her hesitate. He was standing at the window, as usual, h

The minimalist calm of Liliana’s office felt like a violation. She sat behind her sleek, white desk, staring blankly at a complex lighting schematic on her monitor, but she saw none of it.Her mind was a chaotic storm of Prada suits and poisoned words. The encounter with Eleanor, followed by the tense, charged confrontation with Sebastian, had ripped open scars she had foolishly believed were healed.She had spent five years meticulously building a fortress around her heart, brick by painful brick. In the space of a single afternoon, Eleanor had strolled up to the gates with a battering ram, and Sebastian had simply walked through the breach.Her hand trembled as she reached for her phone. Her finger hovered over her lawyer’s number. Breach of contract. So what? The thought was a wild, desperate scream in her mind. I’ll pay the penalty. I’ll declare bankruptcy. I’ll start over again, in a different city, a different country. Anywhere but here. Anywhere but near them.The financial rui

The moment the heavy glass door of Sebastian’s office closed, sealing them inside his silent, minimalist fortress, the thin veneer of civility between mother and son evaporated. Delilah had been dispatched with a dismissive wave and a promise to "discuss fabrics later," leaving the two predators alone.“Are you out of your mind?” Eleanor began, her voice not loud, but low and venomous. She walked to the center of the room, her Prada suit a slash of severe color against the muted greys of the office. “Bringing her back into this? Into our lives?”Sebastian remained behind his vast, empty desk, a deliberate barrier between them. He slowly sat down, a king returning to his throne, and steepled his fingers. “She is a contractor, Mother. The best in her field. This is a billion-dollar project. I required the best.”“The best?” Eleanor laughed, a short, sharp sound devoid of humor. “There are a dozen event planners in this city who are just as competent. Delilah’s own cousin runs a very suc

Liliana was in her element. She moved through the pre-event chaos with a serene, unshakable authority, a clipboard held like a royal scepter.“No,” she said calmly to a flustered lighting technician. “The uplighting on the west columns should be a soft champagne, not that ghastly yellow. We’re creating an atmosphere of timeless elegance, not a crime scene.”“And you,” she said, turning to a catering manager, “the canapés will be served on silver trays, not wood. This is a billion-dollar launch, not a rustic barn wedding. Please correct it.”Her team moved around her with a quiet, focused energy. They worshipped her. She was demanding, yes, but she was also brilliant, and she never asked for anything she couldn't do herself. For the first time in days, since Sebastian had re-entered her life, she felt completely in control. This was her kingdom.“Impressive.”The low, familiar voice behind her sent a jolt straight through her. She didn't have to turn. She could feel his presence, a mag

The restaurant was Sebastian’s choice, of course. A discreet, obscenely expensive, and dimly lit place called 'The Foxy Room,' where each table was hidden away in a private alcove shrouded by thick velvet curtains. It wasn't a venue for a business meeting. It was a venue for affairs and secrets. His power play was clear and arrogant. He would create a stage of intimacy, and she would have to perform on it.Liliana arrived at eight o'clock sharp, dressed in a simple but powerful black dress that radiated a cool professionalism. She found him already waiting, not rising, just watching her as she approached.“Ms. Dawnson,” he said, his voice as smooth as velvet. “Punctual. I’ve always admired your efficiency.”“I’m paid to be efficient, Mr. Blackwood,” Liliana replied, sliding into the booth, keeping as much distance as the cramped space would allow.A waiter appeared noiselessly. “Your usual wine, Mr. Blackwood?”Sebastian didn’t take his eyes off Liliana, a glint in his gaze in the can