LOGINEmmaThe day drags on, and I do my best to focus on the work in front of me, pushing everything else out of my mind. The sound of typing and the soft murmur of office noise all serve as a distraction. I need to stay busy, need to bury myself in something just to keep from succumbing to the mess inside my head.I’ve just finished replying to a string of emails when the click of heels echoes through the office. The sound grows louder, and before I can fully register what’s happening, my mother is walking towards my desk. I freeze, my heart thudding loudly in my chest.Then she walks past my desk without so much as a glance and heads straight to Iva’s desk. I watch, still sitting frozen in my chair, as my mother drops her laptop in front of Iva with a sharp, irritated movement. My heart sinks as I see the tension on Iva’s face.“What is this nonsense?” my mother snaps, her voice icy. “You were supposed to get the details of every lead you found. Where are they?”Iva looks up from her
The moonlight slips through the thin curtains. I toss and turn, restless, the silk sheets tangling around my legs like a trap, refusing to offer me even the smallest comfort. It’s as if the more I try to find a place of peace, the further it slips away from me.Every time I close my eyes, I see the confrontation with my mother. Her words echo in my head, slicing through the quiet of my thoughts.Disowned. The word hangs in the air like a curse, a final severing of the bond I had foolishly hoped still existed between us. I had always known it, deep down, even when I was her daughter only in name. Her rejection isn’t the worst part, though. It’s the realization that she never meant well for me.I roll onto my left side, the cool sheets sliding beneath me as I try to steady my breathing. But no matter how hard I try, the image of Knox fills my mind, and a fresh wave of pain grips my chest. He was the only one who ever really saw me for who I am. The only person who offered me somethin
KnoxI watch the sweat bead up on his forehead, his hands twitching nervously. The recording of his voice still lingers in the air. He knows what’s coming. His face, once full of pride and ambition, is now pale and lined with fear. His eyes are wide with guilt, and I can almost taste the desperation in his voice when he speaks."Knox, please," Mr. Carter pleads, his voice breaking as he looks at me, his fear palpable. "I’ll do anything. Please, don’t let that recording get out. It’ll ruin me. Everything I’ve worked for... it’ll all be over."A chuckle slips from my lips, but it’s dry, lacking any warmth. I lean back in my chair, watching him squirm. “Are you sure about that, Mr. Carter? Anything?”His eyes widen even further, and he nods quickly, desperation filling his words. “Anything. Just name it. Please.”I don’t answer immediately. Instead, I reach into my briefcase, the click of the metal locks echoing through the room like a gunshot. I pull out a thick stack of legal document
KnoxI step out of the car into the cool night air, the darkness wrapping around me.The chaos of the day still clings to me, but it’s the urgency of what’s to come that truly grips me. I’ve spent the whole day turning over every detail, trying to plan the best way to tackle the looming danger Gina, my soon-to-be ex-wife, has brought into my life. Everything I’ve worked for is at risk, and I have to face it now. There’s no more running from it.I walk down the quiet street, my steps steady but heavy with determination. The mansion ahead looms large, its lights glowing across the perfectly trimmed lawn. As I get closer, my mind sharpens, and the anger simmering beneath the surface intensifies. I’ve been here before, this house, these walls, but tonight, it feels different.Reaching the front door, I lift my hand and knock. The sound breaks the silence. The door opens almost immediately, and Mrs. Carter greets me with a warm smile, her expression friendly and inviting."Hello, Mrs. C
EmmaTwo days later.Work is a blur. My mind keeps replaying the events of the last few days over and over, each moment more suffocating than the last. Now my mother knows about my affair with Knox, and I thought I’d be able to handle her reaction, to match her energy and keep my composure, but I can’t anymore. The weight of it all is too much to bear.I sit at my desk, my hands trembling slightly as I try to focus on the stack of papers in front of me, but the tears keep coming. I tell myself to stop, to pull it together, but each time I blink, more fall down my cheeks. I’m powerless against them.Just then, Iva appears next to me, her presence gentle but firm. She hands me a handkerchief without saying a word, her eyes filled with understanding.I blink in surprise, quickly taking it from her and wiping my face. The cool cloth feels like a small comfort against the emotional storm inside me.Without a word, Iva pulls out a chair and sits beside me, her gaze soft and kind as she wat
MonicaGina’s question hits me like a cold wave, a tight knot forming deep in my chest. I can feel the heat of anxiety rising in me, but I push it down, take a long drag from my cigarette, and blow the smoke up into the air, letting the familiar burn calm my nerves.I force myself to speak steadily, my voice betraying none of the unease I feel. “It’s nothing to worry about. I’ve got it under control.”She smiles. But before she can respond, her phone rings, snapping her out of the moment.She quickly digs into her purse, pulls out the phone, and answers without hesitation.“Oh, I see,” she says, her voice shifting to that businesslike tone. “I’ll be there in a few minutes.”The call ends as quickly as it started, and she looks at me with a small sigh, like she’s already planning her next move.“It’s been nice chatting, but I’ve got to go now,” she says, the words almost casual, but there’s an edge of urgency in her tone that I can’t ignore.I nod, trying to keep my face neutral, but i
Knox I clasp my palm around her wrist, leaving the lounge. Following my lead, I tug her arm gently as we push through the crowd, dancing and cheering to the blasting music.As we head for the exit, Ms. Emily waltzes toward us with a perfect smile in place."I see you found her. Are you leaving alr
KnoxI claim her lips in a passionate kiss not giving her any chance to move. Her hands glide down the hard, muscular planes of my back, and then her fingers digs into my skin.She return my kiss with a ferocious hunger, like it's the only thing she wants. My fingers finds it's way to get inner thi
KnoxMy breath catches in my throat. Her question renders me speechless. For a second, I freeze.“Daddy?”I clear my throat, her eyes on me. Its not too late, I can end this now before it blows out of proportion.“Sorry, I wasn't paying attention. What did you say?”“What happens if I get pregnant?
Emma I watch her squirm beneath the intense heat of my stare. I tuck my hands into my pocket.A chuckle rolls out of my lips. “How does it feel to be outplayed in your own game?” I tilt my head at the side, analyzing every step she makes.Panic flashes in her eyes and she swallows hard, her throat







