•~•Aziel’s POV
Her lips were soft but demanding. her tongue teasing mine, coaxing a sharp breath from me as she moved against me.
My hands found her waist, pulling her onto my lap, her knees bracketing my hips.
My fingers trailed along the curve of her spine before sliding lower, pressing her down against the growing hardness beneath my pajama pants.
A quiet hum escaped her throat as her fingers tangled in my hair, her hips rolling instinctively against mine.
The heat between us intensified, her body pressing closer against mine, pushing, pulling, demanding more.
I groaned into her mouth, my grip on her waist tightening as her hands slipped between us, fingers working open the buttons of my pajama shirt one by one, her movements tender yet quick.
When she reached the last button, she pulled back from our kiss, pushing the fabric off my shoulders and letting it fall on the bed.
Her nails skimmed down my arms before she leaned in, trailing hot, open-mouthed kisses along my jaw, down my throat, lower.
I let my head fall back against the headboard, my breathing ragged as she kissed and bit her way down, leaving faint marks on my skin.
Her hands explored me, fingers grazing my chest, nails dragging lightly down my torso, making my muscles tighten beneath her touch.
She kissed down my stomach, her lips tracing the lines of my abs. I exhaled a shaky breath, sensing where this was headed.
My body responded, my cock throbbing in anticipation as her fingers dipped lower, grazed the waistband of my pajama pants.
She lifted her head slightly, lips curving into a small, knowing smile as she curled her fingers around the waistband of my pants.
"Solane…" My voice came out strained—a warning, a plea, maybe both.
Her gaze never wavered as she dragged them down, slow and deliberate, taking my boxers with them.
A groan tore from my throat, my head falling back against the headboard as my cock sprang free, thick and aching.
I was so hard it was almost painful, but I forced myself to stay still, to simply let her take control.
She traced her thumb along the prominent vein running down my length, sending a shiver through me before wrapping her fingers around me completely.
My muscles went rigid, breath shallow, sweat gathering at my temples as she began stroking—once, twice—her grip firm but teasing.
Then she did it again, her fingers tightening just enough to make my hips twitch in response.
I hissed through my teeth, my hands twitching at my sides as I fought the urge to thrust into her palm.
Then she lowered her head, her breath warm against my skin before her tongue flicked over the head of my cock—just once, just enough to make my stomach clench painfully tight.
My fingers wove into her hair as she took me into her mouth, her tongue tracing the underside before she sank deeper, inch by inch, until the heat and wetness of her mouth consumed me completely.
When she hollowed her cheeks and picked up her pace, I almost lost it. A deep groan rumbled in my chest, my breath turning ragged as pleasure coiled low in my abdomen, hot and sharp.
I almost broke character, my legs twitching beneath her—an involuntary response I couldn’t stop.
I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to stay limp, but fuck, it was hard. Harder than it had ever been.
Every nerve in my body screamed for control, for dominance, but all I could do was grip her hair, tilting her head back just enough to pull her off me.
"Come here," I rasped, my voice rough with restraint.
She let me guide her back onto my lap, straddling my hips as I helped her pull her nightgown over her head, letting it slip to the floor.
My gaze roamed over her, drinking her in. The dim light cast shadows over her curves, her breasts rising and falling with each unsteady breath.
I reached for them, squeezing softly, caressing, but it wasn’t enough. Leaning in, I pressed my lips to the side of her neck, and she shivered.
I moved lower, trailing kisses down her chest. When I reached her breast, I met her eyes as I flicked my tongue over her nipple, watching as her body twitched beneath my touch.
Her fingers tangled in my hair, tugging me closer, her moan urging me on. I drew her nipple into my mouth, rolling my tongue around it, savoring the way she gasped and arched against me.
I could have stayed like that all night, but she pushed softly at my shoulders, guiding me to her other breast.
My teeth grazed her hardened nipple, teasing it before I soothed the sensitive bud with my tongue, watching as she let out a sharp gasp.
It was a heady feeling—knowing I still remembered the most responsive parts of her, the places that made her tremble.
My hand smoothed down her waist, slipping between her thighs.
A small cry escaped her lips as my fingers pushed aside her panties and slid inside her.
At first, I just teased her, feeling how wet she was, before I stroked deeper, making her walls clench tightly around my fingers.
