Morning sunlight poured in. Lydia Bell stared at the sleeping man next to her, totally captivated. She traced her fingers over his chiseled chest, up to his Adam’s apple, then paused at his tempting lips. Suddenly, her wrist was caught. Chad Holland’s eyes snapped open. Lydia shivered but quickly smiled brightly. “Good morning, Chad. Or… Uncle Chad?” Uncle?! Chad’s eyes darkened. He instantly pushed Lydia away and sat up. No wonder she looked familiar when she seduced him last night! She was his nephew Brian Holland’s fiancée! “You’ve got guts,” Chad said, getting up irritably. With his back to Lydia, he threw on a robe and then sent his location to his assistant. “So… are you mad?” Lydia sat up slowly, wrapping her arms around Chad from behind. Feigning innocence, she said, “Brian’s been cheating with Eva Bell for ages. To get back at him, I slept with his uncle. Fair, right?” “You’re the first woman to use me,” Chad said coldly. “Aren’t you scared of me?” At 6’7″ with a killer stare, Chad was downright intimidating. As the future head of the Holland family, he was known for being ruthless. But she couldn’t deny last night was unforgettable! Sure, he had a rough edge, but there were surprisingly tender moments too. “Scared? You were amazing last night!” “So, Brian doesn’t do it for you?” Chad smirked, gripping her chin. Lydia scoffed. “He’s too busy with Eva in bed. Why else would I come to you?” She stood on her tiptoes and then kissed Chad, pressing herself against him. Chad felt his body heat up. He couldn’t deny it—this woman was stunning and irresistible! Slowly, a dangerous and alluring aura surrounded him. “Are you sure about this?” His eyes locked onto hers, desire flickering within. “What?” Before she could react, Chad pinned her to the bed, sending a shiver down her spine. “Chad… mmph.” His kiss silenced her. His fingers tightened around the back of her neck. “You asked for it.” Two hours later, Lydia lay exhausted on the bed. Who knew Chad, with his cool exterior, could be so fiery in bed? Something she never experienced with Brian! He always said she was boring and stiff. After years together, they barely kissed. Now here she was, in bed with his uncle! Whoa! Revenge never felt so sweet!

Suddenly, Lydia’s phone rang, snapping her out of her thoughts. She glanced at the screen- It was Brian. She answered. “Make it quick.” “Where have you been? Eva and I messaged you a ton, but no reply.” Lydia tightened her robe, eyes meeting Chad’s. Fresh out of the shower, water droplets traced down his sculpted abs. Quite the sight! “Oh, missed them. What’s up?” Lydia looked away, casually picking up her clothes from the floor. “My uncle’s back. I’m picking you up for dinner.” Then, Brian hung up before she could respond. Lydia’s heart skipped a beat. “What? Brian’s coming over?” But now wasn’t the time to confront him. She had a bigger plan! She rushed over, blocking Chad and shoving him toward the closet. “Hide, Brian’s coming up!” “What?” Chad’s face darkened. “How dare she make me hide in the closet?” “Ding dong—” The doorbell made Lydia even more anxious. Without a word, she pushed Chad into the largest closet with all her might. “I promise, you’ll be out soon!” she pleaded, hands clasped. Then, she slammed the door shut. Rushing downstairs, she opened the door and was mortified to see Eddy Mogen standing there. What? Not Brian. Chad’s assistant? “Ms. Bell, Mr. Holland asked me to bring him a new outfit,” Eddy said, handing over the bag. Lydia watched as Chad dressed with effortless grace, her heart racing. “Sorry…” Lydia started awkwardly. She hadn’t meant to lock him in the closet. “I’m not interested in you and Brian,” Chad said coldly, finishing up without even looking at her. But Lydia grabbed his arm. “Can you wait a bit? Brian’s almost here.” “You want to hide me in the closet again?” Chad’s tone was icy. Lydia knew he was on the edge of anger, but she felt bolder now. She stood on tiptoe and kissed Chad again, whispering, “Maybe that’s not such a bad idea?” Then, before Chad could react, she darted out. “See you, Uncle!” she called with a mischievous grin. Chad felt a wave of anger. “How many times is she gonna mess with me?” he thought. “She’s got some nerve!”

It was pouring down heavily, causing low visibility on the road. The car was stuck in traffic just two kilometers away. Brian was in a foul mood. When he saw Lydia wearing a turtleneck sweater with her chin tucked in, he couldn’t help but frown. “Are you going in that?” It was only autumn, and it wasn’t the season for high-collar sweaters yet. Although Lydia looked stunning in the sweater, she still looked a bit odd. Thinking about the hickey on her neck left by Chad, Lydia’s lips curled up. “Well, it’s raining. This is for not catching a cold.” “Overly cautious. Make no sense.” Brian’s impatience grew even more. Lydia stroked her collar with her fair fingertips. “Brian, you haven’t been to the company for half a month, have you?” Brian hated she talked to him that way, as if she was superior to everything. “Wherever I go has nothing to do with you.” Brian honked the horn impatiently, feeling that sitting in the same confined space with Lydia was a torment. Then his phone rang. From the corner of her eyes, Lydia noticed that the caller was Eva, her best friend. In contrast to his impatience with Lydia earlier, Brian’s expression suddenly softened. “Eva, are you awake? It’s pouring outside. Don’t go out. Do you have a fever? Is it serious?” His tone shifted from cheerful to concerned, and then to panicked. Lydia didn’t ask any more questions. She absentmindedly played with the hair. Brian cursed twice, hung up the phone, and angrily pounded the steering wheel a few times. Lydia found his behavior funny. She wasn’t upset about his excessive concern for another woman, but rather curious about how he would react if he went upstairs then and discovered the absurd situation between her and his uncle Chad. But Brian was never interested in her, let alone visited her apartment. Thinking of his reaction in the future, Lydia laughed silently. Brian had already pulled out the car keys angrily. Without even holding up his umbrella, he ran directly into the rain. “Not going to the Holland Manor?” Lydia opened the car window and shouted when his figure was about to disappear. “Eva is sick. I’ll go and see her first. She is your friend, after all.” Brian’s voice faded away in the rain. Lydia closed the car window. Her eyes were filled with sarcasm. “Then you must take good care of my friend,” she murmured. Then Lydia sighed. She knew this man was unreliable. Lydia looked at the torrential rain outside, turned her head, and found that Brian had taken away the car keys. She frowned. The car in front had been cleared, but the car she was sitting in was parked in the middle of the road. She soon attracted a lot of scolding. Lydia wanted to find an umbrella to get out of the car but found several used condoms from the seat gap. She felt nauseated. Lydia opened the storage box and saw a limited edition lipstick. It was a gift she had given Eva the last time. There were only 30 pieces in the world. It couldn’t be a coincidence. She knew Eva left it here deliberately. Lydia sneered and closed the storage box again, pretending not to see this blatant provocation. She couldn’t find an umbrella, so she had to get out of the car and stand in the rain. The rain was too heavy. Lydia was soaked instantly. She watched the traffic police ordering people to tow the car away. Poor Lydia stood in the torrential rain with people coming and going, with nowhere to hide. She wiped the rain off her face. She was just about to go to the roadside and saw a black Bentley slowly stop before her. Bentley’s license plate was a series of conspicuous 1, with a small flag next to it. This flag represented that this car could enter and exit any place unimpeded, even if it was a military exclusion zone. Lydia was inwardly amazed, but she recognized the car as Chad’s. She smiled, opened the car door, and got into the back seat. “Chad, what a coincidence.”

