MasukRoman stared at the screen, his jaw tight. His voice was dangerously low.“I don’t understand what you just said to me.” He frowned. “What do you mean you found her?”Davin swallowed. “We mean…we know where she is.”“And why the fuck would you know that?” Roman asked, voice slightly raised. “Come on Roman,” Davin said. “You were in a terrible place and we only wanted to help.”“Help?” He asked. “By having the woman who betrayed me then left without a trace come back to me, really?” He raised his brow.“In her defence…you chased her away,” Davin said.“In my defence, she cheated with my brother.” Roman scoffed. “But it seems like just because I chased after her at an airport, it means all is forgotten.”No one answered. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” Roman rose from his chair.“Relax Roman,” Alec said. “You don’t need to get yourself worked up.”“I was doing just fine not knowing anything about Tessa or her whereabouts,” Roman said.“Were you though?” Alec asked.“Really Roman?”“Yes.
The city lights blurred past the tinted windows of the Rolls-Royce. Chicago at night was a different beast—quieter, colder, the streets emptied of the day's chaos.Roman sat in the back, one leg crossed over the other, his gaze fixed on the passing buildings. His tie was loosened. His sleeves were rolled up. The exhaustion of the day settled into his bones.Olivia sat across from him, a laptop on her lap, scrolling through the day's notes. She glanced up at him, then back down, then up again."The interviews," she said carefully. "How were they?"Roman didn't look at her. "They were all the same. A complete waste of my time."Olivia nodded slowly. "I see." She paused. "You did spend some time with Miss Mendel, though. How was that?"Roman didn't answer immediately.He thought of her. Sabrina had held his gaze, answered his questions without flinching. And the way she had called him out, pushed back, refused to grovel.She wasn't scared of him.That was rare.He exhaled through his nos
Sabrina sat slowly, placing the folder neatly on her lap.Her heart hammered against her ribs.She had been nervous before walking into the office.Now it was worse.The first candidate had walked out looking defeated and the second had left furious. The third had practically begged her to run.And yet, here she was.Sitting across from Roman Blackwood.The man who could either hand her the opportunity she’d been waiting for… or end it before it even began.Roman didn’t speak.He simply looked at her.His expression was unreadable. His dark eyes studied her with quiet intensity, as though he were trying to understand something that wasn’t written anywhere in the file resting on his desk.The silence stretched.One second. Two. Three.Sabrina shifted in her chair. Then again.Finally, unable to take it anymore, she cleared her throat.“Mr Blackwood,” she said carefully, forcing a polite smile. “Are you going to say something?”Roman leaned back in his chair, studying her. "I'm deciding
The alarm rang at exactly six thirty.Before it had the chance to ring a second time, a hand reached across the bedside table and silenced it.Sabrina Mendel stretched beneath the covers before slowly sitting up.The floor was cold against her bare feet, and the radiator in the corner coughed uselessly.She shuffled to the bathroom, turned on the shower, and let the hot water wake her up. Steam filled the small space. She stood under the spray longer than she should have, her mind already running through the day ahead.She stepped out, wrapped a towel around herself, and wiped the fog from the mirror. Her reflection stared back at her — tired eyes, damp hair, the faint shadows of someone who didn't sleep enough.She dressed quickly. Simple blazer, blouse, tailored trousers. Nothing too flashy.She checked herself one more time in the mirror. Adjusted her collar and straightened the sleeves.She headed for the kitchen, turned on the kettle, and pulled her phone from her pocket. Three
Roman sat alone in his office, thinking about his father’s final words.“You might not have someone like her to change you again.”He let out a deep breath. That was the least of his problems. He didn’t need someone like her. In fact, he didn’t need anyone.He hadn’t allowed himself to think about Tessa much over the past year, and he wasn’t about to start now. There was nothing to think of.She had left on her own terms. He had respected that. As much as every instinct had screamed at him to find her, he hadn’t used his influence, his money, or his connections.She was a grown woman.She had made a grown decision.And so had he.A firm knock interrupted his thoughts.“Come in,” Roman said sharply.The door opened and Olivia stepped inside, her hands clasped behind her back.“Olivia.” He said. “What is it?”“Mr Blackwood,” She kept her head high. “I apologise for what happened earlier. I had no idea Mr Thorne had—”“How could you let that happen?” Roman cut her off. His voice was lo
The car pulled up to the entrance of Blackwood Chicago.Before the driver could step out, Roman opened the door himself. He stepped onto the pavement, his shoes hitting the marble with a sharp, decisive click. He didn't wait for anyone. Didn't acknowledge the doorman. Didn't look back.He slammed the car door shut behind him.The sound echoed through the entrance.He took a few steps, then stopped.He turned and looked back at the car. His eyes landed on the scratch—the long, ugly gash running along the side where the Camry had hit it.He exhaled slowly. Then he turned and walked inside without another word.The lobby of Blackwood Chicago was a cathedral of glass and steel.Marble floors stretched endlessly. A grand chandelier hung overhead, casting a glow across the space.Staff moved with quiet precision. No one dared to look him in the eye. Not unless he specifically asked.Guests drifted past, and the hum of luxury filled the air.Roman didn't pause to admire any of it. He walked
The front doors blew open before Klara’s hand even touched them.Cold morning air swept in, curling through the foyer like a cursed spirit.And there he stood.Grayson.Tall, crisp suit, shirt open at the throat. Calm, collected, and far too comfortable in a house that didn’t welcome him with open
The police car rolled to a stop behind the station.Roman barely noticed the building itself. The ride had been silent except for the radio chatter and the faint rattle of the cuffs around his wrists.The back door opened.“Please step out.” The officer said.Roman stepped out without protest. The
The drive to Davin’s house was quiet.Alec sat in the passenger seat, staring out the window while the city lights slid past them in blurred streaks.Victor kept both hands on the steering wheel.“Let me do the talking when we get there,” he said finally. “From what I hear, Davin isn’t your biggest
The police lights disappeared down the long driveway, leaving the mansion wrapped in a strange, hollow silence. For a moment, no one moved. Salima stood in the middle of the driveway, staring into the darkness where the cruiser had vanished. Her chest rose and fell too quickly, like the air refu







