All Chapters of GUILTY DEVOTION: Chapter 101 - Chapter 109

Nicholas and Cassie arrived at the Governor’s office about two hours later after getting Victoria’s call, stepping into the air-conditioned cool of the reception area. Cassie had opted for a pale blue blouse and black slacks, which was professional but soft enough to keep her from looking like she was trying too hard. Nicholas, in his usual fitted suit, looked as composed as ever, though she caught the way his hand brushed lightly against hers as they followed the aide toward the Governor’s office.She spent Friday night with him because her mother traveled for a meeting and they had a nice time catching up on the cuddles and snuggles they have missed due to work and other things that happened with Chloe. She spent most of those weeks trying to help her put evidence together for Dr. Weller.Victoria was already seated opposite the Governor, her expression as strong and firm as a marble statue. She offered Cassie a brief nod that could mean “good to see you or don’t embarrass me”; it w

The morning started with the smell of fried pastries drifting up from the street market below our hotel. I stood at my window for a moment, watching vendors set up their stalls while the town slowly woke up. Their pots were clanging, voices rising and falling in easy conversation, and the air was filled with the sweetness of fried dough and ripe fruit.Nicholas was already waiting in the lobby when I came down, sleeves rolled up, tie loose. There was a coffee in his hand and another sitting on the low table beside him.“You timed it perfectly,” he said, handing it over. “Strong enough to wake the dead.”“Perfect,” I replied, taking a grateful sip. “Because you have about twenty minutes before I start behaving like a zombie.”He smirked, watching me over the rim of his cup. “I’ve seen you at your worst. Zombie’s still better than cranky Cassie.”I arched a brow. “Oh really? And who exactly is brave enough to stick around for cranky Cassie?”He gave a slow, deliberate glance around the

Later, as we walked back to the hotel, the air was warm against my skin, with the faint sound of music drifting from somewhere down the street. His hand found mine quickly, naturally, and I didn’t pull away; I locked it in the more.“Feels like we won’t get this kind of time anymore,” he said after a while.“We might not,” I agreed, glancing up at him. “Which is why I’m trying to memorize every second.”He squeezed my hand, and in that small, quiet gesture, I felt his heart connecting with mine. The one that tells you that even if the world outside sees you one way, the truth between you is deeper, harder to hide, and impossible to undo.At the door to my room, I hesitated before leaving his fingers. “Thank you,” I said softly.“For what?”“For making this trip feel like… more than work.”He didn’t reply immediately, just studied me like he was deciding whether to say what was on his mind. In the end, he only said, “Sleep well, Cassie.” As he kissed the back of my hand and wavedI clo

|Zara|Steam curled lazily from my mug, the faint scent of chamomile wrapping itself around me like a soft blanket. I’d dropped my bag by the couch the second I got in, kicked off my shoes, and switched on the lamp in the corner, the one with the amber light that made everything look softer than it really was.The lamp has been my friend for days because I feel better with the light coming from it once it’s on. It’s like a therapeutic glow for my dark world. The day at the office had been quite tolerable. That was more than I could have said a month ago. People still glanced at me the way you do when you’re not sure if someone’s contagious with bad luck, but at least they weren’t whispering anymore like the first week I got back from my suspension. My desk was the same, my tasks the same, but inside of me, there was a difference. Even though it was small, it was still there.I curled my legs beneath me, pulling the throw blanket over my knees, and opened my journal. The pen hovered

Work was just there for me. My mouth was shut throughout most of the day because I had nothing to discuss with anyone. I tried to make myself invisible and remove myself from every gossip since I had a new focus.Getting back from work tired, I just dropped my bag on the sofa and dragged my feet to the kitchen. I was halfway through reheating the leftover pasta when the banging started. it was not a polite knock and not even the impatient kind.This was angry, heavy, the kind that rattled the frame of my rented apartment door. My stomach turned cold at the sudden interruption, fear washing over me but it felt familiar.I knew that rhythm; it was something I got used to as I grew up.I walked to the door slowly, my grip tightening around the spoon in my hand, as if that would protect me.“Zara! Open the damn door!”My father’s voice that was slurred, rough, and louder than the hallway deserved, rang through the frame of the door.I swallowed hard. “What do you want?” I called through t