Se connecterChloe
I woke up to fluorescent lights burning against my eyelids and the steady beep of machines somewhere close to my head, and when I tried to move my leg I felt cold metal digging into my ankle.My eyes focused slowly and I saw my mother sitting in the visitor's chair beside the hospital bed with her hands folded in her lap, and she looked like she had aged ten years since I last saw her. I tried to push myself up but a sharp stabbing pain shot through my abdomen and forcMitchelle “Beep, beep, beep, beep,” the alarm clock rang. “It’s time to wake up, Mitchelle.”That was the alarm clock, Dorian’s new invention, a talking toy rooster.I had registered my name in it the night before and put it on the side of my bed because I wanted to start the day early, knowing I had lots of meetings.I got up still wrapped in Dorian's arms with the morning sunlight streaming through the curtains, and for a moment everything felt perfect and safe until my phone started buzzing repeatedly on the nightstand.I reached over carefully to grab it without disturbing Dorian and saw my screen flooded with emails, including one marked urgent from Mark Wellington confirming our meeting scheduled for this morning. Mark was one of the biggest names in commercial real estate development and I had impressed him enough at the gala that he wanted to discuss potential partnerships, so this meeting could not be missed.He clearl
ChloeI woke up to fluorescent lights burning against my eyelids and the steady beep of machines somewhere close to my head, and when I tried to move my leg I felt cold metal digging into my ankle.My eyes focused slowly and I saw my mother sitting in the visitor's chair beside the hospital bed with her hands folded in her lap, and she looked like she had aged ten years since I last saw her. I tried to push myself up but a sharp stabbing pain shot through my abdomen and forced me back down against the pillows.The memories came flooding back in fragments, Jason's fists connecting with my face, blood on the marble stairs, the weight of the gun in my shaking hand, and then three loud bangs that echoed through the foyer before everything went black."Mom," I managed to croak out while my throat felt like sandpaper. "Mom, what is happening? Why is my leg handcuffed to the bed?"My mother stood up quickly and reached for my hand."Cal
JasonI drove home in complete silence with my hands gripping the steering wheel so tightly my knuckles had turned white, and the image of Hunt Enterprises burning played on repeat in my mind like a horror film I could not turn off.My mother had practically forced me out of her mansion with instructions to go home and rest, though rest felt impossible when everything I had built was literally turning to ash.When I pulled up to the Hunt estate I noticed Chloe's car was just arriving at the same time, and I watched through my windshield as she climbed out of the driver's seat looking completely unbothered by the world falling apart around us.The trunk popped open and I could see it was packed with shopping bags from every luxury store, designer labels spilling out in a grotesque display of excess.Chloe did not even glance in my direction or wait for me to get out of my car, she just walked straight toward the house while snapping her fi
JasonI woke up before dawn with my mind already racing through everything that needed to be handled, and I slipped out of bed quietly so I would not disturb Chloe who was still sleeping peacefully on her side. I needed to go to the office first, and then I would drive to my mother's mansion where she promised we would make a comprehensive plan to salvage what was left of Hunt Enterprises. I dressed in one of my best suits because maintaining appearances mattered even when everything else was falling apart, and I grabbed my keys and briefcase before heading downstairs.The drive to the office felt longer than usual, and when I pulled into the executive parking garage I immediately noticed how empty everything looked. There were only three or four cars in spaces that should have been packed with employee vehicles by this hour, and an uneasy feeling settled in my stomach as I walked toward the entrance.I pushed through the glass doors a
MitchelleThe drive home from the Waldorf felt like floating on air, I could not stop talking about every single detail of the evening while Dorian listened with an amused smile playing at his lips. I replayed conversations with Elena Petrova, recounted the business cards I had collected, and kept circling back to the moment when everyone stood up to applaud my presentation."Did you see the way that venture capitalist from Silicon Valley practically begged me to schedule a call?" I asked, turning in my seat to face Dorian. "And Elena, oh my god Dee, Elena told me she wants to discuss potential partnerships over lunch next week. Can you believe that?""I can absolutely believe it," Dorian replied, reaching over to take my hand. "You were incredible up there, Chelley.""I have enough meetings lined up that I am sure I could get investors for my own company if I ever decide to start one," I continued, the possibilities spun through my min
JasonI stormed out of the Waldorf with my jaw clenched so tight I thought my teeth might crack, and every step away from that ballroom felt like walking through quicksand while my entire world collapsed around me. Everything had crumbled tonight, every single plan I made had blown up in my face, and my last minute strategy to win over investors by presenting at the gala had backfired so spectacularly I could still feel the weight of their disappointed stares.The valet brought my car around and I tipped him without making eye contact. I drove home through the city streets while replaying every humiliating moment on an endless loop in my mind. Elena Petrova's cutting words, the silent audience when I asked that question, Mitchelle standing on that stage commanding respect I could never earn, and worst of all the pity I saw in some people's eyes when they looked at me.When I pulled into the driveway of our estate the house was lit up f
MitchelleI stood in front of the full length mirror and smoothed my hands down the red dress that hugged every curve of my body, and the fabric stopped just above my knees in a way that was elegant but daring. I twisted my hair into a sleek bun that showed off my neck and collarbones, and I applie
MitchelleI sat in the living room of the Hunt house for the last time with a lawyer on either side of the large table. Danika sat to my right reviewing the divorce papers one final time, and Jason's lawyer, Mr. Bernard sat across from us with his briefcase open and his expression professionally ne
JasonI stood in front of my closet changing out of my work clothes when Chloe walked into the bedroom with that satisfied smile she had been wearing constantly since we announced the wedding."What do you want to eat babe?" she questioned. "Your mom and my mom are still downstairs going through th
MitchelleI walked through the front door that morning and immediately heard voices coming from the living room. My stepmother, Diana and Chloe were sitting together surrounded by wedding magazines and fabric samples, completely absorbed in their planning."Good morning," I greeted them as I passed







