LOGINWriting this story has been wild, yâall đ Are you enjoying it? 𼺠Tell me your favorite scene in the comment. I might just surprise you in the next chapter đđ¤
I got dressed at Mariel's.I put on the red dress, it was silk and backless, bringing out my curves.It fitted my body so well. Just that I wasn't going to the dinner happily. The sapphire pendant rested on my chest, heavier than jewelry had any right to be.The burner phone is hidden inside it.I took a deep breath and blew air into my palm then rubbed my palms together to calm my nerves.At the door, Mariel pulled me into a tight hug. âBe careful,â she murmured sadly as I had to cut our time short. âAnd if it goes south, text 911. I mean it.âI nodded, holding on to her for sometime. Trying to believe I still had choices.The restaurant was glowing under crystal chandeliers, the white tablecloths were neat.Everywhere was beautiful and immaculate. I almost felt relaxed until I remembered what was ahead of me. Elias was waiting at the bar. His face lit up when he saw me, satisfaction flashing through his eyes.He leaned in, and then kissed me, his hand settling low on my bare back
Morning light slipped through the blinds of Eliasâs penthouse, striping the room and resting on my face as I was facing the window.He was already dressed up, in a well ironed suit and a dark blue tie to match his outfit.His well was neatly combed. He looked smart and handsome, not gonna lie.He kissed my forehead before leaving for his âmeetings,â the kiss was quiet and quick.He stood still as his eyes searched my face when he pulled back, like he was looking for a tell or maybe any small crack that would give me out.Then he sighed. I remembered yesterday night and how I had managed to sneak in immediately Alaric dropped me off.Thank heavens that I wasn't caught. I was scared for my messed up life.The door clicked shut behind him as he left for work. I waited for about ten long minutes, well I had already decided on how to spend my day today.I decided to go see Mariel. It's been forever since I saw her.Then I grabbed my bag, and put some essential girls things that I will be
âBecause I still love you.â Her voice broke on the last word. âIn my own way.âShe leaned in, close enough that there was no mistaking the intention. Her lips brushed his, barely there, then she kissed him softly testing if he would give in or not.He didn't return it, but he didn't pull away either.My eyes turned, and the room doubled in my vision. Jealousy rose within me, and my stomach twisted.Then Alaric stepped back, creating a small space between them. He clenched his hands and then unclenched it.And then he said with a finality. âDon't.âHelenaâs mouth curved into a sad smile. âRegrets donât help now. Iâll see you at the board.â She grabbed her coat and left, her heels resounding in the whole room.She walked out with authority.The door closed.Alaric collapsed into his chair, with his elbows on his knees, and face buried in his hands.I stayed hidden for five long minutes, every second replaying the show I had just watched.When I finally slipped out, my legs felt unstea
The hospital corridors were filled with fluorescent lights and the steady interruption of pagers, business as usual, except for the tension rising behind Alaricâs doorI had slipped in through the staff entrance at 2:45, the sapphire pendant was clung to my throat.The burner phone in my pocket kept reminding me of everything that I have been through lately.Elias thought I was at a client lunch; his tracking app was happily reporting my location at some midtown bistro.But I wasnât there. I was here, just because Alaricâs message had come through an hour earlier.The message was short and unsettling:Helenaâs landing at JFK. Meeting at 3. Stay away.Of course I didnât. Curiosity or maybe jealousy got hold of me and wouldn't let go.I sneaked in and hid in the adjacent supply closet.I opened the door a little so that I could be able to see and hear them.My heart was beating so fast that I could swear I thought for a second that it would give me away.The elevator dinged at 3:02. Hee
The Audi moved down along the forgotten service road, the engine was moving fast the same way my heart was beating fast.We passed pine trees, dancing like they had no care in the world. Niko drove with one hand.His other hand was holding his phone casually even though the way he held it made it look like he was holding something life threatening.âEyes forward,â he said pleasantly, then flicked the screen toward us.Photos. Dozens.Alaric and me on the cabin porch at dawn, his hand on my neck.Me leaving his penthouse, hair wild, lips swollen.âEyes forward,â he said lightly, like he was offering us direction instead of threat. Then he turned his phone, and showed us the screen A blurry frame from the shower video appeared with my body curved toward him, his face buried between my thighs.My stomach twisted. Alaric held the seat tightly with his face strong. His face doesnât have any emotion.âBeautiful work,â Niko said, smirking. âWith perfect clarity. Enough to end a career, a m
Afterward, he looked for the nearest blanket and pulled it over us, he made sure that I was well covered.The firelight flickered across his chest, turning his skin a warm, molten gold.He hesitated, just enough for me to feel the shift in the air, then said, very softly,âThereâs something you need to know.ââElias didnât just leak rumors,â Alaric said, his eyes were fixed on the fire like he couldnât bring himself to look at me yet. âHe stole patient data, years of records, he moved timestamps, and fabricated complaints. Enough to end my career if the board believes it and decides to look into the matter.âI pushed myself up to balance one elbow, the blanket slipping down my shoulder. âWhy?ââIt's because I have you,â he answered as he drew lines on my back. He was doing it in a way that made me calm.âAnd because Helena taught him how to destroy anything he canât control.âI felt my throat dry, but I forced myself to look him straight in the eyes.âWe need to stop him.âHe nodded







