Chapter 1
Graduation night. Jasper Hawthorne and I hooked up one last time.
Afterward, he handed me a cigarette like always.
“Just so you know? I’m not marrying a girl who smokes after we fuck.”
My throat went tight. “Why?”
He smirked.
“Quinn. I want someone pure.”
Then I ghosted his ass that night completely.
Five years later, he showed up as my new boss.
I handed in my resignation immediately, tried to bail before things got messy.
DIDN’T WORK.
He trapped me in his office, blocking the door.
“Five years, Quinn.” His eager eyes dragged over me.
“Wanna go again?”
I didn’t even look up. Just grabbed my bag.
“Nope. Gotta pick up my kid.”
I wasn’t pure enough, Jasper?
Good. You just made me your fucking nightmare!
The room went dead quiet.
Jasper froze. I tried to get off his lap.
He pinned me against the floor–to–ceiling windows, not letting me move.
That hungry look in his eyes? Gone.
Replaced by something cold. His usual cocky expression cracked.
He ground his teeth. “How old is the kid?”
I stayed quie, then finally answered.
“Three.”
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And we’d been broken up for five years.
This kid had nothing to do with him.
Obviously, Jasper knew that 100.
I tried standing up again. This time, his hand let go.
As I reached the door, he spoke again, suspicion in his voice.
Your file says you’re single.”
I paused, steadied myself and turned back.
“Just got married recently.”
“Recently? And the kid’s already three?”
I nodded, totally casual about it.
“Yeah. Shotgun baby.”
Jasper didn’t say anything. His sharp gaze dropped to the cheap ring on my finger, and he let out a scoff.
I didn’t give a shit, held my hand up right in his face.
The second I saw him about to lose it, I bolted.
That night, I collapsed on my couch and finally breathed out.
Sometimes? Lying is the best way to dodge a mess.
I’d grabbed that ring yesterday at a dollar store. Cheap. Effective.
I figured it was enough to kill whatever feelings Jasper had left for me.
Sure enough, next day my resignation got approved. HR came by personally to tell me.
One week to hand everything over, then I was out.
Normal resignations take a month. Mine? One week.
Not hard to figure out who pushed that through.
I nodded and started handing my work off to the new intern.
The new girl was sweet and eager. At least when I was training her, I never once paid for my own breakfast or afternoon coffee.
Right before clock–out, Wesley came up looking all apologetic.
“Hey Quinn, can I leave early tonight? My boyfriend’s taking me to dinner.”
I hesitated–not because I couldn’t let her go, but because I also needed to leave early to pick up my daughter.
When I didn’t answer right away, she got anxious, pleading nonstop.
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Chapter 1
I gave in. “Fine, Go.”
She lit up and immeditaly started packing her stuff.
“He’s on his way down now.”
I blinked. “He works here?”
Wesley smiled all mysterious. “Not exactly, he’s ”
A deep, magnetic voice cut her off.
“You ready?”
♡ (1)
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.

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