The Bet That Ruined Us
Shayla Hale learned young that love is the cruelest lie of all.
When her father brought home his secret family, her world shattered. When college was supposed to be her fresh start, Grayson Cross destroyed that too...with his charming smile, his devastating lies, and a bet that would break her completely.
Seven years later, she's rebuilt her life far from the ruins he left behind. She has her son, her best friend, and walls so high no one can hurt her again.
She survived the worst betrayal of her life and built a new world far from the wreckage.
A world where she's safe. Where her secrets stay buried. Where the man who destroyed her can never find her.
Until the day she accepts a job as a personal assistant to a powerful CEO, and discovers her new boss is the last person she ever wanted to see again.
Grayson Cross.
Cold. Ruthless. Unforgiving.
He doesn't know why she disappeared seven years ago. He doesn't know what he took from her. And he has no idea about the little boy with his eyes waiting at home.
Some bets have consequences that last forever.
Some lies can never be forgiven.
And some men will destroy everything to get back what they lost.
He ruined her once.
But this time, she might just ruin him back.
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Chapter: Chapter TwelveMonday morning arrived with the weight of unfinished business.Grayson sat at his desk, staring at the contact information pulled up on his screen. Trevor Blues, his private Investigator. The man had helped him with corporate intelligence more times than he could count.One phone call. That's all it would take.One phone call and he'd know everything. Who Shayla went home every night. Who this important person was. Whether it was a boyfriend, a husband, someone serious or someone casual.His finger hovered over the number.He could justify it. Frame it as a security measure. Background checks on all employees. Standard procedure for someone with access to sensitive company informationBut it would be a lie.And he'd spent seven years trying to become someone better than the man who'd betrayed, played and lied to her before.Grayson closed the window with more force than necessary.No. He wouldn't do that to her. He wouldn't invade her privacy, wouldn't treat her like a problem to be s
Last Updated: 2025-12-24
Chapter: Chapter elevenExclusive BarThe bar was upscale and dimly lit, the kind of place where deals were made and secrets were kept.Grayson sat in their usual booth in the back, nursing a whiskey he hadn't touched, waiting.Ivan and Jake arrived together, both looking uncomfortable in ways he'd never seen before."Gray." Ivan slid into the booth first, followed by Jake."Thanks for meeting me.""Yeah, well." Jake signaled the bartender. "You said it was important."They ordered drinks. Nobody spoke until the bartender left.Finally, Ivan broke the silence. "So… you said she's working for you now.""Yeah.""How's that going?" Jake's tone was careful, like he was approaching a bomb that might explode."She hates me. Won't let me explain anything. Thinks I posted that video seven years ago."Heavy silence fell over the table.Ivan and Jake exchanged a look that made Grayson's jaw tighten."Gray..." Ivan's voice was careful. "About that video..."Grayson looked up sharply. "What about it?""I installed the c
Last Updated: 2025-12-22
Chapter: Chapter tenGC Group of Companies Two weeks had passed since the confrontation in Grayson's office, and the entire twentieth floor could feel the shift.The air was different. Heavier. Charged with something uncomfortable that nobody could name but everyone noticed.Shayla arrived at 7:45 AM every morning like clockwork, made Grayson's coffee exactly how he liked it, organized his schedule with ruthless efficiency, and maintained a level of professionalism that was so perfect it felt robotic.No warmth. No small talk. No humanity.Just cold, flawless execution of her duties."Good morning, Mr. Cross. Your nine o'clock has been moved to nine-thirty. The contracts are on your desk. Your coffee is black, two sugars.""Thank you, Ms. Hale."That was it. That was all they said to each other anymore.Through the transparent glass wall that separated their offices, she could see him. And he could see her.But they might as well have been on different planets.Shayla kept her eyes on her computer screen
Last Updated: 2025-12-22
Chapter: Chapter nineSaturday morning dawned bright and clear, and Shayla woke up with a smile already on her face.Her phone notification had pinged at 6:47 AM with the alert she'd been waiting for all week: **Direct Deposit Successful - GC Group of Companies.**Her first salary.She'd pulled up her banking app with trembling fingers, barely breathing as the numbers loaded on her screen.And then she'd screamed.Not a little scream. A full, unrestrained scream of pure joy that probably woke up half the apartment building.By 9:00 AM, she was in the living room, her laptop open on the coffee table, music blasting from her phone speakers, dancing around like she'd lost her mind.Ayven emerged from his bedroom, hair sleep-mussed, rubbing his eyes with confusion. "Momma, why are you screaming? Did something happen?""Something happened, baby!" Shayla grabbed his hands and spun him around, laughing so hard her stomach hurt. "Something wonderful happened! Momma got paid! Her first real salary from the new job!
