Mag-log inDarcy lightly bit her lip, tapping the manila folder against her palm. "I want to have dinner with you," she said.A small crease appeared between Erin's brows. "Dinner?""Yep. Friday night. Eight o'clock."Erin stared at her for a moment in disbelief before letting out a small sigh. "That's all?""No." Erin slouched back slightly as Darcy slowly ran a thumb along the top button of his suit jacket. "We can have dinner first, and if we still like each other after that..." Her gaze drifted to the side, a faint blush tinting her cheeks. "Then we can spend the night together."Though her voice sounded awfully confident, one could still sense she was slightly shy saying those words, judging by the way the tips of her ears had turned pink. Erin blinked in confusion, certain he'd definitely misheard her."If I'm understanding you correctly, you're offering to risk your career for a date... and a one-night stand?""I wouldn't exactly call it that." She shrugged lightly. "And I think my caree
"I'm here on behalf of Harton's Publishing Firm," Erin replied without hesitation. "We're compiling archival materials for an authorized biography on the late Edward Gates. The family has granted permission for us to review certain historical records, and I was directed here for the medical examiner's report."Erin smoothly slid over a signed document granting him permission to be there. The forgery was flawless, executed with the skills of an expert. There wasn't a single mistake on it, and the official seal looked completely real. The key to this job was keeping a totally calm face, letting the lie do the work.Dr. Watson glanced at the file."Hmm, I see. But you know what the problem is?" she said as she placed the file down and looked at him, her expression now turning serious."What is it, ma'am?" Erin asked."You know, when you called last night, I decided to do a little background check on your publishing firm. Harton's, you say? I called them this morning, and they said they
Alana walked straight into the spacious walk-in closet, her fingers skimming across the rows of office attire hanging on the racks. She carefully pulled two options from the hangers before turning around to face him."Which one do you think I should wear today?" she asked, holding them up against her frame. One was a sharp, sapphire-blue two-piece set featuring tailored trousers and a matching blouse, while the other was a deep, elegant emerald-green dress."Let me see."Roman stepped closer, taking both hangers from her hands. He glanced at the fabric for a brief, dismissive moment."Neither of them," he decided smoothly, turning to drape the clothes carelessly over the back of the vanity chair.Alana’s brows furrowed."Neither of them? What, do you suddenly hate the colors, or is it something else?" she questioned, crossing her arms."The colors are fine," Roman replied, stepping deep into her personal space. He reached up, the warmth of his fingers skimming her jawline as he gently
Stirring slowly, Alana's eyelids weakly fluttered open to an unfamiliar, sterile white ceiling. She frowned, a dull ache throbbing behind her temples as she pushed herself up on one elbow.Beside the bed, Roman immediately straightened. The exhaustion that had been dragging his shoulders down vanished, his dark eyes focusing entirely on her the exact second she moved."You're awake," he muttered, crossing the small space in two long strides."What happened?" Alana’s voice was barely a whisper, rough and disoriented. The hospital room felt cold, smelling slightly of antiseptic, and her mind was a complete blank."You hyperventilated and collapsed," Roman replied, sinking onto the edge of the mattress. He reached out, the rough pad of his thumb gently tracing her cheekbone. "I brought you straight here.""What time is it?"Roman glanced down, the face of his watch catching the harsh fluorescent light. "Just past two in the morning.""How did I... why did I pass out?" Alana pressed, her
The living room fell into complete silence except for the sound of Alana's muffled sobs. The dark revelation hidden within the old diary had shattered years of memories in a matter of minutes. Learning that her mother had betrayed her father, a man she had always claimed to love, felt like having the ground ripped out from beneath Alana's feet.Some truths were better left buried, yet Roy had deliberately dug this one up and placed it directly into her hands. But to what end? The question circled her mind like something with teeth, refusing to let go, gnawing at whatever composure she had left.Roman gently rubbed circles against her back until her breathing gradually steadied. He guided her back onto the sofa before reaching for the tissue box on the coffee table and pulling out a few tissues for her, his movements careful, unhurried, like he was handling something that might shatter if he moved too fast.Alana accepted them with trembling fingers, dabbing at her tear-streaked fa
"I think there's a problem with the shower," Alana said as she pulled out a chair and sat down at the dining table.Roman was still setting the last few dishes on the table, the clink of porcelain the only sound in the otherwise quiet kitchen."What happened?" he asked, placing another plate in front of her."The hot water stopped running halfway through. Maybe I'll call a plumber tomorrow and have it checked," he said, settling into his own seat.Alana nodded."That would be great."He pulled out the chair opposite her and sat down.The rich aroma drifting from the dishes immediately reached Alana's nose, making her stomach growl. Roasted garlic, something buttery underneath it, the faint tang of lemon.She looked over the spread before her, her eyes lighting up."These all look delicious.""Then stop staring at them and dig in," Roman muttered, though the corner of his mouth twitched with the beginning of a smile.Alana laughed softly and wasted no time picking up her fork.By the t
Taking the phone from Rosalind, Alana placed it by her ear and walked a little distance away from her aunt. She didn't utter a word, and the other end of the phone remained equally silent."You didn't bother to call me," her mother said from the other side of the phone."What do you want, Stephanie
Stopping the car in front of the silver gate, Alana glanced at the GPS to ensure she was at the right place. She turned off the engine and stepped out of the car, following Ryan's instructions. He had already informed the resident of her arrival. The gates opened almost immediately, and she swiftl
To her surprise, the man before her was the most handsome she had ever seen. His captivating green eyes mesmerized her, framed by long, beautiful lashes.Some of his jet-black hair fell to the side of his face, accentuating his features. His jawline was perfectly chiseled, and his lips had a soft p
Bang!The sound of the gun cut through the air as Alana pulled the trigger, the bullet barely passing by Roy's head and hitting the door behind him."You crazy bitch," Roy spat, making an attempt to move closer to her."Foolish idea, don't you think," Alana muttered, pointing the gun directly at







