Sarah My hands tremble as I follow Vincent into the spacious bathroom, lined with marble and adorned with gold fixtures. He has a firm grip on my arm, pulling me along like a disobedient child. I don't resist, knowing I am the one at fault here for ruining his suit jacket. I'm dabbing at Vincent's jacket with a wad of damp paper towels, trying to blot out the dark stain that's spread like a shadow across the fabric. The sharp scent of the gravy mixes with the sterile tang in the air of the bathroom, and I'm hyper-aware of his gaze on me—disapproving, cold. "Careful," he snaps as I press too hard, and a fresh wave of the savory scent hits my nostrils. "You're just making it worse." The jacket feels stiff under my fingers, the fine material clearly not meant for clumsy hands or makeshift cleanups. I can feel the heat rising in my cheeks, anger flaring up inside me at his tone. He's standing too close, his presence overbearing, making the small space of the bathroom even more stifli

VincentWhat am I doing anymore?Why did I just impulsively invite myself to Sarah's friend's party? It's not like me to seek out some one-night entertainment or indulge in juvenile fun. I don't even like going to business events.But here I am, going against my own grain and stepping into a world that is not my own. I can already imagine the swarm of carefree nineteen and twenty year olds that will fill the party. And then there's me - feeling like an outsider among them all. So why did I even bother agreeing to come?"Are you really coming with me?" Sarah asks for the third time.My annoyance rises at her persistence. "Yes, I am," I reply curtly.She furrows her brow, concern etched into her features. "You're not going to cramp my style, right?"I can't help but smirk in response. "Cramp your style? Really?"She nods seriously. "Yes. But don't worry, even if you try to rain on my parade, it won't work. Natalie is my girl and I can do whatever I please at her party. So there." She st

SarahMy voice trembles as I stutter out the words, "My penthouse? You want me to sign it over to Vincent? Why?"As soon as my father showed up unannounced, I should have known trouble was on the horizon."He said he wanted it. And I...I can't deny his request," my father, Thomas, says quietly."Oh? kind of like how you couldn't deny his request to buy me?" I say bitterly."Stop being so dramatic, Sarah. I didn't sell you off. You seem content where you are," Thomas responds with annoyance.It's true, I'm not completely unhappy here, but still..."I won't give up the penthouse. It was a gift from Mom, and her priceless art collection is there. They hold sentimental value to me," I plead my case."It's not that you're completely losing it, Sarah. After all, you're married to Vincent and can visit whenever you please, right Vincent?" Thomas turns his gaze to Vincent, who has been silently observing our conversation."Wrong," Vincent interjects with a steely tone. "She won't be able to v

VincentThe sheer audacity of that girl was enough to make my blood boil. My body trembled with the effort to contain my rage as I fought against the instinct to physically lash out at her. God, I wanted to pick her up and throw her across the room!I can't believe she bit my fucking lip. The searing pain ignited a primal fury within me, my vision turning red, but I held myself back. Breathing deeply, I lean against the wall, my hand balled up into a fist.She is staring at me intently with a defiant look on her face, and for once, I don't see a hint of fear in her eyes. I won't lie and say that doesn't turn me on a little."You really don't know who you're messing with," I growl, my voice like grinding metal gears."Yes, I know. You are a tough guy and such a scary man. I am quaking," she says in a mocking tone.Dammit...why isn't she scared of me?My heart pounds in my chest as I stalk towards her, looming over her petite form. She doesn't flinch or cower as I expected. Despite my

SarahMy heart thuds in my chest as I follow Vincent to the room. What is he going to show me? What could my father possibly have done for Vincent to hate him so much?"You want to know what kind of a person your father is? I'll show you," Vincent growls. He opens a safe that I couldn't get to the last time I was snooping here and takes out something that looks like a piece of paper. It looks like a photograph.He marches towards me, slamming the photo down on the desk with force. "Take a good look," he commands, his eyes blazing with intensity.I pick up the photo and study it, my heart pounding in my chest. The woman in the picture is pretty, with her strawberry-blonde hair and piercing green eyes. "Who is she?" I whisper, fear creeping into my voice.A chill runs down my spine as I sense Vincent's presence looming behind me. With a deep breath, he speaks, "Her name was Maya - my girlfriend from college."My mind races with questions, trying to piece together the puzzle in front of