Chad was also sitting in the backseat. He gave her a quick glance before looking away, then casually fiddled with the bead bracelet on his wrist. “My nephew Brian doesn’t want you anymore?” What a Lord on Earth! Bah! He was a devil on earth. He knew how to hurt people badly. “Chad, I served you well in bed last night, didn’t I? Why are you so mean to me when you get out of bed?” She smiled cutely. She could seduce people with just a glance. There was no embarrassment or annoyance of being left behind by Brian in her tone. Eddy Mogen, sitting in the driver’s seat, closed the car partition between the front and back seats, not daring to eavesdrop on the conversation happening behind him. “Served me good?” Chad repeated her words. “You were like a corpse. You only screamed but did not move. You call it a good service?” Lydia clenched her teeth and forced a smile. “A corpse? So you worked so ‘hard’ to thrust into me, a lifeless body, last night, why? I guess you’ve never been with a woman before, have you?” Lydia rebutted him with a sharp tone, but her demeanor betrayed a hint of vulnerability. She leaned over to get out of the car but was pulled back forcefully by a hand. Chad grabbed her wrist. He imprisoned her and said to the front, “Go back to Villa 1.” Villa 1 was where Chad lived. It seemed that he was not planning to go to the banquet, although he was the protagonist of that. Lydia was stunned but didn’t refuse. She was in such a mess anyway. She would be disliked if she went to the banquet. So she nestled into his embrace, like a lazy cat. Chad looked down at her. His gaze was inscrutable, concealing his emotions. “Not leaving now?” he asked. “Are you kidding, Uncle Chad? How can a corpse walk?” On the way to Villa 1, the both of them kept silent. Lydia knew that Chad’s choice to ditch the banquet was not out of pity or affection. Chad stood at the top of the food chain. At the age of seventeen, he made a name for himself on Wall Street by single-handedly facilitating the largest corporate merger and acquisition case of the year. The shocking commercial feast that affected most of the world was planned by him alone. His fame was based on the dead bones of his competitors. Such a man had no heart at all. Lydia felt a chill creep up her spine and couldn’t help but sneeze. A clean blanket was thrown over her body. She looked up and found that Chad was still working on a document. He didn’t even glance up nor did his hands twitch from their place on his lap. But Lydia knew it was from him. “Thank you.” After taking it, Lydia wiped her dripping hair. The gate of Villa 1 was just ahead. As the car crept up, the two iron gates were slowly opened. Even after seeing the big scenes, Lydia was still amazed by the landscaping inside. The car finally stopped at the entrance of the villa. From the front seat, the driver, Eddy, got out of the car and opened the door respectfully. Lydia was blown by the cold wind outside, making the hair on skin stand. She struggled to keep up with Chad, trying to keep the proud look on her face. “Chad, am I the first woman to come here?” Chad stopped walking. Lydia bumped into him. There was a teasing look in his eyes. He pointed to the maid who was pruning branches not far away and said, “Nice try.” “Then I must be the first woman to successfully get you in bed.” Lydia felt a painful tug on her chin and she was forced to look up. When meeting Chad’s eyes, Lydia felt her heart rate pick up for no reason. Even though she started this game, it was easy to forget that there were only so many buttons she could push. Especially when it came to Chad. “Yes.” Lydia didn’t know what to say. She was absolutely speechless at Chad’s answer. When she came back to her senses, Chad was already walking away. Lydia took a deep breath and bit her lip. Gathering the courage, she then called out shamelessly, “Chad! Wait!”

“What.” “You know what’ll happen to me if people find out. Please…will you protect me?” Lydia tried, in a last ditch request. They had already entered the hall of the villa. Chad pulled out the tie around his neck with one hand. “It depends…will you make it worth my time? Will you be worth the investment?” Lydia had never heard of someone referring to a long-term relationship like it was all business. But this was Chad Holland. Business was the only language he spoke. When Lydia thought of Brian, the tiny bit of regret disappeared immediately. Brian said she was boring. His mother said she was too much of a prude. And the Bell family thought she was nothing more than an obedient daughter. But they were all wrong. Lydia would be their worst nightmare. “Don’t worry, Chad. I will serve you well. I’ll be so good, you’ll never want for anyone else. Just me.” Chad raised his eyebrows. His eyes were full of indifference. Still, he unbuttoned the buttons on his shirt one by one before pulling her close. Lydia could feel the hard lines of his muscle pressed against her skin. “As long as you’re here, you’ll belong to me. And I won’t let anything touch what’s mine.” “And here I thought you didn’t like me because I’m just dead meat in bed.” She didn’t let go of his words earlier. Chad didn’t turn on the light in his master bedroom. He directly pressed Lydia against the door. “It’s a good thing that’s exactly how I like it.” Lydia was really glad that she had smooth skin and a beautiful appearance. Because Chad didn’t even give her time to prepare. Before she could even think, his lips were already on hers. Lydia knew too well that Chad was extremely crazy. His madness could destroy everything she was if she wasn’t careful. If Lydia was in love with Brian, she could still get out of it. But as Chad led her closer and closer to the bed behind him…the idea of trading one Holland for another didn’t seem all that bad anymore. *** Lydia stayed in Villa 1 for one night. The next morning, she returned to the apartment to tidy up and went to the Holland family’s company. There were countless missed calls on the phone. Some were from her own family, the Bell’s. And some were from Kim Holland, Brian’s mother. The family banquet last night, because of Chad’s absence, was canceled as a result. However, as a prospective daughter-in-law, it was impolite for Lydia not to show up. Lydia took the initiative to make a phone call. Before she could speak, Kim’s question came from the phone. “Didn’t I tell you to keep an eye on Brian? Someone from the company reported this morning that he hasn’t been showing up to work for half a month. Lydia, what are you doing?” Lydia had already arrived at the entrance of the company, looking up at the towering Holland Group Building. “He doesn’t answer my phone calls either.” “Then you go to look for him! Lydia, I thought you were supposed to be smart. I put you in Holland Group because I wanted you to help Brian run the company. But now that Chad is back, the company will be in turmoil over Brian’s absence. You majored in finance at Harris University. You should know what this means.” Chad had rarely been in charge of the Holland Group before. For the most part, he had been conducting remote control over their assets abroad with significant success. As a result, the company’s benefits had risen steadily, and the stock price had doubled even more. In Brian’s case, he rarely had to do anything thanks to Chad’s work. But now that he was back, those moths who idled around in the company should naturally panic. In this case, Brian and his mom. “If you can’t help Brian, then we might as well call off your wedding.” Kim’s voice was cold. She always looked down on Lydia. Lydia knew that if she didn’t take action, Kim would call the Bell family next. Then Lydia’s parents would call and scold her for being so ignorant and unable to please others. Once upon a time, Lydia would have done anything to appease them. Unfortunately for them, she didn’t want to continue being a marionette anymore. After hanging up, she sent Kim the address of a suburban villa, followed by a message saying that this was Brian’s last known location. It was the same address where Brian’s mistress lived.

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My sister, Charlotte Marlowe, was dead. They threw her into a den of beggars, where she was violated until she died. The mastermind behind this cruel act was Lyla Finch. She did it all because Charlotte overheard one of her secrets — She had an illegitimate child before marrying Rylan Murphy. Charlotte begged Lyla for mercy, explaining that our parents were gone and she was the only one supporting me while I was still in school. She promised to keep silent, even offering to have her tongue cut out. But Lyla was ruthless and had her dragged away. We grew up poor. Our parents passed away when we were still little. Charlotte worked as a sex worker at Heaven Club to support me, using her earnings to pay for my education and our living expenses. She would always hold me in her arms and assure me, “Hey, don’t worry. I’ll always be here to protect you.” Now, she was gone, and my world had shattered. I hated Lyla’s guts. I vowed to get revenge. Lyla took away the person I loved most, so I would make her lose the one she cared about most. And that person was her husband, Rylan. Losing him would drive her insane. The mere thought filled me with excitement. I picked up a photo of Rylan. In Oceana, the Murphy family reigned supreme, and Rylan, with his youth and good looks, was made even more alluring by his power and status. He was known to be a devoted husband. During the three years of marriage to Lyla, he had never caught up in a scandal with another woman. I laughed out loud. Could that really be true? I caressed Rylan’s handsome face in the photo, thinking, “Lyla, do you think your darling will fall for me if I try to seduce him?” ***** I infiltrated the Murphy Manor as a maid. At night, I entered Rylan and Lyla’s bedroom to tidy up. Suddenly, two bright headlights beamed through the pristine floor-to-ceiling windows. Rylan was home. I switched off the wall lamp, and as darkness enveloped the room, the door creaked open. Rylan walked in and wrapped his arms around me from behind. He smelled of alcohol. Then he whispered in my ear in a deep, magnetic voice, “Honey.” I almost laughed. He was such a devoted husband. But what about Charlotte? What was her death to them? I squirmed a little, my slender body writhing like a snake in his embrace. Rylan squeezed my waist, puzzled. “Why is your waist so thin tonight? So slender and soft.” His breathing grew heavier, and soon, his hand slipped under my shirt, squeezing my breast firmly. He murmured, “So big.” I smirked inwardly. “Do you enjoy it, Rylan?” Years ago, Charlotte and I went to Heaven Club. Sienna Wills spotted me immediately, declaring I was born to please men with my delicate frame, slender waist, and ample bosom. She said I could be the top hostess if I wanted. But Charlotte turned her down, insisting I was meant for greater things, to live a life of dignity and honor. I knew my allure well. During university, rich kids and campus heartthrobs would flock to me with just a crook of my finger. But Charlotte, I no longer wished to live with dignity. I wanted to drag them all to hell with me! As I snapped out of it, I noticed that Rylan’s body pressed tightly against mine. Also, I was nearly scalded by his heat. When I sensed the iron hard bulge in his pants, I knew he got turned on. It was time for my performance. I turned around, pressing my hands against his chest, and whimpered, “Sir, please, don’t!” Hearing my voice, he froze. “Who are you?” I switched on the wall lamp, my wide, doe-like eyes gazing at him as if frightened. “Sir, you’ve mistaken me for someone else. I’m not Mrs. Murphy. I’m the maid here, Hailey Marlowe.” Rylan stared at my face, stunned. Just then, the sound of Lyla’s high heels echoed from outside.

