Ian’s POV“Pick up, silly girl!” I growled, slamming my fist against the arm of my office chair. It spun slightly with the force, the leather groaning beneath me.The phone buzzed in my hand—straight to voicemail. Again.“Mia,” I muttered under my breath, jaw clenched tight.She was dodging my calls now. Typical. Always running when things got messy. But this time, it wasn’t about feelings, love, or the thousand little arguments we left unresolved between kisses and slammed doors. No—this was business.My company had just locked in a potential game-changing collaboration with her firm. Her signature was the final key. Just one damn name on a dotted line, and we could break into the European market like kings. But she was the CEO. Her word was law.And she wasn’t picking up.I stood, pacing the room, the city lights outside casting jagged shadows across my desk. My office was high-rise, expensive, cold. Just like I liked it. But right now, it felt like a goddamn prison.I dialed her ag
Mia’s POVImmediately the call with Ian ended, I turned on my Bluetooth and connected to my car speakers. I needed this moment—needed to hear her scream with that ridiculous, high-pitched glee that only emerged when Ian’s name came up. That woman never hid her obsession with him. Not when we were together, not even after everything went to hell.I leaned back into my seat, exhaled sharply, and unbuckled my seat belt. My heart was racing, the weight of the last twenty minutes sitting heavy on my chest. I dragged a hand through my hair, trying to pull myself back together. I tapped her number and pressed the call button.“C’mon… pick up, Mom,” I muttered, my fingers rhythmically tapping the steering wheel. “Don’t fail me now.”The line clicked.“Mia!” Her voice immediately erupted with excitement. “Maiia baby, what’s going on? Did Ian call you? I told you he would! I told you he—”“Yes, yes, yes—he called,” I interrupted, rolling my eyes with a smirk she couldn’t see. “You can calm your
Mia’s POVHe exhaled. “Mia, this doesn’t have anything to do with—”“Oh, it doesn’t?” I said, laughing with disbelief. “That’s interesting. Because the last time I checked, you were parading around with that silicone Barbie like she was your forever after.”He sighed, the kind of sigh that wasn’t tired—it was guilty. I knew that sound. I’d heard it too many times when I caught him lying by omission.“You’re deflecting,” I said sharply. “Why?”“Because she’s not in the picture anymore,” he said, suddenly serious. “She doesn’t live with me. She hasn’t for over a month.”I blinked, stunned for a second.“What?” I said slowly. “You broke up?”He didn’t say anything.“Oh my god,” I whispered, the pieces clicking in my head. “You two broke up. And now suddenly you’re interested in working with me?”“I’ve been interested in working with you since the deal was proposed,” he replied firmly. “Don’t twist it.”“Oh honey, I’m not twisting a damn thing. I’m just connecting dots. The timeline’s too
Mona’s POVMy fingers trembled around the handle of my bag, but I wasn’t sure if it was from rage or betrayal. I had tracked Ian here like a madwoman, using a location-sharing app I clowned onto his phone when I felt something in my gut — that sharp, stinging woman’s instinct. And there he was, sitting across from her. Mia. The girl who couldn't read a chapter, let alone close the book.“Yes, it’s me,” I said, my voice shaking, barely above a whisper. “Is she the reason you've been skipping breakfast and ignoring my calls?”I took a step forward. My heels clicking against the marble tiles were the only sound between us. I saw Ian’s lips part like he wanted to say something — a thousand excuses forming behind his guilty eyes — but before he could, she stood up like she owned the air we breathed.“Ian has no explanation to give for his attitude towards you, Madam Mona,” Mia said, her voice laced with smug venom. She tossed her sleek hair behind her shoulder, like she was about to walk a
Mona’s POVIan?Wait—what the hell are you doing here?I blinked once. Twice. But no, I wasn’t hallucinating. It was him. Ian Devereux, standing like a ghost from a past I had just buried — in broad daylight, in front of my favorite corner café, where I was supposed to be minding my business and my cappuccino.I narrowed my eyes, instantly on edge. “I thought we got things over. You chose Me over me, remember? So what’s with the long face? She not reading bedtime stories anymore?”He looked like he hadn’t slept in days. His hair was messier than usual, like he’d been running his hands through it out of habit. He wore the same black coat I once stole to sleep in, and the way it clung to his frame made him look colder, heavier… like guilt had a physical weight.“Mona,” he said my name like it was an apology in itself. I didn’t flinch.“No, seriously,” I continued, folding my arms across my chest. “What do you want, Ian? Closure? A sequel? Or are you just here to remind me that I was stu
Mona’s POVI watched him leave, the front door closing behind him with a finality that settled in my bones like a slow, creeping frost. Ian didn’t even look back.I should’ve been angry. Furious, maybe. But all I felt was hollow. My chest ached, the silence stretching out in the room like a punishment. And all because he answered a damn call. From her. Mai.That good-for-nothing, manipulative, arrogant... illiterate.I hated how it made me feel. Jealous. Insecure. Like I was twelve again and being picked last for the team, only this time the prize was Ian, and I was the one losing.I ran a hand through my tangled curls, eyes burning as I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding. The house felt colder without him in it. Colder and quieter.I pulled his shirt tighter around me—the one I slept in last night. The hem brushed mid-thigh, soft cotton and his scent wrapping around me like a second skin. I padded toward the stairs barefoot, each step a whisper against the polished wood.
Ian’s POVI was hearing voices downstairs—raised, sharp, female voices—and my stomach dropped like a stone in a pond.At first, I thought I was imagining it. I’d barely made it down the driveway, needed a damn breather after that phone call, but the moment I got out of the car, the shrieking tone of Mai’s laugh sliced through the quiet like a chainsaw in a library.What the actual hell?I took the porch steps two at a time and threw open the front door.And that’s when chaos hit me square in the face.Mona came flying at me like a human missile, barefoot, hair wild, wearing nothing but my shirt and righteous fury. She launched into my arms like a hurricane had possessed her.“She came here!” she shouted, voice muffled against my chest. “She came here like the devil on a bender, Ian! She was in the kitchen, giggling and scheming and trying to possess your soul or some crap like that!”I blinked. “Uh… who?”She pulled back, eyes blazing. “MAI!”Behind her, Flynn raised a hand like a wea
Flynn’s POVI was still rolling from one end of my bed to the other, wrapped in my comforter like a burrito, when my phone rang. Loud. Way too loud. Like, offensive-to-my-eardrums loud.I groaned, blindly flinging a hand over the bed, searching for the buzzing traitor that had the audacity to disrupt my sleep. My fingers finally landed on the screen, and I yanked it up toward my face, my eyes squinting like the sun itself had just slapped me.“Who the hell—” I mumbled, my voice scratchy, crust still in the corner of my eyes. I blinked. The caller ID was just a string of numbers, no name. Suspicious. Rude.I debated tossing it back under my pillow. Whoever it was could wait. Or not exist. Preferably both. But just as I was about to end the call with a swipe of my pinky, a loud voice boomed through the phone speaker:“FLYNN!”I flinched so hard I nearly dropped the phone on my face.Oh. No. That voice.“Shit,” I whispered, sitting upright with the speed of someone who just realized they
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