تسجيل الدخولMy heart clenched tight, an old, familiar ache rising up.
How could I forget?Sophomore year, I heard this art book set was going out of print. Limited to three hundred copies worldwide.I called in every favor I had overseas.Came up empty.In the end, with red-rimmed eyes, I begged Ethan. Thinking if he asked Alexander…Alexander would handle such a small thing for him.Back then, Ethan only had eyes for Winnie.He flicked his cigarette ash, utLinda's face went white. She could barely stand.She whipped her head toward Alexander, her voice scraping through clenched teeth."You knew all along?"Alexander glanced down, adjusting his cuff."That's an interesting accusation, Linda. You're the one who played the video. How could I have known what was on it?"Linda's voice turned shrill, desperate to regain control."Gerald! Elena must have been forced!"Her composure was gone."Alexander. This is you. You set this up to save yourself!""Elena!"Her voice cracked. One last thread of hope."Tell the truth. Did Luke force you?"Every eye landed on Elena.She stood where the light met the shadow. Her slender back was straight, rigid.Her face was pale. The fabric of her gown was crushed in her grip. But slowly, she lifted her head."No one forced me."Her voice was soft. But clear."I wanted this."Edward Voss shoved away the hands holding hi
Linda's fingers curled into her palms, nails digging in.Alexander's unshakeable calm infuriated her.She hadn't expected him to be this direct.This unflinching.What gave him the right to stand there so steady?The videos and photos she had were enough to destroy Lisa White's reputation.Enough to drag him through the mud too."Alexander. You're determined to protect that girl, aren't you? To hell with the dignity of both our families?"She drew a breath, as if summoning her last ounce of resolve.Her voice lifted, carrying to every corner of the room."Fine. If you want to see, I'll show everyone.""Just don't come crying to me afterward, begging me to take it back.""Gerald."She turned to him, her voice heavy and cold."I didn't come here to cause trouble tonight. But Alexander has pushed me too far. He's treated my family like we're nothing.""If the Knights won't give the Voss family the respect we're
Gerald's fingers stilled.The lid of his teacup clinked softly against the rim.He looked up, gaze heavy as it settled on Linda."Speak."The music in the ballroom had stopped.No one knew when.Every eye was fixed on the head table.Linda drew a deep breath, as if steeling herself for something monumental.She rose to face the room.The polite smile stayed on her lips, but her eyes held pain."Tonight was supposed to be a happy occasion. Another union between the Voss family and the Knights. I know this isn't the right time to speak.""But for the sake of both their futures, I have to."She turned to Gerald, her voice trembling slightly."Gerald. I've watched Alexander grow up. I've always believed in his character, his abilities.""For Elena to be matched with him... it's an honor for our family. A blessing."Then her tone shifted.Heavy with sorrow."Lately, though, I've heard things. Rumors I di
Luke's breath caught in his throat.It hit him like a live ember, searing his chest.He stared at Elena's closed eyelids.Her long lashes trembling slightly.Her cheeks flushed like a ripe peach.She was setting his heart on fire.Twenty-nine years he'd lived.Reckless.Unattached.A man who played by his own rules.He'd heard every line—flattery, seduction, persuasion.But none of it had ever hit him like this.Just a few words from her, and his whole world tilted.The last two weeks, he'd been the one dragging her into chaos, showing her how to be wild.On the surface, he was in control.But only he knew the truth.This little innocent had quietly pulled him into a different kind of life.And now, what he was about to do to her went against everything she wanted.His chest tightened.A strange ache twisted in it, unfamiliar and sharp.For the first time, he didn't want her to
I stepped back into the main ballroom.Lights blazed.Voices hummed.Clara was tucked beside the dessert table, shoving macarons in her mouth.She spotted me at once and darted over."Enchantress. What took you so long?""My brother disappeared too. Did you two…"She froze.Her eyes went wide."No way. Tonight's his engagement party. You two really snuck off?""That's reckless."I calmly pulled my hand away, picked a small cake off a waiter's tray, and stuffed it into her mouth."Don't be ridiculous."Clara chewed, cheeks puffed, and mumbled in protest."Mmph…Don't think you can bribe me with sugar!""My brother vanished right before you did. Not even a dog would buy that coincidence!"I gently squeezed her cheeks."Is that all you ever think about?"Clara giggled.She suddenly remembered something and slapped my arm."Seriously! My brother's getting engaged tonight. Wha
Ethan lifted his chin and stared at his adoptive father standing against the light. He was looking up at a mountain he'd never climb. Two paths. One was a life of humiliation. The other was complete ruin. He finally understood. From the very beginning, he never stood a chance. He didn't just lose Lisa. He lost the faith and security he'd leaned on for twelve years. For twelve years, Alexander had been both father and teacher. He'd given him a life of luxury. Everything others envied. He'd never once used his identity as Michael Hart's son to pressure him. This was the first time. Using the birth father he respected most to whip him for his most shameful present. Shame crashed down harder than any punch. He thought of the words carved on his birth father's tombstone. Eternal Hero. He thought of the yellowed photograph of comrades in Alexander's study. Two proud men. One died on the battlefield.
The sun dipped toward the horizon, bathing the small courtyard in a warm, amber glow.With our flight scheduled for eight that evening, Alexander and I were getting ready to head to the airport.Sir Arthur stood at the gate, his rough, calloused palm landing on Alexander's shoulder with
I tossed my words out lightly, slicing through the thin, delicate tension between the two Knight men.Alexander Knight turned slowly.A cold, mocking smile tugged at his lips."Always finding ways to put me to work, Miss White.""What’s your advice? Go on.""It&rsqu
Alexander's palm closed around hers, steadying the fishing rod firmly between her fingers."Mermaid?""Not in this sea."His voice brushed her ear, laced with quiet amusement."But there's a disobedient one on this boat."I opened my mouth to reply.The warm pad of h
The white yacht sliced through the azure sea, its engines humming a steady, low purr. A briny wind, sharp with the tang of the open sea, swept into the cabin.I leaned against the porthole, watching the pier shrink into a cluster of colorful blocks in the distance.Alexander sat opposit







