เข้าสู่ระบบThirty minutes later, the limousine slowed.I looked through the window.A crowd had already gathered outside the building.Cameras.Reporters.Paparazzi.People stood behind barriers, their phones raised as cars pulled up.The building itself rose behind them, sleek glass reflecting the pale winter sky and the Christmas lights strung around the entrance.The limousine stopped.Before anyone could say anything, the door opened.Pierce stepped out first.The moment the media recognized him, several reporters surged forward.“Mr. Sterling!”“Mr. Sterling, over here!”“Look this way!”Camera flashes burst rapidly.Pierce barely reacted.He gave them a practiced smile and continued toward the entrance.Camille stepped out next.The cameras immediately turned toward her.Then came Hayes.The reporters called after him, but he only acknowledged them with a brief nod.Ford followed.He smiled politely at the cameras before walking inside.I waited until the crowd settled slightly before step
A week went by so quickly.The holiday season had taken over.Christmas lights hung across the streets, shop windows were covered in red and gold decorations, and every evening, the city seemed to glow a little brighter beneath the winter sky.Snow had fallen twice that week.Not enough to cover the roads completely, but enough to leave thin white patches along the gardens and rooftops.I had been busy.The usual things.And somehow, a week had passed since my birthday.Dominic hadn’t reached out.Not once.I didn’t even know why I had noticed.I stared at my reflection in the mirror as I adjusted one of my earrings.Why was I thinking about him?I frowned at myself.I shouldn’t be.There was no reason to.He had given me space.That was what I wanted.Wasn’t it?My fingers paused against the earring.Yet some small, irritating part of me had expected him to call.Or send a message.Anything.I hated that.I hated even more that I had caught myself checking my phone more than once ove
I walked through the front door.The house was warm and brightly lit, a sharp contrast to the cool evening air outside.The moment I stepped into the living room, I heard voices.Everyone was there.Hayes was sitting on one of the sofas, his attention on his tablet.Ford was beside him, talking to Pierce about something I couldn’t quite hear.Camille was sitting across from them, scrolling through her phone while Leo was on the floor with his toys.The moment Leo noticed me, his face lit up.“Mummy.”He got to his feet and ran toward me.I smiled as he wrapped his arms around my waist.“Hey.”I rested a hand over his head.“You’re back.”“Yeah.”I bent slightly and kissed his forehead.“Did you miss me?”He nodded seriously.“A lot.”I smiled.“I missed you too.”I straightened and looked at the others.“What’s up, guys?”Hayes glanced up from his tablet.“Welcome back.”Ford smiled.“Long day?”“A little.”Pierce looked over at me.“You look less tired than you did this morning.”I r
I shook my head immediately.“No.”I pushed the box back toward him.“I told you not to worry about it.”He pushed it back.“I already bought it.”He shrugged.“I can’t return it, can I?”I shook my head.“Reed, I can’t take it.”I gestured toward the restaurant.“You already did enough.”I looked at him.“The gallery. The book. And this incredible food.”My eyes dropped briefly to the box.“You didn't even have to do any of this.”He stared at me for a moment.Then sighed dramatically.“Okay.”I narrowed my eyes.“I won’t do anything for you anymore.”He pushed the box toward me again.“I won’t buy anything.”He clasped his hands together.“But just accept this one.”Then he gave me those exaggerated, sarcastically pleading eyes.“Please.”I stared at him.He continued looking at me.I sighed.“You’re impossible.”His expression didn’t change.I rolled my eyes and picked up the box.“Fine.”His lips immediately curved into a satisfied smile.I opened it.My eyes fell on a delicate di
Some minutes later, the restaurant owner returned carrying a large tray.She carefully placed the plates on the table, a carefree smile on her face.“I brought you your usual.”She turned toward me as she placed another plate in front of me.“And for you, I chose this one. Trust me, you will like it.”I smiled.“Thanks.”She gave me another smile before picking up the empty tray and walking back inside.I looked at the plate in front of me.Then at Reed.“Looks good.”“It is.”I picked up my fork and took a bite.My eyes widened.“It tastes so good.”Reed smiled.“I never go wrong with food recommendations.”I shook my head, already taking another bite.I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until then.The food was warm and flavorful.I took another bite.Then another.For a while, neither of us said anything.We simply ate.The sounds around us filled the silence—the clinking of cutlery, conversations from nearby tables, occasional laughter.I didn’t mind it.Actually, I liked it.After
For a second, I stared at the bag in Reed’s hand.Then I took it from him.I opened it.A book sat inside.I pulled it out and looked at the cover.KING.I raised a brow.“King?” I asked, looking at Reed.He nodded.“The full story behind that painting. The princess and the man behind the crowd.”My eyes widened.“Really?”I looked back at the book.Then I opened it.I flipped through a few pages, then closed it again.I turned it over and looked at the back.Then back at the front.A smile slowly spread across my face.“I really wanted to read it.”I looked up at him.“Thank you.”“I figured.”I smiled again.My fingers brushed over the cover.King.An interesting title.I wondered what kind of story could have inspired that painting.The princess.The men surrounding her.The man sitting alone with his book.And the way she had been looking at him.I couldn’t wait to find out what happened between them.Reed gestured toward the door.“Shall we?”I nodded.I slipped the book back int
My legs felt weak.I couldn’t move.It was like my body had stopped listening to me the moment I saw her.Mirabel stood up slowly, smoothing her dress like she had all the time in the world. Then she started walking toward me.“It’s been a long time, Rel.”The nickname twisted something deep in my
Dominic took his bath and left without saying anything.I didn’t try to stop him this time.What was there to say?He had already told me the truth.He was with Mirabel.And he didn’t feel bad about it.I was still sitting on the bed long after he left.I didn’t move.I just sat there, staring at n
I didn’t sleep.I don’t think I even tried.I sat on the couch the entire night, my body curled into itself, my eyes fixed on him like if I looked away for even a second, something would change. Like I would wake up and realize none of it was real.But it was.He was still there.Lying on the couch
My stomach twisted suddenly, a wave of nausea rising so fast I had to press my hand against my lips.I didn’t know if it was the food I had forced myself to eat…or the way my whole life had just been turned upside down.The phone slipped slightly in my hand.For a second, I thought I could hold it







