LOGINWhen they arrived at an upscale restaurant, Aidan stepped out of the car first. A staff member promptly opened the door for Malikha, and as soon as she stepped down, Aidan approached her and took her hand without hesitation.“We need to look like a close, happy couple inside,” he murmured under his breath. “Put on your happiest face… with me.”Malikha said nothing. She looked at him for a moment before allowing him to guide her inside, her hand resting in his as though it belonged there. Once they entered, Aidan helped her remove her coat with practiced ease.Wearing a flawless smile, he slipped an arm around her waist and gently led her toward a long table prepared for seven couples.“Hey, Aidan. Welcome!” Jayden greeted Aidan warmly, pulling him into a brief embrace. Malikha smiled politely as Jayden and Arjoona acknowledged her presence.“Hi, Malikha! How are you, dear? Wow, you look absolutely st
Aidan slowly pulled away from the kiss, releasing Malikha’s lips with deliberate reluctance. She hadn’t responded to him at all—hadn’t moved, hadn’t softened, hadn’t given him even the smallest hint of surrender. But Aidan had never intended to stop. Not now. Not until she had paid for everything.“Let me go,” Malikha whispered, her voice trembling as the painful kiss finally ended. Tears clung stubbornly to her lashes, spilling over as she spoke. Aidan held her gaze, his eyes fixed on her beautiful face, a faint smirk curling on his lips as though savoring the moment.“Not until you’ve paid for everything,” he murmured, his tone calm, almost gentle—yet laced with something far more dangerous. The ghost of a smile lingered on his face while Malikha’s tears continued to fall.“What do you want from me?” she asked, her voice breaking, her eyes glistening with desperation.
The doctor smiled at her, then sighed.“I’m not the one who handles that. My job is only giving for medical care—the hospital takes care of the financial side.”Malikha nodded in understanding.“I told you this so you can prepare yourself for the worst, whenever it may come,” the doctor added gently.“Thank you,” Malikha replied, managing a small smile.She made her way to her mother’s room, slipping on a mask that covered half her face before opening the door quietly. Inside, Brandon was sitting beside Fiona, smiling as he spoke to her. Even though their marriage had never happened, Brandon had remained by Fiona’s side. Every day, Malikha felt deeply grateful for that. Brandon had a way of making Fiona smile, and at the end of her life, at least she was still able to feel happiness and love.“Mom…” Malikha greeted softly as she approached.“My dear&h
Malikha paused and turned back toward Aidan. He still hadn’t spoken; instead, he stood there in silence, lost in thought, staring at the bottle of water he had set on the kitchen counter. Malikha waited, giving him time, hoping he would finally say what was on his mind.“What can I do for you?” she asked softly at last, breaking the silence.“I can’t sleep,” Aidan replied shortly. Malikha frowned, unsure what he meant.“Make me something that will make me drowsy,” he added. Understanding dawned on her, and she nodded with a small smile.“Would you like some warm milk with cinnamon?” Malikha asked as she stepped closer. Aidan merely raised an eyebrow and shrugged.“I’m not allergic to either, but will that really make me sleepy?”“It can help,” she said gently, nodding again. “If you’d like, I can make it for you.”Aidan scratche
Bruce Caldwell hadn’t expected that he would run into Malikha Swan that morning, the newest employee at his company. There was something about her, something quietly captivating. Her appearance was simple, almost unassuming, yet undeniably beautiful. She had caught his attention from the very first moment she introduced herself during the monthly meeting at Noxtrot Design Company.The company, which now employed Malikha as one of its managers, had been under Bruce’s ownership for the past three years, ever since he acquired it from its previous owner. Beyond being the owner, Bruce—who had a background in architecture—also served as its CEO, overseeing both the creative and business sides with precision.But a few days ago, something unexpected had stirred within him—not as a CEO, but as a man. When Malikha Swan stood before the room and introduced herself as the new HR manager, something shifted. It had been a long time since he had felt a
“Open your eyes!” Aidan’s voice cut through the air as he stood in front of Malikha, irritation clear in his expression. Left with no choice, she slowly opened her eyes—only for them to widen at the sight before her. Aidan was standing there in nothing but his boxer briefs. He shook his head at her stunned reaction.“Why are you just standing there? Give me my pants!” he snapped impatiently.Malikha’s thoughts seemed to stall, her mind blank as she hurriedly picked up the trousers she had set aside earlier and handed them to him, turning her face away to avoid looking. Aidan grabbed the black pants roughly and pulled them on, while Malikha instinctively stepped back as he moved toward the mirror, adjusting them with practiced ease.“Why are you still standing there? Dry my hair,” Aidan ordered sharply, leaving no room for refusal. Once again, she had to do as he said.“Use the hair dryer after the towel,” he added coldly. He still hadn’t put on a shirt, and Malikha couldn’t help but n







