로그인~YVONNE' S POV~The hospital bed was too white, too clean. Like they had scrubbed away every trace of what had happened, leaving me in this hygienic room that smelled like disinfectant and loss.I sat cross-legged on the bed, biting my nails down to nothing, scrolling through my phone with shaking hands.I don't know why I opened Instagram. Self-destruction, maybe, or the need to make it real.'BREAKING: Klein Heir Proposes to Sinclair Heiress in Lavish Gala'Arthur on one knee. Holly's hand over her mouth, the massive ring catching light from a thousand flashes.Timestamp: 8:47 PM.While I was bleeding on my bathroom floor, he was sliding a ring on her finger.I scrolled to the comments.'@ChicagoSocialite: STUNNING couple! This is what power looks like 👑''@BusinessInsider: The merger is sealed. Klein-Sinclair dynasty begins''@HollyStan2024: She deserves EVERYTHING'My chest felt tight. I kept scrolling, kept punishing myself, the Klein Corp employee group chat. 347 unread message
~LIAM'S POV~I was sitting in the waiting room, my hands still stained with her blood, when my phone rang.Aiden.I almost didn't answer. But Aiden never called unless it was important."What?" My voice came out harsher than I intended."Jesus, where are you? I've been trying to reach you for an hour.""Hospital." I ran a bloody hand through my hair. "Yvonne....she had a medical emergency. I'm waiting to hear...""Fuck. Is she okay?""I don't know yet." I leaned forward, elbows on my knees. "What do you need, Aiden? I'm kind of in the middle of something.""Have you seen the news?""What news?""Your brother. Well, half-brother. Whatever." Aiden paused. "He got engaged. Tonight. It's trending everywhere."The words didn't register at first. "What the hell are you talking about?""Arthur Klein proposed to Holly Sinclair at some gala at the Art Institute. It's all over social media. Big production, photographers, the works. I'm guessing you weren't invited."My blood went cold, then hot
~LIAM'S POV~{ONE HOUR EARLIER}I was parked outside her building again. Third night this week. Fourth if you counted the time I just drove by without stopping.Pathetic.Her light was still on—third floor, corner window. I could see her shadow moving around occasionally. What was she doing up there? Talking to Arthur? Planning the baby's future? Choosing names for a Klein heir I would never be allowed to meet?My phone rang. Kenji."This better be good," I answered. "I'm busy.""You're outside her apartment again, aren't you?""Fuck off, Kenji. You're not being paid to question me or psychoanalyze my choices. What is it?"There was a pause, then: "I've noticed some strange movement between Vanessa and that evil little sidekick of hers—Morris. Thought you would want to know."I rubbed my forehead, exhaustion weighing on me like concrete. I hadn't slept properly in weeks. Between watching Yvonne's building until her light went out, running my business through two-hour online meeting
TRIGGER WARNING: Graphic miscarriage, medical trauma, induced pregnancy loss~YVONNE POV~The screen on my phone was small, cracked in the corner from last week, but the picture was crystal clear.I sat on my couch, worn cushions sagging beneath me. My apartment was quiet except for the radiator's dying hiss. I couldn't hear it. I could only hear tiny tinny applause from my phone speaker."Ladies and gentlemen," Arthur's voice said, smooth and polished even through the phone. "I'm realizing I don't want to build a future alone."My hand went to my stomach, eight weeks, almost nine. A tiny flutter of life I had felt for the first time yesterday.On screen, Arthur dropped to one knee.My breath hitched....quick, painful, like swallowing glass. I knew it was coming. I had known. But watching it happen live, streamed to thousands, felt like lightning striking."Holly Sinclair, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"Holly's hands flew to her mouth, she looked beautiful. Silver dres
~ARTHUR'S POV~"Straighten your tie. You look like you slept in the car."I didn't look at my mother. I looked at the mirror inside the limo, adjusting the silk knot. It was perfect. It had been perfect five minutes ago. But Vanessa Klein didn't deal in perfect....she dealt in dominance."I look fine, Mother," I said, checking my teeth. "Better than fine. I look like the CEO of a billion-dollar merger.""You look like a nervous boy." She reached over, her manicured nails sharp against my collar, and pulled the fabric tighter. "This isn't just a party, Arthur. It's a coronation. The Sinclairs are waiting. The board is waiting. Half of Chicago is watching the livestream. Do not embarrass me.""I'm proposing, not going to an execution.""With the Sinclairs, there's very little difference." She sat back, smoothing her navy dress—severe, expensive, everything Vanessa Klein represented. "Is the ring secure?"I patted the velvet box in my jacket pocket. "Yes. Four carats. Emerald cut. Exac
~VANESSA'S POV~I sat in my office watching the city lights flicker on as dusk settled over Chicago, a cup of Earl Grey cooling on my desk, untouched.Liam's baby.The girl had finally admitted it. She had stood there in her pathetic little apartment, trembling and terrified, and confessed the truth I had already known for weeks.She was carrying Liam Klein's child.My husband's bastard son had somehow wormed his way back into Chicago, seduced Arthur's little plaything, gotten her pregnant, and now that little fool thought she could trap my son with the consequences.I picked up my phone and dialed.Morris answered on the first ring. "Mrs. Klein.""I need you to acquire something for me," I said. "Discreetly.""What kind of something?""Herbal. There's a shop on State Street—Ming's Apothecary. They import specialty teas from China. I need you to request their strongest blend for women's health. Specifically for..." I paused, choosing my words carefully even on a secure line, "...regu
~YVONNE POV~He didn't wait to see if I obeyed. He just walked toward a set of double doors on the far side of the room.I took my bag and ran after him, my shoes making noise on the smooth floors.We entered a library. It was the only room I had seen so far that felt like it had a pulse.The walls
~YVONNE POV ~The quietness of the penthouse was louder than any alarm clock.I woke up reaching for him. My hand moved over the cold, soft sheets on Arthur's bed, but there was just empty space. I blinked as the morning light came through the thin curtains, and it hurt my eyes.He was gone. Again.
~YVONNE POV~The bar wasn't what I expected.It was nice, too nice for Liam, honestly. Soft lighting, wood paneling, and jazz playing low in the background.The kind of place you would take someone on a real date.The kind of place where couples held hands across candlelit tables and laughed at ins
~YVONNE’S POV~I stood outside Arthur's penthouse door, smoothing down the black dress I had changed into three times before leaving my apartment.It was too short, too tight, and too desperate. But it was what he had asked for. Something sexy.I took a breath and forced a smile. This was progress.