Lyla was coming! My heart raced with excitement, though I kept my eyes wide with panic. I pushed at Rylan’s arms with my hands. “Mrs. Murphy is here! Mr. Murphy, please, take your hands out…” Rylan finally realized his hand was still inside my shirt, cupping my breast. He quickly pulled back. “I’m sorry. I thought you were my wife.” He turned to leave, but I grabbed his arm, still feigning panic. “Mrs. Murphy doesn’t allow maids like me to be near you. If she sees us together, she’ll be furious. What should we do?” Just then, the door opened, and Lyla walked in. With her crimson lips and luscious waves, Lyla was a striking beauty. She glanced up, saw Rylan sitting at the desk, and flashed a sweet, seductive smile. “Honey, you’re back?” She uttered. From her angle, Lyla couldn’t see me. Just moments earlier, I had pulled Rylan to the chair and hid under the desk. The space beneath was cramped. Dressed in black trousers, he had his legs spread apart, and I crouched between them. He looked down at me; his gaze was intense, while I tilted my delicate face up to meet his eyes. With an pure and innocent look, I shook my head slightly, silently pleading for him not to expose me. I knew how alluring I looked. Right now, I looked both innocent and sexy. No man could resist such temptation. Sure enough, he played along. “Yes, darling, I just got back,” Rylan said, nodding to Lyla. Lyla didn’t approach but instead opened a package containing a piece of sexy lingerie. She held it up against herself, teasing, “Do you like it?” Rylan glanced up at her with an unreadable expression. I knew Lyla was a master at this game. Before marrying Rylan, she had countless boyfriends, each skilled in bed. She even had a son with one of them. But once she and Rylan got married, those boyfriends and her illegitimate child were swiftly gotten rid of. In brief, her marriage was paved with blood. I smirked, my lips curling with confidence. Lyla might have her tricks, but I had my own. Rylan’s bulge was right in front of me, impressively prominent and undeniably large. To be honest, he looked even more handsome up close, and that impressive size made Lyla’s previous lovers seem like nothing. It was no wonder she was so obsessed with him. I deliberately moved my face closer, brushing it lightly against the impressive bulge of his. The faint contact through the thin fabric was electrifying. No man could resist that kind of teasing. Rylan stiffened, and I saw his bulge grow even larger. Moments later, I heard him mumble to Lyla, “I like it.” His words were half-hearted, barely more than a murmur. As soon as he spoke, his eyes drifted over to me. I knew I had succeeded in pulling his focus away from Lyla. I played innocent, my wide eyes darting around in faux fear. And quickly, I pulled my face back. But as I did, my lips accidentally brushed against him. Rylan’s legs quivered. Inside, I was thrilled. “Rylan, how does it feel to be sneaking around with me?” Meanwhile, Lyla remained blissfully unaware. “Babe, I’m going to shower and put it on for you,” she said cheerfully. Rylan’s response was a husky. “Alright.” As Lyla headed toward the bathroom, I felt a pang of urgency. I didn’t want her to leave so soon. It would be far more thrilling for her to discover just how excited her husband was over another woman. With that in mind, I intentionally knocked into the desk, creating a noticeable sound. Immediately, Lyla’s footsteps halted outside the bathroom door. Her piercing gaze shot towards me with a new level of suspicion.

Lyla spun around immediately, asking, “What was that noise?” I crouched under the desk. My eyes sparkled with excitement as I saw her bejeweled stiletto heels approach, step by step. My pulse quickened. Then Rylan knocked a stack of papers to the floor on purpose and bent down to retrieve them. “It’s nothing, just some papers that fell.” Lyla drifted over, her red gown flowing with her movements. She nestled against him, her eyes falling on the bulge in his pants. With a mischievous smile, she reached out and gave it a slow, teasing stroke. “Honey, why are you so… excited?” I was curious about Rylan’s response. He gazed at Lyla with an intense look. “Sweetheart, it’s that new nightgown you wore earlier. It’s driving me wild. I can’t help but be captivated.” I stifled a laugh. What a liar! Lyla, however, was thoroughly amused. She laughed heartily and rewarded Rylan with a quick kiss on his lips. “Wait for me, darling!” As Lyla headed into the bathroom, I stayed silent, making sure not to make a sound. The earlier noise was just a playful distraction. This was only the beginning. I had much more planned for her. Rylan stood up and moved away from me, clearly irritated. He turned his back, his voice sharp. “Get out! And don’t ever come into this room again…” He didn’t finish his sentence before I darted out of the room. Rylan watched me flee like a startled rabbit with a mixture of amusement and exasperation on his face. ***** At night, Rylan, freshly showered, lounged in a sleek black silk robe against the headboard. Lyla, draped in a sultry, sheer nightgown, was perched on his muscular waist. She shifted her hips seductively, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Honey, do I look good?” Rylan’s desire was unmistakable. His hands gripped her waist with a primal intensity. He smirked, his voice laced with a teasing edge. “Darling, have you gained a bit of weight recently?” Lyla pouted, her tone innocent yet sultry. “Really?” Rylan’s hands wandered under her gown. Although Lyla was well-endowed, tonight he felt something even more thrilling. His gaze darkened as he applied a firmer touch. Lyla, sensing his heightened passion, melted against him. She then mumbled softly, “Ah, it hurts. Honey, be gentle.” Rylan’s eyes, full of smoldering desire, locked onto her. “Will being gentle be enough to satisfy you?” Without a word, Lyla sealed her lips to his, her movements a dance of yearning and surrender. Rylan’s hand slid to her shoulder, guiding her down, an unspoken command for her to pleasure him. Lyla shot him a playful, feigned pout before burying herself in his crotch. Outside, hidden in the shadows, I watched through the crack in the door. I saw Rylan’s hands, which had touched me earlier, now exploring Lyla’s body. I couldn’t help but wonder, “Rylan, are you comparing me to Lyla in your mind? Do you find me more desirable? Are you imagining her as me? As you reveled in each other, did you hear Charlotte’s desperate cries from that night?” I saw her in her last moments, her body a canvas of cruelty, scarred by cigarette burns and shattered beyond repair. Sienna told me to accept my fate, saying that to the wealthy, our lives were worth no more than dirt. But I refused to accept that. If fate was unjust, then I would become the vengeful spirit from hell. Evil would meet its match. The game was on! ***** The next morning, I was busy working in the living room when Lyla stormed in, her face a thunderstorm of anger. “Grab Hailey!” Two maids seized me, one on each side. I was taken aback, my heart pounding as I looked at Lyla in panic. “Mrs. Murphy, what did I do wrong?” Lyla glared down at me with a cold, mocking smile. “Hailey, I’ve dealt with plenty of women trying to seduce my husband. Do you really think you can play your games right under my nose?” My heart sank. Had I blown my cover before the game even started?

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I fell for the broke student my dad was sponsoring. After some serious chasing and a few sneaky moves, he was mine. But just a day later, his sister dropped a bomb. A video showed my dad had raped her, pretending to tutor her. He disappeared from my life after that. Three years later, we met again. I needed money for my kid’s medical bills and ended up selling my body. He smirked, “Five grand a night? You sure know how to set a price.”

After I found out I got pregnant, I went to church to seek blessings. That’s when I found it – a wish card he’d written just two weeks ago. “Cynthia, happy birthday! May you live a peaceful and joyful life.” Cynthia. My husband’s ex-girlfriend. Again. I went back home and threw the wish card at Samuel. His face darkened. “It’s just a blessing. Why making such a fuss about it?” Making a fuss? I laughed in a trance, tears streaming down my face. Samuel had forgotten. The day he wrote that wish for Cynthia was our third wedding anniversary. All he remembered was her birthday.

