LOGINEdward's POV The underground garage was almost empty when I pulled in at seven forty-five. My headlights swept across concrete pillars and painted lines. Executive spots lined the wall closest to the elevators. Mine had my name on it; simple black letters on white metal. I parked. Cut the engine
Alicia's POV Thursday morning had already started by the time I realized I was awake. I was sitting at Elena's kitchen table. Coffee in front of me that I didn't remember making. Still hot enough to steam. The apartment was quiet. Elena had left early for something. A meeting. She'd mentioned it
Edward's POV Thursday morning, I sent the keynote to communications. Final version. Three pages. Done. I closed my laptop and stood. Walked to the small bar cart in the corner of my office. Poured coffee from the carafe Leo had brought earlier. Still hot. I took it to the window. Stood there d
My mother’s hand shot to the doorframe like it could hold her upright. Her fingers dug into the wood. White. She didn’t question me. She knew. “Alicia,” she said. My name sounded hollow in her mouth, thin and wrong. “You should sit.” I didn’t. “You look tired. I’ll get you some water.” “When wer
The words reached me through layers of cotton. "The majority stake in Valentine Industries is yours by right of inheritance." My nails bit into the armrest. "All company decisions and stakeholder authority defer to you as the primary heir." He stopped. Silence dropped over the room like a weigh
Alicia's POV I'd been ready since six. Dressed. Shoes on. Purse at my side on the couch. Elena moved through the apartment doing nothing. Tasks. Coffee we wouldn't drink. Pillows that didn't need straightening. A quiet way of keeping busy. Seven forty-two. My phone sat on the coffee table. Harg







