LOGINAuthor’s POV“Mind if we get out of here?” Rhea whispered, and before Ethan could even respond, she was already pulling him by the hand.“He’s leaving with that guy, dude,” one of Rowan’s friends said, tapping him on the shoulder.“She’s free to. That’s the plan anyway,” Rowan replied, returning to his seat as his friends followed behind him.“I have a big feeling this plan of yours is going to backfire,” one of his friends warned, shaking his head. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”Rowan sighed, sinking back into his seat. Instead of responding, he called his girls over, and before long, they were making out with him as usual. Still, his friend’s warning lingered somewhere in the back of his mind.Meanwhile, Rhea dragged Ethan toward the car.“Take me home,” she said, turning toward him with a playful smile. Her hand moved across his chest, slowly making its way down toward his waist. Just before it could go any further, Ethan caught her hand and held it firmly.“You are no fun,” Rhea c
Author's POVRhea sat down and picked up the papers lying on the table, forcing a smile as she flipped through page after page. So many assets. Valuable ones."I guess he was kind enough to let me have something," she said, trying her best not to let it show how much it hurt. Just a normal wife taking a few of her soon-to-be ex-husband's properties after a breakup. Totally normal. But her composure cracked the moment a knock sounded at the door.She steadied her face, checked the mirror, practiced a smile, and opened the door. Lyra stood there."Hi, bestie."The sight of her, combined with everything else, shattered whatever was left of Rhea's composure. She broke down crying. Lyra pulled her inside and held her while she sobbed.Once the tears slowed, Rhea told her everything and showed her the list of assets Rowan had given her."I'm so sorry, Rhea. I've been a bad friend. I shouldn't have judged you for falling in love. Love makes you do the unpredictable," Lyra said, rubbing her h
Rhea's POV"Ethan?" I repeated, eyes widening as I stepped into the dining room. He wasn’t bluffing. There he sat, directly across from Rowan, who was already gesturing for me to join them.Our eyes met for a brief second before I forced mine away and sat down, reluctant, waiting for some kind of explanation. A few minutes of awkward silence passed, and with it, the strong urge to just turn around and go back to my room."I wanted to apologize for today." Rowan broke the silence first.What is he blabbing about now? I asked myself. No answer came."I acted irrationally. I didn’t consider your feelings." He turned to face me fully. "I shouldn’t interfere with your life that way. You’re an adult. You know what’s best for you.""What are you talking about?" I asked, genuinely confused."I’m saying I acted possessive over you when you weren’t mine to be possessive over. I forgot you have a life to live. So, I’m apologizing." He stood. "I’ll leave you two to it. I have something important
Author's POVSilence returned to the car.Rowan slowly unbuttoned the first few buttons of his shirt as a sudden wave of heat hit him. He leaned back against the seat, running a hand through his hair as he tried to process what had just happened. He knew Rhea had some kind of crush on him. He had noticed the little things: like having his name engraved on her dildo but he saw it as some crazy fantasy stuff. But love?That was a strong word, one he hadn’t expected to hear from her that night. And the way she had said it, without hesitation, had caught him completely off guard.He cleared his throat and looked out the window. “Call the driver back.”The driver quickly returned to the car, and soon they were on their way home. The moment her feet touched the ground, she rushed toward the house without even looking at Rowan. She was so embarrassed that she wanted nothing more than to disappear.She stumbled over something on her way inside, nearly losing her balance. Pain radiated throu
Author’s POVEthan froze, every instinct screaming at him to pull her close and lose himself in her, but just before he could melt into the kiss, he gripped her shoulders and pushed her back.“You shouldn’t do this,” he said, his hands still firm on her.Rhea smiled, tipsy and slow with her words. “You can’t tell me what to do.”“But I can.” The voice came from behind her, and they both jumped. Even drunk, Rhea sobered instantly as she turned.“Mr. Langston?” Ethan exclaimed.“Hi, Ethan.”Rowan’s voice came from the shadows.He stepped forward slowly, his white shirt unbuttoned at the collar, hands tucked into the pockets of his black trousers as he studied them.“You need to leave, Ethan. My men will take you home.”Rhea was already shaking.He looked at her for a moment, and there was something like pity in his eyes. But he didn’t say anything. He simply turned and slipped away, leaving Rhea alone with Rowan.The door clicked shut behind him.Rhea’s heart began pounding violently ag
Rhea's POVYou know that moment when you want to stay angry at a person, but they suddenly start acting right? That was the new Rowan.Suddenly, he didn’t go out for days, and when he did, he came back alone. He even slept in my room whenever I refused to sleep in his. He brought me flowers, sent me random texts, and just when I started getting too comfortable, I would hear him in the other room, banging some chick.And I had one month left.Eleven months gone, and yet he still wasn’t head over heels or in love with me like I had presumed he would be by now.Tonight was one of those nights. I scrolled through my phone, needing to get out of the house, but this time, I didn’t want to call Lyra. I kept scrolling, my earbuds plugged tightly into my ears, until my eyes finally landed on one contact.Ethan.I stared at the number for a while before finally deciding to call. My heart was beating fast, and I didn’t even know what I would say if he picked up. The phone rang for a while, but h
AUTHOR’S POV The next morning Rhea woke up feeling exhausted but strangely excited.She had dreamed about Rowan again.Blushing slightly, she hurried to get dressed for school. She found Lyra by the lockers and pulled her aside by the elbow.“I have to tell you something.”Lyra gave her the look.
AUTHOR’S POV“Erhm… nothing,” Rhea replied quickly, trying to keep her eyes from drifting to the pillow.“I sure heard something,” Mr. Rowan said as he stepped fully into the room, his eyes darting around curiously.Rhea’s stomach dropped. “I don’t… I don’t hear anything.”Rowan began walking close
Rhea’s POVOne minute I was with my father, answering his questions about boyfriends. Next, I was seated in Mr. Rowan Langston’s office, my hands clasped tightly in my lap as I waited for him.According to my dad, Rowan needed a fake bride. Someone discreet. Clean. No drama. No ill intentions. One
A Few Days Back!!AUTHOR’S POV Rowan Langston was halfway out of his office when his phone rang.He had just shrugged into his jacket, his mind already shifting to numbers, timelines, and a client who hated being kept waiting. Meetings didn’t bother him. People did. Still, he moved with purpose, l







