Emma’s POV:The phone buzzed just as I was reviewing the final mockups for the DreamNet proposal. I picked it up without checking the caller ID.“Hello?”“Good afternoon, Miss Miller.”Came the smooth voice of Mr. Yang, the assistant to DreamNet’s CEO. We had spoken several times over the past few weeks as I tried, persistently, to get my small design studio considered for their major design project.Almost a year ago, I had started a new design studio with a small team : ‘Nefelibata’, or the one who lives amongst the clouds. Our budget was small, but we had really given our heart and soul to even the smallest piece of work. We poured everything into our projects: sleepless nights, coffee-fueled edits, heated debates over shades and symmetry. But none of that would matter if we couldn’t land a project that got us seen.Our studio needed the contract of a large company to help us rise above, in this highly competitive field. And DreamNet was our shot.My heart hammered in my chest.“Y
Xeros' POV I leaned against the rusted swing set, arms crossed as I watched the children dart across the playground. The crisp autumn air carried their laughter, unlike the fake conversations of boardrooms that I had to witness day after day. I wondered if I would have come back sooner, if I knew about her visiting this place?Before I could examine that thought, movement caught my eye. A toddler, barely two years old, wobbled dangerously near a discarded toy car, his tiny arms flailing as he lost balance. My body moved before my brain registered the danger. I lunged forward just as a blur of yellow fabric shot from my peripheral vision. Charlotte. We collided mid-stride, nearly sandwiching the child between us in our haste. My hands found her waist instinctively, steadying us both as the scent of vanilla and citrus flooded my senses. For a breathless moment, time stilled—her body pressed against mine, her rapid heartbeat thudding through the thin fabric of her dress. "Joy! A
Xeros’s POV: The rain pelted down harder as we walked hurriedly while trying our best to avoid the puddles, as the winds picked up speed. I glanced at the woman walking beside me from the corner of my eye– her arms wrapped around Adam, taking careful steps. Had I judged Charlotte incorrectly? Before our wedding, I had dismissed every thought of getting to know her on the basis of what I already knew and had already seen about her. She was supposed to be an arrogant socialite who was supposed to care only about luxury, events, money, and the next opportunity to shine, right? And as someone who would go to any extent to chase the spotlight. That smile that had been flashing across the television screens– completely hollow and polished, was nowhere in sight. In my recent memory were flashes of her smiling freely with the children, grinning from ear to ear with happiness. She spoke to the children lovingly– not in a pitiful or overly sympathetic and condescending voice, but like she
Emma’s POV:Lying stiffly on the narrow bed, I stared at the peeling paint on the ceiling. My thoughts were kicking up a storm louder than the one that had trapped us here for the night.Was this really the same man who had coldly warned me to stay out of his affairs on our first day as a married couple? The one who treated me with such detached indifference, as if our marriage contract required a social distancing clause too! The one who treated me coldly and indifferently always, like he never wanted me to forget about the fact that it was an arranged marriage, with zero emotions involved. The same one who wanted to keep as little contact as possible… as if we couldn't even be polite to each other and make conversation, unless a third person was in the room, watching us. But today, he appeared out of nowhere at the orphanage. How did he even know I would be here?And how was I supposed to convince myself that it was Xeros, when I had always assumed that he would come with me to fi
Emma's POV:The moment I stepped through the door of my room, I kicked off my shoes, and my hand immediately went to my bag to pull out my phone. Two days without signal in that remote location had been unexpectedly peaceful… but now it was time to come back to the reality of my life.The screen lit up with notifications: twenty-three missed calls, countless texts, and all of them from one person.Lily ! She's my best friend, my manager, PR consultant and life coach, rolled into one tiny package! She was the only person managing my studio when I wasn’t around, and the one of the main reasons why I could start it in the first place.I hit the call button, wondering if she might be busy– but she answered before the first ring even ended.“Where have you been?” Her voice exploded through the speaker. “You made me worry sick! You just disappeared on the weekend– even if you were planning a digital detox or something, you could have told me! I was about to file a missing person’s repor
Xeros's POVI came home early from the office, which isn't like I usually do. The mansion was quiet—too quiet. I came early because I wanted to see her. I don't know if this is something I can say to anyone but I was just too eager. I loosened my tie with one hand, my briefcase still in the other, and walked slowly into the main hallway. The faint scent of lemon cleaner lingered in the air, and the floors were spotless, shining like mirrors under the soft lights. Mille must have been here earlier.I glanced toward the living room. The lights were on. A book was resting open on the armrest of the couch, and a half-finished cup of coffee sat cold on the side table. But she wasn’t there.I looked around while trying so hard not to be obvious because I didn't want anyone to see me this way, yet I was still eager to see her. I set the briefcase down beside the couch, staring at the empty seat as a small frown formed on my face."Where is she?" I asked as Millie walked through the door, p