Last Updated: 2025-12-19
Chapter: Chapter eightGrayson's answer threw Shayla completely off guard."He was flirting with you."The words were simple, direct, lacking any of the corporate deflection she'd expected."But I handled it well," Shayla countered, trying to inject reason into the conversation. "That's not something to lose billions of dollars over. The company—""I don't care about his money, Shayla." Grayson cut her off, his voice tight with barely controlled emotion. "I have more than enough to buy out his generation and I wouldn't even feel it in my bank account."The jealousy was obvious now, raw and unfiltered. The way she'd smiled at Henderson—too warmly, too professionally pleasant—had eaten at him throughout the entire presentation."No one flirts with what's mine."The possessive declaration hung in the air between them.Shayla's eyebrows shot up. "What's yours?"Grayson seemed to catch himself, jaw working as he backtracked. "I mean my staff. I protect my staff from men like Henderson. It's my responsibility as
Last Updated: 2025-12-19
Chapter: Chapter seven Shayla stumbled back to her office, her heart hammering so hard she thought it might crack through her ribs.His hand on her wrist.That simple touch had detonated something inside her she'd spent seven years trying to bury.She pressed her back against her office door the moment it closed, her breathing ragged, her whole body trembling. Not from the fever—though that was still burning through her—but from the memory his touch had awakened.Her skin still tingled where his fingers had been. Gentle. Hesitant. Warm.The same hands that used to hold her like she was precious. The same hands that used to trace lazy patterns on her skin in the dark. The same hands she'd trusted completely before he shattered her."No," she whispered to the empty room. "No, no, no."But her body didn't listen. Her body remembered everything.The way he used to pull her close when she was stressed about exams. The way his thumb would brush across her cheekbone before he kissed her. The way she used to feel s
Last Updated: 2025-12-17
Moan For Me Moana
Moana Queens has two rules: stay on top, and never become her mother.
She's the most brilliant girl in school, a cheerleader with a sharp tongue and sharper ambition. She's spent her whole life watching her mother fall for the wrong men who fuck and leave.
Moana refuses to be that girl. But then there's Dylan Dickson.
Arrogant. Cocky. A playboy who doesn't screw the same girl twice. He's also her academic rival, infuriatingly brilliant, and so goddamn sexy she can barely think straight when he's near. She hates everything he represents, yet she wants him with a hunger that keeps her awake at night. And that terrifies her.
Then fate delivers the cruelest blow: Dylan is her new stepbrother.
Now they're living under the same roof, and the air between them is electric. She catches him shirtless, water dripping down that perfect body. He watches her like he wants to devour her, his voice a dark promise when he warns, "Don't start what you can't finish." Every accidental touch burns. Every heated glance makes her ache.
Moana wouldn't do anything to sabotage her mother's relationship, seeing her mother finally happy and stable. Dylan doesn't believe in love, his mother's betrayal destroyed that years ago and he doesn't do commitment. But denying what's between them is torture. The want is primal…. The need is consuming…. And fighting it is slowly tearing them apart.
One taste they'll both be ruined
One touch and there's no coming back,
The stakes have never been higher, but how much longer can they pretend they don't want to fuck each other senseless.
