*****************CHAPTER 103~David’s POV~“So tempting,” I muttered, glancing at the window where morning sunlight streamed through the glass, casting golden streaks across the marble floor. The breathtaking city I had conquered lay before me, yet today, it brought me no satisfaction.I leaned back in my leather chair, legs propped up on my desk, my fingers absentmindedly tapping against my stomach as my mind drifted far away.Kaia Gold.I sighed, shutting my eyes for a moment. I should have stopped thinking about her. But after yesterday—after the way she had looked at me, wary yet intrigued, after the way Blaze had claimed her so damn possessively—I couldn’t get her out of my head.And yet when Crystal proposed me a deal… I had not jumped at the offer.I had never been the type to chase a woman who belonged to someone else. But the opportunity presented to me was tempting.A way to break them apart and still get what I wanted. Just a little scandal nd nothing more but I knew Kaia.
*****************CHAPTER 104~David’s POV~The clock ticked closer to 3 PM, and I leaned back in my office chair, rolling my shoulders to loosen the tension that had been building all damn day. My mind was still partially stuck on the mess from yesterday—Kaia, Blaze Black, my own goddamn jealousy—but I pushed those thoughts aside as I pulled up my laptop for the video meeting.A sharp chime signaled the incoming call. I clicked to accept, and within seconds, Kelvin’s face appeared on the screen, followed by Acer’s.Acer grinned. "Look at these two bastards. Still ugly as ever."Kelvin scoffed, adjusting his glasses. "Speak for yourself. The last time we saw you, you were practically balding from stress."Acer chuckled, running a hand through his dark, slightly disheveled hair. "Yeah, well, I’m back now. And this time, I’m staying for a while."I frowned. "Wait, what?"Kelvin’s brows lifted in surprise. "You’re coming back to the city?"Acer leaned back in his chair, smirking. "Damn
*****************CHAPTER 105~David’s POV~The dim lighting of the VIP lounge cast long shadows across the polished bar, and the low hum of music vibrated through the walls. I leaned back against the plush leather booth, absently swirling the whiskey in my glass. The ice clinked softly as I exhaled, and my mind ran over the conversation I’d just had with Crystal.She had no idea I’d recorded the whole damn thing, which was good. If I were to play the good cop, I needed to be a secret agent.Pulling out my phone, I tapped the screen. The recording was still running. I smirked. With one swipe, I stopped it, saved the file, and immediately forwarded it to Kaia.David: We need to meet, Kaia. Because we need a plan, and we must go through with their plan.As soon as the message was sent, a slow satisfaction settled in my chest.I wasn’t a hero—never claimed to be. But if I wanted a real shot with Kaia, I had to prove I was more than just another guy orbiting her life. I needed to show her
*****************CHAPTER 106~Kaia’s POV~I crossed my arms, leveling Blaze with a glare.“My matrimonial bed?” I repeated, arching a brow. “I don’t recall signing up for this little sleepover.”Blaze’s smirk widened as he leaned against the doorframe, looking completely unbothered, as always.“You promised Grandma.”Damn him, he heard it all. Was he plotting this with his grandma, or was he innocent? And if Blaze Black was innocent, how much of what he heard did he hear? From the start, where we spoke on Isla or just the matrimonial bed?I didn't know what to believe at this pint and just jumped on the latter since he wasn’t getting angry about his secret stash of childhood love.“Kaia? You promised grandma.”I rolled my eyes at him. I had promised. And now here he was, standing there all smug and insufferable, knowing damn well I couldn’t back out without proving his grandmother right—that I was, in fact, avoiding him.I huffed, turning back toward my desk. “Fine. But don’t expect
*****************CHAPTER 107~Kaia’s POV~I should have known it was coming. I mean, I did know, but still, seeing it happen was totally different.The second David and I decided to play along, to let Crystal and her people think we were on board, I should have expected them to strike first. But this? This was a whole new level of ruthless.It started with a text.A simple message from an unknown number."Your husband isn’t as devoted as you think. He’s already doubting you. See for yourself."I stared at the screen, heart pounding only to see an image attached. I tapped it open, and the air rushed from my lungs.It was David and me. But not just the parking lot picture from earlier that was sent to me. This was far worse.The setting was a dimly lit hotel hallway. I was standing outside a suite, David close behind me, his hand at my waist, his lips near my ear. The way the picture was taken… looked bad—really bad.The next photo was even worse.David was stepping inside the suite, an
*****************CHAPTER 108~Blaze’s POV~I sat at the bar, swirling my whiskey, watching the ice melt into the amber liquid. My jaw was tight, my mind replaying those damn photos over and over again. The way she looked at him. The way his hand was on her waist. The way it felt like my whole world had just caved in.Sam Allen slid onto the stool beside me, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips."You look like you want to punch something," he mused, signaling for a drink."Not something," I muttered. "Someone."Sam’s smirk widened. "Let me guess. A certain wife of yours?"I clenched my jaw but didn’t reply.He let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "Blaze, you’re