ログインJOAN’S POVFor a moment, neither of us spoke.The morning breeze moved through the garden around us. The birds kept singing nearby.Everything felt strangely peaceful.Then Kevin suddenly reached toward one of the nearby flower bushes.I watched him curiously.He plucked a beautiful pink rose."Kevin!" I shrieked"What?" He held up the flower. "It was asking for me."I laughed. "Flowers don't talk.""This one did."He got on his knees and offered it to me."For you." He said “My lady”I stared at the flower, then at him. It was such a sweet gesture.A smile slowly spread across my face."You didn't have to do that." I said"I know." He smiled "I wanted to."I accepted the flower with a smile.It was beautiful. The petals were soft and perfectly formed. The scent was sweet."Thank you." I said."You're welcome."I couldn't stop smiling.The gesture was simple, but it was kind.Kevin seemed pleased by my reaction."You look happier." He whispered.Before I could respond, I had a strange
JOAN'S POVThe next morning, I woke up earlier than usual. Every time I closed my eyes, I remembered Derrick's hand on my thigh under the table and the possessive way he had looked at me. I remember how he fingered me casually like nobody was looking.Yet when I thought about speaking to him, all I could remember was his coldness. It was exhausting trying to understand a man who seemed determined to confuse me at every turn.I decided I needed fresh air.The mansion was still quiet as I stepped outside. The morning sun had only begun to rise, painting the sky in shades of gold and pale pink. Birds sang softly from the trees, and the scent of flowers drifted through the air. For the first time in days, I felt like I could breathe properly.The Stonewood gardens were one of my favorite places on the estate. They were beautiful and there was something especially magical about them in the morning. The petals of the flowers were filled with dew that looked like tiny diamonds. Roses blo
Viktor arrived at exactly the right time.He came in through the back entrance the way men like him always did - not because they were afraid, but because they liked the idea of arriving unannounced.He was tall, pale, with silver hair and cold grey eyes that moved around the room before he had taken three steps.Viktor Kasarov. He was one of the most discreet arms suppliers operating between Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean. He didn't advertise. He didn't negotiate over phone lines. He met in person, always in neutral cities, always in places that didn't keep records. His inventory was exceptional. His prices were high. His patience was limited.He slid into the booth across from me, extending his hand.I shook it."Stonewood," he said."Viktor." I nodded toward the bottle. "Drink?""I don't drink during business." He folded his hands on the table. "I appreciate the gesture."Santi had already placed the documents between us - A proposed order.Viktor looked at it for a few secon
DERRICK’S POVThe bar I came to was the kind of place that didn't exist on any map.There was no sign above the door, no name on the window. It had just a heavy black door hidden at the side of a building in downtown Milan, guarded by men who didn't smile and didn't ask questions.Inside, the lighting was low and amber. Jazz played from somewhere in the back. The whiskey here cost more than most men made in a week, and the people who sat in the leather booths knew things that could start wars.I fit right in.I sat at the far end of the private lounge with my back to the wall the way I always preferred it.It was an old habit. You never let anyone get behind you.The booth was large enough to fit six people, but tonight it was just the three of us - me, Santi, and Ace - and a half-empty bottle of Macallan 25 that I had been working through since we landed.The glass in my hand was cold. I turned it slowly, watching the amber liquid catch the light.I wasn't drunk. I didn't get drunk.
JOAN’S POVBea sat back down, still fuming. "Who does she think she is? Talking to people like that."I sighed and reached over to squeeze her hand. "It's okay, Bea. That's just how Sarah is. Don't let her get to you."Bea shook her head. "She's rude. I don't like her.""I don't either," I admitted. "But there's nothing I can do about it. Let's just focus on the wedding, okay?"Bea nodded, but I could tell she was still upset. She took a deep breath and forced a smile. "Okay, fine. Let's keep going."We were in the middle of looking at flower arrangements when there was a knock on the door. I looked up to see Santi standing in the doorway. He had his usual stoic expression on his face."Miss Joan," he said in his deep, calm voice. "Sir Derrick asked me to inform you that he will call you later this evening."My heart skipped a beat. Derrick wanted to talk to me?I swallowed hard and nodded. "Okay. Thank you, Santi."Santi nodded and turned to leave, but before he could, Bea let out a
JOAN’S POVI woke up that morning feeling like something inside me had shattered into a million pieces.My eyes opened slowly, and for a few seconds, I just stared at the ceiling. I turned my head to look at the clock on the nightstand. It was 7:23 AM. I had barely slept three hours.How could I sleep after what happened last night?My chest tightened as the memories came flooding back. I remembered everything - Derrick's office. His cold, commanding voice. The way he had touched me, controlled me, made me feel things I didn't want to feel. The way he had dismissed me afterward like I was nothing, like I meant nothing.I squeezed my eyes shut and pulled the blanket over my head, trying to block it all out. But it was useless. Every single detail was burned into my mind. I could still smell his cologne. I still remembered the feel of his hands on my skin, the sound of his breathing, the look in his eyes when he dismissed me. I felt my stomach twist with shame.I had stood there and
JOAN’S POVI had spent the last few days sewing in my sewing room. My mind was focused only on the fabrics and my designs. I had never felt happier.I was sewing again! I was actually sewing again. And this time, I had everything I ever needed and even more. Designing again was a breath of fresh ai
JOAN’S POVThe kiss lingered on my mind, stealing every ounce of focus I had. Derrick’s lips against mine, so unexpected, so electric—it was all I could think about as he led me by the hand into the hall. His grip was firm yet gentle, like he didn’t want to let go. My heart raced, not just from the m
JOAN’S POVI hummed as I stitched the hem of a simple dress. Sewing always brought me a sense of peace. It was a way to center myself when the world outside felt overwhelming.A sudden knock on the door broke my concentration, and I set the dress aside.“Come in,” I called, pushing a stray lock of hair
JOAN’S POVFor days, I hid myself in my room, avoiding everyone and everything. I didn’t want to see anyone and neither was I in the mood to do anything.I focused on the fabric in my hand as I sewed. My fingers worked mechanically, weaving the thread into the fabric, but my mind was far from focused.







