Chapter: 14MARCOThe darkness was still there, if not the first thing I felt. I could hear muffled sounds like sheets crumbling and soft beepsSomething warm rested against my shoulder and I felt a soft patting on my arm.I frowned the moment I regained full consciousness and my head felt impossibly heavy all of a sudden."Marco?" I heard a whisper. I hadn't found my voice yet to respond but my body was beginning to feel and every bone in my body ached as though I'd been crushed by a house.I finally forced my eyes open and Isabella's blurry figure came into view beside my bed."Marco?" She called again and I grabbed my head only to feel a stinging pain in my arm.
Last Updated: 2026-09-06
Chapter: 13MARCOOnce the conference room door clicked shut behind the last executive, silence settled over the room.Slowly, I turned towards Lorenzo. I just let this man who had taken five years of my life ruin it once again. The smug style on his face was driving me even crazier than what he just did."Well," he said casually, slipping both hands into his pockets. "That went better than I expected.""You think so?" I asked."I know so."Oriana walked around the conference table, running her fingers lazily across one of the leather chairs before looking back at me
Last Updated: 2026-09-05
Chapter: 12MARCOThe elevator doors slid open onto the twenty-second floor and the fact that I wasn't feeling nauseous proved I had overcome my irritation for long minutes in elevators.I stepped into the corridor, my footsteps muffled by the thick charcoal carpet beneath my shoes. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city's skyline, while the polished marble walls reflected the morning sun that just sipped in freshly. Was I too early?Good!Falco had always joked that people closed billion-dollar deals in rooms that smelled like expensive coffee and polished wood.He wasn't wrong cause I snuffed my nose and adjusted the cuff of my suit as I walked toward the conference hall. I was meant to appear corporate for this meeting but I still couldn't help but leave my inner shirt unbuttoned, the suit jacket hanging loosely but neatly on my body.The deal Falco and I had discussed a week ago, I was going to have it fulfilled today once and for all.Northbridge Hospitality Group, a mid-sized luxury h
Last Updated: 2026-09-04
Chapter: 11ISABELLA"I'm sorry." I was saying before fully turning. "I... wasn't in the mood to talk.""I noticed." He murmured and I faced him still sitting while he stood but I dared not look up at him."I just..." I sighed. "I needed to be alone for a little while.""It's okay." He shrugged and I was forced to look up by the calmness of his voice.He had already changed out of his suit into a simple floral shirt with the sleeves rolled to his forearms and buttons halfway done. Without the expensive party lights surrounding him, he looked ordinary again. He just stood there above me, his eyes lowered but not on me
Last Updated: 2026-09-03
Chapter: 10ISABELLAThe first thing I did after getting home was stand in front of the bedroom mirror. I didn't bother taking off my heels.I just stood and simply stared.Then slowly, I turned to my left, my right then back again, then front again. The woman in the reflection sure looked... beautiful.At least, that's what Marco had told me.The emerald dress hugged my figure perfectly, and the lush curls framing my face had held up surprisingly well despite the long evening. My face glimmered in the mild make-up, my lips sharpened red. Perhaps it was just me but I could swear my skin glowed. I touched the necklace resting against my visible collarbones and my lips stretched downward all of a sudden.
Last Updated: 2026-09-02
Chapter: 9MARCOAs I watched Oriana grab a glass and sip slowly with her hand on her hip, I knew at once that she came here for nothing else but trouble. I felt Isabella shift beside me before she finally looked up at me."Marco..." she asked quietly. "What's Oriana doing here?"I looked toward the entrance again."I don't know. I didn't invite her."Before either of us could say another word, one of the security guards hurried over, looking visibly anxious."Umm... Excuse me," I said, excusing her and walking slowly towards them while trying to remain as calm and collected as I possibly could."Sir..." The security officer called on my arrival and Oriana's gaze shifted up to me. She was visibly overwhelmed by the respect accorded to me. "She just walked in. We tried stopping her at the entrance, but she forced her way inside. She insisted she was family and wouldn't leave. I told her she couldn't get in without an invite but she forced her way through.""Excuse me?" Oriana dragged."It's alrig
Last Updated: 2026-09-01
