LOGINMALCOM HEARTI sighed again. That had to be the tenth time, before finally walking out of my office.I pressed the elevator button and stepped inside. The ride down felt longer than it should’ve. I rehearsed a few lines in my head, anything that wouldn’t make things worse than they already were. Anything that didn’t sound like an excuse. Because I've given enough of it already.The doors slid open. And my legs stayed glued on a spot.Keisha stood at the reception desk, flipping through files like nothing in the world had changed. I just stood there, staring at her from a distance like an idiot. Like some guy trying to work up courage to talk to his long-time crush. I think I looked more than pathetic if anyone were to see how I was just staring blankly.I took two steps forward. Then... Her eyes lifted, and met mine.Damn it.My stomach tightened. I rubbed the back of my neck without realizing it, suddenly feeling like a high school kid who didn’t know what to do with his hands.She w
MALCOM HEART“Tell me you’re joking, Malcom,” Trixie said, disbelief sharp in her voice. “You can’t be serious. You actually fell for that whole innocent-angel act she’s been pulling on you?”I exhaled slowly. Here we go again. “Listen to me, Trixie,” I said, keeping my tone steady. Careful. Controlled. “You know why I’ve always been patient with you, right?”Her eyes dropped. That hesitation told me everything. She knew. She just didn’t like the answer.“I’ll take that silence as a yes,” I continued. “So let’s not ruin it. I don’t know what picture you’ve painted of my secretary in your head, but she’s not whatever you’re turning her into.”She lifted her chin. “Then what about us?”I scoffed lightly. “Us?” I repeated. When did there ever become an us? “There is no us, Trix.”Her jaw tightened. I could almost see the pride cracking. “Then you’re the hypocrite here. You know exactly what my father wanted when he brought us together. You know why he invested in this company.” Her eyes
COLLINS HAYESI just stood there, staring like my brain had completely shut down.“Fucking answer me!” he yelled, slamming both hands into my chest.The force sent me stumbling two steps back.“You stay here?” I managed to ask, but before I could say any other thing, his hands hit my chest again.“Don’t act like you don’t know,” he snapped. “Didn’t you stalk me and threaten me the other time?” His voice rose sharply. “Hasn’t Owain done enough already? Now you’re breaking into my house?”His eyes swept the room like he was searching for proof of every nightmare he’d imagined.“What else do you want from me?” he shouted.I opened my mouth, but no sound came out yet when Victoria’s voice cut through the room.“Nathan!”My head turned instantly. She was already behind us.“You didn’t tell me you were coming,” she said. Her voice was calm, but I could hear the effort it took to keep it that way.He didn’t hesitate. He stepped to her and grabbed her arm sharply.“Mom, are you okay?” His han
MALCOM HEART“Trixie, this has nothing to do with you,” I said evenly, even as my throat tightened. “Please leave.”She stared at me like I’d just told a joke in the middle of a funeral. “Is that supposed to be funny, Malcom?” She scoffed, her gaze flicking to Keisha, then snapping back to me. “I saw it. She just slapped you, and you’re standing there acting like it’s nothing.”I straightened fully. “It’s still none of your business.”“She slapped my boss,” Trixie snapped. “That makes it my business.”“That’s exactly why it isn’t,” I shot back. “I’m the boss. And I’m telling you to leave. Now.”She went rigid. Shock crossed her face. I knew. she’d never heard that tone from me before.Then her voice dropped, quieter, almost like she was pleading. “It’s me, Malcom. Trixie.” She gestured sharply toward Keisha. “She’s just your secretary—”“My girlfriend.”The words came out before I could stop them. The room went dead silent.Even I wasn’t sure where they came from. My head was spinning
MALCOM HEART“What?!” I blurted before I could even think.She glanced at me quickly, her lips pressed together nervously. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked,” she murmured, stepping back, but my hand caught her at the waist before she could move.My eyes locked on hers, and for a moment, I didn’t even care what I was doing. I just wanted to hold her and keep her close. “Listen to me,” I whispered. “I’m not marrying Yasmine. I swear, what happened between us… it was a mistake I still regret every day.”She swallowed, shifting her face away, but then met my gaze again. “I trust you, Malcom.”Relief hit me like a wave, and I exhaled sharply.“Thank goodness… I thought you wouldn’t—” but I didn’t get the words out finish.“I’m not making excuses for you,” she interrupted, biting her lower lip, her eyes flicking to the floor and back. “I’m just… I think we should forget this happened.”My brows furrowed. “What? Why?”Her hand slid to her waist pulling down mine. She held herself like she
MALCOM HEARTKeisha hurried toward me, her palm landing gently on my cheek. Fear washed over her face like she’d just witnessed something violent, like a live horror show.“Are you okay?” she asked softly, her hand still warm against my skin.I nodded once. “I’m fine, Keisha. Can you give us a moment?” I mumbled.She clearly didn’t believe me. I didn’t even expect her to.She turned toward my mother. “Mrs. Heart…” Her voice wavered. “I’m sorry for coming in unannounced. I know this isn’t my place, but as your son’s secretary—”“It’s fine, Keisha,” I cut in quietly. “You can leave us alone for now. Please.”I hated the way she looked at me then. Like she’d seen a part of me that scared her. A side I never wanted her to witness. Pushing her away was the only shield I had left. I didn’t even look at her when I said it.Before she could move, my mother spoke. “No. It’s fine. I’ll leave.”She glanced at me once before turning and walking out. Keisha didn’t move until the door closed behind