Right after I had a miscarriage, Yves Salvatore forced me to take the fall for his sister and go to jail. I was totally heartbroken by it. But after I got out, he begged on his knees, asking me to give him another chance.

Heading to a meeting with my boss, I unexpectedly ran into his nemesis, who shot me a few glances. My boss raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled. He asked me, “Do you know him?” I shrugged, replying, “Not really.” But after the meeting wrapped up, the dashing man cornered me against the restroom wall and kissed me fiercely. He murmured, his breath warm against my cheek, “We share a bed every night. You say you don’t know me?”

My sugar daddy’s first love came back. So I stepped out and decided to marry a tycoon. Little did I know, I was already pregnant with the baby of my sugar daddy.

“Slow down… too fast,” I gasped, my voice muffled by the pillow. My sweaty body stuck to the thin fabric. Hearing me, Tristan paused. Then, I tugged his hand, craving more. “Honey, keep going.”

Evie Finally, I made it. After four years of being the perfect student, I finally made it across that stage. The graduation party rages all around me. People are dancing, and singing, and cheering as they all let loose. Not that any of them took notice of me. I tend to stay out of the spotlight. I had been so excited to receive this invitation. Timothy Hayes himself had personally invited me to this party. It’s my first house party ever. And word had it that Timothy’s house parties were notorious for being crazy and fun. Everyone at school was fighting over getting an invitation. The boys flipped coins. Girls sharpened their manicured nails, getting ready to claw their way to Timothy’s side. It made sense. He was the hottest guy in school. “Hey, Evie, I just need one last signature for my yearbook,” I slowly lift my chin to meet the hazel eyes of the only boy I would have risked it all for. Timothy Hayes. “You’re my final signature.” “I don’t have a pen on me,” I say awkwardly. He shrugs. “I have one in my room. Come on,” he urges, taking my hand and pulling me up the stairs to his room. Now, everything has changed. There, laying beside me, was Timothy. My immediate instinct was to scream. But I bite my tongue and cover my face in the pillows. When I finally gathered my control, I sit up looking around the room. My clothes had been scattered wildly across the floor. I look down at myself. I had slept in his jersey. The number 9 was boldly printed on the front with a picture of our school mascot, the bulldog. But the night was over and I had to go home. Slipping out of the room, with my clothes in hand, I make a break for the front door and back to my house. ** A few days passed and that night was all I had been thinking about. Timothy had chosen me. It felt so good to be seen by him. My eyes haven’t left that jersey. I should give that back. It probably means a lot to him. So I headed downstairs and started my short walk around the neighborhood. I wondered how he would react to me showing up at his door. I hoped he would be happy to see me, considering how he came to me. As I approached his house, I noticed a few cars parked in his driveway. Those cars belonged to his friends. Loud laughter came from the back of the house. I couldn’t help but want to listen in to their conversation. It was too tempting. Tip-toeing around the side, I got close to the white-painted gate. “I can’t believe you did that,” one says laughing. “You have guts, my man.” “Nah,” Timothy sighed heavily. “She definitely had some potential.” “Still, Evie Sinclair? Isn’t she like a shut-in? Everyone knew that she didn’t care about any boys, except for the damn books.” “Shut up,” Timothy laughed. “It wasn’t that bad.” One of them blew a raspberry. “Whatever you say. You followed through on the deal, so I’ll let you take the bike.” There was a deal. My chest suddenly felt constricted. “Here’s to getting all the girls ‘signatures’,” one of his friends laughs. “Hey,” Timothy argues. “It worked didn’t it. I slept with her.” Oh, god. I felt sick. I stumble back to the front yard, tears blurring every inch of my vision. I couldn’t be seen here. I have to leave before I humiliate myself any further. I throw his jersey on the front steps of his porch and make an attempt to run, but my legs were barely working. It feels like my body had been stripped of any structure it had. I was nothing but a puddle on the ground waiting for the next person to step on me. “Evie?” I stop dead in my tracks, gathering every bit of strength I had left. “What is it?” “I didn’t think you’d drop by–” “I was just returning your jersey,” I say calmly, turning around to face him finally. “You’re welcome to borrow it any time,” he smirks playfully. I had to force myself to look away. I hated him. He had used me. “What happened the other night can’t happen again,” I say firmly. “I had fun, but–” “But?” His question hung in the air between us. “But I have to focus on my goals,” I spoke quietly. “And you have your professional career to think about. I think it’s best that we leave it as a one time thing. We both got what we wanted from each other. Right?” He frowns at her. “What do you mean?” My jaw tightens, teeth grinding against each other. “Bye, Timothy,” I whisper shakily, and I walked away. Every step was torture. Every breath was shallow and fast. I wish the ground would just swallow me whole right about now. The way home felt like it took years. It made it worse that I saw my stepbrother’s car sitting in the driveway. I swallow hard and head inside. “You look terrible,” he snorts, immediately as I enter the living room. “Your boyfriend dumped you right?” I shook my head. “He wasn’t my boyfriend,” I whisper. Bruce chokes on his laughter. “You’re telling me that you slept with some random and took his jersey?” “Leave it, Bruce,” I snap angrily, bitter tears starting to fill my eyes. “Aw,” he pouts. “He broke your heart. You gave it up didn’t you.” “Bruce,” I beg. “Stop–” “God, you’re so stupid,” he laughs. “All these academic awards and you’re still too dumb to recognize when a dude is using you.” I didn’t want to hear him demean me further. I sprint up the stairs as fast as I could, practically tripping on the way up. But he just keeps flinging insults at me. He was right. It was stupid of me to believe a word that boy had said. He was notorious for his acquisitions. His friends were too. And I had just gotten so caught up in the fantasy that someone would actually like me, that I refused to see the signs. Locking the door, I finally allow myself to break. I couldn’t stop the tears from falling down my face as the heartbreak really sets itself in. Six Years Later Work was busy again. It was a Wednesday night at the hottest restaurant in the city. Waiters and waitresses whizzed around the tables with their trays of drinks and food. I was exhausted after a long day of trying to get clients for my internship, but I had to pick this shift up to get the last of my month’s rent. Behind the long elegant bar, a couple tvs were tuned into some sports events. I didn’t pay any attention to who was playing or what sport it was, until a man asked for the channel to be changed. “Put on the Thunderbolt game. I hear we have a chance at the Stanley cup,”he says proudly. Out of sheer curiosity, I looked up at the screen as it changed. Right then, the camera changed and a face I swore I’d never lay eyes upon again popped on the screen. Of course, it was the infamous Timothy Hayes. The hot rising star that everyone is watching right now. Except me. Anger burned through me again. I still hated myself for being so naive about him. Get a grip, Evie. I had bigger things to worry about. Like saving my money and surviving this job and my internship at the law firm. Not Him.

