LOGINKILLIAN'S POVI noticed the atmosphere change the moment Victoria walked into the arena. The usual hum of sewing machines and quiet chatter vanished, replaced by the distinct, sycophantic murmur that always followed high-society names. Sponsors, university officials, and members of the organizing committee immediately stepped forward to welcome her, practically tripping over themselves to thank her for taking time out of her busy schedule to support the charity banquet."Victoria, what a wonderful surprise," the athletic director gushed, shaking her hand. "We are absolutely thrilled to have the Sterling Group on board this year.""The pleasure is all mine," Victoria replied, her voice smooth, dripping with the effortless confidence of someone who had been bred for rooms exactly like this one. "My father and William both agreed that our involvement was essential this season."Standing only a few inches away from me on the small wooden fitting platform, Maya didn't say a word. She qui
MAYA'S POVBreakfast at the Yates Estate was unusually lively the following morning. The dining room was filled with the bright morning sun, and William was in an excellent mood, talking excitedly about the Toronto Wolves' recent dominant performances. He gestured with his hands, reminding both Killian and me that this would be one of the busiest, most critical periods of our final year before graduation.My mother laughed softly, pouring herself another cup of tea. "The house is going to feel so empty once they both leave university and begin chasing their careers. We will have to get used to the quiet all over again.""They'll be fine, Helena," William said, dismissively waving his hand with a smile. "They are our children after all. They thrive under pressure. Isn't that right, Killian?"Killian didn't look up from his plate, his voice completely flat. "Yes, Dad."The conversation naturally shifted to old family friends when William casually looked up from his newspaper. “I heard
KILLIAN'S POVI left the Yates Estate shortly after Victoria's call, the heavy wooden front door clicking shut behind me as I stepped into the freezing night air. My tires crunched over the gravel driveway as I peeled out of the gates, the engine roaring against the silence of the residential area. I hated that she had this power over my schedule—that a single, vague threat from her could pull me away from the quiet peace I had just found with Maya downstairs.But I decided it would be easier to just meet her and face whatever game she was playing than to keep avoiding her messages. It had been months since we last spent any real time together. Victoria had been away handling responsibilities for her family's company in Europe, only returning to Toronto recently for the charity banquet and other ongoing corporate commitments between the Sterling and Yates families.When I arrived at the upscale downtown restaurant she had chosen, the hostess led me to a secluded booth in the back.
KILLIAN'S POVI did not take my eyes off Maya after asking her where she had been. The question hung in the quiet foyer, heavy and sharp.Maya did not flinch. She looked back at me, her expression calm despite the late hour. "Carter took me to one of Toronto's most respected textile showrooms after classes," she explained softly. "Our lecturer practically forced me to go. She said talent means nothing if nobody ever sees it." She walked past me toward the dining room, her movements deliberate. She placed the showroom shopping bag on the long wooden table and began taking out thick fabric samples, glossy catalogues, and crisp business cards. She arranged them neatly under the dim light, clearly hoping I would look at them and understand that her afternoon had nothing to do with romance.Instead of reassuring me, every single item on that table only made the knot in my chest grow tighter.It reminded me of how deeply Carter had begun involving himself in her future."I met three diff
MAYA’S POVThe morning began no differently from any other day inside the Yates Estate, yet everything felt completely different to me.When I woke up, the faint scent of Killian still lingered on my sheets, and a dull, unfamiliar soreness between my thighs brought the memories of the night rushing back. My face heated up in the quiet room as I thought about the heavy, breathless way he had held me in the dark, the deep warmth of his voice, and the way he had promised to take care of us. I was happy, reeling from the sudden progress we had made but a small, quiet sadness lingered right beside the joy. The cold morning light peeking through the curtains was a reminder that despite everything we shared, I was still his secret.We left our rooms carrying that heavy weight, walking downstairs and pretending absolutely nothing had changed between us.Around the breakfast table, the atmosphere was filled with the usual morning routine. William talked enthusiastically about the Toronto Wol
KILLIAN'S POVI stood on the cold balcony, looking at Maya through the glass. Her face was pale in the moonlight, and her question about Victoria hung heavily in the air between us.I did not let her wait for an answer. I opened the sliding door, stepping inside the warmth of her room, and looked directly into her eyes."You do not need to worry about Victoria, Maya," I said, my voice quiet but firm. "There has never been anything romantic between us. Never."I wanted her to understand the truth. Victoria had always been part of my family's world because of business, not love. Our parents had attended the same charity dinners and corporate functions for years. Because we grew up in the same social circles, everyone around us assumed we would end up together long before either of us was old enough to care.Over time, those assumptions became media rumors. Neither of us had ever bothered to correct them because it never seemed to matter.But looking at Maya now, a sharp wave of guilt







