Vera gently closed the door lock, leaning her forehead against the cool wood for just a breath. She needed a second. Just one second to hold herself together.But Eira was still in her arms.Still watching her with big, confused, sleepy eyes.“Mommy?” her voice was soft but struck like lightning. “Who was that woman?”Vera forced a smile, kissing her daughter’s forehead. “Just someone from Daddy’s work.”Eira squinted. “Why was she angry?”Vera carried her back toward the bedroom, trying to move past the moment, but Eira wasn’t done.“She looked at me like I did something wrong,” she whispered.Vera’s steps faltered. Her arms tightened protectively around her daughter. “You didn’t, baby. You didn’t do anything wrong. That woman.. she’s just... upset about things that have nothing to do with you.”Eira was quiet for a moment before she said, “She called me a… bastard.”Vera froze.She hadn’t thought Eira had heard it. That word had slipped out like acid, flung by Evelyn in one of her v
Just as Vera turned off the bedroom light and stepped back into the hallway, the doorbell rang.She froze.At this hour?Her eyes flicked to the clock on the wall, 10:47 p.m.Asher hadn’t said he was coming home yet. And the security downstairs wouldn’t buzz up just anyone unless...Unless they were family.Vera’s breath caught in her throat.The chime echoed again, sharp and decisive.She padded toward the door, peering through the peephole.Her chest tightened.There, standing tall in a perfectly tailored black coat, silver hair pinned flawlessly in place, and diamonds glinting at her throat, was Mrs. Evelyn Donovan.Vera unlocked the door slowly, not bothering to mask her caution.As the door swung open, Evelyn didn’t smile. She didn’t greet her. She didn’t even glance around the penthouse.Her cold eyes locked on Vera’s face.A gaze filled with disgust. Contempt. Calculated malice.She looked Vera over like she was a stain that had somehow crept back into the pristine linen of the
There was a beat of silence on the line, just long enough to confirm the hit landed.But Sarah never stayed down for long.“I’m not mad,” she murmured, sultry and slow. “I’m passionate. And I don’t like sharing my things. You, for instance. I could use some of your attention right now.?”Dorian leaned back in his chair, disgust tightening his features. If there was one thing he hated more than power hungry men, it was desperate women clawing at power through seduction.“You mistake me for someone who cares,” he said icily. “You’re not irresistible, Sarah. You’re a liability.”She let out a short, amused gasp. “Now that’s just cruel.”“It’s honest.”Her tone shifted, like she was sharpening her claws. “You want Vera for yourself, don’t you? That’s why you’re upset. All that pretending to be noble, following her around like some tragic hero. But you lost her, Dorian. You will lose her again.”He didn’t take the bait. “What I want is irrelevant. This isn’t personal for me. I’m making sur
It wasn’t just scandal. It was market threatening chaos.The Donovan Group stock would begin bleeding soon. With every hour the headlines remained unchecked, more investors would panic. Board members would be scrambling, demanding statements and damage control. Some would turn on Asher. Some might even call for his removal, no matter how ridiculous that was.“Why now?” she whispered to herself, staring blankly at the phone screen.Everything had been going so well. Too well.Her appointment as CEO of Sterling had been sudden, yes, but it was backed by legal authority and a dying mother’s will. Asher had come to her, arms wide, slowly beginning to break down the walls between them. Even Eira was happy, so happy.And now it was like someone had yanked the rug out from under all of them.“Who would gain from this?” she muttered, eyes narrowing. “Who benefits if Asher’s empire crumbles… or if I lose credibility before I can even begin?”The answer chilled her.Dorian or Sarah.He had been
Vera smiled, her chest tightening in the best way. “Okay, my turn.”She looked at her daughter and Asher, her voice quieter. “My rose... is this. Right now. Sitting here with you two. Laughing. Eating. Feeling like... I’m home.”Asher looked away for a second, like the emotion in her words hit too hard.“My thorn,” Vera said, “is seeing how much I missed out on. How long it took me to get back here.”There was a long pause. Asher reached out and covered her hand with his.“You’re here now,” he said softly.“And my bud,” Vera continued, blinking past the sudden sting in her eyes, “is... making this last.”They sat in silence for a moment. Eira’s little feet swung under the table, her gaze darting between them with a satisfied grin.“Your turn, Daddy,” she said, pointing a sticky finger at Asher.He cleared his throat, keeping his hand over Vera’s.“My rose is seeing both of you in this office. Like it’s finally whole.”He glanced at Vera. “My thorn is... knowing how close I came to los
Vera tilted her head up slowly, her breath catching as she met Asher’s eyes again.They were so close now, barely inches apart. His hand remained on her waist, fingers tense like he still couldn't believe she was really here, in his arms.She could feel the rhythm of his heart under her palms, thudding hard and fast against his chest.“I missed you,” he murmured.She didn't answer with words.Instead, her fingers slid to the nape of his neck, and she pulled him down to her.The kiss started slow. Soft. Almost uncertain.But then it deepened.Years of longing. Months of tension. Weeks of confusion and pain, it all melted into that one kiss.His lips moved over hers like he was trying to memorize them all over again, like he never wanted to let go.Her hands tangled in his hair, pressing herself closer to him, his body responding without hesitation.Asher backed her against his desk without breaking the kiss. Papers fluttered to the floor. The polished wood was cold against her fingerti