Evie The night went on and I continued setting tables for a private event set for this evening. It was a nice little break from the constant stream of guests that would come through. It was hard to tune out the highlight reels of the Thunderbolts Captain being the leading scorer in the league and becoming the rookie of the year. How some people manage to become that successful amazes me. He must be the city’s favorite little hockey star. I hummed quietly to myself as I moved around the dining room. “Waitress,” a woman’s shrill voice squawked. “Waitress!” My head snaps up at the signal. “I’m so sorry, mam,” I apologize carefully. “What can I do for you?” “Well, for starters, why don’t you actually serve me,” she scolds. “I have been sitting here for ten minutes trying to get your attention!” I looked around. My eyes were starting to turn towards where I stood. “Absolutely, mam,” I stammer. “What can I get you?” “I need a drink, but everyone in here seems to be too distracted by the craziness outside,” she says with a huff. I looked down at her glass. “What kind of wine would you like?” “Your most expensive bottle. Make it snappy,” she orders sharply. “Anything else?” “I have a super important guest coming. Bring two glasses,” she muttered. I flashed a smile. “I’ll be right back with your drinks,” I say with forced cheerfulness. God, people like this make me furious. I grab the bottle of wine and bring two glasses back out to the table. The woman watched me with cold eyes as I popped open the bottle and poured her a glass. “Anything—“ The sudden splash of fragrant red wine over my face shut me up quick. The entire restaurant went silent. “Did that finally get your attention,” she laughed smugly. “That’s for being incompetent and ruining our night.” “Stella, that’s enough,” a male voice said angrily, coming beside me. “Are you not embarrassed by treating another human being like this?” “Ugh, but baby, it’s our night. I bought out the restaurant just for celebrating your win,” Stella pouted innocently. “We can do what we want. Isn’t that right,” she looked at my name badge, “Evie?” The man froze – He is Timothy !! I once again lost any and all ability to speak. “I— uh—“ “See? She’s fine,” Stella smirked. “I’d go get yourself cleaned, sweetie, before that stains.” I quickly nodded, running off to the bathroom and locking myself in a stall. Forcing myself to take deep breaths, it brought me back to the torment of high school. It was brutal how some kids were just able to rip into their peers’ self esteem like it was nothing. A few minutes later, I finally managed to calm myself down and I stepped back onto the floor. My manager switched me sections after learning about my run in, and the rest of my shift went fairly smoothly. At least I made good tips tonight. Maybe it was the pity of the entire restaurant that filled my pockets. They all felt bad for the girl who got wine thrown in her face. I throw my apron into the dirty bin and grab my bag, throwing it tiredly over my shoulder. Without a single word, I head out the back of the restaurant and onto the street. Some jerkoff was zooming down the street in some crazy expensive sports car. “Wait!” I spun around. There behind the wheel of that crazy sports car, sat the one and only Timothy Hayes. He was as attractive as ever with those hazel eyes of his and his chestnut hair. His face, though still youthful, had matured in all the best ways. His cheeks were toned and his jaw sharp and peppered with stubble. Could this night get any worse? “You’re not Evie Sinclair, are you?” I picked up the pace. “Just hold on a minute,” he shouts quickly. “I know you. I swear I’ve seen you before.” I ignored him again. “Can I at least give you a ride,” he offered hopefully. Just then, the heel of my shoe slips right between the grate on the sidewalk, snapping it from beneath me. Stumbling forward, I hear a car door open quickly and hurried footsteps approaching. Nevermind. This night could get so much worse. “Here,” he says, stabilizing me gently. “I got you.” It’s been six years, and I still had never forgotten the feel of his hands on my body. Heat burned throughout every single inch of me. Some was rage. But the rest? That was the left over desire to have him. I still was unable to get rid of that. As much as I tried to forget about that night and the devastation it brought me, I couldn’t lie to myself and say that I hated it. He was too good to be that delusional about it. But I wouldn’t let him get me this time. He would not use me like that again. I quickly push him off me. “I’m fine,” I snap. “Get off me.” It was too much to bear the way he looked at me just then, like he didn’t understand the reason for my cold reaction towards him. My chest became tight again. “Good luck on your next game,” I whisper hoarsely, kicking off my shoes and sprinting to catch the arriving bus just at the corner. I make one last glance over my shoulder. He was just standing there. Even from this distance I could see the hurt in his eyes. But he had hurt me first. I tried not to feel bad. He didn’t deserve my kindness or my forgiveness. This was only a sliver of what I wanted him to feel. And if I ever run into him again, I hope I’m much more prepared to dig that knife in deeper. How was I this unlucky to have run into him on such a bad day? I was not prepared to say my piece. There were so many things to say that I had no strength to even begin tonight. I am still not ready to open that can of worms. I still have to face my own issues and earn my internship status. I still have to become the top tier lawyer I have always dreamed about. I have too much to deal with to worry about Timothy Hayes now. So I went home, heated up a cup of ramen, popped open a bottle of wine, and tried to forget about him. It didn’t really work, but at least I tried. That was all that mattered. Right? In the morning, I’d have to keep my head focused on my goals. I’d have no room to still be worried about the boy who broke my heart.

Evie The boss had called me into his office this morning. Dread settled in my stomach as I stepped inside and Jasper was standing there too. “Miss Sinclair,” he says simply. “Mister Morgan. I called you both in here to discuss a rather important matter. I can’t have two interns. One of you will be let go.” I bristle at his statement. “The one I keep here has to demonstrate a knowledge of client acquisition that exceeds our expectations for interns. Whoever brings me the next big client will receive the role here in this office. The other will have to go.” Jasper chuckles smugly beside me. “Certainly, sir,” he says. “Excellence in everything, isn’t that right, Evie?” My nails bit into my palms as anger started boiling over. “Absolutely,” I say, feigning sweetness. “I expect to see your client portfolios in three days,” our boss said. “I look forward to seeing what you guys bring to the table.” As soon as we step outside his office, Jasper began his trash talk again. “Prepare to lose, Evie,” he says with a smirk. “I won’t lose,” I say proudly. “Don’t lie to yourself,” he snorts. “I know you have zero prospects. It must be hard being you.” “Oh yea? What do you have that I don’t,” I ask, folding my arms. “My family owns the largest shipping company in the world,” he says plainly, picking at his nails. “That’s a cowards way out,” I snort. “It doesn’t matter,” he said quickly, a grin plastered on his face. “A client is a client. It’s not about what you know, but about who you know. It won’t matter how smart you are when you show up with nothing. I hold it all in the palm of my hand.” I felt my stomach drop. I hated when he was right. Jasper was second on my list of most hated people I knew. Which means he was first place loser. How fitting. “It might be better for you to just give up,” he says, lowering his tone. “It’s obvious you don’t belong here. You’d never understand how to deal with the one percent. I mean, look at you. You taped your heels.” My jaw tightens. “Your attempts at scaring me are childish at best. I’d suggest you focus on your clients.” I strode back to my cubicle, aware of how my heel wobbled beneath me. I cursed, feeling embarrassed creep onto my face. God, I was so out of my league. It felt like I dropped right into the deep end without my floaties. I didn’t let his words deter me. I kept reaching out and searching for the client of my boss’s dreams. I just had to keep looking. As the day came to a close, I felt my first wave of defeat. Not a single bite. It was like no one would come near me with a ten foot pole. I would suspect sabotage from my colleague, but something told me Jasper was much too confident in his abilities to want to put in the extra effort. So I packed up for the night. My phone started buzzing. I pulled it from my purse and looked down at the screen. Aria. I picked up her call, pressing the phone to my ear. “Hey.” For a second, all I could hear was soft sniffles coming from the other end of the phone. “Hey,” Aria repeated. Her voice was wobbly and quiet. I frowned. “What is it,” I ask worriedly. “Aria, what’s wrong?” “He dumped me,” she wailed. “Ryan, dumped me!” I inhaled deeply. “Aria, I’m so sorry,” I say apologetically. “What can I do?” Her sniffles grew louder. “I don’t want to be alone,” she whimpers. I nod quickly. “No, absolutely. Come over,” I urge. “We can order takeout and open a bottle of wine. Maybe watch a movie?” Aria laughed sadly. “You’re too good for this world, Evie,” she says tiredly. “Are you finally off work?” “Yea,” I answer. “I’m just heading onto the elevator.” “Okay,” she sniffled again. “I’ll see you soon,” I promise gently. “Okay. Bye.” She hangs up, and I move double time to get home. I’ve gotten much better at hailing a cab. I used to be much less assertive than I am now. Once inside the cab, I place an order at our favorite Italian restaurant. I got us the whole thing– pizza, pasta, salad, you name it. All of it was set to arrive about the time I was. When I stepped into my shabby little apartment, I kicked off my heels and shrugged off my blazer, throwing it on the couch. My doorbell rang just then and I run to grab it. A tearful Aria stands at my door, still wiping her cheeks of their dampness. “Come in,” I say quickly, ushering her inside with a gentle hand. “What happened?” “He broke it off because he was ‘working’ on himself,” she says with air quotations. “But we all know what that means.” I felt bad that I didn’t know what that meant. “What does that mean?” Aria breaks down again, sobbing uncontrollably. “I’m going to die alone!” “Oh, no, babe,” I say, laughing quietly as I drew her in for a hug. “You’re not going to die alone. You’ll always have me.” Honestly, if anyone was going to die alone, it was probably me. “I hate men,” she whines in frustration. “Me too,” I admit softly. “Jasper was a real a-hole today. There’s a reason he’s number two on my hit list.” “You never told me who’s number one on that list,” Aria says, with almost pleading eyes. “It doesn’t matter,” I sigh tiredly. “Men suck in general.” Aria groaned. “I mean, why can’t they all just be like Timothy Hayes,” she whined. “He’s so hot. Ugh.” The name is my number one. “Yea,” I croaked. “That would be… interesting.” I sit her down on the couch, tossing a fuzzy blanket to her. “Thanks,” she says gratefully. “You didn’t have to do this, you know.” I laugh softly. “I think I needed this too,” I admit. “Things have been tough lately.” “What’s up,” she asks. “It’s nothing, just work,” I answer, keeping it vague. She didn’t need to pile my problems on top of hers. “Evie, you know you can talk to me too,” she says pleadingly. “I can’t be the only one word vomiting tonight.” “It’s not that big of a deal,” I say dismissively. “I’m just tired.” “Evie–” “I just don’t need you to get involved,” I say sharply. I regretted my tone the moment the words had left my lips. “Ari, I didn’t mean–” She remained quiet for a moment, hurt filling her eyes. “It’s fine,” she finally says. “But I just wanted you to know that you don’t have to solve everything by yourself. I’m your best friend, I just want to help you too. You work so hard. You’re literally falling apart at the seams and I just have to sit by and watch you rip yourself to shreds.” I inhaled quietly at her words. Aria was the one person who truly had a heart of gold. She could be a little messy sometimes and chaotic, but she truly meant well. And she at least deserved an explanation as to why I was the way I was. “I know you’re worried about me, Ari,” I began, swallowing quietly. “But this is something that I need to do on my own.” Aria nods quietly. “You need to learn how to relax. Come with me to a Thunderbolts game,” she pleaded innocently. “It’s a birthday present to myself. I’m hoping for glass seats. That way, I can see Hayes up close and personal.” I scoff, rolling my eyes. “Let me check my calendar,” I concede. She continues giving me her puppy dog eyes. “Please?” I look through quickly, not seeing any conflicts on the day of Aria’s birthday. “Ugh, fine. You win. I’ll go,” I laugh. She claps her hands together. “You know I love you,” Aria grins. As much as I loved making Aria happy, anxiety rippled through me. I would be willingly putting myself within close proximity with my mortal enemy. God help me now.

