I let the door fall shut with a soft click, dropped the keys in the bowl, and stood very still in the dark, like the flat might decide who I was before I had to.
This chapter was magnetic from the first line—it’s quieter than the last one but twice as dangerous. The pacing feels like holding your breath: each small act (water, toast, voicemail) folds over a deeper ache, and the way her mother’s dialogue balances warmth and steel is phenomenal. That line—“You were taught to be nice when you’re meant to be true”—that’s the kind of sentence that stops you cold.
I swear, I actually muttered “oh no” out loud when the texts came in. The tension between wanting control and knowing it’s already gone was brutal—in the best way.
The text exchange with Alex at the end? Chilling and addictive. He doesn’t even need to be in the room to command it, and the way her pulse betrays her while she’s trying to regain control is so human.
And that final stretch—the mirror, the dress, Maya’s sharp humor cutting the tension just enough—perfect counterpoint to the coming storm. I caught myself grinning at Maya’s lines; she’s the exact chaos the story needs.
I had to pause halfway through just to breathe; you make control feel like its own seduction. This chapter hums with power reclaimed, even when she’s trembling. Absolutely enthralling~!
Uhhh so she didn't tell her mother about the break up with Tom? Why? And Alex in her office five mornings a week, that'll be pretty intense hah. The man does not mess about.
Cait was still trying to convince herself that what she felt for Alex was just intrigue, nothing more. Admitting the breakup to her mum would’ve made it all too real. And yes… five mornings a week with Alexander Ashcroft? That kind of intensity doesn’t end well for the heart😂
Her mum certainly seems a fan of Tom more than Cait herself! Picking the safe man for her daughter, I see you Mrs Thorne (hope I remember the surname correctly here.) I will look to progress more in the story today x
Yes, you remember perfectly Mrs Thorne indeed. But just wait until she meets Alexander… something tells me her heart might not stay quite so steady after that ☺️
This chapter was magnetic from the first line—it’s quieter than the last one but twice as dangerous. The pacing feels like holding your breath: each small act (water, toast, voicemail) folds over a deeper ache, and the way her mother’s dialogue balances warmth and steel is phenomenal. That line—“You were taught to be nice when you’re meant to be true”—that’s the kind of sentence that stops you cold.
I swear, I actually muttered “oh no” out loud when the texts came in. The tension between wanting control and knowing it’s already gone was brutal—in the best way.
The text exchange with Alex at the end? Chilling and addictive. He doesn’t even need to be in the room to command it, and the way her pulse betrays her while she’s trying to regain control is so human.
And that final stretch—the mirror, the dress, Maya’s sharp humor cutting the tension just enough—perfect counterpoint to the coming storm. I caught myself grinning at Maya’s lines; she’s the exact chaos the story needs.
I had to pause halfway through just to breathe; you make control feel like its own seduction. This chapter hums with power reclaimed, even when she’s trembling. Absolutely enthralling~!
I’m so happy you connected with Maya!! She’s my little storm of honesty, and she’s about to make things even messier.
Thank you for breathing with this chapter, for noticing its stillness and its heat. You couldn’t have described it more beautifully❤️
Uhhh so she didn't tell her mother about the break up with Tom? Why? And Alex in her office five mornings a week, that'll be pretty intense hah. The man does not mess about.
Cait was still trying to convince herself that what she felt for Alex was just intrigue, nothing more. Admitting the breakup to her mum would’ve made it all too real. And yes… five mornings a week with Alexander Ashcroft? That kind of intensity doesn’t end well for the heart😂
Her mum certainly seems a fan of Tom more than Cait herself! Picking the safe man for her daughter, I see you Mrs Thorne (hope I remember the surname correctly here.) I will look to progress more in the story today x
Yes, you remember perfectly Mrs Thorne indeed. But just wait until she meets Alexander… something tells me her heart might not stay quite so steady after that ☺️
Interesting! Whenever I imagine Jude meeting Bells' mother she dislikes him. Tells her to "think with her head not... something else" 🤣
I wanted all the Thorne girls to fall for Alex 😂