Aurora’s POVMy heart pounded as he launched himself off the bed swiftly despite the whiskey haze. Before I could react, he grabbed my wrist with a grip like iron, and yanked the knife from my hand, tossing it to the floor with a clatter. His face was a storm of fear and rage. His hazel eyes were bloodshot and his breath ragged as he loomed over me.“Are you insane?!” he roared as he clenched into fists, his chest heaving. “You were going to kill me? My life just flashed before my eyes, and you’re standing there with a damn knife?”I scoffed and curled my lips into a smirk despite the adrenaline coursing through me. My blonde hair fell into my face as I straightened, refusing to back down. “Calm down, Henry,” I said, though my pulse raced. “Kill you? Please. I wasn’t going to end you—just give you a little cut, a reminder not to cross me. Looks like it worked, doesn’t it? You’re shaking like a leaf.”His face darkened and his jaw tightened. His eyes burnt with an anger that match
Aurora’s POVThe Ways of Deception.That was the name of the book lying open on my lap. The dim glow of the bedside lamp cast long shadows across my room and the words blurred into a meaningless haze. I sat propped against the headboard, my blonde hair loose and tangled and my silk nightgown clinging to my skin as the penthouse’s silence pressed against me. The book was supposed to distract me, but every sentence seemed to twist the knife deeper. Dammit, everything’s going wrong.I slammed the book shut and hurled it across the room, my hands trembling with rage. It hit the wall with a satisfying thud and the pages fluttered as it landed in a heap, but it did nothing to quell the storm inside me.How dare he? Henry, that spineless coward, pushing me aside like I was nothing. Like I hadn’t clawed my way into his life. Like I hadn’t fought to keep him when Aaliyah waltzed back in with her sapphire gown and her new man, stealing the spotlight that should’ve been mine. Now he's chea
Henry’s POVThe club’s bass thumped through the dimly lit VIP lounge, a pulsing rhythm that matched the pounding in my head. The secluded corner I’d reserved—tucked away behind velvet curtains and a discreet bouncer—was my sanctuary tonight, just like other nights but apart from yesterday.I leaned back as the amber glow of the overhead lights caught the whiskey in my glass, my third—or was it fourth?—of the night. I didn’t care. I needed to drown it all. I downed the drink in one go, the burn searing my throat like a welcomed distraction from the ache in my chest.I signaled the waiter, a young guy with a practiced smile, who slid another glass in front of me without a word. “Keep ‘em coming,” I muttered roughly as I waved vaguely. He nodded, disappearing into the shadows and leaving me alone with my thoughts, which was the last thing I wanted. The club’s noise felt distant, like I was underwater, sinking deeper with every sip.Today was a disaster. A fresh wound.I had started
Aaliyah’s POVThe weekend sunlight poured through the windows, bathing the kitchen in a warm golden glow that made everything feel softer. I stood at the counter, chopping vegetables with Mary, who was elbow-deep in a bowl of dough. Her dark hair was tied back in a messy bun. Elias was nestled against my chest in a sling with his tiny hands clutching at my shirt and his soft breaths were a quiet rhythm against the clatter of pots and pans. The air smelled of garlic and herbs. We were attempting lasagna, though Mary’s enthusiasm was outpacing her culinary skills.“Ma’am, are you sure we need all this garlic?” Mary asked, her brow furrowed as she held up a bulb as her flour-dusted hands made her look like she’d lost a fight with a bakery. “I swear, we’re gonna scare off every vampire in New York with this much.”I laughed. “Mary, it’s lasagna, not a garlic bread factory. Two cloves, max. You put in that whole thing, and we’ll be breathing fire at dinner.”She grinned, her eyes twink
Aaliyah’s POVI sat at the head of a polished mahogany table, my sapphire blazer sharp against my frame and my blonde hair swept into a sleek updo. Across from me were two of the city’s most esteemed persons, their tailored suits and calculating eyes sizing me up as I wrapped up a two-hour pitch for our latest campaign. “Ms. Hayes,” Mr. Caldwell, the older investor, called with his gravelly voice cutting through the room’s hum, “your projections are ambitious, though risky, but compelling. We’ll review the numbers and get back to you by next week.”I smiled, my lips curving with a practiced blend of warmth and steel. “I appreciate your consideration, gentlemen. Elevations thrive on bold moves—it’s why we’re leading the industry. I’m confident you’ll see the value in partnering with us.”They stood and we exchanged handshakes.“We’ll be in touch,” that was Ms. Lin, the younger investor. “Your reputation precedes you, Ms. Hayes. It’s clear why.”I nodded, holding their gazes until th
Aurora’s POVLast night, Henry’s footsteps echoed through the penthouse earlier than usual. The door slammed shut with a force that made me jump. I had a book in my hands, the pages barely registering as my mind churned with the headlines that had mocked us all day. My cheeks burned with humiliation and my fingers tightened around the book as I heard him toss his keys onto the console. He was home early today—no club as usual. That alone was odd, a red flag that set my nerves on edge. Something was up, and I knew it.I glanced at him, his hazel eyes were distant, avoiding mine. I checked the time on my phone—barely 9 PM—and looked back at him.“You’re back early for the first time,” I said, my voice dripping with disdain. “No club today? No drowning your sorrows in whiskey?”He clenched his jaw as he brushed past me while saying coldly, “Mind your own damn business.”I stood, tossing the book aside, “I called you a million times, Henry. Seems like you don’t think me valuable anym