LOGINROOSEVELT’S POVI sat in my locked office, covering my face with my hands. My shoulders shook with silent, heavy sobs.He kissed her. He took her to Paris and kissed her right outside his office door.A knock echoed against the glass.I jumped. I quickly wiped my wet cheeks and took a deep breath."Who is it?" I asked, trying to make my voice sound normal."It is Mateo," a warm, smooth voice answered. "Open the door, Roosevelt."I hesitated. I didn't want anyone to see me like this. But Mateo knocked again, a little louder this time.I stood up, walked over to the door, and unlocked it.Mateo stood in the hallway, he wore a navy suit and held a brown paper bag from my favorite bakery. He smiled, but the moment he looked at my face, his smile vanished."You are crying," Mateo said softly. His hazel eyes filled with worry."I am fine," I lied, looking down at the floor. "It is just allergies.""Don't lie to me, Roosevelt," Mateo whispered. He stepped into my office and closed the door b
ROOSEVELT’S POVThe weekend was torture.I didn't sleep, I sat on my sofa in the dark, staring at my phone. I kept picturing Zyran in Paris. I imagined him walking down the streets, holding another woman’s hand. By Monday morning, my chest ached.I walked into the office. I felt sick, but I held my head high."Good morning, Ms. Evans," Bianca said with a bright smile from her desk. "Did you have a good weekend?""It was very quiet, Bianca," I replied softly. "Is Mr. King in?""Yes, ma'am," Bianca nodded. "He flew back from Paris very early this morning. He is in his office."I took a deep breath, grabbed the Thompson file from my desk, and walked across the hall. The door was open.Zyran sat at his desk, he looked completely relaxed."Excuse me, Mr. King," I said as I stepped into the room.Zyran looked up. His dark eyes met mine. "Ms. Evans," Zyran said smoothly. "Do you have the file?""Yes," I said, walking over to place it on his desk. I hesitated for a second. My heart raced. "
ROOSEVELT’S POV"Look at the teeth, Mr. Zyran!" Lorna gasped, pointing her little finger at the giant T-Rex skeleton."They are very sharp," Zyran smiled. He easily lifted Lorna up into his arms so she could see over the glass railing. "Do you think he ate vegetables?""No!" Lorna giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck. "He ate meat! Rawr!""Rawr," Zyran echoed softly, laughing with her.I stood a few feet away in the crowded Natural History Museum, watching them. Zyran wore a simple black sweater and jeans. He didn’t check his phone. He didn’t glance at the security guards by the exits, he gave Lorna his full attention."Can we go see the flying dinosaurs now?" Lorna asked, kicking her feet.Zyran smiled but slowly turned his wrist to check his watch.I braced myself. It was exactly ten o'clock. The hour was up. I expected him to look at me with pleading eyes. I expected him to ask for ten more minutes like he did at the park.But Zyran didn’t look at me.He gently set Lorna back
ROOSEVELT’S POVI stood outside the glass doors of the suite, holding the black folder tightly against my chest.It was Tuesday morning. I hadn't seen Zyran since I spotted him standing across the street from the restaurant yesterday. He hadn't called, texted, or sent his guards.Taking a deep breath, I knocked twice and pushed the door open.Zyran was sitting behind his desk, typing on his laptop. He wore a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up. When he heard the door open, he paused and looked up.His dark eyes locked onto mine. For a moment, I saw a burning hunger flash in his gaze. But he blinked, and it quickly shifted to professionalism."Good morning, Ms. Evans," Zyran said, his voice smooth and steady. He gestured to the chair across from him. "Please, have a seat."I walked over and sat down. I placed the folder on the desk and slid it toward him."These are the final preliminary sketches for the villa," I said, keeping my voice strictly professional. "I redesigned the maste
NIXIE’S POVThe school bell rang loudly, echoing across the courtyard.I stood by the front gates of the preschool, holding a small pink backpack. The evening air felt cool and fresh. There were no black cars today. It was just a normal Monday evening in Milan, filled with parents waiting for their kids.The doors opened. A crowd of tiny, laughing children poured out into the courtyard."Auntie Nixie!"I smiled instantly, I looked through the crowd and saw her.Lorna was running toward me as fast as her little legs could carry her. Her denim overalls had a fresh smear of green paint on the knee, and her pigtails bounced wildly.I dropped to one knee and opened my arms.Lorna crashed into me, wrapping her arms tightly around my neck."There is my favorite baby!" I laughed, hugging her tight. I kissed her cheek. "How was school today? Did you learn how to take over the world?""No," Lorna giggled, pulling back. She grabbed her pink backpack from my hand. "We painted trees. But Auntie Ni
ROOSEVELT’S POV"If you don't show up, Roosevelt, I might just accidentally leak this beautiful secret to the press."The threat hung in the air.I closed my eyes. My hand gripped the phone so tightly that my fingers ached. I thought about Lorna. I could picture the cameras flashing in her face and the reporters screaming questions about her father."Text me the address," I whispered. "I will be there at noon."I hung up and dropped the phone onto my desk."Rose?" Nixie asked, stepping closer, her face was pale. "What did he say?""He knows," I said, my voice hollow. "Mateo knows I am still legally married to Zyran. He threatened to tell the news if I don't meet him for lunch today.""That bastard!" Nixie yelled, slamming her hand on the desk. "He is blackmailing you! I am calling Zyran. Zyran will crush him.""No!" I said quickly, grabbing Nixie’s arm. "Do not call Zyran. If Zyran finds out Mateo threatened me, he will tear the city apart. It will start a war. I can handle Mateo myse
ROOSEVELT’S POVI sat in the back of the SUV, pulling Zyran’s suit jacket tighter around my shoulders as I shivered.I watched him through the tinted glass staring at his phone screen.Suddenly, his whole body went rigid.The phone slipped from his fingers and he didn't even try to catch it. He jus
ROOSEVELT’S POVMy head snapped to the side. A sharp, burning pain shot across my face. I stumbled back, hitting my hip against the table. I tasted warm copper in my mouth.For a moment, the room was silent."What the hell are you doing?!" Zyran roared.His deep voice shook the crystal glasses on t
The ride back to the mansion were moments of tears and exhaustion.When my cab finally pulled up to the iron gates, the house was dark except for the bright light coming from the living room window.I took a deep breath and placed my hand over my flat stomach, drawing strength from the tiny heartbe
ROOSEVELT’S POVThe cold night air hit my face, but I struggled to breathe.The pain in my stomach felt like a hot knife twisting inside me. I grabbed the rough brick wall of the building, my fingers scraping against the stomach as I shut my eyes tight.Please, no, I begged silently. Not my baby. P







