Chapter 12
1790 Words
Inside the bar, Vanessa had downed drink after drink, yet no amount of alcohol seemed strong enough to dull the ache in her chest.
Did he even understand how deeply she felt for him?
Hadn’t she shown it clearly enough over the years?
Why did he always choose to turn a blind eye?
With each glass, her emotions only grew heavier. The pain in her heart burned hotter than the liquor going down her throat.
She kept drinking until the bartender finally stepped in. “Ma’am, I think you’ve had enough.”
Vanessa shot him a sideways look, voice laced with bitterness. “So what if I have? Isn’t it my right to drink as much as I want?”
“I understand, but you’ve had quite a lot already…”
Frustrated, Vanessa stood up, swaying slightly as she reached for her purse. As she moved, her phone slipped from her coat pocket and hit the floor.
“Ma’am, your phone!” the bartender called out, quickly picking it up and hurrying after her. But no matter how many times he shouted, Vanessa didn’t stop or look back.
Just then, the phone vibrated in his hand—it was a call.
After a brief hesitation, he answered, “Hello?”
Logan, still burning the midnight oil at the office, immediately stiffened at the unfamiliar voice. “Who is this? Why do you have Vanessa’s phone?”
“This is Silver Street Bar,” the bartender explained politely. “A woman left her phone behind after drinking quite a bit. I tried to return it, but she walked out before I could reach her.”
Logan frowned. “Where is she now?”
“She just left. I called after her, but she didn’t respond,” the bartender said.
“Alright, keep the phone safe. I’ll come by to pick it up shortly.”
“Got it,” the bartender replied before ending the call.After ending the call, Logan grabbed her keys and rushed out of the office.
Roughly twenty minutes later, he pulled up in front of Silver Street Bar.
As he stepped out of the car, his eyes quickly found Vanessa walking slowly along the sidewalk. She e looked unsteady.
Without hesitation, Logan walked toward her. Just as he reached her, Vanessa swayed slightly, and he instinctively caught her arm to steady her.
She turned to see who it was and, gave a faint, bitter smile. “Logan? What are you doing here?”
Logan helped her towards the car. He took off his coat and gently placed it over her shoulders.
His presence calmed her. Knowing he’d come for her made her feel safe. More attached to him than ever.
As they reached the car, she looked at him and whispered, “ Logan… I’m sorry.”
“For what?” Logan asked, glancing at her with mild curiosity.
“I shouldn’t have acted on my own. I was stubborn… I didn’t mean to fight with you today. I’ve been thinking about it all day. I shouldn’t have raised my voice either. I’m really sorry.” Logan had always seen her as capable and dependable. Even when she crossed a line, he rarely held it against her. “Conflicts happen at work. There’s no need to apologize,” he said calmly.
“Then… are you still upset with me?” she asked.
“I didn’t take it personally,” he replied.
He didn’t take it personally?
Vanessa wasn’t sure if that was a relief or a disappointment.
Her eyes began to well up with tears. “I was honestly scared today…”
Logan looked at her quietly and said in a low voice, "Don’t go drinking alone again, Vanessa. You’re not a teenager. You should know better. Do you realize what could’ve happened if you had actually taken that drink?" Logan said, his tone firm but not unkind. "You never used to be so careless."
“I know… I understand everything,” Vanessa murmured, her voice low. Then she looked at him with soft eyes, a trace of vulnerability slipping through. “But I’m also just a woman, Logan. Do you always have to talk to me like we’re in a boardroom?”
Logan's brows creased slightly as he met her gaze.
“I want to be spoken to with a little warmth too…” she added, stepping closer only for her knees to give out beneath her. She stumbled, falling straight into Logan's arms.
Whether by coincidence or design, in a nearby parked car, someone was snapping photos—the angle making their interaction look far more intimate than it was.
Logan instinctively caught her and tried to help her stand, but she was limp in his hold, barely responsive.
“Logan… I can’t…” she whispered, her head resting against his chest.
“Vanessa? Vanessa,” he called her name quietly, but when she didn’t respond, he sighed, scooped her up, and carried her to the car. He opened the door and gently laid her inside before sliding into the driver’s seat.
Behind them, a car quietly followed.
When they reached Vanessa's apartment, Logan unlocked the door using her fingerprint—he’d been there before and knew his way around.
He carried her into the bedroom and carefully placed her on the bed.
“You should rest. Take tomorrow off. Actually, take a few days,” Logan said as he turned to leave.
