“Ah...”
Startled awake,Alessia cautiously got up, her head throbbing, and her body aching as if she had been in a wrestling match.
Looking at the scattered underwear and pants, she couldn't help but recall the intense s*x last night.
Last night, after the grand bonfire event organised by the charming hunk, Brayden Scott, Alessia had finally crossed the line into intimacy.
Brayden had been planning to confess his feelings to her, and her older sister, Connie, had congratulated them both with a knowing grin.
Alessia had downed a drink Connie handed her and then blissfully drifted into slumber.
But in her dreams, she had taken the initiative with Brayden.
The transformation from an innocent girl to a passionate woman had been a rollercoaster of sensations.
He was an absolute beast in bed, in the best way possible.
Suddeny, she heard Connie’s voice with panic outside—
‘I don’t know—Brayden, I honestly didn’t mean for this to happen.’
‘Shh! Lower your voice, Connie. We can’t let Alessia hear this,’ Brayden’s voice sounded urgent.
Curiosity piqued, Alessia got up and, throwing on some clothes, stepped out to investigate.
Her heart sank when she saw Brayden in a dishevelled state, storming out of an adjacent tent—Connie’s tent, with no shirt on and faint scratches on his muscular back.
‘Brayden, what are you doing there?’ Alessia asked as she approached him.
But the words got stuck in her throat when she saw through a gap in the tent’s flaps, her sister Connie, also in a state of undress, bearing certain marks that could only mean one thing: she and Brayden had been intimate.
Alessia stood there, dumbstruck.
‘I was drunk and thought it was you, but—’ Brayden began to explain, but the guilt was evident in his eyes.
‘So, you two slept together...last night?’ Alessia’s voice trembled. ‘You and my…sister?’
Brayden looked ashamed, and Connie was quick to defend herself, ‘Alessia, it was an accident, I swear!’
Alessia’s mind raced.
If Brayden and Connie slept together, then who had she been with?
Fear and confusion clouded her thoughts, and she rushed back to her own tent.
There, she found a wad of cash beside her sleeping bag and a bloodstained note on top of it: ‘If the money isn’t enough, you can find me at the Whispering Pines Estates.’
There was no signature, just a phone number, scrawled in a man’s bold, assertive handwriting—handwriting she’d never seen before.
Clutching the money tightly, Alessia couldn’t believe what had happened.
Did she somehow end up selling herself?
It was beyond mortifying.
When Alessia emerged from the tent on shaky legs, Brayden and Connie were waiting for her.
Connie approached, grabbing her hand apologetically, ‘Lexy, I’m so, so sorry. I never meant for this to happen.’
Still dazed, Alessia stood there in disbelief.
Connie’s eyes fell on the hickeys on Alessia’s neck, and she gasped. ‘Lexy! These marks on your neck...’
Alessia stiffened, her dark eyes meeting her sister’s shocked gaze.
Brayden rushed forward, his eyes wide, examining Alessia’s neck as if searching for confirmation.
In an instant, his hands grabbed her shoulders with agitation. ‘Tell me, who were you with last night? What happened?’
Alessia wanted to say, ‘I thought it was you.’
But now, what good would an explanation do?
She said nothing.
Unable to bear her silence, Brayden growled, ‘Tell me, who was it?’
‘Does it really matter now?’ Alessia replied nonchalantly, though her voice quivered. ‘Brayden, we can’t go back now. Not after you and my sister…Let’s just forget it.’
She forced a smile. ‘I wish you both happiness.’
***
Fifty days later.
Alessia couldn’t help but notice the wedding dress Connie held in her hands.
It was a pristine gown—a masterpiece crafted by renowned designer Le Blanc, hailing all the way from the fashion capital of Venmont.
Connie and Brayden were getting married.
A pang of pain pierced through Alessia’s heart at the thought.
Taking a deep breath, she mustered a smile and addressed Connie. ‘Hey, sis. That wedding dress looks stunning.’
Connie faltered, her expression somewhat strained. ‘Um, thank you.’
She wrung her hands. ‘Listen, I’m…I’m sorry, Alessia. I didn’t expect things to turn out this way.’
‘It’s all right.’ Alessia shrugged. ‘Honestly, I didn’t feel that strongly about Brayden anyway. You two make a…good match. Don’t beat yourself up.’
Connie pursed her lips, unable to find further words.
‘I’ll head upstairs,’ Alessia declared, making her way to the second floor.
She needed to find that bloodstained note, to find the man who had left an indelible mark on her life.
Upon reaching her room, she found it meticulously arranged, everything in perfect order.
