LOVE! WHY NOW!

London Fracture

The morning after the intense night with Damien felt different in the Tribeca penthouse. Soft sunlight filtered through the huge windows, casting warm patterns on the floor. The Hudson River sparkled below, with boats moving slowly like they carried no worries.

Bethany Buch sat on the edge of her bed, the sheets still tangled from the night before. Her body remembered every detail, the way Damien’s hands had gripped her hips, the deep, powerful thrusts that made her moan his name, the way he had held her afterward with surprising tenderness.

Her skin still felt warm where he had touched her. Between her legs, a pleasant ache reminded her how desperately she had needed that release.

She stood up slowly, her full breasts moving with the motion. Guilt washed over her like cold water. Her father had just died. The company was falling apart. And yet she had found comfort in the arms of a shareholder.

Was she using him to escape the pain? Or was there something real in the way he looked at her? She didn’t know anymore. The line between grief and desire was blurring, just like the IllusionForge simulations her father had warned her about.

Bethany took a long shower. Hot water ran over her body, soothing her sensitive skin. She dressed in a simple black blouse and pants, trying to look professional. When she walked into the living room, Theo was already there, laptop open, coffee in hand. The rich smell of fresh coffee filled the air.

“You were up late,” Theo said, looking at her carefully. “Everything okay with Voss?”

Bethany poured herself a cup. The hot liquid helped ground her. “It was complicated. He shared more about the debts. But I’m not sure who to trust anymore.”

Theo nodded. “I stayed up digging. There are connections to the London office. Uncle Victor is already pushing hard. We need to be careful.”

Before Bethany could reply, her phone rang. It was Sofia. “Boss, the board approved the emergency trip to London. The flight is tomorrow afternoon. Jake will travel with you for security.

Mr. Graves sent more documents. Some point to problems in the London branch.”

Bethany’s stomach tightened. “Prepare everything. I’ll be there soon.”

She finished breakfast with Theo. They talked about their mother Elena’s distance and how Cassandra was thinking about coming back. The conversation felt warm, like a small anchor in the storm. Theo hugged her before she left. “Be careful in London, sis. Don’t trust everyone.”

The private jet waited at a small executive airport outside the city. The air smelled of jet fuel and fresh rain.

Captain Ellis Grant, the experienced pilot, greeted her with a warm smile. “Miss Buch, we’re ready when you are. Smooth flight to London.”

Jake Thompson stood nearby, tall and muscular in a dark suit. “Security is tight. I’ll be with you the whole time.”

Bethany boarded the luxurious jet. The inside was comfortable with soft leather seats and big windows. She settled in as the plane took off. The New York skyline grew smaller below until it disappeared into the clouds. She spent the flight reading files on her laptop, hidden loans, IllusionForge logs from the London office, and messages from Uncle Victor.

The pressure felt heavier with every page.

When the plane landed at London Heathrow, the weather was gray and cool. Light rain fell on the tarmac. The air smelled damp and fresh. A black car took them into the city.

Tall buildings and historic architecture passed by the windows. Red double-decker buses moved through the busy streets. People walked with umbrellas. London felt alive but different from New York, older, more elegant.

The BuchForge London office was in a modern glass building near the Shard. The tall pointed tower rose dramatically into the cloudy sky. Inside, the air was crisp with air conditioning and the smell of fresh tea. Employees moved quickly, speaking with British accents.

Uncle Victor Buch waited in the main conference room. He was forty-eight, charming but greedy. He smiled when he saw Bethany. “Niece! So sorry about your father. Come, sit. We have much to discuss about the company future.”

The meeting lasted hours. Victor pushed for more control of the London branch. He mentioned old family arguments and suggested selling parts of the company to pay debts. Bethany stayed strong. She asked tough questions and took notes. Jake stood quietly by the door, watching everything.

After the long meeting, Bethany needed air. She walked with Jake along the busy London streets near the River Thames. The water flowed dark and steady.

The London Eye turned slowly in the distance. Street performers played music. The smell of fish and chips and rain filled the air. “This trip is going to be longer than I thought,” she told Jake. “We need to dig deeper here.”

That evening, a formal dinner was arranged at a high-end restaurant in a historic building. Crystal glasses, white tablecloths, and soft lighting created an elegant atmosphere.

The smell of fine wine and roasted meats filled the room. Several London shareholders attended. One of them caught Bethany’s attention immediately.

Kai Nakamura, twenty-eight years old, was the tech genius currently working in London. He had sharp, intelligent features and a quiet intensity.

His tailored suit fit his lean, athletic body perfectly. When he was introduced, his dark eyes met Bethany’s with calm curiosity.

“Miss Buch,” Kai said in a smooth voice. “I have heard much about you. Your father spoke highly of your potential. I manage many of the IllusionForge technical projects here. If you need a private demonstration, I would be happy to show you.”

The dinner conversation flowed. Victor tried to dominate, but Bethany held her ground. Kai spoke intelligently about the technology and possible solutions for the debts. His quiet confidence felt refreshing. Bethany found herself drawn to his mind and calm presence.

After dinner, Kai offered to show her the London IllusionForge lab. The car ride through nighttime London was beautiful. Lights reflected on the wet streets. Big Ben glowed in the distance. The lab was in a secure part of the office building. The room was cool and high-tech, with soft blue lighting.

Kai explained the system with passion. “IllusionForge can show us different futures. But it can also blur lines between real and fake. Your father used it a lot here.”

They entered a short shared simulation. Inside the illusion, the pressure of the company felt lighter. Bethany saw a possible future where the debts were solved. Kai stood beside her in the fake world. Their hands touched. The feeling was gentle but electric.

When they came out, the real lab felt quiet. Kai looked at her. “You carry a heavy load, Miss Buch. If you need someone to talk to, I am here.”

Bethany felt the spark. Not as raw as with Damien, but deep and intellectual. She thanked him and returned to the luxury hotel with Jake.

The hotel suite had a stunning view of the London skyline. Big windows showed the glowing city and the River Thames. Bethany stood at the window in her robe. The night was cool. Her mind raced with everything, family, debts, Damien back in New York, and now Kai in London.

Her phone buzzed. Damien: “How is London? I miss our nights. Be careful with Victor.”

She replied briefly and put the phone down. Sleep came slowly. The London rain tapped gently on the windows like drums. New dangers, new attractions, and new secrets were unfolding. The weight on her shoulders felt even heavier, but something inside her was waking up stronger.