ログイン~CHAPTER EIGHTY ONE~HARDIN’S POVThe figure sways her hips slowly as she steps further into the room.Through my hazy vision, all I see is Amelia.My heart jumps violently in my chest. Then I shake my head hard.No… that can’t be her.The figure blurs for a moment, the room tilting slightly around me. For a second the face changes, unfamiliar, and then suddenly it’s Amelia again.“What the hell…” I mutter under my breath.I rub my eyes, trying to snap out of it, but nothing changes. The heat in my body only grows stronger, making my thoughts foggy and slow.The only thing my mind settles on is one conclusion.A dream.It has to be.The figure walks closer, her movements slow and deliberate. She stops in front of me and begins removing her clothes one by one, letting them fall softly to the floor.My breathing grows heavier.I try to look away, forcing my jaw tight.This is insane.But my body refuses to cooperate. The tension between my legs is already painful, my erection standing h
~CHAPTER EIGHTY~ AMELIA’S POV I walk to the bed and sit, staring into nothing. The silence presses in, thick and suffocating. Disappointment lingers in my chest, heavier than it should be. A knock breaks through it. “Mrs. Amelia,” a staff member calls softly. “Miss Sophia is waiting on the main floor.” I don’t move at first. “I’ll be down soon,” I say, my voice lower than I intended. Her footsteps fade, leaving the room hollow again. We’re supposed to sign the papers today. Secure the property. A step forward. But after what just happened. I don’t have the energy to pretend everything is fine. I push myself up and step out of the bedroom, moving through the penthouse wing and into the hallway. The house feels different. When I reach the bottom of the stairs, Sophia turns to me immediately. “Good morning, Miss Amelia. You’re not ready, and it’s getting late.” “I’m not going,” I say. She pauses. “But it’s just the signing. We can finalize everything before 7 p.
~CHAPTER SEVENTY NINE~ Time passes faster than I expect. By the time I check the clock again, hours have gone by and Hardin should be home any minute now. The casserole is ready, warm in the oven, and we even made fresh orange juice to go with it. The chef carefully finishes setting the dining table. The entire house smells wonderful—warm spices, melted cheese, roasted meat. Outside, the sun has begun to dip lower in the sky, the evening light casting a soft golden glow through the large windows. Footsteps echo from the staircase. I look up. Valentina appears, descending slowly with that same composed elegance she always carries. She pauses near the kitchen entrance, breathing in lightly. “Those smell good,” she says. I smile automatically. “I made enough,” I reply warmly. “Wait until you taste it.” But she walks past me as if I never spoke. Completely ignoring me. Like I’m nothing more than air. The chef glances at me awkwardly, clearly uncomfortable with the tension. B
~CHAPTER SEVENTY EIGHT~ AMELIA’S POV I stretch lazily across the bed, a yawn escaping my lips as my phone keeps ringing beside me. The sound drags me out of sleep. It’s lying right next to my pillow, vibrating against the sheets. Half-awake, I reach for it and glance at the screen. The moment I see the name, my sleepy expression melts into a smile. ‘Hardin.’ I swipe to answer. “Hello, husband,” I say, my voice still soft from sleep. “Good morning, Amelia. I’m already flying in today.” His voice is flat. The words are normal, but something about the tone feels… different. I pause for a second, trying not to overthink it. “Oh,” I say lightly, sitting up a little. “I wasn’t expecting you back today, but I love it.” “Yeah,” he replies shortly. “I’ll see you soon.” And then the line goes dead. I stare at my phone for a moment. That was… quick. Slowly, I lower it onto the bed beside me. Something is definitely wrong. I can feel it. Hardin is many things—cold, intense, unpre
~CHAPTER SEVENTY SEVEN~ I let him lead the way as we walk upstairs. The higher we go, the quieter the building becomes. The sounds from the main floor fade until it’s just the echo of our footsteps and the distant hum of traffic outside. By the time we reach the top level, Blake suddenly changes direction. Instead of the open gallery overlooking the floor below, he takes my wrist and guides me toward a narrow corner space tucked away from view. It’s partially hidden from the main floor. “What do you think you’re doing?” I ask, my voice tightening. Before I can step back, he turns me gently until my back meets the wall. Not aggressively, just enough to stop me from walking away again. His arm rests beside my shoulder, bracing against the wall. “Do I really have to go through all of this just to speak with you?” he asks quietly. His voice carries frustration… and something deeper. “This isn’t right,” I mutter, glancing toward the staircase as if Sophia might suddenly appear.
~CHAPTER SEVENTY SIX~ I walk over and sit on the sofa opposite her, crossing my legs carefully. Snow stays in my arms, curled tightly against my chest, her warmth steadying me. Valentina watches me the way people study an investment they’re unsure about. “I know you married my son because he has leverage over you,” she says smoothly. “I don’t know what that leverage is… but I can help you.” There it is. The offer wrapped as concern. I exhale slowly, resisting the urge to roll my eyes. “I’ve heard you. Can I go now?” “You haven’t given me an answer.” Snow shifts slightly, pressing her face under my chin. And for a moment, I drift. Isn’t this what I once wanted? An exit. A clean way out of a marriage that started as control and negotiation. I wanted out. God, I wanted out. I used to count imaginary days, plan imaginary escapes, build scenarios in my head where I left without looking back. I used to imagine freedom constantly—waking up without calculating his moods,
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO "Be careful!” she yells. "Those things move fast when you get too close, like cats.” She wasn’t lying. The moment I bend down, the robot darts under the bed. “Oh hell no!” I drop to my hands and knees. “Get back here, you nosy bastard!” Cassie is wheezing with laughter in
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN Everyone freezes. I feel my heart jump. My family’s eyes shift toward him, and my heart hammers, with fear, and with that strange, dangerous anticipation that always follows him. Hardin steps forward, calm and commanding, his presence filling the room. Every eye is on him,
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN I sink into the plush chair, letting the soft fabric caress me, while Cassie and Sofia flit around the boutique like butterflies, holding up gowns and draping fabric with precision. Each dress is stunning, flowing silk, delicate lace, shimmering embellishments but for a bride
CHAPTER SIXTEEN The bouncers in the club, moving through the crowd with quiet efficiency, confiscating every single phone that dared record. In an instant, every witness becomes invisible. No evidence. No leaks.I swallow hard, the adrenaline and unease coiling tighter in my che







