Chapter: Chapter 143BrittneyThe silence in the car was unbearable.Instead of allowing Jackson to drive us back home, Andre dismissed him for whatever reason he had and took his place behind the wheel.Honestly, I didn't care either way. I just wanted to get home and be done with this night.Andre’s hand gripped the wheel so tightly that his knuckles were white, and the glow from the streetlights cut across his jaw, sharp and tense.Every now and then, he would glance at me as though expecting me to say something, but I kept my lips stubbornly shut and my arms folded across my chest, my eyes on the blur of passing buildings, refusing to meet his gaze.Every time I blinked, I saw flashes of the restaurant rushing back at me…. The chaos, the crazed man lunging at me, the fear that gripped me so tightly, it rendered me immobile.I guess this was my life now.Chaos.Danger.Fear.All because of him….and it made me pissed.“Brittney, come on,” Andre said at last, voice low and strained. “You’re really not go
Last Updated: 2025-09-30
Chapter: Chapter 142BrittneyThere's nothing that makes adrenaline kick like the sight of danger.Time seemed to slow down, making everything a tad bit hypersensitive… the clink of a fork, the murmur of other tables, the scratch of a napkin.Everything became background noise as my entire focus narrowed to the sharp glint of the knife in the guy's hand.Andre’s face shifted the moment he saw it.He went from casual to alert in a fraction of a second, that practiced composure of his crumpling into something raw.He started to rise, the act more of a reflex than a plan.“You'd better sit your ass down!” the man said, voice flat but edged.Weirdly enough, he didn’t raise his voice enough to alarm the room.That was the cruel part…. his body was angled so that the blade was hidden by his tray and his chest, so people watching from the other tables would think it was just a tense conversation.Only we were aware of what was going on.Andre froze, mid-stride. “Hey, man,” he said, trying the easy smile that usu
Last Updated: 2025-09-30
Chapter: Chapter 141BrittneyI stood in front of the mirror, smoothing the emerald-green satin dress over my hips, trying not to think too hard about how much it had cost.The dress had crushed stones that made it sparkle when I moved, with a low neckline that scooped the tops of my cleavage.It was a gorgeous piece that I fell in love with instantly the moment I laid my eyes on it.Andre had pressed his black card into my hand that morning, casually saying, “Get whatever you like.”Like money wasn't an issue…. I guess for him it wasn't.But as I studied my reflection, a familiar voice whispered in my mind….Is this right?I was starting to rethink the whole thing.Is going out for dinner really what I should be doing with Andre, a man that I didn't trust?Rolling my shoulders, I forced those thoughts down and took one last glance at the mirror thenI grabbed my clutch, shoving the card back inside, and forced my expression into something neutral before walking out.Andre was in the living room, leaning
Last Updated: 2025-09-29
Chapter: Chapter 140BrittanyThe house was quiet, the kind of quiet that makes you second-guess every creak and noise you hear.I had taken the day off from the office, half working from home and half trying not to think too much about anything.Or what the TraceRunner told me the previous day.I had to take a break and figure out what to do.Whoever was sending me those weird and creepy messages wanted me to find something out… the only question is…. How bad would it be?Sighing, I scrubbed a hand down my face, wishing someone was around.Samantha was in school, and Claire had a meeting to attend, which meant I had the rare luxury of silence.I thought I’d enjoy it.Turns out, silence just leaves room for your mind to wander in circles.I was curled up on the couch with my laptop balanced on my knees, having decided to do some work when I heard the front door click open. My head snapped up.The last person I expected to see was Andre.He stepped inside, dragging his travel bag behind him.For a second,
Last Updated: 2025-09-29
