MasukMARCUSI shut the book closed slowly, my fingers lingering on the cover for a second longer, thinking if I should stay there… or go.Deciding it was better to finish this, I stood up and started walking toward the sitting room, each footstep heavier than the last. And it wasn’t because I was scared of him. It was because the truth was.... I was afraid of what he wanted.From everything I had learned about him, from all the times I had investigated him, I knew he was ruthless. But I also knew something else. He was protective.... Fiercely protective of his family.Not me, of course. His real family.... His son, his daughter, and his wife.And that was what scared me. Not him, but his words. What they could do. What they could destroy.When I reached the door, I saw him sitting there like he belonged. Relaxed and composed, like nothing in his life had ever collapsed. Like he hadn’t built things just to tear them down.His eyes lifted the moment I stepped in.“Marcus,” he said. Same ton
MARCUSWhen Henry called me and told me that Mr Bennett had gone to the Wind Corporation, I could have laughed or gotten angry. I didn’t even know which one came first.I didn’t know why he was there but I knew he knew I wasn’t there. So at first, I just thought… he had something to say to Monique. Something about Ryan. That’s what I assumed.Ryan was dead, yes. And as much as I hated admitting it… my father loved his son Ryan. He loved him a lot. So I thought maybe he had gone there to make her feel bad. To blame her. To push her until she broke.That was my first thought And I wanted to rush there. I really did, but Nadia stopped me. If it hadn’t been for her, stopping me from going to the company, reminding me there were professionals there, security there, Henry at the front door....I probably would’ve gone.Nadia reminded me that Henry wouldn’t let anything happen. That he would notice. That he would react. And then she said something that stayed with me..... That Monique would w
MONIQUEI picked it up. “Hey, baby.”“Hello, precious,” he answered, his voice warm, familiar. “How is your day going?”“It’s going great.”“Yeah?”“Yes,” I said. “I highly doubt it, because Jason told me Mr Bennett was there. What did he want?”I nearly rolled my eyes. I can’t believe Jason went to tell.“It’s nothing of importance,” I said. “I’ll tell you everything when I come home later.”“Are you sure you’re not upset?” he asked. “You sound… different.”“I’m okay,” I said softly. “It’s just...you know how Mr Bennett can be.”There was a small pause.“I know,” he said exhaling.“I’m coming home early today.” A small smile touched my lips as I said it “I love hearing that,” he said. “And I hope you’re resting,” I added.“I am.”“Did you take your meds?”“Yes.”“Everything okay?”Another small pause.“Yes,” he said. “I just miss you.”Something in my chest softened.“Thank you,” I said quietly.“For what?”“For trusting me.”I could almost hear him smile.“If I can’t trust my wi
MONIQUEHis voice turned almost mocking.“Meanwhile, the other woman had two healthy children. Made Ryan a father and me a grandfather.”A pause. “And guess what happens to Marcus's empire when the two of you are gone?”His eyes locked onto mine.“Ryan’s children....the Bennetts....inherit everything.”Silence. And then, I couldn’t help it. A laugh slipped out of me. The sound surprised even me. A soft laugh at first… then a little louder.Mr Bennett frowned, clearly not expecting that reaction. B“You think that’s funny?” he asked, his tone sharpening.I shook my head, still smiling, though there was nothing amused in my eyes.“No,” I said. “I think it’s pathetic.”His expression darkened.“All of this,” I gestured between us, “this entire speech, this whole… performance. You came in here thinking you had something..... Something that would shake me, something that would make me fall apart.”I took a step closer “And that’s what you chose?” I asked quietly. “My womb?”His jaw tighten
MONIQUEI didn’t respond. I didn’t need to.The air between us grew heavy, thick with tension. I could feel something like danger coming off Mr Bennett. He looked pretty damn serious and confident about whatever this was.Mr Bennett kept watching me before he suddenly burst out laughing. But I didn’t even blink. I just kept watching him, a blank expression settling on my face.“You’re going to be the destruction of the Bennetts, aren’t you?” he said. “Your anger isn’t just about Ryan. It’s about all the Bennetts. And you’re determined to make us fall.”He stepped closer.“You’re here to bring back your father’s empire. I can see it in your face.”I said nothing.“You don’t love Marcus,” he went on. “You never did. You have always loved Ryan. I watched you, running after him, the way you would look at him as if the sun rose and fell from his ass.”His voice hardened.“And you can’t tell me that a love like that would just die in a single night just because you found out something fooli
I frowned.“What do you mean?” I asked, feeling like I was about to lose it entirely.“I have been more than patient with you, Mr Bennett, and you have wasted enough of my time. I am not going to play riddles with you. If you are done… please leave.”Mr Bennett merely smiled, looking mighty comfortable as his gaze went all over the office.“This is exactly why Marcus shouldn’t have trusted you with his empire.”I narrowed my eyes at him, and his smile grew brighter before he straightened and got more serious.“To run such a huge company requires patience and wisdom. You can’t be prone to anger every few minutes when someone tells you the truth…”I interrupted him. “What do you want, Mr Bennett? Say what you need before I call security on you.”He stood up, and I could see the mean streak that Ryan always had on his face when he got angry. For a second, I was scared.He straightened and started walking around the office as if he owned it.“I am Marcus’s father. His blood flows in my ve
MONIQUEThen Mr Smith turns to me and hugs me too.It’s awkward and hesitant, but it happens.“Welcome, welcome,” he says warmly. “Please, sit down.”He gestures toward the sofas in his office instead of having us sit across from him at his desk.He immediately calls his secretary in. “What would y
MONIQUE“What did he do?” Marcus's entire body changed, becoming cold and defensive.I shook my head. “He didn’t touch me. He didn’t do anything.” My thoughts raced as I tried to calm him down. “I swear. We were in public. He wouldn’t try anything.”He searched my face, like he needed to be sure.“
MONIQUEAs I went over the documents, Mr Smith sat back, hands folded neatly, his eyes on me, a soft smile playing on his lips.“Take all the time you need, honey. There’s no rush. I want you to feel completely comfortable before you sign anything.”I nodded, keeping my voice steady. “I’m sorry abo
MONIQUEThe room went silent.“She can speak for herself,” my aunt continued sharply. “She has her own mind and she is her own person. I know when the two of you are together, you put things in her head. But when she’s with me....her aunt, someone who’s actually family, someone who actually cares a







