MORGANA FOSTER I step out of the car, feeling my stomach churn. My whole body falters; my entire being surrenders to the reactions. Honestly, I don't know how to tell Nicolas that I ended things with him for money to pay for my father's treatment. It's not the kind of conversation where you just walk in saying, "Hey Nick, you know, I broke up with you because I needed money to pay for my father's treatment. So, I went ahead and married the grandson of a multimillionaire in exchange for that." Without sounding like a gold digger or incredibly stupid. Or worse, some random slut. I clench my fists and stand still for a moment at the door, and he's soon standing beside me. "Shall we?" Nicolas says, extending his arm and intertwining it with mine. I follow his steps into the beautiful lounge. He walks ahead of me and holds the door. The unmistakable scent of freshly ground coffee draws me in like a magnet. The air is warm and inviting. The walls are light, with a beautiful vertical gar
Morgana Foster "The sight in front of me sent shivers down my spine. My head was spinning. I could feel everything swirling around me. How could I feel so disgusted and angry at the same time? Why was Ryan locked in a passionate kiss with another woman? Who was she? The blonde hair made me recognize her. Lindsey Thomas. Anger took over my head, and I approached them, grabbing her hair with one hand and pulling her off him, abruptly throwing her to the floor. She fell with a scream. Ryan had his eyes closed and slowly opened them, looking drowsy. How could he do that to me after all the declarations he made just yesterday? A pain roared in my chest. Was he intentionally hurting me because of Elliot? He didn't react. Then I realized something was wrong. "What do you think you're doing?" she shouted loudly. Her shirt had a few buttons open, revealing a bit of the lacy black bra – "I'm talking to you!" She touched my shoulder. Big mistake. "Taking out the trash." I yelled, grabbing
Ryan Burke "When Morgana left the restaurant, accompanying her ex-boyfriend, I had to fight against my instincts and the overwhelming desire to go after her. I'm trying this new thing of respecting what she wants. But this isn't for me." "Mr. Ryan?" Lindsay called; I turned to her with a raised eyebrow. "I thought you had already left, Miss Thomas," I say in a gentle tone. "No, actually, I wanted to know if you wouldn't like to have a glass of wine with me. After all, this deal with Mr. Torquato is a significant acquisition for JBR ENTERPRISES," she emphasized with sparkling eyes. Indeed, it was a tremendous opportunity and deserves to be celebrated. I smiled back at her, nodded, and we headed to my car. "Shall we go to your place?" she says, fastening her seatbelt. "Don't you prefer to go to a bar?" I ask, intrigued, arching an eyebrow and closing the door. "No," she replied without hesitation. "I don't prefer that. It's better to go to your place. You know, our usual ritual.
Sorya Burke I've been waiting for a car since I left the hospital. I dismissed the driver because where I need to go now is a secret I can't share with any acquaintances. No one directly connected to my family and can be bribed. I didn't want to have to resort to this and collect this debt, but it's getting too far. Three attempts in less than two months, I feel like I have to do something. I get into the car the app pointed out, and it heads to the Rookgaard slums. It looks like a city parallel to our reality. The streets are dirty and dark. There's not much infrastructure on these sides. The smell of open sewage dominates most of the way. The driver gives me a curious look before stopping the car. Everything seems very disorganized, unlike the uniform blocks I'm used to. "Here we are, ma'am!" he says without much restraint before pulling over the car. "Sorry for the intrusion, but what would a lady like you be doing here? This doesn't seem like your usual elegant scene." "Busines
MORGANA FOSTER It was past lunchtime when the doctor came in to discharge Ryan. We're waiting for James to bring clothes so we can head home. He's been behaving like a helpless little boy since he woke up, and I'm letting him indulge in this behavior while he's sick. Sometimes, it's a test of patience. I sigh, guiding my gaze to him, sitting on the bed, eating jello as if it's the best dessert in the world. The door opens, and James, tall and slightly sweaty, walks in. "Sorry for the delay," he says, catching his breath. "Had to pick up Miss Kyle." Ryan's eyebrows furrow, meeting James's gaze. He pales a bit. "What happened to Elena?" he asks, staring at him. "Is she okay? Is my son okay?" A bitter taste lingers in my mouth, but it's comforting to know that Ryan is concerned about his son. James wipes his forehead with a handkerchief he takes from his pocket. "She's okay, sir!" he says, leaning against the sofa, taking off his backpack and tossing it onto his lap. "She had a sud
MORGANA FOSTER "Morgana: [Sorya, we need to talk.] Morgana: [Please respond as soon as possible; I need some answers!] Sorya didn't reply. I'm dissatisfied and slightly irritated. Everything is annoying me right now. It must be the damn approaching fertile period messing with my mood again. I went upstairs to take a shower, to rid myself of the tiresome and pervasive smell of hospital and 70% alcohol permeating my body. I have no control over my life anymore, and it's disturbing my peace. Standing in front of the closet, I look for a long shirt and leggings, also grabbing comfortable cotton lingerie, and head to my bath. The falling water eased my body a bit. I need to carefully analyze everything that's happening. There are the threats to my and Ryan's lives. My stalled romance with Elliot, tangled by my own thoughts. Nicolas, strangely reappearing in my life. So much confusion. After long minutes, I step out of the shower and get dressed. I comb my hair and apply a delicate an
Ronan O'Connor Bear bursts into my office, running and panting. His muddy shoes soak my expensive carpet. I turn to face his poor and frightened expression. "You're messing up my floor!" I say, taking the cigar out of my mouth and staring at him. He takes a deep breath and swallows before responding. One of my most loyal men. "Sorry, sir!" he says, stuttering a bit and shrugging. "There's a woman looking for you!" I raise an intrigued eyebrow. No woman ever comes looking for me. Bear must be mistaken. "Are you sure?" I say, sitting in my chair. "Absolutely, sir!" He lowers his eyes. "She called you Ronan..." I freeze for a second with the cigar in the air. Besides my trusted men, no one knows my name outside this place. "She said she's Little B." He looks up at me again. "And she needs to ask you a favor." Little B... I sigh heavily. How long has it been since I heard that name? "Is it to bring her here, boss?" he asks, seemingly eager, brushing his fingers against the gun i
ELLIOT SHARON I blink awake, feeling my eyelids heavy and slow as the room comes into view. The curtains are drawn. It's still dark inside the room. It's been three days since I was with Morgana. Every part of me is craving her. The scent of her chocolate perfume is lingering on one of the sofa cushions. I brought her here. The scent is faint, but it's like having her with me. I grab the pillow and press it against my body, inhaling deeply. I lazily get up, checking the clock on the bedside table. It's just past 6:00 in the morning. My shift starts in three hours. I head to the bathroom for my morning routine and a shower. I enter the shower after brushing my teeth; my morning shower is quick. I come out with a towel wrapped around my waist to find some clothes. I opt for a simple white cotton button-down shirt and black linen trousers, a brown overcoat, and dress shoes. I stuff the hospital uniform and lab coat into my backpack, along with the white Crocs-style shoes. I always we