However, the piece of paper she sought, stained with traces of blood, was nowhere to be found.
Frustrated, Alessia hurried out of her room and shouted down into the living room. ‘Connie, what happened to the note on my nightstand? The one that had blood on it?’
‘Oh, that dirty piece of paper?’ Connie looked up. ‘I tossed it while cleaning today. It was too filthy.’
‘You threw it away?’ Alessia stood frozen in disbelief.
‘Yeah. Um, I’m sorry.’ Connie’s face filled with remorse. ‘Did I do something wrong?’
Alessia stared at her.
‘I—’
She had just opened her mouth when she was interrupted by a phone call from Dr Grant.
She bit her lips and picked up the phone.
‘Congratulations, Miss Jansen. The results of your last physical are in. You’re pregnant—with twins. ’
‘What?’ Alessia’s initial disbelief quickly transformed into a daunting reality.
She couldn’t help but question herself—getting the news that she’s pregnant with babies whose father remained a mystery, on her ex-boyfriend and her sister’s wedding day.
What irony.
‘What’s the matter, Alessia? You don’t look well. ’ Connie asked. But Alessia said nothing because Brayden came in dressed as a groom,holding Connie’s hand. Upon seeing Lexy, the three of them fell into a sort of awkward silence.
‘Lexy—’Brayden tried to say something when Alessia jerked her head up.
‘Nothing. I’m good. Wish you two a happy wedding—’
At Brayden and Connie's complicated looks, she quickly left the room that was suffocating her.
In the fierce sun, her hand subconsciously moved to her stomach, where her unborn twins were growing.
Thoughts of her diagnosis and the uncertainty that had consumed her mind flooded back, but now a newfound determination replaced the anxiety.
Brayden and Connie will be have a happy life.
Then why can’t she be, with her twin babies?
Her babies will grow up, even in a single-parent family, she promised.
She herself grew up in one, and she turned out just fine, didn’t she?
Five years later.The ballroom at The Grand Opulence Hotel buzzed with the sound of chatter and clinking glasses as guests mingled and enjoyed the lavish surroundings.After making the obligatory small talk, Logan Wilde excused himself and went upstairs to the lounge, seeking a moment of respite from the crowd.The lights were dim; the lounge was empty except for himself.Yet, he couldn’t shake off the feeling of being watched.He scanned the room, his jaw clenching slightly as he tried to pinpoint the source of his unease.Before his investigation was complete, however, someone else entered the lounge. ‘Hi, there.’Without turning around, Logan recognised the A-list actress by her famous sultry voice.Olivia Anderson struck a pose in the open doorway, her long, flowing brunette hair cascading down her back, complementing her form-fitting black cocktail dress dotted with sparkling sequins.Her captivating smile hinted at both confidence and mischief.With calculated steps, Olivia appr
Logan stood with his head slightly bowed, observing the woman whose eyes kept darting around, obviously plotting her escape.Standing this close, he could tell this woman wore no perfume or makeup.Bathed in soft moonlight streaming through the window, she wasn’t bad-looking.In fact, she could even be described as pretty—petite frame, fair skin, lovely oval-shaped face, dainty lips, and small nose.But her best features were her eyes—big, round, liquid eyes shielded under long, thick lashes that required no help from mascara.People often said that eyes are the window to the soul, and in this woman’s case, it was actually true.Just one glance at her, Logan could tell what she was thinking—make a run for it, or try to reason with him?Leaning forward slightly, he could smell her shampoo—something cheap and citrusy, unlike the thousand-dollar limited-edition Chanel No. 5 Eau de Toilette Olivia Anderson wore.But strangely, he didn’t feel the same nausea he experienced when Olivia got
‘Ahh!’ Alessia screamed, a high-pitched noise that jolted Logan’s mind back to the present.She swatted away his offending hand. ‘Pervert!’Logan shrank aback, flustered.He was about to apologise, but the young woman let out a string of words that were not exactly expletives, but came pretty close.‘It was an accident.’ He scowled. ‘And I don’t appreciate that kind of language.’‘And I don’t appreciate you putting your hands where they don’t belong!’ Alessia’s face was flushed crimson.‘Like I said, it was an accident.’‘You even squeezed it!’ Alessia folded her arms over her chest, eyes blazing.Logan cleared his throat. ‘I was just…checking something.’‘Checking what? Cup size?’ Alessia wanted to smack him. ‘Pervert!’‘I wasn’t…’ Logan struggled to put his thoughts into words, a rare occurrence for him.But then, what he experienced just now was also a rare occurrence.Not only was he not repulsed by this woman’s scent or physical proximity, he felt rather compelled to get closer t
