เข้าสู่ระบบVICTORIAFour years laterThe air feels different today — softer, lighter, almost unreal.The sun pours gently over the gardens of Valemont estate, painting the marble white and the grass gold.Children run barefoot across the lawn, their laughter spilling through the breeze like music.I am standin
******************************************************************************************CHASEThe music floats across the beach, slow and warm, the kind that makes the night feel softer than it is.Fairy lights sway in the ocean breeze, and laughter ripples through the guests as I stand near the
VICTORIAThe sand is warm under my heels as we walk down the narrow path leading to the beach, the faint hum of waves mixing with distant laughter.My hand rests lightly on my belly, the other laced tightly with Chase’s because I still can’t believe this is real — that he’s this happy, that we are.
I pretend not to notice, but something cracks quietly inside me.On the jet, she wasn’t exaggerating about sleeping. The moment she sits down, she curls up, adjusts the blanket, and shuts her eyes without a word. I sit across from her and just… stare as the engines hum softly, clouds drift past the
CHASE“That’s it. Close that laptop; we’ll be late,” I say, standing from the couch at House of Valemont, telling her for the tenth time, pretending she didn’t hear me.Victoria doesn’t even flinch. Her eyes stay fixed on the screen, the faint light tracing her sharp cheekbones as she scrolls. “One
The entire ride to House of Valemont, I can’t calm down. I keep rehearsing my steps, my greetings, my smile. My mind runs wild with what-ifs—what if nothing’s the same, what if I walk in and everyone stares? What if I can’t do this? but I try to remain strong until we get there.Once we finally arr
Chase grips my shoulders, firm but steady. “You know I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important. You can do this, Victoria. If there’s one thing you’ve proven lately, it’s that you’re a shark when you need to be.”I look up into those dark, unyielding eyes, and how could I say no to them? Damn him, and d
By the time we slip into the Stelux back alley, my chest is still tight, my pulse refusing to settle.We use the same door we’d snuck out of earlier and head straight for the elevator, neither of us speaking, the silence is heavier than words, humming with what we just saw.Once the elevator doors s
CHASEThe mayor of D.C. stands at the podium, giving a long speech about my “visionary leadership,” my “growth mindset,” and my “work for the community.”His words echo through the loudspeakers, polished and dramatic, and I stand there with my hands folded behind my back. It’s almost funny to watch.
I put my hands on my hips, standing taller. “No. I’m not drunk chase. I am just done waiting. I want my name, my company, my legacy back. And if you won’t help me, fine. I’ll do it myself.”He sighs, slow, heavy, like he’s run out of patience. “You are high on power and bourbon, and now you think yo







