LOGINOLIVIA “I came as soon as my shift ended,” Lilian said, a little out of breath when I opened the door. She stopped, her eyes searching my face. “Why do you look so awful?” I stepped aside to let her in, running my fingers through my messy hair. “Didn’t sleep. I was up all night.” “Any luck?” she asked carefully. I shook my head, my shoulders dropping. “I called every leasing office I could find. Even some realtors. No one has anything and for others….” She set her bag down. “And?” “They all turned me down.” “What?” “At first they sound great,” I said, moving toward the couch. “The apartments are available, they’re friendly. Then I give them my name and suddenly—” I snapped my fingers. “everything changes. Either the place is suddenly taken, or they stop answering me altogether.” Lilian’s brows knit together. “Isn’t that… illegal?” “I don’t know,” I said, staring down at my phone. “But it’s happening.” I gave a tired shrug and sank into the couch. “I’m just… e
DANTE Of course. It was his ego and pride that kept him talking. That was what drove him, what fed his belief that what I said was impossible. Deep down, he didn’t really think I could have slept with Olivia. I was his best friend, the one who stood beside him long before the spotlight, before the money, and before her. He held onto our so-called friendship, the one that was supposed to be untouchable and unbreakable. And that was exactly what made it so pathetic. Because two years ago, he had taken something from our friendship and pretended not to know what he’d done. He had no idea the pain of the betrayal I carried when he dropped to one knee and proposed to the only woman I had ever looked at twice. He enjoyed stealing her from me. He had no idea about the rage I buried. No idea how it felt to watch from a distance while the one thing that was real to me slipped into his hands. And the worst part? He still couldn’t accept it. He couldn’t accept that he had ruined i
DANTE I could see the curiosity all over Dominic’s face—the rigidness of his jaw, the restless way he shifted his weight from one side to the other, and the sharp focus of his eyes locked on me. He was starving for answers. It must have haunted him night after night, lying awake, asking himself the same question: Who helped her with the divorce? How did she get away? After he thought he had her bound in his chains. After he thought she was stuck and helpless. But Olivia had slipped through his fingers… with my help. And now he was here, desperate to know the name of the man who pulled her out of his toxicity. Bastard. I leaned back on the couch, my gaze flicking to him. He didn’t deserve to know a thing, not even a hint. “Why do you need to know?” I asked, feeding his curiosity. He let out a dry scoff, shaking his head. “Maybe she was cheating,” he said quickly. “Maybe she’s not as innocent as she looks. You ever think of that? No one gives a woman ten million if sh
DANTE As soon as I pushed through the revolving door at Echelon House, the sleek glass panels spun around me. My eyes darted to the biometric scanner embedded above the doorway. Seconds later, the scanner blinked green, confirming my identity, and a robotic female voice chimed through hidden speakers. “Welcome to Echelon House, the pinnacle of discreet luxury and elite connections.” My jaw tightened at the stiff tone. I hated it. Stepping into the vast lobby, the smell of oud wrapped around me.The marble floor glimmered beneath my polished shoes, reflecting the soft glow of the chandeliers above. A concierge, standing at the side in a perfectly tailored charcoal suit, stepped forward. “Welcome back, Mr. Devereux,” he said with a crisp nod. Before I could react, another attendant had already taken my coat. “Shall I have your usual brought to the balcony?” the concierge asked. I gave a small nod and moved further inside. Soft music drifted through the lobby, mingli
OLIVIA I almost followed his gaze, but forced my eyes back to him. “Your living condition is proof enough that you’re miserable,” he continued. “That you’re nothing without me and my money.” He leaned closer to the open window. “I mean, this place is no better than a slum. Tell me… why didn’t that man who gave you ten million dollars get you a better apartment?” That landed like a slap on my cheeks. I turned fully toward him, letting a smile spread across my face. “Still hung up over that?” I tilted my head, teasing. “It must have given you sleepless nights,” I added with a soft laugh. “But don’t worry. Like I said, time will tell. You’ll soon find out who the mystery man is.” His smirk returned, his jaw tightening as he scanned my face. “You’re really confident,” he sneered, “for someone who doesn’t have a job, lives in a shabby apartment, and has a terrible image in the media.” I shrugged, unfazed. “And none of that is your business,” I shot back. “Maybe you should fo
OLIVIA As the taxi made a U-turn down my street, I leaned back in the seat, a soft smile curving at my lips. For the first time in days, maybe weeks, I felt something like happiness or at least relief. I didn’t expect today to go so smoothly. Certainly not leaving Dante’s office without one of our usual arguments. But closing his show? I shook my head. Dante was complicated, infuriating, and manipulative but despite all that, it was nice to see that he actually cared deeply for me. Even Nico, who I thought would lose his patience during the fitting, had surprised me. Though I was bigger than the sample size, he didn’t snap or make me feel out of place. He measured me quietly, professionally, without a single comment. A rush of excitement bubbled up inside me. I couldn’t wait to tell Lilian how everything had gone. The taxi stopped in front of my apartment building. I handed over the fare, and stepped out, pulling my coat tighter around my chest and began walking towar







