By mid-afternoon, I'd reached my breaking point. Three days of whispering, blocked access, Sophie's venomous smiles, and now Alex was ghosting me like we were in some middle school drama? Fuck that.I marched toward his office like a woman possessed. Let them gossip about that. His assistant tried to do that little half-stand thing secretaries do when they're about to block you."He's on a call—""He can multitask," I said, not slowing down. I was done playing nice."I told you, it's handled." A pause. "No, she doesn't need to know... Because it would only complicate things."My ears burned. She. Me? Was he talking about me?"I'm aware of the risks," he continued, voice tight with tension. "But this is the best approach. Trust me on this."Unable to wait any longer, I knocked sharply."Come in," he called, though I was already halfway through the door.Alex stood by the window, phone pressed to his ear. When he saw me, his expression shifted—surprise, then something unreadable."I'll c
"Alex, I didn't—" I started, shock replacing anger.He moved before I could finish. His hand caught my wrist again, but this time he pulled me toward him, not away. In one fluid motion, his other hand was in my hair, and his mouth was on mine.The kiss wasn't gentle. It was hungry, desperate, months of tension exploding between us like a dam breaking. His lips were firm, demanding, his hand tightening in my hair as he angled my face up to his.For a heartbeat, I froze. Then something wild and reckless flared inside me, and I was kissing him back, my fingers digging into his shoulders. He tasted like coffee and anger and something uniquely him. His body was hard against mine, his heart hammering as fast as my own.He backed me against his desk, lifting me slightly so I was perched on the edge. My skirt rode up as his body pressed between my thighs. Some distant part of my brain screamed that this was insane—he was my boss, we were in his office, I had just slapped him—but then his teeth
Alex"I'm afraid the board has concerns, Alex."Richard Whitmore's voice was mild but pointed. I kept my face impassive as I surveyed the boardroom. Eight board members, eight potential obstacles."Concerns about what, exactly?" I knew, but I wanted them to say it.Whitmore straightened his tie. "About hiring Maya Russo. The optics are... problematic.""The optics," I repeated. "Of hiring one of the most talented designers in the industry?""Of hiring Daniel Russo's wife in the middle of a messy divorce," Victoria Reynolds interjected from my left. "A divorce that's becoming increasingly public.""Soon-to-be ex-wife," I corrected. "And her talent isn't in question.""Her stability is." James Porter, our general counsel, tapped his pen against the table. "Her recent behavior at the industry gala, the public confrontation with her sister, now the break-in at her apartment... It raises questions, Alex."I shouldn't have mentioned the break-in to Bernard. That was a mistake. The informatio
MayaI stared through the Uber window at Saint Joseph's Medical Center as we pulled up. Fucking hospitals. Same antiseptic smell, same fluorescent despair, same shitty memories. I'd spent too many nights in places like this—sitting beside Mami Lulu as she deteriorated, or my own visits after Daniel's "accidental" shoves down the stairs. And now Grandfather."Hope everything's okay," my driver said, eyeing me in the rearview.I managed something resembling a smile. "Yeah, thanks."The hospital smell hit me like a slap—bleach trying to cover up sickness and fear. I breathed through my mouth as I approached the information desk, where a tired-looking woman tapped at her computer."I'm here for Giuseppe Russo," I said, trying not to sound as frayed as I felt.Her fingers clicked across the keyboard. "Ah, yes. Mr. Russo. Cardiac care unit, sixth floor." She gave me a practiced once-over. "Family only at this time.""I'm his granddaughter-in-law." The words tasted weird. Was I still that? Wi
The apology—so unexpected, so genuine—left me momentarily speechless. How long had I waited for someone in the Russo family to acknowledge what was happening? To see me?Before I could respond, a nurse entered to check Grandfather's vitals. I used the interruption to compose myself, blinking back unexpected tears."Your numbers are looking good, Mr. Russo," the nurse said cheerfully. "But don't overdo it with visitors, okay? Your heart needs rest.""My heart has been resting for too long," Grandfather grumbled, but there was no heat in it.When the nurse left, Grandfather turned back to me, his expression serious. "Maya, I need to ask you something important.""What is it?" I leaned closer, concerned by his sudden intensity."Are you truly happy at Thorne Designs?"The question seemed oddly specific. "I... yes, I think so. It's been an adjustment, but the work is challenging, and I'm learning a lot.""And Alex Thorne? How is he as an employer?"I hesitated, our argument from earlier fl