Chapter: Chapter 139BrittneyThe apartment was too quiet after Claire left.Too quiet in that heavy way that made me feel like there were pins and needles on my skin.Long after she left, I remained on the edge of the couch, staring at the envelope lying on the coffee table as though it might open its mouth and explain itself.Explain what the words in it meant.My fingers itched to pick it up again, but I didn’t.I’d already looked at the photograph a dozen times.Each time, the sight of my mother standing beside Andre carved deeper into me.And then there was Claire.It's like I can't get enough of this family and the drama.Her presence still clung to the air like perfume I couldn’t get rid of.The way she had casually brought up my mother… it was out of the blue, with that sly tilt of her head… the entire thing made my skin crawl.Out of all the things she could have said, why mention my mother now? Why hint at memories I wasn’t ready to face right when a photograph of her appeared in my mailbox?Sur
Last Updated: 2025-09-28
Chapter: Chapter 138BrittneyThe house felt too big without them.I’d only just gotten back from the hospital, and my body was still weak, every step reminding me I wasn’t fully healed.Several hours after I had spoken up, I finally managed to get in touch with Andre who sounded tired and exhausted.The call was brief and we mostly talked about Samantha.Who isn't here either.She was staying the night at Jane’s… an innocent sleepover arranged for her safety, though it stung more than I expected.The fact that my kid had to stay somewhere so she didn't have to be hurt.The thought of her laughing in Jane’s cozy home while I sat alone in mine made the walls feel even more hollow.Oh, how I wished I could join them.Security guards patrolled outside, their shadows occasionally passing across the curtains.Their presence should have comforted me, but instead, it made me hyper-aware that danger was lurking around, close enough to require them.Inside the house, the silence was deafening.I tried to relax, ev
Last Updated: 2025-09-27
THE MARRIAGE GAME
Meet Emma Hart, 24, drowned in debt all her life, from bills to bills, and loans to pay off, the cycle never seems to end. Fresh out of college, she manages to get a few jobs, saving up to clear her debts, until her mother falls sick… lung cancer. Destitute and helpless, she must learn to shake the hand of Liam Caruso. Liam, 35, known for his cold demeanor and controlling act, he's a perfectionist, and, what he wants, he gets. Reluctantly, she shakes hands with the devil himself, after all, she needs to save her mom. Emma must learn to accept Liam's life, including his dark past and unwelcoming mother. With time, Liam must understand, that mutual connections do matter. Will she be able to break through Liam's icy heart? Or, will they be engulfed within their flames? Within the heat, they generate?
Read
Chapter: CHAPTER 115: EMMAI glance at the clock and my heart starts racing. I'm late."Okay, stop fussing!" I scold my bridesmaids, but I can't help the nervous laugh that escapes my lips as Gia fluffs my veil for the third time. Natasha is running around, making sure every single detail is perfect, while Odette is already dressed and helping the makeup artist add the final touches to my lips.And then there's Rob. He's pacing back and forth, muttering under his breath, "You're going to be late for your wedding, Emma. Of course, you are. I knew it. I knew this would happen!""Rob," I groan, rolling my eyes. "You're not helping!"He stops pacing and dramatically places his hands on his hips, his eyes full of fake indignation. "Excuse me, darling. Who has been by your side through every single dress fitting, cake tasting, and meltdown?"I chuckled despite myself, the tension easing just a little. "I love you, Rob.""Yeah, yeah, yeah," he mutters, coming over to adjust my gown. "But seriously, we need to get movi
Last Updated: 2024-09-18
Chapter: CHAPTER 114: LIAMThe darkness is heavy, but slowly, painfully, it starts to lift. I feel a strange tug in my chest, and I'm aware of the beeping sounds, the sterile scent of the hospital filling the air around me. My eyes flutter open, and the brightness of the room stings my vision. It takes a few moments for everything to come into focus.Where… where am I?"Liam?" A soft voice calls out to me, and when I blink again, I see Lilian, Emma's mother, standing by my bedside, her eyes wet with tears. "Oh my God, you're awake."I try to speak, but my throat feels like it's on fire. Instead, I groan, my hand instinctively reaching out to grasp hers. Lilian smiles through her tears, gently squeezing my hand."You've been in a coma, sweetheart," she says softly. "For a while now. But don't worry, you're okay. You're going to be okay." Her smile wavers for a moment before she adds, "Emma… she's at the station with your mother, confronting Serena. But she's fine. She's been by your side every day."My mind race
