All Chapters of HIS MUSE, HIS MADNESS: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

|Ever| My palm cracks across his cheek before I even realize I've moved. "Fucking pervert!" A few gasps ripple around us, and the lights swim in my direction, fracturing the smug face in front of me into a hundred glittering pieces.The smell of expensive perfume mixed with champagne wafts into my nostrils, threatening to spill the bile from my throat. I swallow it back instantly. But the man before me doesn't move. His cold eyes linger on mine, hands in his pocket, as an uneasy laugh slips from his lips."Next time you grab my butt again, that'd be the end of your fucking little balls!" I snap—a little too loud—at the towering man before me.Something about him feels unnervingly familiar; his expensive Rolex and the sharp edge of his tailored tuxedo stand out, but I don't stop to think. The feel of his palm on my ass twists in my stomach as a fresh wave of nausea rises. I turn away, my gait a little unsteady, the floor spinning just s

|Ever|Oh. My. God!My lungs freeze. The air in my room turns cold.I reread the headline, and my gaze lingers on four words."Billionaire. Singer. Thomas. Knights."The name howls inside my skull. The man from last night. The Rolex. The tuxedo—A scream escapes my lips, and my phone slips from my numb fingers, thudding against the carpet.I'm fucking screwed. "Sweetie, is everything okay?" My father yells from below the stairs. "Yes," my voice comes out too high. I clear my throat. "Uh- A bug. It just... flew right on my face."A beat of silence passes. I hold my breath. "Aw, you're such a baby. When you're done, come down for breakfast, okay? I made delicious waffles.""Okay, Dad," I call back, my voice straining at the edges. I can't let him know. My hands clamp over my mouth, stifling the scream that wants to tear out of me again. It'd kill him.He'll worry about me, and I don't want that for his health. With trembling hands, I snatch my p

|Ever|"Sweetie, you've barely touched your food," Dad peers over his newspaper. "Huh?" The sound makes me jump—my phone slips, clattering against the plate.I fumble for it, my cheeks heating. "I, uh, I don't really have much appetite, Dad.""You've barely eaten in two days." He lowers the paper, his eyes tracing the shadows under mine. "Your eyes are sunken. Is there something wrong?""No!" The words burst out too loudly. I force a brittle smile. "I mean, no. Just... that time of the month."He doesn't look away. The smile on my lips feels like it's cracking. I back away awkwardly, grabbing my plate to retreat to the kitchen. When I return, Dad's eyes are still on me, and it makes me uneasy. I need a distraction. Now."Hey, Dad," an idea forms, my hands drifting to my abdomen."I can't find the painkillers in the bathroom. “Where are they?" It works. His shoulders relax, his focus shifting to my feigned pain. "Aw, sweet pea, did you check the c

|Ever|A hallucination of Aida's high-pitched voice claws its way out of my subconscious."You chose your doom. I told you so."A mocking laughter follows.I shake my head, clearing it away as it echoes away into space. Sighing, I ease into my bed. It's not a big deal. Might be about the few classes I missed this month. I squeeze my eyes shut, parting my lips slightly before closing them. I can't be in much trouble than I already am anyway. Shrugging, my eyes glaze over the email from my school for a millionth time, trying to decode an underlying threat I might have missed."Dear Ms. Jones, You are required to appear before the University Review Panel.Your attendance is mandatory. Failure to appear will result in immediate administrative action."My heart thuds against my chest as a certain unease settles in my stomach. I'd better get going and face this head-on. Stalling wouldn't help me much in any case. Standing before the mirror, my ha

|Thomas|My bodyguards cut through the crowd ahead of me, forcing a path through microphones and flashing cameras."Thomas! Is it true Ever Jones is inside?""Are the allegations true?""Is this a settlement meeting?"The questions blur together, and I ignore them as the revolving doors slide shut behind me, muffling the chaos.Ever Jones is here— without my knowledge or permission.The elevator ride up feels longer than it should. My fingers curl into my palm as one thought repeats itself, sharp and infuriating.He did this, my father—that old bastard!Once the doors open, I head straight for the conference room where my board members stand to acknowledge my presence, but I ignore them and sit.Can someone care to explain why the—"I stop myself, jaw tightening."—Why is Ever Jones in this building today without my knowledge?"The room is silent for half a second.Then Harrington—the man with the second-largest shares—clears his throat and speaks