Anastasia's POVThe morning light pierced through the curtains. My head felt like a melon that had been dropped from a ten-story building. With a groan, I pried open one eye, then the other, squinting at the harsh numbers glowing on the bedside clock: 10:00 am.“Ugh,” I croaked, squeezing my eyes shut again in a desperate attempt to escape the throbbing pain behind them.Just the thought of sitting up sent a fresh wave of nausea crashing over me. Ignoring the dull ache blooming in my lower back, I attempted to rise anyway, only to be met with a white-hot spike of pain in my head that had me flopping back down onto the pillows with a whimper.That’s when Susan materialized in the doorway, a tray laden with a steaming bowl of soup held carefully in her hands. “Good morning, Miss Anastasia,”“Ugh, Susan. I slept in so late. I can’t believe it’s already ten.”“You should drink this, Miss,” she said gently, plac
Confined to my room, I sought refuge in the cool, quiet space, the heavy drapes filtering the afternoon sun. Curled up on the chaise lounge, I reached for a book from the nightstand, hoping to kill time.The words on the page swam before my eyes, blurring together despite my best efforts to focus. Just as I was about to give up and succumb to a nap, a soft knock on the door startled me.“Come in.”The door creaked open, revealing one of the maids. “Mrs. Del Valle, you have guests outside.” “Guests?” I echoed, setting the book down on the nearby table. “I wasn’t expecting anyone today.”“Yes, Miss. They identified themselves as Mrs. Sales and Mr. Wright.” “Mrs. Sales?” I know Mrs. Sales as she is the owner of Skyview Heights but I don’t know someone that has Wright as a surname. I sighed.Letting out a defeated sigh, I straightened the folds of my dress and ran a hand through my hair, “Alright, show them in.”The maid bowed her head and retreated down the hallway. Taking a deep
“I knew she’d say something like that,” Alex suddenly blurted out.I turned to him. “Huh? Say what?”“The ‘good word’ part,”“Oh,” I mumbled, averting my gaze. Deciding it best to ignore his comment, I offered a weak smile. “Anyway, thank you for helping me last night.”He crossed his arms, leaning back against the cushions, a grin spreading across his face. “Hmm… can you remember everything that happened?”“Uh, yes, of course,” shit. I responded a touch too fast.“Really?” He leaned forward, his gaze turning serious. “Then tell me, what happened in Skyview Heights? Did you see your husband punch…?”My heart stuttered in my chest. “He did what?!”A burst of laughter erupted from him, the sound echoing through the room. I rolled my eyes as I realized I’d fallen for his trap.“You don’t remember,”Cheeks burning hot, I cleared my throat. “Well, um, honestly, yes. I… I don’t rememb
A nervous tremor ran through me as I reached for my teacup. “You seemed to know my name”Alex shrugged. "Well, let's just say powerful names tend to stick in your memory, especially at your status. Anastasia Saavedra Montreal – even before you married into the Del Valle family, that name carried a lot of weight. And now….well, let's just say marrying Regan Del Valle only amplified that power.""Are you a fan, then? You seem to know quite a bit about me.""A fan, you could say.” He chuckled a warm sound that filled the room. “I actually saw you perform once, way back when. You were 14, and I was 16. You were incredible on the piano, by the way."A soft gasp escaped my lips. "You saw that?" I breathed in disbelief."Yep. You were a prodigy, everyone knew it. But then, you just... disappeared. There were a few sightings here and there, but nothing substantial. Then, boom! The news of your wed
I busied myself in the kitchen, chopping vegetables and stirring pots. Cooking had always been a way to distract myself, and tonight was no different. As I set the table, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of loneliness. But I pushed it aside, focusing on making everything perfect.As I carefully arranged the roasted chicken on the platter, the front door creaked open, a sound so rare it made me jump. Regan stood there, framed by the evening light, looking more surprised than I felt. My heart skipped a beat. It was the first time he had come home this early in a long while."Regan?" I said, trying to keep the shock out of my voice. "You're home."He offered a curt nod, his gaze going to the laden table. "What's for dinner?"The question felt so foreign after so many evenings of empty chairs and silent meals. It was the first time he had shown interest in having dinner with me."Oh! I, uh, made roasted chicken with vegetables and mashed potatoes
