Ethan"Sir... Ms. Celeste says she doesn't want to see you."The guard's words struck like a slap.I clenched my jaw as my eyes narrowed. My face twitched, but I tried to keep my expression controlled. I couldn’t explode here. Not in front of this damn security guard who looked at me like I was some fool trying to win over a girl out of his league.Celeste had really gone too far.She had ignored my calls, ghosted my texts, and now, she had the audacity to have me standing here at her gate, only to send some guard to dismiss me like I was nothing? I had swallowed my pride more times than I cared to admit, but this? This was pushing it.Still, I kept my cool."Tell her," I said, forcing a calm tone, "that I only need five minutes. Just five. That’s all."The guard gave me a look—half disbelief, half pity—before nodding slowly and heading back inside.The moment he turned his back, I scowled and clenched my fist.I had known Celeste was stubborn, but this was ridiculous. She was lucky I
AmeliaThe wind brushed softly against my skin as I stood on the balcony. I wasn’t looking at anything in particular, just staring ahead.The green trees stretched into the distance, swaying gently, birds flying past now and then. I could smell the fresh air—clean, pure, and light, nothing like the smoke, perfume, and alcohol that filled the club I had once been trapped in.Everything here was so quiet, so peaceful. There were no loud club beats pounding into my skull, no strobe lights flashing into my eyes. No one had tried to touch my body since I got here, tried to kiss me, or throw money at me like I was a prostitute. Here, people actually respected me. They treated me like a human being.It felt strange. Strange but good. I couldn’t remember the last time I had this kind of calm. No rush, no fear, just the sound of the wind and the trees. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, letting the peace sink into my bones."Miss Amelia," Margo's soft voice came from behind me. "Breakfas
ColeI exhaled slowly after Ingrid left, sinking deeper into my leather chair as the room fell quiet around me.Who would’ve thought that the first time I'd ever enter Eclipse Club… could dig up everything I’d tried so hard to keep buried?What were even the chances that I’d find Amelia there? Of all places, drenched in lights, dancing seductively, surrounded by men with lusty eyes.If Marcus hadn’t pulled me to that club, insisting that we talk about the gem there… I wouldn’t have ever walked into that club. I wouldn’t have seen her. She would have still been there, being harassed by some drunk bastard while everyone turned a blind eye.My fist clenched subconsciously. A dull ache throbbed in my palm, but I didn’t loosen my grip. There were too many questions, too many gaps in the story I didn’t know. I needed answers.As if on cue, my phone buzzed. Xavier.I snatched the phone off the desk and picked it up. “Yeah?”His voice was calm but urgent. “Cole, I’ve found something. Just lik
ColeI dialed a number and waited."Get the apartment and the doctor ready. I'm on my way," I instructed as soon as the call connected."Yes, sir," the voice on the other end responded without hesitation.I ended the call, tossed the phone on the passenger seat, and shifted the gear into drive.As I drove, from time to time, my eyes shifted to the rearview mirror, just to check on Amelia. soon, I noticed her head had drooped gently to one side. She had fallen asleep.Her breathing had softened. But even in her sleep, she looked lost—like someone who didn’t quite believe she was safe yet.The drive felt longer than usual. My thoughts kept circling back to everything that had led to this moment, to how fate had dragged Amelia back into my life when I least expected it.When we pulled into the underground garage of the apartment complex, I got out, opened the back door, and gently tapped her shoulder."Amelia," I said softly. "We’re here."She stirred at the sound of my voice. But the se
Cole"Amelia..."The name slipped past my lips like a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. My heart thudded against my chest, beating with disbelief and a raw ache I hadn’t felt in years. The chaos of the club around me disappeared for a split second.That was her.Amelia.I didn’t wait. I didn’t even think. My feet moved before my mind could catch up.I felt rage running through my veins. I stormed straight to the stage, my fists clenched tight at my sides.The drunk bastard who had grabbed her was still laughing, holding onto her arm like she was some kind of object. Amelia’s eyes were wide with fear, and her body trembled as she tried to push him away. I could barely breathe from the fury that consumed me.I reached them in three strides and threw a punch so hard that the man went crashing to the floor like a sack of potatoes. He didn’t move. A low gasp echoed through the crowd.Everyone froze. The music cut off mid-beat, like someone had pulled the plug on the whole place.Am
Skylar "We’re here, ma’am," the driver announced.I looked up from my phone, realizing I had barely noticed the drive. My thoughts had been scattered the entire way, tangled between half-finished tasks and designs. I let out a soft breath and gave the driver a small, appreciative smile. "Thank you."As I stepped out of the car, I tightened my coat around me and headed inside. The bar was stylish and cozy, filled with laughter, clinking glasses, and murmured conversations over low music.I looked around, scanning for a familiar face. Where was Amber?She was the one who had asked for this outing. She’d called last week, half-joking and half-pleading about how I had become a phantom—always busy, never around. Yet here I was. And she was nowhere in sight.I sighed and reached into my purse for my phone, already scrolling to her contact when I heard a voice behind me."Took you long enough," Amber said, grinning as she popped up behind me like a mischievous spirit.I laughed, turning a