Chapter thirty-three: You don’t dig into his pain The next morning, sunlight spilled gently through the sheer curtains of the guest room, casting golden streaks across the floor. The house, though still quiet, no longer felt empty. Alissa stirred awake, her limbs heavy from exhaustion. Her eyes drifted to the familiar ceiling before she sat up slowly, remembering where she was. Shane’s house. She got out of bed and made her way downstairs. The soft hum of a distant vacuum cleaner and the clinking of dishes in the kitchen suggested someone was already up. As she entered the kitchen, she found the housekeeper cleaning up the dishes from last night. Alissa gave her a polite smile and walked to the pot she had left on the stove. It was empty. She paused, lifting the lid with a hint of surprise. Someone had eaten the soup. Her brows drew together briefly, but she said nothing. “Bonjour madame” Alissa turned. Asher stood by the entrance of the kitchen
Chapter thirty-two As Shane stood there, staring at her back, a deep emotion stirred in his chest. He wanted to walk over and wrap his arms around her. To confess that he had fallen in love with her. With a woman who had an evil heart? A woman who tried to kill her own sister? How could he love someone who showed no remorse? And now, she surrounded herself with men for money. Perhaps, he reasoned bitterly, that’s why she stayed with me. For what I could offer her. But if that was true, then why… why did his heart ache like this? Why couldn’t he forget her?&
Chapter Thirty-One: Isn't it suspicious? In the living room, Shane invited Asher for a drink at his mini bar. They sat adjacent to each other on stools while Shane poured the alcohol. “What do you want?” he asked, grabbing a bottle. “Vodka,” Asher replied without hesitation. Shane glanced at him, lifting a brow. “Isn’t that too strong? You have to drive Alissa back.” There was a hint of concern in his voice, though he tried to sound nonchalant. Asher sighed, taking the glass. “I don’t think she’ll be going back tonight.” Shane tried not
Chapter Thirty: Is he your boyfriend? Within minutes, Alissa arrived—dressed in a crisp grey blazer and high-waisted slacks, her hair tied in a messy bun. The makeup had been washed off her face, leaving her skin bare and glowing, with a natural blush from the cold night air. Her beauty was quiet, unintentional, almost innocent. Asher sat silently in the driver’s seat, his sharp eyes scanning the suite ahead. His voice was flat, lacking emotion as he remarked, “Your ex-husband seems to have taste.” Alissa could hear the quiet irritation in his tone. He was upset—understandably so. He had invited her to dinner at his place, had gone all out cooking a meal, only for her to lose her appetite the moment she learned that Martin was in critical condition. She hadn’t k
Chapter Twenty-Nine: Let them try By the next morning, the buzz around the Kincaid Hotel was louder than ever. News outlets speculated about the hotel’s transformation, social media influencers snapped photos of the renovations from across the street, and curious locals tried to sneak peeks through the newly installed iron gates. Alissa stood at the top of the grand staircase in a crisp white blazer and high-waisted slacks, her phone in one hand and a clipboard in the other. Her heels clicked with every step as she descended to the lobby. “Morning, boss,” Rophine said with a grin, balancing a tablet in her arm. Alissa smirked. “How many interviews do we have lined up?” “Five. Three are journalists, one is from KTV News, and the last one... a blogger with seven m
Chapter Twenty-Seven: New owner By the next morning, the air around the Golden Palace Hotel had shifted. The staff wore clean uniforms. The front desk was no longer manned by the bored, gum-chewing receptionist, but by a newly reassigned hostess who stood upright, lips painted, and posture proud. Outside, a line had already begun to form. Alissa stood on the upper balcony, sipping black coffee as she observed the scene below. “Word travels fast,” she murmured. Rophine stood beside her, tablet in hand. “The job announcement you ordered was posted online and broadcasted on three radio stations. We’ve received over two hundred digital applications. Thirty walk-ins are downstairs already.”