Novels by Joy Jackson

Brielle POV I hated being forced to feel like a guest in my own home, a stranger in my own marriage.I waited in the kitchen for the cookies to cook, my hand around a wad of papers from the hospital that I had yet to sort through. My mind wasn't even on the cookies…..I was still seething from my fight with Diana that morning. That she'd admitted to having given me drugs and was so cavalier about it was getting my blood boiling.The oven beeper brought me back to life. I huffed, picking up the papers and setting them down, before tying my mitts up and taking out the tray. A sweet, warm smell of fresh-baked cookies permeated the kitchen air, in contrast to this choking house tension.Stacking the cookies neatly onto a plate, I carefully balanced them and stepped out of the kitchen to continue on my way towards Albert's mother, who was in the living room drinking tea like some sort of monarch upon her throne. Diana was seated beside her, with a smug look spreading onto her face. I appr

Brielle POV I was not even out of the stairs when Diana's voice called after me."Brielle!"I stopped in my tracks, exhaling slowly before I turned around. She stood next to Rebecca, a veil of innocence on her face, her hands cradling her belly protectively as though she was the saint in this house."Would you be a dear and make some coffee for Mother?" she said sweetly.I missed the scornful tone in her voice. She knew just what she was doing, reminding me of my place in this household. I forced a thin smile. "Of course." I said not another word, just went on into the kitchen, my brain seething as I prepared the coffee. I could still hear them talking in the other room, Diana's voice sweetened with unspoken barbs.What was Rebecca doing here out of the blue? She never visited unless she needed something. And Diana… Diana was up to something, I could be sure.Pouring the now prepared coffee into a china cup, I cautiously carried it back. The moment I stepped into the living room, I

Brielle POV The next day, I woke up with a pounding headache. My body felt weak, my limbs heavy like they had lost all energy. Something was not right. This was not stress or fatigue.I had felt this too many times in the last few weeks, always dizzy, always tired, and the fact that I had passed out and felt unconscious for sometime too. It's strange and I feel something is definitely wrong. I needed answers.In no time, I got dressed and drove straight to the hospital.The moment I walked into the clinic, I demanded a full test. I needed to know what was happening to me.Hours went by before the results were ready, and my hands trembled as I read them.Drugs.I had been drugged.My gut was in knots as my head was racing with possibilities. Who would do this? Who was even permitted into my food and drink stores?And then I figured it out.Diana.The only one living in this house with all the motivation to have me incapacitated, confused, and impaired.A hot rage seared my chest as I

Brielle POV I set my cup down on the coffee table with just a little more force than necessary. "That’s interesting, Diana," I said sweetly. "Because you didn’t seem to need Albert’s comfort last night when Nicholas was around."Her fingers twitched against Albert’s shirt, and I saw the flicker of recognition in her eyes. She knew exactly what I meant. She understands perfectly, I could see it in her face. Albert frowned, his gaze moving between us, sensing the tension. "Brielle, she’s just scared. It’s not a big deal."I gave him a pointed look. "Albert, this is our bedroom. You can’t possibly think it’s appropriate for Diana to cling to you like this when she has her own room….and her own guest to keep her company."Diana’s lips parted, her eyes widening as if I had just accused her of something unspeakable. "Brielle, how could you say that? Nicholas is just my cousin! I would never….""Then you shouldn’t have a problem staying with him," I cut in smoothly. "I’m sure he’d be happy

Brielle POV "What?!" I shot forward, fury burning through my veins. "You’re lying! I never said that!"Diana flinched, her lower lip trembling as she turned to Albert with big, glossy eyes. "I….I swear, Albert, she did. She said I would be thrown out of this house soon, and she….she tried to hurt me.""Enough!" Albert’s voice boomed through the room, making both of us fall silent.He pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling harshly. "I’m tired of this constant fighting between you two.""But Albert…." I started, my chest tightening."Enough, Brielle!" His sharp tone cut through me like a knife.I swallowed hard, my nails digging into my palms as anger and frustration swirled inside me.Diana sniffled again, playing the victim perfectly as Albert continued tending to her wound.I clenched my teeth.The moment Albert left the room, Diana's entire demeanor shifted. The fragile, weeping woman vanished in an instant, replaced by a smug smirk as she wiped the last fake tear from her cheek.

Brielle POV "Don’t you ever say that to anyone," she hissed, her voice low and threatening. "Or else you’ll regret it, Brielle. I’m warning you, don’t mess with me."I raised an eyebrow, unfazed. She was trying to intimidate me, but I had already seen her at her weakest, desperate and at the mercy of that man in her room. She had no power over me."Or else what?" I shot back, yanking my hand free from her grasp. "What can you do, Diana? You're nothing but a shameless bitch." I leaned in closer, lowering my voice so only she could hear. "Your days are numbered in this house. It won’t be long before Albert throws you out with your bastard pregnancy."Diana's lips curled into a sneer, but I caught the way her jaw clenched, she was barely holding herself together."We shall see who’s going to be thrown out of this house," she spat, her voice dripping with venom. She stepped even closer, her breath hot with rage. "Everything in this house belongs to me, even Albert."I froze for a split s

