MasukZALDEN I stormed out of the hall angrily, and I didn't miss the satisfied smirk on his face before I left.A surge of anger coursed through my veins. My muscles tensed with each step I took when I saw her pacing in the hallway.She hadn't noticed me yet and I stole the moment to take a good view of her dress. It was… breathtaking.The way she stood elegant in it, the way she commanded the room with her presence, she should have been with me not that asshole.“Why do you care anyway?” A voice spoke in my head and it fueled my anger.“Looking for where to hide?”She jumped at my voice. Her expression softened when she noticed it was me before twitching to something I can't quite read.“Mr. Marlowe—”My jaw ticked from the way she addressed me and a scoff escaped my lungs. She had a lot to say the last time she was at my office and now, she's just going to treat me like a stranger?“And you still owe her an apology,” A strong voice reminded me.“Hooking up with my stepbrother. Is that y
ZALDEN ‘Brother.’ The word felt like a punch in the gut, and I didn't miss the way Kyle's lips curved into a smirk as he studied my reaction. He was trying to get under my skin. Of course, that is all he ever does. Fighting for everything that belonged to me. Trying to turn everything into a competition and none of it ever mattered, but this…My gaze remained fixed on Belle whose mouth hung open from the news. Her eyes snapped up to meet mine, glistening with disbelief. And for a moment, I wondered what she was so shocked about. Is it because she had just hooked up with my supposed brother or knowing we are related?Kyle's eyes beamed with pride as he pulled her closer. “Are you that shocked? You look like you've seen a ghost.”She shifted her weight, looking everywhere in the room except my eyes as she fiddled with her dress.Did she dress up for him?In the time that I've known her, I know dressing up wasn’t really her thing. She'd always wear a simple outfit, looking unbothered
BELLE “You look… breathtaking,” he looked like he was struggling to find the right word as his eyes locked with mine.My cheeks burned under his gaze as I forced a small smile. “You don't look bad yourself.”He nodded. “I know, I always look my best,” he flashed me a grin, and I didn't miss his dimple. God! He looks so normal. For a second there, I almost forgot he was my boss. Kara cleared her throat, drawing our attention back to herself.“Aren't you running late?” She drew her eyebrows together, as she gave me that ‘I told you so’ look.“Yeah… I got distracted with the beauty in front of me that I almost forgot we have somewhere to be.”My heart skipped a beat at how smooth his words were, and I couldn't help but question if this was normal. I was used to a cold boss like Zalden. This felt so strange, I didn't even know how to react.Kara's head snapped to mine so quickly that I'm sure it hurt. “Did you hear that?” She mouthed, and I shook my head.“Let's go.”Kyle led the way o
BELLE“We have thirty minutes to get you what to wear,” Kara said, as she checked her wristwatch to keep track of time.“Is it too late to back down? Maybe he can find someone else to replace me.”Kara shot me a look. “Do you really believe he doesn't have anyone else?” She shook her head. “For someone as smart as you are, you are slow. This is either a test or just a man trying his luck,” she tutted.“And jumping to conclusions is what you do best,” I shook my head. “Why would he even be interested in me?”Kara snorted. “Time will tell.”Easy for her to say. My palms were already sweating and I don't even know if we can find something appealing within a short time.Kara made a quick stop in front of her favorite store and I shook my head before she could even speak.“No. You're not going to spend your hard-earned money on a dress just so I can attend this party.” I picked up my phone, looking for Kyle's number before I recalled we didn't share contact information earlier.Dammit. “R
BELLE I knew that face. I've seen it before on a magazine cover on the ‘Businessman of the year’ feature Kara shoved on my face once. I remember clearly how she was whining about how all these men were always unreachable, and now he was sitting right in front of me?I took a careful look at him and my eyes widened. Wasn't Zalden supposed to be the youngest thriving businessman in the country? He looked just as successful and maybe around his age, too. I didn't usually invest my time in business news, but I wouldn't miss it if he had a competitor.“Miss Belle?” His voice was smooth, laced with a hint of amusement as he studied my file before shifting his attention back to me.I blinked, realizing my mouth was open, and shut it quickly. “Y-yes sir.”A small smile tugged his lips as he batted his eyelashes at me. “Relax, you look like you've seen a ghost.”He sounded so warm and carefree, one would think we're old friends. I forced out a laugh that sounded like a choke and he grabbed
BELLE Jamie has finally been discharged. Relief washed over me like a tide, and I can't help the excitement that came with knowing no more visits to the hospital.“Mommy, can I go to the park now?” Jamie jumped on the bed in excitement.“Yes, sweetie,” I combed her hair with my fingers with a smile on my face. “You can go anywhere you want as long as you promise to be a good girl.”Jordan tutted at my words. “When does she ever behave?”The two turned it into an argument while I packed our bags. “I'm the oldest! Don't speak to me that way,” Jamie smacked her brother's head with a frown.“I'm the man!” Jordan countered back, and I shook my head from their endless fights.“Okay guys, it's time to go home.”“Yay!!!” Jamie jumped into her brother's arms, and they are good once again. “Careful Jamie,” I scolded. “You can't play rough unless you want to stay here for a few more days.”She pulled away from Jordan slowly and nodded with a pout. After thanking her doctor and all the nurses
AUTHOR'S POV Andrew waited a couple of minutes for Belle to come out of Zalden's office but when the minutes stretched into what seemed like forever, he became worried.Knowing Zalden's temper, he feared he might make things worse and decided to intervene.He pushed the door open without knocking,
BELLE The moment his lips crashed against mine, it felt like the world froze in place and the only sound I could hear was the frantic pounding of my heart.I stood still, a thousand thoughts scattering through my mind, but all I could focus on was the scent of him. Rich. Intoxicating.My hands wen
ZALDEN For a second, I thought I had misheard him, but the smug gleam in his eyes told me I hadn't. Give Belle to him? As what? My stomach churned at how ridiculous that sounded, and I couldn't believe I was having this conversation.“Belle is not for sale. And that applies to the rest of my emplo
ZALDEN An hour has passed since I told Belle to go get changed. If she was going to hide somewhere and cry every single time she was scolded, why did she bother coming back?I paced around my office, a part of me wondering if I had gone too far. I knew she couldn't afford to live like the rest. Sh







