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Chapter 106: Almost perfect
publish date:
2026-05-21 23:45:04
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SHE WAS NEVER HIS MISTRESS Chapter 106: Almost perfect
ARIA’S POVThe first hour of the gala felt like a dream I had worked too hard to make real. People moved slowly through the rooms, stopping in front of each painting with real interest. I heard quiet conversations, genuine laughter, and the soft clink of glasses. A well known arts journalist stood in front of my largest piece taking careful notes. Five sales happened in the first forty five minutes. I moved through it all with a calmness I did not completely feel. I spoke with collectors, answering their questions with details. I explained the layers, the choices of color. I was good at this now. I had worked very hard to become good at this.My body was not fully cooperating though. The nausea sat low and steady. My head felt light if I moved too quickly. But I still smiled through it. I kept my posture straight and touched my grandmother’s locket from time to time when I needed a small reminder that I belonged here and that this night was mine. I would not let anything ruin it. Not
SHE WAS NEVER HIS MISTRESS Chapter 105: Gala Morning
ARIA’S POVThe gala morning arrived soft and quiet. I had decided the night before that I would take the morning for myself. No studio. No emails. No rushing to the gallery to check things one last time. Just me and the quiet apartment. I slept until one in the afternoon, the deepest sleep I had managed in weeks. When I finally opened my eyes, the light coming through the curtains felt gentle instead of demanding.I lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling. My body felt heavy and I knew right away this was going to be a difficult day but I would get through it. I had no other choice.I sat up slowly. The room tilted for a second then settled. I breathed through it and swung my legs over the side of the bed. In the bathroom I turned on the shower but did not step in right away. Instead I sat on the edge of the tub for the first three minutes, letting the steam fill the small space while I waited for the light headed feeling to pass. When it eased, I stood up carefully and stepped
SHE WAS NEVER HIS MISTRESS Chapter 104: Gala Eve
ARIA’S POVThe day before the gala felt like the calmness before a storm. The gallery was busy but controlled. Workers adjusted lights, moved ladders, and made small changes to the hanging. The catering team walked through their sequence, practicing how they would move between rooms with trays of wine and small bites and I stayed for every single part of it. I checked sight lines, approved final wall text, and made sure the flow through the exhibition felt natural.I was fully present and professional. I answered questions, made decisions, and smiled when people needed encouragement. On the outside, I looked like the artist who had everything under control but inside, I knew I was running at about forty percent.The nausea had come hard this morning. It lasted longer than usual and left me weak. I ate dry crackers in the car on the way to the gallery because that was all my stomach would accept. I sipped water slowly and kept moving. I told no one. I pushed the discomfort down and foc
SHE WAS NEVER HIS MISTRESS Chapter 103: Jordan's First Shot
JORDAN’S POVTuesday morning arrived too quickly. I stood in the kitchen in my old gray robe while Ryan prepared the injection on the table. The small vial and syringe looked so ordinary, like something you would find in any medicine cabinet. But this one was going to change the next few months of my life.Ryan looked up at me. His eyes were gentle. “You sure you want me to do it?”I nodded. “I asked you to, didn't I? I don’t think I can do the first one by myself.”He understood. This was not just a shot. It was the beginning of something we had both wanted for a long time and doing it together felt right. It felt like we were really in this as partners.I pulled the robe off my shoulder and turned slightly so he could reach the upper part of my thigh. I kept my face calm. No tears or drama. I breathed steady while he cleaned the spot with alcohol and pinched the skin the way the nurse had shown us.“This might sting a little,” he said softly.“I know. Just do it.”I closed my eyes w
SHE WAS NEVER HIS MISTRESS Chapter 102: Silent Ache
DOMINIC’S POVI could not remember the last time I had slept through the night. The penthouse felt too big and empty. I lay on the couch with the lights off, staring at the ceiling for hours. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Aria. Her green eyes when she laughed at something I said. The way she tucked her hair behind her ear when she was thinking hard about a painting. The way she looked at me once, like I was someone worth loving. The quiet strength in her voice the day she told me it was over. I was head over heels for her. I still am. The kind of love that did not fade when she walked away. It only grew sharper, cutting deeper with every passing day.Food tasted like nothing now. I forced myself to eat a few bites at dinner and left the rest on the plate. My assistant kept asking if I was sick, I told him I was fine but I was not. had not been fine since the night she looked at me like I was a stranger.All I thought about was her. Every hour. Every minute. I replayed the memo
SHE WAS NEVER HIS MISTRESS Chapter 101: It’s over! For real this time.
ARIA’S POV It was four days until the gala. The gallery was hectic with final preparations when the delivery arrived mid morning. I was reviewing lighting angles with Vincent when the young man walked in carrying a beautiful arrangement of white peonies. My favorite flowers. I stared at them for a full minute. The soft white petals caught the morning light perfectly. It had no card or greetings whatsoever. “Who sent these?” I asked the delivery person. He checked his tablet and shook his head. “I’m sorry, ma’am. I can’t confirm the sender. It was placed as anonymous.” Of course it was. There were only three people in my world who knew white peonies were my favorite. Jordan, Flynn, and Dominic. The fact that it was anonymous, I had a feeling I knew who sent it. “Can these be returned?” I asked the delivery guy. “No, ma’am. Once delivered, we can’t send them back.” “Okay. Thank you.” I thanked the delivery man and carried the flowers myself to the reception desk. My hands stay
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