D*mn it.WHAT A MESS.Alessia, sensing the weight of Olivia’s emotions, rushed to explain, desperation lacing her words. ‘No, Miss Anderson! It’s a misunderstanding. I am in no way involved with Mr Wilde. We were just—’But before Alessia could finish speaking, Logan’s restraining arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer to him.The sudden closeness sent a shiver down Alessia’s spine.A flush of embarrassment coloured her cheeks as she realised the physical evidence of Logan’s desire pressing against her backside.They stood together, facing Olivia, their bodies almost melding into one.Logan shot a cold look at Olivia. ‘Have you seen enough?’Olivia pursed her lips. ‘Well, aren’t you touchy? Fine, I won’t disturb you any longer. Carry on. Although, I suggest you take this party to a hotel room. Too many prying eyes here.’Olivia shot Alessia one last look of jealousy before she turned and walked away.The door closed once again.‘Ugh!’ Alessia fumed, her anger mounting.She e
Alessia stormed into Lara Morris’s office, her eyes burning with frustration.‘Why is the article under your name, Lara?’ Alessia questioned, her tone firm and accusatory. ‘I’m the one who took the photos and wrote the initial draft. We worked on the revisions together until late last night.’And then Lara sent her home, saying her son probably needed her.Alessia had been grateful.But now she realised her gratitude was misplaced.Lara leaned back in her chair, her expression cool and calculated.‘Alessia, you’re not officially on the staff yet,’ she replied, her voice tinged with condescension. ‘It’s only natural that my name was used.’Alessia’s eyes narrowed as she clenched her fists.She knew Lara was playing games, using her position to take credit for Alessia’s hard work.This wasn’t the first time Lara had taken advantage of their working relationship.Alessia refused to back down. ‘This isn’t fair, Lara. I deserve recognition for my efforts. I won’t let you diminish my contri
Alessia wanna cry. But she knew her urgent task was to find an excuse to stay away from the angry lion.She feigned ignorance, her voice dripping with innocence. ‘I’m sorry, but I think you have me confused with someone else. I didn’t write that article. Lara Morris did.’Logan’s jaw tightened, a flicker of frustration crossing his features.‘I was there,’ he retorted sharply. ‘I saw you taking those photos. Don’t play dumb with me.’Alessia’s eyes flashed with defiance as she shot back, ‘Yes, I took the photos, but I deleted them right in front of you. You saw it.’Logan’s gaze bore into hers, his steely resolve unyielding. ‘Someone clearly got their hands on those photos, and I have a feeling it’s not just a coincidence that they ended up in that article.’Alessia tried to find a way to divert suspicion. ‘Look, maybe someone else at the hotel took similar photos and used them for the article. It wasn’t me.’Logan’s frustration boiled over, his voice sharp with irritation. ‘Do you ho
The bodyguard obeyed without question, taking up his position alongside three others.The narrow hallway now stood as a blockade, with Alessia trapped within its confines.Alessia’s heart pounded in her chest.Her escape route had been cut off, leaving her feeling vulnerable and cornered.She couldn’t deny the flicker of trepidation that danced in her eyes as she faced Logan’s scowl.Her breath hitched in her throat as Logan forcefully closed the distance between them, his hands holding her in place.The aggression in his actions sent shivers down her spine, her body responding with a mix of fear and a raw, undeniable attraction.Alessia’s eyes widened as his lips crashed against hers once more, this time with an intensity that left no room for escape.Her mind raced, her thoughts tangled in a chaotic web of desire and confusion.Logan’s eyes closed as he deepened the kiss, his tongue exploring her mouth with an almost possessive hunger.Alessia’s eyes remained wide open, capturing ev
Alessia’s eyes flickered between Logan and the huddled figures on the sofa.Her instinct urged her to turn around and flee, to escape the intensity of the room and the piercing gaze of Logan Wilde.But her escape path was blocked by the imposing presence of the four burly bodyguards in the hallway.Reluctantly, she took a deep breath and stepped into the room, her eyes meeting Logan’s.Logan’s gaze fell upon her face, his penetrating eyes seemingly drawn to her lips.Alessia could feel the heat rising in her cheeks as her mind involuntarily replayed the memory of their earlier kiss.The urge to shield her lips from his intense scrutiny surged within her, but she resisted the impulse.With newfound courage, she locked eyes with him, refusing to back down.In that moment, Alessia’s attention was drawn to his lips—thin, yet undeniably masculine.The lighting in the room accentuated their vivid shade, akin to the colour of ripe roses.She tore her gaze away, feeling her cheeks burn with a