r wings clipped by the weight of her own desires. As she stood at the floor-to-ceiling windows, the glittering Manhattan skyl

d secrets, and raven-black hair that cascaded down her back like a waterfall of night. Yet, despite her s

Crowel, the billionaire mogul, had given her everything money could buy: designer clothes, sparkling jewels, and a penthouse apartment

nce between them was deafening, a heavy blanket that suffocated her, making it hard to breathe. The only sound was the ticking

e a fleeting dream, it had all slipped away, leaving her with a marriage that felt more like a business arrangement than a

nathan entered, his chiseled features set in a stern expression, his e

vy with resignation. "Of course,

f acknowledgment of their existence in each other's liv

edding day, a distant memory of a love that never was. She felt like a bird in a

se for her was to look beautiful in front of business a

onathan's voice, distant and detached. "Janet, have

resignation. "Yes, Jonathan, I've

strong impression. Our r

simmering. "Our reputation? You mean

"What's the difference, Janet? We're a te

an I'm a trophy, a accessory to your success

d. "That's not fair, Janet. I've given

ing except the one thing I crave most -

ween them palpable. Jonathan's eyes dropped, his gaze fix

onathan. Even when you are, you're distant, detached. I'm livin

being dramatic, Janet. I have work to do,

with sorrow. "I know that, Jonathan. But what

gentle rebuke. "Janet, we'll get through t

, leaving Janet alone in their lavish p

vase, delicate and easily shattered. She couldn't remember the last ti

e wiped her tears away. She didn't want to face anyone, especially not Jonathan

called out from the hallway. "He nee

she wanted to see. But she had no choice. She had left him for Jared when her family had announced he

eplied, her voice ba

with an intensity that made her skin cra

ith warning. "Jared, please. We're not friend

acing. "Ah, but Janet, we could

er her body, his gaze lingering on her curves

called out, her voice

, detached. "I'll be right t

red's whims. And she knew that her husband would neve

g and intense. "You know, Janet, I've always admired y

this strength, Jared? Being trapped in a lovele

ng, Janet. You have the power to change your fate, to b

ng. "And how do you propose I do tha

et. Together, we could achieve great things. We cou

d's words were laced with deceit, but a part of her was tempted, tempte

is tone cold and detached. "Jared, we have

is already in it, Jonathan. She's a pawn i

aced with venom. "I'm no pawn, Jared. I'm a

n a line, a line that neither Jonathan nor Jared would cross. But she al

ension between them was palpable. Janet watched the

pulled out his phone. "Jonathan, I'll handle the negoti

ahead. "Fine. But don't think you're going

just trying to help, Jonathan. You kn

ared's fingers flew across his phone's keyboard.

eserve passion, desire, and intimacy.

ipping a beat as she read the text. Her eyes n

ng with fire," she w

of sexual intimacy, of desire and passion. She knew

turned to Jared. "Let's get one thing clear, Jared.

Jonathan. You have no idea what Janet wants.