The morning dragged on. I threw myself into the accessory designs, determined to make even this demotion into something spectacular. But every time I looked up, I caught someone looking away quickly or whispering to a colleague.At the eleven o'clock design meeting, things got worse. Bernard ran through the collection updates, barely acknowledging my presence. When I tried to offer suggestions for improving the bracelet clasp design, he nodded vaguely and then attributed the same idea to Sophie when she repeated it five minutes later."Excellent modification, Sophie," he said, making a note. "That's exactly the kind of refinement we need."I bit my tongue so hard I tasted blood.After the meeting, I retreated to the break room, needing a moment alone. But as I approached, I heard voices from inside—Bernard and Phillip, one of the executive VPs."—liability at this point," Phillip was saying. "The client specifically mentioned concerns about her emotional stability.""She's talented," B
I dragged my ass to the office before the sun was fully up, fueled by three shots of espresso and pure stubbornness. Sleep had been a joke—just tossing and turning between nightmares of Daniel's smirking face. By 4AM, I'd given up and just sat in the shower until the hot water ran out, trying to wash away yesterday's humiliations.I liked the design floor when it was empty—no staring eyes, no whispers, no Sophie's fake-sweet smile. Just possibility in the quiet. I dumped my bag and spread out my sad collection of surviving sketches across the desk. So Daniel wanted to break me? Fuck him. I'd show everyone what accessory design could really be.My fingers flew across the tablet, sketching earring designs that complemented but didn't overshadow the main collection. Focusing on work helped quiet the chaos in my head. Each line, each curve, each decision felt like a small victory—proof that I still had control over something."You're here early."I looked up to find Emma watching me, coffe
I spent the next two hours refining my presentation, making sure every detail was perfect. The women's line would be elegant, distinctive, cohesive with the men's pieces Sophie was designing, but with its own clear identity.At ten-thirty, I headed to the conference room to set up. Sophie was already there, arranging her materials with precise movements."I heard Cartwright specifically requested you," she said without looking up. "That's quite a feat for someone who's barely been here five minutes.""My work speaks for itself."She laughed softly. "Does it? Or does having the CEO in your pocket speak louder?"The insinuation made my skin crawl. "You know, Sophie, it must be exhausting being this obsessed with me. Have you considered therapy?"That got her attention. She straightened, eyes flashing. "Don't flatter yourself. I'm just concerned about the company's reputation. We have standards here.""Yes, and stealing other designers' work probably isn't one of them. Or wait—is that sti
I made it through the rest of the morning on autopilot, fielding congratulations from colleagues who'd ignored me yesterday. Their sudden warmth felt hollow, conditional on success rather than genuine support.By lunch, Sophie's revenge campaign was in full swing. Every time I walked into a room, conversations died like I had some contagious disease. In the break room, two junior designers practically tripped over themselves getting out when I came in for water."I heard she fucked Cartwright in his hotel last night," someone whispered just loud enough for me to hear. "That's why he insisted on her.""Alex must be pissed. I thought she was his side piece?"I slammed my mug down so hard it cracked, water splashing across the counter. The whispers stopped instantly. Good. At least fear still worked when respect wasn't an option.But when I tried to access the revised project files and found my permissions blocked, something inside me snapped. This wasn't just gossip anymore—this was acti
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
"Yep. Appointed week ago. And get this—Thorne Designs is listed as a 'founding corporate partner' in their draft materials.""Is that so?" I felt a smile forming, the pieces realigning in a more favorable configuration. "And I assume there's considerable overlap between Thorne Designs suppliers and foundation beneficiaries?""Like you wouldn't believe. It's practically incestuous." Harrison popped his gum. "Massive conflict of interest if anyone bothered to look.""Perfect." I drummed my fingers against the table. "Keep the surveillance on the foundation office, but focus on board member interactions. Particularly Rivera and any communication with the Thornes.""You got it, boss." Harrison made finger guns at me, an infantile gesture I ignored. "So what's the play now? Since your boy Thorne is back in town.""We cut her off”"From you," Harrison said bluntly.I shot him a look,"From everything." I corrected it. "Maya believes in fresh starts, clean slates. She thinks she can erase the
Twenty minutes later, the door opened without a knock. Harrison strolled in wearing worn jeans and a leather jacket, looking more like a mechanic than a private investigator. The facility's temporary visitor badge was clipped haphazardly to his collar."Evening, crazy." He dropped into the chair across from me, propping his boots on the edge of my bed. "Nice pajamas.""Get your feet off my bed.""Aren't we touchy tonight." He complied anyway, leaning forward instead. "What's so urgent I had to bribe three night staff to get in here?""Thorne is back in New York."Harrison raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, since noon. You're just finding this out now? I thought you had spies everywhere.""You knew?" The pressure beneath my ribs intensified. The fact that every other person knew before me, and didn’t think it was necessary to tell me was crazy."Course I knew. It's literally my job to know." He pulled out a pack of gum, offering me a piece which I declined with a glare. "Landed at JFK at 8:17 A
