LOGINVioletIt was time to prove that yesterday's rest had fixed whatever was wrong with me.I picked up my digital pen and touched it to the tablet.And my hand obeyed me.Relief flooded through me as I sketched out a concept for a bracelet, then another for a pendant. They were all normal designs, beautiful but unremarkable, exactly what I should be creating.There were no wolves, thorns or compulsive repetition or loss of control.I'd been right. It had just been stress and exhaustion. Nothing supernatural or strange, just my brain and body telling me I needed rest.I worked through the morning with growing confidence, creating design after design, each one coming easily and naturally. This was what I was good at, what I was meant to do.By lunch, I had a small collection of concepts ready to present to the team. I felt productive and competent and almost happy.Maybe everything really would be okay.Maybe, just maybe, I could get my life back under control.The afternoon passed in a si
VioletNo visions of castles and knives and Elijah's black eyes hounded me. Just empty, dreamless darkness that let me rest. That emboldened my assumption that it had all just been a trick of my tired mind.When I woke the next morning, sunlight was streaming through my windows at a normal hour. I felt more rested than I had in days, clearer-headed, almost normal.Maybe Mom was right. Maybe I'd just needed some time off, some proper rest, and everything would make sense again.I got ready for work a bit more optimistically, dressing carefully and taking time with my hair and makeup. Today would be better and normal.The office building looked the same as always when I pulled into the parking garage. I rode the elevator up to my floor, exchanged pleasant greetings with colleagues I passed in the hallway.Everything was fine. Everything was normal.I reached my office door and was about to open it when I noticed movement inside through the glass walls.Someone was in my office. At first
VioletDane's face lit up with hope and gratitude. "Nothing difficult. I need you to pass on valuable information to me of important project details, contract negotiations, and strategic plans. Basically, all the things you'd have access to as Director of Design. I'm not asking you to do anything illegal or dangerous. Just... keep me informed. Level the playing field so he can't blindside us again."It sounded reasonable when he put it that way. It sounded almost noble, like I'd be protecting people rather than betraying anyone.But the knot in my stomach suggested otherwise."I need to think about it," I said finally, pulling my hand back."Of course." Dane didn't push, just smiled and raised his wine glass. "Take all the time you need. For now, let's just enjoy this meal. You've earned a celebration after everything you've been through."The rest of dinner passed in a blur. Dane was charming and attentive, keeping the conversation light and pleasant. The food was exquisite, each c
VioletI stared at him in shock as he leaned back and lifted his glass, swirling the drink idly.“Did I tell you that you look absolutely gorgeous tonight? Deep blue suits you.”I gave him an awkward smile. “You look good too.”“It was truly an effort to get out of the hospital but then I forced myself. After all, how could I not, considering I would be meeting you.”His eyes twinkled with delight.Words failed me again so I simply reached for the glass and took a sip to give myself something to do.He poured himself another drink from the bottle as he continued. “What did you mean about me being an insider?” I asked, getting straight to the point.“I really thought we wouldn’t talk about work tonight but as you wish” He said, taking a sip.I waited for him to finish his drink impatiently."I don't always agree with Mirella," Dane said, leaning forward to lower his voice in a conspiratory whisper. "But I have to admit, I liked her idea of planting you as our spy."The words hit me li
VioletMaybe I should have said no but then the prospect of sitting in my room and starting to sketch that motif impulsively scared me. I didn’t want to meet Cassie either for she would remind me of her brother.So I just let myself fall back onto the bed when my phone beeped again. I recognized it vaguely as one of the upscale places downtown, the kind that required reservations weeks in advance.Then another message popped up. Hope to see you at 8.I glanced at the clock. That gave me more than two hours to shower, get ready, and drive across the city.By the time I stepped out of the shower, mom entered my room with sandwiches and a cup of tea.She saw me opening the section of wardrobe that contained formal wear and asked.“Are you going somewhere?”I nodded. “Just a restaurant. Dane wanted to meet.”The mention of Dane suddenly made my mom’s voice turn excited.“Oh that is wonderful. Where are you guys meeting?”I absentmindedly chose a simple dress for the meeting as I told her
VioletI forced myself to climb into bed and close my eyes, counting numbers until sleep came eventually, fitful and restless but mercifully dreamless.I was only woken up by a knock on the door and my mother’s voice.“Violet” she whispered to me.“I need to sleep a bit more” I replied drowsily, burying my face in the pillows.“Its 5 pm already” she said softly and I jerked up awake.“What?” I asked, hurriedly looking around for my phone to check the time.Mom gently approached me and placed a hand on my neck and forehead.“You don’t have a fever which is good.”I had slept the entire day.“Why didn’t you wake me?” Panic seized me immediately as I thought of missing work and an entire day without calling in, without informing anyone. What must Elijah think? What would my team think?“Because you need to rest. Now, relax while I get something to eat for you.”She had already walked out of my room but I angrily shook my head, hoping to drive sleep away and stifled a yawn.It was truly
VioletI lay awake in my bed until late at night, twisting and turning every few seconds because my brain refused to stop thinking, to figure out how the hell fate played such a cruel game with me and how Nate showed up in my new life yet again.And Elijah…those scars, his silence that felt a lot l
Violet“I said I’m fine.”My voice came out sharper than I intended, echoing faintly in the corridor. Nate didn’t seem to notice or pretended not to.He stayed crouched in front of me, one hand hovering like he was afraid I’d shatter if he touched me wrong, his expression soft in a way that felt re
VioletElijah’s lips curled into a smirk as he replied. “You have to beg for it, little girl.”Little girl!That was the first thing he had called me. And he knew how much I hated it.His fingers left my shoulder and dipped down, reaching for my soft cotton shirt and started unbuttoning it one by o
VioletThat made me fume in anger again.When he spoke next, his voice was rougher. “You want to know the real reason? I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to see me through Nicole knowing very well how much you hate her.”That stopped me cold.“What is that even supposed to mean?” I asked.“







