LOGINThree days more, that's all Talia had to wait, because today, it was all coming down. The email didn’t come with noise. It arrived with a quiet disbelief in each word. Just a subject line that landed quietly in the inbox of every senior member of the Benson Group:— URGENT: Sanderson Medical Review (Confidential)Bill Benson opened it first. At first, it looked like any other compliance file—structured, clean, annoyingly thorough. But then he started reading, and his expression changed.The moment the first call came in, Bill’s jaw tightened. He turned to his secretary. “Call for a meeting! Now. "Across the city, Ethan sat in his office, phone to his ear, a smile to his face because Bill Benson finally said it.“We’re pulling out. Not just pulling out,” Bill continued. “We’re burning it down on the way out.”“Good.”After a long meeting, the Bensons had come to a conclusion and right now, it was time for a final blow to the Sandersons. Ethan’s gaze darkened.Phase One — Reed Withdr
"Just so you know... I'm not an artist. If yours comes out better, it's just as it should be." Ethan whined in a whisper as they sat opposite each other, a sketch book and pencils in their hands, sketching each other's curves and loveliness. Talia stifled a chuckle. They were in the library. As much as she wished they could have more open dates, it wasn't possible with her kind of family. But Ethan didn't seem to be complaining. "Done." she smiled, meanwhile Ethan had this scared look as he looked down at his own craft. Talia laughed out now but got hushed by the librarian. As she stretched her hands to grab his book which he was withholding, insisting to redo his sketch, she felt something wet on her lips. A whisper following in her ears. "Babe...." "Babe..... *It did the job. It pulled her awake. Awake from the only place where she could own a real happy smile — DREAMLAND. The first thing Talia felt when she woke again was the weight. Not pain. Not fear. Weight.It pressed do
The breakfast table that looked like a celebration turned quiet. Ethan's hands paused midair as he had tried picking up his spoon. His mother was drowning in smiles across him but nothing made sense right now. “I still can’t believe how quickly it all came together,” she clasped her hands together. “Mrs. Bellingham is an absolute delight, Ethan. So refined. So… sensible.” Ethan barely heard her. His gaze rested on the silverwares that lined the table. “I met her in Valmont last year,” his mother continued. “At the charity gala. We spoke for barely ten minutes, but I remember thinking—this is a woman who understands legacy. Family. That’s rare these days.” She slid the box toward him. “I had this prepared months ago. Just in case,” she said, eyes shining. “A mother knows.” Ethan eyes flickered to the slim velvet box. He didn’t touch it. The silence stretched. “Open it,” she urged softly. He folded his napkin with deliberate calm and set it aside. “I can’t accept this, Mom.” H
"Ethan honey..." Grandma Reed's voice followed as she gently pushed the door open."Ma.." Ethan pocketed his phone and walked up to her."I know you'd be leaving first thing tomorrow morning." she smiled and caressed his cheek like a baby. "You won't even say hi first."Ethan forced a smile despite his mind still racing with thoughts of Talia."Anything the problem ma?""Not really honey... You looked troubled this morning before you left the house. Anything the matter?" her worrisome eyes searched his and Ethan chuckled.Grandma Reed tried not to keep any favorites between her two sons and extending same to her grandchildren but yes. Only she would come all the way to his room to ask him a question like this."Ma....there's nothing to be worried about... I'm not twelve." he chuckled and she rolled her eyes."Adults are more delicate and wounded than kids are. They need more love." she rubbed his hand and he nodded with a smile."Grandpa would be mad I stole his wife even for a minute
Talia slowly lowered herself to a squat.She looked around the golden space that circled her. She smiled and stood, only the black lingerie remained in her hands now. She wasn't going to dwell on the past, that was his request after all.Right in the bedroom, she stripped herself naked and opened the door to a new world.A golden jacuzzi.This was next level wealth.Her feet kissed the cold floors and as she walked further in, something struck her.Something felt wrong, off maybe.There were already female supplies, body washes and all, all in her favourite flavors and scents.Had Ethan —?Did he prepare all —Was it possible he prepared all these just with a simple phone call while they sat in the garage and made their way up. Like Shanice had female supplies ready and waiting.Or was he.... Did he plan to bring her here since?Since when did he prepare all these?Her thoughts scattered as her eyes glazed over them. Her eyes watered.She sniffed and walked forward in. She had a long
Talia stared for a minute more, her jaw seemed to drop a little but she finally took his hand. They immediately wrapped around hers. Firm. Warm. Masculine. He led her in, and the men followed behind.Her heels echoed through the tiled quiet lobby. It felt suffocating to her.She leaned in and whispered to him, "You're just going to show off after all that just happened, huh?""They're not even in their numbers and I didn't call them out, they must have gotten orders from above," he smirked."You're the above." she rolled her eyes in a feigned anger and he chuckled.He loved feeling this close to her and maybe Talia hadn't realized it yet, but they were still very much holding hands till they got to the elevator."We'll take it from here." Ethan stopped them and they respectfully bowed till the doors shut them in."Yeah... You are rich." Talia clicked her tongue with a chuckle and she finally noticed their hands. Her breathing hitched.She stared slowly up at him, Ethan had his focus
Meanwhile, Julian didn’t go home.He left the restaurant and drove straight back to the hospital, the afternoon sun still high and unbothered above the city. Traffic flowed as it always did. People crossed streets. Life continued, unaware that something had fractured quietly inside him.The private
The car door shut softly behind her.Too softly, considering everything that had just happened.Ethan didn’t start the engine immediately. They both sat suspended in silence, left to their own thoughts. Talia stared straight ahead, her hands folded tightly in her lap like she didn’t trust them not
The tiny space circled the three of them with a fog of uneasy tension. The young staff watched from behind her counter with keen interest whilst trying not to be too obvious. Julian hissed inwardly at Ethan's presence, but outwardly, his chin rose, his right hand stretched forward for a handshake.
The line went dead. No voice came through, only their breathing was heard. Ethan blinked and bowed his head. Never had he admitted so quickly and badly to something, but that wasn't the only first thing happening in his life right now.NEVER had he wanted someone so badly."Ethan...." Sonia's voic







