With her mouth still parted in shock, Lorraine closed the door and turned to face Alina."Is something going on that we don't know about?" she asked, uncertainty in her voice.Alina shrugged, looking just as clueless. "Let me check online."She hurried into her room and came back moments later, phone in hand. Her eyes widened as she stared at the screen. She turned it toward Lorraine, who blinked in disbelief.Just yesterday, she had been fired, and cried her eyes out. Now, today, the company was crashing down? How? Who could have done this?"Open the door," Alina said softly.Lorraine obeyed. To her shock, her former boss was still on his knees outside."W-what… what are you doing?" she asked, keeping her eyes off him."I came to apologize, Lorraine," he said hoarsely, like a man whose life was crumbling apart. And maybe it was."I was wrong. Everything that happened to you—it was a lie. You didn’t deserve any of it. The messed-up documents, the accusations… none of it was your fault
Lorraine looked up from the couch when the doorbell rang. She raised an eyebrow. “Who could that be?”Alina smiled a little as she stood. “Probably the food Jesse mentioned.”“Oh,” Lorraine said, sitting up.Alina opened the door and saw a delivery guy holding two big bags that smelled amazing. The spicy scent drifted into the apartment, wrapping around her warmly.“Delivery for… Miss Pascale?” he asked.“That’s us,” Alina said with a small smile, taking the bags. The guy handed her a tablet to sign, and she scribbled her signature with one hand.“Enjoy,” he said before walking off.Alina shut the door and turned to see Lorraine reaching out like a kid begging for candy.“Give me,” she said dramatically. “I’m emotionally starved, mentally tired, and my soul needs fried food.”They both burst out laughing.Alina placed the bags on the table and started unpacking them. Inside were two boxes of hot, spicy chicken, crispy fries, two fizzy drinks, and a warm box of gooey brownies. On top o
Alina wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. She was done with her tears... Lorraine, however, wasn't done being dramatic.Her brows suddenly furrowed as she tilted her head. “A few nights ago, Mandy called you her sister-in-law. Are you… actually getting married?”Alina sniffled. “We got a marriage certificate.”Lorraine blinked. “Wait—seriously?”Without saying another word, Alina pulled out her phone, scrolled through her gallery, and stopped at the photo of their certificate. She held it out.“There.”Lorraine took the phone, staring at the screen for a long second before slowly looking back at her. “Does that mean… you like him?”Alina hesitated for a moment… then gave another small nod.That was all Lorraine needed. Her eyes widened as she quickly wiped her face, sitting up straighter,” Enough of these stupid tears," she muttered, pushing the tissue aside.Then she threw a pillow at Alina. "Are you fucking serious?! You LIKE him?! Oh my God... spill everything! I need every
Jesse pressed hard on the gas pedal, the tires screeching slightly as he pulled out of the driveway with a jerk, speeding onto the road without even checking the side mirror."Aiden..." he muttered to himself, eyes scanning the cars ahead. "Isn’t there a day when I don’t have to stalk someone?"He drove fast, switching lanes like he had somewhere urgent to be. Because… well, he did.Within minutes, he pulled up a few buildings down from Lorraine’s apartment complex. He didn’t park directly in front, he wasn’t stupid. He parked just far enough to stay unnoticed, but close enough to see everything.Then, he waited.One hand drummed against the steering wheel as his eyes shifted between the road and his side mirror. It didn’t take long before a yellow cab rolled to a stop just outside the apartment entrance.Alina stepped out, looking anxious and holding her phone tightly.Jesse’s eyes followed her silently as she rushed up the small steps and disappeared into the house.He didn’t say a
His tongue trailed slowly down the nape of her neck, sending shivers dancing along her spine. Warmth spread through her chest as he nibbled gently at the spot near her shoulder, placing her carefully on the bed.Her breath caught. All logic, every shred of self-control and common sense, vanished the moment his lips had touched hers.Aiden.That was all she could think about.He had consumed her entirely; her thoughts, her breath, her body. She wanted him. Desperately.Alina reached for his shirt, her fingers trembling slightly as she tugged at the buttons. He helped, undoing the rest of them with one hand while his other arm held her close, never letting go.Once undone, he pulled the shirt off in one swift motion, tossing it carelessly to the floor.Her hands moved over his chest, slowly exploring the shape of him—his firm torso, the curve of his shoulders, the heat radiating from his skin. She marveled at him quietly, feeling something deeper than just desire. Something unfamiliar…
After much persuasion and protest, Dr. Craig finally discharged Grandma Linda, and her family took her home.Aiden and Alina stayed with her until the clock ticked toward 6 PM."You should go home and rest," Grandma Linda said kindly to Alina, who had been taking care of her all day. "It’s evening already."Alina had meant to argue, but Grandma Linda insisted that Aiden take her home.….Once they arrived, Alina headed to her room for a shower. After changing into fresh clothes, she stepped out and started walking toward the dining room but as she passed Aiden’s door, her steps slowed.“He hasn’t eaten anything all day,” she murmured, frowning slightly. “What kind of guy skips meals like this?”She sighed, brushing a damp strand of hair behind her ear. She really wanted to find a way to make him eat something… But would he even trust her enough to eat her food?She bit her lower lip, hesitating. “I’m his wife, right? That’s supposed to mean something.”But doubt quickly crept in: ‘If