Her thighs shifted, parting wider when I pulled my fingers out, circling her clit with my thumb. She gasped, her breath hitching.
"Oh... fuck yes. Yes," she moaned, her fingers digging into my shoulders as her hips lifted, chasing the sensation.
As soon as I let her go, as if not wanting the pleasure she felt to stop, she reached between us again, wrapping her fingers around my cock and guiding me into her.
A soft, breathless moan escaped her as she sank down, inch by inch, her pussy stretching around my length in a slow, agonizing slide.
My grip on her hips tightened, my jaw clenching as I fought the urge to take control, to flip her onto her back and thrust into her the way my body ached to. But I restrained myself.
Her fingers dug into my shoulders as she finally took me all the way in, her head tipping back, a quiet moan slipping past her lips.
I felt it then—that slight tremor in her body, the way she clenched around me, her breath catching as she adjusted to my size.
“I’ve got you,” I murmured, sliding a hand to the small of her back, holding her steady.
She met my gaze, a slow smirk curving her lips before she began to move.
At first, she kept it slow, teasing, letting the friction build. Each roll of her hips sent pleasure coiling low in my gut, every swivel, every grind making it harder to stay still.
Then she picked up the pace, her breasts bouncing against my chest, the bed creaking beneath us, and the headboard thudding against the wall with every downward thrust.
My grip tightened, guiding her movements as she rode me, harder, faster, until the heat between us burned white-hot.
“Fuck,” I exhaled, my voice tight as my body jerked beneath her, my fingers digging into her hips.
"Look at me," I rasped, sliding a hand up her back, threading my fingers into her hair, tugging just enough to tilt her head forward.
Her heavy-lidded eyes met mine, dark and burning with desire, the smirk on her lips still present as she clenched around me—as if taunting, daring me to lose control.
I nearly did. But I couldn’t—not just because I had to keep up the pretense of being unable to walk, but because this was her moment, her lead.
And fuck, surrendering to her like this—helpless, restrained—was the most agonizing, beautiful torture.
"You're so fucking beautiful," I breathed, my voice rough with restraint.
She tipped her head back again, a broken moan spilling from her lips.
"I know…”
•~•Solane’s POVThe soft beep of my phone pulled me out of sleep. I blinked at the faint light slipping through the curtains, still feeling too tired to move.Slowly, I sat up, careful not to jostle the bed too much and wake Nathaniel beside me.I reached for my phone on the bedside table and squinted at the screen. A message from my father.‘Are you up?’A familiar knot formed in my stomach. I exhaled slowly, then glanced at Nathaniel again before quietly slipping out of bed.The air was cool against my bare skin as I reached for my silk robe, neatly hung on the hook by the wall.I walked to the bathroom and shut the door behind me before calling him.He picked up on the first ring.“Sweetheart,” he said, his voice thick with relief. “What happened? You had your mother and me worried. You promised you’d call when you got back to the Grant mansion.”“I’m sorry,” I murmured, dragging a hand over my face. “It just slipped my mind.”The silence on the other end felt heavy, like he was wa
•~•Aziel’s POVThe steady hum of the car’s engine filled the silence as I sat in the backseat, my fingers tapping absentmindedly against the leather armrest.My mind kept circling back to the words Irene had spoken two nights ago, her voice still echoing in my thoughts, then to the conversation with her father last night—one I had overheard through the bug I had planted on her phone.I couldn’t believe she had gone this far, just because I had mentioned that name— Irene.Just because I had told her she was the woman I loved but couldn’t be with. And that question I had asked—how she knew about my dislike for garlic.How could those little details have pushed her into such paranoia?Paranoia that had driven her to do something so reckless as setting up that dinner and talking about herself like Irene Lancaster wasn’t her. Like she had really died that night.And worse, how could she have done it in front of my mother, who was just as paranoid and calculating…If not more so?I let out a
