**************CHAPTER 156~Kaia's POV~It had been six days.Six days since I disappeared from the public eye. Six days since I walked away from Blaze, from the flashing cameras, from the betrayal I saw etched into his silence.Six days of nothing but tension.And yet, the world hadn’t stopped spinning. If anything, it spun faster—louder. Headlines screamed conspiracy theories. The media lost their minds with speculation. Every outlet, every blog, every broadcast had something to say about “Kaia Gold” and the whispers of a buried secrets. About Blaze Black, the man caught in the middle.Rumors grew like wildfire, fueled by the void I left behind. And Blaze… well, he unraveled right alongside the story.I’d seen the photos. Him leaving the office at odd hours, refusing interviews. Eyes sunken. Jaw clenched. His silence at the gala had been enough to spark the scandal—but his silence after had poured gasoline on it.Apparently, even the board had started breathing down his neck.I shou
**************CHAPTER 155~Kaia's POV~I stirred slowly as the soft warmth of sunlight peeked through the gauzy curtains, casting golden threads across my face. For a moment, I blinked at the ceiling—its unfamiliar white molding and the faint scent of lavender throwing me off. My head was slightly heavy, like I'd been sleeping underwater.Then came the voice.“Good morning, sleepy head.”I turned slowly, the smile on my lips lazy and immediate.“Tiffany…” I mumbled, rubbing my eyes. “Right. I’m at your place.”She stood at the foot of the bed, hair pulled into a messy ponytail, wearing an oversized sweatshirt that said Running on Coffee & Chaos—her usual vibe.“Forgot where you were for a second, didn’t you?” she teased, tugging open the curtains with a dramatic sweep.“For a moment… yeah,” I said with a sleepy laugh, shielding my eyes from the sudden light.“Well, judging by how hard you slept—like a literal log—I’d say my place is winning over your luxury suite back home.”“Oh, pl
***************CHAPTER 154~Blaze’s POV~The cold air slapped my face the second I stepped out of the gala, but it was nothing compared to the burn inside my chest.Kaia was gone.I’d seen her storm off, but by the time I pushed through the double doors and onto the street, her car was already pulling out of the valet circle. Taillights vanishing. Her silhouette a blur in the backseat.Damn it.I didn’t hesitate. I jumped into my car, fired up the engine, and took off after her.The city lights flashed by in a blur—neon streaks, golden headlights, and the blur of memories too loud to ignore. My mind replayed everything. The hesitation. Her eyes meeting mine in that split second where she needed me to speak up. To fight for her.And I didn’t.I just stood there. Watching. Frozen.It was a mistake I felt bone-deep.If I could go back and rewrite the moment, I would. I’d grab her hand, pull her close, stand between her and every word Shawn spewed like poison. But now... the moment was g
**************CHAPTER 153~Blaze’s POV~The chandelier above sparkled like frozen fire, crystals glittering with every flicker of light as soft classical music filled the gilded ballroom. Laughter danced between champagne flutes, and expensive cologne hung heavy in the air, clinging to every tailored tuxedo and sequinned gown. The public gala was everything I expected—and everything I didn’t want to be part of.But I was here.My heels clicked against marble, echoing louder in my chest than in the room. My dress—a velvet black number with a slit high enough to scream confidence and a neckline daring enough to threaten vulnerability—was picked by Gram weeks ago. I wore it tonight not for fashion, but for armor.As I moved toward the heart of the room, my eyes locked with his.Blaze.He stood near the center of the floor, jaw taut, black suit fitting him like sin and apology rolled into one. His eyes drank me in the moment he saw me. He moved.And my heart twisted.“Kaia,” he said, re
**************CHAPTER 152~Blaze’s POV~The morning haze still clung to the skyline outside my office window, a pale filter of sunlight barely reaching across the city. I sat at my desk, sleeves rolled up, tie forgotten on the armrest of my chair. The office buzzed quietly behind the glass—phones ringing, footsteps soft against the marble—but my mind was somewhere else.On her, on Kaia.That smile when I handed her the flowers. The way she curled into me like she belonged there.She did.And yet—something was hidden behind her eyes. A secret she hadn’t said aloud yet. One I’d tried to uncover myself for protection, not paranoia. At least, that’s what I kept telling myself.My phone buzzed against the glass.UNKNOWN ID.My pulse jumped and my heart started beating fast.“Blaze Black,” I answered, voice low.“It’s me,” came the voice from the other end. I immediately recognised the voice. It was my investigator. “The report just hit your inbox. Physical file should be with your assis
*************CHAPTER 151~Kaia’s POV~The sound of my sneakers hitting the treadmill filled my ears as I kept a steady pace, eyes forward, sweat slicking the back of my neck. The gym was mostly quiet, a few early risers in their zones, focused and breathless. It was my favorite time to be here—when the world hadn’t yet caught up and I could just be.No pressure. No contracts. No media headlines. Just me.The treadmill beside mine beeped to life. I barely glanced to the side until I heard his voice.“Didn’t peg you for a morning gym rat,” Kayne said, grinning as he stepped onto the treadmill, adjusting the speed settings with a casual flick of his fingers.I offered him a faint smile. “Didn’t peg you for someone who wakes up before noon.”He laughed, dark eyes twinkling as he matched my pace. “Touché. But I make exceptions for interesting company.”I arched a brow. “This isn’t a date, Kayne.”“Didn’t say it was. Just good cardio,” he replied, lips twitching in amusement. “But if you