Evie Jasper is being Jasper again. He’s going around the office swearing up and down how he bagged the biggest client for the firm. The worst part is how people are eating up his antics. I, for one, am not finding his little parade cute. He finally made his rounds, stopping at my desk. He leans against it casually. Victory is plastered on his face. He sighs lazily. “How does it feel to be two days away from losing your job, Evie?” “Bite me,” I mutter, typing away at my computer. “Oh, come on,” he whines teasingly. “Don’t be like that. It’s a dog eat dog world here. Don’t hate the player, hate the game.” “Oh, I don’t hate you Jasper,” I say sweetly, turning in my chair to smile. “I just think that nepotism is cheating. I mean come on. Really? Who is it this time? Daddy? Or was it your Uncle.” Jasper looks over at my computer screen, sucking in a sharp breath. “Your email looks dryer than the Sahara. You better get on that, Eve.” He pushes off my cubicle, swaggering down the row to his own office space. With his back turned to me, I gather the courage to flip him the bird beneath anyone’s line of sight. A cough came from behind me. I froze. “Evie,” the gruff voice of my boss spoke grimly. “Mr. Erickson,” I squeaked. “I’m so sorry—“ “A word in my office please,” he said, striding off into that large perfect corner office. I quickly stand up and scurry behind him. Just as I pass Jasper’s office, he gave an amused smirk and waved. Waved. The bastard waved! My finger nails bite into my palms as I find my place before his desk. “Shut the door,” he says grimly. I quickly do as he asked. I turn back to him. His demeanor changed. He looked at me almost with pity. “I know I need to find a client,” I began. “I’ve been working so hard—“ “I know,” he sighed. “It’s not easy starting from zero. And I know making those connections are hard. But I can’t keep making excuses for you, Evie.” I nodded, my chest tightening. “Trust me. I know.” “You have to bring me a client,” he says. “Otherwise I’ll have to let you go.” “I’ll get you that client,” I promise. “And it’s going to be huge.” He chuckled. “I can’t wait.” Hours passed. Still no leads. I groaned, dropping my head to the desk tiredly. I felt the vibration of my phone against the surface. I threw my hand over, sliding my phone aggressively across the desk. Lifting my head again, I looked at the notification. From Aria. We’re still on for tonight, right? I shot straight up. Shoot. I completely forgot about tonight! I check the time. I didn’t even have time to change. The game starts at seven and I’m too far out from the arena to add another stop. Yup! Totally. I’ll just meet you there. The text bubbles appear. You forgot, didn’t you… My fingers fly over the keyboard in an attempt to defend my honor. No! I’m on my way. I throw my stuff into my purse and scramble to the elevator. Only, the doors were already shutting. And Jasper was the only one inside. “Hold—“ “See ya, Evie,” he calls. And the doors shut. I curse every violent curse I could think of in my head, before darting down the emergency staircase. The backs of my heels were stinging with every step. I finally reach the bottom and run out onto the bustling sidewalk. Hailing a cab, I jump in and buckle my seat belt. “Clayton Center,” I huff. “Step on it.” The cab driver acknowledges my request and hit the gas. It took about thirty minutes to pull up at the entrance. I hand over the fare and ran towards the entrance. I knew Aria would wait for me near the planters before the security checkpoint. Without fail, there she was. An amused look was spread across her face, and her arms folded casually. “Didn’t forget, did we?” I was practically wheezing. “I had a lot going on at work,” I explain tiredly. “Ugh, work. I don’t want to hear another word about work,” she groans. “I want to whisk my problems away by watching hot men beat each other up.” I couldn’t help it. The laughter just starts bubbling out of me. “Well, don’t let me stop you, Ari,” I say. We go in together. I stuck out like a sore thumb in her charcoal gray pencil skirt and cream colored blouse. Everyone wore their Thunderbolt jerseys. Some had painted faces. Ari had gotten glass seats. I mean we were practically on the ice at that point. “How much were these tickets, Ari?” She looked over with a deadpan look. “You don’t wanna know.” I snorted. “Fine. Don’t tell me.” Several things occurred before the start of the game. The national anthem was played. The opposing teams starting lineup was announced. Then the lights go out. Loud pounding music began to play and the announcer called everyone to attention. “Ladies and gentlemen,” he says. “Here are your Thunderbolts!” The arena erupted into roars of support as names were called. I tuned out most of it. I was never much into sports, but I was here because my friend had asked me. But there was one name that pierced the quiet of my mind. “And your team captain— Timothy Hayes!” I didn’t think this place could get any louder than it already was. They were all chanting his name. Every single person was losing their minds. I looked over at Aria again. She was screaming and pounding on the glass like a maniac as he appeared on the ice. His proud smile was prominent on his face as he glided around the rink, lifting his stick in the air. Oh, no. He had grown even hotter since the last time I had seen him. I wasn’t sure if it was the hint of stubble or the look of him in his uniform, but it shook me to my core. “You good,” Aria asked, nudging me. I jumped. “Yes. I’m fine,” I laughed awkwardly. She didn’t look convinced. But the game went on and Aria looked like she was having the time of her life. I, on the other hand, felt completely exposed. I was so in my head about him being on that ice, that I completely missed the incoming swarm of bodies approaching the glass. The moment there was impact, I screamed, throwing my arms over my face. “Get him, Hayes! Fight him!” I dropped my arms, watching the brawl that broke out right in front of me. Twelve fully grown men were pressed against the glass. No no no… he was right there! I held my breath hoping he wouldn’t recognize me. Whistles were blown and refs intervened, ripping the players from each other. He was laughing, shoving the player one last time before slowly backing away. He was about to turn around, but he did a double take. His eyes set on mine. I quickly avert my gaze. It was going to be fine. Just because he saw me doesn’t mean he’ll recognize me or even see me after this. It will all be ok. So the game continued on. It seemed like he picked up his game after that fight. He ended up scoring three goals for the Thunderbolts, ending the game with a score of three to one. “What a game,” Aria squealed. “I mean, there’s nothing more dramatic than a bench-clearing brawl!” I nod. “Yea,” I swallowed. “Hey, I have to go to the bathroom really quick. I’ll meet you at the planters.” “Sure thing,” she grinned. “Go, Bolts!” “Go, Bolts,” I laughed awkwardly. I turned around with a sigh. Now to navigate this maze of an arena. The signage was so confusing. I ended up just turning wherever it felt right. I thought I had found it, when a firm hand grips my wrist. I spin around, ready to slap the audacity out of this person. Only I was met with my worst nightmare. “Evie?” I froze, stumbling over what to say. What was there even to say? “I—“ “Look at you,” he says in awe. “You look great.” “Yea,” I swallowed. “Thanks. You look— great too.” He laughed, running a hand through his sweaty hair. “Don’t lie,” he joked. “I’m a mess.” “You played… well,” I said awkwardly. “They don’t pay me the kind of salary they do to be mid-tier,” he chuckled. “How have you been? Damn, it’s been— how long?” “Six years,” I answer. Damn it. I answered that too quickly. Now he probably thinks I’ve been obsessing over him. He tilted his head, looking at me fully. “Yea. Six years,” he repeats softly. I looked around. My stomach was twisting from anxiety. “I was just looking for the bathroom, I have to go—“ “Just hear me out,” he begs. “I really have a bad stomach ache,” I whined. “Can you just show me where it is?” “Just one question and I promise to show you where it is,” he says firmly. I fold my arms. “Fine. What?” “Why’d you leave that night?” I inhaled deeply. “Something came up.” “You ghosted me,” he swallowed. “You left me and didn’t even tell me why.” “Is this the bathroom,” I ask quickly. “Evie, stop dodging the question. Why did you leave me?” “Why do you care,” I mutter. “You don’t need to have me when you have all your adoring fans anyways.” “That’s not why you left,” he says plainly. “It really was just a misunderstanding,” I groaned. “It’s probably not a good idea that I stay around any longer, just in case there’s paparazzi nearby. You don’t want me ruining your reputation.” “At least, let me get your number or something,” he urges quickly. “I have so much I want to say that you never gave me the chance to tell you.” “Take me to the bathroom and I’ll think about it,” I say, lifting my chin. Tim nods, placing his hands tiredly on his hips. “Alright. Fine,” he agrees. The moment he brought me to the bathroom, I quickly rushed inside. I wasted no time stepping onto the metal toilet paper box and hoisting myself up through the cracked window. Goodbye, Timothy Hayes. Good riddance. And with that, I prayed the size of this city would put some distance between us.

