Suzanne’s pov:The drive back home was quiet, but not in an awkward way—it was the kind of silence that carried unspoken thoughts, anticipation, and the weight of what was about to happen tonight.Stella pulled up outside my house, shifting into the park before turning to me with a smirk.“Alright, this is where I leave you to face the great Dominic Khan.”I scoffed, rolling my eyes. “You make it sound like I’m about to battle a dragon.”She shrugged. “You kind of are.”I sighed, unbuckling my seatbelt, hands settling briefly on my lap.Before I stepped out, Stella’s voice softened slightly. “Hey. You got this, alright?”I glanced at her, and for a second, the teasing faded—this was just my best friend, reminding me that I wasn’t walking into this alone.“I hope so.”Her lips quirked up. “You do. And if he gives you trouble, just remember—food is a powerful weapon.”I laughed, shaking my head, and pushing open the door. “Goodbye, Stella.”“Good luck, Suzanne.”I stepped out, closing t
Stella’s pov:I pulled up to Suzanne’s house right on time, tapping impatiently on the steering wheel as I waited.Seconds later, the front door swung open, and Kai came bounding down the porch steps like a little rocket.“Auntie Stella!”His voice was pure excitement, cutting through the crisp morning air.I grinned, pushing open my car door just in time for him to crash into me with the force of a small tornado.“Well, good morning to you too, troublemaker.” I ruffled his hair playfully. “Ready for school?”He groaned dramatically. “No.”Suzanne appeared at the door, shaking her head with amusement. “Kai, you are five. What responsibilities do you have that make school feel exhausting?”Kai sighed like he carried the weight of the world. “Math.”I laughed, draping an arm over his small shoulders. “Oh, kiddo. If only I could save you from it.”He brightened instantly. “You could! Just tell Mommy to homeschool me instead.”Suzanne scoffed. “Absolutely not. Get in the car.”Kai groane
Desmond's pov:I checked my watch, tapping my fingers against the desk absentmindedly.It wasn’t late. Not yet. But I wasn’t planning on waiting until it was.I grabbed my phone, and scrolled through my contacts, hovering over Stella’s name for half a second longer than necessary before I hit call.She picked up after the second ring.“Wow, an actual phone call?” Her voice carried amusement. “What’s the occasion?”I smirked, leaning back in my chair. “You free tonight?”A pause. “Depends. Why?”“Because I want to take you out.”I could hear the faint smile in her voice when she responded. “And if I had plans?”“Then I’d tell you to cancel them.”She let out a short laugh, and for a moment, I could picture the way she probably rolled her eyes—playful, teasing, maybe even a little intrigued.“Lucky for you, I’m free.”“Perfect.”There was something about the simplicity of it—the ease in our conversation, the familiar pull between us—that made it feel like we hadn’t spent months figuring
Suzanne's pov:I blinked slowly, adjusting to the silence—the kind that felt too still, too empty.The space beside me was cold.Dominic was already gone.I exhaled, rolling onto my back, and letting the quiet settle around me. There was no trace of his presence—no lingering warmth from his side of the bed, no hushed footsteps from the other side of the room.Only the faint scent of his cologne remained, drifting through the air like an echo.I was a bit surprised.Dominic never lingered in the mornings—his world ran on precision, schedules, and control. If he had somewhere to be, he was already there before the city had fully woken up.Still, something about waking up alone felt different today.The night before lingered in my mind—the gala, the flashing lights, the overwhelming presence of cameras capturing every move, every glance.And then, Linda.Her silhouette.Her escape.The way the world had shifted the second I realized she was real, standing in the same space as me, still
Beware of this chapter, juicy content ahead…Suzanne’s pov:The ride home was quiet at first. Dominic looked lost and tangled in his web of thoughts. I only took a glimpse at him from time to time, but my eyes were fixed outside the window at the city lights and the dark sky with the full moon shining through the night.“Can you take down the windows, please?” I said kindly to Dominic.Once he did, the cold breeze of the night touched my skin, and I had goosebumps all over. My hands moved to my side as I held myself in an embrace, stretching my neck out the window, to feel the freeze on my face.But then a warm feeling crept on my thigh, which pulled me back into the car to see Dominic’s hand.“Don't worry so much. I will not let anyone harm you. I promise,” he said firmly, and as I looked into his eyes, I could see he was telling the truth, he would protect us with his life.“I trust you, Dominic.” Still looking into his eyes as the words escaped my lips.How could he possess so mu
