LOGINEthanSunday 8th February 2026 - Bennett Residence"Well I am not the only one that is going to be famous." Valentina piped up mischieviously, grinning at me. "Ethan ended up modelling too,"Mom's eyebrows shot upward. Dad put down his cutlery. "You did?"I shrugged. "Occupational hazard of being too handsome to just practise law."The whole table laughed. "So all of Manhatten and 5th Avenue are going to see my two babies looking gorgeous..." mom said puffing with pride.Before I could answer, I leaned toward Valentina again. "I'd much rather you were the only one looking."She inhaled sharply. Her fork slipped from her fingers. *Clang.* Every head turned to her. "Everything alright sweetheart?" Mom asked."I'm sorry," Valentina mumbled, mortified.I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself laughing. Dad looked directly at me. The stern expression clearly said *Behave.* I gave him my most innocent smile.Dessert arrived. Conversation drifted to Matteo's upcoming show. I'd finally d
EthanSunday 8th February 2026 - Bennett ResidenceRhys was fed, bathed and tucked into bed with his cuddly toy by the time we all gathered for dinner. The little man was obviously knackered.The house had settled into that comfortable Sunday evening rhythm. Soft music drifted from the kitchen while my mom plated dinner.Livvy had called earlier. "The edits ran late, but they're incredible. Matteo is buying me dinner, so don't wait up."Which meant one thing. Valentina and I could have our first evening together without my little sister poking her nose in. I gave a satisfied smirk.Valentina appeared at the dining room doorway wearing soft cream lounge pants and an oversized pale-blue sweater, her damp burgundy curls loose around her shoulders.My heart stumbled.She caught me looking and instantly blushed. God...She was beautiful without even trying.I stood automatically, pulling out the chair beside mine. "For you, Miss Rossi."She rolled her eyes, smiling. "Ever the gentleman Mr B
ValentinaTwo Years Ago – Friday 6th March 2024 - En Route to JFK AirportThen… I heard him laugh. Not with humour. With contempt. "Lady?" His voice dripped disdain. "Please let’s not kid ourselves. You're nothing more than a glorified whore. Trailer park trash. A bastard to boot.” He let that sit there before turning the screw. "Women like you are a dime a dozen.”My grip tightened around the phone until my knuckles turned white. I'd never struck another human being. But at that moment...I wanted to. Badly.He continued before I could answer. "I became concerned when Nash deviated from his usual arrangements. He'd never offered anyone a weekend contract before. So I wondered if perhaps you were different." He gave a humourless chuckle. "Then I discovered he kept his Monday and Wednesday girls. And that told me what you were…” I could almost feel his sneering condescension. “…Nothing special after all."The words landed like another knife in an already bleeding heart. A tiny, involu
ValentinaTwo Years Ago – Friday 6th March 2024 - En Route to JFK AirportThrough teary eyes, I watched my uber pulled up to the kerb. The Uber driver stepped out and loaded my luggage into the trunk before opening the back door for me. "JFK?" he asked kindly. I nodded mutely.The warmth inside the car made everything worse somehow. As if the comfort and sanctuary of it was mocking the coldness and isolation that was already wrapping itself around my soul.As we pulled away from the curb, I looked up automatically toward the towering penthouse windows high above the city.Dark. Empty. No sign that once I had lived and loved there. My vision blurred again instantly.With every block we put between us, it felt as though another piece of my heart was being left behind.The ache became unbearable.I wrapped my arms around myself as if I could somehow hold together everything that had just shattered.I couldn't.The first sob escaped before I could stop it.Then another. Soon my entire bo
31st March 2025 - Blackthorpe Estate, Upper East SideGordon BlackthorpeNash continued exactly as before. Still with the Monday and Wednesday arrangements. The other women were still coming and going.Good. It meant she was nothing special, just clever enough to negotiate a better deal. At the end of the day, she was just another fucktoy. Nash remained true to form. It was just sex, bought and paid for. Nothing more.But I had kept tabs, waiting for the expiration date. Then Norman phoned one Friday afternoon. "I've got movement." I remembered smiling with satisfaction. "She's leaving."His surveillance photographs arrived within the hour. Valentina Rossi. Dragging two suitcases out of the luxury building. Face blotchy, streaked with tears as she entered the taxi.Good…she was given the boot. Nash never went back for seconds, so there would be no reconciliation. No looking back.I had smiled into my whisky. “That’s right you little gold digger. Go on your merry way.” Order was rest
Gordon Blackthorpe31st March 2025 - Blackthorpe Estate, Upper East SideI poured myself a double Macallan and downed it neat. The whisky burned all the way down, but I barely noticed. It may as well have been cheap rotgut for all I cared. Tonight I wasn't drinking to appreciate eighteen years of craftsmanship and smoky perfection. I was drinking because I was furious.I poured another double and carried the crystal tumbler to my study. The familiar scent of polished mahogany and leather usually calmed me. Tonight, it did nothing.I lowered myself into the wingback chair behind my desk, the leather creaking beneath my weight, and stared out over the manicured gardens lit up by flares in late evening.Every inch of it represented decades of sacrifice, ruthless decisions and calculated risks. It represented control. Tonight, for the first time in years...I felt it slipping. I stared out at the perfectly manicured grounds now lit up with garden flares, my grip tightening around the glas
2 years ago – Saturday 29th February Valentina The battle in front of the mirror continues. My subconscious tuts, mocking me. *He chose you for weekends Valentina...* she corrects. 'There’s a difference.* My reflection blurs. I’m not crying. I refuse to cry before I even try. My hands are trem
2 years ago – Saturday 29th February ValentinaI woke up later than normal, the sun already high in the sky.I blushed as last night came rushing back. Nashian had been an absolute animal. He had taken me three more times. In the shower, strapped to the bench and finally on the giant four poster
2 years ago – Friday 28th February Valentina And then his mouth crashed down onto mine, teeth nipping my lower lip, tongue delving deep as if he he couldn't get enough of the taste of me. Plunging, duelling, conquering like a starving man offered a banquet and that had decided to swallow me who
2 years ago – Friday 28th February Valentina The call came early on Friday morning. Dianne, my publisher, breathless with excitement and enthusiasm had told me that we had done it. My breath caught…A million...the number seemed unreal for a series that had been out for just a year and a half.