Xeros’s POVI came home earlier than usual again. I don’t know if it’s because of guilt or worry—or just the need to see her.The mansion was quiet like always, but this time it felt heavier. My steps were slower, more cautious, and my eyes moved quickly around the room.Then I saw her.Charlotte was sitting on the couch in the living room. A blanket wrapped loosely around her shoulders, her legs tucked under her. She looked up the moment she heard me walk in. Her face was pale, eyes tired, and yet she still looked beautiful.I stopped at the edge of the room. I didn’t say anything at first. Neither did she. I didn't know how to start a conversation with her without being awkward about it. I couldn’t stop thinking about the way I found her. She was so scared and that bastard could only think of taking advantage of her! Everything still played over and over in my head as fresh as it could be. I felt angry again, clenching my fists. She opened her mouth to say something, but I held u
Third Person’s POVThe man standing in front of the mirror looked like a wreck. Blood trickled from his nose, staining the tissue he pressed underneath it. His expensive suit was wrinkled, and one of his sleeves had been ripped.Alpfit Corporation’s manager gritted his teeth as he dialed Charlotte’s number. His reflection glared back at him with a mix of shame and fury. The moment the line connected, he snapped.“She slapped me and that guy broke my goddamn nose!” he roared, his voice echoing off the tiled bathroom walls.There was a pause, then Charlotte’s voice came through sharp and cold. “So you’re telling me you can’t even handle a simple meeting? You’re useless.”“I— Miss, I—”But she didn’t let him finish. The call ended with a sharp beep.Charlotte exhaled hard, her jaw tight as she tossed the phone onto the couch. Her heels clicked against the polished marble as she turned away, pacing. Her red dress shimmered with each step she took, but her eyes were like steel.Alex sat at
Xeros's POVI came home early from the office, which isn't like I usually do. The mansion was quiet—too quiet. I came early because I wanted to see her. I don't know if this is something I can say to anyone but I was just too eager. I loosened my tie with one hand, my briefcase still in the other, and walked slowly into the main hallway. The faint scent of lemon cleaner lingered in the air, and the floors were spotless, shining like mirrors under the soft lights. Mille must have been here earlier.I glanced toward the living room. The lights were on. A book was resting open on the armrest of the couch, and a half-finished cup of coffee sat cold on the side table. But she wasn’t there.I looked around while trying so hard not to be obvious because I didn't want anyone to see me this way, yet I was still eager to see her. I set the briefcase down beside the couch, staring at the empty seat as a small frown formed on my face."Where is she?" I asked as Millie walked through the door, p
Xeros’s POVThe auction had already been going on for over an hour when I finally arrived.I didn’t rush. I rarely do. I walked in through the back entrance where security was tighter, nodding at the staff who scrambled like ants to make sure everything was perfect for the VIPs. The woman in a black dress and clipboard bowed slightly as she led me to the private suite upstairs.I sat down on the leather chair, the lights dimmed in the VIP room, but the glass allowed me to see everything on the floor below. My fingers rested on the armrest lazily, and I leaned back. The soft hum of murmurs, clinking glasses, and bidding numbers floated up like smoke. I didn’t care much for jewelry, but my name had to be seen tonight. People needed to know I was watching.On the stage below, a ruby diamond necklace was being shown off. It shimmered under the lights like a thousand red stars. Some rich socialite was showing off her hand, trying to catch the attention of whoever cared. I didn’t.To me, th
Emma’s POV“I’m really sorry, Xeros,” I said, tucking a few strands of hair behind my ear. “I won’t be able to make it tonight. I have a lot of work to finish at the studio.”He looked disappointed, but he didn’t question it. He just nodded once, his jaw tightening slightly.“It’s alright,” he said. “There’ll be other auctions.”I gave him a small smile, hoping it looked genuine. But inside, I felt a knot in my chest.I hated lying to him.But I had no choice.If I told him the truth—that I was going to that auction, that I was the real artist behind the painting they were all fighting for—he would ask questions. Questions I wasn’t ready to answer. Not yet.So I lied. And I hated how easy it had become.After he left, I stood in front of my full-length mirror, adjusting the mask I had picked out. It was delicate, white with silver lace and tiny crystals that sparkled under the light. It only covered the upper half of my face, but it would be enough.I didn’t want anyone recognizing me
