Julia's POV I put on the black silk nightgown I'd bought at the best lingerie store. It wasn't revealing, but it was suggestive and elegant, with a mid-thigh hem, no sheer fabric, and delicate lace along the edge. I prepared a dinner that looked simple but had the air of a special occasion. Ever since Caesar returned from my mother's house with the news that I had a chance at forgiveness, it felt as though the ground had vanished beneath my feet. She had agreed to meet with me, although she still carried hurt and anger over what I'd done in the past. I smiled and expressed my gratitude for the step he'd helped me take, but inside, I tasted bitter disappointment. I'd hoped my mother would be more resistant, that she'd create obstacles and buy me more time. Now I would have to face her. Ask for forgiveness. And, apparently, I'd be forgiven far too quickly. Far too easily. If I left Caesar's house now, my plan would collapse. I needed to play harder. I needed to remind him who I was

Camille's POV My head was pounding when I tied on my apron. I refused to cry. Refused to let myself suffer. And yet, it felt like my head was about to explode. "Did something happen?" Nina asked, looking at me with concern. I hadn't slept well, and apparently no amount of makeup could hide how exhausted I looked or the dark circles beneath my eyes. "It's nothing," I replied evasively and went to work. Caesar had come back without telling me. I still couldn't believe it. Or rather, I could. It had been pretty obvious from the beginning that his whole story about needing to go somewhere to think about his life had been complete bullshit… and I'd fallen for it. I didn't even want to talk to my cousin. My phone was filled with missed calls, but I didn't want to see anyone. I walked back and forth, taking orders, talking, serving, running on autopilot. I refused to think, refused to give in to the shame, disappointment, and hurt threatening to swallow me whole. All day, I

Caesar's POV Through the monitor screens, I watched the Lush in full swing, but there was still a lot that needed to be improved. I didn't want people to have merely a good experience. I wanted it to be unforgettable. I now occupied the office that had once belonged to Oscar. I'd had the place thoroughly cleaned before settling in permanently. I was learning the ins and outs of running a nightclub. It was a completely different business from anything I was used to, and there was the added complication that Oscar had used the place for all kinds of illegal activities. I needed to distance the Lush's name from anything illicit. My goal was to build a clean establishment where people came simply to have fun. "Did you call for me?" A young man knocked on the door and entered. Fabian crossed the room. He was a longtime employee whom I'd investigated and found to be clean. He was a good person and competent enough to take over as manager, a promotion I'd given him myself. He was th

Julia's POV My mother's house was still exactly the same. Even the front gate was still the same color. I wanted to refuse the meeting, but I couldn't. Caesar would be upset, and after our last argument, I didn't want to get on his bad side again. It had been hard enough putting him on the spot the first time. Now I was sitting there with Adam in my arms, forcing my best smile and praying the conversation would be over as quickly as possible. As soon as we got out of the car, my mother opened the door. And there we were, face-to-face again, more than ten years later. She looked at me sternly. There wasn't a hint of emotion in her eyes, no sign that she'd missed me. Apparently, forgiveness wasn't going to come easily, and I hadn't expected anything different. Adam was awake, watching everything with his restless little eyes as my mother looked me up and down while we stepped inside. She remained silent, her expression tense. I sat on the couch with my son in my arms. He sq

Julia's POV I picked up Caesar's phone with sweaty hands. He'd left it in the living room while he showered, and it was the best opportunity I'd had so far. It was drastic. Low. But it was also the only way to know. Whether he was talking to Camille, to other women, or, worse... what he was saying to my mother. I was tired of living in the dark. If I wanted to win Caesar back for good, I needed to stay one step ahead. In the meantime, I pretended to organize my things for the move. Open boxes, half-folded clothes. A perfect performance from someone who was supposedly moving on. I sat on the couch with his phone in my hands. My heart was pounding so hard I was afraid I'd enter the wrong passcode out of nerves. I'd already looked up how to unlock it. I tried, but it didn't work, which only made me more nervous. It worked on the third attempt. For a second, I just stared at the lit-up screen. That small invasion left a bitter taste in my mouth, but I pushed forward. I opened