INICIAR SESIÓN"W- what?" I exclaim, utterly bewildered as I stare down with widened eyes at the electronic device he just strapped to my ankle. I snap my gaze back at him, "You can't do that. This is a violation of my privacy."Pulling away from me, he retorts with a mocking scoff, "What privacy? This isn't a camera. It's just a device for monitoring your movements, esposa. After what happened the last time, you don't expect me to let you out freely without precautions now, do you?"My head nearly explodes with disbelief. I cannot believe my ears nor the nonsense he's spewing in defense of this criminal act. Yeah, this easily passes as a criminal act because what right does he have to put a monitoring device on me?What the hell is the meaning of this?I feel my annoyance resurface, my jaw clenching tight with displeasure. "This is not right. I don't feel comfortable having this thing on me.""Why?" he asks flatly.My brows knit together in confusion because I can't fathom his response. Why? What t
WHITNEYI can't believe I'm really going through with this shit.Well, it's not like I have a choice. He didn't exactly give me one when he came in last night.Annoyance bubbles within me at the memory of his disturbing nonchalance when he presented me with my new job offer.He didn't even give me the chance to say no, like he said to me the first time I asked him. He must be used to getting whatever the fuck he wants, always.Anyway, as much as I hate his guts, I remind myself I'm not doing this for him.I'm doing this for me. I'm simply choosing to pick my own battles.A scowl forms on my face even as I dust off excess makeup from my cheeks.I'm staring at my reflection in the dressing mirror, and there's no trace of enthusiasm on my face whatsoever. If anything, I look very annoyed.Normally, anyone in my shoes would be excited at the idea of finally getting some fresh air after being locked up for so long—finally escaping this prison of a room. However, knowing it's just leaving h
Alec and I leave the office at 8 PM after wrapping up the day's work. He taunts me about how I managed today without Anita and reassures me that there will be more hectic days like this waiting for me if I don't get a new secretary or hire Anita back.I ignore him.On our way home, I ask him in the car,"So what did she want?""Who?" He glances at me from the passenger's seat.I grunt without sparing him a glance, my gaze focused on the road, "Chloe Davis.""Oh. She said she wanted to have a word with you alone. She wouldn't tell me anything. And you didn't exactly ask me to get her to talk by any means."I wave a hand dismissively. "It doesn't matter. I'm not interested in whatever she has to say."He nods briskly. "I thought as much." Silence settles for a moment before he taunts again as we get close to his residence. "So about..."I cut him off sharply, already knowing the crap he's about to say. "One more word of that Anita bullshit, and I'm throwing you out in the middle of the
"I can't believe you made me do that to her," Alec says when he reenters my office, a frown etched onto his face. He runs a hand through his shoulder-length black hair, sighing with frustration."Are you suggesting I should have done it myself?" I retort, arching an annoyed eyebrow.I don't get what his deal with my secretary is. Sure, she was the best, but her work contract was bound to end someday. It's just abrupt that today was that day."You should've seen her... She looked extremely sad when I told her," he says warily, settling into the chair in front of my desk.I grumble in response. "I saw her."Alec studies me with furrowed brows, probably wondering what's going on in my head. I can see the unasked questions floating around in his mind, but I still have no intention of explaining myself to him.He must figure that out because he asks, "So what now? Do you already have a replacement for Anita, or should I start searching for a new secretary for you?""I already told you not
CARLMy heart has been aching since the minute I stepped into my office three hours ago. Actually, I doubt that.If I recall correctly, I think this discomfort in my chest started right after I closed the door on Whitney.I had seen her crying, and I need no soothsayer to spell out the reason behind that for me. She was crying because I said no to her demand after she asked me for a job around the house.In my defense, I offered her something better, but she ignorantly refused it. I know the last thing she wants to do is work for me, especially in the same space. My wife totally hates my guts, but then again, that's the only job I have available for her.I wouldn't mind replacing my current assistant, Alec, with her if she happens to agree. Alec would definitely hire assassins to gun me down if he learned I traded his position for my wife as a new hobby, but the things we do for love, I guess.Love?That's funny—I don't love her. At least, not at the moment.Sure, I do care about her,
DEVIN.I sit outside the same café where I met the former volunteer before, staring through the glass at the empty table in the corner. The recovered records are inside my backpack, protected by a thick folder because I refuse to take any chances with them. Since finding the photograph, I have barely slept because every clue keeps leading to the same missing week. Carlos and Whitney are finally seeing the same pattern I see, but we still have no idea what happened inside those private meetings. The former volunteer might be the only person left who can tell us, and today I am determined not to leave without asking one final time.When he finally arrives, he looks even more nervous than before. He glances over his shoulder several times before sitting across from me, and I notice how tightly he holds his bag against his chest. I place the folder on the table but do not open it immediately. I want him to understand that I am not here to trap him or force him into saying something his is
"You have until the count of five to decide," he adds, and I still stubbornly hesitate.I was hoping I'd finally come up with a wise choice during his little counting spree, but the bastard completely catches me off guard.Sighing in resignation, he declares, "Five."Motherfucker didn't even count.
Two days ago, I meant it when I said I was starting over. For someone who's been so hellbent on getting revenge from the start, I think I'm doing pretty well at letting go so easily. Or that's what I like to believe.I've been so obsessed with finding justice for my friend to the extent that I forg
"What?" Ava's bewildered exclamation cuts me out of my trance. "Selective amnesia?""Yes," Dave affirms solemnly. "We are hoping he recovers from it soon."Disbelief courses through me as I process the bad news. God, I can't believe it.A tidal wave of disappointment crashes over me, washing away t
My heart pounds with both elation and relief on our ride to the hospital. Ava clearly shares my emotions, judging by the grin etched across her face as she navigates the road."I told you this would all be over soon, Whit. Now look— Fuck, I'm so happy." She blasts the horn by accident, prompting me







