LOGIN~CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWO~“When I was working at the club, I had to step in a few times,” I say. “Men would get into situations they couldn't bring to a hospital, and I was the only one who knew how to patch them up. My grandmother was a retired doctor; she made sure I knew my way around a wound before I could even drive.”I lean in and press a kiss to his lips—soft, quick, and light, before pulling back to meet his gaze. “You can’t take a bath, but I’m going to clean you up,” I tell him, my voice leaving no room for debate. “Sit.”To my surprise, he simply raises his hands in a silent gesture of surrender and sits back without a single word of argument. I move with a practiced efficiency, clearing away the bloodied tools and disposal materials as if this were a normal occurrence, as if treating a bullet wound were just another part of our nightly routine.When I return to him with a bowl of warm water, he is watching me with a heavy, quiet intensity that follows every move I make
~CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND ONE~AMELIA’S POVThe moment his eyes meet mine, he goes utterly still, freezing in a way that feels less like a simple pause and more like I’ve caught him in a moment he never intended for me to witness. My gaze drops instinctively to his hands, landing on the small mirror gripped in his left and the thin metal probe in his right, and suddenly, the gruesome reality clicks into place, he is digging into his own flesh.My stomach twists into a tight knot, yet I remain silent, stepping slowly onto the cold tiles with bare feet, careful not to startle him even though the secret is already out.“Amelia, go back to sleep,” he says, his voice firm and controlled despite the undeniable strain beneath the surface. “You shouldn’t be seeing this.” He reaches for his shirt, which is already soaked through with dark blood, and presses it hard against his side in a desperate, futile attempt to hide the damage.I don’t offer a response; instead, I walk directly toward him
~CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED~He’s looking down at me, a faint smile on his lips, his presence grounding in a way I didn’t realize I needed.“Babe… you’re back?” I murmur, my voice thick with sleep.“Yeah,” he replies, his voice low and warm. “You fell asleep watching a movie with our guest.”I blink, shifting slightly before glancing to the side.Cassie is sitting there, wide awake, staring at us like she’s witnessing something out of a fantasy. She bites her lip, trying, and failing, not to smile.I narrow my eyes at her slightly.She’s ridiculous.Hardin hands his work bag to Andrew without looking away from me, then bends and lifts me effortlessly into his arms. He groans a little, but I don’t pay much attention to it.I don’t even protest. I just melt into him.He turns slightly toward Cassie. “Make yourself comfortable. I’ll take her in.”“Thank you,” she says quickly, clearly enjoying every second of this. “I definitely will. Goodnight, babes.”I wave lazily from his arms. “Nighty-nigh
~CHAPTER NINETY NINE~I finish my bath slowly, letting the last of the warmth settle into my skin before stepping out. The air feels cooler instantly, brushing against me, and I reach for a towel, wrapping it securely around my chest.As always, the moment I step out, everything I had left scattered earlier is gone.Cleared and put away. Like it never existed.A small, knowing breath leaves me. That’s the life, things handled before I even think about them.I slip my feet into my fluffy footwear and walk toward the vanity, settling into the chair. The mirror reflects a softer version of me now—bare, stripped of everything, just me and my thoughts.I start my skincare routine, slow and deliberate, giving myself something to focus on. The motions are familiar, grounding. My fingers move across my skin with care, like I’m trying to piece myself back together after everything today has thrown at me.I pull my hair up into a loose, messy bun, a few strands falling around my face. Then a to
~CHAPTER NINETY EIGHT~I reach for the handle and pull it open.Nothing. The hallway is empty.I step out slightly, my eyes scanning both sides, expecting to catch a shadow, a movement, or anything. But there’s no one. Just silence stretching down the corridor like it’s hiding something.I frown, unsettled.Then I step back in and close the door quietly.“That’s weird,” I say, turning back to Cassie. “I could swear someone was there.”“Me too,” she replies, her voice lower now, her eyes still fixed on the door like she doesn’t trust it.For a moment, neither of us speaks.Then I walk back to the bed and sit down again, this time slower, more thoughtful.“I know you don’t support this,” I begin, my voice dropping, more serious now. “But just… keep it down. No one can find out about this, especially Hardin.”Cassie’s expression tightens immediately. “Amelia, keeping something like this from your husband? That’s not good.” She shakes her head slightly. “It’s been eight months since you g
~CHAPTER NINETY SEVEN~I adjust myself on the bed, sitting properly this time, trying to settle my thoughts. “She’s the girl Hardin’s parents approve of… my replacement, to be direct,” I say, watching Cassie closely.Her reaction is instant.Cassie jerks upright like I just set the bed on fire. “Shut up. Are you serious?” she blurts, eyes wide, voice climbing in disbelief as she scrambles fully onto the bed. She folds her legs under her, turning to face me completely, searching my face for any sign I’m joking.I don’t smile.“Mhmm,” I hum quietly. “Valentina—that’s Hardin’s mother. The woman you saw downstairs.” I pause, then add, “She treats Ivy like she’s already her daughter in-law.”Cassie lets out a breath, dragging her hand over her hair as she processes that. “And your husband?” she asks, shaking her head slowly. “What’s he saying about all this?”I lean back slightly, resting my weight on my hands. “He doesn’t support it,” I say. “I know that much.” My gaze drifts for a second
~CHAPTER SIXTY TWO~ AMELIA’S POV We step out of the restroom together. Cassie adjusts the collar of my coat around her shoulders, glancing at herself in the mirror one last time. I smooth down hers. “Okay,” she mutters. “This feels illegal.” “It’s not,” I say. It feels like it. I press a cl
~CHAPTER SIXTY ONE~ She lifts her chin after speaking, but I can see it, the tremor beneath the performance. “Okay… the truth is, I’m willing to do anything for you to see me,” Ivy says, her voice lowering, almost intimate. “We’ve known each other for years, Hardin. Years. And yet you chose Ameli
~CHAPTER FIFTY NINE~ I end the call and drop the phone into the console. The car feels too quiet. Cassie doesn’t look away from me. Her stare is sharp now, searching, like she’s trying to read something I’m deliberately not saying. “What’s wrong?” she asks softly. I inhale, then force
~CHAPTER FIFTY SIX~ I wish this bathwater could magically carry me to the ocean, anywhere but here—because how the hell am I supposed to get out of this? “Answer the damn question,” he snaps. “Who touched you?” His voice is sharp now. Angry. I swallow, then lift my chin and look him straight in