Third Person’s POVThe man standing in front of the mirror looked like a wreck. Blood trickled from his nose, staining the tissue he pressed underneath it. His expensive suit was wrinkled, and one of his sleeves had been ripped.Alpfit Corporation’s manager gritted his teeth as he dialed Charlotte’s number. His reflection glared back at him with a mix of shame and fury. The moment the line connected, he snapped.“She slapped me and that guy broke my goddamn nose!” he roared, his voice echoing off the tiled bathroom walls.There was a pause, then Charlotte’s voice came through sharp and cold. “So you’re telling me you can’t even handle a simple meeting? You’re useless.”“I— Miss, I—”But she didn’t let him finish. The call ended with a sharp beep.Charlotte exhaled hard, her jaw tight as she tossed the phone onto the couch. Her heels clicked against the polished marble as she turned away, pacing. Her red dress shimmered with each step she took, but her eyes were like steel.Alex sat at
Xeros’s POVI came home earlier than usual again. I don’t know if it’s because of guilt or worry—or just the need to see her.The mansion was quiet like always, but this time it felt heavier. My steps were slower, more cautious, and my eyes moved quickly around the room.Then I saw her.Charlotte was sitting on the couch in the living room. A blanket wrapped loosely around her shoulders, her legs tucked under her. She looked up the moment she heard me walk in. Her face was pale, eyes tired, and yet she still looked beautiful.I stopped at the edge of the room. I didn’t say anything at first. Neither did she. I didn't know how to start a conversation with her without being awkward about it. I couldn’t stop thinking about the way I found her. She was so scared and that bastard could only think of taking advantage of her! Everything still played over and over in my head as fresh as it could be. I felt angry again, clenching my fists. She opened her mouth to say something, but I held u
Xeros's POVI came home early from the office, which isn't like I usually do. The mansion was quiet—too quiet. I came early because I wanted to see her. I don't know if this is something I can say to anyone but I was just too eager. I loosened my tie with one hand, my briefcase still in the other, and walked slowly into the main hallway. The faint scent of lemon cleaner lingered in the air, and the floors were spotless, shining like mirrors under the soft lights. Mille must have been here earlier.I glanced toward the living room. The lights were on. A book was resting open on the armrest of the couch, and a half-finished cup of coffee sat cold on the side table. But she wasn’t there.I looked around while trying so hard not to be obvious because I didn't want anyone to see me this way, yet I was still eager to see her. I set the briefcase down beside the couch, staring at the empty seat as a small frown formed on my face."Where is she?" I asked as Millie walked through the door, p
Emma's POV:The moment I stepped through the door of my room, I kicked off my shoes, and my hand immediately went to my bag to pull out my phone. Two days without signal in that remote location had been unexpectedly peaceful… but now it was time to come back to the reality of my life.The screen lit up with notifications: twenty-three missed calls, countless texts, and all of them from one person.Lily ! She's my best friend, my manager, PR consultant and life coach, rolled into one tiny package! She was the only person managing my studio when I wasn’t around, and the one of the main reasons why I could start it in the first place.I hit the call button, wondering if she might be busy– but she answered before the first ring even ended.“Where have you been?” Her voice exploded through the speaker. “You made me worry sick! You just disappeared on the weekend– even if you were planning a digital detox or something, you could have told me! I was about to file a missing person’s repor
Emma’s POV:Lying stiffly on the narrow bed, I stared at the peeling paint on the ceiling. My thoughts were kicking up a storm louder than the one that had trapped us here for the night.Was this really the same man who had coldly warned me to stay out of his affairs on our first day as a married couple? The one who treated me with such detached indifference, as if our marriage contract required a social distancing clause too! The one who treated me coldly and indifferently always, like he never wanted me to forget about the fact that it was an arranged marriage, with zero emotions involved. The same one who wanted to keep as little contact as possible… as if we couldn't even be polite to each other and make conversation, unless a third person was in the room, watching us. But today, he appeared out of nowhere at the orphanage. How did he even know I would be here?And how was I supposed to convince myself that it was Xeros, when I had always assumed that he would come with me to fi
Xeros’s POV: The rain pelted down harder as we walked hurriedly while trying our best to avoid the puddles, as the winds picked up speed. I glanced at the woman walking beside me from the corner of my eye– her arms wrapped around Adam, taking careful steps. Had I judged Charlotte incorrectly? Before our wedding, I had dismissed every thought of getting to know her on the basis of what I already knew and had already seen about her. She was supposed to be an arrogant socialite who was supposed to care only about luxury, events, money, and the next opportunity to shine, right? And as someone who would go to any extent to chase the spotlight. That smile that had been flashing across the television screens– completely hollow and polished, was nowhere in sight. In my recent memory were flashes of her smiling freely with the children, grinning from ear to ear with happiness. She spoke to the children lovingly– not in a pitiful or overly sympathetic and condescending voice, but like she