playing a dangerous game."I scoffed, downing the rest of my drink. "What the hell are you talking about?""You’re jealous."I laughed, but it was hollow. "Jealous? Of what?"Sam just raised a brow. "You tell me."Frustration burned in my chest as I ran a hand through my hair. I didn’t want to talk about this. Didn’t want t
*****************CHAPTER 107~Blaze’s POV~Before we left, Kaia and I headed for the house. I told her it wasn’t time for the trip, and we needed to show Grandma that we were good. I also needed to settle a thing or two in the company before going anywhere.So I informed Kaia we would be travelling the next day or the day after at the latest, which would allow us time to settle many things.She did not oppose my thoughts, and I was glad she didn’t, to be honest. I did not want our relationship to be characterised by quarrels, even though that seemed pretty much the case right now. We pulled into the driveway soon after. The sun was barely out, casting shadows across the front lawn. Kaia hadn’t said a word since our last conversation. It felt like she was just a passenger to everything that was happening. She was looking out the window like she was somewhere else. Mentally, maybe she was.I parked and glanced her way. “You okay?”She blinked, then nodded. “Yeah. Just… processing.”F
*****************CHAPTER 107~Kaia’s POV~We arrived at the vacation suite later in the night. I stood outside the private villa, arms crossed tight over my chest. The soft breeze from the ocean did nothing to calm the irritation bubbling inside me."This is ridiculous," I muttered.Blaze sighed beside me, rubbing his temple like he was the one being ambushed. "I didn’t plan this.""Sure you didn’t," I snapped, dragging my suitcase across the smooth stone floor and inside before I said something I’d regret.The villa was stupidly perfect. Warm lights. Floor-to-ceiling windows that framed the beach like a painting. A giant bed with silky sheets that screamed honeymoon. There was even a jacuzzi out on the terrace, already bubbling like it had been expecting us.I didn’t care. I stomped in anyway.Blaze shut the door behind us and loosened his tie, eyes trailing after me as I flung my bag onto the bed and started unpacking. A little more violently than necessary. Okay, a lot more if I
*****************CHAPTER 131~Kaia’s POV~The moment I stepped off the rooftop garden, something inside me clicked into place.I couldn’t run anymore.I couldn’t keep pretending that the walls weren't closing in around me.If I was going to have any future with Blaze—or even just peace with myself—I needed answers. The real ones. No half-truths. No more silence.By the time I reached my office, I was already pulling out my phone.My hands trembled slightly as I scrolled through my contacts and pressed the call button.It rang twice before my mother’s voice answered, warm but cautious. "Kaia, darling! This is a surprise."I inhaled, steadying my voice. "Hi, Mum. Are you home later this afternoon?"There was a small pause before she answered, "Yes, of course. Is everything alright?"I forced a smile she couldn’t see. "I just… I want to come by. I’d like to see you and Dad."Another slight hesitation on her end.But she recovered quickly, her tone chipper again. "We’d love that, sweethe
Kaia’s POVThe next morning came too soon.I barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, flashes of the party replayed behind my eyelids—the whispers, the lingering glances, the half-hidden stares of strangers I didn’t know but who somehow seemed to know me.I dragged myself out of bed, forcing my body into motion even though my mind was still stuck somewhere between fear and denial.By the time I got to Apex Global, the familiar buzz of the office barely cut through the cloud in my head.Blaze was already there when I arrived. He stood by the windows of his office, phone pressed to his ear, speaking in low, clipped tones that I couldn’t quite catch. His tie was loose, the sleeves of his white shirt rolled up, and there was a tension in his shoulders I hadn’t seen in a while.I hesitated for a moment outside his door, then knocked softly.He glanced up, his expression softening immediately. He gestured for me to come in.I stepped inside, trying to push my swirling thoughts to the back
*****************CHAPTER 129~Kaia’s POV~The week passed in a blur of meetings, phone calls, and whispered conversations about the project with Kayne Kyle. I barely had time to breathe, much less think about anything else.It was Friday afternoon when Blaze knocked on my office door, stepped inside without waiting for a full reply, and leaned casually against the frame."You’re coming with me to an event tonight," he said, like it wasn’t up for debate.I blinked up from my laptop. "Event?"He smirked. "Gala. Big business celebration. One of my oldest associates is throwing it. I need you to be my date."I set my pen down slowly. "You need me?"He shrugged, unbothered. "You’re beautiful, smart, and far less annoying than most women who’d kill to be on my arm. Plus, I like looking at you."I rolled my eyes, but my cheeks warmed at his words. "You could have just said you wanted company."He chuckled. "Maybe. But then you’d have thought you had a choice."That evening, I found myself s
*************Kaia’s POVThe car ride home was mostly quiet.Blaze was at the wheel, one hand on the steering, the other occasionally tapping against his thigh. I didn’t press him for conversation. We were both exhausted. Meetings all day, back-to-back check-ins with the project team, Kayne Kyle hovering like a charming shadow I didn’t ask for.By the time we pulled into the estate, the sky was already turning dusky blue, the last traces of sunset melting into the city skyline behind us.As soon as we stepped through the front doors, we were greeted by the scent of something warm and cinnamon-sweet wafting through the air.Blaze raised a brow. “Smells like cake.”