Novels by mbanefojosephine23

June's PovMy heart was still hammering like a trapped bird against my ribs as I watched Nikolai’s car disappear up the ramp of the underground garage. For a split second, I’d been genuinely scared…terrified that the mask would slip, that he’d snap and do something right there in front of the security cameras. But he hadn’t. He’d driven off instead, leaving nothing but the echo of his anger and the faint scent of his cologne on my skin.A slow, shaky smile crept across my face.He likes validation, I realized. He craves people seeing him as the perfect, powerful man. That’s his weakness. As long as we were in public, I could push him, prod him, even embarrass him a little, and he wouldn’t dare lash out. Not if it risked his precious image. The knowledge felt like armor sliding into place around me.I took a deep breath, smoothed down the front of my daring crimson dress, and strutted back into the building with my head high. The moment I stepped into the main workspace, the energy shi

Nikolai’s PovWhat the actual fuck was Chloe playing at?I stood there in the middle of her sleek office lobby, jaw tight, blood boiling, while this woman—my so-called wife—pressed her body against mine like we were newlyweds on honeymoon. Her scent wrapped around me, that expensive perfume mixed with something warmer, something dangerously *her*. The crimson dress she wore was criminal. Short. Tight. Cleavage on full, confident display. When she hugged me tighter, her breasts pushed softly against my chest and I felt my body betray me instantly. Heat rushed south. My dick twitched, hardening despite every ounce of rage screaming in my head.*Not now, you idiot. Not for her.*I leaned in close, my hand firm on her waist, and whispered hotly against her ear, “Chloe, I don’t have time for your fucking drama. You’re coming with me. Right now.”She pulled back just enough to look at me, those eyes sparkling with something wicked. Her gaze dropped deliberately to the growing bulge in my tr

June's PovI woke up to the soft weight of someone’s arm draped across my waist and the faint scent of Blue’s vanilla body spray mixed with last night’s exhaustion. My eyes fluttered open, and there she was—sprawled half on top of me on the wide sectional couch, her hair spilling everywhere like she’d fought sleep and lost. I didn’t move at first. I just lay there, remembering.Blue had refused to let Leo leave last night. She’d clung to him like he was the last lifeboat on a sinking ship. Eventually he’d gone, and the two of us had been too drained to even drag ourselves to the bedroom. We’d simply collapsed here, tangled together like girls who’d survived a war.Now sunlight was sneaking through the blinds, and my heart jolted when I finally checked the time on my phone.**8:07 a.m.**“Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit,” I hissed under my breath, the word looping like a panicked mantra.Blue stirred beside me, stretching like a lazy cat. “Businesswoman. Supermodel. Your Highness,” she dr

June's Pov Blue suddenly clapped her hands together, breaking the heavy atmosphere that had settled over the room. “Okay, enough of all this sad talk. I’m about to lose my mind if we keep going like this.” She stood up with way too much energy for someone who had been emotional just minutes ago. “I need to call my mom for something anyway. I’m ordering food. What do you guys want?” She looked straight at Leo first, and I swear I could see her melting on the spot. Her cheeks turned a bright shade of pink as she smiled at him. It was actually kind of adorable how obvious her crush was. Leo smiled politely. “Whatever you’re having is fine with me.” Blue turned to me next, still blushing. “And you, June?” I raised an eyebrow at her. “You didn’t even ask me first. You went straight to Leo. I see how it is.” Blue laughed, covering her face dramatically. “Oh my God, come on! You know what I’m going to ask. Do you care what I order? I don’t cook, and I definitely don’t have the strength

June’s PovBlue and I sat in silence, the wine glasses barely touched now. Every second that passed felt heavier than the last. I kept glancing toward the hallway, my leg bouncing nervously.“Why is he taking so long?” I whispered. “Is he giving birth in there or something?”Blue let out a soft laugh, trying to lighten the mood. “Maybe he’s processing everything and needs a moment. Or maybe he’s actually throwing up from the shock.”I rubbed my temples. “Do you think I should go check on him?”“No, let’s just give him time,” she said, squeezing my shoulder. “This is a lot for anyone to take in. You dropped a whole bombshell on the man.”I nodded, but my mind would not stop racing. What if he came back angry? What if he thought I was crazy and walked out? What if he told Nikolai everything? The fear sat like a rock in my stomach.Finally, we heard footsteps. Leo came back into the living room, looking a little more composed but still visibly shaken. He sat down slowly, rubbing the back

June's PovLeo stared at me like I had grown a second head. The silence in Blue’s living room felt suffocating. “I don’t understand,” he said slowly, his eyebrows furrowed. “Is this some kind of joke? A prank? Did you two set up cameras somewhere to mess with me? Because this story… it doesn’t make any sense.”Blue and I exchanged a quick glance. My heart was hammering so hard I could feel it in my throat. I stood up suddenly, needing a moment to breathe.“Let’s go to the kitchen for a second,” I said.Blue followed me without hesitation. The moment we were out of Leo’s sight, I leaned against the counter and took several deep, shaky breaths. My hands were trembling.“We can still back out,” Blue whispered. “We can just tell him we were joking. He’s still laughing it off right now.”I shook my head, even though every part of me was terrified. “No. I have to tell him. I can’t keep carrying this alone anymore.” I paused, swallowing hard. “But… I need something to take the edge off. Let