Vance’s POVThe night air was cool as I slid behind the wheel of the car, Mona settling into the passenger seat beside me. I could feel the tension between us, thick and palpable, though neither of us acknowledged it outright. She was playing her part, doing exactly what I expected her to do—hesitating, questioning herself. It was the only game I knew how to play with her, and she was never one to walk away once she was this far in.“Where are we going?” Mona asked, her voice soft but betraying a hint of anxiety. I could tell she was trying to mask it, trying to maintain some semblance of control, but I knew better. She wouldn’t admit it, but she was curious. That curiosity would drive her, just like it always had.“You’ll see,” I said, my voice low and laced with a kind of mystery that I knew would keep her guessing. I wasn’t about to tell her everything. Mona needed to be swept into the night, and I wasn’t going to give her any chance to back out. I was already working on the edges
Stella's POVI couldn’t take my eyes off them, not because I wanted to, but because I couldn’t stop myself. Vance. That damn smile of his—god, it made me sick. He looked so comfortable with her, touching her hair, whispering something in her ear, and she giggled like some love-struck teenager. My stomach twisted into a knot, tighter than a noose. My fingers curled around the stem of my drink, the ice clinking sharply against the glass, but I didn’t care. My heart was full of something—resentment, jealousy, or maybe just pure disgust. Either way, it tasted sour in my throat.I tried to focus on the music, the chatter around the club, but every time I glanced back, there he was, leaning closer to her, the way his eyes softened when he looked at her. The way he was so... casual with her. Like she was someone he could hold onto without a second thought. It made my blood boil.I wasn’t about to stand here like a fool and let him watch me squirm, so I snapped my clutch shut, sliding out of
Stella’s POVThe air outside was crisp, the streetlights casting a soft glow over the quiet pavement as we walked side by side, the sound of our footsteps the only noise between us. I had already led him out of the café, taking a moment to make sure I wasn’t going to let him escape the conversation just yet. I had made a point of not being the type to linger in places I wasn’t wanted, but I was enjoying this weird, electric energy between us. It was like we were both testing the waters, seeing who could make the first move—or at least, that’s what I liked to think.I glanced over at Ian, who was holding the black coffee I had ordered for him, his expression twisted into a slight grimace as he took another reluctant sip.“You know,” I began, eyeing him with a playful smirk, “I’m not really a fan of people who don’t drink coffee the right way.”“Black coffee is the right way?” He raised an eyebrow at me, the playful edge in his voice not quite hiding his genuine distaste for the drink.
Mona's POVI arrived at the office before most people had even started their commute. The air outside was crisp, still holding onto the remnants of the night’s coolness, but inside, the office was quiet, too quiet. My heels clicked on the polished stairs, a sharp sound that echoed in the empty space. I paused at the door to Vance's office, breathing heavily, a mix of nerves and anticipation settling in my chest. Today had to be the day I finally had a proper conversation with him—no interruptions, no awkwardness.I pushed the door open with a little more force than intended, the hinges creaking slightly. The room greeted me with silence, a silence that seemed to press against my ears. My eyes scanned the space quickly. Empty. The desk was perfectly arranged, papers stacked neatly as always, the window letting in the soft morning light, but no sign of Vance. My heart sank a little."Vance? Are you in?" I called out, my voice slightly shaky. There was no response.I stepped further into
Stella’s POVThe hum of voices in the pub was a comfort, the familiar clink of glasses and the soft murmur of customers settling in for the night. I was behind the bar, cleaning the counters with a practiced hand, making sure every surface gleamed just right. I loved this place. It was mine—well, for the most part. No one could ruin it for me, not unless I let them.The door creaked open, breaking my focus. I glanced up, my fingers still wrapped around the cloth I was using to wipe down the bar. A tall woman stepped in, her heels clicking loudly on the hardwood floor as she moved with slow, deliberate steps. My first thought was: She’s overdressed for a place like this.Her gown was tight, so tight it hugged her every curve, and the material shimmered under the low lights of the pub. A rich shade of red that was far too eye-catching for someone who just wanted to grab a drink. She walked with confidence, almost as if the room had been made for her to step into, and she carried herself
Mona’s POV I was curled up on the couch, sinking into the cushions with the TV show playing quietly in the background. The soft hum of the screen filled the room, the characters bantering in their usual sarcastic way. My mind had wandered as I absentmindedly clicked through scenes. I was trying to lose myself in their world, one where problems didn’t exist, where the world didn’t intrude with its demands.But then it came. A knock.A sound so sudden, so sharp, it felt like a jolt straight through my chest. My eyes flicked towards the door. I scowled, irritation bubbling up before I could even stop it. I tried to ignore it, sinking deeper into the couch, clutching the remote in my hand like it could shield me from whatever was coming.Then—again. The knock, louder this time. It echoed through the quiet room, a heavy thud that made the walls seem to tremble. I didn’t move. I just stared at the door, my brows furrowed, trying to stay calm. Who the hell was this?“Ian, I hate noise,” I m
