Chapter: Chapter 146ArynSunlight found me slow and soft. It slid across my face and warmed my cheek. I opened my eyes and for a wild second I forgot everything. Forgot the fight, the crying, the shame. I was wrapped in Lorenzo’s arm. His chest rose and fell under my ear. His breath smelled like last night: smoke and mint, and something that was only him.I smiled, the kind of quiet, stupid smile I hadn’t let anyone see in a long time. My fingers found the hair at his nape and pulled slightly, just to feel him. He shifted and a small sound left him—half a groan, half a laugh. I had never felt so damn happy.But then the list of things I had to fix rolled back into my head like waves. Calls to make. People to see. My stupid life to sort. I pushed my shoulder up to stand.Lorenzo tightened his grip and yanked me back like I was some doll. I gasped and landed right on top of him, chest to chest, my hair falling all over his face.He cracked one eye open and smirked. “Where the fuck do you think you’re going
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-09-18
Chapter: Chapter 145ArynI dragged my sleeve across my face until the sting of tears blurred into nothing but heat. My reflection in the bathroom mirror looked like shit. Eyes swollen, cheeks blotchy, lips trembling like a coward. I hated myself for it. Hated that I let him see me break down like some weak little girl.When I finally stepped out, Lorenzo was there—leaning against the banister like he owned the damn place. His jacket hung open, cigarette gone, but the tension in his jaw said it hadn’t done a damn thing for him. He looked raw, dangerous, and yet softer than I’d ever seen him.“Lorenzo,” I breathed, like saying his name might anchor me.He straightened, his eyes locking on me instantly. God, the way he looked at me it was like he could see every fucking crack in me. “You okay?” His voice was low, rough. Almost tender, but sharp enough to cut.I laughed, bitter, ugly. “Do I look okay?” My throat burned. “You must think I’m weak. Disgusting, even. Crying like this in front of you.”He didn’t
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-09-17
Chapter: chapter 144Lorenzo’s POVI didn’t want to think about it—about the way Aryn had practically run away from me after I told her I loved her. She had whispered “excuse me” and locked herself in the bathroom like I had confessed some kind of crime instead of a fucking truth I had buried for months.If this had happened months ago, I wouldn’t have cared. Back then, she was just a girl I needed to keep safe, a problem to manage. But now? Now I wanted her. All of her. Her smile, her fire, her sharp tongue, her body pressed against mine without fear. I wanted her love, or nothing at all.And it pissed me the fuck off that she didn’t know what to do with me.I grabbed my jacket and started toward the door, the need to get air pulling at me like chains.Just as I was about to step out, a voice cut through the hallway.“Lorenzo.”I stopped. Isabella.She stood there in a silk dress too tight for decency, her painted mouth twisted in a smirk that always made me think of poison.“What do you want?” I asked f
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-09-15
Chapter: Chapter 143ArynI let him go. It felt like letting go of a hot coal. I stepped back from him, whispered, “Excuse me,” and moved toward the bathroom before he could say anything more. My voice sounded small in the room.I shut the door and turned the lock with shaking hands. For a moment I just stood there, my back to the wood, and stayed. My chest tightened until it hurt. I had no idea what to do with his words. I don't know what to do with those raw feelings he had opened up to me.I turned the tap and let cold water run over my palms. I cupped my hands, splashed cold water on my face. It felt too cold, as least now I know that this was really reality. I liked Lorenzo, I liked the way he made me feel but just six months ago all I wanted was to live with my sister forever and stay away from this world.I stayed in the bathroom until I could no longer hear him then I unlocked the door and stepped out.The hall felt a little different. As I walked downstairs, the maids bowed to me, their heads dip
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-09-14
Chapter: Chapter 142ArynThe moment Lorenzo’s words fell from his mouth, it was as if the ground fell away beneath me. Pregnant? He had lost his goddamn mind. One would think that if anyone should know about my own body, it would be me. My lips parted, but nothing came out—just the raw taste of disbelief on my tongue.I must have looked like a fool, frozen in the saddle, while the crowd erupted in gasps and murmurs, half of them eager for gossip, the other half savoring the scandal.Before I could find my voice, Lorenzo was moving. He crossed the space between us with long, commanding strides, his hand closing firmly around mine before I could jerk it away. Without a word, he dragged me down from my horse and away from the choking noise of the crowd. My boots barely kept up with his pace as he pulled me into the house, down the hall, and straight into our room.The door slammed shut behind us.I folded my arms over my chest, trying to keep my composure when my insides were screaming. “Explain,” I said, m
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-09-13
Chapter: Chapter 141ArynI pulled hard on the reins, my chestnut horse slowing down until it came to a clumsy stop. Its nostrils flared, hot breaths shooting out in clouds of white mist in the cool air. My hands shook on the leather, and I could still hear Isabella’s laughter echoing in my head. That laugh wasn’t human—it was sharp, mocking, like she was already celebrating my death.I swung my leg over and slid down, boots crunching softly on dried leaves. My knees felt weak, my stomach tight with rage and fear. I needed to think, needed to figure out how the hell to survive this game she had turned into a hunt.The bushes nearby were thick enough. Without another thought, I tugged my horse to the side and pressed its reins into the low branches, letting it blend as much as it could. Then I crouched low and shoved myself into the bush, ignoring the scratch of branches against my arms and face.My breath came out too loud. I pressed my hand over my mouth and forced myself to breathe slower. Sweat ran dow
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-09-11