Linda's pov:I stood frozen in the shadows, watching.Dominic’s voice was low, steady—full of something I had never heard from him before.Suzanne’s presence tethered him, held his focus, and pulled his attention like a force too strong to break.And the way he looked at her—God, the way he looked at her—I had never seen those eyes soften like that for anyone.Not for me.Not even when I had been at the height of my power—untouchable, admired, worshipped.Not when I had commanded rooms, made men tremble, and held Dominic’s loyalty without question.And yet—here he was, steady, present, consumed by a woman who had taken everything from me.I felt the bitter pulse of fury claw up my throat, thick and unbearable.I had to leave.The moment the parking lot cleared, I moved swiftly, heels slicing against the pavement in sharp clicks.I yanked the car door open, slipped inside, and gripped the steering wheel, my knuckles turning white as I shoved the keys into the ignition.The engine grow
Suzanne’s pov:The moment we stepped inside, I felt the world shift.Gone was the chaotic hum of paparazzi, the blinding flashes of cameras, the overwhelming noise of voices calling our names.In its place—pure elegance.I took in the space, my breath hitching at the sheer opulence surrounding me.The ceilings stretched impossibly high, adorned with intricately carved chandeliers, their crystals casting a soft golden glow over the room. Marble floors gleamed beneath my heels, reflecting the delicate swirls of candlelight from the long banquet tables that lined the hall.The guests—powerful, poised, untouchable—glided through the space effortlessly, dressed in designer gowns and sharp suits, sipping champagne like they had been born for events like this.Everything screamed prestige. Influence. Control.And yet, despite it all, I felt the faintest edge of unease.As Dominic and I followed the hostess toward our table, I glanced across the room, my gaze snagging for half a second on a
Dominic’s pov:The house was quiet.I stood near the staircase, adjusting my cufflinks, eyes fixed on the large antique clock ticking steadily in the corner.Suzanne was taking her time.I exhaled slowly, glancing down at my tailored black suit, the crisp folds settling perfectly over my frame. Everything about tonight was calculated—the return to high society, the message it sent, the game I had to play.But even with all that prepared, even with all the expectations carefully laid out—I wasn’t ready for what happened next.Because then, I heard her.The sharp click of designer heels against polished marble.A deliberate, poised rhythm.And when I looked up—Suzanne took my breath away.She descended the stairs slowly, each movement deliberate, each step commanding attention.The red dress clung to her frame, sculpted to perfection, hugging every curve, cascading down her figure like liquid silk. The slit along her leg—bold, daring, sinful—glided against her skin with every step, t
Dominic’s pov:The conference room slowly emptied, board members exchanging pleasantries on their way out, their footsteps fading into the long hallways of Khan Enterprises.The meeting had gone smoothly, but there was still a lingering tightness in my chest—the pressure of being back, of proving I was fully in control again, of ensuring no weaknesses remained.As I gathered my files, Desmond lingered, arms crossed, studying me carefully.I sighed. “Whatever you’re about to say, get it over with.”Desmond smirked. “Did you get an invite to the Blackwell Gala?”My brows furrowed. “Yes.”He tilted his head, waiting for my answer. I already knew what was coming.“I’m not going.”Desmond sighed, shaking his head. “Dominic, you have to.”I frowned, loosening the tie around my collar. “I don’t have to do anything.”“Except rebuild your public image.” His voice was firm, but not challenging, more like he was guiding me toward something obvious. “Everyone’s watching to see if you’re still th