Ian's POVI watched as Mona stormed out of the dining room, her posture radiating fury. The door slammed with enough force to rattle the expensive china. A grin tugged at the corners of my mouth. She was furious, that much was clear, but there was something deeper in her eyes—an unmistakable determination. This wasn’t going to be easy, and I reveled in that fact. It was all part of the game I played with her.Resistance was expected, especially from Mona. I thrived on it; she was a challenging puzzle I intended to solve. I wasn’t about to let her slip away, especially when I had plans that included her."Ah, Mona," I muttered to myself, watching her retreating figure. "You make this far more interesting."I turned away from the table, placing my coffee cup down with purpose. I could almost taste the satisfaction waiting for me when she finally came around. But I wasn’t in a rush; I had all the time in the world.Just then, my phone buzzed on the counter, interrupting my thoughts. I gl
Mona's POVI sprinted down the hallway, heart racing. I needed a landline, and I needed it fast. Ian had been holding me captive in his penthouse, demanding money I didn't have.Days had passed since I last heard from my mother, still in the hospital after our last call. I promised to visit her, but Ian's grip tightened, making it impossible to leave.Leaning against the balcony door, I scanned the city below, feeling smaller than ever. But today, that would change. I refused to let Ian control me any longer.Suddenly, I saw him. Ian was heading to his car, distracted by some business deal. I held my breath, thankful for his momentary absence, whispering a quick prayer.After ensuring he didn’t return, I rushed down the staircase, adrenaline fueling my urgency. I needed to talk to my mom.In the living room, I spotted the landline and lunged for it. Days without hearing her voice was unbearable. My hands shook as I picked up the receiver.I dialed her number, the phone ringing repeate
I released a breath I hadn’t realized I had been holding, my heart pounding as adrenaline coursed through my veins. I knew I had to keep my composure; collapsing now would mean giving in to the chaos. My mother was still on the line, her voice a comforting tether to reality, and I could not let her sense my vulnerability. Not now.“Mama?” I said, trying to steady my voice, but it came out a little shakier than I intended.“Mona?” Her voice crackled through the receiver, laced with concern and worry. “What happened? Are you okay?”I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to push back the tumult of emotions threatening to spill over. Gritting my teeth, I let out a shaky breath. “I’m okay, Mama. Just… just a little more trouble. But I’m fine. I promise.” I hoped my words could mask the turmoil churning within me.“Stay strong, Mona. Stay strong,” she urged softly, her voice a gentle beacon of support even through the crackling phone line.I nodded, even though she couldn't see me, feeling the war
Mona’s POVI turned at the sound of my name, my heart nearly jumping out of my chest. Of course, it was Ian. Who else would it be? I barely had time to compose myself before I felt his hand on my wrist, dragging me toward his car like I was some sort of property. I pulled back, but his grip tightened, and I could already feel the anger rising in my chest.“What the hell are you doing here, Ian?” I hissed, barely managing to keep my voice from shaking.His grip was still firm, his fingers pressing into my skin, sending an uncomfortable jolt through me. I wrenched my wrist out of his hand, but he was already on me again, too quick. “I should be asking you that,” he growled, dragging me across the parking lot with surprising strength. “You think you can just walk away from me without consequences?”“Consequences?” I raised an eyebrow, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “You mean the ones where you make me your prisoner? Those consequences?”“Don’t play games, Mona,” he snarled, his grip tig
Ian's povI looked up from my desk as Mia's voice pierced the silence of my office. “Ian, what’s that witch doing in your penthouse?”I sighed, rubbing my face to ease the tension that rushed in. I knew exactly what she meant.“Who?” I asked, keeping my voice steady.“Mona. The woman in your penthouse. What’s she doing there?” I let out a dry laugh, brushing my hair back. “Mona isn’t your concern.”“Don’t dodge the question, Ian. I know who she is,” she shot back, her eyes narrowing with anger.I stood up, my body tense. “Stop calling her names, Mia.You don’t know what you're talking about.”She scoffed, a laugh escaping her lips, hollow and mocking. “Oh, I get it now. You are with her, aren’t you? This is how it ends? Do you have the guts to cheat on me, Ian? You don’t even care about what we had?”It was like a slap to the face. But instead of recoiling, I stepped closer, my voice barely above a whisper, hard and cold. “Our relationship ended a long time ago, Mai.”She froze, her
