LOGINThis is what you get for daring to lower your guard. You pathetic bastard! The self-directed curse echoed viciously in Lukas's mind, a sharp whip cracking against his fragile peace. The banana cream pie, once a vessel of nostalgic bliss, now sat half-eaten on the carpet before him, its allure dimmed by the bitter aftertaste of rejection. He wasn't in the mood to bask in this forced family charade anymore though the primal urge to devour the rest of the pie alone gnawed at him insistently. He craved solitude, the sanctuary where he could rage unchecked or simply stew in silence.Part of him itched to summon the anger, to let it blaze and consume the hurt. But no allowing Gloria's fleeting look of disgust to unravel him this deeply? That would make him even more pathetic, a grown man undone by a spoonful of cream and a hurried exit. Get a grip, he snarled inwardly. With deliberate resolve, Lukas snatched up his large plate still mounded with creamy goodness—and the glass of water, risin
Lukas leaned back slightly on the plush carpet, his eyelids fluttering shut as the inaugural bite of Gloria's homemade banana cream pie danced across his palate. The texture was divine velvety whipped cream yielding to tender slices of fresh banana, all cradled in a golden, flaky crust that shattered with the perfect crunch. Each flavor layer unfolded like a symphony: the subtle tang of vanilla, the ripe tropical sweetness of bananas kissed by just the right amount of caramelization, and the rich, buttery undertones that lingered long after the swallow. For a fleeting moment, the high-powered CEO of Apex Innovations—a 25-year-old titan whose company shares had skyrocketed 300% in the last year, whose chiseled features and brooding charisma made him a tabloid heartthrob and red-carpet staple felt utterly transported.Yet, beneath the indulgence, a flicker of irritation simmered. Gloria still treated him like the scrawny kid who'd raid the fridge at midnight, not the man who commanded b
Vernon paused mid-argument, his eyes narrowing as he turned toward the soft voice that had just cut through the chaos. "Lukas, did Annabel do something wrong?" Gloria asked, her tone gentle but firm, stepping into the spacious penthouse kitchen with a warm smile that seemed to diffuse the tension like sunlight breaking through clouds.Lukas and Annabel froze in their heated exchange, both whipping their heads around to face Gloria simultaneously. The little girl, Annabel, with her wild curls bouncing and cheeks flushed from the excitement of the bickering, was the first to pipe up, her voice a dramatic wail laced with righteous indignation. "Mommy! Uncle Lukas wants to rob my banana cream pie! He said he would eat Mommy if I didn't give him my pie! He's being a big meanie!"Lukas's face turned a shade of red, not from embarrassment but from sheer exasperation. "What the rob?! That's ridiculous! I was just trying to claim my rightful pie!" he protested vehemently, crossing his arms ove
Lukas returned to his sleek, high-rise office in the heart of the city, his mood as black as a storm cloud. He was seething, pissed beyond measure because he'd been forced to overhaul his meticulously laid plans for toppling his older brother. What he'd envisioned as a swift, surgical strike a quick but devastating blow to Victor's empire had morphed into a protracted chess game, demanding strategy, restraint, and endless recalculations. Patience had never been Lukas's strong suit; he was a man of decisive action. If he craved something, he seized it with ruthless efficiency, leveraging every ounce of his power, wealth, and cunning. If vengeance called, he delivered nightmares tailored to shatter souls. Lukas was primed to unleash his fury on anyone who crossed his path—fortunately, Isaiah, his sharp-witted assistant, was nowhere in sight. Isaiah had been dispatched earlier to liaise with art vendors across the city, a direct consequence of Lukas's earlier rampage: he'd demolished ha
Lilly was utterly confident that she knew every woman who had crossed paths with Victor over the past four years a privilege that had always been hers alone, one Gloria had never been granted. For reasons that baffled everyone, Victor had steadfastly refused to let Gloria work in his office, even when she'd offered her services multiple times. She possessed all the qualities of an exemplary secretary: sharp organizational skills, unflappable poise under pressure, and an intuitive grasp of his needs. But Victor had only scoffed at her overtures, dismissing her as a "dumb bitch" unfit for the intellectual demands of the role. "You're too busy crying and playing housewife," he'd sneered. "Secretary work requires real brainpower—something you squander on tears."Lilly had always taken immense pride in her position as Victor's private secretary, viewing herself as vastly superior to his frumpy wife in every way: smarter, sexier, more ambitious. Her competence had blossomed into something i
I just want to keep you company while you watch your movie. What's so wrong with that?" Lilly pleaded, her voice a mix of feigned innocence and rising frustration. This would mark the very first time she'd perched on this bed the one Gloria had once claimed night after night, cuddling up beside Victor as they shared lazy evenings with popcorn and films. Lilly had always been relegated to stolen afternoons or hotel suites, never granted this intimate privilege. But now, with Gloria gone, she saw her opening. Victor's face darkened, his jaw clenching in barely contained anger. "I never gave you permission to 'accompany' me. Not here, not like this. Leave now before I completely lose my patience." Lilly gasped, her hand flying to her chest in theatrical shock. "How dare you! You've said things like that to me before playful, teasing and I loved it!" "Well, this isn't playful," Victor shot back, his tone icy and final. "This is the new reality. Get used to it. Leave." Lilly froze,
Gloria spent the entire afternoon keeping herself busy, moving from one task to another as if stopping even for a second would allow her thoughts to swallow her wholeShe stripped the bed, washed the sheets, cleaned every trace left behind in Lukas’s room, her movements steady but her mind anything
Gloria shot him a cold, furious glare. Her fingers trembled slightly at her sides.“You’re a bastard, Lukas,” she said through clenched teeth. “Just like your brother.”Without waiting for his response, she turned sharply and walked out of the CEO’s office. Her old heels struck the marble floor lou
Ah!" Gloria gasped sharply, her heart slamming against her ribs. She was convinced he was fully awake now, and sheer terror gripped her—she was scared out of her mind, bracing for another explosion of anger.But mere seconds later, Lukas's eyelids fluttered shut again, though he kept her hand firml
Gloria continued to caress Annabel's soft, silky hair with gentle, rhythmic strokes, her fingers moving soothingly until she was absolutely certain her daughter was fully asleep, her breathing steady and even like a soft lullaby.Only then, feeling a wave of relief wash over her, did Gloria slowly







