The Gift From The Stranger

Chapter 31Zebdayas povI barely made it back to my room before the weight of everything crashed down on me. The hallway lights felt too bright, the carpet too soft under my bare feet, and my legs still shaky from how thoroughly Malachi had taken me apart in his bathroom. I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, eyes squeezed shut, trying to catch my breath. My body was still humming—thighs sore, skin marked with faint fingerprints where he’d gripped me, that deep ache between my legs a constant reminder of how desperately I’d wanted him. How I’d begged for him.God, what had I done?I’d only gone into his bathroom because the tap in mine had gone crazy, spraying water all over the floor when I tried to turn it on. I hadn’t planned to get his attention. I hadn’t planned for him to walk in and look at me like that—like he was angry and starving at the same time. And I definitely hadn’t planned for the way his hands had felt on my skin, the way his mouth had devoured me until

Huling Na-update : 2026-07-12

Magbasa pa

Victor

Chapter 31I went back to my office, confused. The weight of Malachi’s cold denial still sat heavy on my chest as I closed the door behind me and leaned against it for a second. My mind was spinning. I had been so sure the package was from him, a quiet gesture after the intensity of last night, maybe even an apology in his own guarded way. But the way he had looked at me, the flat tone in his voice when he said he had not sent anything, left me off balance, like the ground had shifted under my feet again.I walked over to my desk and stared at the package for a long moment before curiosity finally won. I opened it thoroughly this time, sorting through the neatly arranged items with careful fingers. Expensive chocolates in a sleek box, a small bottle of my favorite perfume, and a folded note tucked at the bottom.The handwriting made my stomach twist before I even unfolded it. The initials at the bottom confirmed it, D. Derek. My ex-husband. The same person who had called me earlier in

Huling Na-update : 2026-07-13

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WE CANT KEEP DOING THIS

Chapter 32Malachis povThe memory of Zendaya’s body under mine refused to leave me alone. I sat in my office long after the building had quieted down, staring at the same line in a report I had read three times already. Her soft gasps, the way her nails had dug into my shoulders, the heat of her wrapped around me as I lost myself inside her. It was all still there, vivid and distracting, making it impossible to focus. I hated how much power she still had over me. That one night was supposed to be a slip, a moment of weakness I could lock away. Instead it was cracking the walls I had spent months building, the ones that kept me from wanting things I knew would only hurt in the end.My phone buzzed on the desk. Zendaya. I let it ring a couple times before answering, keeping my voice steady.“Yeah?”“Malachi,” she started, her tone careful but determined. “About last night…”I cut her off before she could go any further. “Whatever happened last night should not repeat itself.”There was

Huling Na-update : 2026-07-13

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WHY TAYLOR

Chapter 34 Zendaya’s pov “Why her, Malachi? Of all people, why did you bring Taylor here?” The words slipped out before I could stop them. I had been standing in the hallway, trying to convince myself I was not waiting for him, but the moment Taylor’s voice carried through the house, something in me snapped. Jealousy burned hot in my chest, sharper than I expected. Not sadness. Not the quiet hurt I thought I would feel. Just raw, burning jealousy that made my hands curl into fists at my sides. The drive home just few hours ago had been endless. My hands had gripped the steering wheel tighter than necessary, the city lights blurring past the windows as I tried to keep my mind from wandering. But it had a mind of its own tonight. Every time I blinked, Taylor’s name echoed in my head like an unwelcome guest. I had not thought about her in months, maybe longer, but hearing it tonight brought everything rushing back. The night I had seen them together, Malachi’s mouth on hers in a

Huling Na-update : 2026-07-14

Magbasa pa

THE RELATIONSHIP IS FAKE

Malachis povThe next morning, I made sure that Taylor was out of my place as soon as possible. I had barely slept, the events of the night before replaying in my head like a bad loop I could not escape. Zendaya’s face when Taylor walked through the door had stayed with me, that flash of hurt and jealousy she had tried to hide. I was not ready to have Taylor around. Not when it clearly affected Zendaya that much. Not when I was still trying to figure out what the hell I was doing with my own wife.I arranged a hotel room for Taylor across town, handed her enough cash to get by for a few days, and told her to stay put until she sorted herself out. She tried to hug me again at the door, but I stepped back. “Take care of yourself,” I said, keeping my voice even. “Call if you need anything else, but this is it for now.”She nodded, eyes a little too bright. “Thank you, Malachi. I mean it.”I watched her get into the cab I had called and then headed straight to the office. Today, we were h

Huling Na-update : 2026-07-14

Magbasa pa

Lahat ng Kabanata ng Pretend To Be Mine; Bound To My Brother's Bestfriend : Kabanata 31 - Kabanata 35

The Gift From The Stranger

Victor

WE CANT KEEP DOING THIS

WHY TAYLOR

THE RELATIONSHIP IS FAKE