Chapter: CHAPTER 40 Day OneWarm sunlight brushed against my face long before I opened my eyes. For a few blissful seconds, I forgot where I was.No traffic.No sirens.No neighbors arguing through paper-thin apartment walls.Just silence. The kind that settles so peacefully.I slowly opened my eyes.The elegant chandelier above the bed came into focus first.Then the beige-colored ceiling. Then the unfamiliar room.Italy.A smile spread across my face before I could stop it.It wasn’t a dream, I really was here.I turned slightly and glanced at Xavier who was still asleep on his side of the bed.He lay on his back, one arm resting above the blanket, his breathing slow and even.Without his usual stern expression, he looked much younger and even softer. Almost approachable. Which is funny, considering he was asleep. His ruffled hair covered most of his face, leaving the side of his face in my view—a view I was dissecting shamelessly with my eyes. Tracing the shape of his jaw with my eyes, I couldn’t stop myse
Last Updated: 2026-08-24
Chapter: CHAPTER 39 ItineraryI stood in the middle of the suite with my suitcase still in my hand.“So…” I looked around awkwardly. “I guess this is our room.”Xavier set his luggage beside the wardrobe and nodded.“It appears so.”Neither of us moved.The room suddenly felt much smaller than it had a few minutes ago.Sharing a room with Xavier hadn’t crossed my mind when we agreed to come on this trip.Sharing a bed?That definitely wasn’t on the agenda at all.I cleared my throat.“I can take the couch.”He glanced toward the sitting area visible through the open doorway.“There isn’t one.”I followed his gaze.Well, there really wasn’t. I scratched the back of my neck.“This is awkward.”“A little.”A little? This was a lot.I dragged my suitcase onto the bed and unzipped
Last Updated: 2026-08-15
Chapter: CHAPTER 38 ParadiseThe polished marble floor reflected the crystal chandelier hanging above us as we stepped into the grand lobby.I instinctively slowed my pace. The place was breathtaking.Fresh lilies filled enormous crystal vases in every corner, their delicate fragrance lingering in the cool air. Soft piano music drifted from somewhere across the lobby, blending with the murmur of guests enjoying afternoon tea.Everything looked expensive. Costly type of expensive.The concierge greeted Xavier as though he’d been expecting us all day.“Welcome back to Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Mr. Crest.”Back?I glanced sideways at Xavier. He nodded.“Thank you.”The receptionist smiled warmly.“And welcome, Mrs. Crest. We’re delighted to have you with us.”Again with Mrs. Crest.One day I’d stop reacting to it. Today clearly wasn’t that day.“We made reservations for two rooms.” Xavier glanced over to the receptionist behind the desk. “One minute, I want to check the reservations, sir,” she said typing on the keyboa
Last Updated: 2026-08-13
Chapter: CHAPTER 37 ItalyThe jet moved smoothly across the runway before finally coming to a stop.A voice came over the speakers.“Welcome to Milan. Local time is 2:17 p.m. and the weather is a pleasant twenty-six degrees Celsius. We hope you enjoy your stay in Italy.”I smiled before I could stop myself.Italy.I was actually in Italy.Xavier stood first, buttoning his shirt.“Ready?”I nodded immediately.“I’ve been ready since we left New York.”That earned me the smallest smile.Unlike every airport scene I’d ever seen on television, we didn’t walk into a crowded terminal.A sleek black SUV was already waiting a short distance from the aircraft.Before we got there, a woman dressed in an elegant navy uniform greeted us with a warm smile.“Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Crest.”There it was again.Mrs. Crest.I was beginnin
Last Updated: 2026-08-08
Chapter: CHAPTER 36 Private JetI stood at the foot of the staircase, staring at the two large suitcases Xavier had somehow packed in less than thirty minutes.Mine, on the other hand, took me almost two days. I glanced at him suspiciously.“How did you even finish packing that quickly?”He looked up from the tablet in his hand.“I travel often.”“Still… that’s suspicious.”He shrugged. “I know what I need.”“I don’t.”“I noticed.”I frowned. “What is that supposed to mean?”“You packed enough clothes for a month.”“We’re going for three weeks.”“Exactly.”I scoffed.“I’m preparing for every possible situation.”His lips twitched. “I sincerely hope you didn’t pack snow boots.”I looked away.“…They’re comfortable.”He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”A smile threatened my lips.We arrived at the airport an hour later. I expected us to pull into the busy airport like I always see on television.Instead, Xavier’s car turned into a completely different entrance.There were no
Last Updated: 2026-08-06
Chapter: CHAPTER 35 Fake HoneymoonThe shopping mall was buzzing with people, despite it being only a Thursday afternoon.I adjusted the strap of my handbag as Ava linked her arm through mine the moment we stepped inside.“I have been waiting for this day,” she announced dramatically.“We’re shopping for me, not you.”“Exactly,” she nodded. “Which means I get to spend your husband’s money.”I laughed.“It’s not his money.”She stopped walking and looked at me.“…Sydney.”“What?”“He literally handed you his card.”“So?”“So…” she repeated. “That’s exactly what his money looks like.”“I still feel weird using it.”She groaned.“You’ve married one of the richest men in New York and you’re acting like you&r
Last Updated: 2026-08-01
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