•Juliet POV•"Of course," I said, finally gulping down the unease in me and masking it with a smile. "I'll have Eric look into that."He nodded slightly and brushed his hand against his beard softly, his eyes doing that seductive stare once more. I was forced to tell him to stop it, but the words wouldn’t come out when I caught him staring at my chest.A cold chill ran down my spine, prickling my nerves. "Is there anything else, Mr. Grigs?" I mustered the courage to speak, looking away from his gaze.He smirked and rested his back against the chair. "Yes. If you're not taking this partnership thing too professionally," he said, standing up and burying his hands in his pockets, "I'd like to take you out for dinner.""Dinner?" I muttered, almost as if asking myself if it was normal to go out for dinner with a man who stared at me like he was about to kill me... sexually. "I..." I opened my mouth to reply, but right then, there was a slight knock on the door, and it opened with Eric and
•Edward POV•I picked up the kettle and poured the hot water into the mug, nursing the tea for a while before walking to the kitchen island. I sat on the chair, resting my hand on the marble-tiled counter.My head ached badly, and the fact that my mind kept drifting back to my encounter with Juliet, and then Raya, the woman I once thought loved me, only worsened it. She had been manipulated by her mother, and now, I didn’t know what to feel anymore. My head was a rollercoaster of regret and confusion.If only I had known, I wouldn’t have...“Eddy! I knew I’d find you here,” Raya exclaimed as she rushed into the kitchen, wrapping her arms around me from behind. Her vanilla-scented perfume brushed past my nostrils. She placed a kiss on my neck, then my temple, but I didn’t move. If I had known she would be here, I would’ve instructed that she not be allowed past the gate.“I missed you so much,” she mumbled. When she noticed the coldness in my expression, she paused. I continued sipping
•Juliet POV•I watched as Dora and Eric packed the perfumes back into the cartons. Dora carried one and immediately headed towards the door. Eric leaned closer to grab another carton, but I called out to him."Eric, hold on with that."He straightened up, looking in my direction.I walked back to my seat and plopped down on it, my gaze drifting toward the door as I waited for Dora to completely leave the room before turning back to him."Concerning what I asked you the last time," I began, my voice tightening as I fought off the anxiety of hearing a negative response. "Have you found any man who's willing?"Eric’s curious look dropped. He stepped closer."I'm on it, Miss Ryder. The few guys I've seen that are interested aren't meeting the expectations. But I’ll keep looking.""Okay," I said quietly. I picked up a file from the table, skimmed through it briefly, then handed it to him. "I’ve gone through it. You can leave now."He gave a slight nod, placed the file on top of the carton,
•Juliet’s POV•"Thank you," I said politely, handing the dress to the sales assistant. She took it with a nod, her heels clicking softly as she walked away to prepare the items for packaging and payment."I’ll get this ready for checkout," she murmured, disappearing through the curtain that separated the dressing rooms from the sales floor.Left alone, I smoothed the hem of my blazer and stared at myself in the full-length mirror. My reflection looked uncertain, eyes darting, lips pressed tightly together. I sighed, dragging my fingers through my hair before stepping out and sinking onto the plush velvet couch just outside the dressing area.My thoughts wandered to James. Why did I even entertain the idea of going to dinner with him? The way he looked at me lately, like he was trying to seduce me. Could I really sit across from him, pretending not to notice his intense gaze or the silent desire behind it?I pressed my hand on my temple as I start to consider the options in my mind.