•~•Third Person’s POVDominic paced the length of the room, his polished shoes tapping rhythmically against the floor.His jaw clenched, hands flexing at his sides as frustration tightened his chest.Across from him, his father sat at his grand mahogany desk, fingers steepled beneath his chin.The harsh, jagged lines of burn scars that marred his face caught the dim light, a reminder of the unfortunate events that had shaped him.Though his posture remained composed, his eyes betrayed the rapid calculations running through his mind."You’re going to wear the tiles out with that pacing," his father’s deep baritone finally broke the silence, even and measured.Dominic came to a sudden halt, his frustration evident in the sharp turn of his body."And what exactly do you want me to do, Dad?" His voice, usually controlled, now carried an unmistakable edge of irritation.His father leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing as Dominic’s frustration grew."Melissa has already uncovered that So
•~•Third Person’s POV The sun bathed Celeste Lancaster’s garden in a golden glow.The air was thick with the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers, and well-trimmed hedges carved perfect pathways, guiding the eye to distant fountains and statues that radiated opulence.It felt like stepping into a paradise, and Melissa couldn’t shake the feeling of being out of place, overwhelmed by the sheer grandeur of it all.As they walked side by side, Celeste moved with the effortless grace of someone entirely at ease in her surroundings.Meanwhile, Melissa’s gaze flitted nervously from one perfectly arranged plant to the sweeping vistas of the estate, her discomfort growing with each step, though she masked it with forced small talk.They stopped by a koi pond, the calm water mirroring the bright sky above.Melissa’s eyes widened in surprise as she took in the sheer number of koi swimming beneath the surface.“Wow,” she breathed, her voice tinged with awe. “There are so many! You must have been
•~•Third Person’s POVMelissa slid into the passenger seat of her sleek black car, the door closing with a soft click.The vehicle pulled away from the Lancaster estate, gliding smoothly onto the road. But inside, her emotions churned with turmoil.Her fingers tightened into fists on her lap, nails biting into her palms as Celeste’s words rang in her ears.A thief. She had called her a thief.The nerve of that woman. If it weren’t for the fact that she needed the Lancaster family—needed their power to save her own crumbling empire, she would have put Celeste in her place right then and there. And then there was the DNA mess. Melissa’s teeth clenched, the anger bubbling just under the surface.She had thought she had everything under control, that the test would be her ace in the hole to get Zane to do what she wanted. But now, with Celeste knowing, everything had fallen apart.However, even if Celeste had seen her take Zane’s cup at dinner, how could she possibly know what it was all
•~•Solane POVI hadn’t been able to sleep. Not since the call.Even now, a full day later, no matter how hard I tried, the memory of that voice—cold, mechanical, and disturbingly calm—stuck in my head like a splinter I couldn't dig out.I sat on the edge of my bed, phone in hand, my mind racing with questions I couldn’t silence.———I had just stepped out of the bathroom, towel snug around me, damp hair clinging to my shoulders, when my phone rang.It was lying on the bed, screen glowing with an unfamiliar number.Still drying my hair, I picked it up. "Hello?"A mechanical voice answered, distorted like it’d been run through some kind of voice changer."Hello… It's nice to finally speak with you."My frown deepened, the hairs on the back of my neck standing up. "Who is this?""Who I am doesn't really matter," the voice replied smoothly, a calmness that only made me more uneasy.I gripped the phone tighter. "Is this some kind of prank? How did you get my number?"There was a long pause
•~•Aziel’s POVThe car was parked in the far corner of the lot, engine off, windows slightly fogged from my breath.I sat alone in the back seat, phone pressed to my ear, the voice crackling through.“I made the right call,” the voice said, calm and confident. “Involving Irene was the best decision. You might not see it now.”My jaw tightened.I clenched my fist against the leather seat, knuckles turning white as anger boiled in my chest. My brows furrowed, my breath shallow.“I don’t give a damn if you thought it was the right call,” I ground out. “I agreed to be your ally on two conditions… That Irene’s identity stayed a secret—and that you wouldn’t drag her into this. Ever.”I paused, my voice growing lower, more dangerous. “And I made that clear last time we spoke—you promised you'd handle it without her.”Silence stretched. Just static and shallow breathing from the other end.The voice returned, quieter now. “It was just this once. She won’t be part of anything going forward. I
