From Divorce To Dominance

Darren was a mature guy, but he wasn't the type to crave anything too intense. Lately, though, strange thoughts about intimacy kept creeping into his mind. This had never happened before. It all started after he ran into Natalie again. He remembered catching a glimpse of something in the bathroom, and now he felt his lust was going out of control. He realized he must be too starved for sex, Just seeing Natalie in her revealing outfit-even though he didn't exactly like her- made his imagination go wild. Clearly, he needed to find a woman to relieve some of that tension. Darren tapped his fingers against the window, casually watching Vivian's face.

She was his fiancée and his lifesaver. If it weren't for her saving him five years ago, he wouldn't even be here. He had sworn to take care of her forever and do everything he could to meet her needs. Vivian's lips curled into a

"Get out of the car," he

a hopeful smile as she leaned closer, her eyes sparkling. killing the engine.

said,

Vivian's eyes lit lit up. She could d hardly

contain her excitement. A guy inviting a girl over late at night? It was as clear that Darren finally accepted her. The thrill bubbled inside Vivian as they walked into the villa-it all felt like a dream. Happiness had come knocking so fast. She was about to become Darren's woman. "Darren, I'm ready. Please don't leave tonight," she said eagerly, wrapping her arms around him.

Darren stayed quiet, his expression unreadable. Vivian, unable to hold back, reached for his belt, her heart racing. Suddenly a phone rang, breaking the moment. Worried about interruptions, Vivian quickly urged, "Can we not let anyone interrupt us? I want our first time to be perfect."

worr

Darren glanced at his phone screen. "It's Howard. Let's see what he wants," he said. He carefully moved her hands away, signaling her to be quiet, and pressed the button to answer. "What's up?" "Darren, I don't wanna live anymore! Life has no meaning for me! Howard cried.

Darren furrowed his brow. "What's wrong with you this time?

I've completely lost this time. Love is like a glass of poisoned wine, knocking out anyone who dares to try their luck." Howard continued.

"Get to the point, Howard," Darren snapped, clearly annoyed.

Howard flopped down on the couch. "She broke my heart. She's the cruelest woman I've ever met. Loving her hurts so much!"

Darren rolled his eyes. This was typical Howard-a notorious pl**y who jumped from one girl to another without a second thought. He'd usually be the one ending relationships, but whenever he broke up, he turned into a sobbing mess. He'd spend one night drowning his sorrows and posting sad messages online, but the next day, he'd wake up refreshed and get right into new relationship.

Darren was used to his daily act. Just as he was about to hang up, he heard Ethan's serious voice. "Darren, this time it's different. Howard's really in bad shape. You should come over." Ethan was always calm and never joked around, so Darren sighed and pushed Vivian away. I'm leaving now. Don't wait for me," he said as he headed out.

Vivian smiled understandingly. Once he was gone, she angrily smashed a glass on the table. That did it! Howard ruined G

24

everything! Why doesn't he just disappear?' she thought

Half an hour later, at Moonlight Bar, Darren opened the door to a private room and instantly heard Howard's dramatic cries. Darren narrowed his eyes, taking in the mess. "Howard. Howard, sprawled on the couch, was crying like a baby. I le struggled to sit up and, with a pout, launched himself toward Darren

Darren avoided him, pushing him back. "No hugs" He wasn't about to hug a guy who was way taller than him.

Darren flopped down on the couch, crossing his legs. He turned to Ethan. "What's the deal?""

Ethan grinned, his charming eyes sparkling. "Looks like Howard fell hard this time."

"Seriously? You believe that?" Darren poured himself a drink. "He always pulls this. By tomorrow, he'll be on to someone

new

Howard, still moaning, jumped in. "That's not true. I just don't want the person who loves me to wait too long."

Darren took a sip, rolling his eyes. "Okay, spill it. Who broke your heart?"

Howard clutched his chest, looking like he was really suffering. "I can't tell you. She's my secret pain."

Ethan grimaced at Howard's melodrama. "Just shut it, man. Darren, check this out."

Ethan pulled up his phone, showing a long list of messages. The flashing lights above made it hard to see.

Darren leaned back on the couch, rubbing his forehead. Just read it to me. My eyes hurt."

He had to be careful with his vision ever since he had surgery five years ago after the accident.

raised an eyebrow, "You sure you want to do this?"

Yeah, just read it, Darren said, waving his hand

Yean,

Clearing his throat, Ethan Ethan began with a grin. "Is your name Wi-Fi? Because I'm feeling a connection." Darren paused, a hint of f amusement showing. "Keep going."

"I was wondering if you had an extra heart. Mine was just stolen Ethan chuckled.

Darren shifted slightly, starting to feel a bit awkward.

uld rearrange the alphabet, I'd put 'U' and T together, Ethan continued.

"If I could

Darren sat up and poured himself another drink, trying to mask his embarrassment..

"Life without you is like a broken pencil-pointless."

Darren shivered. "Is that it?"

"Yep, that was my last message to her and the only one she replied to," Howard chimed in.

Darren downed his drink. "What did she say?"ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Howard sighed dramatically. "She told me to get lost, and then she blocked me."

Darren smirked, realizing the situation. Howard, the charming guy who usually had girls lining up, had just hit a wall and started to doubt himself.

"This is easy to fix. Darren said, leaning back with a confident look. "Ethan, find some girls who fit his type.

"Nor" Howard shot back, shaking his head fiercely. "Nat is one of a kind, and I only want her. I'd give up every other girl for her. Out of all the options, I only want to marry her." "Nat?" Nal?

Darren thought, recalling her face. He glanced at Ethan's phone, spotting a familiar profile picture-yup, it was Natalie.

Darren's expression darkened as he turned to Howard. "Honestly, she's not right for you. She blocked you for a reason. You should just move on."

"Not happening! Howard protested loudly, his voice firm. "She's testing me! Once I pa

Darren felt a twitch of annoyance. "Dude, she's keeping you around as a backup."

her test, she'll be mine!"

Howard frowned, trying to defend himself. "But Nat is so amazing. What's wrong with having some backups?"

"She's not as great as you think," Darren interrupted, his tone serious. "I know some things about her."