His Heart, Her Sin

A slender figure slipped into the VIP suite at the top floor of the GrandSphere Hotel.

Sabrina Lionhart shrugged off her black trench coat, revealing a sheer red lace nightdress that left little to the imagination. The delicate fabric barely concealed her curves - the plunging V-neck teased a glimpse of cleavage, while the short hemline skimmed the tops of her thighs.

She walked over to the full-length mirror, turned once, and stared at her reflection.

Sultry. Unfamiliar. Bold.

She drew in a deep breath and climbed onto the king-sized bed, her hands clutching the soft bedsheets as her heart pounded like a drum.

"Don't ever show your face to me again."

She could still remember the way Cedric Strickland had looked at her when he'd said those words - his eyes glacial, like shards of ice cutting straight through her.

And yet, here she was.

She had worked tirelessly for this moment.

Years of sleepless nights, of clawing her way up from a clueless nobody to the industry's most sought-after skincare expert. She had gone from knowing nothing about beauty to becoming the woman everyone wanted to collaborate with.

All for one reason - to stand in front of him again, as his equal.

But now that she'd made it... she realized some things never changed. Between them still stood an unscalable wall - the past.

Five minutes later, the door opened.

Sabrina immediately straightened, her lips curling into a seductive smile. She propped herself up on one elbow, letting the strap of her dress slip down her arm just enough to be suggestive, her eyes fixed on the door with practiced allure.

But her smile froze when she saw not just Cedric-but two security guards behind him.

What the hell? After all these years, how is it that he still reads her like a book?

"Take her out."

Cedric didn't even blink. He tossed those three words out and turned away, heading toward the floor-to-ceiling window. The city lights outside became a perfect excuse to avoid seeing her.

But in the glass reflection, he saw her stretched out on the bed in that over-the-top lingerie. She hadn't really changed-still full of fake confidence and little tricks up her sleeve.

Back then, he'd been stupid enough to fall for it. And it had cost him his grandmother.

Cedric's gaze dropped, shadows clouding his expression.

Seeing the guards step forward to grab her, Sabrina instantly sat up and snapped, "Touch me and I'll file a harassment claim!"

The two guards froze. Move forward? Retreat? Neither seemed like a good idea now.

If it were anyone else, it'd be easier. But this one? Trouble.

After all, if Mr. Strickland really didn't care about her, she wouldn't have made it in here in the first place. Letting her in, only to have her dragged out? Yeah... men are confusing.

"Cedric, if you're not interested, that's fine. We can just talk," Sabrina said, slipping on her coat and walking barefoot to stand behind him, close enough for her body heat to brush against his.

"I heard you recently took over-"

"I said, take her out!"

Cedric's voice erupted, cold and sharp. That smile she threw at him had lit every nerve in him on fire. He'd allowed her to come in, hoping-stupidly-that she'd offer a real apology.

Instead, she acted like nothing had ever happened.

Like someone's death was no big deal.

That shout of his could've frozen fire. Everyone there flinched.

Sabrina didn't even get another word out before both guards grabbed her arms and hauled her out.

It was clean, swift, practiced. They didn't just dump her at the hotel entrance-nah, they blocked the door afterward too, like they'd been dying for an excuse.

Thinking through her next move, Sabrina's phone buzzed in her pocket. Annoyed, she yanked it out. It was her apprentice calling.

"Make it quick. You've got five seconds."

"Ma'am! The Pama Conglomerate just contacted us. They're offering a fortune to buy the exclusive rights to your Twinkle!"

"Decline," she said, leaning against the icy hotel wall, her voice hoarse but resolute.

"But ma'am, it's Pama! The biggest skincare group on the planet!"

Sabrina paused for a beat but doubled down, voice firm. "I don't care if they offer me shares. I'm not selling. I made this for my man."

She ended the call and walked into a nearby convenience store, downing two ice creams in silence. Only when her body had chilled did her mind start to clear.

Ding.

A new email appeared on her screen.

From: Gracewell Skincare Group.

A concise, formal invitation: they wanted to discuss a possible collaboration on Twinkle.

*****

Upstairs, in the very same room, Cedric stood by the window as his assistant reported to him.

"Sir, I heard Pama's aiming to launch some luxury cream this spring, with a major focus on skin recovery. And here's the kicker-they've reached out to a top beauty expert to buy her latest skincare product, called 'Twinkle'. It's got lab data backing real skin regeneration! If they land this deal, that cream could be a huge win-both profits and reputation! It might even become their next long-term bestseller!"

"Beauty expert? Twinkle?" Cedric raised an eyebrow. This wasn't a movie, but the way the assistant said it made it sound just as ridiculous.

