Chapter 50 The morning was already half spent by the time Rachel slipped through the black iron gates of Mr. Camden’s estate. The house loomed, stately and dignified, but the weight of its silence pressed down on her as heavily as the day before. She hugged her tote bag closer
Chapter 49 The sun had barely crested the skyline when Bella and Chloe stepped into StoneTech’s glass tower, a neat folder tucked under her arm. The city outside was still yawning awake, but her mind was already racing with figures, graphs, and the words from the board report she had
Chapter 48 The hum of Chloe’s car filled the air as it rolled to a stop in front of the house. Bella leaned back against the seat, watching the quiet neighborhood glow under the soft hues of evening. She barely had time to open her door before a small figure
Chapter 47 After Jake left, Bella decided to go spend the rest of the day with Chloe before they go home since the time was still far from closing hours. Bella stood outside Chloe’s office, clutching her bag, thoughts of Jake filling her mind even though that was far from
Chapter 46 Jake let out a sharp exhale and pushed back his chair, his hand brushing over his jaw. His mother’s schemes were advancing faster than he had anticipated. Helena wasn’t just here for a visit. She was a message, a reminder that his mother had no intention of backing
Chapter 45 Jake who had decided to review the quarterly forecasts after Raymond left raised his head when he heard footsteps approaching. The door opened softly, and he smiled. He glanced up, expecting Bella. Perhaps she was there to give him a report, or a small reminder about something. Although
Chapter 44 The hum of the elevator carried them back up to the executive floor, the silence between Bella and Jake still heavy but no longer suffocating. They were friends now but didn’t even know how to be one. It would take some time getting used to. Bella stepped out
Chapter 43 The drive back to the company was silent, too silent even. Bella kept her gaze fixed on the window, watching the city blur by in streaks of glass, steel, and light. She didn’t trust herself to look at him. Not after what he had pulled. Not after he
Chapter 42 By the time the clock’s long hand pointed past twelve, the design floor had quieted into a low hum of keyboards, pencil scratches, and the occasional shuffle of fabric swatches. The morning meeting had already stretched everyone thin, and most of the team was eyeing the clock, ready
Chapter 41 Bella’s first instinct was to shut it down. “There’s nothing worth telling p> But the words felt too abrupt, too defensive. She softened her tone. “Besides, you already know my name and I’m working for you. Isn’t that enough p> His lips quirked faintly, but he didn’t answer.
Chapter 40 Jake’s 11 a.m. meeting wrapped with his usual efficiency. His tone was clipped, his notes precise, and when he finally closed the file, the room exhaled as if relieved to be dismissed. Bella, who had been standing by the side with her tablet in hand, waited for his
Chapter 39 The design floor at StoneTech buzzed with frantic energy. Assistants dashed between desks, fabric samples littered every surface, and printers whined as if protesting the heavy load of presentations being churned out. Chloe stood at the long glass table, her sketches neatly pinned to a board. She adjusted
Chapter 38 The Camden estate loomed quiet that Monday morning, its stone arches casting long shadows across the driveway. Rachel’s shoes crunched against the gravel as she approached the front door, her heart thumping harder with every step. It still felt surreal. Just last week, Chloe had told her about
Chapter 37 Monday mornings at StoneTech had their own rhythm—sharp, efficient, and relentless. The revolving glass doors spun nonstop as employees streamed in, coats still damp from the early drizzle outside. Phones rang from open offices, heels tapped across marble floors, and the faint smell of strong coffee clung to
Chapter 36 The apartment was unusually quiet for a Saturday evening. The faint hum of the fridge filled the space, mingling with the soft clatter of Bella folding laundry on the couch. Chloe sat curled at the other end, one leg tucked beneath her as she scrolled absentmindedly through her
Chapter 35 The supermarket buzzed with its usual Saturday rhythm—carts squeaking, children tugging at their parents for candy, the faint murmur of announcements overhead. Bella pushed her cart down the cereal aisle, one hand on the handle, the other scanning through a list she’d scribbled that morning. Beside her, Chloe
Chapter 34 As Chloe drove Bella home that evening after the days work, the car was silent. It was Chloe who broke the quiet. “So she began, her tone careful, “what are you planning to do about Raymond? He confessed to you, right p> Bella’s lips pressed into a thin
Chapter 33 After his confession, Raymond had carried his tray and left, knowing that staying would only make Bella uncomfortable. Just as he left, Chloe returned and took the seat opposite Bella. Bella pushed away her tray, her appetite gone completely. Her fork clinked against the plate, and Chloe glanced
Chapter 32 Bella sat in the cafeteria with her tray untouched, the sandwich in front of her going stale as she picked idly at the crust. Around her, the room buzzed with the midday rush — laughter, clinking cutlery, hurried conversations about deadlines and clients. But none of it reached
Chapter 31 Moments later, Timothy clung to Bella’s leg at the doorway, his little fingers wrapping around her skirt with surprising strength. His wide gray eyes shimmered with that familiar mix of innocence and reluctance that always made leaving him the hardest part of her mornings. “Do you have to