FAZER LOGINJennifer’s POVThe touch under the table was a slow, agonizing burn that scorched right through my veins.My breath hitched in my throat, catching so hard I almost choked on the tiny sip of red wine I had just taken. Across the table, David was still engrossed in a deep conversation with Mr. Sterling about commercial real estate acquisitions, completely blind to the fact that his son’s broad, warm hand was slowly tracing a path of pure fire up the inside of my bare thigh.I squeezed my eyes shut for a fraction of a second, my fingers gripping the linen napkin in my lap so tightly that my nails bit into my palms. My heart was hammering a violent, chaotic rhythm against my ribs. I tried to press my knees together, to block his long fingers from moving any higher, but Marcus’s thigh was an immovable wall of solid muscle wedged firmly against mine."Marcus," I choked out under my breath again, turning my head toward him just enough to whisper through a rigid, fake smile. "If you don’t mov
Jennifer’s POVThe quiet in my room was suffocating, broken only by the crackle of the fireplace in the corner and the muffled sound of footsteps pacing right on the other side of the adjoining wall.I stood in front of the vanity mirror, trying to smooth down the heavy knit sweater I had thrown on for dinner. My hands wouldn't stop shaking. Every time I looked at my reflection, all I could see was the swollen curve of my bottom lip and the faint, lingering flush on my neck.'It meant nothing. It was a mistake, and it won't happen again.'His words echoed in my mind over and over again, every repetition making my blood boil with a mixture of rage and humiliation. If it meant nothing, why was he pacing like an animal trapped in a cage right next door? If it was such a stupid mistake, why was his heart hammering out of control against my chest when he had me pinned against that sink?He was a liar. A ruthless, hypocritical liar who wanted to exert total control over me while pretending
Jennifer’s POVThe door of the tiny airplane bathroom slammed behind him, and the heavy metallic lock echoed in my ears like a gunshot ringing out in an empty room.I stood there, my back pressed hard against the cold stainless steel sink, clutching the edge of the porcelain so tight my knuckles turned completely white. My breath came in short, jagged gasps, my chest heaving up and down so fast I thought I was going to pass out right there on the floor. My lips were burning... swollen, wet, and completely wrecked from the pressure of his mouth. My thighs were trembling, a deep, heavy, liquid heat pooling low in my stomach that made my knees feel like jelly.'Must be the cramped cabin air getting to my head.'The words repeated in my mind over and over again, every single repetition cutting deeper than a blade. How could he do that? How could he drag me into that suffocatingly small room, pin me against the sink until I couldn't breathe, kiss me with a hunger so feral it made my entire
Jennifer’s POV“Row twenty-four, seats A and B,” David said smoothly, sliding two blue boarding passes across the polished table toward us. “I think it’s important for you two to stay grounded. Humility is a valuable virtue, Jennifer.”I stared down at the small cards in complete disbelief, my jaw dropping slightly as the realization sank in.“Economy? You’re putting us in the back of a commercial flight while you and Mom sit in First Class?”“It’s good for you,” David replied calmly, picking up his espresso cup without a single shred of remorse.My mother gave me a quick, helpless look from beside him, nervously smoothing down her designer coat.“David is right, honey. It’s just a short flight, and besides, it gives you two a chance to bond without us hovering over you.”“Bonding in Economy,” I muttered under my breath, my hands clenching into tight fists on my lap. “Unbelievable.”“I think it’s a fantastic idea, Dad,” Marcus chimed in from right beside me, picking up both boarding p
Jennifer’s POVThe door clicked shut, leaving me alone in the suffocating silence of my bedroom. My mother’s harsh, desperate words still echoed in the corners of the room, hanging in the air like heavy smoke."Be the perfect daughter for once."I let out a long, shuddering exhale, running both hands through my hair as I sank onto the edge of the bed. Every muscle in my body felt stiff, wired with a toxic mix of exhaustion and white-hot anger. Perfect daughter. That was all anyone ever wanted from me…a silent, compliant accessory to David’s grand facade. I hated this house. I hated the forced smiles, the endless games, and the way David acted like he owned every breath I took.Most of all, I hated how completely trapped I was. Aspen wasn't going to be a vacation; it was going to be an isolation chamber. Seven full days locked in a mountain estate where David could control every move and Marcus could torment me at every turn.A quiet knot of panic tightened in my chest. I stood up slow
Jennifer’s POV"David, no…please, not that one," I blurted out, my voice laced with panic as I stared at the high-definition preview on the monitor. "I’m glaring right at him! It looks... it looks completely hostile.""Hostile?" David echoed with a crisp, dismissive laugh, placing a broad hand on my mother's shoulder. "Not at all, Jennifer. It looks raw. It looks like intensity and passion. It has character.""It looks like I want to tear his throat out," I muttered under my breath, my jaw clenching as Marcus stepped up right behind me, his chest almost brushing my shoulder."I think Dad has excellent taste, stepsister," Marcus purred smoothly into my ear, his tone dripping with mock affection. "It captures our relationship perfectly, don't you think?""This is the one," David declared firmly, tapping his finger against the photographer's screen before I could hurl another protest. "Frame it in gold for the main foyer. I want every guest who enters this house to see it.""David, reall







