Trust And Alliances.

THIRD PERSON'S POV (NARRATOR'S POV)Kane's gaze locked with Ross Bane's.A scar traced up Ross's cheek, his jaw set like stone. Tattoos peeked tracing from beneath his unbuttoned collar, hinting at a past that didn't align with the polished setting.He exuded a refined menace, like a mafia king in a tailored suit.The room held its breath until Lucy Brent rose, champagne flute in hand. She tapped it gently with a pen, the chiming sound drawing attention."Ladies and gentlemen," she began with a practiced smile, "it's an honor to be part of this gathering. We're here not to contest, but to claim—a future built on collaboration."Before she could continue, Terrence Doyle's voice cut through, laced with disdain. "Peace? In this arena? Let's not pretend, Lucy."Lucy shot back, "Terrence, perhaps if you listened more and postured less, we'd definitely make progress."Ross interjected calmly, "Children, please. If this is the caliber of discourse, perhaps I'm in the wrong room." Rolling his

Last Updated : 2025-09-13

Slow Burn.

KANE'S POVIt hit me slow… but heavy, like a goddamn freight train slamming into my chest.That face...That scar, the way his mouth pulled on one side when he grinned. The glint in his eye that wasn't just cocky—it was familiar. I'd seen him before...years ago. Maybe not as Ross Bane. He wasn’t Ross then.I couldn’t place the name he used back then, but I knew the face. He’d been at one of Father’s underground negotiations. He hadn’t spoken much, just lingered in the corner like a shadow. And now? He was sitting at my table like he owned half the goddamn city.Before I could fully wrap my head around it, his voice cut through my thoughts."What about the chaos in the Callahan family?" he asked, like we were discussing the weather. "Always in the headlines, always a mess. Almost feels… staged at this point."His tone was light, but there was something beneath it. A jab, dressed up like a joke.I barely twitched, but Terrence jumped on it like a stupid hyena."Finally, someone said it.

Last Updated : 2025-09-17

Never Ending Cycle.

ARIA'S POVWaking up felt like dragging myself out of a nightmare only to find myself stuck in another.My body… it ached. Every bone. Every joint. My eyes burned, dry and heavy, and my head pulsed with a dull throb like someone knocking from the inside of my skull. My leg felt like lead, stiff and wrapped tight. Sore didn’t even cover it—my entire being was screaming. But I couldn’t just lie there. I couldn’t stay helpless. Not again.I bit down, clenching my jaw and used my arms to push myself up. The pain shot up my spine like fire. "Ah!" I cried out before I could catch myself, breath hitching.Before I could blink, the door creaked, and a silhouette filled the frame."Rhea?" I croaked, confused, blinking through the blur. She stepped in like she'd been standing right outside, waiting..She walked straight to me, heels clicking gently against the floor, calm as always, but something about her gaze was softer. Still sharp—but not cruel. "Are you okay?" she asked. "Do you need anyt

Last Updated : 2025-09-18

Chaos.

ARIA'S POVI cleared the last of the dishes, trying not to wince too obviously at the ache in my side. Rhea was beside me—of all people—drying plates and humming. Humming. The kind of tune that made you tilt your head and wonder if this was a clone or the real deal.I was already halfway up the stairs, feet dragging, when her voice caught me mid-step."Aria?"I turned. She was standing in the living room now, arms folded over her cream cashmere sweater, her hair tucked behind her ear."I wanted to have a little chat. If you don’t mind."I hesitated, then sighed and nodded, walking slowly back down and sitting again.Silence.I tapped my fingers on my thigh. She stared at me like she was assembling the words in her head. Then finally—"I want to say I’m sorry."I blinked at her.She looked away, then back at me. "For all those years. When you were with Zane. I should’ve… I should’ve done something. Said something. Treated you better. I didn’t. And I’m sorry."I didn’t know what to say

Last Updated : 2025-09-18

Timelines.

KANE'S POVI stared at the photo for too long.The edges of the image blurred the more I looked. It was old, grainy… but unmistakable. Her face. That same tilt of the smile. Same look in her eyes. And beside her?Ross.They weren’t standing awkwardly. No. They stood very close to each other, the familiar kind.My jaw clenched as Abigail went on about timelines, "possibly six years ago, during—" I waved her off. I didn’t need details. Not now.I couldn’t breathe in my office anymore, so I left. Drove home with one hand gripping the steering wheel like it owed me answers.I needed to see her. To ask her questions because this whole thing was getting out of hand and I didn't know how to stop it.But when I got home, pride gripped me by the throat. I walked right past her room like she didn’t matter. Like I wasn’t burning alive. Like her face wasn’t echoing in my brain with Ross’s arm brushing hers.I took a cold shower. Not because I needed it, but because I didn’t know what else to do w

Last Updated : 2025-09-24

Get Your Game On.

TIRD PERSON POV (NARRATOR'S POV)The tension in the room hung thick like smoke.Kane stood rigid, his arms crossed, jaw tight, barely holding himself back. Aria’s brows were furrowed, her arms slowly crossing in response, mirroring his stance like some subconscious rebellion."I asked you a question.." Kane snapped, his voice low but laced with fury. "Who is Ross, Aria?"She blinked, stunned. "Why are you yelling at me?""Don’t do that.." he muttered, stepping forward. "Don’t play clueless. I saw the picture. You knew him. Don’t lie to me.""Of course I knew him!" she fired back, voice rising. "But what I don’t understand is how you could even begin to think I’m involved in any of this!" She gestured to herself. "I got shot, Kane! Shot. You think I staged that too?!"Kane’s eyes flickered, his breath shallow. "Anything is possible in your world."The words landed like a slap.Aria’s face twisted in disbelief. "My world?" she echoed. "You really think I’d—" She stopped herself, shaking