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
Ian’s POVMona took a step forward, her voice trembling with anger. “You’ve got to be kidding me. You expect Ian to just hire you as a cook after everything that’s happened? After the way you’re acting right now?”The woman’s lips curled into a thin smile, and for a moment, I almost felt sorry for her. But only for a moment. “You don’t understand. I’ll forgive him. But only if he makes this right.”I turned to Mona, my mind spinning. She was fuming, her fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles were white. “This isn’t how this works,” she muttered under her breath. “This isn’t how you get justice. You don’t hold him hostage and demand a job.”I shook my head, looking at the woman with the kind of exhaustion only someone who had been through this much could understand. “Listen, I don’t care what you think you deserve, but you don’t get to make demands like this. I’m not taking you on just to get out of your petty vendetta.”The woman took a step toward me, her voice dropping to a low
Flynn’s POV I stood at the entrance of the door to the man’s house, the one who had taken my sister from me. Her life, snuffed out in a heartbeat, and the police — those incompetent fools — claimed she had done it to herself. The autopsy confirmed it: suicide. But that wasn’t my truth. It couldn’t be. I would never accept that, not when I knew the man who had been in her life, the one who had caused her so much pain, was still breathing, still walking free. That was my problem. It should be his damn problem.I could feel my jaw tightening as the heat of my anger boiled over, a pressure building in my chest. I hissed, a sharp exhale that burned in my lungs, clenching my fists at my sides. I raised my hand to knock, my knuckles hovering in the air, but just as I was about to strike, I felt a tap on my shoulder.“Who are you?” A voice, cold, demanding, sharp with authority—familiar too. It was her. The loud-mouthed woman from the police station.Mona.The last time I had seen her, she w
Author’s POVMona’s fingers gripped the doorknob so tightly, her knuckles turned white as she stormed down the stairs, her heart thudding with frustration. The nerve of Ian, treating her like some servant just to get the job done. After all these years of holding the reins, now he was treating her like she was disposable. She could feel the anger bubbling up inside her as she reached the bottom of the stairs, practically shaking with annoyance.Slamming the door behind her, Mona whipped around, her hair flying like a wild storm. How dare he, how dare he, just dismiss her like that! It wasn’t like she had nothing better to do than watch Ian and Flynn stare each other down in that godforsaken house. She had a life, damn it.But no, it wasn’t the time for pouting. She turned back to the door. Maybe she could still catch a glimpse, listen in. She’d been around long enough to know that Ian’s cool façade was always hiding something, and that man—Flynn—had “revenge” written all over him. Mon
Author povFlynn stood with her arms crossed, leaning against the kitchen counter. The familiar scent of simmering spices filled the room, but her attention wasn’t on the meal she was preparing. Instead, she could feel the weight of Ian’s gaze from across the room, the soft hum of his disapproving presence growing louder in the space between them."I still don’t think it's necessary, Ian," Flynn said, her tone measured but firm. She wasn't going to give in to him, not this time. "I can handle the kitchen on my own, thank you very much. I’m more than capable of cooking without Mona’s help." Her voice carried a hint of finality, as though the matter was closed.Ian was quiet for a moment, his gaze unwavering. He leaned back in his chair, his arms folded across his chest, and the silence stretched thin between them. Flynn could almost hear the gears in his mind turning, considering his next words."I understand you're upset, Flynn," Ian finally said, his voice calm, yet there was an unde
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
