LOGINAnya’s POVThe words hit me like a small shock. “No,” I said quickly, shaking my head. “I’m just his assistant.”The doctor raised his eyebrows, clearly surprised, but he didn’t question it. “Well,” he said gently, “assistant or not, you care. That matters.”I didn’t know what to say, so I stayed quiet.He finished up and washed his hands, then turned to me again, serious now. He gave me clear instructions—how often to check Orion’s temperature, when to give the medication, what signs meant I should call him immediately. I listened carefully, repeating everything in my head, afraid I might forget something important.“I’ll send a nurse tomorrow to check on him,” Dr. Trent said as he packed his bag. “He needs rest. No work. No stress.”I almost smiled at that. Orion and no stress didn’t belong in the same sentence.After he left, I walked him out with the housekeeper. When we returned to the hallway, I turned to her.“Please,” I said softly, “could you make some chicken soup? For when
Anya’s POVThe fever… he must not be thinking straight. He must think I’m someone else—me from before, the girl he once loved or rather pretended to love.I swallowed hard and forced myself to breathe.“I’m right here,” I whispered, even though my voice wobbled. “Just hang on, okay? Don’t move.”He blinked slowly, his eyes slipping shut again.I stood up so fast the bed shook. “I’ll be right back, I promise.”I rushed out of the room, almost tripping down the stairs. The housekeeper was in the kitchen wiping down the counter.“He’s burning up,” I blurted out. “He’s really sick. You need to call the doctor. Now.”Her eyes widened and she immediately grabbed the house phone, dialing so fast her fingers shook.I didn’t wait for her to finish. I grabbed a metal bowl from under the counter, filled it with cold water straight from the tap, and hurried back upstairs with water splashing all over my hands and clothes.When I reached his room again, he hadn’t moved. He was breathing a bit hard
Anya’s POVThe next morning crept in quietly, the kind of morning where everything felt a little heavier than it should. My kitchen was still dim, the curtains barely letting in any sunlight. I moved around slowly, like my body was awake but my mind was still somewhere else.I switched on the kettle and grabbed my phone to distract myself. Maybe scrolling would help my thoughts calm down. Maybe it would help me forget the image of Orion wincing when the hot coffee hit his back.But the moment my news app loaded, I almost dropped the phone.Phillipe La Ron Arrested for Multiple ChargesMy eyes stretched wide. I leaned closer, reading every line like I needed proof it was real.Several counts of sexual assault.Bribery.Money laundering.Embezzlement.Threatening witnesses.What shocked me the most was how fast everything had come out. Almost overnight. Like every buried secret had been dug up and thrown into the streets.My breath caught in my throat.There was no way this happened on
Anya’s POVSomething dark flashed in Orion's eyes, like a storm cloud rolling in fast. I didn't expect it at all when he lunged forward, his big hand grabbing Phillipe's collar tight, bunching up the fabric. With one strong push, he slammed Phillipe back against the desk.The wood creaked under the impact, papers scattering everywhere, fluttering to the floor like scared birds. Phillipe gasped, his body hitting hard, but he didn't back down. His eyes swung to me, full of pure venom, glaring like he wanted to burn me alive.Before I could even move or think, his hand shot out. He snatched the steaming mug of coffee I'd brought in earlier for Orion—it was still hot, the steam rising in lazy curls, the rich smell filling the air. He hurled it right at me, the dark liquid splashing out in an arc.Time slowed. I opened my mouth to scream, but no sound came. Hot fear gripped my stomach.But the coffee never reached me. Orion was there, stepping right in front, his broad back blocking everyt
Anya’s POVThe boutique smelled like new clothes and strong perfume, the kind that clings to your nose. I walked quickly between the racks, my hands brushing over different fabrics while my heart beat a little too fast. I kept thinking about Orion waiting in the car. I didn’t want him sitting there for too long. I didn’t want to look like I was taking advantage of his kindness.He had really surprised me when he handed me his card.Just like that.So calm, so casual.But to me, it meant… I don’t even know what. No one had ever done something like that for me.I finally found a simple dress—soft material, not too fancy, the kind of thing that made me feel comfortable. I held it up against myself for a second, just to imagine how it would look. Then I went straight to the counter and paid for it. My hands shook a bit when I placed the card down, scared I might smudge it or drop it or do something embarrassing.After that, I hurried to the changing room. The light inside was bright and u
Orion’s POVWhen Anya stood up from the table, holding her dress like she was trying to hide the stain, something twisted inside me. Something tight. Something I didn’t want to acknowledge.She didn’t say a word — she just kept her head down and walked to the restroom like she was trying to be invisible.I watched her go until the door swung shut behind her.The air around the table changed immediately.Kaia sat there with that satisfied little smirk on her lips, swirling her wine glass like she’d just won some kind of battle. She wasn’t even pretending to feel bad.My jaw tightened.She must’ve felt my stare, because her smirk slowly slipped.And then I spoke.“What the hell was that?” My voice wasn’t loud. It didn’t need to be. The cold was enough.Kaia straightened a bit, blinking fast, as if her brain was racing to pick the right lie. “Baby, I told you— it was an accident. The glass slipped.”She even tried to pout.Jesus.“Don’t lie to me,” I said flatly.She froze. Everyone knew