•~•Solane’s POVI sat curled into the corner of the living room couch, the remote resting loosely in my hand as the television filled the silence.A female news anchor in a crisp red suit sat behind the broadcast desk, her voice calm but enthusiastic.“In a move that might have raised some eyebrows but wasn’t entirely unexpected, Grant Holdings has named Nathaniel Grant as its new CEO…”“…The twenty-seven-year-old—who recently married Solane Blackwood, niece of business mogul Zane Lancaster—steps into full leadership of the company he’s represented as its public face for the past seven years.”I leaned forward, eyes narrowing as the screen flickered with footage of Nathaniel at various press events—his wheelchair rolling through the crowd, his composure steady, his faint smile for the cameras.The anchor continued, her voice steady. “The announcement has sparked widespread attention, especially following the revelation of the attack Mr. Grant suffered a few months ago, which left him
•~•Nathaniel POVThe glass vase shattered against the floor, the pieces skidding in every direction like the chaos in my chest.My hands were shaking—not from weakness, but pure rage.“Nathaniel!” my mother gasped, recoiling at the sound. “Please, calm down. If you get too worked up, your blood pressure could spike.”“Are you fucking serious right now, Mom?” I spun on her, eyes blazing.“How can I possible calm down when you gave that bastard my life! Had him pretend to be me—for five damn years! And now you want me to pretend too? To be Aziel fucking Grant while he keeps living as me?”She inched closer, hands raised like she was approaching a wounded animal.“Sweetheart, please… just lie down. You’re still recovering. I’ll explain everything—I promise. Just not now. Huh?”“No!” I growled, my voice tight with frustration. “I want an explanation now. And I want to know exactly how the hell you plan to fix this!”She sighed, her shoulders sagging like the weight of the truth had finall
•~•Aziel’s POVI sat up in the bed I shared with Irene, in my pajamas, staring at my hands like they were somehow going to fix the mess I had gotten myself into.The room was dead silent, except for Irene’s slippers tapping against the floor every now and then.She sat across from me, one leg crossed over the other, her eyes locked on me like she was trying to see through every fucking thing I had said or wasn’t saying.“Aziel…” she said, her voice trailing off, and my heart skipped one—no, two damn beats.It was the first time she said my name—Aziel.It sounded way too good coming from her lips, and for a split second, I thought about how it would sound if she moaned it.Wait, what the fuck?… I quickly shook the thought out of my head. Why the hell was I even thinking about that? I had way bigger shit to deal with than getting horny right now.“… That’s the name of the guy who looks exactly like you,” she continued, her voice flat, “Your identical twin brother?”I nodded once, keepin
•~•Aziel’s POVThe car came to a stop, and I felt the usual jolt of impatience hit me.As my driver, Matt, opened the door and helped me out, I quickly shifted myself into my wheelchair, wheeling forward with swift, practiced movements.My heart pounded in my chest with the weight of what I was about to do.I had been so sure, so confident that I could handle this. But now, as I wheeled myself toward the entrance, just like the last time I made up my mind to tell her but failed, doubt crept in like the dark shadows of a storm cloud.The door opened before I even reached it, and Irene stepped out, shutting it behind her.Her face was a mask—expressionless, cold. That was strange. She always greeted me with a smile, fake or not, so why the coldness? Or maybe I was just overthinking things.I took a deep breath, steeling myself."Come on," I said, gesturing to the car. "There’s somewhere I need to take you."Irene didn’t respond. She just kept her eyes on me, narrowed and studying.Then
•~•Solane’s POVI stared at him—lying unconscious on the couch.My heart was pounding, my thoughts racing, refusing to settle on anything solid.Nathaniel... he had left this house in a wheelchair this morning. I watched him go. So how the hell was he suddenly able to walk?I do believe in miracles—I survived a deadly fall, after all. So, I believe certain things are possible. But not like this. Not in a magical, impossible sort of way.My eyes swept over his body, his face, the steady rise and fall of his chest. He looked... pale. Like someone who hadn’t seen sunlight in days—or weeks.He also looked thinner. There was a hollowness to his face that hadn’t been there before. His jaw wasn’t as sharp. His lips were cracked. His hands looked fragile.This didn’t make any sense. He looked stronger this morning—lean, but with muscle and healthy weight.So why did he look so frail now? And why the hell had he called me Irene before passing out?I shifted uncomfortably on my feet, unsure whe
