ログインThe night was becoming increasingly exhausting as he continued to entertain and exchange pleasantries with the guests, especially the investors, keeping him busy. But even with the conversations that didn't seem to be ending, his eyes kept moving around to see if he'd catch a glimpse of her. Tyler was the first person he saw, but he was alone—no sign of Tessa. ‘ Has she gone home?’ Grayson wondered, making up his mind to round the whole conversation up when he saw Laura storming out of a room. Her face was red with anger, and she looked so frustrated that he could instantly tell something was wrong. He excused himself from the guest and walked towards the room she had stormed out of. Opening the door, something stopped in him the moment he saw her sobbing profusely. His lips parted, his eyes stilled on her, his fingers twitched as he watched her shoulders shaking
| BACK TO PRESENT |“ You too kissed?”Tessa turned sharply to where the voice had come from, chills racing down her veins rooting her to the spot. Her chest tightened, a cold knot formed in her stomach as her heart rate picked up. “ Mum.” The word slipped out of her lips as she stared with widened eyes, tears still streaking down her cheeks. She wanted to disappear, to vanish into the floor.“ What exactly did I just hear?” Laura demanded, her voice low, edged with anger. Her sharp eyes glinted with fury as she stepped forward, heels clicking against the polished floor.The room suddenly felt smaller around Tessa. Her throat ached as if it were closing on itself. Every heartbeat screamed panic and regret.Tyler straightened awkwardly, he opened his mouth to speak, but she didn't give him a chance.“ I need to speak to my daughter, alone.” She said with a hardened voice, not sparing Tyler a glance.He didn't ne
[ Note: Chapter is emotionally heavy, it contains scenes of child abuse and may be distressing for some readers. ] | 16 YEARS AGO: FLASHBACK | Grayson smiled, lips quivering, eyes brimming with tears he stared at the paper trembling slightly in his hand. His heart felt overwhelmed, his lashes fluttered as he blinked back the tears that threatened to fall. It was early 7th grade, but even though he was a 12-year-old, he couldn't afford not to have gotten this. He glanced at the report sheet again to make sure this wasn't a mistake. First position. A small, disbelieving laugh slipped out of him, quick and breathless, like even joy needed permission before it could fully exist. He had scored Ninety+nine, an A+, ranking the highest in the entire class. His name sat boldly at the top, above everyone else's. Those sleepless nights, splashing water on his face, revis
Silence settled the moment they were left alone. Not the comfortable kind but the kind that pressed against the skin.Tessa stood between them, her chest rising unevenly, her fingers curling slightly at her sides. She couldn't look at either of them, but she could feel the tension like ice on her skin. ‘ Can I just disappear for a second?’ She wishes in her mind.“ I noticed you came alone.” Tyler broke it first; a soft chuckle slipped from his lips, casual and almost amused. “ Funny, I always thought husbands were supposed to bring their wives.” Tessa's heart skipped.‘ What is he doing????’ she shouted inwardly. “ But yours wouldn't even follow you to a family dinner.” He pressed. Tessa’s brows pulled together slightly. “ Tyler..” She called cautiously but he wasn't done.“ What will you do? She doesn't seem to regard you as her husband, and I'm sure you know the history between us.”Grayson
| STILL AT THE PARTY |There was no warning, just a shift that made the air outside feel tight as if the night itself had taken notice before anyone else did. The Lamborghini stopped right in front of the house. Curious eyes remain fixed as they watch the car door open, heads tilting as the man who carries authority like a second skin steps out of it.Grayson Beaumont. Gasps and murmurs followed immediately especially from the female guests standing outside. His suit sat flawlessly against him, every line sharp, every detail intentional. He didn’t look around, didn’t acknowledge the world waiting inside for him.He didn't look surprised when he saw the guests, as if he knew not to trust Ciara's words. He inhaled deeply, exhaled, and simply walked inside. Moment before Grayson got inside, Tessa’s fingers curled at her side, scrambling her head for what to do. But the moment Tyler not
| SAME DAY: EVENING TIME | The house didn't just speak of wealth, it announced it. A cacophony of laughter echoed from the house. Gracefulness spilled from every corner, rich and expensive perfumes tangled with the delicious aroma of desserts and different meals. The guests were few like they were carefully selected. Men and women of influence, investors, executives, and power players, stood in small clusters with every conversation layered with meaning. Ciara smiled as she looked around, loving the setup with her arm tangled with Blake's. They were the kind of couple people noticed without trying. “ Are you sure he is coming?” Blake asked, referring to Grayson. “ He is, I'm certain,” Ciara assured, looking back briefly to see if his car would be arriving any time soon, but what she caught sight of was someone else. Her heart skipped so hard but she maintained a hardened face and looked away, pretending not to have seen him. Bennett. Blake's adopted brother. “ What a n







