LOGINSIXTEEN YEARS AGO: CLAYTON Dad kept checking me like I would drop on the spot and die.“Son, you sure you’ve got your inhaler?” he asked for the fourth time in an hour.I didn't look up from the comic book resting on my lap, but I knew he was watching me with that same worriedexpression he always had whenever I stepped farther than five feet away from him.“Yes, Dad,” I answered as loudly as I could, which wasn’t that loud anymore. “It’s in my front pocket, zipped tight" I patted the stuff over my combat shorts. “See?”Dad hummed softly, turning the steering wheel carefully as he took a bend on the road. Morning sunlight poured through the windshield and into the car, flashing over his expensive watch, the sky was filled with bright clouds and people walked their pets on the streets while wearing colourful clothesI loved the city in Summer. It felt so bright and alive and I couldn't wait to be under the warm sunDad slowed down at a traffic light, tapping his fingers against the s
YVONNE'S P.O.VThe little velvet box stole my breath away, alongside any coherent thought I possessedMy lips parted, a soft helpless sound slipping out. They shut and parted again, struggling to say something I was speechless Mr Voss took a step closer to me, so that the space between us was nothing but an inch or two. The navy of his eyes twinkled with delight “Yvonne" he called my name softly, as soft as the sweet breeze that blew past us. I glanced down from his face to the velvet back box, my heart constricted “Mr Voss” My voice came out smaller than I intended. ”What is in that?"He didn't answer me immediately, but he watched me with something like amusement flickering in his eyes, then the corner of his mouth curved upward in a slow smile that had my stomach clenching and my knees wobbling I felt his hot, minty breath when he rapsed “It's for you”He lifted the lid Nestled against a cloth of white soft fabric was a silver bracelet, the most beautiful silver bracelet I h
YVONNE’S P.O.V The moment the conference room doors closed behind us, the muffled noise inside faded into silence. I somehow managed to release the breath I've been holding even though I was still tensed. My heart was pounding from everything that had just happened “Phoebe" I muttered, still in shock. “I never would have believed it was her" Mr Voss's firm hand on my waist pressed in tighter, I should have shifted away, I should have reminded him that we were in public and he should stop being overly familiar, but instead, I leaned into his touch He felt warm, comforting, too good. I felt more than heard his next words “People can be deceiving Yvonne darling" Those words left an imprint on my skin, deep and permanent. Heck, it settled somewhere inside my soul. I wonder how Mr Voss can make a simple word like ‘darling' sound so...so sinful “Including you?" I teased, for lack of anything better to say He paused in his steps, making me pause too. Mr Voss gave me an incredul
YVONNE'S P.OV“Phoebe Hamilton” Mr Voss's words boomed through the upstiring commotion To say I was in shock would be the understatement of the year “Phoebe?" I muttered, my fingers trembling on my lap. It didn't make sense, It didn't make any sense. Phoebe and I have always been on good terms, she had no reason to sabotage my presentation flash drive. So why?Mr Voss gave another signal to the tech guys who turned the projector off. He stretched out a hand, pointing towards someone, her “Phoebe Hamilton, step forward” He had spoken those words calmly, but a dark undercurrent ripped through the room in hot waves, everyone could feel the rage behind those words I twisted in my seat, looking towards where Phoebe was. Her mouth was agape, she kept on shaking her head frantically “No, Sir. Please"My insides twisted when tears ran down her cheeks, and her face turned very pale, she didn't look so good.Mr Voss's jaw ticked with impatience “Now!" He commanded, making everyone, me includ
YVONNE'S P.O.VBy ten a.m. prompt, a message had circulated through every floor of SilverThorn Luxury Group. Every single employee had been assigned to the executive conference hall on the eleventh floor.It was very noisy when I stepped in and took my seat at the front, where the senior staff sat. HR executives, department managers, regional supervisors, and board representatives occupied the rows closest to the stage while the rest of the employees filled the seats behind us.A few heads turned to look at me as I walked, some with disdain and envy, some with just surprise. A few months ago, I had been the ‘Laughing stock’ of SilverThorn Group, everyone knew that Edgar Baxter was only promoted to the position of Regional Manager because of my work, which he stole credit forAnd yet, he treated the trash outside better than he did to meMy promotion from a low-level staff to one of the highest positions in SilverThorn had come as a massive shock to everyone, some people are yet to com
YVONNE'S P.O.VThe weekend passed by with excruciating slowness. I texted Sasha all through, making sure she was okay and that no effects from the smoke inhalation lingered. As far as I could tell, she was very healthy and back on set. This time, they took extra precautions in case of another accident“Tell me about the good stuff" She demanded on our first FaceTime after I landed in Seattle. I tried to laugh it off, but Sasha saw right through meThere hasn't been any ‘good stuff’ between Mr Voss and me in a few days. Seeing Kate in Florida had shaken me so badly that I genuinely thought it was more than I could handle, but I didn't know where or what gave me the courage to stand up for myself.It ... just happened I got so fed up with everyone thinking they could talk me over that something inside of me snapped, or maybe, maybe it was because I had a source of strength I haven't even fully acknowledged Maybe because I knew that Mr Voss was there, watching, that he had my back
YVONNE'S P.O.V Mr Voss drove us to a small restaurant fifteen minutes away from the company. I had expected something grand and luxurious, but instead, he brought us to a small roadside place, with soft lighting and the clinking of cutlery echoing in the air I liked this better. Mr Voss led me
CLAYTON'S P.O.V I wanted Yvonne with me tonight. Catherine's anniversary was the only excuse I could use for the moment to have her with me outside of the confines of the company, but I hadn't expected Cecilia to be around. My grip on the steering wheel tightened. If I had known she'd be there
YVONNE'S P.O.V Her words were like gunshots fired right through my chest. I pulled away from Mr Voss's hold on me so fast that he didn't have time to hold me closer to himself. The brown eyed lady smiled at me, as if she could see right through all the horrible things I was about to do. As if she
YVONNE'S P.O.V He gave me no option. Not like Mr Voss commanded me to be his date for tonight, it's just that when he asks things like that, it's hard to say no. I'm pretty sure I'd jump into a well if he so much as requests it. So at nine p.m., instead of taking the damning pregnancy test sti