Evie The last day. I felt the entirety of my life resting upon this pivotal moment. It was do or die. And it felt like I was dying. I had given my entire soul to finding a worthy client. And no one followed through. I watched the clock wind down. Ten minutes. I had ten minutes to pull off a miracle. But obviously, I had no such luck. I didn’t have Jasper’s resources and money. All I had was a Jellar report card and a piece of paper that said I could attempt being a lawyer. “Well, well,” Jasper sighs, popping his head over the cubicle wall. “It’s too bad about the internship, Evie. I almost thought you had it.” “Shut up,” I growl. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you, Evie,” he says, poking out his bottom lip. “I tried to spare your feelings–” “I can’t wait for someone to burst your little bubble,” I snap angrily. “Look at you with daddy’s money and daddy’s contacts. You didn’t prove anything to anyone here. I put in the hard work and I put in the time–” His face darkened. “And look where that got you,” he says grimly. “Nothing but a participation trophy and a pink slip. You’re not anything special because you worked harder. Honestly, Evie. You’re the most naive girl I have ever met.” I did all I could to stop the hurt from making its way to my eyes. But I could feel it tightening my throat. I stand up quietly, gathering my things. I was just so tired of everything. I had plans. I was on track to be an amazing attorney. I studied my life away for this, only to be held back by my own lack of personability. It was all meaningless. It felt like ever since that night, my life has been spinning out of control and I don’t know how to stop it. This was exactly what I was afraid of. All that hard work was wasted. Maybe I shouldn’t be so surprised. Nothing ever came easy for me. Coming out of high school as valedictorian gave me a false sense of confidence. Everyone had told me I was spectacular as a student. But being a great student didn’t guarantee I’d be a great attorney. I don’t remember how I got home, only that when I did, Aria was at my door. She leaned casually against the wall, arms folded. “Hey, stranger,” she says mischeviously. I took a deep breath, fighting the urge to flip out and lose control of my anger. “Hey, Aria,” I say, forcing a smile to my face. “What’s up?” “You owe me for ditching me last night,” she grins. “There’s a press conference about to start on ESPN soon. I thought you could make it up to me.” She holds out a plastic bag for me. “It’s from the burger joint down the block,” she offers. I couldn’t say no to a bit of comfort food right about now. “French fries?” She nods. “Extra ranch.” I moaned. “Fine,” I say, unlocking my door. “You’re a mad woman.” “Oh, you know you love me,” she snorts. “Ugh. You know I do,” I whine. “I want that damn burger.” Aria nudges my shoulder. “Open the door and you’ll get your precious burger.” I throw open the door and quickly plop down on the couch. I reach for the remote and turn on the tv, searching for the channel. I find it smack dab in the middle of a commercial break. “Burger,” I order simply. “Coming right up,” she answers, handing me the paper wrapped deliciousness. Ripping open the wrapper, I take a bite, moaning at the comfort of the food. “So,” she says, swallowing her own bite. “How was work?” I glared over at her. Work was no longer my issue. It was over and I would have to move on. “Pass,” I groan, taking another bite. She let out a heavy sigh. “That bad, huh?” “I’m just… over it,” I grumble. “I’m tired of worrying about it now.” “Oh, thank god,” she says gratefully. The commercials end and the commentators come back on screen. “Welcome back, boy do we have a great show ahead for our viewers,” one says excitedly. “We have our reporters down at Clayton Center tonight, looking to get some insight into the Thunderbolt’s very own captain of the year, Timothy Hayes!” “That’s right, John,” the other commentator nods. “From the moment that kid stepped onto NHL ice, he has been a powerhouse. I mean, right out the gate, he comes in with fantastic speed and accuracy. It’s no wonder he’s been leading this Thunderbolt team to so many victories.” “Absolutely,” he agrees. “We’re heading in live to the press room to hear what Mister Hayes has to say about the season.” The camera jumps over to a room with a long table. At its center sat my number one pick for who I’d like to see get slammed into a wall at the next match. “Mister Hayes,” a reporter shouts. “Over here!” Timothy smiles, nodding in the reporter’s direction. “How are you, Jake?” Jake laughs. “Doing good. I’m here with the Independent and I was curious on how you feel your chances are at winning the Stanley this year,” he asks. Timothy chuckles. “You already know what I think,” he began. “It’s anybody’s to win at this point. It’s early in the season, we still have a lot of games to play.” “We already know what your publicist wants you to think,” the reporter added. “Tell us what you really think.” Timothy leans forward in his chair, bringing himself closer to the mic. “The cup is coming home.” Immediately, more hands fly up. Aria is squealing in giddy. “He’s just so hot,” she screams. I had to fight to keep my burger down. “Yea,” I grumble. “So hot.” More questions were asked. Every answer he gave seemed like the perfect answer to give. From a public relations standpoint. It was hard to not think about how perfect he seemed to be at everything. It was annoying. It wasn’t until a question perked my ears. “Mister Hayes,” a woman says. “We all know you’re a big hit with the female fans. But do you have anyone special back home?” For the first time this entire interview, he looked like a deer in the headlights. “I–,” he swallowed. “I did have someone. Once.” “Can you tell us a little bit about her?” He dropped his head. “Her name was Evie,” he finally answered. “She was special because out of everyone I knew, she didn’t care how many goals I got or how many state championships I won. That was never what defined my worth to her.” “Evie,” Aria says slowly. “What is happening?” Truthfully, I didn’t know. I had no idea what this jerk was trying to pull right now. I just blinked at the screen. “Do you have anything you’d like to say to her,” the reporter asked again. Timothy nods, finally looking back up to the camera. “If you’re watching this, Evie, you have no idea how sorry I am for who I was. You didn’t deserve to be put through all of that. I was an ass. I think about the day you returned my senior jersey all the time. I should have fought for you.” The breath was knocked from my lungs. Countless people across the country watched the scene on TV. “Evie,” Aria repeats, her voice quiet. “Did Timothy Hayes just say your…”

