Tristan “No need,” I said, grabbing my keys. “I’ll go myself.”I was just about to walk past Dante when he said, “Just a minute before you go, sir.”I paused and turned back to look at him.He quickly tapped a few things on the tablet in his hand, then held it out to me. “Take a look at this, sir.”Honestly, I was in a rush to get to the airport, but Dante knows me too well to not stop me unless it was something important. So I took the tablet and glanced at the screen.Only to see it was something I’d already noticed myself.I let out a small hum and handed it back to him as I turned to leave.“But boss,” Dante said, his tone more serious now, “if we don’t act quickly, this could really throw things off balance.”I gave him a calm smile. “I know. I'm making plans for it. And less I forgot, contact doctor Dexter and learn how things are going so far with finding the perfect match for the transplant.”With that, I turned and headed out of the office.I headed straight to the airport,
Tristan“Bastard.” She said, yanking the blanket over her head like she thought it could block me out completely.Cute.I got into the space beside her and made myself comfortable, closing my eyes and letting sleep take over.***The Next MorningI adjusted my tie in the mirror, smoothing it down before slipping on my suit jacket. Watch in place. Shoes polished. Everything is sharp.By the time I stepped out of the closet, she was already sitting up in bed, yawning with her eyes still half-closed. She looked like she hadn’t slept much, which wasn’t surprising, considering how she kept tossing and turning all night. From what I could tell, she only really passed out around 4 a.m.But the second she noticed me standing there, her expression shifted. Gone was the sleepy, almost soft look. In came the usual sharp glare she wore whenever I was around.“I was just about to wake you,” I said casually, walking toward the door, “but it’s good you’re already up.”She narrowed her eyes, clearly
LioraI slipped out of my dress completely, then reached up to undo the band holding my hair in place.After that, I stepped into the shower and turned on the water. It hit my skin with a rush, warm and steady. I leaned my forehead against the tiled wall, letting the spray wash over me as my thoughts drifted, of course they did, back to the elevator.I hadn’t even known I could get that scared. It was like all the walls I built around myself just cracked open in one go.And worse? I had to fall apart right in front of that damn asshole.I gritted my teeth.God.This is just so annoying. And the only thing I was glad about right now was the fact that I hadn’t worn makeup today. At least I didn’t have to scrub anything off, except to just let the water keep running over me until I felt… not okay exactly, but better. And that's exactly what I did. Eventually, I turned off the shower.I grabbed the towel I’d brought in with me and dried myself off, then slipped into my pajamas. I’d made
LioraI’ve never really been the brave one.Not at first.But life has a way of pushing you, teaching you things you never thought you'd need to learn. And bravery… yeah, that was one of the things I had no choice but to learn after Dad died.Because everything fell apart so fast. Mom was a mess, barely holding it together, and Caleb... he didn’t take it well either. I guess everyone had their own way of breaking.So I did the only thing I could.I picked myself up.I wiped my face, stood tall, and stepped into the space Dad left behind, even though it was way too big for someone like me.From that point on, I started carrying things, worries, responsibilities, people, things I shouldn’t have had to carry, but did anyway.Because if I didn’t... who would? And that thought has always kept me going.Never show weakness. Never let it crack through, even when you're falling apart inside.Smile. Stand tall. Pretend you're fine, because someone has to be.But right now… at this moment… tra
Liora“Well, looks like the dinner party’s still on,” I said coolly, already turning toward the stairs. “Then I better go get ready.”I didn’t wait for a reply. Just kept climbing.***I checked the mirror, dragging the necklace chain a little to the left until it sat just right on my collarbone. I picked up the small black purse from the dresser, stuffing in my phone. No way was I wearing any of those barely-there dresses he’d stocked up on. Let him save those for whoever moves in after me when this ridiculous one year contract ends. I had my own dress, simple, black, not anything expensive, but it's mine.I ran the gloss across my lips slowly, then smacked them together once. I didn’t need to look like a fantasy anyway. I just want to be back soon so I can contact Caleb. When I came downstairs, he was already in the living room. Fully suited up. At least he hadn’t hovered outside the bedroom door like some overbearing shadow. His gaze flicked slowly and deliberately over me when
Tristan Cole Flashback “Are you okay?”The voice was small, soft like the flutter of wings, and it reached me before I could bury myself completely in silence.I lifted my head slowly, my eyes stinging from the weight of everything I wasn’t allowed to feel. And there she was. A little girl with wide beautiful eyes and a chocolate bar clutched in her tiny hand.She held it out to me without saying anything else.“I don’t want it, leave.” I mumbled, ducking my head and curling tighter into myself, my arms folded over my knees. I didn’t need charity. I didn’t need pity.But she didn’t leave. She definitely will when she's tired. That's what I thought,However I couldn't help but peek after a few minutes, she was still standing there, still staring at me, like she hadn’t even heard me refuse her bluntly. And unexpectedly so, her gaze wasn’t judgmental. It wasn’t sad either. Just…expectant… Then she smiled. And that smile, it was too bright for a child that small, “Daddy said you’re