The hospital hallways were quieter now, dimmed for the night, with only the low hum of machines and muffled voices behind closed doors. Damien walked through them with the calm of someone who belonged there, even though he didn’t.“Mr Cross,” a nurse stopped him. “Where to?”“I’m here for Ryan Hastings,” Damien said, his hands crossed behind his back.“Mr Cross, visiting hours are over.” She said trying to hide a blush.“I know that but…come on.” Damien smiled sheepishly.She glanced around the hallway, making sure no one was watching.“Okay, I can give you 30 minutes. Room 212.”“Thank you.” He said giving her a wink. When he reached Room 212, he paused.Ryan was alone. The lights were low but bright enough to see across his bruised face. He lay half-propped up, bandages still fresh, IV hooked to his arm, but his eyes were open. Barely.Damien opened the door slowly, quiet enough not to be heard. Ryan sat up as soon as he heard the slight creek of the door.“Sienna,” he said quietly
“Can I come see you tonight?” Chloe’s voice sounded calm over the phone. But Damien could tell she was far from calm or fine.It had been nearly 2 days since she last saw him and he knew she’d either be pissed or worried.However, his voice came in like a thunderbolt. “No,” he said bluntly. He hadn’t been in the right frame of mind since his previous call. And he couldn’t afford her seeing him like this. Uncertain, worried, and frustrated.“No?” Chloe repeated. “What do you mean?”“I mean I have a lot going on and I can’t afford luxury meet-ups,” Damien said coldly.“I see, didn’t know that’s what I was - a luxury meet-up.” The sarcasm pressed down the weight of her words.“Chloe, you know that’s not what I mean.” Damien attempted to clear his intentions.“Then what do you mean Damien? How long are you going to keep living in this mysterious world of yours, which you never let me in.”“This is not the time for this Chloe, it’s not. I just need you to-“Damien rubbed his forehead, he d
The doors of Bennett Industries swung open with a force no one saw coming.Everyone stared at the lady in black as she walked gracefully yet fearfully down the company’s corridors.There were no comments, no questions,no one stopped her, no one stood in her way.She moved like a storm in heels—composed on the surface, but every step carried weight. Purpose and fire.The receptionist stood slowly, her mouth ajar. She didn’t know what to say. She couldn’t ask her why she was here or who she was here for. She just let her walk.She quickly reached for her laptop, tapping the keyboards faster than her hands could stop her. The lady knew what she was doing, who she was informing of her presence but she said nothing and did nothing.She made her way to the elevator, aiming for the the top floor. The people in the elevator whispered to themselves, but they weren’t quiet enough because she could hear all their baseless words.When she reached the top, she walked out like she owned the place
“Chloe, can you just let me apologise?” Damien whispered as he leaned forward on the table.“Even if I’m completely unaware of what I’m apologising for.” He continued.Chloe raised her eyebrows in shock. “So why did you call me here?” She asked.“Because I know you’re upset regarding our call yesterday morning and I wanted to apologise. Because the last time we saw one another, we were good. Satisfied in fact.”He says with an underlying edge.Chloe shifted in her seat when she heard his words. “You’re right, that’s after you called me a luxury meet-up.”“Look, I know I came off strong, and I’m sorry. I’m just really stressed out and I’m dealing with a lot of shit.”“Shit like what Damien? Why won’t you just talk to me?”“Because you can’t understand.” He snapped.“Then make me understand.” He fired back.Damien let out a huge sigh, but he didn’t say anything.Chloe breathed in slowly before she spoke.“Why didn’t you tell me you had a brother?”His brows shot up and she noticed the
The morning light crept through the curtains, spilling over Chloe and Damien, sweeping them in their soft embrace. Chloe stirred, her gaze locking on Damien, who was still asleep beside her. His chest rose and fell steadily beneath her, his breathing deep and even. She felt his warmth seep into her skin, the feel of him was a comforting presence.She couldn’t help herself, she traced the lines of his jaw with her fingers, marvelling at the way his face was perfectly structured.His eyes fluttered open at her touch, locking onto her with a familiar intensity that made her heart skip.“What are you doing?” Damien’s voice was husky with sleep, the rough edges making her pulse quicken.Chloe smiled softly, her fingers brushing through his hair. “Just looking at you. I like this, being here with you.”His eyes softened for a moment, his usual guarded demeanour slipping ever so slightly. “Me too,” he murmured, his voice laced with warmth as his hands slid down her arms, pulling her closer t
The morning sun filtered through the hospital blinds, throwing soft golden light across the sterile white sheets.Ryan sat on the edge of the bed, the cool floor grounding him as he slid on his shoes, slower than usual. His body still ached, reminders of what had happened clinging to his muscles.But it wasn’t the bruises that bothered him the most—it was the silence. The things he hadn’t said. The truths that pressed against his throat but never made it out.Sienna stood in the doorway, arms crossed, watching him with that quiet intensity she was so good at.She tilted her head observing his shaky movements. “You sure you’re ready for this? Going back into the world like nothing happened?” she asked.He didn’t look at her. “Yeah, I am Sienna, I’m good.”“How can you be good, Ryan? You were kidnapped.” she pressed.Ryan nodded, buttoning up his shirt with steady fingers. “I know that but I need to move on from it.”Sienna stepped further into the room unconvinced. “You still won’t tel