“It’s too quiet,” I muttered, glancing around the hallway. “Which means—”“She’s back,” he finished.Sure enough, when we turned the corner into the main sitting room, there she was.Grandma Black.Sitting upright and elegant in her floral-print blouse and pearls, legs crossed, a steaming cup of tea in her hand and a full spr
*****************CHAPTER 127~Author’s POV~The rooftop lounge of Seraphine, one of the city’s most exclusive members-only clubs, buzzed with low conversation and jazz humming through golden speakers. The skyline burned orange with the last of the sunset, and the air was thick with cigar smoke and quiet power.Kayne arrived just as David Mercer waved him over from a private corner booth.“Good timing,” David said smoothly, raising his glass as Kayne took the seat across from him.“I figured you'd pick somewhere dramatic,” Kayne replied with a chuckle, resting his blazer on the arm of the chair. “What are we drinking to?”“Progress.” David leaned forward, his tone was much cooler now. “And control.”Kayne raised a brow. “Sounds vague.”“Blaze is unravelling. Slowly. I’ve seen it. Ever since Kaia, he’s more emotional, more unpredictable. You showing up—getting close to her—it’s exactly what we need to keep him off balance.”Kayne smiled lazily, but his eyes sharpened. “You sound like
*****************CHAPTER 126~Author’s POV~The evening sun shone through the tall windows of Kayne Kyle’s penthouse suite, filling the space with warm light. From the top floor, the sprawling city unfolded—buildings like steel giants against a cotton-candy sky. But Kayne’s gaze was inward, fixed on the amber liquid swirling in his glass as his feet rested on the cool surface of the glass coffee table.The intercom’s soft buzz broke the silence. “Sir, Mr. Draven is here.”A smile touched Kayne’s lips. He stood and straightened the cuffs of his shirt. “Send him up.”Two minutes later, the door yielded, and Draven Davion entered. Dressed in a black shirt and dark jeans, his attire suggested ease, yet his presence never did. He moved with confidence into his cousin’s house while his eyes raked the surroundings. “Nice place,” Draven commented, his gaze sweeping over the penthouse a second time as though taking in anything he missed on first glance. “As expected.”Kayne chuckled, extend
*****************CHAPTER 125~Kaia’s POV~I was still sitting in the living room of my parents’ house when my phone buzzed beside me.Blaze.For a second, I considered ignoring it. My mind was still wrapped around the truth I had just uncovered. The weight of that document hadn’t left my chest since I found it.But I answered.“Kaia,” Blaze’s voice came through, warm and deep. “I was thinking… dinner tonight? Just the two of us.”I hesitated, shifting on the couch. “I don’t think—”“It doesn’t have to be anything serious,” he cut in, gently. “Just you and me. Good food. Maybe some dessert we don’t finish because I can’t keep my hands off you.”I should’ve laughed. I almost did.But something in me wasn’t ready. Not tonight. Not after everything.Still, I couldn’t bring myself to say no to him. Not when he sounded so hopeful.“I’ll meet you there,” I said quietly.Later that evening, I arrived at the restaurant he had chosen—Maison Lune, a softly lit, elegant space tucked into a quiet
*****************CHAPTER 124~Author’s POV~Eriel Black was sitting in his cozy study, gently swirling the last bit of his aged whiskey in a crystal glass. The late morning sun poured in through the tall windows, filling the room with a warm golden light, but his mind was anything but calm.Not today.He had barely finished reading through his messages when one of the housekeepers knocked softly and entered with a bow.“Sir… Miss Crystal is here. She’s waiting for you in the living room.”Eriel’s brows lifted slightly. That was fast.He stood up without a word, set his glass down on the desk, and walked down the long hallway. The housekeeper disappeared behind him as he stepped into the big living room.And there she was.Crystal sat elegantly on one of the couches like she had all the time in the world, her legs crossed, one hand casually resting on the armrest as though she hadn’t been at the centre of a brewing storm. Her smile was faint, polite… and empty.“Uncle,” she greeted s
*****************CHAPTER 123~Kaia’s POV~The soft rays of sunlight filtered into the room through the sheer curtains, casting faint golden stripes across the bed. I stirred slowly, my limbs sore and heavy, my skin still tingling from the night before.The space beside me was empty.Blaze was gone.I blinked slowly, adjusting to the light. The room still smelled like him—warm skin, spice, and something undeniably masculine. I shifted slightly, my body humming in the places he had touched, kissed, and worshipped.As the memories returned, my face heated.I remembered how his mouth felt between my legs, how he growled my name like he needed it to breathe. And when we’d both passed out, exhausted and bare, I remembered waking up sometime in the middle of the night with his face nuzzled between my breasts, his soft breath warming my skin, his lips pressing lazy kisses there as if he never wanted to leave.I smiled to myself, biting my bottom lip.But just as I reached for the covers to r