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Everyone said Selena Lovato was lucky. Even as a stripper, she caught Jason Carey’s eye and stuck with him for five years. After he dumped her, she quickly moved on to Coleman Grande, one of Greenford’s elite. Selena knelt on Coleman’s lap, wearing the latest custom lingerie. She could see her reflection in his deep eyes, knowing she looked stunning. “Coleman…” she whispered, her fingers lightly brushing his flushed ear. She knew how to seduce a man, especially someone like Coleman—a rich kid fresh out of university, sheltered and surrounded by conservative socialites. He had never met anyone like her. Her hands rested on his legs, feeling the noticeable bulge at his thighs. Coleman was clearly turned on, and she was already wet. Men loved control. Arching her back slightly, her misty eyes locked onto his, Selena waited for him to make the next move. They’d been together for ten days. But Coleman, inexperienced and innocent, was cautious even with kisses. She had never met a guy who went to a strip club just to find a long-term romance. For adults, love often meant sex. Without it, the relationship felt incomplete. Her fingers traced lazy circles on his abs, showing he was far from impotent. He might even be amazing in bed. Coleman frowned, grabbing her wandering hand, his face flushed. “Someone’s outside.” Next door was the conference room. Coleman had just made his first appearance at the Grande Group shareholders meeting since coming back. However, Selena had quickly pulled him into this lounge. Their bodies pressed tightly together, her lingerie leaving little to the imagination. Without his jacket, Coleman could feel her hardened nipples against his chest. Hooking her arms around his neck, Selena whispered, “I locked the door. Even if they see, they won’t hear.” No one played this game better than Selena. Physical intimacy was their strongest bond. Coleman’s sleeves were rolled up, his arm muscles tense as he held her waist. Even through the thin fabric, their bodies connected. Holding her shoulders tightly, Coleman buried his head in her chest, his voice muffled. “I love you, Selena. I want to marry you.” He was serious, and Selena’s heart skipped a beat. A wealthy heir proposing to a stripper. It was almost too wild for fiction. As his fingers slid beneath the thin fabric, he was about to thrust her… Selena lifted her head and saw someone at the back door of the lounge. The glass panel hid most of his face, but she recognized that sharp gaze. It was Jason, her sugar daddy for five years. A sudden knock on the front door startled both of them. The secretary outside announced the next shareholders’ meeting was about to begin. Stopping now left both Selena and Coleman frustrated. Coleman cupped her face, kissing her repeatedly, and promised, “After dinner tonight, we’ll make love.” Selena chuckled. “Great.” In front of Coleman, she slipped on a trench coat over her custom lingerie, revealing nothing but making him adjust his trousers to hide his arousal. As they opened the lounge door, they encountered a group heading to the conference room. Leading them was Jason, who had just watched half of their intimate scene from the back door.

Jason was Coleman’s uncle, though he carried his mother’s surname. He was the most powerful figure in the Grande Group. “Uncle Jason,” Coleman greeted him respectfully. Selena, following behind, realized it was too late to hide. Their breakup a month ago had been anything but pleasant, and she hadn’t seen him since. She certainly hadn’t expected their next meeting to be like this. Having just returned to the country, Coleman didn’t know Selena’s previous super daddy was his uncle. With confidence, he introduced her as his girlfriend. Jason’s stern face remained emotionless as he glanced at Coleman. The conference room was next door, and with Jason blocking the way, no one dared to enter. The hallway filled with people, all eyes on Coleman and Selena. Feeling awkward, Selena knew any move would look suspicious. She had broke up with Jason, but she couldn’t stop him from resenting his ex-lover being with his nephew, potentially exposing her publicly. Luckily, Jason didn’t even glance at her. He seemed indifferent to whose woman Selena was now. “Let’s start the meeting,” Jason ordered, leading the group into the conference room. Selena exhaled in relief. Coleman, hurrying in, told her to wait in the car. Coleman’s Maybach was parked in a reserved area on the second basement level. As Selena opened the car door, planning how to tease Coleman later, a hand suddenly reached out from the neighboring Bentley! Her scream was cut off by Jason. The car door shut, and the cold, aloof Jason from the office was now holding a wine glass. Without a word, he pushed aside Selena’s trench coat and slid his hand inside. Feeling only smooth skin through the thin fabric, he noted the absence of the sticky aftermath of sex. “Didn’t get to finish, huh?” Jason chuckled. “Didn’t you just see it?” Selena replied, trying to pull away. She knew his temper. Resisting too hard would only make things worse. Jason tightened his grip on her waist, his fingers slipping into her wetness with a lewd sound. “Still thirsty, are we?” he taunted, pushing his fingers deeper. “Jason!” Selena gripped his wrist, her face contorted in discomfort. “I gave back everything you ever gave me.” Selena had left everything behind at Jason’s place, her clothes, the car, the fancy bags, and all the cash. She stepped out with nothing, convinced she had completely severed ties with him. Their relationship was over. Now Jason wasn’t just toying with an old flame or a stripper. He was involved with his own nephew’s girlfriend. The air in the car thickened with tension. Jason was a man of contrasts, icy in public but insatiable behind closed doors. Whenever his desires sparked, Selena knew she had no choice but to submit. Throughout the five years she spent with Jason, Selena hardly ever found the courage to say no. He pulled his fingers back, eyebrows arching in surprise. “What’s this? Is your sister finally bringing in some money?” Selena had taken up stripping to support her sister Britney Lovato’s education abroad. She’d mentioned Britney’s potential to Jason before, always highlighting her intelligence and ambition. Every year, she sent a hefty sum for tuition and living expenses. The money she had returned to Jason a couple of weeks ago was a culmination of everything he’d given her over the years. At the mention of Britney, Selena fell silent, her heart clenching. Jason swirled his wine glass, savoring the rich aroma, then smirked at her. “Did she graduate? What kind of girl earns that much in no time? Is she stepping into your shoes?” “She’s not!” His careless words hit her like a punch to the gut. Selena felt a wave of heat rise in her chest, fury mingling with sorrow as she met his gaze, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. After a long moment, she finally found her voice, trembling. “She’s dead.”

“When did this happen?” Jason asked. Selena gripped her trench coat tightly, her nails digging into her palm, the sharp pain grounding her in the moment. “About a year ago.” But she had only learned of it a month back. “How did she die?” Jason pressed. Selena sat on the luxurious leather sofa, a hollow laugh escaping her lips. Britney had been taken by four men, brutally gang-raped, her body left in shambles, every inch of her marked. With their parents gone too soon, Selena and Britney had been each other’s lifeline. They grew up in a world of scarcity, and while Britney was a shining star in academics, Selena felt lost and inadequate. Stripping was her way to keep Britney in school, her only hope. In the eyes of the powerful, human life meant nothing. Britney had been her rock, her entire world. And now that world lay in ruins, leaving Selena feeling utterly shattered. “She died of illness,” she said, forcing herself to meet Jason’s gaze, a flicker of a smile still on her lips, masking her pain. “You’re so curious. I might think you regret turning me down and are hoping to marry me.” She couldn’t help but laugh at her fleeting moment of innocence, the ridiculous thought that marrying Jason could somehow give her the power to avenge Britney. Jason swirled his wine glass. “Selena, I believe I mentioned that before you indulge in grand fantasies, you should reflect on whether you’re even worthy of them.” He had laughed at her back then, reminding her that she was just a stripper while he was the one in control at the Grande Group. She was merely one of his playthings, unworthy of such dreams as marriage. Selena kept smiling, but inside, her heart felt like ice, each beat heavy with sorrow. Jason mistook her facade for a sulking tantrum. “The villa is still available. You could move back in. About you and Coleman…” “Jason, Coleman just told me he wants to marry me.” It was the first time Selena had ever interrupted Jason in five years. In fact, Coleman had barely finished his confession when Jason stood right outside the door. Jason couldn’t help but laugh, not at the idea of Coleman and Selena getting married, but at the sheer earnestness on her face. “What serious thing could my nephew possibly say?” Selena shot back, “As if you think I’m some kind of serious option.” Her defiance made the air in the car feel heavier, tension creeping in. Jason had always appreciated how Selena could read the room, but today, she was testing his limits. “Even if Coleman is just playing me, I’m still getting taken care of. Shouldn’t you be happy for me?” Coleman was eager to show her off, while her five years with Jason had been kept under wraps, and only the driver knew the truth. After she spoke, she reached for the door handle, but the elevator in the parking garage dinged, and a group of people stepped out. Coleman led the way, looking effortlessly charming as he chatted with a few shareholders before slipping into the Maybach next to them. He immediately noticed Selena was missing. If she got out now, they would run into each other, and that would definitely raise some eyebrows. Selena quickly withdrew her hand, her heart pounding as she watched Coleman search the area, worry etched across his handsome features. Through the tinted glass of the custom Bentley, she could see him anxiously checking his phone, clearly concerned about her whereabouts. Jason leaned back with a smirk, enjoying her unease. “What’s your plan? If Coleman finds out you’re in my car looking like this, he might just rethink that proposal.” Just then, Selena’s phone buzzed. It was Coleman calling from outside the car…

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