LOGINIn this chapter, Veronica faces the storm within... the tug-of-war between morality and desire, peace and chaos. Theo represents the calm she craves, while Max ignites the fire she’s afraid to feel. But love isn’t always logical… and sometimes, the heart refuses to obey the mind. 💔🔥
Veronica's POV:'Love is not what you do... Love is what you are... Love never tests you... it embraces you...' I swear that I must have heard this quote somewhere on Instagram a while ago... now I totally understand the meaning of it.I dropped my phone onto the mat beside me and started walking toward the waves, my steps unsteady, dizziness washing over me as a memory from my past rose uninvited in my mind.Chase was standing across from me, fury blazing in his eyes. On the table beside me lay a neatly folded stack of laundry.“Do you have any idea what you just did?” he barked.I stared at him, stunned by his sudden anger. All I had done was wash his clothes and iron them—just like I always did. Usually, he barely noticed my effort. But I believed that, deep down, he felt loved because of my hard work. That belief had always kept me going.But this time, he was furious.“Look at this,” he snapped, holding up his limited-edition Rolex.My heart dropped. It was ruined. God… I must no
Veronica's POV:I really didn't want to be separated from Theo's arms. I wanted to hear more of his Eastern philosophy knowledge, and lose myself again in the yogic lovemaking he'd shown me... but he'd had to leave when a client called."Duty before pleasure," he'd said with that apologetic smile that made my chest ache.Now it was twilight, and I was stretched out on a yoga mat on the beach, phone in hand, earbuds tucked in my ears playing some moody romantic playlist. In front of me, the waves rolled in with their eternal rhythm, and the vibe was pure and blissful.Just a while ago, I'd experienced something blissful with Theo... his hands, his words, the way he'd made me feel both worshiped and grounded. Now I was vibing in a different way, letting the ocean breeze cool my sun-warmed skin while the last rays of sunlight painted the sky in shades of coral and lavender.Despite that, my traitorous eyes drifted across the beach and immediately landed on Max. Of course, they did.He w
Veronica's POV:I assumed that Theo was done... when I felt his shudder, but even after that he began to move again, slow and deliberate... as if he hadn't just poured everything into me.How was he even doing this? Most men would collapse after that kind of release... but Theo was building me up again from the start, all while his green eyes locked on mine, dark with hunger, still was love in the way he looked at me. I clung to his shoulders, nails digging into the firm muscles there, feeling the heat of his skin under my palms.The desk edge was biting on me, but I barely noticed; all I could focus on was the way he filled me over and over, stretching me anew each time he bottomed out.Sweat beaded on his forehead, and was trickling down his temple... but his breathing stayed even. He almost looked like he was meditating... as if this 'love-making' was just another form of yoga for him.Twenty minutes?! It had to be more than that by now... but he showed no signs of tiring down. His
Veronica's POV:“We’re going global…” I laughed breathlessly, staring at Theo like I still couldn’t quite believe it.“Our startup is going to start churning millions,” Theo smiled with quiet certainty. “For sure.”That did it!I laughed again... harder this time... so much that my sides started to ache. It wasn’t just happiness... it was the release of the seven days of fear, exhaustion, and self-doubt poured out of me all at once. My father was finally going to see me. Really see me. What I achieved now wasn't a favor, or a marriage alliance, or borrowed success. This was all my intelligence... and hard work.And Chase? He would be pained to see me this successful... and that would give me extra fulfillment. Probably, my father himself would kick him out.The thought made my laughter bubble up again, making me feel lighter like a feather.Then I turned to Theo, and suddenly I felt an overwhelming amount of gratitude. Whatever I am today, was because of his compassion.“You know,” I
Veronica's POV:I assumed that Theo was done... when I felt his shudder, but even after that he began to move again, slow and deliberate... as if he hadn't just poured everything into me.How was he even doing this? Most men would collapse after that kind of release... but Theo was building me up again from the start, all while his green eyes locked on mine, dark with hunger, still was love in the way he looked at me. I clung to his shoulders, nails digging into the firm muscles there, feeling the heat of his skin under my palms.The desk edge was biting on me, but I barely noticed; all I could focus on was the way he filled me over and over, stretching me anew each time he bottomed out.Sweat beaded on his forehead, and was trickling down his temple... but his breathing stayed even. He almost looked like he was meditating... as if this 'love-making' was just another form of yoga for him.Twenty minutes?! It had to be more than that by now... but he showed no signs of tiring down. His
Veronica's POV:"Max—wait!" The word escaped my lips before I even knew what I was doing. He had already walked several steps down the wooden deck toward the private beach, surfboard tucked under one arm.He turned slightly at the sound of my voice.And I was frozen like a statue.Max stood there in nothing but black boxers, the morning sun catching on his beautiful inky black tattoos on his torso. His black hair was pushed back messily, damp from saltwater or sweat, and his body glistened with a thin sheen that made every defined muscle stand out, making him look like a Greek god carved out of a sculpture.Looking at him, my heart didn't just skip a beat. It somersaulted, and tripped over itself, forgetting how to function entirely."Max… I—" I swallowed, suddenly hyperaware of how ridiculous I sounded. "I didn't really mean to—"Before I could finish, he stepped close... so close the scent of salt and warm skin filled my lungs—and gently placed a finger on my lips.I froze, despite







