One week had passed since I last heard from John, my private investigator. He was supposed to report back to me three days ago with information on Greyson’s whereabouts and dealings, but for some inexplicable reason, he had fallen off the radar. What was even more perplexing was the deafening silence from my two other private eyes tasked with keeping tabs on Kimberly. A knot of worry twisted in the pit of my stomach. I knew I had sworn her off after signing over her company, but I couldn’t simply let her existence slip through the cracks. She was the daughter of my late best friend, and I still felt an overwhelming obligation to ensure her safety and well-being.“Sir, should we proceed with disposing of the body?” Tony’s gruff voice broke through my troubled musings. “Yes, go ahead,” I said with a shrug.With a curt nod, he turned on his heel and strode away. I followed a few paces behind, steeling myself for the grim task that lay ahead. Inside the dimly lit room, a man sat bound an

Kimberly:"John…" I whispered when I saw my private investigator standing in front of us, eyes shooting daggers at Rebecca."And who the fuck are you telling me what to do?" She growled, her grip tightening around my hair."Let her go or face the consequences," he said in response, his voice ice cold."What the fuck is your problem? Has my dad not paid you yet?" Becca snarled at him."If you don't leave her alone, I'll call the police on you!" John said decidedly, ignoring her words altogether.Becca's eyes narrowed at him before she released her grip on my hair and John pulled me over to his side."This isn't over, by the way," she glared at both me and John."And John, I'll take this as a personal betrayal," Becca spat, gave me a dirty look, and stalked off."Are you okay?" John asked as soon as she was a considerable distance away.Too shocked and disoriented, I shook my head absentmindedly, my mind still reeling from the odd and bitter ordeal that I had just experienced.John led

Kimberly:After the revelation from John, I not only felt stupid, I felt like I had spent the last month playing house with vipers.My uncle paying my private investigator to lie to me and separate me from Ethan hurt me more than anything had ever hurt me. They'd tested the fate I had in Ethan and I had failed him even after he tried to convince me that he wasn't my enemy.I knew what it felt like to be betrayed but I never thought being the traitor could hurt this badlyI felt small and stupid for not listening to Ethan and more importantly, I was angry with what Uncle Greyson and Becca had done to me."I'm going to kill all of them!" I growl when John finishes his story, clenching my fists into a ball till my knuckles turn a white color.All this time I thought I was getting information about my father's death, I was just being lied to and played for a fool.The anger in me intensified as I remembered the day John had told me that Ethan was responsible for my parents or at least wa

Kimberly: I stormed into my uncle's office, my heart pounding with a volatile mixture of rage and trepidation. This was it—the moment I had both dreaded and anticipated. No more games, no more deception. I was here to take back what was rightfully mine.Greyson looked up from his desk, his reptilian eyes narrowing as they took in my disheveled appearance. A slow, insidious smile spread across his thin lips—the smile of a predator who had caught the scent of prey."Well, well, if it isn't my darling niece," he crooned, leaning back in his chair with an air of nonchalant arrogance. "To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?"I clenched my fists, anchoring myself in the burning anger that had propelled me here. "You know exactly why I'm here," I spat through gritted teeth. "I want my company back."A sinister chuckle slithered from his throat as he regarded me with patent amusement. "Is that what you think?" He rose from his seat in one fluid motion and rounded the desk, circling me li

Ethan:After we broke apart from the intense kiss, I gently sat her down on the plush couch in my penthouse's living room. I knelt before her, taking her soft hands in mine. Her amber eyes were wide with a swirl of emotions - fear, relief, love. I stroked her knuckles soothingly with my thumb."Kimberly, you have to promise me you'll never take such an insane risk again," I said, my voice low but intense. "When I got the call that you were at Greyson's alone...I've never been more terrified."She opened her mouth, likely to protest, but I placed a finger over her lips to silence her. "No, let me finish. That deranged bastard already tried to have you killed once. I won't let him or anyone else endanger your life again. You mean..." I swallowed hard, struggling against the lump of emotion in my throat. "You mean everything to me, Kim. I can't lose you. I've lost way too much in this world. I won't lose you too." Her eyes shone with unshed tears as she nodded slowly in understanding.