บททั้งหมดของ TWO LIVES - Shattered Illusion : บทที่ 51 - บทที่ 60

“What?” Her voice barely made it past her lips. “How many women has he dated for those comments to come out so easily?”She didn’t expect an answer, certainly not from Silas, whose silence stretched so long it began to feel intentional. The engine purred and the tires hummed against the road, but nothing about the drive felt alive. He hadn’t looked at her once. Not even a twitch of concern. Just two hands gripping the wheel like he was driving himself home and she was some vague presence the wind forgot to blow away from his passenger seat.It wasn’t new. The erasure. But it still stung.Everything about tonight had carved her open in ways no one in that room cared to notice. Not even the man who had, only hours before, for the first time stood close enough for her to smell the faint cinnamon of his drink, who had treated to her like she was his equal, who had pulled her away when the fire got too close, and then dropped her right back into the silence with not so much as a nod of ackn

Her hand was damp with sweat, hovering over the doorknob. She exhaled, wiped it against her thigh, then grabbed the metal and turned slowly.“Morning, sweetie,” Rosetta’s warm eyes locked on hers. “How’re you feeling?”As dam of relief flooded through Niya’s chest, and her shoulders dropped but her body still vibrated with nerves. “Oh. Um… better. I think.” “You look flushed,” Rosetta gave a soft chuckle, stepping back a little to give her space. “Did you sleep okay?”“Uh –” Niya's fingers caressed the back of her neck. “Y-yeah. I mean… I did. Sort of.”It wasn’t exactly a lie.“Well, I owe you an apology,” a little guilt threaded into Rosetta's tone. “I should’ve told you I don’t stay on property overnight. I didn’t mean to surprise you.”“It’s okay,” Niya brushed a piece of hair behind her ear. “I figured it out. Eventually.”“Well, I’m here now,” she offered, “and I’ve got a proper breakfast going out here. If you’re up for it, I’d love to have you join me. Or, if you’d rather tak

There was a fluttering in his chest that disturbed him more than her beauty ever could. For a moment, Raphael had softened.But he brushed it off immediately.He liked her, yes, and that was all it was – an interest in everything about her. That’s it.His eyes dropped to her breasts, barely held in place by the delicate brassiere that had slid halfway off. They threatened to escape, taunting him like they always did when she bent forward or shook her body while she spoke.He swallowed.His member ached for this woman. He'd ached for her body ever since the day she first walked into Vantablack. There was something about the way she looked at the world and challenged things she didn’t understand. The way her mouth moved when she was pissed, and he wanted to destroy her in ways that would make her love the ruin.She controlled him from the inside out without even trying. Fortunately, that didn’t piss him off because he believed it would end soon. Eventually.Hopefully.But that didn’t s

Her palms scraped against the cool tiled floor as she froze, praying the ground would swallow her whole.She didn’t dare look up.But she heard the deep exhale from above her. “Angel,” Rapha drawled, “you always greet people like this, or am I just special today?”Niya groaned into the floor, her arms now hugging each other. “Oh my God… kill me. Just do it. Right now.”He bent low, hands on his knees. “Tempting offer. But I’m a sucker for theatrics. You might enjoy it too much.”Her face burned hotter than the Sahara, and she peeked up slowly to see him towering above her like a sculpture wrapped in a thousand-dollar suit – fine guess. That crooked smirk was already perched on his lips.“You said you’d review the reports?” she mumbled, deflecting.“Kade will.” He crouched, eyes level with hers. “And you interrupted me mid-billionaire moment. I’ll be sending you the invoice.”She pushed herself to her knees. “You could’ve warned me you were in a meeting.”“You barged in ranting about y

They stared at each other in silence before Niya spoke.“I’m sorry about my friend,” she began quietly. “She was just really concerned.”He didn’t respond to that. “Stay with me for the rest of the day. I’ll pay you. And I’ll visit your grandmother as promised.”Niya held her breath. “Why?”She looked up at him, at that unreadable face she hated not being able to break into. Maybe she was the fool for thinking anything had changed or for attaching meaning to the kiss that had meant nothing more than a dramatic save. Or for even feeling like she mattered even briefly.Her head throbbed like a damn bell was stuck between her ears.She told herself she didn’t have to feel special because he was playing his part. So she was going to play hers.“Because I want you here.”She stared at him. “That’s not a reason.”“I don’t need one.”“I have to go,” she said flatly.“Why?” “Because I don’t feel like pretending today.”Something sparked in his eyes, but it died just as quickly. “You agreed