Third one for today. Happy reading!
ATHENA Noah freezes. His grip loosens instantly as his eyes snap toward the voice.Alex stands there, calm as a glacier, but there’s nothing cold about the fire in his eyes. One hand is in his pocket, the other resting casually at his side, but the tension rolling off him could crack the floor.Noah straightens slowly, his jaw ticking in anger. Hatred written in every line of his body.Did something happen between these two, or does Noah hate Alex because of what happened to Sloane? But that would be unfair. She took the bullet for me and not him.“I wasn’t hurting her,” he says through clenched teeth.Alex takes a slow, deliberate step forward. “You touched her, and she flinched. That's more than hurting her.”“Why do you care?!” Noah hisses, and when Alex takes another step forward, he snaps his mouth shut.Oh, for crying out loud!“Stop it, both of you!” I hiss, yanking my hand back and stepping between them. “I shouldn’t have to explain myself to you, Noah. Nothing is going o
Hi huns.How have you been?I've been good and I've been enjoying writing this book although I get anxious every now and then. Thank you for the gems and the constant support you've been giving me. I have a huge announcement but I first need to confirm with my editor then tell you about it. So let's be anxious together, lol.I've been reading all your comments and they always put a smile on my face. That is one thing I'll never take for granted. I also wanted to clarify something.Iann Quin is Ethan's childhood bestfriend. Ethan and Rose are in "My CEO Husband's Regret." But as life happened, Ian also became bestfriends with Alexander. As for what type of man he is, we will have to see as the story unfold. We will have cross overs here and there but no need to worry because this book is a stand alone.I just wanted to address that so you're aware that this will have book one and two where book two will be Ian's story. As for how many chapters this will be, my editor and I are stil
ATHENAAriana bounds toward me, practically glowing as she throws her arms around my neck.“God, you smell like eucalyptus and baby shampoo. I hate how much I missed you,” she says, planting a loud kiss on my cheek before pulling back and giving me a once-over. “Wait... what’s going on? Why are we here? And why do you look like you’re about to go to bed?”I laugh.Trust Ariana to roast your outfit no matter what you wear. These are the days when I miss Sloane the most. They’d go head to head as they argue about her love for bright colors and crazy combinations. I open my mouth, then close it again. “I... don’t know,” I admit honestly. “Alex and Rayen said it’s a surprise. That’s all I know.”Before she can press for more, Giana groans dramatically as she climbs out of the car with Ryan’s help, her hand pressed to her lower back.“Ugh, I swear my back is conspiring against me today.”Alex raises a brow. “Your back hurts because you’ve been glued to the couch watching Korean dramas f
ATHENA“Hi mummy!” Rayen’s sweet voice reaches me, and my heart instantly melts. It’s been over a month, and I still feel like I’m dreaming. Everything finally ended. Leah is in prison along with her mother and father. We took everything they had and compensated all the victims. It didn’t bring back what they lost, but it helped a little, and that was better than nothing. I was moved to the ER and it has been extremely busy. I can barely feel my bones from how exhausted I’ve been. Ian asked if it was too much, so he could change my station to only attend to VIP patients but I turned it down. I want to be everyone’s doctor, not just those with money.That’s why I plan on opening a foundation dedicated to helping those who can’t afford health care. I would have with the fortune my parents left, but my aunt, being the greedy woman she is, took all my money before I turned eighteen and could claim it.“Hi, baby. How was school?” I ask as I pick him up and pepper kisses all over his ch
