The morning sunlight poured into her room, golden and warm.
But Aanya felt cold.
She woke slowly, limbs aching in the most delicious way. Sheets tangled around her legs. Skin still sensitive, lips still swollen from his kisses.
Her gaze drifted to the side.
Empty.
The space next to her—where he had been—was cold.
No note. No sound of water. No lingering scent of cologne.
He was gone.
And suddenly, it felt like the night they shared had been a secret only she was holding.
She sat up, pulling the sheet closer, her mind spinning.
Was it just sex for him?Did she misread every look, every word, every promise in the way he touched her?
Her phone lit up.
One message. From him.
"Meeting at 10. Bring the new contract draft."
That was it.
Formal. Cold.Like she was back to being his assistant.Like he hadn't just had her bare and breathless under his hands.
Her fingers hovered over the screen.No reply.
—
By 10 a.m., she walked into the boardroom—file in hand, heart like glass.
He was already seated, eyes on his laptop, suit back on, walls rebuilt.
She placed the file on the table.
"Thank you," he said without looking up.
That word felt like a slap.
She waited. Hoped he'd say something.A glance. A touch. A smirk.
Nothing.
The silence stretched like a punishment.
When she turned to leave, he finally spoke.
"Aanya."
She paused.
He looked up—his face unreadable, but his voice... softer.
"Last night…"He stopped. Chose his next words like they might detonate.
"Was a mistake."
The air left her lungs.
She nodded once—tight, robotic—and walked out.
But what he didn't see…
Was the tear she held back until the elevator doors closed.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 12 Trailer – "Make Me Forget"
She told herself she wouldn't go back.That after what he said—after how coldly he shut her out—she was done.
But when she finds herself alone with him again…
The room is dark.His voice is low.And his eyes?They're burning with regret and something filthier.
In Chapter 12…It's not love.It's not hate.
It's punishment.And pleasure.
She should walk away.But instead…She whispers,
"Then don't love me… just make me forget."