“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
Sienna sat at the edge of Ryan’s unmade bed, the morning sun creeping in through the slats of his blinds. The apartment was quiet—too quiet. Ryan had left early, claiming he needed to run errands. No kisses, no coffee, not even a “see you later.” Just a rushed departure and a trail of silence that felt like a ghost brushing past her shoulder. She should’ve gone home last night. She should’ve walked away the moment he lied about the job interview. But something in her refused to leave—not when she knew he was hiding something. Her eyes scanned the room again. Jeans tossed over a chair. The faint scent of his cologne in the air. His black coat still hanging by the door. He hadn’t worn it this morning, she realized. It was the same one he wore yesterday—when he left for that mysterious “interview.” Sienna stood, walked over, and slipped her hand into the pocket. There was a key, a wallet, and an unsealed envelope. Her stomach tightened. She pulled it out slowly, turning it ov
The sky was deep navy, fading into black, the stars barely visible above the wisps of coastal fog rolling in from the sea.Nina’s feet sank into the cold, damp sand as she trudged along the shoreline, her lips were chapped and salty from the salt the wind blew from the ocean, the hem of her dress soaked through and heavy.The beach was nearly deserted—just the sound of waves crashing and the distant hiss of wind sweeping over the dunes.“Chloe!” she called out, her voice echoing into the dark. “Chloe, where are you?!”But there was no answer—only the waves.Nina had been searching for hours—since early morning, when Chloe stormed out, leaving her standing in silence. She had checked the nearby cafes, walked up and down the coast, and asked two lifeguards and a gas station clerk, but there was nothing.Her voice was starting to give out.“Please, Chloe,” she whispered, holding her arms close to her chest. “Just let me know you’re okay.”The wind picked up, blowing her hair into her fac
Chloe sat down on the couch, grasping the phone with more force than she knew she had. She stared at the messages and then stared into thin air.She couldn’t believe it, her best friend had been keeping something like this from her.Chloe’s thoughts were interrupted by the creaks on the staircase. “Chloe,” Nina called out, wearing a sock on her left foot, “You’re up already.” She said as she came down.Chloe took in a deep breath, as she stood up slowly facing Nina.Nina noticed the sour look as she looked up at her.“Is everything okay?” She asked her friend.“How long have you been lying to me?” Chloe said softly.“Chloe, what are you saying?” Nina asked chucking nervously.“I trusted you Nina and this is what you do?” Chloe snapped.“What on earth are you talking about?” Nina snapped back.Chloe didn’t say a word, she just lifted the phone to Nina, scrolling through the missed calls and texts from Damien.“Now it all makes sense. Your late-night walks. Your constant visits to the
Nina walked slowly towards the couch, her arms still wrapped around herself. As she sat down, she sunk in, looking up at Damien.“I don’t have control over motel furniture.” He said, hands tucked in his pocket.Nina shook her head. “So…the truth. Why did you hide it all from her?”Damien stepped closer bowing his head.“Things were complicated. I had just been betrayed by my nephew and I’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to strike.” He paused for a bit.“It didn’t take long before I found Ryan, he had changed his name and taken on a new life. But he was never smart enough to cover up his tracks. It took three years to put CrossCorp into place. It was well known in New York, so it wasn’t hard to get it up and running when I came to Atlanta.”“Are you saying you started a whole new life in Atlanta for Ryan’s sake?” Nina asked surprised.“Something like that,” Damien said. “When CrossCorp became desolate due to Ryan’s actions, my younger brother Marcel — his father, took the fall fo
The morning air was crisp, and faint with the scent of the ocean and something blooming.Chloe stepped out onto the porch in her slippers, her sun hat covering the brim of her face, one hand cradling a warm mug of coffee, the other holding a small watering can. It was still early enough that the sunlight filtered through the trees in golden stripes, the kind of quiet that made her feel like the rest of the world was still asleep.She took a slow breath and moved toward the potted plants at the edge of the porch. But then she stopped.There, right at the foot of the door, sat a basket.Woven with a soft grey ribbon wrapped neatly around the handle, it brimmed with fresh flowers—roses, lavender, hydrangeas—still dewy as if they had been arranged only minutes ago. Chloe knelt to get a closer look. There was no card and no name.She looked around, eyes scanning the stretch of the empty front lawn and the road beyond. There was no one. Just the sound of birds and waves somewhere in the d
Nina looked up at the figure in front of her. This was the first time she’d seen Damien in real life—outside the curated photos on the internet and the ones Chloe used to flash in her face jokingly.She stared at him for a long second.The man behind the storm which Chloe had fled. The one she’d cried over. The one she still loved, even if she didn’t want to.He was standing right in front of her.“I believe you know someone I’m looking for,” Damien said, his voice stern.“Excuse me?” Nina finally said, her voice cool.“You heard me,” Damien replied, his tone too sharp.Nina’s brows shot up, disbelief flickering in her expression.Damien’s eyes softened as he realized his misstep. “I’m sorry,” he said, voice lowering. “What I meant is….I’m looking for Chloe and I think you may be able to help me.”Nina folded her arms across her chest, her stance steady and guarded.“And why would you think that?” she asked.“Because you’re her friend. And I think you know exactly where she is.” Damie
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