登入“Let’s make a fucking deal.”
I looked up at him questioningly. “Does this deal have anything to do with you letting go of me right now?” I asked, glancing down at where his hand was still wrapped around my arm. It was like he had only just realized he was touching me. He let go so fast it was almost as if I'd burned him. I immediately took several steps back, putting some much-needed distance between us."So, John," August said, "what's the issue, or do I have to drag it out of you?" August asked.John swallowed."The court-appointed counselor just called."He looked between us."She's on her way to the house.""What court..."August stopped."...Fuck."The realization hit both of us at the same time.He turned to John."Get the car ready."John was already halfway to the door.Then August looked at me."Get your things. We're leaving.""But I still have-""We're leaving now, Genesis."Something in his voice told me not to argue.So I didn't.The entire drive home, I couldn't sit still.I wasn't even sure why I was nervous.Were we doing something wrong?Was there something we were supposed to be doing?How were we supposed to know what the counselor was looking for?By the time we pulled into the driveway, a middle-aged woman was already standing outside the front door with a leather folder tucked under one arm.She smiled warmly the moment she saw us."I'm sorry I came without much
I was so livid.If August had been in his office right then, I was sure I would've punched him.Or worse.What the hell was this?Several minutes passed, yet my anger refused to settle. If anything, it only grew.When he finally arrived, I saw him walking past my desk toward his office.Before he could take another step, I slammed the document onto his chest."What is this supposed to be?"He looked genuinely taken aback.I flipped the agreement open and jabbed a finger at the page."Clause 5.3."I read it aloud.In the unlikely event that pregnancy occurs during the ninety-day cohabitation period, both parties agree to inform each other immediately and jointly determine the best course of action in the interest of the child. If the pregnancy is carried to term, both parties shall assume equal parental responsibilities regardless of the status of the marriage at the end of the ninety-day period.I flipped to the next page."And then Clause 5.4."Party B shall not engage in any sexual
I couldn't sleep in this dress.I mean... the worst thing he could do was say no.I squeezed my eyes shut.After several painfully awkward seconds of silence, I forced the words out."I need you to help me get undressed."For a moment, he just stared at me.His eyes widened.Well...That was a reaction too."The zipper got stuck," I said quickly, my words tumbling over each other. "I've been trying to get it down for over an hour, but I can't.""Oh."He cleared his throat."Okay... sure."I stepped aside, opening the door wider for him.The moment he walked in, I regretted it.Shopping bags covered half the floor.Shoe boxes were stacked against the wall.Clothes I'd been sorting were scattered across the bed and ottoman.There was barely enough room for either of us to walk.Before the silence became any more awkward, I rushed to explain."Esme went a little crazy yesterday."I gave a nervous laugh."I was putting everything away when I decided to try this on... and then I got stuck
I once watched a movie about a girl whose life was cursed with bad luck.Later, she discovered why.In her past life, she'd been a terrible person.A villain responsible for countless deaths.The fortune teller told her that because of the sins she'd committed in her previous life, this one had become her punishment.Her prison.I'd always laughed at stories like that.I never believed in past lives.Or karma carrying over into another lifetime.But lately...I couldn't help wondering.What if there was even the slightest chance it was true?What if I really had been a villain once?Because if not...Can someone please explain why my life had been nothing but one disaster after another?My mother died giving birth to me.My father abandoned me at the hospital.He only came back when he realized I was the beneficiary of my mother's death benefits.The very next morning, he dumped me in an orphanage.I was bar
"Genesis?" I asked, convinced I'd misheard him."Yes, sir."I stared at John."The last time she worked with you, we barely had any complaints. Things got done faster."He paused."And it'll be a win-win situation."Then he lowered his voice."This way, you can keep her close.""No."The answer came too quickly.No.She wasn't the same person she used to be.And neither was I.Deep down, I already knew what the real problem was.I'd started getting too curious about her.It was bad enough that we were living under the same roof.Now you wanted us to work together too?We'd practically be around each other twenty-four hours a day.No.I needed some distance.Especially now that I was confused.Still...John had made a valid point.If she worked here, I could keep an eye on her.I could protect her from Violet.From the rest of the world.But that wasn't even the biggest problem.
"What if..."Violet's voice was barely above a whisper."What if you're already in love with her?"I froze.Was I?Could I have fallen for Genesis in such a short time?When I didn't even believe in love?No.That was impossible.I barely knew her.So why...Why did the word no refuse to leave my mouth?Why did saying it suddenly feel like I was betraying Genesis?My hand remained on the doorknob.Before I could answer, I felt Violet move closer.Her arms slipped around my waist from behind, her cheek resting lightly against my back."I know you hate it when I'm clingy," she murmured."But you have to understand."Her fingers tightened slightly."This is the only life I've ever known.""From the day I was born, everyone decided we'd get married.""Our families.""Our companies.""Our future.""We were supposed to merge everything.""And rule together.""Remember our deal?" she asked softly.That one sentence settled over my shoulders like a weight.It always had.The words dragged me
GenesisAs I heard his door close, I slid to the ground, exhausted.I'd been holding all of this in.From almost being drugged at Enzo's, to losing my house, to being here, to Dad, and now this.The comments.They said all these things about me.They didn't even know me.
The meetings were unending, one strategic meeting after another.Every supplier was trying to get into the Winslow Group’s good books, so it was either the hardware was unavailable or it was unavailable.And now rumours were flying around that our rivals were suddenly pushing for an
"Where the hell am I?"The words tore out of me before I could stop them.Then I made the mistake of looking down.What?I was naked.Well... almost naked.How?My heart nearly stopped.I scrambled backward across the bed, trying to remember what had happened.
I exhaled loudly, wiping my sweaty palms on my apron before pushing through the curtain leading to the VIP section.My heart was beating way too fast.The VIP rooms were almost never used, so this was my first time walking down the long hallway that led to them.Occasionally, some gue







