LOGINChapter Fifty-FourAndrea’s POVMy hand reaches across the bed before my eyes even open.It’s instinct at this point. Some call it muscle memory. But whatever… choosing the right words isn't the point right now. The point is that my body reaches for him before my brain is even awake enough to think about it. I reach for his warmth, for solid skin and sleepy breathing and the familiar weight of him beside me.Instead, my fingers touch cold sheets.My eyes open immediately.The room is quiet and grey with early morning light. I sit up slowly, hair everywhere, and look at the space beside me. The pillow is still there but the indent is gone, sheets pulled smooth like nobody slept there at all. Or like whoever did left a long time ago.I glance at the clock across the room.7:04 AM.For some reason, that makes it feel weirder.I just sit there for a second staring at the empty space beside me.Last night was really good. Close to perfect, even.Tristan had been… softer. Different in a wa
Chapter Fifty-ThreeTristan's POV“Hey, I've been waiting for you.” Andrea's voice interrupts my thoughts. “I already changed and everything, couldn't find you anywhere.”I turn around.She's standing at the entrance to the outdoor terrace, hair down, wearing nothing but a robe loosely tied at the waist, looking at me with that expression she gets when she's been looking forward to something and is mildly annoyed it hasn't started yet.I turn back toward the pool.I’m leaning against the railing, letting the last drag of smoke leave my lungs slowly. I love the silence here, even though it's expensive. No city noise. No neighbours. Just the sound of wind creating small waves across the water and Andrea's bare feet on the stone behind me.She walks over and stops beside me.“Are you okay?”I drop the cigarette, crushing it beneath my slippers. “Yeah,” I say after a second, forcing a small smile. “I was just thinking.”Andrea leans against the railing beside me, studying my face carefull
Chapter Fifty-TwoAndrea's POV“Distinguished guests, esteemed ladies and gentlemen.”Tristan’s deep voice rolls smoothly across the ballroom, calm and effortless, the kind that makes people shut up and listen without needing to ask twice. He stands at the podium like he was manufactured specifically for expensive rooms and intimidating levels of wealth, not a single note in front of him because apparently mortal limitations don’t apply to him.Meanwhile I’m across the room staring like somebody’s embarrassing wife already.Fantastic.The ballroom is packed with people with old money and terrifying smiles, yet somehow Tristan still owns the room without even trying. Every head is turned toward him. Every person is listening.And the annoying part?He’s actually good at this.Not fake-good. Not rehearsed-good.Genuinely good.He speaks about the foundation, about the children the orphanage will serve, about what it means to build something for people who had no say in the circumstance
Chapter Fifty-OneTristan’s POVThe bar is on the far side of the hall, surrounded by people pretending their conversations matter more than everyone else’s. I weave past clusters of politicians, investors, and overdressed socialites, already exhausted by the performance of it all.The second I reach the counter, my phone lights up.Unknown number.I stare at the screen for a moment and almost laugh.It's him, obviously.My father has gone through enough burner numbers in the last forty-eight hours to qualify as a criminal organization.The phone keeps vibrating against the marble counter.Persistent bastard.I can’t ignore it because then he’ll simply call again in ten minutes, but I also can’t walk away and leave Andrea standing alone in a room full of strangers.I catch the bartender’s attention first.“Send a Bellini to the woman in the blue dress over there,” I say, nodding toward Andrea across the ballroom.She’s standing near one of the tall floral arrangements, pretending not
Chapter FiftyAndrea’s POVI knew rich people loved attention.I just didn’t realize they loved it this much.The moment Tristan’s car pulled up in front of the hotel hosting the charity gala, camera flashes immediately exploded everywhere like fireworks.I froze slightly in my seat.Outside, the entrance of the hotel looked almost unreal. Luxury cars lined the driveway one after another while women in glittering gowns and men in perfectly tailored tuxedos stepped onto the red carpet like they were attending the Oscars instead of a fundraiser.I swallowed hard.“This is insane.”Beside me, Tristan adjusted the cuff of his tuxedo calmly like none of this affected him at all.“It gets worse inside.”“That’s supposed to comfort me?”“It wasn’t meant to.”I stared at him. He smirked slightly before finally looking at me properly again. And God, that look should honestly be illegal.His gaze slowly moved over my dress before settling on my face. “You still look beautiful, by the way.”Heat
Chapter Forty-NineAndrea's POV“You look absolutely stunning, Miss Andrea.”Darla says it as she turns me toward the mirror, and for a second, I genuinely forget how to breathe.“Oh my God…” The words leave me in a whisper as I stare at my reflection.The rest of her team immediately joins in, smiling proudly as they begin praising their work and, embarrassingly, me. Someone says I look stunning. Another says Mr Hale won't be able to keep his eyes off me tonight.My cheeks warm instantly.“I really hope he likes the dress I picked,” I admit.Darla laughs softly while directing two of her assistants to begin packing up.“Please,” she says. “You would’ve looked beautiful in every single dress we brought.”I glance around the room and only now fully notice the chaos they created getting me ready. There are hangers filled with gowns I didn’t choose, open boxes of shoes, jewelry cases, makeup kits, and enough beauty products to open a small store.This gala must be a really big deal if Tr







![Forbidden Cravings [Filthy Erotica Collections]](https://www.goodnovel.com/pcdist/src/assets/images/book/43949cad-default_cover.png)