Mona's POVI lay on my small bed, staring at the cracked, peeling white ceiling, struggling to breathe through my swirling thoughts. My mother’s voice echoed in my mind, demanding things I didn’t think I could achieve. Even in the silence, her presence felt heavy, filled with expectations that weighed me down.I rolled onto my side, each breath growing heavier. The bed felt constricting, and I swung my legs over the edge, miscalculating the distance to the floor. My heart raced as I teetered, almost losing my balance. A rush of panic hit me, but I steadied myself, trembling from the close call.I muttered a curse, breaking the silence, before trying to gather my scattered thoughts. I reached for my shoes, which were hidden under the bed. I brushed my fingers against the cool wooden floor but found nothing. Frustration built within me—how could finding a simple shoe feel so hard?Leaning down, I carefully searched again, feeling the smoothness of the floor beneath my hands. Overwhelmed
Ian's POVMy heart raced as Mona’s body collapsed against mine. At first, I thought it was just her exhaustion catching up to her, but then I felt the dampness on her skin. Sweat. Her body was burning up, trembling against me in a way that sent a cold shiver through my spine.I moved quickly, my hands gripping her shoulders, steadying her as panic surged within me. Her breaths came in sharp, shallow gasps, and I noticed her skin growing pale, a strange rigidity starting to seize her limbs.“Mona,” I said firmly, my voice tight with urgency. She didn’t respond. Her head lolled back, and her eyes flickered open for a brief moment before shutting again, a glassy look in her eyes making the world around me feel suffocating.I didn't waste another second. I scooped her up, cradling her against my chest, feeling the weight of her fragile form in my arms. My body tensed, every muscle primed to power through the fear pushing me forward."Stay with me, Mona," I insisted, determined that she c
Ian's POVI heard the term and felt as if my life was unraveling. What did she mean by her body being significantly compromised? I called out to the doctor as she was about to leave; the situation didn’t seem to add up at all.“Yes, Mr. Ian,” she replied.I scoffed, my breath coming in heavy gasps as my eyes scanned the room. Just how dire was her condition?“Very serious,” she said urgently, placing a hand on my chest. My heart raced as I locked eyes with her, sensing the sincerity in her expression.“It’s fine,” I nodded, making my way out of the hospital. I was determined to uncover the identity of the cook who had poisoned her.My heart thudded violently as I exited the hospital. The doctor’s words reverberated in my mind, each one more suffocating than the last. Mona had been drugged, and I was resolute in ensuring that the person responsible would face justice.I slammed the door of my car, the sound echoing through the desolate parking lot. My grip on the steering wheel was so
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
Flynn’s POVBut Mona wasn’t having it. She stepped into the doorway, blocking my exit. Her presence filled the space, making the already small hallway feel even more suffocating."No, no, no, Flynn," she said, shaking her head in mock sympathy. "You’re not going anywhere until you tell me what’s going on." She crossed her arms tighter across her chest, making sure I knew she wasn’t backing down. "You don’t just sneak out of here without telling me where you’re going. You work for me, remember?"I bit my lip to keep from snapping. Mona had this habit of reminding me of my position every chance she got, and it never failed to get under my skin. I didn’t want to fight her, but I knew I had no choice. If she got curious enough, she’d find out more than she needed to, and that would put me in even more danger."I’m just... taking care of some things. Personal stuff." I repeated, my voice a little more forceful this time, hoping she'd buy it.But Mona was no fool. Her sharp eyes bored into