Regan’s POVThe final remnants of my self-control fled when I felt her lips on mine and caressed her body. My entire body was mashed up against hers. She produced the most delicate noises as we were fucking, but when I placed my hardest section against her belly, that delicate sound changed into a startled gasp.I stuck my tongue inside her mouth while it was slightly open, and the flavor was just like always.Sweet. Addicting.I lost control of myself.She moaned, “Regan,” against my mouth, and I groaned at the sexy sound of my name coming from her sweet lips.I inserted my tongue further, forcing her to rely on me. She fought back and gave me an arousing tongue-suck. My body was constantly rubbing up against hers. Her fingers were digging into my arms. With a gasp as her head tilted back, she broke off the kiss. Her desire was so strong that she continued to gaze at me with hooded eyes. I leaned down and kissed her again,
Anastasia’s POVI can feel Regan’s fingers inside of me. With his fingers firmly lodged in my pussy. Just from two of his big digits, I am stretched this far.Knowing it’s about to happen, I say, “I’m going to come.”He groans as he pushes them harder and faster, “God, so fucking tight.”And that’s it; that’s when I come. I groaned incoherently as I let forth my orgasm. My body was vibrating with pleasure, and I was panting and dizzy. With a long, leisurely lick of his tongue, he gently kissed the inside of my thigh. He took a sharp breath, then withdrew and lifted his hand. He maintained my gaze on him as he brought his finger to his lips, never letting go as he sucked them completely, causing my eyes to widen and my mouth to part even more.I was unable to look away after he had finished cleaning them. With his head slightly leaned back, his eyes closed, and his lips parted, he appeared incredibly strong. I felt all of his hardne
I stood a few meters away from the car and silently watched Regan open the car door and was about to get in when my phone buzzed in my pocket. I glanced down, frowning when I saw it was a message from my older brother, Christopher. A sense of unease washed over me as I read the text. 'Come to the company' "Who’s that?" Regan had one hand on the car door, his blue eyes fixed on me. "It's Christopher. He's asking me to go to the company." Regan's expression hardened slightly. "Maybe it's about that inheritance you're all fighting over. Why don’t you just give it to them?” The shock and pain from his words hit me like a punch to the gut, but I managed to maintain my composure. “You think so?" I said, my smile feeling more like a grimace. "So, they can stop bothering us," he said, his tone matter-of-fact, as if the solution was that simple. My smile wavered but didn't
A few feet away, a guy swung off a gorgeous black and chrome motorcycle, pulling off his helmet in one smooth, practiced motion. He shook out messy, dark hair that flopped slightly over his forehead, then casually tapped at his phone, probably answering some boring business call.He was tall, lean but broad-shouldered, dressed in a fitted white shirt and dark jeans, a silver chain hanging loosely around his neck. He looked effortless—expensive without even trying. His boots were clean but worn, like he actually used them, and his watch probably cost more than most people’s rent.Definitely rich. Definitely reckless enough to park a beauty like that out here.As I crept closer, pretending to scroll on my phone, I caught him speaking into his call."Yeah, it's Alex Wright. I'll be there in five."Alex Wright.Cute name for a cute face.Too bad for him.I sauntered right up to him, still casually puffing on the cigarette
Phoenix’s POV(New Character Unlocked!)The airport was a blur behind me, nothing but noise, dragging suitcases, and a few too many side-eyes at my rainbow hair. I couldn't care less. Let them stare. I'd dye it neon green next time, just to spite them.Phoenix Alvira Saavedra.Protector of blood.I had barely tossed my designer duffel into the passenger seat of my sleek black Porsche 911 Turbo S before I was tearing out of the airport driveway, engine roaring like a beast that couldn’t be tamed. No text, no warning. Surprise was half the funWhen I pulled up to the driveway, though, her house was too still, too quiet. Just her maids fluttering nervously at the front door like they were waiting for a bomb to drop."Miss Anastasia is at the park, ma’am," one of them chirped, her voice way too high, her eyes flickering nervously toward my boots and leather jacket.
