Charles POV:The city was alive with its usual sounds as I sat in my office, high above the busy streets. Cars honked their horns, people chatted on the sidewalks, and the rain fell in a steady rhythm. I was lost in thought, my mind filled with images of her - Agatha De Rossi.I had known about Agatha's arrest even before she did. My spies at Richards Inc. had kept me informed, Nathan want her destroyed, and I had confirmed it with my sources at NexGen Tech. I had rushed to her side, playing the knight in shining armor. But it wasn't just about saving her; I had made sure the paparazzi and media cameras were there. I wanted the world to see me as Agatha De Rossi's new partner.But then, Camille showed up. She had looked at me with those accusing eyes, and I couldn't help but feel annoyed by her presence. She just wanted to be seen as a good friend, when she was just a mistress.As I sat in my office, I found myself reflecting on my first meeting with Agatha. It was at the gala, whe
Agatha POV:I woke up slowly, the ocean waves gently crashing outside, making me feel calm and peaceful. For a second, I didn't remember where I was. Then everything came back to me: the police at work, the embarrassment of being arrested, and the sudden help from Camille and Charles. It all seemed like a dream.I rubbed my eyes and looked around the cute cabin. Charles really went above and beyond. The ocean view was amazing, and the whole place felt cozy and welcoming.I felt a bit bad for thinking he had bad intentions. He showed up when I needed him most, just like a knight in shining armor. Now he brought me here, to this peaceful spot, so I could escape the craziness.As I walked downstairs, the yummy smell of breakfast filled the air. I found Charles in the kitchen, humming happily as he cooked. He looked up and smiled when he saw me. "Good morning, sleepyhead," Charles said with a playful smile. "I thought you were going to sleep forever."I chuckled. "Sorry, I guess I was
I nodded, my throat scratchy. His kindness and worry about me were both sweet and a bit much to handle. I almost wanted to hug him and feel safe, but then I remembered everything that happened and held back.We walked along the beach quietly for a while, just listening to the waves crashing. I was about to say something when Charles's phone rang."Sorry, gotta take this," he said with an apologetic look. He walked a few steps away and spoke softly into the phone.While he talked, I took a moment to think, looking out at the ocean. I wondered who was calling - maybe it was about work.After a few minutes, Charles came back looking worried and focused."Is everything okay?" I asked, worried about his frown.Charles tried to smile, but his shoulders were tight. "It's fine, Agatha. Just work calling. Nothing major, but I gotta do a video meeting now."I felt a bit bummed, but I get it. "No worries, go ahead. I'll be fine here for a bit."He squeezed my hand gently. "I'll be quick, prom
Nathan POV:I sat at my desk going over the financial reports, which were looking worse each day. We were hemorrhaging money and investors were jumping ship faster than rats from a sinking ship. My assistant Steve knocked on my office door. "You have a visitor, Mr. Richards," he said grimly.I sighed. "Who is it now? Another creditor demanding payment?" Things had gotten so bad I was half expecting the mob to show up next. "It's Ms. DuBois, sir. Shall I send her in?" Steve replied.Camille. The last person I wanted to deal with right now. Ever since our argument the other day, she had been extra clingy and dramatic. I just wanted some space to handle this mess without her constant hovering."Fine, send her in," I grumbled. Might as well get this over with.Camille bounced into my office, her ever-growing baby bump preceding her. She carried a tray laden with sandwiches and muffins from the café down the street, no doubt trying to butter me up. "I brought you some lunch, honey!" s
Agatha POV:Charles and I strolled along the beach like we always do in the afternoon. The ocean breeze felt awesome, and the waves crashed softly nearby."This vacation's amazing!" I said to Charles. "Thanks again for bringing me."Charles grinned. "No problem! Glad you're chilling out."We walked quietly for a bit, just enjoying each other and the pretty view. Then, Charles said something that stopped me cold."Too bad Nathan blew it with a fine woman like you," he said.I froze and turned to him. "What'd you say?"Charles blinked, surprised. "Uh, I was just saying Nathan messed up by treating you bad...""Don't even mention Nathan," I cut him off, holding up my hand. "I don't wanna think about him right now.""Of course," Charles said fast. "Sorry about that." We started walking again, but my stomach did flips. Why'd Charles have to mention Nathan? Ugh.Like he could read my mind, Charles spoke up. "Honestly, I never got why you liked Nathan. He totally wasn't good enough for som
