LOGINi had dived headfirst into research for this new role. Even though I knew I wanted to apply for the position Sebastian mentioned, I still needed to gather more knowledge. I wanted to be my own person again, especially after the humiliation I suffered two nights ago.Currently, Eric and I were at a stalemate. We were in a silent war with each other, both living under the same roof but miles apart. He was probably hoping that I would crumble and beg for his attention, but I refused to give him that satisfaction. The only person I was interested in interacting with was my son.For some reason, Chloe was also giving me the cold shoulder. I guessed she was choosing to support her uncle in this fight. It hurt, but it made me realize a harsh truth: even if Eric and I were to separate someday, she wouldn't choose me. She would stay on his side. I accepted the fact that, in this massive house, my son was the only real family I had left.“Eat your peas, honey,” I said to Finn as he grumbled at
“Chloe, have a seat,” I said, offering her the available chair next to me. “Mr. Woods and I were just discussing work.” I tried my best to ease the sudden tension vibrating between them.Sebastian retracted his hand after Chloe pointedly refused to shake it. She didn't even look at him; she just turned to me with a frozen expression. “Uncle was looking for you,” she uttered coldly.“Well, I am here. Tell him I am seated right here,” I told her. She gave a nod before walking off. I watched her back disappear into the crowd, my mind racing. What was that about?“Did you do something to her?” I asked Sebastian as soon as I faced him again.“No, this is my first time meeting Miss Kingston,” he said with a shrug, his blue eyes unreadable. “Now, back to your theories,” he said, steering the conversation away from the awkwardness.“The involvement of technology is still a slow process, with people still labeling it as destructive,” I said, picking up the thread. “Rightfully so, after all tho
"Are you ready?” I heard Eric say.I was seated at the vanity, finishing up the final touches of my makeup. My hands were slightly shaking, but I kept my voice steady. “Yes,” I answered him. I carefully arranged a few items into my clutch, clicking it shut. I stood up to smooth the wrinkles on my dress, but before I could move away, I felt his presence behind me.I felt his hands wrap firmly around my waist before his head rested on my shoulder. The heat radiating from him was overwhelming.“You look exquisite, my sweet,” he said, pressing a lingering kiss on my exposed collarbone. “It has been so long since we had sex,” he whispered into my ear. I let out a shudder, but it wasn’t one of desire. He nipped at my earlobe, his grip tightening. “It has been so long since I felt your tightness,” he said, pressing himself into me. I could feel him through his pants; he was already semi-hard.“Eric, the baby,” I said, trying to reason with him. I looked at our reflection in the mirror—he loo
The elevator dinged, a clinical sound that pulled me out of my spiraling thoughts. The doors slid open to the third floor, revealing a quiet, high-end hallway that smelled of expensive cleaning products. Gabriel led the way, his stride professional.We passed an open office space where a few employees were hunched over dual monitors, their typing creating a rhythmic white noise. Finally, we reached a heavy, soundproofed door. Gabriel opened it, ushering me into an office space.It was exquisite.The minimalist style screamed Eric’s influence—everything was a monochrome palette of black, charcoal grey, and deep walnut browns. It felt like stepping into a black-and-white movie.“You stay here, ma’am. Sir is in a meeting right now,” Gabriel said, his voice softening. I think he saw the tension in my shoulders. “I’ll leave you to it.”I thanked him as the door clicked shut, leaving me in the silence of Eric’s world. I set the insulated lunch bag on the coffee table—a sleek piece of marble
The kitchen was quiet, save for the hum of the refrigerator and the rhythmic sound of my knife against the cutting board. I was meticulously arranging a bento-style lunch for Eric. Since Fin had started school, the silence in the house had become suffocatingly lonely, pressing against my chest. I needed to do something. I needed to feel useful.The surprise was meant to be a bridge—a way to cross the sudden chasm that had opened between us.I still couldn't shake the memory of this morning. I had watched him dress in a charcoal suit, his movements precise and mechanical. It was the first time I’d seen him "suit up" since the funeral, and it sent a jolt of shock through me.“Where are you heading off to?” I had asked, leaning against the doorframe of the dressing room.“Work,” he replied. His voice was curt, lacking the usual warmth that usually he reserved for me.“Work? But you don’t have a job,” I said, trying to inject a bit of our usual playfulness into the air. “Aren’t you techni
Eleanor’s PovEleanor sank into the plush leather of the executive chair—a brand new suite she’d ordered the moment she’d moved into Eric’s old office. She had spent the first forty-eight hours purging every single trace of her brother from these four walls. She’d replaced his minimalist art with gilded frames and swapped his mahogany desk for something more "regal." She didn't know how she would maintain her composure if she were constantly reminded of the humiliation she had suffered at his hands.It had been two weeks since her father had taken his last breath, and one week since the cold, hard reality had set in: she was getting absolutely nothing from the Kingston estate.The memory of her meeting with the estate attorney still left a bitter taste in her mouth. She had stormed into his office, clutching the copy of the will like a weapon.“So, is there a way to contest it?” she had asked, leaning over his desk before she’d even sat down.The lawyer, a man who charged more per hou
Autumn’s POVWe had finally arrived in Edinburgh. After the flight and the long drive from the private airfield, I was physically exhausted. The city was beautiful even in the dark, with its old stone streets and the looming castle in the distance, but I was too tired to truly appreciate
Eric’s POVWe sat in her modest living room and talked about a few things. As the hours went by, I got to know so much more about Autumn’s childhood than I ever expected. If the stellar grades I had seen in the files were not enough, the physical proof of her achievements sparked even more respect
I had spent the last few days trying to settle into the new house in Edinburgh. On the outside, everything looked perfect. The stone walls were strong, the air was fresh, and we were far away from the chaos of London. But inside the house, a different kind of war was starting.I had tried to get to
Eric’s POV"—so that's why it's important I go do this alone," I said to Autumn. I didn't look at her as I spoke, focusing instead on the metal teeth of my suitcase as I pulled the zipper shut. The sound was loud in the quiet bedroom, echoing like a final decision."But still, I







