Ryan's Triumph
Months had passed since the merger meeting, and in that time, Ryan's career had seen an upward turn. The board had praised his efforts and strategy, leading him to be promoted to Sales Manager—a role he'd long hoped for. But as his professional life climbed, his personal life lay neglected, a fact that lingered at the back of his mind.
However, the presence of Defnie had become a new, almost addictive distraction. Her ambition matched his, and there was something about her that Ryan found both captivating and intoxicating. They spent hours together, often working late and slipping into shared moments of laughter that felt like an escape from reality.
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The Spark of Temptation
With every meeting, every lingering glance, the boundary between professional and personal became blurrier. Defnie was electric; her energy was wild, confident, and bold in ways that drew Ryan in. She was unlike anyone he had ever met, and though he knew it was wrong, the chemistry between them was undeniable.
One evening, as they reviewed quarterly figures in a quiet corner of the office, Defnie placed her hand on Ryan's, letting it linger. Their eyes met, unspoken words hanging in the air.
"I don't usually mix business with… pleasure," she said, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips.
Ryan swallowed, feeling his pulse quicken. "Sometimes exceptions are worth the risk."
The line had been crossed, and from that moment on, they both knew things would never be the same.
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A New Depth of Betrayal
In the months that followed, Ryan and Defnie's relationship escalated, built on shared ambition but rooted in lust. The secrecy of their encounters added an intensity, each moment stolen in the corners of the office or during late-night meetings. Ryan knew he was treading dangerous ground, yet he couldn't pull himself away. Defnie was everything Maria wasn't—exhilarating, unpredictable, and completely unbound by guilt.
Then came that fateful afternoon.
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Maria's Arrival
It was a Wednesday afternoon, and Maria had decided to surprise Ryan at work with lunch. She had prepared his favorite meal, hoping that a small gesture might bridge the gap that had grown between them. As she entered the office, she spotted the familiar staff members and greeted them politely, making her way toward Ryan's office.
"Ryan's in the restroom," one of the assistants mentioned as Maria passed by. Nodding, she decided to wait, but something about the assistant's tone left her uneasy. A strange silence hung in the air.
After a few moments, Maria's curiosity got the best of her, and she made her way towards the restroom. But what she saw next shattered her world.
Through the slightly ajar door, she caught a glimpse of Ryan and Defnie together—in an intimate embrace, their voices hushed yet unmistakably close.
Her heart dropped, a wave of nausea washing over her as the reality of the scene hit her. Frozen in shock, she watched as they held each other, their laughter soft, carefree, completely oblivious to the woman standing just beyond the door.
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Maria's Confrontation
Unable to hold back any longer, Maria pushed the door open, her voice cracking with emotion. "Ryan!" she exclaimed, her voice both an accusation and a plea.
Both Ryan and Defnie turned, shock flashing across their faces. Ryan's expression was one of disbelief, his eyes wide as he struggled to find words.
"Maria, I… this isn't what it looks like," he stammered, though the guilt in his eyes betrayed him.
Maria's face twisted in pain, her voice barely more than a whisper. "How could you, Ryan? After everything we've been through… after everything I've been through for you?"
She turned to Defnie, her gaze cold. "And you. Do you know who he really is? Or does he only show you the parts that suit him?"
Defnie, taken aback, recovered quickly, her face hardening. "I don't need to know your story," she replied dismissively. "I know what I want, and so does he."
Ryan reached out, his voice desperate. "Maria, please. It wasn't supposed to happen like this. I made a mistake—"
"A mistake?" Maria cut him off, her voice filled with anger and hurt. "You shattered everything we built, Ryan. Was that just a mistake too?"
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