Mona’s POVIt had been over twenty minutes since I hung up with Ian. Twenty minutes. I glanced at the door again. No sign of him. I rubbed my temple, frustration bubbling inside me. Ian had promised he’d be back soon. But soon could mean anything, right? I had no idea what was going on, and that was driving me insane.I tried to shake it off. Maybe he was caught up with something, but something didn’t sit right. Why hadn't he told me anything about the police, about Inspector Ken showing up? What kind of trouble was he really in? I glanced back at the door again, wondering if I should just open it and ask the inspector more questions. But then the thought of standing in front of that silent, unblinking cop made me hesitate. I wasn’t exactly in the mood for another cryptic exchange.Instead, I did what any reasonable person would do in a time of crisis: I walked over to the window.I pulled back the curtain with a little more force than necessary and peered outside. There he was, stand
Ian’s POV I stepped into the small, sterile room, the floor tiles cold against my shoes. Mona trailed behind me, clutching a half-empty bag of chips, still chewing on a piece as if it could somehow absorb the absurdity of the situation. I let out a sigh and rubbed my temples, trying to shake off the headache creeping up from the back of my skull. Ken had led us here, his face a mask of indifference. I could tell by the way he glanced at Mona that he didn’t quite know how to deal with the situation, either. But there was no mistake that this wasn’t going to end well for me—no matter how much chocolate or chips Mona had at her disposal. Mona plopped herself down on one of the cold metal chairs, her bag of chips resting on the table in front of her. She shot me a look, as if daring me to try and pretend like everything was fine. Ken was already seated at the desk, flipping through some papers. The silence hung between us like a heavy weight, each second dragging by, stretching the
Flynn povI watched Vance's eyes narrow, the intensity of his gaze sharp and penetrating as he absorbed my proposal. His face remained a careful mask of calm calculation, yet I could sense the subtle undercurrents of tension beneath the surface—an unspoken intrigue sparked by my words.“So, you want me to help you bring Mona down a peg?” he asked, his tone deceptively neutral. Despite the casualness of his voice, a glimmer of amusement danced in his eyes, hinting that he was more than just a passive listener in this exchange.I leaned forward, my elbows planted firmly on the polished surface of the desk, creating a bridge of intent between us. My eyes locked onto his, willing him to understand the gravity of my request. “Not bring her down, Vance. Just...readjust her perspective. She’s become too comfortable, settled into a complacency that clouds her judgment. What she needs is a firm reminder of her standing—an adjustment to help her recalibrate.”As I spoke, I felt his gaze sweep o
Vance povI twirled slowly on my leather office chair, the faint squeak accompanying my movements breaking the heavy silence that had settled over the room. My eyes flitted around the pristine office, taking in the sterile decor with a cocktail of boredom and irritation. The air conditioning was set to an arctic level, sending icy tendrils across my skin, causing prickles of goosebumps to rise up my arms. After a few more revolutions, I stopped the motion and leaned forward, resting my forehead against the cool, smooth surface of my desk. The low hum of the computer and the occasional rustle of papers stirred by the wind from the vents served as the only reminders of life in this otherwise quiet space.Just as I was on the verge of surrendering to a cold-induced stupor, my phone buzzed loudly, jolting me from my semi-daze. I reluctantly lifted my head and extended a hand for the receiver, the abrupt sound grating against my tired senses. "What is it?" I growled, my voice emerging roug
Mona povI leaned back against the door, my body trembling with a mix of rage and heartbreak. Ian's frantic pleas and hollow apologies seeped through the wooden barrier that separated us, but I made a conscious effort to block him out. How could he? How could he humiliate me in such a way? He had chosen to cheat on me with her—Mai, of all people!A bitter laugh slipped from my lips, the sound jarring and echoing off the stark walls of my room. Did Ian honestly think he could just saunter back into my life, toss out a few empty words of remorse, and expect me to forgive him? As if! I would rather crawl through the depths of despair than ever consider giving him another chance.My mind replayed the scene from earlier, and I cringed at the memory of my vulnerability. I had trusted him completely, poured my heart and soul into our relationship, believing it was built on love and fidelity. And what had he done? He had shattered it all for a fleeting moment of excitement with his ex-girlfri
