Chapter 18: New House, New Beginnings

The midnight beach was a silver-blue canvas under moonlight. Purdey slipped through her beach house’s side door, running shoes already laced. Two months in this Aspendale mansion had established new rhythms—midnight runs when sleep proved elusive, when memories of her former life with Ian circled like hungry sharks.

The afternoon’s visit from Kim and Gin still lingered in her mind as Purdey gazed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of her beach house. Outside, waves crashed against pristine sand, the setting sun casting long shadows across her expensive furniture. Kim had arrived with baby Daniel, his tiny fingers clutching at everything within reach—the edge of the glass coffee table, the tassels of the imported throw pillows, even Purdey’s gold necklace when she’d leaned in to coo at him. Gin brought expensive wine and industry gossip, her typical combination, pouring liberally into crystal glasses that caught the coastal light.

“Your subscriber count hit five million yesterday,” Gin had mentioned casually, swirling her glass against the backdrop of the ocean view. “My contacts can’t stop talking about the mysterious masked fitness model.” Her words hung in the air, mingling with the salt breeze that drifted through the partially open balcony door.

Kim had bounced Daniel on her knee, eyes wide. “Five million people watching you exercise?” The wonderment in her voice made Purdey’s chest swell with unmistakable pride.

“Amongst other things,” Purdey admitted, fingers tracing the cool marble of her kitchen island. The conversation circled around her unexpected fame, how quickly the OnlyFans account had grown from fitness content to something more intimate, something that paid for this beach house with its panoramic ocean views and her daughters’ private school tuition with enough left over for the investment portfolio she’d quietly been building. Her children beamed whenever they spoke of her success, wearing her fame like a badge of honour.

“We should collaborate,” Gin suggested, her directness characteristic as she stretched her designer-clad legs across the plush sofa. “Asian businesswoman meets mystery fitness model. My subscribers would go wild.”

Kim raised an eyebrow. “You two together would break the internet.”

“That’s the plan,” Gin laughed, refilling her glass. “The algorithm loves fresh content, and Purdey here has what my audience craves.” She paused, giving Purdey a knowing look. “Just remember what I always tell you—keep business business and personal personal. Especially with this Zach situation you’ve got yourself into. When those lines blur...” She made a slicing motion across her throat.

Purdey felt her chest tighten at the mention of Zach, wondering if her face betrayed the confusion swirling inside her. The mask she wore online was one thing, but the façade she maintained in real life was becoming increasingly difficult to sustain.

“I’m still getting used to all this,” Purdey hesitated, watching a seagull dive toward the water below. “The mask helps, but I worry about—”

Recognised for the more risqué content?” Kim finished for her, adjusting Daniel as he fussed.

“The mask works. Nobody at mothers’ group suspects their quiet friend makes more in a weekend than their husbands do in a month.” Her words hung in the air like a warning, reminding Purdey of all she stood to lose if her carefully constructed worlds ever collided. “Not to mention that birthmark on my ass would be a dead giveaway to any past hookups who weren’t supposed to become part of my real life.”

The front door swung open, and Nadine, the German au pair Purdey had hired to help with her daughters, entered with grocery bags clutched in her slender arms. Her blonde hair escaped from a carelessly arranged bun, golden wisps framing a face glowing pink from exertion in the afternoon heat. She moved with natural grace, her athletic yet feminine figure—a striking combination of curves and strength—evident even beneath her casual attire. Sweat glistened lightly on her collarbone as she navigated through the doorway, her breathing slightly quickened from the walk in the sweltering temperature outside.

Gin’s eyes widened appreciatively. She leaned toward Purdey and whispered, “You didn’t tell me your au pair was such a hottie. Is she on your content schedule too?”

“Gin!” Purdey hissed, glancing nervously at Nadine, who was now arranging items in the kitchen, seemingly oblivious to their conversation.

“What? I’m just saying there’s potential there. The younger demographic would eat it up.”

Kim shot Gin a disapproving look. “Not everyone sees people as content opportunities.” the ladies all laughed together.

Purdey helped Nadine prepare dinner while Kim and Gin chatted in the living room. As they worked side by side in the kitchen, Purdey found herself studying Nadine’s physique with appreciative eyes. The woman had a toned figure, smooth skin, and moved with natural grace as she chopped vegetables. Quite attractive, Purdey thought, with features that photographed well. She wondered if Nadine had her own OnlyFans channel—she certainly had the looks for it. The thought lingered as Purdey considered asking her about it sometime when they were alone, away from little ears and prying eyes.

Purdey taught Nadine how to make Malaysian satay skewers, demonstrating the precise way to marinate the meat and thread it onto wooden sticks. The kitchen filled with aromatic scents of lemongrass, garlic, and spices as they worked together. The coconut rice steamed in a pot, its sweet fragrance mingling with the savory notes of the satay sauce simmering on the stove. Purdey found herself enjoying the domestic scene—the warm kitchen, the pleasant company, the satisfaction of sharing her culinary knowledge.