Riley's POVI spent the night staring at the ceiling of my small room. Victoria's words echoing in my head. The help. That's all I was to her. All I'd ever be.The next morning, I made Brett's coffee like always. Black, no sugar, served at exactly 7:30 AM.He was already dressed in his charcoal suit, scrolling through his phone. He didn't look up when I entered."Your coffee, Mr. Graham.""Thank you." Still no eye contact as I turned to leave, but his voice stopped me."Victoria will be joining us for breakfast."My stomach dropped. "Of course.""She'll be staying in the city for a few weeks. Business.""I understand.""Good."The word hung between us like a wall. I wanted to ask if he'd meant what he said yesterday. If he was sorry. But his cold tone told me everything I needed to know.The elevator chimed at exactly eight o'clock as Victoria glided in wearing a cream silk blouse and pearls that were expensive. Her hair was perfect, her makeup flawless."Darling," she said, kissing B
Brett's POVI was reviewing quarterly reports when she walked into my office like she owned the place.Victoria Sterling. Six feet of blonde perfection in a Chanel suit that cost more than most people's cars. She moved through my space like a predator, touching my things, claiming territory."Hello, darling," she said, settling into the chair across from my desk like she belonged there."Victoria." I didn't look up from my papers. "You're trespassing.""Am I? I seem to remember having a key to this office.""You remember wrong."She laughed, the sound like glass breaking. "Still so cold, Brett. I'd forgotten how that turns me on.""What do you want?""Can't I visit my ex-fiancé without wanting something?""No."She stood, walking around my desk until she was behind my chair. Her hands settled on my shoulders, and I fought the urge to shake her off."I heard about your little... arrangement," she said, her voice dropping to a whisper. "A homeless girl, really? Even for you, that's quit
Riley's POVI should have seen it coming.Brett's cruelty had been building for days, each interaction sharper than the last. He'd been looking for a way to hurt me, to prove that our night together meant nothing.So when he appeared at my door with a dress bag and a cold smile, I knew I was in trouble."Put this on," he said. "We have an event tonight."The dress was stunning – black silk that clung to every curve, with a neckline that bordered on scandalous. It was also too small."This won't fit," I said."Make it fit.""Brett""It's Mr. Graham tonight. And you'll wear what I give you."I stared at the dress, understanding dawning. "You want me to look desperate. Trying too hard.""I want you to look like what you are.""Which is?""A woman who'll do anything for money."The words hit their mark as I felt my cheeks burn, but I refused to look away."Fine," I said. "But you'll have to help me with the zipper."Something flickered in his eyes – heat, regret, I couldn't tell. But his
Brett's POVShe was driving me fucking insane.Three days since the storm. Three days of watching Riley move through my penthouse like she belonged there. Three days of remembering how she'd felt in my arms, how she'd looked at me like I was worth saving.Three days of pure hell."The Morrison contracts need your signature," Marcus said, setting the papers on my desk.I didn't look up from my computer. If I looked up, I'd see Riley curled in the chair by the window, reading to her daughter over video call. I'd see the way sunlight caught in her hair, the soft smile she reserved for Lily.I'd remember how that smile had looked when she'd touched my face and promised she wouldn't leave."Sir?""What?""The contracts?"I signed them without reading. A hundred million dollar deal, and I couldn't focus on a single word."Also, Ms. Plia's doctor called. Lily's surgery is scheduled for next week."That got my attention. "Next week?""Yes, sir. The heart specialist had a cancellation."I glan
Riley's POVI woke to sunlight streaming through unfamiliar windows and an empty bed.The silk sheets were cold where Brett had been. Only the faint indent in the pillow beside me proved last night had been real.My body ached in places that reminded me of his touch. Of the way he'd worshipped me with desperate hands and broken whispers. Of how he'd held me afterward like I was something precious.But now? Now I was alone.I wrapped the sheet around myself and padded to the bathroom. My reflection showed swollen lips and marks on my neck that made my cheeks burn. Evidence of a night that had changed everything. Or maybe nothing changed at all."Riley." Brett's voice from the doorway made me jump.He was already dressed. Perfectly pressed suit, not a hair out of place. Like he'd been awake for hours."I need you ready in twenty minutes," he said without meeting my eyes. "We have the Morrison Industries meeting.""Brett, about last night""Last night was a mistake."The words hit me lik
Riley pov The rain pounded against the window as Brett carried me into his room, his arms wrapped tightly around me. As we got to his room the air was thick with tension and unspoken words, but for the first time, there was no anger or resentment between us. Just raw, desperate need as he gently placed me on his bed, his eyes never leaving mine."Riley," he whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion. "I'm sorry. For everything."I reached up, cupping his cheek. "I know," I said softly. "And I'm sorry too."He leaned into my touch, his eyes closing briefly. When he opened them again, there was a vulnerability there that I'd never seen before. "You deserve better than this," he said, his thumb brushing against my cheek. "Better than me."I smiled sadly. "Maybe. But you're what I want."He leaned down, his lips meeting mine in a kiss that was desperate and hungry, like a man who'd been starving for years. I kissed him back with equal desperation, tasting regret and something that might