FIFTY THREE

KELLAN P.O.VToday hit me harder than usual. Maybe it's because my employees were giving me the side eyes ever since I haven't been able to concentrate properly and keep Lockra's growth going, or maybe it's because the Ashley-shaped hole in my heart throbs hard today.Unbearably torturous.Because today makes it five months since she left me. Five months of not truly living, but rather... existing. Five months of trying to ‘move on’ but realizing that my whole life is a circle, and no matter how hard I run, how frequently I buried myself in work, I'd always come back to the same place, and without Ashley, that place was not just empty. It was hell.Agonizing, biting, and enough to make a grown man crumble. I’ve broken glass in my own home, downed whiskey like it might burn the pain inside me, I've expanded Lockra, bought more properties than I needed to fill the depthless void that was birthed the day Ashley left with July.It's been five months and I'm already accepting the fact tha

Last Updated : 2025-08-29

FIFTY FOUR

ASHLEY'S P.O.VThe Harringtons' garden used to be a place of comfort; now it was a place for planning, strategizing, and preparing to bring two narcissistic, egotistic people down.As a teenager, I'd sneak out of my room at night to bathe in the moonlight, listen to the soothing sound of the wind and crickets. I loved it when the soil shifted beneath my feet, when the moon was milky and the flowers blooming.The garden used to be my place of escape, maybe that's why I've been having my meetings with Dominic here.Genevieve and Leonard are eager for the wedding to commence as soon as possible so they can be together as ‘In-laws’ and keep their power games longer. It disgusts me how elated Genevieve is whenever she sees me with Dominic.So far, the young Beau and I have been putting up a facade. We pretend to spend time in each other's company, get along, and discuss how the marriage will benefit us. Genevieve and his father think we're getting more acquainted and have already hired a w

Last Updated : 2025-08-30

FIFTY FIVE

KELLAN'S P.O VI left the windows open tonight. The cool early evening air creased the curtains and filled my lungs. I had left the office early today to come back home. Deeds were done, contracts were signed so there was no need to stay behind. I was welcomed by the cold silence of my house, the pictures of Ashley everywhere, and the dull but constant ache in my chest.The evening passed by as I went through my new rigid routine. First, the shower where I stood under the cold water, then dinner, which I made myself or ordered, a shot of whiskey or bourbon, and I'll call it a night.The curtains billowed when I stepped out from the shower, I rubbed a hand across my face and exhaled, ready to get on with dinner and drinking or drinking and dinner, or just drinking, when my phone buzzed with an incoming call.Martin's name flashed on the screen making my brows furrow. He never called without reason but recently, our relationship had shifted from Boss and employee to having some sort o

Last Updated : 2025-08-31

FIFTY SIX

ASHLEY'S P.O.VThe first thing I'd do once I leave here, is murder.Yes. I, Ashley, was going to murder the woman who brought me into this world, I'd stab a knife right into her gut. I've never been one to have murderous or crazy thoughts, but I guess two days of being held in the Harrington's manor against my will with my phone confiscated can change me into someone elseAnd this someone, wanted to throttle Genevieve so bad, I couldn't keep still. I paced back and forth in my room, I've only had access to the east wing of the manor, and so far, not been able to reach any cell phone that I could use to call for help.Genevieve told me she was doing this for ‘my good’ that I would grow up and ‘understand she meant no harm’Understand my ass.Every now and then, I try to steady my racing heart for the sake of my daughter. I'm due in about two months, and I don't want to harm my baby girl in any way, but it's hard not to be anxious.I'm not just outraged that she would lock me up when I'

Last Updated : 2025-09-01

FIFTY SEVEN

KELLAN'S P.O.VThere was a parasite inside me.It slithered across my spine like a snake, fed off my sanity, and coiled its weight deep in my stomach. Point is, I couldn't stay still. Not with the way I was seething and dying on the inside.The moment my jet touched ground should have given me a reprieve. Instead, after waking a grumbling pilot from sleep and enduring forty-eight minutes of restlessness in the air, we finally arrived in Dallas.A sleek car waited by the tarmac, ready to take me to the Harringtons’ manor Ashley Harrington's manor. The heiress to the Harrington's legacyMy fingers curled into a tight fist, and that parasite in my stomach fought and lashed in my mind to be free and spread its venom.My shoulders were stiff and my body tense as I slid into the driver's seat of the Range Rover SUV. The blood flowing in my veins was simmering with impatience.The engine roared to life, leaving a cloud of dust behind me as I zoomed away. My grip on the wheel hardened, and s

Last Updated : 2025-09-02

FIFTY EIGHT

ASHLEY'S P.O.VHearing Kellan was here was like a lifeline pulling me from the pit I was in.Hearing Kellan was here was like falling deeper into said pit, too.“Kellan Langston,” The guard repeated when neither I nor Genevieve said anything. My hand trembled by my side, the dried tears in my cheeks were sticky and my throat was clogged with emotions.My heart fluttered in my chest, hope spread to life in my veins, giving me strength, giving me a voice. “He's...here?” I asked quietly, like I was too scared of what the guard's answer would be.Was he joking? Was this Genevieve pulling a stunt to torment me?Was Kellan really here, in the Harrington's manor? But..he hated this place. I don't know what Genevieve and Pete had done to make Kellan hate this manor, he swore we would never step foot back here. One time, I had jokingly asked him the place he wanted to be last on earth, and he said he'd pick a literal hell over this manorAnd now he was here...for me. To get me backOh God.The

Last Updated : 2025-09-04