SARAHThe room went quiet.Sofia just stood there, eyes wide, her painted lips parting as if she didn’t believe what she had just heard. I could almost hear her heartbeat from where I stood. Marco’s words still hung in the air like smoke. “She’ll be my new secretary.”Her gaze flicked between us, then she let out a breathy laugh. “I’m sorry… what?”Marco didn’t answer right away. He was calm, the way he always was when someone challenged him. Hands in his pockets, steady eyes, quiet authority.Sofia blinked again, this time harder. “You can’t be serious,” she said, voice rising slightly. “You’re replacing me with her?”I felt the words hit me, but before I could react, Marco spoke. “You’re not being replaced,” he said evenly. “You’ll be assisting her transition.”“Transition?” Sofia repeated, her tone sharp, almost a scoff. “She has no clue how this place runs, Marco. You think she can handle calls, meetings, clients? She doesn’t even know the people who work here. This isn’t somethin
SARAHI sat in front of the mirror, brushing my hair slowly, the morning light slipped through the curtains, warm and calm, but my hands were shaking a little. I stared at my reflection, not because I wanted to admire myself, but because I was trying to picture what kind of woman I needed to look like for the day ahead. Someone capable.It had been so long since I’d done anything outside this house. Ever since Marco and I got married, I’d gotten used to waiting for him, planning dinners, and pretending that silence was comfort. But lately, it felt suffocating. The walls listened too much, the halls whispered my name when I passed. Today was different. Today I was going to work with him. Not as decoration, but as part of his world.I picked out a cream blouse and a black skirt. Nothing too bold. Just neat. Respectable. I wanted to look like I understood where I was going. As I buttoned my blouse, I caught my reflection again and smiled faintly. “You can do this,” I whispered to myself.
SOFIAThe moment I stepped through the door, the anger inside me finally broke free. It had been building from the moment I saw them together, but now it came pouring out. I didn’t even take off my shoes. I threw my bag across the room, hearing it hit the wall and slide to the floor. The sound didn’t calm me. It just made everything louder in my head. My heels hit the marble floor with sharp clicks as I paced back and forth, trying to breathe but failing. I could still see Marco’s hands on her waist, Sarah’s soft little smile, the way he looked at her like nothing else mattered. That look had once been mine.I stopped in front of the mirror and stared at myself. My hair was still perfect. My makeup hadn’t moved. I looked like I had it all together, but my eyes told the truth. They looked wild, sharp, and cold. I hated that. I hated what he had turned me into. “She’s mocking me,” I whispered, my voice rough. “Right in front of me. She thinks she’s won.”The anger rose fast. I grabbed
SARAHMarco’s lips were still on mine when the sound of the door clicking open broke the moment. His hand was on my waist, his breath heavy against my cheek. I was smiling, about to tease him for not locking the door, when a voice froze the air in the room.“Sorry, I’m late. The traffic—”The words stopped.Marco turned first, his body going still. I turned after him, slow, my heart still pounding from the kiss.Sofia stood by the door. Her hand was frozen on the handle, a folder clutched tightly in her other hand. Her eyes widened, shock flooding her face. She looked from Marco’s hand on my waist to my lips, still a little swollen, and then back at Marco.No one said a word.I blinked once, then twice, pretending to act as if nothing was wrong. Marco was too quiet, his body tense but his arm still holding me close. He opened his mouth, maybe to speak, but I cut in before he could.“Well,” I said softly, tilting my head as I rested my palm against his chest, “you’re here early, Sofia.
SARAHThe woman’s voice cut through the quiet office like a siren.“Who are you? What are you doing in here?” she shouted. “I saw you touch that drawer. Don’t move!”I froze. The sound of chairs scraping filled the space as people began to turn their heads. Within seconds, the office that had been calm became filled with whispers and curious eyes. My heart started to pound as she pointed at me like I was holding a weapon.“I didn’t touch anything,” I said, my voice low but steady. “I’m waiting for Marco.”The woman’s face twisted in disbelief. “Marco? You think you can throw his name around to get away with this?”“I’m not—”“Save it,” she snapped, cutting me off. “Security!”Two guards appeared at the end of the hall, walking fast. I stepped back, confused and embarrassed, my pulse rushing through my ears. The woman folded her arms, satisfied with the scene she was creating.“You were going through his desk,” she continued, loud enough for the crowd gathering around. “I’ve seen peopl
SARAHI woke up to the soft sound of movement. The faint rustle of a suit jacket, the quiet click of cufflinks. For a moment, I thought I was dreaming, but when I opened my eyes, Marco was standing in front of the mirror, already dressed for work. The early light hit his shoulders, tracing the shape of his back through the crisp white shirt.He looked too serious for seven in the morning.“You’re really up already?” I mumbled, rubbing my eyes. “You do realize normal people still sleep at this hour, right?”Marco glanced at me through the mirror, the corner of his mouth lifting. “Normal people don’t run an empire, Sarah.”I laughed softly and pulled the blanket closer. “Empire, huh? You sound like one of those movie villains.”He turned, fixing his tie, and walked over to the bed. “What are you laughing at?” he asked quietly. “You’re coming with me.”I blinked, halfway between confusion and disbelief. “Wait—what?”“I said you’re coming with me,” he repeated. “To the office.”I sat up,