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Chapter: Chapter nine✿ ♡♡✿ ♡♡✿ ♡♡✿ ♡♡The bass was so loud Moana felt it in her chest.Monday night at Voltage, the club they'd been talking about since lunch, and the place was packed. Bodies everywhere, lights flashing, drinks flowing like water. This was exactly what she needed.Moana, Octavia, and Lalissa had shown up dressed to kill. Moana wore a black mini dress that hugged every curve, silver heels that made her legs look endless, and enough confidence to own the entire building. Octavia was in red, a crop top and high-waisted pants that showed off her perfect stomach. Lalissa had chosen white, a bodycon dress that left very little to the imagination.They were the hottest girls in the club, and they knew it."Shots!" Lalissa shouted over the music, grabbing Moana's hand and dragging her toward the bar.Octavia followed, laughing. "It's Monday!""So?" Lalissa shot back. "We're celebrating!""Celebrating what?""Being hot and single!"They did three rounds of shots in quick succession. Teq
Last Updated: 2025-12-21
Chapter: Chapter eight✿ ♡♡✿ ♡♡✿ ♡♡✿ ♡♡Monday morning, and Moana Queens was back.She stepped out of her car in the school parking lot with Octavia and Lalissa flanking her on either side, and it was like the entire student body stopped to watch.They'd gone shopping Sunday… Moana had insisted they go on Sunday hence the result was three coordinated outfits that screamed power, confidence, and sexy.Moana wore a black cropped top that highlighted her slender waist over a black leather bum shorts that hugged every curve,and heels that made her legs look endless. Her black hair fell in loose waves down her back, and her makeup was flawless, sharp winged eyeliner and a nude lip that said she woke up like this.Octavia rocked a burgundy mini skirt with a matching cropped jacket, her edges laid to perfection and gold hoops catching the morning sun.Lalissa wore an emerald green satin dress that ended mid-thigh, her hair slicked back into a high ponytail, body looking like that of a supermodel.They mo
Last Updated: 2025-12-20
Chapter: Chapter seven✿ ♡♡✿ ♡♡✿ ♡♡✿ ♡♡Moana was sprawled across her bed, phone in hand, staring at the group chat that had been blowing up for the last twenty minutes.Lalissa: Girl I'm still recovering from last night Octavia: DETAILS NOWLalissa: some random dude from the science department or whatever l don't remember, but I remember he was fine and with tattoos. Best. Fuck. Of. My. Life.Octavia: BITCHLalissa: I'm not even joking. That dude knew EXACTLY what he was doing. I think I saw angels Octavia: I wouldn't give my puxxy to some strange dudeMoana: You're ridiculousLalissa: You're just jealous you didn't get anyOctavia: For real though, when are you coming out with us again? We miss you babeMoana: SoonLalissa: That's what you always say since you started living with that dickhead Moana: don't remind me please Octavia: We're going shopping Monday after school. You're coming. No excuses.Moana: FineLalissa: Good because you need new outfits anyway. That black dress last night wa
Last Updated: 2025-12-19
Chapter: Chapter six✿ ♡♡✿ ♡♡✿ ♡♡✿ ♡♡The girls' locker room smelled like hairspray, vanilla body mist, and high energy. Friday afternoon before the big basketball game, and the cheer squad was in full preparation mode. Moana sat on the bench in front of her locker, carefully applying mascara while Octavia twisted her hair into a high ponytail beside her."So," Lalissa said, dropping onto the bench and pulling out her makeup bag. "How's living with the dickhead?"Moana didn't look up from her compact mirror. "Unbearable.""Unbearable how?" Octavia secured her ponytail with a hair tie and turned to face Moana fully. "Give us details."Moana sighed and set down her mascara. There was no point in hiding anything from these two. They were her best friends, the only people she trusted completely. "It's constant tension. Every morning at breakfast, every time we pass in the hallway, every second we're in the same room. And our parents are completely oblivious.""Of course they are," Lalissa muttered. "
Last Updated: 2025-12-16
Chapter: Chapter five ✿ ♡♡✿ ♡♡✿ ♡♡Dylan didn't give Moana a choice.His hand wrapped around her wrist, firm and unyielding, and he pulled her into the nearest empty classroom. The door slammed shut behind them with a dull thud, the echo swallowing the quiet space. Only a thin wash of afternoon light filtered through the blinds.Moana yanked her hand back the second he released it, stumbling a step away. "What the hell is wrong with you?""Wrong with me?" Dylan's voice was low, controlled, but sharp enough to cut. "You've been avoiding me all weekend. You left Saturday night without a word. Locked your door. Didn't show up for meals. So no, Queens, what's wrong with me isn't the question."He stepped closer."What's wrong with you?""I was tired," she said."Bullshit."She lifted her chin. "I didn't feel like staying. I wanted to go home. That's it.""You're lying.""And what exactly are you going to do about it?" Moana crossed her arms. "Look, just because we're stepsiblings now doesn't mean we nee
Last Updated: 2025-12-09
Chapter: Chapter four ✿ ♡♡✿ ♡♡✿ ♡♡Dylan came down the stairs Monday morning, his gym bag slung over one shoulder, expecting to find Moana in the kitchen. Maybe they'd ride to school together. Maybe she'd still be pissed about Saturday night. Either way, he needed to see her.But when he walked into the dining room, only his father sat at the table, coffee in one hand and his phone in the other."Morning," Richard said without looking up.Dylan grabbed an apple from the counter. "Morning. Where's Queens?""Moana left for school already. She followed Rosa early in the morning for a meeting while she went to school." Richard finally glanced up."Oh." Dylan turned the apple over in his hand. "I'll be going then."He headed out before his father could ask any questions he didn't have answers to.The drive to school was longer than usual, traffic crawling, and Dylan's mind kept circling back to Saturday night. He'd gotten home around eleven to find Moana's bedroom door locked. Not just closed. Locked. He
Last Updated: 2025-12-07
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