"Oh! Mr. Strickland, you just joined Gracewell, so maybe you haven't heard. The skincare field's packed with researchers, but this woman's been at the top the past few years. She's got some serious results, and this 'Twinkle' is her latest..."

"That's enough," Cedric interrupted. He didn't need a skincare lesson. "If Pama's talking to her, then Gracewell will too."

"But Mr. Strickland, this expert is really -"

"No need to know more. All I care about is that we block Pama from finalizing anything. They can't get this cream out by spring. That's our goal, period." His brows tightened.

Being a guy running a skincare company wasn't something he signed up for.

All thanks to his sister bailing, leaving him stuck with the entire enterprise. Still... this was something his grandma left behind. He couldn't just walk away from it.

"Understood, Mr. Strickland," the assistant said before the call ended.

*****

Sabrina stared at the email, her lips slowly curling into a genuine smile for the first time that night.

A sly glint flickered in her eyes.

Well, Cedric...

Looks like this time, we'll be meeting on equal footing.

The next morning.

Sabrina shot out of bed at the crack of dawn.

After a long, hot shower and a meticulous skincare routine, she stood in front of the mirror and started on her makeup. Her skin was flawless-smooth, radiant, and soft enough to bounce light.

Skincare was her profession, after all. Even in her mid-twenties, she could easily pass for a college student if she threw her hair into pigtails.

She slipped into a chic outfit and headed downstairs to catch a cab straight to Maxon Group.

She knew Cedric's habits like the back of her hand. He'd be the first person in the office. Always was.

On top of Gracewell Skincare, Cedric's main gig was running Maxon Group - an elite new-energy conglomerate headquartered in the heart of the city's financial district. Its towering glass building dominated the skyline, just like the man at its helm.

Sure enough, a sleek black Rolls-Royce pulled up to the front entrance just as she arrived.

Cedric stepped out. The early morning sun cast a golden glow over his tall, commanding figure-6'2" of controlled power in a sharply tailored suit. His shoulders were broad, his waist narrow, and his face... cold as ever. Not a hint of emotion, just that same unreadable, aristocratic mask.

Still handsome as ever. No - scratch that - even hotter now with that sharp, mature vibe.

Sabrina stood up from the steps, ready to greet him with her most radiant smile.

But before she could take a step-her vision blurred.

Oh no. Low blood sugar.

She'd gotten up too early, skipped breakfast, and overexerted herself. A wave of dizziness washed over her, making her knees buckle.

It had always been like this. Back in the day, Cedric would scold her with that stern face of his-and then magically produce a chocolate bar or a protein biscuit from his coat pocket. He wouldn't leave until she'd eaten every bite.

Now?

He caught sight of her sitting there, weak and pale on the building's front steps-and turned away like she was invisible.

She may as well have been a speck of dust.

'This woman, no apology, no explanation - still clinging on. What, was she aiming to patch things up?'

'Did she really think he'd take her back?'

The mere thought made Cedric's expression darken. His lips pressed into a thin, hard line.

A nearby security guard, having noticed the brief flicker of annoyance in the CEO's eyes, immediately stepped forward, eager to please.

"You! Get up! This isn't a rest stop!" the guard barked, waving his hand like he was shooing off a stray cat.

Sabrina was too dizzy to argue. She just needed a minute to recover.

But the guard mistook her silence for defiance. His face twisted in irritation, and he reached down, grabbing her arm with a rough hand. "Didn't you hear me? I said get up!"

The sudden jolt made her stumble. Her head spun again. Between the dizziness and the manhandling, she felt humiliated and helpless.

She thought of last night-thrown out of Cedric's hotel suite like garbage.

Her chest tightened. Her eyes burned.

Was this how far she'd fallen?

Was Cedric always this cruel?

He wasn't innocent either. Back then, he'd "flirted" with the cheerleader before their relationship had even officially broken up. And now he acted like everything that went wrong was her fault?

The guard reached out again, this time ready to push her back.

But before his hand made contact, another hand shot out-strong, elegant, and adorned with a Patek Philippe watch.

It caught her arm gently but firmly.

Sabrina looked up-and locked eyes with Cedric.

She knew it.

"Cedric..." she whispered, her voice trembling, eyes filled with something dangerously close to hope.

Cedric clenched his jaw.

Damn it. Why did he react?

Why did his body still move on instinct the moment she was in danger?

He let go of her arm as if burned, then leaned in close, his voice low and ice-cold-meant only for her ears.

"Don't dirty the floors of my company," he said. "Leave."

Her smile vanished.

So did the color from her cheeks.

She blinked, stunned, as he turned and walked away without a backward glance.

The pain that bloomed in her chest was sharp and sudden.

