登入DAMIAN’S POVI got to the location faster than I expected. I had to protect Maddie. Not because I really needed to, but because of her. Vionne. Probably for my benefit and that of her best friend.After everything I’d uncovered, she was far too valuable to leave unguarded.But wait a damn second…What the hell was Nora doing in a place like this? Manhattan, Blackwood? Deadly, I must say.Suspicious, wasn’t it?I’d thought I knew enough about that little disrespectful ass, but it turned out I knew absolutely nothing, really. I knew she was tough, but I didn’t know she was bad. She was a far worse snake than I’d ever imagined.I had just stepped out of my car when I sent her a text.And a threat again.Hope you’re ready, because this is more serious than you think.To me, really? Nora Callahan.I didn’t know, but I was sure this little girl was about to make this whole thing very interesting.A few minutes later, she walked through a door. Elegantly. Shoulders high.Why did my eyes foll
NORA’S POV“Good.”I muttered to myself with a smile after I’d found a way to execute my plans. It was a three-day plan, planned with anger and probably jealousy.Everything was going as planned. Immediately after I sent that message to Vionne, you know what I did next… I blocked her. Immediately. Because I know that little girl. She loves Maddie so much. I didn’t want her in my ‘Direct Message.’So I moved on to the next execution of my plans.I really needed to cut off those prideful wings she and her accomplices had pulled up at my party. They destroyed it and made me trend online for ridicule. I was gonna give them a taste of their own cake.Vionne had no idea what she had gotten herself into. I don’t think she did.However, with how smart I was, dragging my brother-in-law to his doom… that was really amazing.Nora Wallace doesn’t joke. She doesn’t take shit and definitely isn’t scared of anyone.~~~~“Please, I’ll do anything you want.” Maddie cried, her voice echoing through th
DARIEN’S POVImmediately I got downstairs, I grabbed my favorite wine from the bar, sat on one of my favorite couches, and sipped my wine, contemplating as I patiently waited for her to come downstairs.Wondering what the surprise was? It was her love language. Food.Why? She loves food.Different varieties. She comes downstairs and it's served to her like a queen. However, was Vionne ready to be the kind of queen I want?For the record, not just food, I wanted to break something to her. Not good, neither bad.A foodie who hadn’t eaten for days, and even when I thought she was waking up, I thought she was going to demand food.But she didn't. Seems like she forgot what food was and only thought of Maddie.I could see the disappointment and anger when I told her I knew nothing about Maddie.And this was the reason I wasn't supposed to joke with that being.I have learned two things she loves. The most important is food, then Maddie.There were reasons all these needed to be studied.An
VIONNE'S POVAs I walked downstairs, my mind couldn't stop wandering—different thoughts, possibilities, and fear. One of them was: Why does waking up feel scary? Like something shifted in this mansion. Not just something. Something dangerous.It felt really bad. I was heartbroken seeing myself trending online for all the wrong reasons, with some silly videos.This wasn't me. This wasn't the life I wanted for myself. But guess what? My family wouldn't take chances on anything that might make me happy.I trended for good too. I mean, it wasn't easy to make my father's enemy company experience an increase.Bad was more. More was bad.However, this isn't the end.Or is it?And as for Nora? This couldn't just pass. She'd pay for every pain she caused me. Waking up, I realized I needed to put a stop to some bullshit.I didn't have to contemplate it anymore. I didn't have to think about who had added something to my drink.Mischievous Nora Callahan did.I might look weak.But I wasn't weak.
VIONNE’S POVOkay, I was playing dumb when he entered… I didn't want him to be aware that I heard whatever conversations. Probably, it was high time I started acting smart too.I could be smart too, right? Act stupid, then do big things.Not bad.How I had begun the conversation with him, like a saint... Asked who that person he was conversing with was, like I didn't hear the other one calling him ‘brother.’Like brother? Or was it brethren? I knew this, actually, because the resemblance was mind-blowing.But… wait a second. Why was it so hard for Darien to admit Zayn was his brother? If their brotherly relationship wasn't so good, why was the so-called Zayn in this mansion?I don't think I like him either.Why did Damian send him to give me a phone the other day? Huh, confusing, isn't it?What the hell is going on? What kind of complicated games?I might have slept for ages, but I wasn't a fool.And trust me, my small brain was documenting everything.See this man, casually telling m
DARIEN'S POV I didn't believe it myself. My entire body froze as I processed it. No, I wasn't this heartless. Did I just forget she existed because I was done with whatever I wanted from her? Impossible. Even when it was obvious. Oh, my damn heart. I thought I’d trained you better than this. At the very least, I trained you to behave when it mattered. Act nice. Keep that sweet little act going long enough to keep this girl. Maybe I was way more heartless than I thought. Zayn could probably be right. He'd said that sometimes. But damn it. Obviously, Maddie's fine. Why do I have to care? She's an adult. A grown woman. Old enough to take care of herself. “Ever since the crazy party, I don't think I've seen her,” I told her, feeling a mixture of concern and indifference. I shouldn't be worried. I don't think I should be. I mean, Maddie was obviously resting from everything that happened. Honestly, these past few days had been hell, having to think about some random woman who seem
Vionne’s Pov. I stood at the edge of our bedroom, my arms crossed tightly over my chest as I watched him. My heart was pounding, but not the way it used to when I looked at him. Not with love or warmth or hope. This pounding felt heavy. Cold. Like every beat was trying to push the pain out of me.
Vionne 's Pov. One month. That’s how long it had been since Harrison walked out and I signed those divorce papers. A whole month of trying to breathe normally again. I tried to pick myself up every morning and act like I was okay. I told myself I didn’t need him. I told myself he wasn’t worth my
Vionne 's Pov. The elevator ride to his hotel room was quiet, filled with the kind of tension that pressed into my chest and made my heart beat faster. I could feel his eyes on me as we rose floor after floor. He didn’t touch me, but his presence filled the small space like smoke. Heavy. Warm. Dan
Vionne 's Pov. After signing those papers. I thought there would be some kind of relief, some kind of freedom in finally letting go of Harrison. But instead, I felt nothing. Just this numb weight sitting on my chest, pressing into my lungs, making it hard to breathe. It was past eight when I f







