Twisted emotions

s they brushed against her collarbone. The gala lights glimmered behind her, ca

received his long-awaited promotion at Larkson Corporation. But her sm

ettable. You still taste

riage. Countless sacrifices. And still, she was the on

-

cause Fred have been cheat her with different women.She h

r-just signed where the lawyer told him to, packed a suitcase, and left behind only

without his lies echo

from well-meaning friends. Veronica threw herself into work and pr

came

where in the back. Veronica ordered a whiskey neat-something stronger than

hen she

lv

had seen trouble-and survived it. He bought her a drink. She l

or one

at the ceiling and exhaled. It wasn't love. It wasn't even comfort. But it was som

urmured something about coff

s, her heart didn't feel l

-

oversized shirts, sipping coffee while he scrambled eggs like it was the most natural thing in the world. She didn't expec

e third date that

penthouse balcony, the skyline flickering be

rks

er like a punc

"Larkson?" she echoed, trying to keep

sed. "Yeah. Fred's my

. Of all the bars i

caped that name, that legacy. But it was right here, in front of her

stammered, stepping awa

etched across his features. "Hey, Ve

eyes wide and uncertain.

le

lvin's eyes, then softened. "

the judgment, the withdrawal,

quietly. "Trust me, we're barely even alike. I've made

ely, she b

. He showed up. He laughed with her when she needed light, held her when she felt hol

. Passion. He encouraged her when she mentioned starting her own interior des

ed by the quiet sincerity i

f hair from her face. "I'd do

gaze a little longer than before

ies or empty flings. He wanted her-this version of her that was fierce

f, he reminded her who she was. And slowly, the man who once lived off

-

red had gone after the gala. She didn't want to know. Instead, she poured herself a

knock at the do

echoed through the intercom. "There

frowned.

ill damp. When she opened the door, standing before he

le that was mixed with a fear of bei

lickering fireplace, Kelvin reveal

red's not who you think he is. He's been hid

ushed for more. Kelvin hesitated. Then, one

e woman he's cheating on

lmed her, made her feel seen. Not like Fred, whose affection was a transaction.One thing led t

-

ropped the stick to the floor and stumbled back, heart hammering.Fred's child? Or Kel

he Larksons' tonight. Be there.

a didn'

-

most flawless mask yet. But as she enters the dining hall, she freezes.A

> "Everyone, I'd like to introduce you to my cousin-

air to keep from collapsing.Kelvin's face doesn't bet

got infinitely m

at at t

ronica struggled to catch her breath. Her legs were steady only bec

and, whispering in her ear, "Try not to look so

rd cut deeper

knew the power of silence. "Mrs. Hart," he gr

, longer this time-too

ronica, I hope you'll help Kelvin adjust. He's goi

said, forcing her voice not to tremble. "He'

vious. "Right? Told

But a tiny twitch in

-

That

tension. Veronica excused herself early, claiming a migrain

y. "I didn't know you were marr

her voice. "you are lieing

once. No

Not when I know what he's been doing be

breath ca

t here. Just... be ca

t exactly did you come here for, Kelvin? To tak

dn't

le

-

man in the shadows of his office-her

wirling whiskey. "Veronica's falling apart. Keep her

ped into the l

Kelvin," Daniella said, smirking. "I'l

-

ca's B

ndal.Nothing concrete. Just whispers-rumors about a past business betrayal. S

ot who he says he is. Check the security footage

: a down

ugh. Kelvin, standing at a hotel room door.Then another woman appeared-Jane-Fr

oor c

-

ates. A text from Kelvin.> "Whatever you saw-it's not what

meet him. He's setting you up. Just like Alton. Don't be next.An