All Chapters of THE CEO’S DIRTY SECRET: Chapter 101 - Chapter 110

STELLAIt had been a couple of days since Christmas, and I still couldn't stop staring at my hand. It just felt so unreal. The diamond caught every bit of light in the room, and it shined so beautifully like it had a life of its own. Anytime it sparkled, I smiled like an idiot.“Baby, if you keep looking at the ring like it’s going to disappear, it probably would,” James’s voice came from behind me, amusement dripping from it.I jumped a little, quickly turning to find him leaning against the door frame, arms crossed, a smug grin on his smug little face.“I wasn’t looking at it again,” I quickly tried to sound casual, but even I could hear the lie in my own voice.He chuckled before walking closer until I could perceive his cologne clean and sharp and ridiculously distracting. “You’ve been staring at the ring for minutes straight. Don’t try to deny it, I saw you. I’m starting to think you’re forgetting about me little by little until you completely forget.”I rolled my eyes, laughing.

STELLAThe first thing that woke me was James’s familiar scent. I inhaled deeply it wrapped around me like a blanket and I blinked softly, the dull hum of the jet still audible. For a moment, I thought it was just a dream.“Welcome back to reality, sleepyhead,” his deep voice warmed near my ears.I turned, disoriented for a moment. That was when I realized my head was still on his chest. “How long was I asleep?” I asked, my voice still sleepy.He smiled, brushing a strand of my messy hair off my face. “About five hours.”My eyes widened. “Five hours?”“Yeah,” he said with a chuckle. “You basically slept through most of the flight. I was starting to think I’d have to check your pulse,” he teased.I groaned softly, rubbing my eyes. I couldn’t believe I’d slept that long, but it didn’t feel that long to me.“You must be really exhausted,” he said, studying me closely.I forced a small laugh, though my heart raced. “It’s probably all the stress from Christmas. I didn’t even have the chanc

JAMES The drive to the Alton estate was nothing short of hunting. London was beautiful as usual, but my thoughts were everywhere. I'd left without informing Stella and I planned for this meeting to be quick — I could return before she noticed that I ever left.After a long drive my car came to a stop in front of two massive iron gates, which were so high the top was lost in the clouds.The guard outside didn't ask too many questions; he buzzed me in and the gates opened. Slowly I drove in.The mansion came into view — massive. It had that ancient look, yet wrapped in class.When my feet touched the ground I knew all the surveillance cameras were on me because within seconds a man dressed in a crisp black suit walked elegantly towards me. "Mr. Hawthorne. Mr. Alton has been expecting you."Of course he has. He wouldn't be Adrian Alton if he didn't."Right this way," the man gestured for me to follow him. This place was even more beautiful up close, but it wasn't just a mansion — it was

STELLAWhy was morning sickness this horrible, or was it just me? I sat on the bathroom floor, resting my head weakly against the cool tiles as James held my hair back. My stomach twisted again, and I groaned softly.“Easy, baby,” he said, rubbing circles on my back. His voice was so calm and steady, and I hated how I was putting him through all this when we were supposed to be having fun.When the nausea finally eased, I leaned back against him, breathing heavily. He pressed a gentle kiss to my temple. “You’re okay?”I nodded, forcing a smile. “I’m fine. I just… I don’t think I can look at breakfast right now.”He smiled softly. “Fair enough. We’ll stick to just tea.”I laughed a little, resting my hand over his cut, and for a while, we just stayed there like that in silence. It wasn’t awkward or anything like that just peaceful. But I felt something else a distance. It wasn’t coldness exactly… just a kind of quiet. It felt like it was only his body that was here; his mind was somewh

STELLAIt felt like I couldn’t breathe, like all the air was being forced out of my lungs. My feet kept moving like they had a mind of their own fast, almost stumbling as I got mixed with the crowd again, the image of James and that woman already burned into my head.I heard him call my name, but I didn’t stop. His voice grew louder, cutting through the noise of the party. I still didn’t stop. I didn’t want to hear whatever he had to say.I found myself in an empty corridor with paintings on the wall. I could barely see straight. My chest hurt so bad it felt like my heart was trying to rip itself apart.“Stella.”His voice was close now more desperate. The next second, his hand caught my wrist, firm but trembling.“Please,” he said, breathless. “Just stop.”I tried to pull away. “Let go of me, James,” I said, my voice cracking, though I tried to keep it steady.“Stella, it’s not what you think, I promise.”I laughed bitterly. “And, James, what exactly do you think I thought? I saw you