LOGINConversations hummed throughout the room. Politicians, business tycoons, socialites, and international investors mingled beneath the soft music of a live string quartet. And yet, despite the grandeur, many eyes were still drawn to one couple. Aurelian Wyndham and his wife. Mercy stood beside him, she complimented him well. Beside her, Aurelian looked every inch the powerful CEO he was known to be. His tailored black tuxedo fit him perfectly, emphasizing his broad shoulders and sharp posture. His dark brown hair had been brushed back neatly, and the quiet confidence in his green eyes made it difficult for anyone to look away for long. They were a picture of power. A picture of elegance. And a picture of marriage. Adam Smith had just greeted them, exchanging polite words before moving on toward another group of guests. The moment he stepped away, Aurelian’s hand instinctively moved to the small of Mercy’s back. “Come,” he murmured. Without waiting for a response, he guided her
The grand entrance of the Tell Foundation Charity Gala shimmered beneath a canopy of golden lights. Crystal chandeliers hung beneath the glass atrium of the historic Carminton Grand Hall, casting warm reflections across polished marble floors. Luxury cars lined the circular driveway outside, their engines purring softly as valets in white gloves hurried to open doors. Inside, cameras flashed in quick bursts of light. This was not just any gala. It was the charity event of the year—a gathering of Carminton’s most powerful families, corporate leaders, philanthropists, and political figures. Wealth and influence filled the air as elegantly dressed guests moved across the red carpet like living works of art. But suddenly, the murmuring crowd shifted as a sleek black Rolls-Royce Phantom rolled slowly to a stop beneath the glittering canopy of the Carminton Grand Hall. The low murmur of conversation outside the entrance instantly shifted. Heads turned. Cameras lifted. A hush rippled t
Somehow, Aurelian watched her quietly for a moment after his last words replayed in his mind. “If slow is what you need… then slow is what we’ll do.” The room fell silent, Mercy was still standing beside the bed, looking at him. Her expression had changed slightly. The tension that had been in her shoulders earlier had eased. Aurelian studied her face.The uncertainty in her eyes was still there, but something else had appeared too. Warmth. He exhaled slowly. Then without warning, he reached out. His hand caught her wrist gently and pulled her forward. Mercy gasped softly as she lost her balance for a second before landing on his lap, her knees settling on either side of him. “Aurelian—” But whatever she intended to say disappeared when his hand slid behind her neck. His fingers swept her hair gently back behind her ear, revealing the delicate line of her neck. His touch was slow, careful, almost reverent. For a moment he simply looked at her.nUp close like this, Mercy could s
The bedroom was quiet. Not the comfortable kind. But the kind that came with peace, and the kind that carried something unsaid between two people who had just hurt each other without meaning to. Aurelian sat on the bed, his back resting against the tall upholstered headboard. One leg was stretched out beneath the dark duvet while the other was bent slightly. A tablet rested in his hands, the cool glow of its screen reflecting faintly across his face. His eyes were fixed on the screen. The document open on the tablet had not changed in several minutes. He had read the same paragraph three times without absorbing a single word. Because his mind was elsewhere. The memory of Mercy standing in the kitchen replayed again and again in his head, with the way she had opened the white paper bag, the calmness in her movements, and the way she had swallowed the pill with barely a second of hesitation. Aurelian exhaled slowly through his nose. He had promised her he would slow down. And he me
The door of Aurelian’s office closed softly behind Mercy. For several seconds, Aurelian didn’t move. He stood exactly where she had left him, in the middle of his home office, staring at the door as if it might open again and she would step back inside with that hesitant look on her face. But it was just a wish. Aurelian slowly drew in a breath and let it out through his nose. His hands slid into his pockets as his gaze remained fixed on the door. Hurting. That was the word he refused to say out loud. But it was there Of everything he had poured into this relationship in such a short time… everything he had allowed himself to feel for the first time in his life… Mercy was still pulling away. Still asking for distance. Still asking him to slow down. Aurelian tilted his head back slightly and laughed under his breath. The sound was dry and disbelieving. “How did I get here?” he murmured to himself. It was a question he had never imagined asking. For years, Aurelian Wyndham had
"I’m sorry," Mercy said quickly, cheeks flushing. "I didn’t know—" "Come here," Aurelian cut her off, his voice low and commanding. His eyes had shifted instantly, strictly on her now, the documents forgotten. The air in the room thickened. Jasmine felt a pang, sharp, and unwelcome. She watched as Mercy hesitated for a split second, then walked forward, glancing at her. "Hi," Mercy greeted softly, offering a small smile. "Morning," Jasmine replied, forcing politeness. Then, after a beat and Aurelian's raised eyebrow, she corrected: "Mrs. Wyndham." Mercy nodded awkwardly. "Um, since you’re a little busy, I can just go and come back later, you know." "Come, sit." Aurelian tapped his thigh once. It was casual, and intimate. "I want you to check these documents." Jasmine's breath caught. She couldn't believe this open display, right in front of her. Aurelian, who valued privacy above all, inviting his wife onto his lap during a business meeting? Her eyes grew glassy, jealousy surgi







