Damien and Sebastian sat across from each other in the quiet of Damien’s living room.The morning had broken, but the storm of the past week still hung heavy in the air.“Marcel’s getting impatient, Damien,” Sebastian said bluntly.Damien exhaled, gaze flicking up to the chandelier’s golden glow before drifting toward the stairs.“What would you have me do, Sebastian? It’s not like I can break him out.”“No, but we do have a way to get him out—and it’s going cold.”Damien’s jaw tensed. “Have you spoken to Ryan since I left?”Sebastian scoffed. “Spoken to Ryan? Damien, the only encounter I’d have with Ryan would end with him dead.”“I want nothing more than to put Ryan in the ground too… but—”The front door shut abruptly.Chloe stood there, a trolley in hand. Her face was calm, but the pain in her eyes said everything.Damien rose instantly. “Good morning,” he said softly, pressing a kiss to her cheek.“Good morning. Can I see you for a minute?”“Sure.” Damien turned to Sebastian. “Gi
Sienna stirred her drink slowly, the ice clinking in the glass as the low hum of the bar buzzed around her.The place was dimly lit, crowded enough to disappear in, quiet enough to think.She wasn’t sure what she’d been expecting when she left the house, but this—this stillness—was a welcome contrast to the storm in her chest.Her lipstick smudged faintly on the rim of the glassy. The music was low and moody, shadows falling softly over her face. She looked tired—like someone who’d just had a truth slapped into them and didn’t know what to do with it.A familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.“Well, well,” Sebastian said as he slid into the seat beside her. “Seems like Bennett girls have a thing for meeting Cross boys in bars.”Sienna looked at him, confused. Her brows furrowed.Sebastian caught her expression and rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly sheepish. “Uh—Damien mentioned he met Chloe in a place like this. That’s all.”She didn’t respond, her gaze drifting back to her glass
The soft hum of the city filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows, distant and muffled, like it belonged to someone else’s life.Sienna stirred beneath the crisp white sheets, blinking against the light leaking through the curtains. Her body ached—not in pain — maybe a little bit, but in memory.She sat up slowly, the cool air wrapping around her as the blanket slid off her bare skin. The other side of the bed was empty. Sebastian was gone.The silence didn’t feel cold, just quiet.She drew her knees up and hugged them, resting her chin on top. Her mind felt cluttered with thoughts she didn’t have the energy to untangle. Last night had been a blur of tension, exhaustion, comfort… need.And now, this morning, she didn’t know what it meant—if it meant anything at all.She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and stood. Her dress was draped neatly over the armchair, her heels placed side by side beneath it. He’d been careful. Thoughtful, even. That didn’t make it easier.Sienna s
Chloe Bennett tasted betrayal on her tongue. It wasn’t the tequila. No. It wasn’t the burn of the liquor sliding down her throat. That would have been much easier to handle. It was the sight of them—her sister, her ex—wrapped in each other’s arms like she had never existed. She felt her chest tighten as she wallowed in self pity. The club pulsed around her, but she didn’t hear the music. All she heard was the echo of his words, the ones that shattered her into nothing. Stabbing her like a blunt pocket knife twisting deeper into her back. “It was always her, Chloe.” She had replayed those words over and over again, her mind desperately trying to find some loophole in their meaning. Some ridiculous way to make them mean anything but what they did. But no, the truth was there, raw and unyielding. She should have known, the late-night calls he ignored, the way his gaze lingered a second too long whenever her sister entered the room. The tightness in his voice when he swore
Chloe Bennett couldn’t believe her ears. For a moment, everything went dark and hazy, as if she were trapped in a nightmare she couldn’t wake from. She shook her head, desperate to shake off the wave of hurt coursing through her. “What are you saying, Ryan? I… I don’t understand,” she stutters, fighting back the warm tears already gliding down her cheeks. She stands frozen in the living room, her heart hammering against her ribs as the harsh reality of Ryan’s betrayal hit her like a tidal wave. His words echo through her mind, each syllable cutting deeper than the last. Her breath grows unsteady. The room seems smaller, suffocating. Across from her, Ryan her boyfriend and Sienna her older sister sit side by side on the sofa, their hands intertwined. Their closeness was a cruel confirmation of what she had just heard—what she had lost. Chloe’s stomach twists violently. She clenches her fists while trying to control her breath. “I asked you a question,” she says, her voice barely
The bar was crowded, the low hum of conversations blending with the soft clinking of glasses. He sat in his usual corner, swirling the liquid in his glass. He wasn’t here to drink, not really. He was here out of habit, a way to pass the time. And then he saw her. She walked in like she had no real destination—like the world had just thrown her out and she hadn’t decided where to land. Her steps were slow, hesitant, and yet there was a fire in her eyes, a storm she was trying to conceal. She took a seat at the bar, ordered a drink, and wrapped her fingers around the glass like it was the only thing tethering her to reality. He watched as she brought it to her lips, taking a slow sip, her shoulders rising and falling with a deep breath. Something about her caught his attention, though he wasn’t sure what. Maybe it was the way she gripped the drink like she was trying to draw strength from it. Or the way her gaze occasionally flickered to her reflection in the mirror behind the bar,
Chloe woke up, her head pounding like a bass drum as she slowly opened her eyes. Her mouth felt dry and her eyelids were very heavy. "Shit" she whispered trying to recall events of the night before, but everything still seemed like a blurred out memory. Chloe inhaled deeply thinking it was for the best.As she twisted under the covers, her body opposed each movement. The sheets were luxurious, far too nice compared to the night she vaguely remembered. She sat up, holding the sheet to her chest as she buried her face in it and her heart began to race. What was she doing? this wasn't her bed, this wasn't her room and the faint scent of cologne on the pillows made her very much aware that she hadn't been alone all night."What have you done Chloe?" she muttered. Losing her balance as she sat up too quickly, the hangover punishing her for it. Her dress - where was her dress?. She scanned the room, spotting her stillettos discarded near the door, her black silk dress draping over an armch