But Vanessa reached out and caught his hand, her grip weak, her expression fragile. “Logan… can you stay a little longer? I… I don’t want to be alone tonight. I’m still shaken.”
“Or at least stay until I fall asleep,” she added softly. “Otherwise, I won’t be able to close my eyes.”
Logan hesitated, then nodded. “Alright. I’ll wait outside.”
Vanessa gave a small nod.
“Get some sleep,” he said gently before stepping out of the room, quietly pulling the door shut behind him.
Vanessa knew one thing for sure if Hugo Logan gave his word, he would never break it.
As the door clicked shut behind him, the vulnerable look in her eyes faded instantly, replaced by clarity and resolve.
Logan
Whatever it takes, I’ll make you mine.
By the time dawn broke, Vanessa stepped out of the bedroom. She had freshened up and slipped into a soft silk pajama set, her whole demeanor relaxed and serene.
Across the room, Logan was curled up on the couch, eyes closed, seemingly asleep.
Vanessa took a light blanket and walked over quietly, wanting to drape it over him.
Just as she leaned in, her hand brushing against him, Logan's eyes suddenly snapped open.
“You’re awake?” Vanessa asked softly, surprised.
From that close, her gentle scent surrounded him, stirring something within. Logan shifted his gaze away and replied with a faint, raspy voice, “Yeah.”
“Did I disturb you? You looked like you were cold, so I thought I’d cover you up,” she said gently.
“There’s no need…” Logan began, moving to sit up but Vanessa suddenly stumbled, seemingly by accident, landing in his arms.
The scent on her skin lingered between them, heady and alluring.
“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to…” Vanessa murmured, yet she made no effort to move away.Their eyes locked. Logan's gaze darkened slightly.
“Logan, what’s wrong?” she whispered beside his ear, her tone soft and inviting.
He didn’t respond, just stared at her.
Vanessa's pulse quickened. Her feelings for him, buried for so long, were now brimming over. In this moment, more than anything, she wished to close the distance between them completely.
Vanessa slowly reached out, her fingers gently brushing Logan's cheek as she leaned in, inch by inch, her lips drawing closer. “Logan, I want to…”
But just then, a vivid image of Jane cool, mocking expression flickered through Logan's mind like lightning.
His face turned abruptly to the side, and Vanessa's kiss landed just shy of his lips.
Startled, she blinked. “Logan, what’s wrong?”
“It’s late. I should get going,” he said quickly, steadying her as he helped her sit up straight.
Frustration and disbelief washed over Vanessa. As Logan stepped away, she snatched a cushion from the sofa and angrily flung it across the room, her composure cracking in an instant
Meanwhile,
The photos had already gone viral, sparking a frenzy across social media.
Logan was simply too well-known.
his looks even surpassed those of most celebrities. Despite his low public profile, any minor action involving him instantly drew massive attention.
Comment sections were flooded with blessings for the “couple,” with netizens showering Vanessa with praise, admiring her elegance and good fortune.
Back in her room, Jane stared at the photo on her phone, a cold smirk playing on her lips as she scrolled through the sugary comments.
“So, he wants the spotlight?” she muttered. “Wish granted.” She poured herself a glass of water and sat down at her desk. The dim glow of the screen lit up her face as she powered on her computer. After a few moments, the interface loaded—a black background with lines of encrypted code running steadily.
She stared at the screen for a second, took a long sip of water, then placed the glass aside. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard. Then, with quiet precision, she began to type.
Line after line of code filled the screen. Ten minutes later, she typed the final command and hit *Enter*.
The screen flashed once. She opened a hidden browser window and logged into a throwaway account. Her hands trembled slightly as she pasted the message and clicked *post*.
*AnonymousUser97:*
*"Everyone thinks Logan is charming. But no one knows the truth. He was married once. He cheated. And when his wife found out and tried to leave—she never made it out. Ask him where her body is. He knows."*
Attached beneath the post were photos—grainy but undeniable. One showed Logan in a dark suit, smiling. The other showed Jane in a white dress, standing beside him. Their secret wedding. Only close family had known.Now, the world did.
Within minutes, the internet ignited. Posts were shared. Blogs picked it up. Comment sections exploded.
Jane watched the chaos unfold for just a moment—then she heard footsteps.
The kids ran in, laughing and calling her name.
Quickly, she minimized the window, closed the laptop, and turned to them with a bright, practiced smile.
“Who’s ready for dinner?” she asked, as if nothing had happened.
But outside her room, Logan’s life was starting to burn.
- Writer