Chapter: Chapter FourteenNerissa I spent the rest of the morning trying to act like I wasn’t spiraling. How could everything change so fast? One day I was a simple assistant with a semi-peaceful routine, and now I was being told to shadow a man like Asher Grayson to every meeting and every event like some executive groupie. And worse—I had no way out of it. The contract I’d signed blindly on my first day, desperate for work, had just become a leash around my neck. At exactly three o’clock, Asher stepped out of his office. I was already on my feet before he even called my name. “Let’s go,” he said, not waiting to see if I followed. I did, of course. Because what else could I do? He didn’t speak much in the car, just typed away on his phone. I sat beside him, stiff as a board, fidgeting with my skirt and wondering if he could sense how badly I wanted to be anywhere else. The boutique was in a quiet corner of the city—discreet, classy, expensive. Everything about it screamed Asher Grayson. I stepped insi
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-14
Chapter: Chapter 7Nerissa The next morning, I arrived at the office feeling a sense of calm. The previous evening's drama with Jace and his girlfriend was behind me, and I was ready to tackle the day's tasks. Balancing work and caring for Luke had become my routine, and I was growing more comfortable with it.As I stepped into the building, I exchanged greetings with Leah and Dan, who were chatting near the entrance. Their friendly smiles were a welcome start to the day."Morning, Nerissa," Leah called out."Good morning! How's everything?" I replied.Dan chuckled. "Same old, same old. Ready for another thrilling day in the world of IT."We shared a laugh before I made my way to Asher's office. My plan was to organize his workspace before he arrived, a routine I had maintained during his absence. I knocked lightly on the door, and hearing no response, I pushed it open.To my surprise, Asher was seated at his desk, reviewing some documents. He looked up, his piercing blue eyes meeting mine."Nerissa,"
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-09
Chapter: Chapter twelveNerissaIt had been a few weeks since the first awkward elevator encounter, and I was starting to get used to seeing my neighbor with a new girlfriend every week. Honestly, it wasn’t my business, and I kept reminding myself of that. Still, I made sure Luke didn’t come in contact with him. The last thing I needed was Luke picking up any habits from someone who clearly didn’t care about anyone else’s comfort.The loud music blasting through the thin apartment walls didn’t help either. Sometimes it started early in the morning; other times, it kept going well into the night. I’d started using earplugs just to get some sleep.At work, things were surprisingly better. Asher hadn’t been coming to the office lately, which was a huge relief. I didn’t have to constantly worry about accidentally saying or doing something that might give away my secret. I could actually breathe.I’d also made a few friends. Dan, from the IT department, was a sweetheart with a quick wit, and Leah from accounting
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-04-03
Chapter: Chapter Eleven NerissaI walked back toward the office, my heels clicking against the polished floors, but my mind was miles away. Why did Dan bring up Silver? Had he seen her? Had she asked about me?I shook my head, pushing the thoughts away. It didn’t matter. She didn’t matter.What mattered right now was getting through the day without losing my sanity. By the time I reached Asher’s office, I had regained my composure. I knocked twice, waiting for permission to enter. “Come in.” His voice was clipped, impatient. I pushed open the door and stepped inside, immediately noticing the tension in the air. Asher sat behind his desk, his fingers tapping against the dark wood, his jaw set tight. “You took your time,” he remarked, not bothering to look up from the papers in front of him. I bit back a retort. Professional. Indifferent. Play the part.“I was in the middle of something,” I replied smoothly, walking over to stand beside his desk. He finally looked up, and for a brief moment, somet
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-03-25
Chapter: Chapter TenNerissa I pushed Asher off me cleaning my mouth furiously even though the feeling of his lips still lingered. "How dare you kiss me without my permission?" He gave me a smug smile and sat on his chair, "Because you are mine now, Nerissa. The moment you became my secretary you became my possession." How in the name of everything normal did I end up with this cocky rich man? "Think about the money, think about the money" I chanted to myself. I took a deep breath and flashed my professional smile. "With all due respect, Mr Blackwood..." "Please call me Asher." "With all due respect, Mr Blackwood, please don't touch me without my permission or you would be sued by assault." I didn't wait for him to talk before I walked out of the room. I walked towards the ladies room still seething from what had just happened..The nerve of that infuriating annoying...... I forced a polite smile as I passed a few colleagues in the hallway. The weight of expectations clung to me like an ill-fitt
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-03-21
Chapter: Chapter nine NerissaI walked into the office the next morning. The usual chatter filled the air, but today felt different. There was an uneasy feeling hanging over the room, and I couldn’t shake the sense that something was wrong. Just as I sat down, my boss called me into his office. My stomach twisted with nerves; the last time he did this, it was for a performance review, and I’d only just managed to pass.“Nerissa,” he said, his voice serious. “I need to talk to you about a transfer.” My heart sank. I knew what that meant. I’d heard the rumors, but I was hoping they wouldn’t be true. “You’re being moved to the top floor. Black Industries has merged with us, and they want you working directly under Mr. Blackwood.”I nodded, even as I clenched my fists. Damn Blackwood. I had only just started my life here and he was already set out to ruin it. Coupled with the fact that I was hiding his baby.I went to the bathroom to clear my head, hoping to shake off the anxiety. As I leaned over the sink, tw
Terakhir Diperbarui: 2024-11-09
Masuk