Anastasya’s POV “Ana? Ana,” I heard Isabel call as she walked behind me while I made way to the garage. It was evening already and I wasn’t sure I would be able to cope with the boredom in that house when New York had a whole lot for me to explore. I pretended not to hear her call so hastened my footsteps but she was faster and smarter, she hastened hers and ran in front of me. “Are you trying to tell me that you didn’t hear me call you or what?!” She yelled as she posed angrily in front of me. The Skin on her forehead wrinkled as she stared. “Hmm, I see, and what do you intend to do to me if I refuse to reply to such an insulting call? Is that the rightful way to treat the wife of a don?!” "…And you think the don’s sister should be treated like an actual piece of shit?! Maybe you should learn more Ana, you don’t have to ignore me at all, I have every right to know where you’re going.” “And who the hell says I was going somewhere?” “It’s not a ‘Who,’ Ana, it’s a ‘What’, The car

Massimo’s POV. I felt pains around my back as I turned and gave out a gigantic yawn. My bones cracked and the sensation of pain increased the more as I whispered, ‘Where am I’. I was so tired and just heard the alarm ring out loud. It was from my iPhone 14 promax. The sound of the alarm was indeed so alarming and troubling that I turned and swiped leftward on the surface of the phone. It had to be turned off. I tried to place my hands on the duvet since it felt a bit cold. ‘Where is this damn blanket?’ I heard the alarm sound again and just as I leaped to swipe left again, I realized the time was already 7:20AM. I was late and had to be fast for work. “How come none of these maidens came to wake me up from sleep? Not even one of my sisters was up here to notify me I had slept so deep and was already late. I rushed down to the bathroom and turned on the shower. I stared at my sleepy face in the mirror and watched my mouth. Traces of dried saliva were spotted down my mouth and I knew

Ana’s POV. I was in thought for so long as I laid on the bed in the room. I couldn’t imagine I would think about Vladimir that much. At first, I felt he deserved the rough treatment but after a while, I realized he was only trying to talk me into getting back to him but ended up being so unfortunate that night. Massi dealt with him mercilessly. I bit my lips and tried to hold up the stare at the chandelier before I heard a knock at my door and right away. I leaped in shock because it was a very hard knock. It sounded like thieves, I stood to my feet and rushed to the window where I picked up an umbrella in defense. “Who’s there?!” I asked, as my voice shrill. My hands were fastened unto the umbrella while I stood and watched the door. “It’s me,” the voice from the other side of the room rang. It was so sweet and like that of an early twenties. I felt at ease and knew for certain I wasn’t in danger at all. Maybe i’ll have to open up and see. “Don’t you have a name?!” “It’s me, Is

Massimo’s POV. “Ana, I’m talking to you, are you deaf?!” I yelled as I walked behind her while she made way into the building. All along while we sat in the vehicle she kept mute and avoided the questions thrown at her. I needed to know at least. Irrespective of the nature of our marriage I had every right to be aware of the strangers who would interfere in our union as man and wife. She walked hastily into the building and just as she stepped foot into the living room, I held her left hand which was already in the air. “I’m talking to you!” She turned and swayed her hands in a bid to give me a resounding slap but I was smarter this time. I diverted and held her steady while she screamed. “Leave me alone! You bastard!” “When you’re done calling me names, you’ll tell me who the hell that was.” “Massimo, I don’t know!! Okay! He just ran into me while I tried to walk through to the bathroom!” She yelled. Our eyes were glued and I held her even closer to myself this time. I sniffed t

Massimo’s POV. I was so confused at first, I couldn’t even believe my eyes when I saw him holding her, pinned to the wall. My fist clenched and I felt the rage burning in me while I stared at him angrily. “And who the hell do you think you are?” He asked, mockingly while buttoning the top parts of his dress. I turned to my newly wedded wife who shivered already and moved quickly, behind me. “Maybe you’re about to find out, you dare lay your filthy hands on my wife?” He chuckled and shook his head before folding the lower parts of his sleeves. “I’ve heard about you, Massimo, so much and I must say, they were quite impressive,” He made an attempt to move around Ana and I in circles but I stretched forth my hands in the form of a blockade. “You dare not come any closer, else, I’ll teach you the lesson of your life.” I warned him. My gaze was directed to the ground. It was a clear show of extreme anger and readiness to venture into a fight, maybe to death, if time permits. “I’m no

Anastasya's POV. Only few things compared to the sight of the all powerful Don Massimo speechless, as he watched me come down the flight of stairs. I couldn't resist dropping one snarky remark as I passed him, not waiting for his reply as I headed out to where I knew a car was waiting for us. I had found an invitation from his mother to a dinner party when I returned to my room earlier, along with a hideous green dress in a garment bag on my bed. Too bad, I always did the unexpected. We rode in silence until we reached the hotel, my gaze fixed on the city beyond the windows as the car rolled by. All the sights were still new to me, and I greedily took in the sights and sounds of the city. We stopped in front of a grand hotel, a valet coming to usher us into the resplendent interior. Massimo placed a hand on my lower back as we approached the ballroom where the dinner was being held, it's weight against me unfamiliar, but comfortable. “You've been awfully quiet,” I noted as we dre