Ryan’s fingers tightened around the envelope as he stood frozen in Damien’s office. The air between them was thick—years of history, betrayal, and unspoken things hanging like a weight.“Damien,” Ryan’s voice cracked slightly. “Please… I need your help. You can’t let him come for me.”Damien’s eyes were hard and unreadable. “I understand perfectly,” he said. “And there’s nothing I can do.”“But you’re not like this,” Ryan pressed. “I know you. I know you’re not… heartless. And I know you don’t want to do this. Please. Just—just talk to him. Make it stop.”Something flickered in Damien’s gaze. Something that resembled mercy, grace, and pity.But it was gone just as quickly.Damien leaned back in his chair, nodding toward the invitation. “You forget I’m not done with you yet.”“I know, but not him please.“ Ryan said, his voice cracking. “I’ll take whatever you throw at me, but not him.”Damien nodded his head slowly. “He’s right, I have been gentle with you.” His eyes darkened.“That’s
The glass doors of CrossCorp slid shut behind Sienna with a hiss that felt more personal than mechanical.Her heels clicked sharply against the marble floor of the lobby moments earlier, but now the silence outside swallowed the sound entirely. The cold air hit her skin as she stepped onto the sidewalk, but she barely noticed it. Her thoughts were spiralling, replaying the confrontation in Damien Cross’s office—his face unreadable, his words curt, but his implication clear.He was involved. With Ryan. Somehow. And she was going to find out how.She pulled out her phone, the screen lighting up with the time—4:12 PM. Without hesitating, she hit Ryan’s name.He picked up on the third ring, his voice casual, almost too casual. “Hey.”“Where are you?” she asked, slipping into the back seat of her car. Her tone wasn’t accusatory. Yet.“Home,” he replied quickly. “Just got out of the shower. Why?”Sienna’s brows drew together. “I’m coming over.”There was a pause. Just a second. Barely. But
It had been three days since Chloe Bennett disappeared from the rest of the world.But she was everything but unsafe.If anything, she was calm. And for the first time, she felt protected.In the soft quiet of Nina’s aunt’s coastal condo, Chloe sat curled on a cushioned armchair by the wide living room window.The sea was visible from here, endless and silver-grey, stretching into a sky bruised with morning clouds. A light breeze carried the faint scent of salt and rosemary from the garden below, and for the first time in what felt like weeks—maybe longer—her heartbeat wasn’t in a race against itself.She wasn’t checking her phone.She wasn’t crying.She wasn’t running.The only person she thought of was herself.“Tea?” Nina asked, stepping in from the kitchen, two mugs in her hand.Chloe looked over and offered a grateful smile. “Yes. Please.”Nina passed her the cup and sank into the couch nearby, tucking one leg beneath her.“So,” she said gently. “How are we feeling today? Still w
The rain had just started when Damien stepped out of his car.Chloe’s apartment complex stood quiet, almost too calm, the silence that felt wrong. He pulled his coat tighter, climbed the steps two at a time, and when he got to the door he paused. The last time he was here Chloe had thrown him out and ended what they had.Damien shook his head as if shaking out the memory of that night. He rang the doorbell. Once. Twice. Nothing.He knocked, harder this time.“Chloe,” he called, voice low but urgent. “Open the door.”But there was no response.He pulled out his phone and called her. But it went straight to voicemail. He tried again, thumb trembling slightly, but the result was the same. Each unanswered ring fed something cold in his chest.Then, from across the hall, an older woman cracked open her door. Damien turned, his gaze set on her.“She’s not there,” the woman said chewing something he couldn’t quite see. “Left two days ago. Had a suitcase.”“Did she say where she was going?” h
The phone rang for the third time and went straight to voicemail.Miranda stood outside Chloe’s apartment, her brow furrowed, her thumb hovering uncertainly over the call log. The last time she was here, she had just dropped a bomb on her daughter and now, she couldn’t even get a hold of her. She stared at the door, then knocked. Once. Twice. Nothing.“Chloe,” she called out, knocking again, this time louder. “It’s me. Open the door.”But silence answered her.She hesitated, then reached into her purse for the spare key. Chloe had given it to her months ago, back when things were still… normal. Sliding it into the lock, Miranda pushed the door open — and froze.The air inside was stale, unmoved for days. A coffee mug sat abandoned on the kitchen counter. The hoodie she wore the last time she saw her was draped over the back of the couch. The bed is untouched. No dishes in the sink. It was like walking into a paused life.Her daughter hadn’t been here in a while. It was obvious.Mira
