LOGINShe just lost the boardroom, but not the battle. Tonight’s forged paper feels like the final blow — and yet a single misread signature, an old ledger, or one quiet witness could flip everything back. If you think Clara’s victory is the last word, wait until someone remembers what they promised in the dark. See you on the other side of the truth.
KATHERINE’S POV“Welcome home, traitor.”Hazel’s voice sliced through the cheerful smell of coffee and bread, and I froze mid-step, holding onto the strap of my bag like it could save me.She was pissed no doubt and I knew she had every right to be. Franklin was her godson, he was her precious baby also. She must have thought of how lonely the poor boy must have been to stay at home without me.“Good morning to you too,” I muttered under my breath, forcing a smile as I walked further into the living room.Hazel’s eyes flicked from me to Alex, who still looked annoyingly unbothered, like a man who had slept ten straight hours without a single ounce of guilt.Well, of course he doesn't have to explain himself to Hazel.Franklin, sitting cross-legged on the rug with his favorite toy car, looked up at the sound of my voice. His face lit up instantly, until it didn’t.“You didn’t come home last night, mommy,” he said with a small pout that hit me straight in the chest.“I know, baby.” I c
KATHERINE'S POV Someone was playing a ballad in the background and it was too loud.I tried to scream at the person to stop but nothing happened and just as I was about to search for the person, the sound stopped again. I opened my eyes reluctantly and looked around the unfamiliar surroundings, trying to remember where I was and how I got here when the ballad sound came again. On the desk beside me, was my phone barring loudly the sound that jolted me awake and I reached for it. “Okay, what the hell were you thinking?” The angry question screamed at me the minute I picked the call. Oh my Goodness…Hazel. “Isn’t it too early to be cursing?” I groaned softly and gently rubbed my temple. I can't remember much of what happened last night and my head was in a terrible state like I drank a lot, which of course I can't remember. “Well, isn't it too early to spend the night out also??? What the hell were you thinking? Where the fuck are you?” She yelled into my ears and I jumped up imme
AUTHOR’S POV Henry didn’t know how long he sat there staring at the screen before finally pressing “send.” The message was simple. Short enough to sound casual, but heavy enough to carry everything he was feeling. « “You’re awake?” He stared at the words again, thinking about deleting them, rewriting them into something smarter, something that wouldn’t make him sound like a man who had completely lost control of his heart. But then he sighed and tossed the phone onto the couch. If she replied, she replied. If she didn’t… Well, that was nothing new. Except this time felt different. The clock on his wall ticked away, the minutes stretching into silence. He leaned back on his chair and stared at the ceiling, trying not to picture her but his mind was relentless. Hazel’s voice. Her laughter. The way she would tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear whenever she caught him watching her. It was infuriating, the way she occupied his thoughts like she owned them. When his phone fin
AUTHOR'S POV Ever since he hurried out of the bar so that he won't run into Alex, Henry hasn't stopped thinking about what he discussed with Katherine. He had a feeling she actually knew something about Hazel but either she only came up with that lie to deceive him or he was just damn unlucky that Alex had to call at that moment and ruin everything. When he asked her to tell him what she wanted to say earlier, he could still remember the look on her face, almost as if it was minutes ago, not something that happened almost an hour ago. “Come on…You wanted to say something about Hazel, didn't you? Tell me, what did she say to you?” Katherine had looked at him like she was surprised he was still next to her at the bar and then when that dazed look wiped off, she stood up almost immediately. “Henry, you have to leave.” He was baffled and scoffed, “Why?” “Because Alex is coming here. You can't have him finding out about what you told me now, can you?” That had him thinking and he
ALEXANDER'S POV I didn’t expect her to follow me this far down, especially not after the way she froze at the top of the stairs or the way she looked at me when she heard the sounds of people moaning in other rooms.. Katherine always had that mix of curiosity and caution, she’d question everything, argue her way out of anything, and yet somehow, when it came to me, she’d still end up trusting me. Even when she shouldn’t and while I don't really show it to her, I really appreciate it. This was the Owl's secret spot for couples to make out or do whatever it was that they wanted to do with each other but it was more than a mini brothel to me. The door creaked open, revealing a dimly lit room bathed in amber light. The air smelled faintly of bourbon and vanilla, with a hint of old records playing from somewhere unseen. “Okay,” she said, still clutching her bag like it was her shield. “What is this place?” I smiled and stepped aside, motioning her in. “You’ll find out soon enough.” S
KATHERINE'S POV I didn't expect him to catch that but then again Alex’s ears are more active than ever whenever it comes to anything related to our complicated relationship. He was staring at me with a boyish grin as he mocked me for saying what I said earlier. Why on earth did I say that in the first place? I barely realized what I said then because I was too focused on Ava's hand on Alex. Or the fact that he seemed completely comfortable with her despite the fact that I was in front of him. “When did you start being close friends with bartenders?” I asked, quickly changing the topic with hopes that he'll forget what I said. He cocked his head and leaned back against his chair. “Ava and I became close about six years ago. She's a fun person and she doesn't bother me so…” he shrugged. So she was right. Alex couldn't forget me for the past six years? Why didn't he try to find me? Or try to reach out to me all those years if he was truly unable to forget me? “I see. Is it true







