Hi my great readers. This is an appreciation note to you for reading and to you who have supported by commenting and giving gems. I'm open to more support. Please return to the main page, rate and give a review, it really goes a long way for this author. Thank you
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
Henry’s POV“I’m your blind date,” she said smoothly, her hazel eyes sparkling in the soft light.A blind date? What the hell was she talking about? I came here for Aaliyah not some blind date. Confusion swirled as I stared at her.“You’ve got the wrong guy,” I mumbled tightly as my hands gripped the edge of the table and I leaned back, creating a distance between us.“I’m waiting for someone else. This is a mistake.”She tilted her head and her lips curved into a smile that was both playful and predatory as her manicured nails tapped lightly on the table. “Oh, come on, don’t play coy,” she teased. “It’s me, Stacy. We talked yesterday, remember? You were so… eager to meet.” She pulled out her phone, her long nails clicking against the screen as she scrolled in deliberate movements, like she was savoring my discomfort. “Here, look. Your number, our call. You can’t deny it now.”I leaned forward and my throat went dry as she turned the phone toward me. The call log was unmistakable