DanielThe clock on the wall ran four minutes fast. I'd timed it against my daily medication schedule three weeks ago, but hadn't mentioned it to anyone. Small advantages accumulate.I watched the minute hand tick past our scheduled meeting time. Richard was late. The man billed $850 an hour and had never once been anything but punctual—until today. Unusual. Concerning. Richard's predictability was part of what made him useful—prestigious enough to satisfy the board's expectations, hungry enough to follow instructions without excessive moralizing.The burner Kevin had smuggled in buzzed. I glanced at the camera's blind spot before retrieving it.Message from 5772: Target no longer in Paris. Returned to NY this morning. Package undelivered. Awaiting instructions.I stared at the text, an unfamiliar sensation building beneath my ribs. Something hot and tight that made my fingers clench involuntarily around the phone. He shouldn't be back in New York. Not yet. Not for at least another th
I heard the rustle of fabric as he shoved his jeans and boxers down. Then his fingers were gone, and I felt the head of his cock pressed against me. He paused there, so close to where I needed him."Say it again," he demanded."Fuck me," I repeated, beyond caring how desperate I sounded.“Not convincing enough,” he said, an I could only imagine the stupid smirk he would have on his face.“Pleassee”He pushed in slowly—too slowly—filling me inch by inch until he was all the way inside. We both went still, adjusting to the feeling. His hands gripped my hips hard enough to leave marks, his breathing ragged above me.Then he started to move, building a rhythm that had me clutching at the sheets, face pressed into the mattress to muffle the sounds I couldn't hold back. Each thrust hit perfectly, sending jolts of pleasure up my spine. I pushed back against him, matching his pace, taking him deeper."Harder," I demanded, voice breaking.His grip tightened as he complied, driving into me with
"What is it then, Maya? What exactly do you want from me?" He pushed off from the counter, taking a step toward me. "Because I've been trying to figure it out since the moment we met, and I'm still fucking clueless.""I just want you to treat me like an equal!" I shot back. "Not some fragile thing you need to protect!""When have I ever treated you as anything less?""You make decisions about my life without consulting me!""What decisions?" He threw up his hands. "Name one actual decision I've made for you.""You—" I faltered, searching for concrete examples. "You decided I couldn't handle knowing why you were going to Milan.""I decided to handle a situation quietly before dumping more problems on you." He took another step closer. "You're fighting a war on multiple fronts. Your parents. The foundation. The board. I thought I could deal with one thing without adding to your plate.""That's not your call to make!""Fine!" His voice was sharp now. "You want to know? Daniel's been havi
"Okay."I hung up before my voice could betray me. For a second I just stood there, phone in hand, heart doing this stupid fluttery thing I hated. Pathetic. Not even twenty-four hours after walking out, one call and I'm jumping.Except I wasn't jumping. I was going over there to tell him exactly what I thought. That's all.I cranked the shower too hot and stepped in anyway, feeling my skin flush red. The bathroom mirror caught my reflection as I toweled off. Christ, I looked wrecked, and I needed sleep.But at least, I need to know what he had to say.I yanked on jeans and grabbed the first sweater my hand could find. My wet hair dripped cold trails down my neck as I half-heartedly (At least that was what I told myself) dragged a brush through it, catching on knots I didn't have patience to work out.My phone lit up with a text from Olivia about Henderson and a 9AM meeting. I glanced at it, exhaled sharply, and tossed the phone in my bag. The car keys dug into my palm as I headed for
"What leverage could they possibly have on Chen?" I asked, focusing on the immediate problem to avoid the bottomless pit of other thoughts waiting to swallow me. "She's been with Russo Designs for twenty years. She despises my father.""Well…they wouldn't approach her without ammunition," Grandfather said. "Your parents are opportunistic, not stupid."I stopped at the window, pushing the curtain aside to peer at the garden below. The rosebushes needed pruning. Grandfather was letting things slip. Another small sign of his decline he thought I hadn't noticed."Something about the foundation," I said finally. "That's what they've been focusing on.""The Henderson grant application," Olivia suggested, looking up from her laptop. "Your father's golfing buddy chairs th
"What leverage could they possibly have on Chen?" I asked, focusing on the immediate problem to avoid the bottomless pit of other thoughts waiting to swallow me. "She's been with Russo Designs for twenty years. She despises my father.""Well…they wouldn't approach her without ammunition," Grandfather said. "Your parents are opportunistic, not stupid."I stopped at the window, pushing the curtain aside to peer at the garden below. The rosebushes needed pruning. Grandfather was letting things slip. Another small sign of his decline he thought I hadn't noticed."Something about the foundation," I said finally. "That's what they've been focusing on.""The Henderson grant application," Olivia suggested, looking up from her laptop. "Your father's golfing buddy chairs th
MayaI'd forgotten how much I hated Grandfather's study. The room felt like it was actively trying to swallow me—dark wood paneling soaking up what little sunlight filtered through heavy curtains, leather chairs too deep for my frame, bookshelves stuffed with volumes nobody had opened in decades. The air still had that perpetual smell of cigars even though I had never seen grandfather smoke."They've approached Whitcomb," Grandfather said, tossing a handwritten note across his massive desk. Not photographs. Not dramatic surveillance. Just his spidery handwriting on Russo Designs stationery showing the result of one phone call to a secretary who'd worked for him for thirty years and still treated him like God despite his "retirement."I picked it up, trying to focus on the words while my brain kept circling back to the same useless