•Juliet’s POV•I stood close to the car, resting my back against it as I stared towards the entrance of Jace’s school. I would've gone inside with Eric to pick Jace up, but I felt it would be quicker if I stayed out here.Eric was more straightforward when it came to picking Jace up, he’d just walk in, say a few greetings, and walk out with Jace. Unlike me, who usually had to make small talk and take longer.Just a minute later, as expected, Eric walked out of the school with Jace beside him. His finger clung tightly to Jace’s tiny ones as they walked closer. The moment Jace saw me, he let go of Eric’s hand and started running towards me. His steps picked up speed as Eric tried to stop him, but instead, I ran to meet him and scooped him up the moment I reached him. I carried him in my arms and turned around.“Oh, my baby, I’ve missed you,” I murmured, placing kisses on his cheeks and forehead.He giggled softly. “I miss you more, Mummy,” he mumbled, placing his lips on my cheek. “Mwah
Edward’s POVI stared at the lavish design of the diner perched on the top floor of a two-story building, its glassy display reflecting the moonlight above.“Sera Diner,” I muttered in awe. According to the few rumors I’d heard about this place, it was enough to know it was one of the most expensive and classic spots, somewhere anyone would dream of visiting.“Yes, my love,” Raya chuckled, grabbing my arm the moment we got out of the car. “One of the best diners in New York. It’s as special as the love I have for you.”I smiled. “Well, I’m impressed,” I mumbled, admiring her once more and how beautiful she looked. Her red hair cascaded in curly waves, bouncing on her shoulders. The sleek black bodycon dinner dress hugged her curves perfectly, showing off just enough to make me want to keep staring.“This is just the tip of the iceberg,” Raya said happily as we walked toward the entrance. “Wait until we get inside and you see the VIP spot. Your mind is going to be blown away.”“Now I’m
•Juliet POV•"I was just about to accept that you won't come, and then you did," James said, staring at me, his eyes doing what they knew how to do best. Make me feel uncomfortable.I gulped, forcing a smile at him. "I had to. It wouldn't be nice if I let a business partner down, would it?" I replied, keeping my tone casual. As I looked away from his gaze and grabbed the menu on the table. "Business partner," he chuckled, flashing a boyish smile my way. "You know this is beyond business. I'm interested in you."I looked up at him hastily, and regretted it immediately."I want to get to know you, Juliet. You’re a beautiful woman, and any man would die to be with you."I scoffed, giving a thin-lipped smile. "Thanks for the compliment, James. But you should know by now that what you're aiming at isn’t possible. I’m a married woman, and I have a kid.""That’s not what your son said," James smirked. "You can’t lie about something to—""Juliet, what are you doing here?" a familiar voice sh
Edward’s POVThe rage in me grew with every second as I walked out of the diner, the scene back there prickling at my pulse like I'd been stabbed. Who the hell was that guy, and why did he think he could hold her or look at her like that? I felt like punching the hell out of him until I was sure he’d never come near her again.“Eddy, why aren’t you saying anything?” Raya asked, struggling to keep up with my pace.I stopped in my tracks, and she almost collided into me. I turned toward her, my hands balled into fists.“Haven’t had enough? I told you not to go there, not to create a scene, but you didn’t listen to me.”“I’m sorry,” she said, her voice sounding more sober now. “But she was getting more of your attention than I was.” She pointed to her chest, tears filling her eyes. “Every time Juliet is around, you act like I don’t exist.”“You’re talking nonsense,” I shot back. “You’re always in your head, and I’ve always tried to put up with your behavior everytime you act without thin
•Juliet’s POV•"I love you, Mommy," Jace said as he happily skipped forward to meet Mrs. Bianca, who stood by the entrance of his school with her arms spread wide to welcome him.I stood by the car, resting my back against it. "I love you so much, baby," I shouted after him, watching my son with my heart blooming with happiness.Eric followed closely behind him, making sure Jace reached Mrs. Bianca safely before returning to the car. He opened the door for me, and I got in. He then got into the driver's seat and started the engine."Eric, what's the schedule for today?" I asked, glancing at my phone screen as I read the messages James had sent me."The schedule for today isn't much," Eric replied, his hand on the steering wheel. "Because of the upcoming March party, we're just going to check on the venue, the theme, and the design. After that, there's the meeting with Mr. Carson."I nodded softly. "Okay." I quickly typed a reply to James, who seemed to be trying hard to show concern.
•Edward POV•"Look at me, saving your ass again, deadbeat big brother," Josh drawled playfully as he slid into the driver’s seat and turned on the ignition."Does it really matter?" I said softly, resting my body against the seat. My mind drifted to when Juliet left me, stirring up the same haunting feelings I had years ago when she filed for divorce.Josh paused, his gaze flicking in my direction as he read my expression. After explaining everything to the police, which didn’t go well, and the angry man whose car I’d bashed demanding money for repairs, the police had let me off with a warning. But they made it clear, if I was ever caught driving drunk again, not even my money would save me. It would be written in ink.The last thing I wanted right then was to go home. I just wanted to crash on my bed and drown in the day’s mess. I closed my eyes and let out a sharp breath."Of course it matters. I was in the middle of my favorite TV series when you called me to come pick you up," Jos
•Juliet POV•After putting Jace to bed, I walked down the stairs, brushing my hand through my hair as I reflected on the day's events. The thoughts triggered a throbbing pain that wrapped tightly around my skull, each step dragging with the weight of it. I stepped into the living room and found Eric seated on the couch, his attention glued to his tablet. At the sound of my footsteps, he glanced up and immediately set the device aside."Eric," I began, lowering myself onto the couch, my voice laced with unease. I rested one hand on the armrest, turning slightly to face him. "Did you confirm the identity of Mr. Dante before setting up that date?"His brows furrowed in confusion, though his tone remained steady. "Of course, Miss Ryder. Why? Did something happen? How did the meeting go? Did he not meet your expectations?"I lifted my hand from the cushion and dragged it across my face in frustration. "It was a disaster, Eric." My voice cracked slightly. "Mr. Dante isn’t some stranger...
