LOGINVALERIEThe Cantrell villa felt too big when I walked in.Too quiet in that suffocating way that made it feel like even your footsteps had to behave. The kind of place where nothing was ever out of order because someone always fixed it before you could even notice it was wrong.And Dominic still wasn’t back. That was the first thing I realized but the second thing… was worse.I was disappointed.It hit me like a small, annoying truth I didn’t ask for. I stood near the entrance for a second longer than I should’ve, heels still on, watching the long hallway stretch out like it was mocking me.I clicked my tongue under my breath. “Ridiculous,” I muttered.Behind me, the maids were already moving. Bags were being brought out and clothes sorted. Everything I had bought today was being carefully packed like I wasn’t just going on a trip, but being relocated like property.Honeymoon.Still sounded stupid in my head.I turned slightly, watching them fold dresses, place jewelry into velvet box
VALERIEThe car hadn’t even fully stopped before I could feel it. The attention.It hit before the door even opened, like a wave already waiting for me outside, loud and hungry and nosy as hell. The moment the door swung open and my heel touched the pavement, the noise exploded. Cameras clicking. Voices overlapping. People calling out his name—my name now—and I had to fight the urge to flinch like some startled animal.Instead, I stepped out like I owned the entire damn street.Because if there was one thing I learned in the past twenty-four hours, it was this—never let them see you hesitate.My spine straightened automatically, chin lifting just a little, sunglasses already in place as I adjusted them with slow fingers like I had all the time in the world. Meanwhile, inside? My pulse was doing backflips. Actual acrobatics. My heart was pounding so loud I swore someone could hear it through my chest.“Mrs. Cantrell!”“Over here!”“Look this way!”Flashes hit my eyes even through the t
DOMINICThe pesky girl was still coughing on the floor when security arrived. Two men in dark suits stepped out of the elevator within seconds, professional and silent. They didn’t ask questions. They didn’t look surprised either, why would they? These stuff happens all the time. It's hard to find a hardworking young lady that doesn't wanna know what it feels like to be bedded by me. Do I blame them? Yes. Because if you cannot differ sexual pleasures from business then you're not worth my company. I watched as my black clothed men grabbed her by the arms and lifted her to her feet. “Please— Mr. Cantrell—” she choked, mascara already smudging beneath her eyes.I didn’t answer. I was already walking away. Her voice followed me down the hallway as security dragged her toward the elevator. Pleading. Crying. Promising she would behave better.None of it mattered. People made the mistake of believing power meant cruelty. It didn’t. Power meant rules. And I had very few of them. But the on
VALERIE Except this time the glass walls weren’t there. This time I was inside. And apparently… every single one of these cars was available to me. I folded my arms slowly, turning in a slow circle as my eyes moved across the collection.Black. Silver. Matte gray. Deep red.Sports cars. Luxury sedans. Cars that looked so fast they could probably break the speed of sound.For a moment I actually laughed. A short breathy laugh that escaped before I could stop it.“This is ridiculous,” I muttered.Behind me Mr. Hawthorne stood calmly with his usual professional posture, holding a small tablet in one hand. The bodyguard Dominic had assigned to me stood quietly a few feet away, tall and broad shouldered with his hands folded behind his back like some kind of silent soldier. The maid stood beside him looking slightly amused by my reaction.Apparently this was a normal Tuesday for them. For me it felt like stepping into another universe. Mr. Hawthorne spoke calmly behind me. “Master Dominic
VALERIE If it wasn’t for one of the maids spotting me wandering like a confused tourist I probably would’ve gotten lost for an hour. “Dining room is this way, my lady,” the maid said kindly, guiding me down another hallway.“Thank you,” I said honestly. “I would’ve ended up in the basement at this rate.” She smiled softly but didn’t comment. Eventually we reached a large set of double doors and she opened them for me. The dining room was enormous.Long dark table in the center. Tall windows letting sunlight pour in across the polished floor. And at the head of the table sat Dominic Cantrell looking exactly like the cold ruthless man the world knew he was.His face was calm. Emotionless. In front of him was a tablet which he was working on with sharp precise movements. Standing just behind him was Mr. Hawthorne, his assistant, holding another tablet while reading something quietly.It looked less like breakfast and more like a business meeting. I sighed softly and walked over before t
VALERIEMy body woke up before my brain did.And the first thing my body did was complain.Every muscle hurt. Not the normal kind of sore either, not the kind you get after cleaning floors all day or carrying too many grocery bags. No. This was a deeper ache. A slow burn in places I refused to think about too hard. My legs felt heavy, my back tight, and there was this annoying soreness in my hips that made me immediately want to bury my face in a pillow and scream.I groaned and rolled slightly onto my back, staring up at the unfamiliar ceiling while memories from last night crept into my head like annoying little demons. Dominic’s voice. Dominic’s hands. Dominic being entirely too good at knowing exactly what he was doing.“Ugh,” I muttered, dragging a hand down my face. I could literally feel heat crawl up my neck when I remembered how easily I had given in to him. “Idiot,” I mumbled to myself. “Absolute idiot.”Because what kind of person lets the man who basically blackmailed them







