Chapter 1Mother-in-hatred“You're such a useless man!” The words echoed in his head like a broken record he couldn't shut off, no matter how hard he tries. His mother-in-law, Helena Holt had spat them at him just an hour ago when he had mistakenly brought her the wrong brand of tea. “You'll never be good at anything apart from being a burden!” He scrubbed at the wooden table harshly with the rag, the rag making a squeaking sound against the glass. The lemon-scented polish did little to mask the bitterness he felt in his heart in the air. This was his life now. A cycle of insults and chores, everyday of his life since he got into this house. He was the ghost in his own home, a man everyone saw but no one truly looked at. “You're nothing but a disaster!” His knuckles were white where he gripped the rag. Nothing. The word was like a stain he couldn't scrub away no matter how hard he wanted to forget them. He was tired. So tired of the constant reminders of his worthlessness. He f

Chapter 3You Will Regret ItAs soon as it was early in the morning, Vivian had thought this was the perfect opportunity for get to get back home, so she got info her car and drove home. She dropped her briefcase by the door and sighed, feeling that last night had been so stressful to her. Hed eyes scanned the living room, and there he was.Julian was sitting on the living room sofa. He wasn't sleeping. He just sat there, still in the same clothes from yesterday, looking so drained and weak. The candles from his failed dinner had burned out since, and it was only the dried wax that stayed in place.“Julian,” she said, her voice rough from champagne and late nights. “My neck is killing me. Come here and give me a massage.”He didn't move. He didn't even look at her.She frowned, irritation flaring up in her chest. She thought about Lucas. If it was him, Lucas would have been on his feet already, she thought bitterly. ‘He’s so much more considerate. He knows what I need without me havin

Chapter 5: An Unlikely ShelterA cold smirk touched Alex’s lips. A gun? These fools had no idea who they were dealing with. The rage and pain from Vivian’s betrayal and the humiliation he had been swallowing for years? They all needed an outlet. He needed to pour out these negative feeling. These men were just unlucky enough to be in his way at this time.The leader, seeing that Julian won't budge, and with a cold smile on his face, he wondered what fucking audacity Julian must have to be smirking at this critical moment! He tightened his finger on the gun, ready to pull the trigger when Julian moved immediately. It was so fast that at one monet, Julian was tanning opposite them, but in the next, he is in front of the man, his foot connecting with the man’s wrist with a sickening crack. The gun clattered to the wet pavement. Before the man could even cry out, Julian grabbed him by his jacket, lifted him with a strength that surprised even himself, and slammed his body into his two co

Chapter 7: The Same Hotel The car ride was quiet. Iris stared out the window at the blur of buildings, her mind a jumbled mess. She was sitting in a super fancy car with a man she just met, going to see a house he owned. This was crazy. But after the cemetery, and the drugs, and losing her home… crazy felt normal now.Julian drove smoothly, his eyes on the road. He didn’t talk, which was good because Iris didn’t know what to say. Thank you? Again? Yell at him because his company ruined hers? It was all too confusing.Soon, they pulled up to the fanciest hotel Iris had ever seen. It was called The Orion, and it looked like a giant glass castle. Valets in sharp suits rushed to open doors for people. Her heart sank. This was his ‘vacant property’? A hotel?“This… this is a hotel,” she said, her voice small.“The penthouse is on the top floor,” Julian said simply, getting out. “It’s private. Come on.”He said it like it was no big deal. A penthouse! Iris felt her old jeans and wrinkled s

Chapter 9: Keys and AlarmsHelena that was shocked and frozen stood for only a second. Then, her face changed into a look of pure, mean amusement. She threw her head back and laughed, very loud, cackling sound that was sounding against the polished walls.“Oh, honey!” she gasped, wiping a fake tear from her eye as she looked at Ciara. “You poor, dumb little thing! He tricked you! Look at him!” She jabbed a thumb toward Julian, who was standing perfectly still, his face unreadable. “He’s a loser my daughter just kicked to the curb! He doesn’t have two pennies to rub together! He probably works here as a janitor and stole a master key to impress you!”She shook her head, her laughter fading into a smug sneer. “He can’t afford a broom closet in this place, let alone this apartment.” She raised out her chest, smoothing her expensive silk blouse. “This penthouse,” she announced loudly to the hallway, “was bought by my new son-in-law, Lucas! For him and my Vivian! As their wedding home! He’