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CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE Unsteady

Author: Asisipho Mloka
last update publish date: 2026-05-05 23:02:37

Anna’s POV

The Problem

The problem with kissing Xavier Cortez is that afterward—

Everything changes.

Not loudly.

Not obviously.

But enough.

Enough that now I notice everything.

The Office

The executive floor feels exactly the same this morning.

Quiet.

Polished.

Controlled.

But I don’t feel the same walking through it.

Because now—

Every step toward Xavier’s office comes with awareness.

My Thoughts

I kissed him.

No—

He kissed me.

And somehow that distinction matters.

Worse

What’s worse is that I
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  • The wife they never expected    CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE Tea and Secrets

    Anna's POVThe KnockNobody moves.Nobody speaks.Nobody even looks away from the photograph.The PhotographMrs. Alvarez.Elena.Marcus.Standing together.Smiling.Five years ago.And Outside The DoorThe real Mrs. Alvarez waits in the hallway.---My HeartBeats painfully hard.---Mrs. Alvarez's VoiceWarm.Familiar.Completely normal.---> "Xavier? Anna? I made tea."---SilenceThe room feels like it's stopped breathing.---DominicSlowly looks toward the door.---ClaraSlowly looks toward the door.---XavierLooks absolutely terrifying.---My ThoughtsOh no.---Because Xavier is angry.Not explosive anger.Not loud anger.---WorseControlled anger.---The Dangerous Kind---Xavier Takes The PhotographFolding it carefully.---ThenSlides it back into the file.---My ConfusionWhy is he hiding it?---Xavier Meets My EyesAnd immediately I understand.---Not YetHe doesn't want her to know we know.---SmartVery smart.---Xavier's VoiceCalm.Perfectly calm.---Xav

  • The wife they never expected    CHAPTER SIXTY Clara Bennett

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  • The wife they never expected    CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT The Danger Inside

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