Last Updated: 2024-09-18
Chapter: CHAPTER 113: EMMAThe silence in the room is deafening. Isabella stands before us, her posture rigid, her hands clasped together tightly as if she's holding on to a secret too heavy to bear. My mom and I sit across from her, the tension thick between us, suffocating."There's something you both need to know," Isabella begins, her voice wavering slightly. I glance at my mom, who looks pale, her fingers tightly gripping the arms of the chair. "I've held onto this for years, but it's time you hear the truth. About Enzo."At the mention of my father's name, my heart skips a beat. I feel my stomach churn as I wait for her to continue. Isabella takes a deep breath, then says the words that make my world tilt off its axis."I knew him."The words hang in the air like a weight, pressing down on me. My mom's face pales even more, her lips trembling as she absorbs the shock of the revelation. Isabella presses on, her eyes filled with a mixture of shame and regret."Enzo and I… we had an affair."The room goes co
Last Updated: 2024-09-18
Chapter: CHAPTER 112: EMMAThe beeping of the heart monitor is the first thing I hear, steady and rhythmic, pulling me from the darkness that has consumed me. My body feels heavy like I'm being held down by invisible weights, and there's a dull ache spreading across my chest and limbs. The sterile smell of the hospital fills my nostrils, and it takes a moment for me to remember where I am.I blinked, squinting against the harsh fluorescent light above, trying to make sense of my surroundings. As my vision clears, I notice my mom, slumped over in a chair next to me, her head resting on her crossed arms, fast asleep. Her face looks worn, more tired than I've ever seen her.I try to sit up, but a sharp pain shoots through my ribs, forcing me to wince. The memories hit me all at once—the truck, the crash, Liam's bloodied face. Panic rises in my chest, and I gasp, "Liam."My voice is weak, barely more than a croak, but it's enough to wake my mom. Her head snaps up, her eyes widening as she sees me. "Emma!" she cries
Last Updated: 2024-09-16
Chapter: CHAPTER 111: EMMAWe're curled up on the couch, the flicker of the fireplace casting warm shadows on the walls. Liam has been quiet all evening, his usual playful mood replaced by a somberness I haven't seen before. I know something's wrong. The weight of his silence presses down on me, but I don't want to push him, not yet.Eventually, he breaks the silence."Emma," he says quietly, his voice strained. His eyes are red and teary, and my heart aches just seeing him like this. "We need to talk."I sit up, my chest tightening. "Liam, what's going on? You're scaring me."He doesn't look at me, his gaze fixed on the fire. His hands tremble, and I gently place mine over his, trying to calm him, to let him know I'm here, whatever it is."I'm a monster," he whispers, his voice breaking. "I've done terrible things, Emma. Things I can't undo."I freeze, my heart hammering in my chest. "Liam, what are you talking about? You're not a monster."He shakes his head, his eyes squeezed shut as if the memories are too
Last Updated: 2024-09-16
Chapter: CHAPTER 110: LIAMI lean back in my office chair, glancing out of the large windows that overlook the city humming with life. It's been a perfect week, just me and Emma, no distractions, no obligations. We've spent our days exploring the city, enjoying quiet dinners by candlelight, and getting lost in each other's company. For the first time in a long while, I felt completely at peace.But now, it's back to reality. Back to work. And as much as I hate to admit it, the tension in the air is thick. I've barely been at my desk for half an hour when my mother storms into the office, her heels clicking sharply against the marble floors. Right behind her, Serena follows with a face full of barely contained rage. Great. Just the pair I didn't want to see today."Liam!" my mother snaps, her voice slicing through the silence of the room. "We need to talk."I sit up, bracing myself. I knew this was coming. Ever since Emma returned, I've been waiting for the inevitable confrontation. My mother never approved of E
Last Updated: 2024-09-15
LOGIN
