Chapter 11: Desperation

In the days that followed, Aiden became noticeably colder toward Victoria at the office. He barely spared her a glance when she visited, and during phone calls, his responses were short and professional. “Victoria, I’m in a meeting,” he would say flatly before ending the call. His rejection was public and humiliating.That evening, Victoria lay naked in Ethan’s arms inside the guest room at the villa, her body still glowing from their intense lovemaking. Ethan’s fingers lazily traced patterns on her bare back as she rested her head on his chest.She lifted her gaze to him, eyes searching. “Why are you so distant with me in public? Even at the office… you treat me like a stranger. Are you just using me as a bedmate while your heart is somewhere else?”Ethan smirked, playing with a strand of her hair. He was quick to manipulate the situation. “You don’t understand, Victoria. I have to keep up appearances. The office, the board members, the investors — they can’t know about my secret lif

Chapter 12: Ugly Delusion

Victoria's heart was racing with excitement and lust. Tonight was supposed to be perfect. She tiptoed toward the private guest room where they had been meeting, but when she opened the door, the room was empty and dark.Frowning slightly, she adjusted her coat and walked further down the hallway. Maybe he was waiting for her in the main bedroom. She pushed open the door to Aiden’s master suite and froze.Aiden was sitting at his desk, focused on his laptop, the soft glow of the screen illuminating his sharp features. The moment he looked up and saw her standing there in nothing but lingerie and an open coat, his expression darkened instantly. His mood plummeted.“Victoria?” His voice was cold. “What the hell are you doing here?”She smiled seductively, ignoring the hostility in his tone. “You weren’t taking my calls, baby. I had to come see you.”Aiden leaned back in his chair, jaw tight. “What do you want?”Victoria stepped closer, letting the coat fall completely to the floor, reveal

Chapter 13: In the Rain

The rain poured heavily as Aiden drove like a madman through the flooded streets. His knuckles were white on the steering wheel. He wasn’t angry that Ethan had been sleeping with Victoria. He was furious that his brother had dared to touch Lucy. That he had deceived her in the dark, impersonating him, using his face, his name.“I’m not him,” Aiden muttered through gritted teeth. “I’m not that loser.”He hated sharing the same face with someone so reckless. He hated that Ethan always got away with his stupidity while he carried the weight of the entire family.When he finally reached Lucy’s apartment, she was already standing outside under an umbrella, almost as if she had been waiting for him. Aiden parked roughly and called her phone.“Come into the car,” he said, his voice cold and heavy.Lucy hesitated for a second before sliding into the passenger seat. Raindrops clung to her lashes.“What’s the problem?” she asked softly.He didn’t answer immediately. He simply stared at her, eye

Chapter 14: Open Claim

Lucy and Aiden’s romance had blossomed even in the office. Stolen kisses behind closed doors, teasing touches under the conference table, and lingering glances that spoke volumes.One afternoon, Aiden pulled Lucy into his office, shutting the door behind them. He backed her against his desk, hands firmly on her waist as he kissed her deeply. Lucy chuckled against his lips.“Ethan, stop,” she whispered, slightly breathless. “Someone will walk in on us.”Aiden didn’t pull away. Instead, he held her tighter, his voice husky. “I don’t care if anyone sees us. I can’t get enough of you, babe.”He kissed her again, more urgently. Lucy melted for a moment before pushing gently against his chest.“Okay, okay… what about later this evening? Or after work?”Aiden turned her around so her back pressed against his front. He kissed the side of her neck, hands slowly rubbing her thighs. “Why wait?” he whispered hotly against her ear. “I want you right here.”Lucy laughed softly, shivering at his tou

Chapter 15: A Promise

Aiden walked into Lucy’s office and closed the door behind him. The tension between them had been growing for days, and he couldn’t take it anymore.“Babe, you weren’t taking my calls or replying to my texts,” he said, voice laced with worry and frustration.Lucy didn’t look up from her laptop. “I was busy,” she responded coldly.Aiden stepped closer, studying her. “This isn’t like you, Lucy. You don’t even look at me anymore.”He reached out to gently cup her face, but Lucy quickly turned her head and pushed his hand away.“Ethan, please,” she said sharply. “We’re at work and I’m busy.”The moment the name left her lips, the air in the room shifted. Aiden froze. Lucy realized her mistake too late.She stood up abruptly, avoiding his eyes. “Excuse me.”Without waiting for a response, she grabbed her files and walked out of the office, leaving Aiden standing there, stunned and hurt.He stared at the door long after she was gone, jaw clenched. Something was very wrong — and he was determ

Chapter 16: Reckoning

“Babe, quick — it isn’t our wedding yet,” Aiden said as he sat waiting for lucy. Lucy came out gave a soft laugh, still fixing her earring in front of the mirror. She looked breathtaking in a elegant cream dress that hugged her figure perfectly.“Mmm, you look so gorgeous,” Aiden murmured, stepping behind her and kissing her cheek tenderly. “I can’t wait to show you off.”They drove to the family mansion in comfortable silence, Aiden’s hand resting on her thigh the entire way. When they arrived, he held her hand firmly as they walked into the grand dining room.His mother was already seated at the head of the table, with Victoria beside her. The moment Aiden and Lucy entered, his mother’s face lit up.“My darling!” she exclaimed, rushing forward and pulling Aiden into a tight hug, completely ignoring Lucy’s presence.“Come, come!” She dragged him away excitedly. “Congratulations, my darling,” she whispered.Aiden gently removed her hands. “Mom, I came here with my fiancée.” He walked