MATURE

Life hasn’t been kind to me. One moment, I was a carefree eighteen-year-old with dreams of a bright future. The next, I was a 28 year old lady and my world went up in flames. literally. My mom died in the fire that destroyed our home, my little sister is in a coma, and my brother’s in jail for trying to keep us afloat. My dad? He left us drowning in debt and despair.

I thought I’d hit rock bottom, but then I found myself working in a place where dreams go to die, doing things I never imagined just to survive. That’s when he walked into my life, Alex Romanov. Dangerous. Mysterious. And entirely out of my league.

He’s everything I should fear, but there’s something about him that draws me in. Maybe it’s the way he looks at me like I’m more than just another broken soul. Or the way he makes me feel alive when I thought I’d forgotten how.

But Alex has secrets, dark ones that could destroy us both. And as my past collides with his world, I’m left wondering: Can I trust the man who’s slowly stealing my heart, or will his darkness swallow me whole?

This isn’t the life I wanted, but it’s the one I’ve been given.

I stepped closer to Bella and gently pressed a kiss to her forehead. It was soft, tender, a silent promise that I was here, that I wasn't going anywhere. Her eyes met mine, a little brighter now, like the weight had lifted just a bit from her shoulders.


"I need to get dressed too," I said, trying to sound casual, but inside, I was nervous. I wanted to be worthy of her, not just in words, but in how I showed up.


I turned and headed to my room, the familiar rhythm of pulling clothes from the closet calming me down. I chose a crisp white shirt, unbuttoned just enough to look relaxed but sharp. Then I grabbed a tailored black blazer and fitted pants. Dressing wasn't just routine, it was armor for the day ahead, a way to show her that I was serious about making today special.


Chapter 232 - 234