Ian povI stood before the door, my fist pounding relentlessly against the sturdy wooden barrier that separated me from the one person I couldn't bear to lose. The soft, muted sounds of the world outside felt like a distant memory as tears streamed down my cheeks, fueled by a mix of sorrow and regret. I begged, pleaded, and apologized, my voice cracking under the weight of desperation."Mona, please, open the door!" My voice trembled, laced with urgency. "I'm sorry, baby. I didn't mean to hurt you. I was blind, stupid, and reckless." I pressed my forehead against the cool, hard surface of the door, feeling as if the weight of my heartache was pushing me down. My body shook with sobs, each tremor filled with regret. "I love you, Mona. You're my everything. Don't shut me out like this."Despite my pleas, the door remained stubbornly closed—a silent wall of resistance. I could sense her presence just a breath away, yet she refused to yield. Her voice, which usually wrapped around me like
Mia’s POVI carefully arranged my clothes on the table, smoothing out the fabric and contemplating the day ahead. As I stretched my body to alleviate the ache that had begun to settle in my shoulders and lower back, a satisfied smile crept onto my lips. The reflection staring back at me in the mirror was undeniably me—confident, determined. With a whisper barely escaping my lips, I reassured myself, "Ian was always mine." I reached up, running my fingers through my hair to smooth out any tangles, before taking a deep, steadying breath. After a moment of quiet self-reflection, I steeled myself and stepped out to face the thrumming energy of the waiting crowd.As I made my way out of the office, the hushed murmurs of the business partners enveloped me like a thick fog, their words laced with a mixture of expectation and criticism. I could feel their eyes darting towards me, a palpable air of disapproval emanating from their collective gaze. The unspoken tension lingered in the air, and
Mona’s POVI stumbled backward, my hand grasping the doorknob as if it were the only thing anchoring me to reality. The sight before me was a cruel shock, draining the very life from my limbs, leaving me swaying at the threshold. Tears cascaded down my cheeks, each drop a vivid reminder of the betrayal that twisted like a knife in my heart. The sound of my ragged breaths filled the silence around me, a chaotic symphony of anguish that seemed to taunt my shattered expectations.“Ian?” I called out weakly, my voice barely rising above a whisper, clinging to a desperate hope that this was all a cruel, twisted joke. I wanted nothing more than to be wrong—to have this nightmare plummet into the depths of imagination.But the scene before me remained unchanged. Ian stood, his posture rigid as he pulled himself away from Mai, a storm of guilt and panic etched on his face. The sight shattered any lingering doubts I had, amplifying the raw hum of betrayal pulsing through my veins.Turning on m
Ian‘s POVThat's all she wanted, to be fucked by her ex, how many people allowed their ex to fuck then in an office.“Ian…”I didn’t let her finish, as I pressed my thumb lightly against her lip, silencing her before I took over the position, leaned farther down so we were face-to-face. My warm breath fanned over her cheek, my mouth so close to hers it would only take me tilting my chin down a little to kiss my crazy, asshole ex.“You’re playing with fire, Mai,” I murmured, my voice a low rumble that sent shivers down her spine.“Then burn me, Ian.” Yup… she went there. She said that.“Maybe I like the pain of your Cock,” she added, unable to stop me. And then I growled, and my lips were on hers.Her hands came up, clutching the front of my shirt and pulling me closer as she pressed back against the couch, my body pinning hers to the piece of furniture.“God” she muttered, I don't know if she was about to get fucked by what exactly.Faster than I could expect, I had her off the c
Ian’s POV“Common, get your hands off me, Ian!” she growled, her tone a mix of irritation and defiance. My fingers tightened around her arms as we navigated the dimly lit corridor toward my office. The air was thick with tension, and I could feel the heat radiating from her, a stark contrast to the chill of the sterile surroundings.As we reached the door, I took a moment to gather my composure. With a swift motion, I grasped the doorknob and turned it, my urgency palpable. I kicked the heavy door open, the sound echoing in the otherwise quiet hallway, and we stepped inside, the world outside fading away."Please give me some space and allow me the time to be by myself for a while.”I pushed her to the couch, rage surging through me, I felt like punching her guts."What's wrong with you, Mia? Please, tell me," I urged, lowering myself to her level, my eyes searching hers for answers. I squatted close, our faces almost touching, the tension thick in the air."What do you truly want? I'
Mona’s POVI drove slowly down the winding gravel driveway until I reached the small, rusted gate, its hinges creaking in protest as I pushed it open. With a deep breath, I stepped out of the car, the sun filtering through the branches of the ancient oak trees that lined the path to the apartment. As I approached the door, an unsettling weight settled in my chest. It swung wide open, a gaping mouth that seemed to beckon me into the unknown.“Mom?” I called out, my voice trembling slightly, but the silence that enveloped the space was deafening. A cold shudder ran down my spine, and panic began to seep into my bones. I stepped inside, my heart racing, and started to search every room, each corner cloaked in shadows. The familiar scent of her lavender candles hung in the air, but it felt oddly suffocating.I raced up the staircase, calling her name with increasing desperation. "Mom!" My voice echoed in the stillness, cracking under the strain of worry. But there was no response. With ev