Agatha POV:My stomach felt like it was doing flips as the car sped towards home. I watched the buildings pass by, changing from crowded shops and noisy restaurants to fancy houses hidden behind tall gates and trees. Each house was bigger and fancier than the last, like a competition for who could have the most impressive castle.We turned onto my street, and I felt a little calmer. Every house here was huge, with perfect lawns and sparkling fountains. It was like stepping into a movie about rich people, where everything was beautiful and safe. Even the air seemed different – cleaner, more peaceful.Even the comfy leather seats couldn't stop the weird mix of relief and emptiness inside me. I was home, in a place where nobody could hurt me. But something was missing, a piece of me that I'd left behind somewhere.Dad's company was safe. We had beaten Richards Inc., just like I planned. So why didn't it feel good?I kept replaying the scene at the airport. Nathan's eyes, filled with
Nathan POV:My hands were sweaty as I stood in the De Rossi mansion's giant entryway.My heart pounded against my ribs like a drum solo.This was my last shot – my one chance to win Agatha back and fix everything I messed up.The past few weeks had been a harsh wake-up call. Watching my company crumble while Agatha thrived at NexGen… it made me realize how badly I screwed up.I took her for granted, treated her like she didn't matter. I was an idiot for letting go of the only woman who ever truly loved me.And now, staring into her beautiful, guarded eyes, I knew I had to spill my guts, no matter how embarrassing it felt.Camille and the baby? They were a million miles away in my mind.All that mattered was Agatha, and convincing her to give me another shot."Agatha," I began, my voice shaky."I know I messed up. I have no right to be here, to ask you to forgive me.
Agatha POV:My heart thumped against my ribs as I walked away from Nathan.The raw pain in his voice, the desperation on his face... it shook me to my core.A part of me wanted to run back, to give him the second chance he begged for.But then I remembered the hurt, the betrayal, how easily he'd tossed me aside.That memory, burned into my brain, reminded me why I had to let him go. It didn’t matter that a part of me still cared.I couldn't risk that kind of heartbreak again.Charles walked beside me, his eyes burning into my back.I knew he was watching, waiting for me to fall apart, to show weakness.And I hated how much power he had over me, how he'd wormed his way into my life.Once we were alone, I turned to face him, my face cold."What was that, Charles? I thought we were done with the games, the manipulation."He looked embarrassed, holding up h
Agatha POV:"Yes, Sarah?" I answered the phone."Ms. De Rossi," Sarah’s voice was tight, high-pitched with panic. "It's… it's Mr. Campbell! There's been… an accident!"Ice flooded my veins. The world tilted, the budget figures swimming violently before my eyes. "Accident?" I repeated, my voice barely a whisper. "What kind of accident? Is he… is he okay?""I don't know!" Sarah sounded close to tears. "Someone from his office just called, Thompson, I think? Said Mr. Campbell's car was hit… a hit-and-run downtown. They're taking him to St. Jude's, but he didn't know how badly hurt he is…"The carefully constructed walls I’d built around my heart crumbled instantly. The anger, the suspicion, the fear
Nathan POV:The image flickered on the cheap laptop screen, grainy footage from a hidden camera I’d paid a disgruntled security tech (courtesy of Manuel’s untraceable funds) to install overlooking the entrance to Agatha’s ridiculously opulent mansion.There they were. Campbell, playing the dutiful partner, opening the car door for her, his hand lingering possessively on her back as she stepped out. Agatha, pale and tired, offering him a tight, forced smile before disappearing inside.My teeth ground together. His hand on her back.The sight sent a familiar surge of bile rising in my throat. P
Charles POV:The sleek, minimalist reception area of Moretti Legal was offensively serene. Soft lighting, muted grey tones. It projected an image of calm competence, of controlled efficiency. An image that did nothing to soothe the tempest raging inside me."Mr. Campbell," the receptionist, a young woman with sharp eyes, greeted me with professional, if slightly wary, politeness."Do you have an appointment with Ms. Moretti?""No," I stated flatly, striding past her towards the frosted glass door bearing Lena Moretti's name. "But she'll see me."I didn't bother knocking. I pushed the door open and stepped inside.Lena Moretti looked up from the documents spread across her wide, uncluttered desk,
