登入POV: Evelyn Reeve
The sound of our footsteps echoed against the polished marble of the Meridian Miami lobby.
Around us, the afternoon rush was starting to pick up—people in tailored suits darting toward elevators, the hum of high-stakes creativity vibrating through the glass walls. Jovan walked beside me, his presence a steady anchor in the sea of noise.
He stopped right by my workstation, his hands sliding casually into his trouser pockets. He didn't look like a Senior E
I wasn't stupid. I knew he was lying. I could feel the tension radiating off him in waves. Something had happened last night after he dropped me off, something that had turned my steady, stoic Jovan into a live wire.But I stayed quiet. I was too afraid that if I pushed, I’d hear something I wasn't ready to handle.The drive to the Meridian Miami building felt like an eternity. Every red light made Jovan tap his fingers frantically against the wheel, his gaze never stopping, always searching the perimeter.The Meridian building finally rose ahead of us, a tower of glass and steel reflecting the Atlantic sun. Instead of heading for the executive parking garage, Jovan steered the car directly into the main lobby drop-off zone."We’ll head in through the front," Jovan said, his voice clipped. "Less walking."We stepped out. The lobby was humming with the usual 9-a.m. rush. Suits blurring past, the rhythmic thrum of turnstiles
POV: ArcherThe ceiling fan in this roadside motel creaked with every sluggish rotation, a rhythmic, metallic groan that grated against my raw nerves. The air was thick—heavy with the smell of stale Pall Malls and the kind of dampness that only exists in cheap rooms where the AC has given up.I sat on the edge of a mattress so thin I could feel the springs digging into my thighs. My phone was pressed to my ear, my knuckles white. My vision was swimming in a haze of red."You think I give a damn, Sienna?!" I spat into the receiver. My voice was a jagged edge, tearing through the quiet of the room. "I left because I couldn't stand the sight of your face for one more second!"Sienna’s laugh came through the line, sharp and laced with venom. "Oh, so now you’re disgusted? After you bled my accounts dry to keep up your little 'lifestyle'? You’re going after Evelyn, aren't you? You pathetic, ungrateful prick. You really think you can craw
Jovan shoveled a forkful of food onto his plate, then looked at me with a mock-serious expression."Evie, do you know what kind of cloud makes me the most nervous?"I paused, my fork halfway to my mouth. "A storm cloud? A hurricane?""No," he said, his eyes twinkling. "The one that says I wanna—a-wanna—be with you forever."I felt the heat rush to my cheeks instantly. I couldn't help it; I let out a snort that turned into a genuine laugh."That is terrible, Jovan! Seriously, that is a peak corporate dad joke."Jovan laughed along with me, clearly pleased. "Hey, it worked. You’re laughing. You’ve been wound up like a guitar string since yesterday.""A guitar string about to snap?" I teased back."Close enough," he replied, watching me with an expression that was softer than I’d ever seen.I wiped a stray tear from the corner of my eye. For the first time since the terror started, I felt light
POV: Evelyn ReeveThe morning in Miami usually hums with the gentle rhythm of the Atlantic breeze filtering through the shutters.Today, however, the air inside Shae’s living room felt heavy. Stagnant. Like the pressure before a hurricane.Shae was pacing a frantic line in front of the sofa, her phone gripped so tight her knuckles were white. The sharp clack-clack-clack of her heels against the marble floor grated on my nerves, echoing the erratic beating of my own heart.On one hand, a VIP client from New York had just moved their meeting up to this morning—a career-making opportunity she couldn't afford to ghost.On the other hand, there was me.I was curled into the corner of the sectional, clutching a grey throw pillow to my chest like a riot shield. I tried to force a smile, but I could feel how brittle it was."Shae, just go," I said, my voice thin. My fingers were trembling beneath the fabric of the pillow. "Serious
She looked at Noelle and Kendrick—who should have been enjoying their weekend—then at Shae, then at me. I could see the thought spiral in her eyes. She thought she was a plague."I'm sorry..." she whispered, her voice cracking. "I'm so sorry, Noelle... Kendrick... you shouldn't be here for this. Shae... I’m bringing this into your house. I’m making your life a mess.""Evie, stop. Just stop," Noelle said softly."It’s my fault," Evelyn shook her head, tears finally spilling onto her lap."I shouldn't have come to Florida. I shouldn't have run. Archer found me... he’s not going to stop. I’m going to ruin all of you."I started to stand, the urge to tell her she wasn't a burden nearly choking me, but Kendrick caught my arm. He shook his head slightly. Let her get it out."I’m scared..." she sobbed, the sound raw and ugly."I’m scared he’ll hurt you too. He’s out of his mind... he’s obsessed. Those roses..."The room went quiet aga
POV: JovanThe ride back to Shae’s place felt like a funeral procession. Usually, I’d find some excuse to tease her about how my helmet swallowed her whole, or we’d be arguing about whether to grab Thai or Italian for dinner. I’d feel her arms—tentative, soft—looping around my waist as the bike leaned into the curves of the Miami coast.Not today.There was only the guttural thrum of the engine and the salt-heavy wind of Sanur biting at my skin. It felt cold. Wrong.I kept cutting my eyes to the side mirror. I wasn't checking for cops or lane-splitters. I was looking at the woman behind me.Evelyn wasn't holding on.Her hands were flat against her thighs, her fingers frantically twisting the hem of her blouse in a rhythmic, obsessive motion that made my chest tighten. Her gaze was hollow, fixed on the asphalt rushing beneath us as if she were trying to find a way to disappear into it.Archer, you son of a bitch.Before we’d lef
POV: Evelyn ReeveI collapsed into my chair, the last of my strength evaporating like mist under the harsh Florida sun.The iced latte sat on the edge of the mahogany desk. I stared at it, watching the condensation bead and trail down the plastic cup like cold sweat. I had to force
POV: Evelyn ReeveI stood frozen, my heels rooted to the breakroom floor for several seconds after Jovan’s silhouette vanished past the door.I took a sharp, jagged breath, trying to stifle the frantic drumming against my ribs. My skin still felt electrified where he’d touched me—a
POV: Jovan BradfordSeven days.A full week has passed since that conversation with Shae, yet her voice still rattles inside my skull like a persistent echo.I sat in my office, the silence of the Meridian Miami building pressing against my eardrums. My eyes were fixed on the
Evelyn Reeve was cementing her position. It wasn't just about the work anymore; it was the way Jovan looked at her when he thought no one was watching.If I let this continue, she’d be untouchable.Riley Pratt, one of the HR guys, walked past my desk carrying a stack of files. I smo







