LOGINAlana 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
From the moment Roman stepped out of the mansion after speaking with Mr. Beaufort, Erin couldn't help but notice how much darker his aura had become. It was as though the conversation had dragged him back to a place he despised, leaving a storm simmering beneath his otherwise expressionless face. Even after working beside Roman for years, Erin knew better than to ask what had transpired inside. Whenever Roman wore that particular look, it usually meant someone had crossed a line they shouldn't have. And if history had taught Erin anything, it was that the unfortunate person would eventually pay for it. Though he wasn't quite certain what Mr Beaufort would be paying for.He silently opened the rear door of the car. Roman slid into the back seat without a word, loosening his tie with one hand before leaning his head against the leather headrest and shutting his eyes.Erin closed the door and circled to the front passenger seat.The driver glanced at him through the rearview mirror.
"What makes you think I would even consider that absurd suggestion you made two months ago?" Roman asked, staring at Mr. Beaufort with undisguised disbelief.There was no hesitation in his voice, nor the slightest indication that he had entertained the idea.If anything, the mere thought of it seemed to offend him. He leaned back in his chair, his expression remaining as unreadable as ever while his sharp eyes stayed fixed on the old man across from him.Mr. Beaufort let out a quiet scoff, as though Roman's reaction was the only absurd thing in the conversation."I don't see any reason why you shouldn't do exactly as I'm asking," he replied calmly, folding his hands over the polished head of his walking cane."No one else in the Gates family knows this except me." He lifted a finger and traced an imaginary line through the air between them. "The Gates family succession has always been simple. If the first son falls, the second takes over. If the second son falls, the third inherits ev
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
The weekend passed rather quickly in a blur, and Monday came. Like some forces could feel her dilemma and were offering to help out. Roman informed her that he would be gone for a week on a business trip. He had been completely different that morning, not his appearance, but his entire demeanor.Th