"Sabrina!"

Monica Simpson came running up, panting and flushed. "What the hell are you doing here?! Do you know how crazy you've made your mom? She's been trying to call you nonstop! She was about to book a flight!"

"Monica... I'm twenty-six. Can't I live my own life for once? My mom-"

"Is overbearing and controlling, I know." Monica sighed. "But you disappearing like this? You scared the hell out of everyone."

Monica hesitated, something flickering in her eyes. Then she simply said, "You're not planning to go back anytime soon, are you?"

Sabrina shook her head.

"Then just... be careful, okay?" Monica murmured, then turned and left.

*****

Before Sabrina could breathe, another voice rang out.

"Well, well. Look who finally decided to crawl back."

That shrill, judgmental tone made her lift her head. Sure enough, it was her half-sister Margaret Lionhart. Sabrina instinctively went on alert.

"How do you even have the guts to come back here?!" Margaret's brows arched sharply in disdain.

If Sabrina and her shameless mom hadn't "contributed" to Cedric's grandma's death, Cedric wouldn't have grown to loathe the entire Lionhart family. With the Stricklands' influence in the city, their fallout had dragged the Lionhart's business down year after year.

And now here she was, the reason behind it all, strutting back in public? Did she think the Stricklands wouldn't crush her?

"What's there to be ashamed of?"

"Sabrina, you seriously have no heart!" Margaret charged after her, voice rising like nails on a chalkboard, making Sabrina's ears twitch in annoyance.

Sabrina grabbed Margaret's arm hard. She winced, eyebrows tightening. "Margaret, what the hell is wrong with you?!"

"What's wrong with me? You should be asking what's wrong with you! You wrecked someone's life and don't even feel one bit guilty?" Margaret's chest heaved from the anger.

She wasn't throwing around accusations just because their family business tanked. To Margaret, Cedric's grandma had been a genuinely good person.

The Stricklands lived next door when they were kids, and Margaret remembered Cedric's grandma as sharp, warm, and super talented. Not only did she build Gracewell into the only domestic brand that could rival global giants, she also used to make the cutest little desserts.

As a kid, Margaret basically grew up on those sweet treats.

But that kind, gentle old lady supposedly died because of a request from Sabrina-because Sabrina decided to use her heart to save her own mom.

That kind of twisted betrayal was something Margaret had never wanted to believe, especially not from the happy-go-lucky, sunshiney Sabrina she remembered. But the truth was right there-there was even video proof.

Now Sabrina just stood there, even more confused. Hurt someone? Her? No way. She didn't even squish cockroaches when she saw them!

Could there be something she'd forgotten?

A headache started to pulse behind her eyes. Her stomach churned from hunger and stress.

Without a word, she turned and stumbled into a nearby café. She ordered two slices of cheesecake, hoping the sugar would calm her nerves.

She had just sat down when a shadow fell over her table.

A plain-looking man in a suit sat down across from her and slid a business card toward her.

"Ms. Lionhart. I'm from Pama. We need to talk."

His voice was calm, but there was no mistaking the authority in it.

Sabrina's eyes narrowed. "You... tracked me down?"

She had never revealed her identity to the public.

The man ignored her question. "This isn't a request. It's an order."

Sabrina had vanished.

For twenty-four hours, there was no sign of her. No calls. No messages. Nothing.

Monica was out of her mind with worry. She had tried every contact she had, with no luck.

The last place anyone had seen Sabrina was at the Maxon Group.

It was the only lead she had. So she drove straight there.

She stormed into the lobby and ignored the receptionist's protests, making a beeline for the executive floor. Without knocking, she shoved open the door to the CEO's office.

Cedric looked up from a tense meeting with his legal team, his expression hardening.

"Mr. Strickland," Monica said, breathless. "Where's Sabrina? What did you do to her?!"

Cedric blinked. "Excuse me?"

"Don't pretend you don't know. You said something awful to her, didn't you? And now she's gone!"

"I haven't seen her since that morning," he said calmly, though a flicker of unease passed through his eyes.

Monica softened slightly. "Please. She's not someone who can handle this kind of stress. If you know anything, if you even suspect something-tell me."

Cedric stared at her, reading the genuine panic on her face.

"I don't know where she is," he said at last. "But I'll find out."

Monica handed him her card. "If you hear anything, call me immediately."

With that, she turned and left.

Cedric looked down at the card. Monica Simpson. Neurology.

His brows furrowed. Why was Sabrina close with a neurologist?

That question quickly faded as a gnawing sense of dread settled in his chest.

He couldn't focus. Couldn't sit still.

He saw her pale face in his mind again and again-heard her voice, trembling with hope.