"Are you?" Alex's voice carried a dangerous edge. "Like you took care of her apartment?"The accusation hung in the air between them. Daniel's expression didn't change, but something dark flickered in his eyes."I don't know what you're implying," he said smoothly. "Maya's apartment was broken into, which is unfortunate. But accidents happen, especially in that neighborhood.""It wasn't an accident," I said, unable to stay silent in the face of such blatant gaslighting. "And we both know it."Daniel turned to me, his smile never wavering. "Maya, sweetheart, you're upset. Understandably so, with Grandfather's condition. But throwing around accusations isn't helpful."The familiar patronizing tone made my blood boil. "Don't 'sweetheart' me. And don't pretend you give a damn about my feelings.""Maya—" Daniel started, reaching for my arm.Alex stepped forward instantly, intercepting Daniel's hand. "Don't touch her."The movement was quick, defensive rather than aggressive, but Daniel's ey
When I returned to Grandfather's room, Daniel was sitting beside the bed, head bent close as they spoke in low voices. They both looked up as I entered, their conversation cutting off abruptly."Maya, come in," Grandfather beckoned, his expression brightening. "Daniel was just updating me on company matters."I approached the other side of the bed, acutely aware of Daniel's eyes tracking my movement. "Nothing too stressful, I hope. You're supposed to be resting.""Bah," Grandfather waved off my concern. "Business keeps me sharp. Idle minds are the first to fade."Despite everything, I smiled. Even bedridden, Giuseppe Russo remained indomitable."Daniel tells me you've been having some trouble at your new job," Grandfather continued, his gaze shrewd. "Something about office politics?"I shot Daniel a sharp look. Of course he'd been keeping tabs on me, gathering ammunition for moments like this."Nothing I can't handle," I said carefully. "Every workplace has its challenges.""Indeed." G
The ATM screen stared back at me like it was personally offended.UNABLE TO PROCESS REQUEST. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION."What the fuck?" I jabbed the button again, harder this time, as if that might change anything. Same message. I tried another transaction—just checking my balance. Maybe the machine was glitching.ACCOUNT ACCESS RESTRICTED. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION.A cold feeling spread through my chest. I knew exactly what this meant. Or rather, who."Ma'am? Are you finished?" The woman behind me shifted impatiently, clutching her wallet.I yanked my card from the slot. "Machine's broken."Outside the bank, I pulled out my phone and logged into my banking app. The password I'd changed just last week still worked, but when the app loaded, a red notification banner stretched across the top of the screen.ACCOUNTS FROZEN - LEGAL HOLD."Goddamn it, Daniel." I leaned against the bank's brick wall, fighting the urge to hurl my phone into traffic. This was
AlexThe elevator doors closed, cutting off the sound of Maya's apartment door slamming behind me. I jabbed the lobby button, watching the numbers descend while her words echoed: "You're obsessed. Mr. I-Still-Carry-The-Bracelet."She knew exactly where to strike. The bracelet wasn't just some keepsake. It was the one tangible connection to a past we both shared. The proof that we'd been connected long before any of this. And now she'd just turned it into something shameful, like the fact that it mattered to me was a deficiency.The doorman nodded as I passed through the lobby. I pushed past him without acknowledgment, the cold night air hitting my face as I started walking. No destination. I just wanted to go away.One minute we were talking about her parents, and the next she was treating me like I was trying to control her entire life. Hated it she compared me to Daniel. That comparison stung more than the bracelet comment. All that, for just trying to help. Was that overstepping? W
I watched as Robert questioned Maya's professional judgment, his voice carrying that familiar patronizing tone. And then—"You'd really destroy your own daughter's work?" Thorne interjected, addressing her parents directly. "To protect a lie?"Caroline Kingston's face hardened. "Mr. Thorne, with all due respect, you weren't invited to this dinner.""No, but I was invited by Maya. And since we're speaking of reputations, perhaps we should discuss how it would look if the industry discovered that the Kingstons deliberately left their daughter in the mountains for over a decade for business purposes."The blood rushed to my face. Who the fuck did he think he was? Playing white knight when he knew nothing about her, nothing about what she needed, nothing about what we'd built together.Then Maya's voice cut through clearly: "Alex is family. The family I've chosen."Something hot and tight constricted in my chest. I stared at the screen, at her hand covering his on the table. An intimate g
