ANMELDENSIX HOURS OF SILENCEROMAN'S POVSix hours.It had been six fucking hours since Noelle’s last message.I sat on the edge of my bed in the penthouse, staring at my phone screen like it held the answers to the universe. The message stared back at me, timestamped at six twelve in the evening.Noelle: Heading out now. See you soon.That was it. Nothing after that. No “I’m home.” No “Traffic is bad.” No heart emoji like she sometimes sent when she was thinking of me.I had called her twelve times already. Every single one went straight to voicemail. Her voice on the recording. The calm, professional, the one she used for work felt like a knife twisting in my chest.Something was wrong. Something was terribly wrong.“Noelle, it’s me again. Please call me back. I’m starting to get worried. Just let me know you’re okay.”I hung up and dropped the phone on the bed, dragging my hands through my hair. My heart hadn’t stopped racing since the fifth unanswered call. Something was wrong. Deeply, ho
TAKENNOELLE'S POVThe elevator doors opened to the lobby with a soft ding. I stepped out, adjusting the strap of my bag on my shoulder. The workday had been surprisingly manageable. There were fewer whispers and more actual work, and a quiet sense of accomplishment I hadn’t felt in weeks. Roman had texted me earlier, a simple “Thinking of you. Can’t wait to see you tonight.”It made me smile despite everything.I waved goodbye to the security guard at the front desk and pushed through the revolving doors into the cool evening air. The sun had already set, painting the sky in deep purples and oranges. Streetlights flickered on one by one as I started walking toward the usual pickup spot where Roman usually waited.My heels clicked against the pavement. I pulled out my phone to text him that I was on my way out.Noelle: Heading out now. See you soon.I slipped the phone back into my bag and kept walking. The street was relatively quiet for this time of evening. A few people heading ho
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTEEN: PROOF IN ACTIONSROMAN'S POVI hadn’t slept properly in days, but for the first time in weeks, I felt like I was moving in the right direction.The morning after Noelle agreed to give me a chance, I woke up at five. and started making calls before the sun even rose. No more waiting. No more excuses. If I wanted her back, I had to show her through actions, not just words.First call: My lawyer.“Richard, file the emergency restraining order against Liana Voss today. I want it served by noon. Include Noelle Carter as a protected party. Spare no expense. I want police enforcement if she comes anywhere near her or me.”Next: The private security firm.“Double the detail around Noelle’s building and my penthouse. Add facial recognition for Liana. If she shows up, detain and call the authorities immediately. Send me hourly reports.”By nine a.m., I had attended my first therapy session, a virtual one with a highly recommended trauma specialist. I was honest
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTEEN: ALMOSTNOELLE'S POVThe soft glow of my bedroom lamp cast warm shadows across the room as I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing down the soft navy blue and white dress I had chosen after trying out three other outfits. It was simple but elegant. It was knee-length, with a modest neckline and a slight flare at the hem. I had spent nearly an hour deciding on what to wear, changing outfits three times before settling on this one.Tonight was our first real date since everything fell apart.Roman had asked me out properly after work and after days of thinking, I had finally said yes.My heart was a nervous mess. Part of me was excited. The other part was terrified. And I felt a little bit guilty too.After everything we've been through, we needed this.Bria had helped me get ready earlier, sitting on my bed and offering encouragement while Milo watched from the windowsill.“You look really beautiful,” she had said, squeezing my hands. “Just enjoy your
BACK TO REALITYNOELLE'S POVThe morning light in Roman’s penthouse felt different from the warm Caribbean sun I had grown used to over the past two weeks. It was sharper, filtering through the floor-to-ceiling windows and casting long shadows across the minimalist furniture. I stood in front of the full-length mirror in the guest bedroom, adjusting the collar of my blouse and smoothing down my black skirt. The familiar work uniform felt both comforting and constricting at the same time.Roman leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed over his broad chest, watching me with a deep frown etched between his brows. He hadn’t slept much last night. I could tell from the dark circles under his eyes and the tension in his shoulders. He had stayed on the couch the entire night, refusing to go to his own bed.“I still don’t like this,” he said, voice low and rough with reluctance. “You don’t have to go back today. Take more time. The company can survive without you for a few more days. Liana
SAFE HAVENROMAN'S POVThe city streets were nearly empty at this hour, the neon streets lights reflecting off wet pavement from an earlier drizzle. My hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly the leather creaked under my fingers. Every few seconds, my eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, scanning for any sign of someone following us. Paranoia had fully set in.Noelle sat silently in the passenger seat, her arms wrapped tightly around herself, staring out the window. She hadn’t said a word since we left her apartment. The tension between us was thick, almost suffocating.“I can stay at Bria’s place,” she finally spoke, her voice quiet but firm. “John is there. It’s safe.”“No,” I replied immediately, not even glancing at her. My jaw was clenched so hard it ached. “You’re not staying at Bria’s tonight. Not while Liana is out there like this.”“Roman, I’m not a helpless—”“I know you’re not,” I cut in, my voice rough with exhaustion and guilt. “But this is my fault. Liana is my mess.
NOELLE'S POVThe elevator doors closed with a soft, final ding, and I was left standing there, skirt still slightly bunched around my hips, thighs trembling, breathing like I had just run a marathon.Alone.Roman had walked away without saying a single word.My body was still buzzing from the orgas
THE ELEVATORROMAN'S POVEleven fucking days.I had given her eleven fucking days of space.Eleven days of working from the penthouse, staring at the city like a man possessed, reading every single report she sent, analyzing her notes like they were sacred text. Eleven days of respecting her wishes
ONE SLUTTY CONFESSIONNOELLE'S POVThe apartment smelled like vanilla body spray and hairspray when I got home.I kicked off my heels at the door, dropped my bag, and let out a long, exhausted breath. Milo immediately wound between my legs, meowing loudly for attention. I scooped him up and buried
SEVEN DAYS LATENOELLE'S POVThe silence in the office had become unbearable.It had been exactly seven days since I last saw Roman Ashford in person. Seven days since that explosive confrontation on the sidewalk outside my building. Seven days since I told him I needed real space and watched him a







