جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 140

The day seemed to drag on endlessly after Cassie left Rafael's office. Her mind replayed his disheveled appearance, the exhaustion in his eyes, the quiet smile he had forced just for her. She wanted to believe he was fine, but everything about him screamed otherwise. And then there was Veronica, who left the office to go home after such a blow. Cassie knew it was time to leave when the sun began to dip low. She packed her bag slowly, almost reluctantly, hoping maybe Rafael would come see her before she went home. But when she checked his office once more, the chair sat empty. No sign of him. He had also left. With a sigh, Cassie left the office with a heavy heart. "Little soldier." Cassie raised her head, and her lips curved into a small smile at the sight of Nikolai standing in the doorway of the company lobby. He was leaning against the frame in his usual commanding presence, hands tucked casually into his pockets, and his expression softened only when their e

Harlow’s weight was heavy against Cassie’s shoulder as she dragged him onto the couch, his breath hot and uneven, laced with the sharp tang of whiskey. She could feel his body trembling, whether from the alcohol or the emotions clawing through him, she couldn’t tell. Nikolai had crossed his arms and stood nearby in silence as he watched them. His cold eyes softened only slightly as he looked at the broken man on their couch. He was grateful that Emily was already asleep and wouldn't see the sight. “Harlow…” Cassie whispered, stroking his hair back gently. “You need to slow down, sweetheart. You’re going to make yourself sick.” But Harlow didn’t slow down. Instead, his chest hitched, and then the tears burst free, hot and relentless. His words poured out in messy, jagged, and incoherent at first. “I---I can’t… Cassie, I can’t do this anymore. I love him. I love Rafael so much it’s killing me.” He choked on his sobs, the confession torn from him like flesh from bone. “Do you

The first rays of sunlight streamed through the half-open curtains, casting warm stripes across Rafael’s bedroom.Harlow stirred first. His lashes fluttered open, and the room came into focus slowly.He felt a severe headache the moment he opened his eyes. 'Damn alcohol!' He cursed inwardly. He then felt his head resting on a broad, solid chest. A strong arm was wrapped around him, holding him securely and protectively. For a moment, he thought he was still dreaming.Then the memories came crashing back. The argument with Jonathan. The drunken breakdown at Cassie and Nikolai’s. Collapsing in Rafael’s arms. And… oh God, everything he confessed last night.His face flushed crimson as he tried to pull away, but the arm around him tightened instantly.“Where do you think you’re going, Doll?” Rafael’s voice was low, still husky with sleep.Harlow froze. “ I-I should go,” he stammered, eyes darting everywhere but Rafael’s face. “I said too much. I didn’t mean to dump all that on you. I wa

The boardroom of Vanderbilt Corporation, normally Raymond's throne room, his kingdom, his proof of dominance, felt like a furnace that morning. The atmosphere was suffocating, heavy with fear and unspoken accusations.Rows of executives sat stiffly in their leather chairs, their eyes flicking between one another like nervous prey sensing a predator nearby.Raymond stood at the head of the table, his suit jacket discarded carelessly over the back of a chair, his tie loosened, and his brow slick with sweat. His hands were braced against the desk, his knuckles white, as if he might shatter the table in half just by sheer will.On the large screen at the far end of the room, headlines scrolled like daggers aimed at his chest:"Vanderbilt Corporation Faces Massive Backlash Over Alleged Fraudulent Deals.""Stocks Plummet Amid Growing Scandal.""V Films Under Fire for Unethical Sponsorship Ties."Raymond's jaw clenched so tightly the muscles quivered."This..." he slammed his palm against

♤♤♤♤ EARLIER ♤♤♤♤ The sun was beginning to dip over the skyline when Cassie finally sank into the plush sofa of the penthouse. She tucked her legs beneath her, a soft throw blanket draped across her lap, and she let herself relax for the first time all day. She was exhausted from work. Emily giggled on the carpet, building towers of colorful blocks with all the concentration of a little engineer. She had Nikolai's serious expression, her brows furrowed as she carefully stacked the pieces higher and higher. "Look, Mommy!" Emily clapped her hands when the tower didn't topple. Cassie's heart swelled. "That's amazing, sweetheart." She leaned down, kissed the crown of her daughter's head, and smoothed the silky strands of her hair. From the kitchen, the clatter of pans and the savory aroma of roasted meat filled the air. Cassie smiled to herself. She didn't need to look to know Nikolai was at it again-her husband had an uncanny ability to throw himself into cooking whenever he