The gravel crunched beneath our shoes as we followed the winding path deeper into the trees. I tucked my hands into the pockets of my sweater, breathing in the cold, crisp air that somehow still wasn’t enough to clear the fog inside my head.We were still walking quietly when, out of nowhere, a sharp, familiar voice cut through the heavy air.I turned my head and there she was—Zarina.I felt Ava stiffen beside me immediately, ready for whatever was about to happen. Thankfully, the park had already begun to empty. The sun was sinking, and there were no curious bystanders.Zarina's steps were quick and sharp, her heels clicking with every furious stride until she stood a few feet away. Her doe-like eyes pinned me like a dagger, full of rage."You really have some nerve," Zarina hissed. She stepped forward, hand twitching at her side, and for a split second, I saw her hand lift—as if she were seriously considering slapping me.But Ava was faste
When I finally reached outside, the heavy doors of the terrace yard shutting behind me, the first tear slipped down my cheek before I could even stop it. Another followed, and another, until my vision blurred.Ava and Sheila rushed toward me the second they saw me, their faces etched with worry. Ava gripped my arm gently, her brows furrowed as she tried to catch my gaze."Anastasia, what happened? Are you okay? What’s wrong?" she asked urgently, her voice rising with panic.Sheila hovered close, her hand resting lightly on my back, grounding me, waiting for me to say something, anything. But I couldn’t. I couldn’t even form the words."I just..." I croaked out, blinking furiously against the tears still spilling freely down my face. "I just want to get out of here. Please."That was all I said. And that was all they needed.Without a word, Sheila nodded fiercely, wrapping an arm around me as they guided me quickly back to t
The wind stirred again, stronger this time, whipping strands of my hair around my face, making the hem of my dress flutter wildly against my knees. I tucked the loose hair behind my ear again, but it was pointless—the breeze only pulled it free a moment later. It was as if even the world itself refused to let this moment be still.Regan shifted, his jaw clenching, the warmth that had flickered briefly in his eyes vanishing. His shoulders stiffened, his whole posture changing, becoming closed off—cold. The sharpness in his expression was unmistakable now, like my presence alone was grating against him.“Well?" he said, his voice tight, clipped. "What do you want to say, Anastasia? Why couldn't you just say it over the phone like a normal person?"The way he said my name—sharp, almost annoyed—stung more than I cared to admit. I felt the words catch in my throat for a second, but I swallowed them down, forcing myself to speak without letting my voice crack.
I saw his expression shift instantly—surprise flashing across his handsome features, confusion knitting into the crease of his brow. Without a word, he took a few slow steps forward, each one deliberate, closing the distance between us until we stood face to face.And there we were. Breathing the same air. Yet feeling worlds apart.My palms grew clammy, fingers instinctively tightening around the soft fabric of my dress. My heart beat faster, almost painfully, each thud a wild drum against my ribs. I could feel the panic blooming quietly inside me, spreading its tremors into my bones, rooting my feet to the ground.The silence between us was deafening. Neither of us spoke. Neither of us moved.We just stared at each other, locked in this strange moment, as if any wrong move would shatter whatever was holding us together—or perhaps, whatever was left. It was the first time we had seen each other again after that confrontation in our house. The time I saw him sleeping with Zarina, the t
The car slowed to a stop at the edge of the Garden Café's private entrance.It was exactly how I had requested it. Empty. Private.The building itself was beautiful—a modern, elegant glass structure with wide-open archways leading to a sprawling outdoor yard that overlooked the city below. The afternoon sun painted the stone path golden, and a light breeze teased the white drapes framing the open terrace. The view was breathtaking, but even the beauty of it couldn’t settle the pounding in my chest.Ava killed the engine, pulling her sunglasses down and peering around skeptically. "Well. It’s a graveyard. Very fitting for whatever dramatic conversation you’re about to have."Sheila shifted nervously in her seat, glancing at me. "You sure you wanna do this alone, Stasia? We can wait inside. Hide behind a plant. Throw things if he says something stupid."I laughed under my breath, touched beyond words. I reached over, squeezing Sheila’s hand and then Ava’s shoulder. "No. I need to do th
The low sound of the engine filled the car, a background noise against the sound of traffic outside. Ava was behind the wheel, her sunglasses perched on her nose, one hand casually resting at twelve o'clock on the steering wheel. Her hair—that wild ginger bun—bounced slightly every time we hit a bump. Sheila was in the passenger seat, legs tucked up like a kid, fiddling with the radio stations every five seconds and earning glares from Ava.And me?I was curled up in the backseat, leaning against the window, staring out at the blur of the city as it rushed past. It should have been a normal car ride. It should have felt like any other day.But it didn’t.Because today...Today I was going to face Regan again."Are you sure you’ll be okay, Tasia?" Sheila asked for what felt like the millionth time, twisting halfway in her seat to look at me.I smiled faintly, "Yes, I’ll be fine."Ava snorted loudly, adjusting her grip o
Sheila laughed and shoved her playfully. "Please, I’m the life of this party. You’re the sidekick, four-eyes.""Four-eyes? Bold words coming from someone who tripped over a flat sidewalk last week!"Sheila scowled. "Did Tasia tell you that? It was uneven!""It was flat," Ava shot back without missing a beat. "Gravity personally requested you fall over to entertain the public."I couldn't stop laughing, hiding my face behind my hand as the two of them bickered like no time had passed at all. It was chaotic, it was loud, it was messy—And it was home.Sheila turned to me with an exaggerated sigh. "You see what I put up with? You should pay me hazard fees just for being friends with her."Ava rolled her eyes and leaned casually against the table. "Yeah, yeah. You’re welcome for making your life interesting."Susan and Elise were trying—and failing—to hide their giggles as they discreetly stepped