I want to start by apologizing if the new direction of this book isn't meeting your expectations. I'm truly sorry if the changes or previous chapters haven't been what you hoped for.
Please trust me and have faith in this story because we still have a long way to go, and I'm confident that everything will unfold as you've envisioned. To those who aren't fond of Cole's character, I understand your concerns. Without giving too much away, I can assure you that Cole's actions are intentional and he has good reason for what he's been doing. I kindly ask that you continue reading, as the story will reveal more about his character in due time. Your support means the world to me. I'm humbled by your enthusiasm, and I'm committed to delivering a story that resonates with you. Currently, I'm not feeling well, but I'm working hard to provide more content as soon as possible. Your encouragement fuels my creativity, and I promise to share more chapters regularly once I'm feeling better. Thank you for being part of this journey. 🫶✨RENATO MARINO As I held him in my arms, nothing had ever felt this right before. But just because it felt so fucking good to held him, and have Jayce cling tightly to me like this, it didn't make me oblivious to the fact sometimes was wrong with him.Just the little time I had spent with him, I had gotten to know him and I wasn't sure how that was possible, but I could feel his emotions.I could feel this warm sensation in my chest when he was happy, and when he was scared, it made my heart ache and it would feel like something was squeezing my heart and it was about to burst and it wasn't a good feeling.Slowly, I ripped myself from the embrace, staring at Jayce's face. His eyes were on me, but I could tell he wasn't seeing me. Like he was avoiding me.Why?We were cool before he left barely three hours ago. When I kissed him, I could feel the heat in his body, and his heartbeat mirroring mine, like he was just being with me.So, if I wasn't the problem, then what is?Who made him m
JAYCE BECKETT I had never been so utterly, soul-crushingly conflicted in my entire life. As I slowly stood up from the seat after Chief Strand had dismissed me, I felt like I was making a catastrophic choice, one that would irreparably shatter Renato's very existence. The weight of the decision I was forced to make crushed me, suffocating my lungs, making it hard to breathe. Even though I knew this was supposed to be for the best, my conscience screamed in protest. How would I face Renato now, knowing I had just orchestrated his downfall? How would I possibly go home to him now, sleep next to him at night, and pretend like I hadn't just sealed his fate? The thought alone made my stomach churn with revulsion. My heart was beating at a glacial pace, and I felt like I was on the verge of collapse, my legs trembling beneath me like fragile twigs. I pushed the door open, walking out of the office, but my legs halted abruptly as I saw Cole standing there, a smug, self-satisfied grin
JAYCE BECKETT I could feel a pair of piercing eyes burning a hole into my back, like a thousand suns scorching my skin. My back stiffened, my hands trembling violently as I frantically worked my buttons, tucking my shirt in with a sense of urgency before grabbing my jacket. I was totally ignoring the man who had been grumbling behind me since the crack of dawn, when I'd told him I had to make a quick visit to the office. "Seriously? Can't you just skip it?" Renato finally deigned to speak, his voice laced with disapproval, making me let out a deep, exasperated breath. "I already told you, I need to go." I said, my voice firm, without even bothering to turn around and face him. I could practically feel his eyes rolling so hard they'd get stuck that way."But you look like you're about to collapse from exhaustion," he growled, his voice dripping with concern. I bit down hard on my lower lip to suppress a grin, as if I had already knew that bastard was going to use that as an excu
RENATO MARINO Sometimes, I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd committed some unforgivable sin, and that's why the universe was conspiring against me with such relentless cruelty. How was I supposed to process the fact that my entire life had been a lie? Everything I thought I knew were all lies, and the people I'd looked up to my whole life turned out to be the very embodiment of everything I'd always hated. It made me feel like a despicable hypocrite, a fucking pretender. I was consumed by self-doubt, questioning the authenticity of every experience, every relationship. Was anything in my life even real?"Where are you taking me?" I demanded, my voice cracking as I struggled to hold back tears, Renato's firm grip on my wrist like a vice as he dragged me out of his office. "I think you need some fresh air," he said softly, his tone infuriatingly calm. "No, I don't!" I snarled, trying to wrench my hand free, but he was too strong. "Fuck that!" I spat, my anger boiling over."Yo
RENATO MARINO Ever since Jayce asked me to investigate Mikhail, I'd had a gut-wrenching feeling that he suspected the unthinkable: that Mikhail might be the one who brutally murdered his parents. I was determined to dig up every last shred of evidence, to uncover the truth that damn bastard had desperately buried. But nothing, NOTHING, could have prepared me for the earth-shattering revelation I stumbled upon. Hours of pouring over the files left me reeling in shock, my mind struggling to comprehend the horrific truth. How could this be?!Jayce's eyes were fixed on me, his heart pounding in his chest like a jackhammer, his entire being quivering with anticipation as he waited for me to deliver the devastating blow. I knew this would shatter his world, and I desperately wished I could shield him from the pain, convince him to let go, to stop obsessing over his parents' killer.But I knew it was futile. I had to reveal the truth, yet I was left to find a way to soften the blow, to
Hi, it's the author here. I'm sorry to inform you that there won't be any chapter update today—I'm feeling under the weather and won't be able to write anything today. I'll do everything I can to drop more than one chapter tomorrow. Thank you. 🫶✨