로그인It was already 7:40 p.m., and Zara was nowhere to be seen.The campfire crackled in the center of the campsite, its orange glow flickering against worried faces. Claire’s hands fidgeted in her lap; she was the only one who knew where Zara had gone, and each passing minute made the weight in her chest grow heavier.“Is everyone here?” the camp manager asked, glancing around the group.Claire hesitated, her throat tight. “Um Zara isn’t back yet. She went to get her phone from the bus.”Adrian’s head snapped up instantly. “What?” His voice came out sharper than intended, filled with alarm. “When did she leave?”“At… at five,” Claire stammered.The manager frowned, concerned about creasing his forehead. “She should’ve been back long ago.”Adrian’s pulse quickened. “Did she use the main road?”Claire lowered her eyes, guilt flooding her expression. “No. She said she’d take the forest path it’s shorter.”A collective gasp rippled through the group.“Oh God,” the manager murmured. The forest
When Zara stepped out of Adrian’s office, her cheeks were burning crimson. She tried to hide the blush that stubbornly clung to her face. “Why is he such a jerk,” she muttered teasingly under her breath, not out of anger but her chest felt light and heavy all at once.She walked back to her desk only to find Claire and the others already up and packing their things.“What’s going on?” Zara asked, puzzled.Claire grinned. “We’ve closed early so everyone can get ready for the company trip tomorrow. Didn’t anyone tell you?”Zara blinked. “Doesn’t he ever tell me anything beforehand?” she mumbled. She sighed and grabbed her purse.By the time she reached home, the sun had started to dip, painting the sky in lazy shades of orange. Isabella was in the kitchen, drinking water when Zara entered.“What? Why are you back so early? Is everything okay?” Isabella asked, placing her glass down.“Yeah,” Zara replied, with a warm smile. “We’ve got a company trip tomorrow, a sort of camping retrea
In the parking lot, Zara quietly sank into the back seat, still feeling the heat of embarrassment flush her cheeks. Adrian slid into the driver’s seat, turned the keyNothing.The car gave a lifeless sputter.He frowned, tried again. Still nothing. “God damn it,” he muttered under his breath, jaw tightening as realization hit. “Someone didn’t put fuel.”He exhaled through his nose sharply and turned to her. “Get out, Zara.”His voice was firm but calm, the kind of authority that didn’t need to shout.She blinked, puzzled. “What?”“Just get out.”Confused but obedient, she stepped out. To her surprise, Adrian walked to the far end of the parking lot and unlocked a small metal door one she hadn’t even noticed before. A few seconds later, he rolled out a sleek black motorcycle, the kind that gleamed like a beast under the dim lights.Zara’s jaw nearly dropped. Of course he had a bike. Adrian Voss had everything.Without a word, he pushed it close, handed her a helmet, and tugged another
Zara made a decision , she wasn’t going to use Adrian’s car anymore. It was too expensive for her new position, and she didn’t want to raise suspicions. She was here to live simply, quietly… to blend in.After her first day at work , one thing became clear: Adrian Voss was cold to everyone. To him, people were work, not company. But somehow, he seemed to hate her just a little more.Her routine remained simple: cook dinner, eat alone, and retreat to her . But at night, just as she was about to fall asleep, there was a sharp knock on her door.“Zara,” his voice came through, steady but impatient. “Where’s my grey suit? Did they deliver it?”“I don’t know where it is, sir,” she answered flatly through the door.“You’re supposed to know,” he snapped stern but not shouting.“I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t see it. I’ll call them to confirm. If that’s all, I’d like to sleep now.”Before he could reply, she closed the door in his face.For a second, Adrian just stood there, stunned. Sir? he repe
The soft hum of computers filled the Finance Department of Voss Holdings, where Zara sat quietly at her new desk, trying to blend in with the endless rows of focused faces.Introducing herself simply as Zara Alaric, she had asked for the most ordinary position available , something small, unnoticeable. She wasn’t here to impress anyone, not this time. She only wanted peace, a steady job, and no attention.She’d decided she wouldn’t make friends, either. People have a way of changing when you let them get too close. So, she would work quietly, keep her head down, and stay out of trouble.At least, that was the plan.Her plan began to crack the moment she had to ask where the restrooms were.Voss Holdings was enormous all glass and silver, with long halls that looked identical. It was easy to get lost in the maze of offices. Finally, she peeked up from her desk and spoke to the young woman seated a few steps away.“Hello,” Zara said softly, her voice polite. “Could you please show me
Chapter 45When Zara left the living room, Adrian stayed behind,. Something about her words replayed in his mind.“Then I’ll work for you ,not as your wife, but as a normal employee.”He leaned back, his lips twitching into a faint smirk.“She’s gotten bold,” he murmured to himself. “Did she… learn that from me?”It was confusing, even amusing. For the first time, Zara had spoken to him without fear ,only composure. That new spark in her voice unsettled and intrigued him at the same time.Before he could think too deeply about it, the door swung open.“Hello, brother! I’m back!”It was Isabella his younger sister, cheerful as ever. She dropped her bags by the door and rushed to hug him.Adrian, who had just finished dressing, turned toward her. His lip was still bruised from the fight the night before. “Why are you walking alone at night?” he asked, his tone half-scolding, half-concerned. “Couldn’t you have waited until morning? What if something happened to you on the way here?”Isab
Zara sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the closet, unsure of what to wear. The fight with Adrian earlier still stung. His sharp words replayed in her head, each one cutting deeper than the last.A knock sounded on the door before she could collect herself. Isabella stepped in, her phone in han
She heard a soft knock on her door gentle this time, not commanding. When she opened it, a young woman stood there with a bright little smile. Zara recognized her instantly from the wedding: Adrian’s younger sister.“Come in,” Zara said softly. “How are you? I hope he isn’t being hard on you alread
The limousine doors closed with a soft, final thud, sealing Zara into a world that was not hers. The faint scent of leather and expensive cologne filled the air rich, masculine, suffocating. It reminded her of everything she had lost: the safety of her small routines, the fragile comfort of anonymi
Zara Alaric moved quietly through the rooms, adjusting ribbons on the flower arrangements and straightening Selene’s bridesmaid's gown hem. Today was supposed to be Selene’s big day, the moment every detail had been planned for months, the day she would become Adrian Boss's bride.Zara had spent h







