All Chapters of One night, One Empire : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

My cancer is getting worse,” my mum said softly.I froze.The wooden spoon I was holding slipped into the pot with a soft splash. I turned, my heart slamming in my chest.Grace, my mum gave me a tired smile. “They want to start a stronger round of treatment. The drugs are expensive, Zara. But we’ll figure something out. I crossed the room in three quick strides and sank beside her. There has to be something else. A foundation, or charity, or.., “We’ve tried them all,” my mum said, gently patting my hand. “Don’t stress yourself, sweetheart. I can manage. Manage? I snapped, my voice cracking. You couldn’t even get out of bed this morning. I saw her trying to get up twice and couldn’t till she tried the third time. My mother’s silence was answer enough. I rested my forehead against Grace’s shoulder. The quiet hum of the room suddenly felt louder, heavier. I’ll find the money,” I whispered, I promise, making that promise was scary for me because I had no idea where I would get the money f

ZaraI stood there in the center of the room, the soft lighting of the hotel casting a golden haze over everything, like a dream I was desperate to wake up from but couldn’t.The air felt thick, oppressive, almost intimate. My heart thudded violently in my chest. Every beat echoed in my ears like a drumroll leading to something I could never reverse.He hadn't moved. He just stood there, a few feet away, staring at me like he could see straight through the skin I was still wearing like armor.And then, without blinking, his lips parted.“Take off your clothes.”Three words.Three devastatingly calm, commanding words.My throat dried instantly. My hands trembled. I wasn’t sure if it was fear, shame… or the fact that my thighs clenched at the sound of his voice like it was a command I’d obeyed my entire life without knowing.I should’ve felt disgusted. Should’ve wanted to run. But I didn’t.Because something in his tone didn’t give space for refusal. Not like a threat more like inevitab

Zara HarperI left the hotel room with shaking legs and a hollow feeling in my chest. My heels clicked against the marble hallway, mocking me with every step. I didn't know whether to cry or scream, so I did neither, I just walked. Fast. As though I could leave what happened behind me if I moved quickly enough.The elevator doors closed, sealing the night away. My reflection stared back at me, smudged lipstick, eyes tired but defiant. I’d done it. I’d slept with a stranger for money. For my mother’s medicine. My dignity was crumpled, but she was all I had. I had no choice.When I got home, I dropped my bag and collapsed onto the couch. My throat tightened. I couldn’t breathe properly. The room felt too quiet, like even the air was judging me. I pulled off the gown his hands had been on it just hours ago, and tossed it to the floor. I climbed into the shower and turned on the water, scrubbing at my skin until it turned red.Only after, when I wrapped a towel around myself and reached

Alexander Sterling's povThe penthouse was quiet. It always is.High above the chaos of Manhattan, the glass walls of my living room offered a view of the city that never slept, but I often wished it would. I stood at the window, black coffee in one hand, phone in the other, watching the morning light filter through the skyline like blades.My apartment was clean. Spotless, in fact. Tastefully modern. Slate walls, dark hardwood floors, steel fixtures, and cold lighting. No clutter, no color. Everything had its place. Everything had its purpose.Except the photo on the console table near the wall.It was small silver-framed, subtle. A little girl with dark curls and light in her eyes. Frozen in time with a grin that made my throat tighten every time I looked at it.I turned away from it.Routine was the only thing that steadied me. Wake up at five. Cardio at six. Shower at six-forty-five. Out the door by seven-thirty. No distractions, no exceptions.At exactly 7:30, I stepped into the

Alexander Sterling My shoes echoed against the marble floors as I stepped into the Sterling family estate, a sprawling, old money mansion in the heart of Manhattan’s Upper East Side. It stood like a palace amid the city’s chaos, all white columns, sweeping staircases, and shimmering chandeliers. I hadn't been here in weeks, but nothing ever changed. Even the scent, amber and lavender with a faint trace of aged leather, was exactly the same.The butler opened the door before I could knock. “Mr. Sterling,” he greeted with a slight bow.“Thank you, Harold,” I said, stepping inside. Harold has been working for my family since I was a child, he's practically a family member, and has been there when my family was passing through the worst.The scent of roses drifted from the fresh arrangements lining the foyer table. Everything was pristine, just as my mother liked it. My mum was waiting in the drawing room, her silver-blonde hair pinned back into a flawless twist, a silk robe tied around