Mona’s POVAs I stepped into Ian's room, the familiar scent of his cologne—a mix of cedarwood and spicy cinnamon—enveloped me like a warm embrace, instantly transporting me back to those carefree days filled with late-night drives under starlit skies and laughter that echoed through the night air. The room was a chaotic reflection of his personality, with keys haphazardly scattered across the cluttered bedside table and wardrobe doors thrown open, revealing a disarray of wrinkled shirts and jeans tumbling out like a laundry avalanche.Amidst the chaos, my eyes landed on the keys to his Toyota Camry—the only car he had patiently taught me to drive on those sun-drenched afternoons, our laughter mingling with the sound of tires on pavement. A wave of nostalgia crashed over me, reminding me of those moments when everything felt so simple and right.My mother had been at the forefront of my thoughts for months now, her absence weighing on me like a heavy anchor. I could no longer bear the
Ian’s POVThe room was packed—executives, lawyers, shareholders, even a few smug interns pretending they belonged. Everyone looked polished, precise, pretending they weren’t all silently judging the delay. The air was stiff with anticipation, sharp like glass about to shatter.I couldn’t sit still. The deal was moments from collapsing. The final signature? Mia’s. The genius behind the entire project. The brains, the blueprint, the only one who could pull it off. And she was nowhere.I checked my phone. Nothing. Not even a ghost of a delivered message."Where the hell is she?" I mumbled, pacing behind the long glass table while everyone avoided my eyes.I stepped out of the conference room, heart hammering in my throat. The hallway felt colder. I dialed her again—voicemail. Again. Straight to voicemail.“Pick up, Mia. Come on…”Fifth call. Sixth. I stared at the screen as if it owed me answers.Still nothing.My throat tightened. I called her mother.“Ian?” she answered, surprised. “Mi
MONA – POV“Mona? Mona, are you okay?”The voice felt distant—like it was echoing through a long tunnel. I blinked slowly, my head swimming, limbs heavy. Was I dreaming?“Mona!”SMACK!My head snapped to the side from the force of a slap. My eyes flew open.“What the hell?!” I gasped, jerking upright.I was on the couch. My chest was heaving, heart racing like I’d just run a marathon. My tongue felt thick. My mouth was dry. My limbs? Numb. I looked up to see Ian standing over me, a look of concern mixed with exasperation on his face.“You slapped me!” I barked, dragging my legs off the couch.“You weren’t waking up!” Ian shot back, throwing his hands up. “I’ve been trying for ten minutes! How long have you been out?”I blinked at him, my brain still foggy. “I don’t know—when did you get back?”He checked his watch, then crossed his arms. “I got home over three hours ago.”Three. Hours.I screamed.Ian jumped back, startled. “Whoa! Okay—calm down!”“Three hours? Are you serious?!” I wa
Author's POVShe ran like hell was licking at her heels. Her breath tore from her throat in jagged gasps, eyes wide and glassy, barely seeing where she was going. The night was cool but her skin burned, slick with sweat, heart pounding loud in her ears like war drums. She didn’t dare look back. Not once. She didn’t need to. Brown’s rage was enough to propel her forward, each step screaming with a desperation that only comes when you know—know—you’ve just danced with death and somehow slipped away with your soul.Her boots pounded against cracked pavement, weaving through alleys until she burst into the open light of the main road. Neon signs blinked like watching eyes. Cars hummed by, indifferent to the storm in her bones.And then—tires screeched.A black car jerked to a stop right in front of her. She stumbled back with a startled gasp, ready to bolt again, until the driver’s window rolled down.“Well, damn. That you?”The voice was like velvet and trouble wrapped in sarcasm. Her ey
Brown's POV"What the hell are you saying? You can't bring the documents containing Ian's business deal with the Europeans?" I growled, my voice rough as gravel, slicing through the air like a blade. My fist slammed into the oak table with a thunderous crack, shaking the glass and papers that sat on its surface. She flinched, her body recoiling instinctively. Her wide, glossy eyes stared at me—frightened, wounded. She looked like a cornered animal, ready to bolt, but too broken to run."I—I'm trying my best, Brown. It's not easy to work as a help in a toxic home just to get valuable documents," she stammered, voice trembling, hands wringing together. Her lip quivered as she took a shaky step back, brushing her knuckles over her cheek.“I killed their cook… in the name of getting this…” Her voice cracked, and she swallowed hard, trying to compose herself, but the fear in her gaze betrayed her strength.The words hit me like a slap. Killed? That was unexpected, even for her.She backed