•Juliet POV•"Is that a yes?" James asked, his tone more serious than I'd heard all evening. The gravel crunched beneath our feet as we walked side by side toward his car, parked at the edge of the woods. Moonlight filtered through the trees, casting flickers of silver over his face.I bit my lower lip, still reeling from the kiss we had shared, from the way his hands had made me feel, from the intensity that lingered between us. My thoughts spiraled, caught in a loop of confusion. How had I gone from dodging his calls and cold-shouldering him, to surrendering in a kiss that unraveled something inside me?"Yes to what?" I deflected, forcing myself to look ahead.James smirked, his hands tucked casually into the pockets of his pants, but his eyes were watching me even when I didn’t look at him. "I want to know if you've decided to give me a chance. To be part of your life."I gave a light scoff, the kind that masked more than it revealed. "If I gave you the answer you're hoping for, wo
•Juliet POV•I slowly placed my hand in his and stood up, my gaze drifting over his muscular chest and the tattoos that stretched across it.“I... I don’t have anything to change into. I can’t wear this gown into the water,” I stammered, my eyes meeting his.“Then take it off,” he said, his voice low and seductive, softer than I’d ever heard it. It felt like a whisper that clung to the space between us. His gaze dropped to my chest, but as if realizing his mistake, he turned his head toward the shirt lying on the sand. “You can wear my shirt.”“Okay,” I mumbled. As he released my hand, I bent to pick up the shirt. Glancing in his direction to ask for privacy, I saw he was already looking away.“I’m not looking,” he said quickly.I smiled softly at the sight of his back, his broad shoulders framed by moonlight. Even without an embrace, they looked inviting, strong. I could already imagine his arms wrapped around me. Reaching behind me to pull down the zipper of my dress, I realized it
•Juliet POV•I sat in the car, staring out the window, watching the streetlamps blur into streaks as night began to claim the city. My heart felt heavier than before, and Eric still hadn’t arrived. The longer I waited, the more awkward I felt. Sitting next to James in the dimly lit interior of his convertible didn’t help. He kept glancing at me, and his silence spoke volumes, loud, curious volumes.“Will you permit me to take you somewhere else, Juliet?” James’s voice broke the silence. It was soft, almost a whisper, yet carried an intensity that sent a flutter down my spine.I turned toward him sharply, my eyes widening slightly when they met his. The streetlight bounced off his face just enough to highlight the firm line of his jaw and the sincerity hidden behind those deep-set eyes.“Eric will be here soon,” I replied, my voice more unsure than I intended. “Maybe... maybe some other time.”James didn’t retreat. Instead, he leaned a little closer, resting one arm on the steering whe
•Juliet's POV•Why didn’t I know that Edward would go to such extreme lengths to prove his claim? First, he pretended to be someone else, and now he’s secretly undergoing a DNA test to prove Jace is his son.I felt my heart pounding in my chest as I walked out of the lounge hastily, anger and fear seeping into my bones. When I left New York years ago, I thought I’d never get involved in any drama relating to Edward or my family. I thought I was finally free to live my life and take care of my child. I never considered the consequences of coming back, and now everything I’ve spent four years nursing is on the brink of breaking, and Edward just might be the one to destroy it all.Once I was outside the lounge, I reached for my phone to call Eric. If only I had known this would happen, I wouldn’t have asked him to leave or even encouraged this date.I bit my lower lip angrily as I brought the phone to my ear. “Eric, can you come pick me up now?” I said, my voice laced with anger. I was s
•Edward’s POV•I watched as Juliet walked hastily out of the lounge, her hand clutched tightly around her purse. I sighed deeply, the pain from the confrontation sinking into my chest like a vice clamping around my heart.Running my hand through my hair, desperation clouded my thoughts. This wasn’t how I had expected things to go. When I first saw the message on the dating site, about a desperate CEO looking for a man to play the role of a father for her child, I never imagined it would be Juliet.I thought it was just one of those women on dating sites, desperate and looking for someone to latch onto. But then the idea struck me that it might actually be Juliet. I did my research and eventually discovered that it was Eric who had been chatting on her behalf. I played my role well online, keeping it a secret, hoping it would give me the chance to talk to Juliet. To try to make her see just how much I regretted everything I’d done to her in the past.But things didn’t go the way I expe
•Juliet’s POV•I followed her closely, glancing around the lounge at the people seated in pairs. Their soft, humming conversations added a sense of elegance to the space. My gaze drifted to a seat in the farthest corner, near the glass wall window. A man dressed in a black shirt and what appeared to be gray pants sat there alone. He was the only one in the lounge without a partner, and in that moment, I knew he was the one I was supposed to meet.The man had his back to the front entrance, where I had walked in with the waitress, so I couldn’t get a good look at his face. My heart jumped slightly, the weight of my decision settling in my gut as I silently asked myself if this was truly the right thing to do.Brushing the thought aside, I reminded myself that getting to know this guy was my priority. Then, I could introduce him to Jace and everyone attending the March party, including Edward. I could already picture the expression that would twist his face when I did. That alone gave m