LOGINEthan POVThe front door clicked shut behind us, locking out the quiet night, but before the latch even settled, my hands were already moving.I reached for the zipper of her dress, my fingers trembling slightly against the cool fabric. My mouth never broke away from hers, drinking in every breath, every soft sigh.Maya’s hands tangled deep into my hair, pulling me flush against her body as if even a fraction of an inch between us was too much. I nipped gently at her bottom lip, and a soft moan escaped her throat, sending a surge of heat straight through my chest.When the fabric finally gave way, the dress pool-dropped to the floor in a whisper of silk, leaving her in just her lace bra and matching underwear.I didn't hesitate. I hooked my arms beneath her thighs and lifted her effortlessly. She let out a breathy giggle, her arms locking around my neck as her feet dangled against my back. I took the stairs two at a time, the quickened rhythm of my heartbeat echoing in my ears.
Ethan’s POVWhenever I glanced at her, I could feel a tiny bit of sadness settle on my chest.It would stay there for a while, heavy and uncomfortable, before slowly fading away.But Maya?She was smiling.She had been smiling almost the entire time, completely unaware of the storm of thoughts raging inside my head.I had already made my decision.For now, I was going to forget everything.I was going to spend this little moment with the woman my heart had chosen.Because no prophet needed to tell me that this wouldn't last.Everything always ended badly for me.Always.But right now, I didn't want to think about that.I needed to learn the truth about my family. That was the biggest thing hanging over my head. After fifteen years, everything would finally fall into place.Fifteen years of questions.Fifteen years of pain.Fifteen years of wondering why my life had turned out the way it had.Soon, I would finally have answers.And strangely enough, that thought was the reason I had be
Maya POV“Where are we going, Ethan?” I asked for the hundredth time.He just smiled without saying a word.I narrowed my eyes at him, trying to figure out what was going on inside his head, but he looked completely unfazed by my curiosity.We both walked toward his car.He opened the car door for me, and I giggled as I slid inside. A moment later, he walked around the car and got into the driver's seat.Soon, we were already on the road.About an hour ago, Ethan had told me there was a place he had always wanted us to go to.Of course, the moment he said that, I had immediately started imagining all sorts of places.I had picked the best dress in my wardrobe.Actually, I had spent quite some time choosing it.I wanted to look beautiful.Maybe even a little irresistible.But the moment Ethan saw what I was wearing, he had flatly told me to go change.I had stared at him in disbelief.He said the outfit didn't fit where we were going.And now?Now I was wearing pants and a shirt.Very
Maya POVMy eyes couldn’t leave those piercing green eyes.They stared back at me with so much admiration that, for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.The Ethan sitting across from me wasn’t the same Ethan I had known.This was the changed Ethan.The Ethan who smiled at me.The Ethan who looked at me like I was someone worth knowing.The Ethan I had somehow, despite everything, grown to love.“You have to admit, I’m the best chef, Maya,” he said with a smug little smirk.I chuckled.“Of course you’re the world’s best chef. Your chicken soup is out of this planet.”He grinned like a child who had just been given his favorite toy.Without saying anything, he reached for the pot and added another generous serving of chicken soup to my plate.I stared at him.“Ethan, I’m already full.”“You need to eat.”“I am eating.”“You’re barely eating.”“I've eaten enough.”He narrowed his eyes at me.I laughed.“Fine.”“Good.”He looked ridiculously pleased with himself.I shook my head, trying to
Mr. Wellington’s POVI stared blankly at the room.For a moment, I said nothing.I had come prepared for whatever they were planning.Judging from the way they sat across from me, the way their eyes kept shifting between one another, and the strange calmness hanging in the room, they had come prepared too.Interesting.Very interesting.I leaned back slightly in my chair, refusing to let my guard down.Whatever they had planned, I would not give them the satisfaction of seeing me nervous.“So…” Mr. Whitaker finally broke the silence. “Marcus is here with us. I know this is sudden, but we need to make some changes here.”I raised an eyebrow.“Interesting.” I placed my hands beneath my chin, studying every face around the table. “And what exactly are these changes?”Mr. Whitaker's expression hardened.“Mr. Wellington, you keep acting clueless. I already mentioned the changes. We are taking a vote for the company’s successor.”A low chuckle escaped my lips.“Oh.”I nodded slowly as thoug
Maya’s POVExcitement couldn’t leave my tummy.It was there, twisting and fluttering wildly, making it almost impossible for me to sit still. My hand was still clasped tightly around his, and I couldn’t bring myself to let go.Not even for a second.Andre was already asleep.His eyes had slowly drifted shut after he told me he was tired, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to breathe.I had thought I had lost him again.God, I had really thought I had lost him.The fear of watching him slip away had been so unbearable that even now, with his chest rising and falling steadily before me, I was terrified that if I looked away for too long, he would somehow disappear again.I tightened my fingers around his.He was here.He was alive.And he had called my name.That was enough for me.“Maya, you need to clean up. Look at your feet.”I lifted my head and found Nurse Bella standing beside me, her expression filled with concern.I glanced down at my feet.They
Maya POV“Marriage?” I asked, just to be sure as the word tasted like lead in my mouth.“It’s quite simple, Ms. Rivers. Marry him, stay for one hundred days, and $10 million is yours,” the old man said, his voice as calm as if he were discussing the weather.I stared at this old man in front of me.
Maya POV“Ms. Rivers, there’s nothing more we can do without a full payment. He’s hanging by a thread. If you really want to save him, you have to do what’s necessary.” Doctor Harry said.I swallowed hard, the salt from my tears stinging my lips. “Please, Doctor. I’m working three jobs. I’m trying
Ethan POVThe sound was so loud it forced me to raise my head.I glanced behind me for a second before turning back to my computer, ignoring whatever chaos was happening in the house—and ignoring the endless calls from Mr. Wellington.Instead, I scrolled lazily through an endless feed of hot girls.
Day 1,Maya POVThe noise was too much.I woke up with a banging headache, groaning as I forced my eyes open.“Arrggh… what is that?” I muttered.My gaze slowly moved to the clock standing opposite the bed.9:17 AM.What?I slept till the next day?I guess I was really that tired.I tried getting o