ALEXThere are only two things I truly regret this afternoon. 1. Letting Luca pick the restaurant.2. Me agreeing to hang out with my so-called friends when they’ve had more than one drink in them.“I’m just saying,” Luca leans back in his chair, swirling his whiskey like he’s in a bad mafia movie, “you’ve fallen for your ex-wife.”“You’re drunk.” I reply, stabbing a piece of steak with more aggression than necessary. “ And I haven’t fallen for anyone.”Luca snorts so hard that he nearly chokes on his drink. “Sure. You just follow her around like a bodyguard-slash-lover, risk your life for her, and stare at your phone every five seconds. Totally normal co-parenting behavior.”“It is co-parenting,” I say flatly. “We share a child. It’s called being responsible adults. Not that you'd know anything about it.”“I have three kids, and I can safely say you've totally fallen for her.” Ethan says, and I turn my head in anger.“Why are you even here? I don't even like you.” I snarl. Ethan is
ATHENA“You really don't have to do this with me.” I turn to face Alex, who shocked me this morning and said he'd tag along my justice seeking trip.Luca must have snitched because he was there when I was making calls.“Yes, I do. I promise I won't get in your way. Just think of me as part of your security team.” He says, stepping closer to me.Which is crazy because I can't stand him. I sigh, but don't respond. Looking around, I quickly walk forward before this gets awkward. Ryan opens the front door like we own this place, and it's hilarious. The police have had the Woods resident on lockdown, so I'm certain no maids are home. Alex steps to the side, allowing me to step in before closely following me behind. The marble floor is pristine under my heels as I step in. It smells of wealth, waxed wood, and expensive looking paintings.They killed a child.And they’re going to pay for it.I'm taking everything they have. Starting with this damn house. The trial was two days ago, an
ALEX We’re almost to the car park.The echo of our footsteps fills the concrete silence, tension hanging thick in the air. Athena is quiet beside me, her hands in the pockets of her coat.Mum hasn't said a word since the session ended. We have more than enough to have Leah locked up for life. But I won't stop there. Her family will lose everything. I'll make sure of it.“Athena, go on ahead sweetie.”Mum’s voice cuts through my thoughts as she halts her steps. I freeze.Athena glances between us, sensing the shift, but doesn’t argue. She nods and walks ahead toward the car, her coat swaying around her ankles.The moment she’s out of earshot, Mum grabs my arm, not hard, but firm. Her short nails digging slightly into my sleeve. I look down into her eyes.And I know.She's hurt.And it breaks my heart.But I had no choice, I had to keep it from her to protect her. I'll admit, at the beginning, I did it to punish them for how neglected I felt. I hoped I would drop dead one day, and t
ALEX Everyone knows who Ariana King is. A ruthless lawyer. She knows no bounds and fears no one. My father shields her like a prized jewel. He’d kill for her, and she’d defend him in court without blinking. A dangerous, unshakable bond forged in a union. You get the point.So you can understand why Leah’s face drains of all color. Her eyes dart to the door, the walls, the floor, anywhere but at her. But it’s pointless.There is no way out, and she knows it.She doesn't even protest. I would’ve paid off her lawyer, made sure he didn't do anything funny behind the scenes… But watching Leah sink into hopelessness, realizing she has no leverage left, no allies left?That satisfaction? Pure.“This was genius,” Athena whispers beside me.I glance down at her, the fire in her eyes matching the storm I feel inside.“We’re just getting started.”The detective clears his throat as he sits up straight.He flips open his notepad and starts the recording again.“Leah Woods. Do you underst
ALEX “Alex… I…can't ..mmmffffff ”I tighten my grip.I'm so fucking angry, I can feel the blood boiling in my veins like acid. My pulse is pounding in my ears, drowning out everything and painting everything red.Her nails dig into my wrist, but it’s useless. I don’t loosen my grip.She kicks harder now, making strangled sounds like a dying animal. Her eyes are wild, mascara running down her face as the panic sets in. I lean in close, my lips by her ear."Did you think you were going to walk away clean? Surely you can't be that delusional or are you?"She shakes her head, or tries to.Her hands slap weakly at my chest."If I have to ask you one more fucking time to confess what you did, I'll shred you to pieces.”I drop her.She crumples like a ragdoll, coughing and gasping, her hand flying to her neck.She looks up at me through smeared makeup and horror-stricken eyes.“You…” she wheezes, her voice broken. “You could’ve loved me…”“You should’ve chosen me!” she screams suddenly, pou