All Chapters of Once won't hurt : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

Mira Three months had slipped by in a blur. Today made it exactly three months since I last saw Henry’s face on my phone screen—three months without a single call from the bastard. I’d begun to heal from the heartbreak. It had taken a toll on me in more ways than I could count, nearly breaking me mentally. I stood in front of the mirror, staring hard at my reflection. I saw a woman who was smart at everything—except when it came to making the simple, better decision to walk away from a toxic relationship. I’d been blind to lies that had been staring me right in the face. Finally, I did something difficult: I moved out of the apartment Henry had gotten me. It was the only way to avoid the memories that might drag me back into depression. It hurt to leave—this was the place where most of my visions for the future had begun to take shape, and I’d loved it. Almost everything in it—appliances, furniture, household items—he’d bought for me. Henry had always claimed he wanted me comfor

Ken She walked out with that same irritated look she always tried to hide, leaving me craving more of her scent. The magazine in my hand was only camouflage—a reason to linger until every employee left. I hadn’t noticed she was still around until then. Stressed, yet still radiating that smart-woman aura. Mira detested me in every conversation, and I couldn’t figure out why. I’d caught glimpses of the real her, but with me she was all calculation. The company’s reports didn’t lie. Since she joined, productivity had spiked. She was exceptional—a force behind Gigs’ rising success. But my presence here wasn’t as simple as I let on. Posing as an intern was just a façade Bernard and I agreed on. In truth, I’d come from Voughan Digital’s head office to train staff and evaluate employees. Most hadn’t impressed me. Some were bossy with the “new intern,” others unhelpful. If I were sentimental, I’d lump Mira in with them—but I knew better. What Bernard didn’t know was a more deeper truth

Mira The sharp ringing of my phone woke me up. I rubbed my fingers across my eyes and blinked at who could be calling at such an hour. I glanced at the alarm clock on my bedside table—it was past three in the morning. I needed sleep. I had drunk a lot alone yesterday. The screen only displayed numbers, no name. I was skeptical about answering such a call, but I did anyway, just like yesterday. “Hello… Anyone?” My throat felt suddenly dry. I had an eerie feeling because I could clearly hear the rustling of things from the other end. The silence was deliberate. I kept my mouth shut. It was the only wise thing I could do. The other end went quiet, the rustling had stopped. I felt anxious and distraught. I sat up waiting, waiting for a sound, but it was too quiet. Then I heard a sharp breath before the line went dead. What just happened? I quickly checked and saw it was the same number that had called me the previous day. This wasn’t a client—business could wait. I suddenly felt appre

Ken “Because your eyes speak a lot.” I watched her breath hitch, her eyes widening. She had no idea what she was doing to me—how calmly and effortlessly she made my hands twitch. Holding her wrist earlier had been out of concern, but if I did it again, it would be from desire. She ate in silence, still watching me, probably imprinting my look into her memory so she could hate me more. I didn’t mind. She looked cute when angry, and I enjoyed bothering her. Earlier, though, she hadn’t been happy. I’d seen it in her eyes—they were dull, even if she masked it with irritation. That bothered me, because she was usually full of life, her eyes sparkling. She seemed better now. “I mean it,” I said casually, eager for her response. “Maybe… maybe not.” She continued eating, not sparing me a glance. She had started this by watching me, but when I engaged her, she dusted me off like air. I guessed I deserved it. Still, I couldn’t stay away from her whenever I got the chance. I had a lot to a

Ken I stood at the floor-to-ceiling window, watching as the rain drizzled. From such height, it was hard to see clearly what was happening below, but I knew people were scrambling for cover. The rain splattered steadily against the glass. “The files you requested, sir,” Davis informed me. I had stayed behind after the meeting, attending to more business and files. Davis made sure to utilize my presence to the fullest. I would be leaving soon. Today made it three days since my arrival, and my employees were surprised to see me return after weeks of absence—not that they saw me regularly. I pulled my gaze from the glass and went over to my chair. I sank into it, enjoying its softness. Opening the files, I gestured for Davis to sit. We discussed business and strategies, and I gave orders on how things should be handled. The next file was a contract draft between Voughan and another company whose CEO was a woman. I had forgotten her name, but the draft reminded me. Mrs. Christy Br