DanielI studied our wedding photo as I waited. It was the only personal item they'd allowed me to keep after the "incident" with Dr. Levinson. The frame had a small scratch across the glass now—probably deliberate, another of their petty humiliations. Like the facility uniform that hung loose on my frame, the scheduled bed checks, the constant surveillance. As if I were some common patient.Maya looked perfect that day. I'd selected her dress myself—ivory silk that caught the light exactly right. The photographer had needed minimal direction; Maya had already learned to present herself properly by then. The work I'd put into refining her had paid off. Sometimes I wondered if she remembered that—how much better she was because of me.The door opened without a knock. Basic courtesy, another casualty of this place."Medication time, Mr. Russo." Kevin stood in the doorway, rumpled uniform and mediocre posture. The man was a walking collection of weaknesses—betting slips visible in his br
Every ten minutes, I checked my phone. Like clockwork. Like an addict. Each time expecting something that wasn't there."You're going to wear out your screen," Olivia said, not looking up from the spreadsheets spread across my kitchen counter. Her voice was casual, but I caught the sidelong glance.I set the phone down. Picked up a grant proposal. Put it down again. Checked the time: 10:42 AM. Eleven hours and twenty-six minutes since Alex had walked out my door."The Henderson committee needs the revised budget by Thursday," Olivia said, sliding a spreadsheet toward me. "And we should prepare counterarguments for the 'concerns' your parents have been spreading.""What exactly are they saying?" I asked, scanning the numbers without really seeing them. My thumb twitched toward my phone again. I curled it into my palm."That you're emotionally unstable after leaving Daniel. That the foundation is just a vendetta against established design houses." Olivia's pen tapped against her legal p
I grabbed my phone before my eyes were fully open, fingers finding it automatically in the dark. The screen lit up, momentarily blinding me.No missed calls. No texts. Nothing.Something heavy settled in my chest as I refreshed the screen. Still empty. I checked the time—7:32 AM. Not that early. Not anymore.I slipped the phone under my pillow, then immediately pulled it out again to check the ringer was on. Full volume. Full brightness. No way to miss a call or text if—when—it came.He'd said he would call today. Today had twenty-four hours in it. This was only the first of them.I dragged myself to the bathroom, wincing at my reflection. Mascara smudged in raccoon circles. Hair matted on one side, wild on
Troy's mouth fell open. "You did not." He stared at me for a beat. “You didn't, right?” He searched my face for answers, before disappointment clouded his face."You had to go that low?" Troy pressed his palms against his eyes. "Jesus.""I didn't—" I started to defend myself."Shut up." Troy cut me off, his words slightly slurred. "What happened after?"I paced the kitchen, my thoughts still tangled. "He left. Said he needed space.""Can't blame him." Troy slumped deeper into the couch. "So that's why you texted? Because he left?""Because—" I stopped, struggling to articulate what had driven me to reach for my phone. "I don't know why I texted. I was drunk
I was on my third scotch when I texted Troy.SOS. All gone to shit.Immediately regretted it. Deleted the follow-up explanation I'd started typing. Tossed the phone onto the couch and poured another drink. The alcohol wasn't helping, just making everything soft around the edges while the sharp center remained—the look on Alex's face when I'd weaponized the one thing I knew mattered to him.Eventually I stumbled to bed, still in my dress, makeup smeared from wiping at eyes I refused to admit were wet.I must have fallen asleep, because the sound of my phone jolted me awake. The room was dark, my mouth cotton-dry. The screen said 2:46 AM."Hello?" I rasped."Are you d
"So we make our own calls.""What are you doing?" I asked, the question slipping out before I could stop it.Alex glanced over, confusion creasing his brow. "What?""They're targeting me," I said, the words coming out harsher than intended. "My foundation. My reputation. Not yours.""Maya, I didn't mean—""Just because we've fucked doesn't mean you get to insert yourself into my professional life," I continued, the harshness surprising even me. Where was this coming from? Why did that simple pronoun feel so threatening?Alex fell silent, eyes back on the road. I immediately regretted the outburst but couldn't find the words to walk it back. Instead, I changed the subject ent
MayaThe door to the Kingston mansion clicked shut behind us. I kept walking, heels stabbing the concrete with each step, not slowing until I reached Alex's car. My breath came in sharp pulls, chest tight, hands trembling. Not from fear. Rage.The car pulled away from the mansion. I stared straight ahead, jaw clenched so tight my teeth ached. Neither of us spoke as we left the house that had never been my home.Four blocks. Five. Six. The silence stretched between us, broken only by the soft hum of the engine and the occasional click of the turn signal. My muscles ached from the effort of not screaming."Did you—" I started, then stopped. Started again. "Did you see his face when—"I couldn't even finish the se