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last update publish date: 2026-03-04 17:56:55

By the time Olivia finally came downstairs, the house was alive.

Music pulsed louder now—something upbeat and warm, bass vibrating faintly through the hardwood floors. The fairy lights Tessa had strung along the banister cast a golden glow over everything, softening sharp edges and turning Isabella’s new home into something almost magical. Laughter overlapped with the clink of glasses. The scent of wine, perfume, and whatever candle Tessa had insisted on lighting blended into something heady.

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  • BAD REPUTATION    73

    “Derek, wait—”Isabella moved quickly, leaving the counter and stepping in front of him before he could walk out. Not blocking him exactly—but close enough that he had to stop.Derek looked at her, impatience flickering in his expression, but he didn’t push past her or walk away.Isabella swallowed, her confidence from earlier gone now, replaced with something softer. More vulnerable. “I’m sorry,” she said softly. She took another small step closer, searching his face. “Of course I know you’re mad at me,” she continued. “I know because you barely talk to me anymore. You don’t call, you don’t come around… and just now—you almost yelled at me.” Her voice wavered slightly at that, and she pressed her lips together before continuing. “You never yell or get mad at me, Derek.”He shifted, his grip tightening slightly around the bottle in his hand, but he still said nothing.“I’m sorry that I hurt you,” Isabella finished, her voice soft but steady. Then, after a brief pause, she added, “But

  • BAD REPUTATION    72

    “The things I said when we broke up…” Jack continued, his tone shifting, softer now, more deliberate. “You should know I didn’t mean most of them.”That got her attention, and Olivia looked back at him.“They were said out of anger,” he added. “And frustration.” His gaze held hers. “What man wouldn’t be angry at losing a woman like you?”Olivia let out a small, incredulous laugh, shaking her head. “Wow. Flattery?” she said. “That’s new. Very unlike you, Jack ”Jack’s grin widened slightly. “It’s not flattery if it’s true,” he said. Then, after a beat, “But I’ll use whatever works if it gets you to say yes. Please, Olivia,”Olivia hesitated. It was only a drink, and a few drinks wouldn't hurt right? She exhaled slowly, already knowing she was about to make a decision she’d probably have to defend later.“Fine,” she said at last, cutting the moment short before she could overthink it, and mostly because she was exhausted and wanted the conversation to end, “I’ll see you tomorrow evenin

  • BAD REPUTATION    71

    Olivia blinked. Once. Twice. She said nothing. And that was all it took. Both Tessa and Isabella froze.“You said yes,” Isabella said slowly, her eyes widening. Then—“Olivia!” She shot to her feet, hands flying up in disbelief. “I cannot believe you. Are you seriously going to do this?”Olivia winced slightly at the volume. “Relax,” she said, holding up a hand. “It’s my job, okay? This is literally what I do, so—”“Oh please,” Isabella cut in, pacing now. “We all know this isn’t just business. This is a ploy. He’s trying to get back into your life.” She stopped and turned sharply to Olivia. “Think about it—he comes back out of nowhere, suddenly ready to buy his ‘dream house,’ and just happens to come to you? He knows exactly what he’s doing.”“Such an asshole,” Tessa muttered, shaking her head in agreement.Olivia sighed, pressing her fingers briefly to her temple. “You guys are overthinking this.”“Are we?” Tessa challenged immediately. “Because it sounds very on-brand for him.”Isab

  • BAD REPUTATION    70

    “You heard me,” Isabella said, glancing at Tessa. “Olivia and my brother have been… shacking up.”Olivia groaned, dragging a hand over her face. “Please don’t say it like that.”Tessa stared at both of them. For a moment, she said nothing. Then she walked—slowly, very calmly—to one of the chairs and sat down. Olivia narrowed her eyes. That was suspicious. Too calm, especially for Tessa. And then—“Oh my God!” Tessa shrieked, springing up again and stomping both feet against the floor like a child who’d just been handed the best gossip of the year.Olivia couldn’t help it—a short laugh slipped out of her. Tessa was ridiculous and way too dramatic.“Oh my God,” Tessa repeated, breathless now. Then she whipped around to Isabella, frowning. “Wait—so you knew about this and didn’t tell me anything?”“Hey!” Isabella lifted her hands defensively. “Don’t look at me. I only found out recently.”Tessa’s gaze snapped back to Olivia, eyes wide with curiosity. “How long have you been—” she gesture

  • BAD REPUTATION    69

    “Splendid,” Jack said easily, slipping back into confidence. “I’ll send it over soon.”“Perfect.”There was another pause. Not uncomfortable—but not entirely casual either. Then—“It’d be nice to see you again, Olivia.”She kept her tone light. Neutral. “Sure, but let's focus on the house for now, Jack.”He chuckled. “Fair enough.”Olivia glanced at the time on her screen, using it as an excuse to end this before it stretched into something else. “I should get back to work,” she said. “I’ll keep an eye out for your email.”“Alright,” he replied. “I’ll talk to you soon.”“Bye, Jack.”“Bye, Olivia.”She ended the call and let the phone drop gently onto her desk. Then she exhaled, long and tired, and pressed her fingers to her forehead.What an exhausting day.—------------Olivia wasn’t surprised in the slightest when her front door burst open the next evening. She didn’t even bother sitting up. From her position on the couch—curled beneath a blanket, hair a mess, remote somewhere lost b

  • BAD REPUTATION    68

    Olivia sank into her chair and let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. She was late. Very late.The office hummed around her—phones ringing in uneven intervals, keyboards clacking, the low murmur of conversations bleeding through cubicle walls—but it all felt distant, like she was listening to it from underwater.She didn’t care. Not after the morning she’d had. If anything, it was a miracle she’d shown up at all. She’d stood in her apartment for a long time after getting back from Derek’s place, keys still in her hand, heels abandoned somewhere near the door. For a moment—just one, dangerously tempting moment—she’d considered calling in sick. Or not calling at all. Just… disappearing for the day.But the alternative was sitting alone with her thoughts and reliving everything. She couldn’t bear the thought of Derek or their conversation that morning anymore, and that was the only reason why she'd shown up. Olivia squeezed her eyes shut briefly and forced the memory a

  • BAD REPUTATION    29

    Olivia took a deep breath. “Okay, here’s the question. What are some of the things a girl could be doing that would make you think that she was frigid…in bed…things that could make you not be interested in…sex with her?” Whoa. Not what he was expecting. And the thing that came to mind immediately

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-23
  • BAD REPUTATION    24

    Olivia rolled her eyes, almost blushing again, “You wish,” she replied, “Just answer the question, will you?”He didn’t answer immediately, but after a moment, he said, “I didn’t say I was against it,” “You heavily implied it,” she countered.He kept his eyes on the road. “I just don’t see the app

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-22
  • BAD REPUTATION    25

    “So,” she said, clearing her throat slightly. She could feel her heart suddenly beating faster, “the asking price reflects the location and the renovations. It’s competitive, but the market—”“Liv…”Her words faltered.“Yes?”He leaned one hand against the island, closer now. Not touching her, but

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-22
  • BAD REPUTATION    26

    She gave him a small, grateful smile — one that confirmed his suspicion that she was once again drawing a line between them —one she didn't want to cross.The car slowed as they turned into her street. He parked in front of her building, the engine humming softly before he shut it off. For a second

    last updateLast Updated : 2026-03-22
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