MasukCamille lay on the bed beside Roderick, her head resting comfortably in the crook of his arm. Her fingers traced faint, lazy circles on his bare chest as the quiet hum of the rain outside filled the room.“So let me ask,” Roderick said softly, his hand stroking her hair. “When did you start having feelings for me? I can remember back in college. Couldn’t tell if you genuinely liked me or you were just following the trend like every other girl who was after my money.”“Shut up!” Camille laughed lightly, playfully hitting his chest. “I genuinely liked you. You were just unnecessarily mean.”---• 7 Years Ago •Camille stood nervously outside the lecture hall of the University, clutching a neatly wrapped box of homemade cookies to her chest. Her heart was racing so fast she could feel it in her throat. She had spent the entire previous night baking them — chocolate chips with a hint of sea salt, his favorite (or at least she hoped it was). She had even tied a small ribbon around the box
Camille stood in front of the mirror in the luxurious restroom, touching up her lipstick. Her phone buzzed. She glanced down at Roderick’s text:Roderick: I’m waiting in the car, baby. You looked tired. Let’s go home.She smiled faintly and typed a quick reply. Just as she slipped her phone back into her clutch, the door opened.Miguel stepped inside, locking the door behind him with a soft click. Camille’s eyes widened.“Miguel?”“You’ve been ignoring me the whole night,” he said, voice low and dangerous as he walked toward her. “Did I do something wrong?”She stepped back slightly. “No. I was just… occupied.”“Yeah, I saw,” he sneered, closing the distance. “Occupied with your ex-husband.”He reached out and grabbed her chin firmly, tilting her face up to meet his intense gaze. “Are you back together with him? Tell me. It’s a simple yes or no question.”Camille tried to pull her face away, but his grip tightened. “Why are you asking?”“Because you didn’t answer,” he growled, steppin
The sleek black Maybach rolled to a smooth stop at the grand entrance of the Crown Legacy Gala. Cameras flashed wildly even before the door opened. Roderick stepped out first, looking devastating in a perfectly tailored black tuxedo. He walked around the car with confident strides and opened the passenger door, extending his hand.Camille took it, stepping out in a stunning custom Bulgari red gown that hugged her curves perfectly. The deep red fabric shimmered under the lights, with a tasteful slit revealing one toned leg. Her hair was styled in elegant waves, and she looked every bit the powerful, untouchable woman she had become.Roderick’s hand immediately settled possessively on her waist, pulling her close to his side as the flashes intensified.“Ready?” he asked, voice low and intimate, eyes only on her.“Yeah,” she replied, giving him a small, genuine smile.They began walking down the red carpet together. Whispers erupted from the crowd of reporters and guests:“Isn’t that R
June drove to a stop outside Roderick’s penthouse building and stepped out of the car. She reached into the backseat, grabbed Camille’s laptop bag and a stack of important files, then walked toward the reception area with quick, professional steps.Grey stepped out of the elevator the moment he spotted her. A smirk tugged at his lips as he approached, hands in his pockets, looking far too pleased with himself.“Hello there.” Grey said smoothly.June rolled her eyes but kept walking. “Hand these to my boss. That’s all she needs from the office today.” She thrust the laptop bag and files toward him.Grey took them, but before she could turn away, he caught her wrist gently and pulled her closer. Her back nearly brushed against the marble wall as he leaned in just enough to make her heartbeat quicken.“What the—” June started, eyes widening.“You busy tonight?” He asked, voice low and teasing.“Why are you asking?” She shot back, trying to sound annoyed even as her cheeks warmed.“Just
Taylor paced back and forth in her bedroom like a caged animal, her hands shaking as she twisted them together. Despite Miguel’s promise not to snitch, she couldn’t shake the fear. What if he changed his mind? What if he used it against her? The thought made her stomach twist.Helen, who had been watching her daughter from the bed for the past ten minutes, finally had enough.“Taylor, you’ve been like this since this morning. What’s wrong with you?” Helen asked sharply, standing up.Taylor stopped pacing, her face pale and eyes wide with panic. “Everything is wrong, Mom. Miguel found out about my secret. I don’t know what he might do. It’s not even about telling Roderick… what if he blackmails me? What if he makes me do something I don’t want to do just to keep my secret safe? And Aria… she could get caught in the middle.” “Secret? What secret does he know, and how does this affect Aria?” Helen’s eyes narrowed.Taylor’s face twisted with nervousness and guilt. She looked away, unab
- 7pm -A sleek black car pulled up smoothly at the entrance of Roderick’s penthouse. The security guard quickly opened the passenger door. Adrian was the first to burst out, his little legs carrying him fast across the driveway.“Daddy!” he squealed, running straight into Roderick’s waiting arms.Roderick crouched down and scooped his son up effortlessly, hugging him tight. But even as he held Adrian, his eyes never left Camille.She stepped out of the car wearing a simple, body-fitted casual gown that hugged her curves in all the right places. The soft fabric swayed gently with her movement. Roderick’s gaze darkened with raw possession as she approached — slow, deliberate, hungry. Like she already belonged to him and he was done pretending otherwise.“Hi,” Camille said, stopping a few feet away.“Hi, wifey.” Roderick replied, his voice low and warm, a small smirk playing on his lips.“Don’t call me that,” She muttered, lightly hitting his arm.“Why not?” He tilted his head, eyes g