•~•Aziel’s POVI sat in the passenger seat of my car, parked just outside the hospital.The windows were up, and I’d already dismissed my driver so I could take this call in private.My fingers tapped once, twice against the door’s armrest before the line connected.“I need you to get rid of Davian Foster,” I spoke immediately. “But first, trace everyone he’s been in contact with since he arrived in the country—especially within the last twenty-four hours.”There was a pause. Then came a dry, faintly amused voice. “I'm guessing you'll tell me why I'd be doing you such a favor any moment now?”My jaw clenched. I stared through the windshield, the fading sun turning the sky outside a dull gold. “He has a voice recording of me. Of us. Talking about Irene—about who she really is…”“…And some other shit that can’t reach my mother or the public. He also has copies of the recording with a few of his so-called 'trusted men.'”“Strange,” the voice said casually. “I thought you had the balls to
•~•Third Person POVMelissa stepped out of Davian’s hospital room, letting the glass door slide shut behind her.Her expression shifted—tightening with unease. She lifted a hand subtly, signaling Dominic, who stood a few feet away, to follow.He fell in step behind her without question.Her phone buzzed. The name Dr. Alfred lit up the screen. She answered quickly and brought the phone to her ear.“Dr. Alfred, what is it?” Her tone was sharp, clipped.“Mrs. Grant…” The doctor’s voice trembled. “I’m very sorry, but—there’s a problem.”Melissa stopped in her tracks. A cold dread stirred in her chest. “What kind of problem?”There was a pause. Then, in a cautious tone he continued, “It’s your son… Mr. Grant. He’s gone missing.”————The tires gave a soft screech as the car pulled to a stop in front of the private hospital.Melissa pushed the door open before the engine had even fully died.Her heels struck the pavement in quick, sharp clicks as she made for the entrance. Dominic followed
•~•Aziel’s POVI wheeled down the sterile corridor, stopping in front of Ward 3B—the room the nurse had pointed me to at reception.Outside the room, the glass sliding door separated me from the people inside.My mother was perched on a chair beside the bed, leaning in with concern carved into every line of her face.Dominic stood behind her, arms crossed, silent. But it was the man lying in that bed that made my blood run cold.Davian Foster.Tubes snaked into his arms, his wrist wrapped in surgical tape. One eye was bruised and swollen, lips split.His skin was yellowed, sunken—like someone who had been dragged out of the grave and shoved into a hospital gown."Bastard," I muttered, the word bitter in my mouth. "I should’ve killed him that day.”————That day…The gunshot echoed through the room.Davian jerked violently, his eyes snapping open.He slowly reached up to touch his forehead—the exact spot where my gun had been pressed just moments ago—and blinked in confusion.His gaze
•~•Aziel’s POVThe conference room was silent, save for the woman’s voice at the far end of the table.The lights were dimmed, and the projector bathed the table in warm golds and cool greens as each slide clicked forward with the tap of her remote.“…and with the ocean breeze sweeping across the third hole, guests will experience premium golfing without ever leaving the resort.” She spoke, but I was hardly listening to most of what she was saying.I leaned back slightly, my index finger resting against my lips, nodding once to appear engaged.Across the long table, the board members looked impressed—some scribbling notes, others nodding in sync, most already sold on the idea. My phone vibrated once on the glass table beside me, the buzz sharp and insistent. I glanced at the screen.Unknown Number.My eyes narrowed. It was the anonymous caller.I swiped the call away without hesitation, my jaw tightening. This wasn’t the time.But barely ten seconds passed before it vibrated again.T
•~•Nathaniel’s POVSilence.Her breath caught. Her eyes shimmered. “Bastard?” she whispered.I cursed under my breath, dragging a hand through my hair. “I didn’t mean it like that.”“Then how did you mean it?” she fired back. “Because from where I’m standing, it sounded like you just denied being the father of our baby.”I stared at her, chest rising and falling fast. I needed to calm down. This wasn’t her fault. She didn’t know she’d been with my twin the whole time.I took a step forward, gently placing my hands on her shoulders. I kept my voice low. “I just mean… we still have so much ahead of us. A baby now would change everything. So maybe… we could just—”I trailed off, hoping she’d catch on.Her brows pinched. “We could just what?”Was she pretending not to understand?I hesitated, then said it. “Maybe… we terminate the pregnancy. And try again later. When we’re both ready.”She slightly pulled back like I had just slapped her.“You mean when you’re ready,” she corrected, her j