“Oh shit, oh shit” Chloe muttered under her breath, her steps unbalanced as she pushed open the gate of Damien’s penthouse. Last night was a mistake. Just a stupid impulsive mistake. She needed to get home. Needed to forget about what just happened. Needed to forget about him. But how could she? His voice? His touch? His scent? She could still feel him. Chloe shrugged, she shouldn’t be thinking about him. Her phone buzzed before she could gather her thoughts. She searched through her purse, cursing when she saw her sister’s name flashing. Sienna. Chloe let out a frustrated sigh. She didn’t want to hear her sister’s voice. She didn’t want to talk to her, but against her better judgment, she answered. “What?” She snapped. “Where are you?” Sienna’s voice was maddeningly composed. “You know you’re supposed to be here by now.” Chloe frowned. Her mind is still sluggish from the alcohol and exhaustion. “Here? Where’s here?” Sienna sighed. “At Dad’s Chloe. The meeting? You’re s
The soft hum of the city filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows, distant and muffled, like it belonged to someone else’s life.Sienna stirred beneath the crisp white sheets, blinking against the light leaking through the curtains. Her body ached—not in pain — maybe a little bit, but in memory.She sat up slowly, the cool air wrapping around her as the blanket slid off her bare skin. The other side of the bed was empty. Sebastian was gone.The silence didn’t feel cold, just quiet.She drew her knees up and hugged them, resting her chin on top. Her mind felt cluttered with thoughts she didn’t have the energy to untangle. Last night had been a blur of tension, exhaustion, comfort… need.And now, this morning, she didn’t know what it meant—if it meant anything at all.She swung her legs over the edge of the bed and stood. Her dress was draped neatly over the armchair, her heels placed side by side beneath it. He’d been careful. Thoughtful, even. That didn’t make it easier.Sienna s
Sienna stirred her drink slowly, the ice clinking in the glass as the low hum of the bar buzzed around her.The place was dimly lit, crowded enough to disappear in, quiet enough to think.She wasn’t sure what she’d been expecting when she left the house, but this—this stillness—was a welcome contrast to the storm in her chest.Her lipstick smudged faintly on the rim of the glassy. The music was low and moody, shadows falling softly over her face. She looked tired—like someone who’d just had a truth slapped into them and didn’t know what to do with it.A familiar voice interrupted her thoughts.“Well, well,” Sebastian said as he slid into the seat beside her. “Seems like Bennett girls have a thing for meeting Cross boys in bars.”Sienna looked at him, confused. Her brows furrowed.Sebastian caught her expression and rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly sheepish. “Uh—Damien mentioned he met Chloe in a place like this. That’s all.”She didn’t respond, her gaze drifting back to her glass
Damien and Sebastian sat across from each other in the quiet of Damien’s living room.The morning had broken, but the storm of the past week still hung heavy in the air.“Marcel’s getting impatient, Damien,” Sebastian said bluntly.Damien exhaled, gaze flicking up to the chandelier’s golden glow before drifting toward the stairs.“What would you have me do, Sebastian? It’s not like I can break him out.”“No, but we do have a way to get him out—and it’s going cold.”Damien’s jaw tensed. “Have you spoken to Ryan since I left?”Sebastian scoffed. “Spoken to Ryan? Damien, the only encounter I’d have with Ryan would end with him dead.”“I want nothing more than to put Ryan in the ground too… but—”The front door shut abruptly.Chloe stood there, a trolley in hand. Her face was calm, but the pain in her eyes said everything.Damien rose instantly. “Good morning,” he said softly, pressing a kiss to her cheek.“Good morning. Can I see you for a minute?”“Sure.” Damien turned to Sebastian. “Gi
Chloe twirled gently beneath the motel sheets, Damien’s arm wrapped snugly around her waist, anchoring her to him like she was something precious he didn’t want to lose again.She shifted to face him, smiling softly as she watched him sleep—peacefully, as though the chaos of the past few days had never touched him.But Chloe knew that it had in more ways than one and this was the only good sleep he’s gotten since he began searching for her.There was something beautiful about seeing him like this. Vulnerable and at ease.She leaned forward and pressed a tender kiss to his cheek, then eased back onto her pillow, content to watch him breathe.“What do I do to get another one?” he murmured, a sleepy smile tugging at his lips, eyes still closed.Chloe flushed. “Maybe just exist.”He stirred, then opened his eyes fully and immediately pulled her closer into his chest.“You’re really here,” he whispered, brushing a strand of hair from her face.“I guess I never left you. Not truly.” Her voi
Chloe took in a deep breath as the weight of Damien’s presence behind her pressed on her chest.She still hadn’t looked back, afraid of what would come if or when she met his gaze.So she sat still hoping that this moment was a dream.But it wasn’t, the sharp edge of Damien’s voice cut through the air again. “Chloe, I’m here.” He said.“I know that Damien.” She finally said. Her breath came in short gasps.“The question is, why?”“Because I needed to see you. I needed to know if you were okay.” He sighed.Chloe nodded her head slowly. “Well, here we are.” She sighed grudgingly.“Can you give me a chance to explain myself?” He asked.Chloe got up immediately. “And why would I do that?” She scoffed. “So you can feed me more lies?”“No, so I can make things right.” She chuckled. “How could you make things right Damien? What do you possibly want to say that could defend the fact that you used me in a game of revenge? You used me as a pawn in something that I did not know about — that I h
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