Damien shrugged under the sheets, his body resisting every movement.The sharp glow of the sunlight hit his eyes as soon as the curtains were pulled open.“Get up,” Sebastian’s voice echoed through the room. “No one ever gets anything done by brooding.”“Not in the mood, Seb,” Damien muttered, his voice thick and groggy.“Well, neither am I.” Sebastian set a steaming mug on the table. “I made you coffee. I don’t know how you like it, so pardon whatever it tastes like.”He gave a dry shrug.“This should help you think straight. If I’d known you would empty my whiskey cabinet, I might as well have left you at Chloe’s door.”Damien shot him a hard glare, but Sebastian only smiled thinly and sat down cross-legged in his king-sized chair, stirring a cup of tea with a teaspoon before letting it clink onto the saucer.“She hates me,” Damien said, sipping from the mug.“That is true,” Sebastian said, sipping his tea without missing a beat.Damien leaned back against the headboard, staring bla
Chloe sat there for what felt like hours, her chest heaving, her body numb. She didn’t know how much time had passed - minutes, hours, maybe longer.The apartment was quiet except for the broken sounds of her breathing.He held her hoodie tight like it was a second skin. She smelled like him - sharp cologne, clean soap, the faintest scent of whiskey, but the comfort it used to bring now twisted her stomach into her knots.She pressed the sleeves against her face, trying to breathe through the ache cracking her open from inside out.“It’s not true.” She whispered hoarsely through the fabric. “It’s not true. He wouldn’t. He couldn’t.” She said softly. The words spilled out again and again, frantic little prayers to no one at all.But they didn’t stop the memories from crashing over her - violent and brutal.Damien’s hands framing her face like she was something precious.His voice, was rough and low, just how she liked it, promising he wasn’t going anywhere.But his lies, threading
Sienna and Ryan stiffened at the knock on the door.She held her hands to her lips, indicating that Ryan kept calm and quiet.Sienna took slow steps toward the big oak door. She peered through the tiny round glass, searching for the face behind the door.She let out a sigh as she opened the door.“Took you long enough Mom.” She muttered.“I got here as soon as I could,” Miranda said, walking in uninvited, adjusting her black gloves.Sienna didn’t say a word. She closed the door behind her mother.“I can feel the tension in here.” Miranda snorted. “And the sex too.”Ryan shrugged his shoulders at her words.“Mom, can you not?” Sienna asked rolling her eyes.“As you wish, so what’s the plan?”“Ryan is having Damien tracked. About an hour ago, he left Chloe’s apartment.”“Where he is. We don’t know.” Ryan chipped in. “But what we do know is that Chloe is alone. And we have no idea how long Damien would be gone. So we need to act fast.”“Okay, I understand. But can I talk to you, Sienna?”
Ryan stood in the kitchen, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. The words Sebastian had said echoed in his head—Damien’s in love with Chloe. He can’t handle this. The thought of Damien, his uncle, the one who’d always been the rock, tangled up in Chloe… made Ryan’s stomach churn.Sienna stood in the doorway, watching him with quiet intensity, but Ryan barely noticed. His gaze was distant, lost in his thoughts. The past few hours had felt like a blur, filled with anger, jealousy, and confusion. He couldn’t wrap his head around the fact that Damien, of all people, could fall for Chloe.“Ryan,” Sienna said softly, drawing his attention. He turned to look at her, but she could see the conflict in his eyes.“You okay?” she asked, her tone carefully neutral.Ryan ran a hand through his hair, frustration tightening his jaw. “I don’t get it, Sienna. I just… I don’t understand.”“What don’t you understand?” she asked, her voice almost too calm.“Damien and Chloe. It’s messed up, Sienna. He’s my u
As the rain drummed softly against the window, a gentle rhythm echoed the beating of their hearts, Chloe and Damien found themselves enveloped in a world that was theirs. The dim light of the room flickered, creating an atmosphere thick with intimacy and desire.Chloe lay back against the soft sheets, her breath hitching as Damien's fingers traced a delicate path along her arm. The warmth of his touch ignited a fire within her, and she looked up into his eyes, feeling an electric connection that made her heart race.With a slow, deliberate movement, Damien shifted his focus, trailing kisses down her body, savouring the softness of her skin. Chloe gasped, her breath catching in her throat as he moved lower, his lips exploring the delicate curve of her hips. Anticipation built within her, a sweet tension that made her pulse quicken.When his mouth found her, the world outside faded away. The sensation was overwhelming; every flick of his tongue sent waves of pleasure coursing through he
The air thickened the moment Sebastian Cross stepped through the doorway. He didn’t announce himself with volume—he didn’t need to. His presence alone shifted the room’s centre of gravity like someone had opened a window during a storm. Sienna didn’t move. Her arm blocked the entrance for a moment too long. “Are you just going to keep me standing out here?” He said—a smirk creeping along his face. Then, slowly, she stepped aside, her pulse hammering in her temples. Sebastian smiled—not kindly. “Thanks, darling.” He strolled in like he owned the place, scanning the room with casual contempt. His gaze settled on Ryan first—who looked like he’d rather disappear into the wall. Then Miranda. She stood stiffly by the fireplace, one hand clenched around her phone, her knuckles white. When her eyes met Sebastian’s, something flickered for a moment. She blinked it away. “I see we’re having a family meeting,” Sebastian drawled. “How sweet.” “What the hell are you doing here?”