Charles POV:The sharp click of the phone disconnecting echoed in the sudden silence of my office.Agatha stood frozen, the color drained from her face, her eyes wide with a horror that mirrored the jolt of pure panic shooting through my own system.Lena Moretti. That interfering, sharp-tongued lawyer.What the hell had she just told Agatha? Something about Nathan, clearly. Something devastating, judging by Agatha's reaction.My mind raced, calculating angles, assessing damage, scrambling for control. This was bad. This could undo everything."Agatha, what is it?" I demanded, striding towards her. "What did she say?"I snatched the phone f
Agatha POV:"Lena," I answered, my voice tight, trying to sound normal, professional, acutely aware of Charles standing rigidly by the window, his back to me, but radiating tension like a high-voltage wire. "What is it? What leak?""Agatha," Lena’s voice was low, urgent, stripped of its usual calm professionalism. It sounded… strained. Scared. "Are you sitting down? Are you alone?"My heart lurched. "No, Charles is here," I whispered, glancing nervously towards his still figure. "Why? Lena, what's happened?""Okay," Lena took a deep breath, the sound crackling slightly over the line. "Okay. Just… listen. Don't react if you can help it. This is… bad, Agatha. Really bad.""Lena, you're scaring me. Tell me." My knuckles wer
Agatha POV:"...so if we shift the Q4 projections for the micro-optics division slightly, it buys us breathing room with the Tanaka investment without raising immediate red flags for the rest of the board." Charles tapped a pen against the polished surface of my desk – Dad’s desk – his brow furrowed in concentration. He’d shown up unannounced an hour ago, ostensibly to discuss NexGen strategy, though his presence always felt like more than just business these days. Ever since the hospital, since Dad started recovering… things between Charles and me were… complicated. Strained. He acted like everything was fine, like our brief intimacy had sealed something permanent, but I kept pulling back, needing space he seemed unwilling to grant."It's aggressive, Charles," I countered, leaning back in my chair, trying to focus on the figures he’d laid out, not on the way his knee occasionally brushed mine under the desk. "Moving those projections relies heavily on the successful rollout of Pha
Nathan POV:The chipped Formica tabletop felt gritty beneath my elbows.Outside the grimy window of this third-rate apartment Manuel had dug up, the city skyline was a distant, mocking silhouette.No penthouse views here. Just peeling paint, the lingering smell of stale cigarettes, and the constant drip, drip, drip from a leaky faucet in the kitchenette sink – a fitting soundtrack to the wreckage of my life.After knocking James Wei out cold back in his NYC office, I’d made that frantic call to Campbell, thinking I could leverage what I knew, maybe force an alliance against Wei. What a joke. Campbell had probably laughed after hanging up.I’d grabbed Wei’s burner phone – the one he used for his dirtiest dealings – and bolted, getting o
Agatha POV:The automatic doors of St. Jude's Hospital slid open with a quiet whoosh, admitting us into the familiar chill of conditioned air, tinged with the unavoidable scent of antiseptic and floor cleaner.Beside me, Charles radiated an almost unnerving enthusiasm, a stark contrast to the knot of apprehension tightening in my stomach."Ready, darling?" He placed a hand on the small of my back, a proprietary gesture that had become disturbingly frequent."Aldo's going to be so thrilled to see you looking so well. And to hear our news, of course.""Charles, we talked about this," I started, trying to keep my voice low, even. "I don't think today is the day to…""Nonsense," he inter
Agatha POV:The spoon felt unnaturally heavy in my hand, the mint chocolate chip ice cream cloyingly sweet on my tongue.Usually, it was my comfort food, my go-to indulgence after a stressful day. Tonight, each spoonful felt like swallowing lead.Across the low coffee table in my living room – Dad’s living room, technically, though I’d started thinking of the mansion as mine these days – Charles beamed, digging into his own bowl with gusto.He’d arrived exactly an hour after my text, a pint of the most expensive artisanal mint chip available clutched in one hand and a bouquet of pale pink roses, my favorites, in the other. The perfect picture of the doting, attentive partner.My skin prickled.