—Samantha pov—The morning sun was already high when I entered Star Galaxy. I was dressed to kill in a sharp, fitted wine-colored suit with sleek black heels. My hair was swept up in a neat bun, and my eyes—well, they were tired but fierce. After the heated encounter with Dalton last night and the impromptu girls' night with Marjane, sleep had barely kissed me. Still, I had a job to do, a role to play, and enemies to watch.The lobby was buzzing as usual, workers bustling around, phones ringing, and elevators chiming. I could already feel the stares—some lingering, some judging, most curious. No matter. I kept my chin high, my heels clicking confidently against the marble floor as I entered the elevator.As the doors slid shut, Mira rushed in, her chest heaving like she had sprinted.“Good morning, Miss Mc—uh, Samantha,” she corrected herself quickly, bowing her head slightly.I smirked and elbowed her playfully. “Careful. You almost blew my cover.”She giggled but quickly grew seriou
—Samantha—I stare at the black phone lying in the center of the velvet-draped table, its screen aglow with Dalton's instructions. “Pick it up,” he says again, but coolly this time, voice low like a threat wrapped in silk.My jaw tightens. I don’t want to touch anything he gives me, not even a phone. But under his gaze—those icy, unreadable eyes that have haunted me more than I care to admit—I reach for it with steady fingers, pretending I don’t feel the weight of the moment pressing down on my chest.He says nothing for a second. Just watches. Then, without moving from his armchair, his voice sharpens. “Like I said, quit your job.”I blinked. My fingers clench around the phone. “You called me here… just to say that?”“You heard me,” Dalton answers, rising to his feet like a storm building on the horizon. “Leave the company. Stay away from Ryan. That’s not a place you belong!" My spine straightens. “No.”That one word slices through the air, sudden and final.Dalton freezes mid-step
-Samantha's POV-By the time we got home, the sun had dipped beneath the skyline, painting the sky a deep orange that bled into purple. After parking the car in the parking lot, Ryan and I walked through the front door together, both mentally drained from the day.Just as we entered, I saw Amore in the dining area. My sweet girl, her back bent as she munched on broccoli with a serious expression. But then her eyes lit up when she saw me.“Mom!” she squealed.I hurried over, my arms wide as she jumped off her sit and ran to me, nearly knocking me off balance with her tight hug. Sighing, I pressed a kiss to her forehead, inhaling the faint scent of strawberries in her hair. She had braided pigtails today. Probably Stella’s doing.“I missed you mom,” she said softly causing my eyes to water. “I missed you more, my love,” I whispered.Ryan smiled, ruffling Amore’s hair as she giggled. “You’re a brave little warrior, huh?”Amore giggled louder, “I’m not a warrior, Uncle Ryan, I’m a queen
—SAMANTHA—I had promised myself I wouldn’t get distracted.Not by the past.Not by Dalton.Not by the weight of the world that tried to drown me every time I took a step forward.But plans have a way of slipping between your fingers when you’re dealing with someone like Dalton. He’s like a shadow in a locked room—you don’t know when he got there, but you feel him even in your breath. I had to be cautious. Until I took back everything I lost, until I tore him apart with my own hands… I had to play the fool. Pretend. Delay the truth.Even if that meant walking into the lion’s den with a smile.The next morning, the house was quiet. I walked into Amore’s room only to find her bed already empty and neatly folded. The nanny must’ve taken her to school. I sighed and stood by the window for a while, watching the wind sway the trees, trying to quiet the ache in my chest.Minutes gone. I dragged myself into the bathroom, then turned on the shower and stood under the hot spray longer than I sh
-Samantha—When I woke up, the first thing I noticed was the silence.It was too quiet.The beeping machine beside me hummed rhythmically, but there were no voices, no footsteps outside the door, no familiar scent of Ryan’s cologne. I blinked groggily, adjusting my eyes to the soft light of the hospital room. The curtains were drawn slightly open, allowing a pale shaft of morning sunlight to spill in.“Ryan?” I murmured, rubbing my eyes with the back of my hand. My throat felt dry. “Ryan…”No answer.I sat up slowly, the movement making my head swim for a moment. My mouth opened to call for him again, louder this time—but I paused.Suddenly, I felt hot.Too hot.Why is it hot?Despite the low hum of the air conditioning vent above me and the coolness of the tiled floor, my skin was burning. My chest felt tight, and the air around me felt... thick. Suffocating.That was when I saw him.A shadow by the chair in the corner of the room.No, not a shadow.A man.Dalton.He sat there, legs
—SAMANTHA—The ride home from the restaurant was a quiet one. Ryan didn’t say a word, and neither did I.The conversation with Dalton had left a strange taste in my mouth. It wasn’t fear, not really. It was a tightness in my chest, a familiar weight I hadn’t felt in a long time—the feeling of being watched, measured, and hunted by people who wore masks of politeness and business.As the city lights faded behind us and the calm suburbs of the estate came into view, I leaned my head back against the seat.The headache had returned, pulsing lightly behind my eyes. My whole body ached, and every time the car hit a bump, I felt it in my bones. Still, I said nothing.When we reached the house, the sky was already turning into soft hues of orange and lavender. The air was cooler now, carrying a breeze that ruffled my hair the moment I stepped out of the car. I didn’t wait for Ryan—I just walked straight in, heading up the stairs.I noticed Amore wasn't back from school yet.I needed a shower