He stood up abruptly and grabbed his coat.

Downstairs, he stormed into the café near the building and demanded to see the security footage.

"Sir, I'm afraid we can't release footage without-"

"Then consider your café's lease terminated."

The manager paled. "Right this way, Mr. Strickland!"

The footage showed it all.

Sabrina, sitting alone. A man approached her. They talked. And then she left with him.

Cedric's blood ran cold.

He pulled out his phone. "Trace the license plate. Find out who that man is, where they went. I want answers ASAP."

He couldn't sit still. He paced the office like a caged beast, heart pounding.

He told himself this was just basic human decency.

That he'd do this for anyone.

But deep down, he knew that was a lie.

An hour later, a lead came in.

A warehouse. Abandoned. Outskirts of the city.

He didn't wait.

He drove like hell.

*****

At the same time-

Sabrina felt like she was on the verge of collapse.

She stumbled along a deserted stretch of road, arms clutched around her stomach that throbbed with pain. Sweat, cold and sticky, soaked through her clothes and chilled her skin with every gust of wind.

It'd been a whole day since she last ate. Her legs barely moved under her, and her head spun. But she couldn't afford to give up-not after clawing her way out of that awful warehouse. She had to keep walking, no matter what.

She never imagined the famous Pama Conglomerate would have someone this scummy under their name.

Fueled by anger, she didn't see the rock on the ground. Her foot caught, and bam-she went crashing to the hard concrete, scraping her arms and hands. The pain made her eyes well up.

She was exhausted. Lying there sounded kinda great...

Screech!

The sudden squeal of brakes tore through the silence.

"Sabrina!"

The screech of tires. A voice-low, panicked, familiar.

She flinched, curling into herself. "No... please... don't take me back..."

But the arms that scooped her up were warm.

Strong.

Safe.

Cedric.

He carried her like she weighed nothing, his heart racing at how cold and light she felt. Her skin was clammy. Her lips pale.

He rushed her into the car and cranked the heater.

As warmth returned to her body, her eyes fluttered open.

And when she saw him-really saw him-she broke.

The tears came fast and hard. Loud, ugly sobs tore from her chest.

That guy had dragged her to some abandoned warehouse and threatened her, saying if she didn't agree to work with the Pama Conglomerate and hand over Twinkle, he'd chop off her fingers - make sure she could never do research again.

Back then she'd crossed her legs, too terrified inside to breathe properly, but still forced herself to look calm and cocky. "Heh, I work with my brain, not my hands," she'd sneered. "Cut off my fingers all you want, I've still got thousands of formulas in my head ready to bury you."

He was so mad he turned pale on the spot.

Luckily, he chickened out in the end. Didn't lay a hand on her. Just locked her in the warehouse, came by once - probably to see if she'd offed herself - then bailed again.

Cedric had always been hopeless whenever she cried. The moment he saw those tears flooding her cheeks, his brain short-circuited. He reacted on instinct, fumbling for tissues, then awkwardly reaching forward to wipe her face...

But as soon as his hand got close, Sabrina - looking an absolute mess from crying - lunged into his arms without warning, clinging tightly around his waist like she never planned on letting go. So tight he could barely breathe.

Oddly enough, his first thought wasn't to push her off. In fact, he didn't mind if she held on even tighter.

Her wailing got louder, clearly a cover-up for her clinginess. And when he'd gone for tissues like a clueless deer, she almost choked on her rage.

Seriously, Cedric? Did he not realize a crying person doesn't want napkins - they need a damn hug!

He lowered the tissue in his hand, hesitated a moment, then patted her back gently, a bit stiff but trying.

Sabrina had thought he might shove her away. But no - he was actually comforting her?

See, she knew him so well. Classic cold-outside-warm-inside.

She even rubbed her cheek against his chest a little on purpose.

Man, was he built. Felt like pressed iron under that shirt. She was dying to find out if he had visible abs underneath...

"I've got a meeting soon, you better not get snot on my suit," he muttered.

She sniffled. "Don't worry. My snot isn't worthy."

He handed her a tissue without looking. "Buckle up. We're going to the hospital. After that, the police. You're reporting everything."

She slowly fastened her seatbelt. "You sound like a cop."

"I just don't want you getting into trouble again."

She didn't respond. After a few seconds, she asked quietly, "Did you really think I was trying to ruin your suit back there?"

He glanced at her. "Weren't you?"

"No," she whispered. "I just... wanted to hug you."

He didn't answer.

The car was silent.

Then she looked at him again, voice soft, as if pressing on a bruise.

"Why did you come for me?"

He didn't reply.

She smiled bitterly. "I thought you stopped caring whether I lived or died."