MasukCrystal’s POVHer heart pounded as he took a slow step closer. “Because all week, I’ve been trying not to think about you. And it’s been hell, Crystal.”Her chest tightened. She looked away, fixing her gaze on the rows of books instead of him. “You shouldn’t say things like that. We… we shouldn’t even be talking about last week.”“Why not?” He moved closer again. “You really think I can forget that kiss? That I can just erase it like it never happened?”She swallowed hard, her voice sharper now. “You should. Because I’m still your brother’s wife, Ahmad. Do you understand? I don’t want trouble.”He was silent for a while, just watching her, his breathing steady but heavy. “Trouble?” he repeated. “Is that what you call this? What you feel when you look at me?”Her pulse quickened. She wanted to tell him no. She wanted to shake her head, to deny everything, but her eyes betrayed her. She couldn’t meet his gaze.Ahmad noticed. He always noticed.Ahmad’s POVHe took another step forward, s
Crystal’s POVThe vibration of her phone cut through the heat of Ahmad’s breath against her lips. Crystal froze, her pulse hammering in her ears. She pulled back when she saw the name flashing across the screen.It was Amir.Her heart leapt into her throat.“Answer it,” Ahmad whispered, his voice was low and urgent. “Be careful.”She nodded, turning her face away and pressed the phone to her ear.“Hello?” she said, trying to steady her voice.“Crystal,” Amir’s voice came sharp, suspicious. “Where are you?”“I…..” She swallowed hard, glancing at Ahmad who was staring at her with an unreadable expression. “I just… I went for a walk within the estate. I needed some air. I was feeling suffocated in the house.”A pause. Amir’s tone softened slightly. “A walk? At this hour?”“Yes,” she forced out, gripping the phone tighter. “I didn’t go far. Just needed to clear my head. I’ll be back inside soon.”“Hm. Don’t wander too much.” Amir said firmly. “Be where Hamza or Amelia can find you.”“Yes,
Crystal’s POVCrystal ran into the bathroom and closed the door behind her. Her lips were swollen and her body was still humming from Ahmad’s kiss. She stared at her reflection. Her hair was slightly messy, lipstick smudged.“Shit…” she muttered, grabbing some tissues. She quickly wiped her lips, reapplied lipstick, and sprayed perfume on her neck and wrists. She practiced a smile in the mirror. “Normal. Just act… normal Crystal.”She walked back into the ballroom, finding Amir near the stage speaking with one of his partners. He turned and when he saw her, his eyes narrowed slightly.“Where did you disappear to?” Amir asked.“Balcony,” she said smoothly, keeping her tone casual. “It was crowded inside. I needed some air.”He studied her for a while too long, then nodded. “Let’s go. I’m done here.”The ride home was quiet until Amir finally spoke.“I’m leaving for a business trip tomorrow. I'll be gone for two weeks.”Crystal blinked. “Two weeks?”“Yes. Beijing and Singapore. I've got
Amir’s POVAs Amir pushed open the door to the general kitchen the next morning, his expression darkened the moment his eyes landed on the scene before him. Ahmad sat at the island, a mug in his hand, leaning in slightly toward Crystal who sat on a stool opposite him. She was laughing softly with her fingers curled around her own cup of coffee.He felt something hot spike through his chest.“Crystal,” his voice cut sharp through the quiet, making both of them freeze.Crystal straightened immediately she saw him. “Good morning…”“Follow me,” Amir interrupted. His tone left no room for protest.Ahmad looked like he wanted say something, but he just pressed his lips together. Crystal hesitated, her gaze dropping before she finally set her mug down. She followed after Amir silently, her steps quick and careful.Inside his room, Amir slammed the door shut and turned on her. “What the hell were you doing with Ahmad this early in the morning?”Crystal blinked, clearly caught off guard. “I
Amir’s POVAmir sat in his office, swirling his half empty glass of whiskey and looking absentmindedly into the city below.Last night kept replaying in his mind. He was finally breaking her. He felt her resistance break down and she was starting to accept him. He had a small smile play on his lips. She would soon break, and be fully his. A knock on the door dragged him out of his thoughts. “Come in,” he called.Quayum stepped inside, wearing his usual smug grin, the kind that said he was about to say something Amir wouldn’t like. “You look like you haven’t slept, my friend,” Quayum said, dropping into the seat opposite Amir. “Too much work? Or too much… effort in other areas?”Amir’s brow lifted. “Don’t bullshit me Quayum, get to the fucking point.”Quayum leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “I’ve been thinking about the Lin Group situation. You know as well as I do that if Crystal gets pregnant, things move faster. You’ll have the Lin group in your hands brother, no
AmirWatching Crystal walk up the stairs made his blood boil. How dare Ahmad??He stormed into the dining room intending to pick up the glass of whiskey he had abandoned.The dining room still smelled faintly of roasted lamb and saffron rice, but his mind was elsewhere.On her.Crystal had smiled politely all night, answered his father’s questions, even kept her gaze lowered most of the time, except when she thought no one was looking. Then, her eyes flicked toward Ahmad. Those tiny, stolen glances had been enough to make Amir's jaw clench.She thought he didn’t notice. She thought she could sit at his table, in his house, as his wife, and let her eyes linger on another man, his brother.Not in this lifetime.He held the whiskey in his hand and walked up the stairs, sipping it and steaming with anger. He closed the door to their room behind him with a heavy click, leaning against it for a moment. Crystal turned toward her vanity, already pulling out the pins from her hair.“You were







