Nobela ni Joe Honey

JACE'S POVAfter several weeks of waiting, Caila and I had finally signed off on the divorce papers, the finalization of our one-year arranged marriage contract, and just to make it official, I and Aria had also signed it off.The weight of keeping my love for Aria away from public eyes had been heavy for so long, but now, with marriage officially over, there was a strange sense of relief I was having. One thing was clear though, it was the realization that the moment the door to that chapter closed, my love for Aria was just beginning.I couldn’t imagine my life without Aria, it was just going to be incomplete. In the last few months, she’d become an essential part of my world, I did not even notice it at first but she was like a light I couldn’t ignore. Now, I was committed to making up for the past, for all the time that I had treated her and her sister lightly, now I wanted to give her everything I could. Because she deserved everything good.But I wasn’t entirely free from my pas

ARIA'S POV Now that everything was settling down and we were counting down to days to when we could finally take our relationship public, I and Jace were mostly indoors in each other's arms. I thought that my father's action was going to affect me for longer but it had not, and I knew it was as a result of Jace's consistent presence around me. I didn't have the spare time to think about Mr. Sleighman. Caila had Liam and she had been flashing the brightest of smiles and it was safe to say that she was okay.It was a Saturday morning and I was lying on Jace's chest and we had been like that since we woke up and Jace had not even complained. The only thing he did was place a kiss on my forehead, cheeks and lips from time to time. The change between this Jace and the one I met some months back was different, it was almost like there were two different people.“There has been a lot of change with you,” I said. “In what way exactly?” he asked.“The Jace I know wouldn't be lying on the b

CAILA'S POVWhen Liam stopped by the road side and came to open my side of the car door I was shocked. He had said we were going on a date, so my mind couldn't process the reason why we were stopping in the woods. But he told me to trust him, then held my hand and led me down the path. It wasn't long before he stopped in front of a lake where a boat was waiting. He turned it on and drove us to a lake house that was at the center of the lake. I couldn’t stop the smile that spread across my face when Liam took my hand and led me inside the cozy lake house. It was just the two of us… no distractions, no noise, no one else, just us. It was the kind of privacy we both needed at that point. I loved the atmosphere of the place already. “Watch your steps before you fall into the lake. There are crocodiles waiting,” Liam cautioned. “What?!” I screamed as I ran away from the side of the lake house and towards him. The last thing I needed was to get eaten by a crocodile. But when I held on

CAILA'S POVWe sat down in the dinning to eat breakfast together for the first time in a long while. It was two weeks after everything that happened. The men that Victor had dealings with were beginning to get caught and some of the victims of the trafficking were reconnecting back with their families. As I ate, I couldn't help but notice the tension in the air. Jace was eating slowly while Aria was flipping things around on her plate. She had been doing that since we began eating and I knew her too well to let it pass. “Do you want to keep doing that or do you want to tell me?” I asked her.“There's nothing really,” Aria mumbled. “Right!”“Okay, I didn't want to tell you about this earlier because I didn't want to affect our relationship again and I know how you Jace have been and...”“Just say it,”“Me and Jace have been having sex,” she replied. I stared at her, expecting her to continue to elaborate but it seemed like that was the only thing she wanted to say. For a moment, I

ARIA'S POV“Yes, I did it,” My father said immediately as I narrated what Jace told us to him. The way he even said it, with an air of authority like he didn't do anything wrong. “You know when I saw you walk in, I thought that you have finally seen that no one else but me should be CEO. And then you come and start talking about an old issue?”Jace, who had been leaning on the wall, grunted with disgust. “You would never be CEO again, you don't deserve it,” Jace said. My father turned and stared angrily at Jace. “You think you can come into my home and...” my father started to say but I cut him off.“Why?” I asked calmly. I could already see that he was gone past redemption at this point but I needed to be sure that he had some reasons. Some good reason that I was too blind to see. “You'd never understand,” he replied. “You'd never understand how sacrifices work. When you have to give things you love just to get what you need.” he said sadly. “Sacrifices? Love?” I scoffed as I got

CAILA'S POVI was happy when Victor was caught and sent to prison. It meant that my budding career was going to begin to progress more rapidly now that I had no one trying to bring me down. But then he had told me about how my father had decided to give me out to Victor Hayes. Victor Hayes! Someone that was known for human trafficking and other forms of violent crimes? It wasn't loud that Victor had been into all those things before but before agreeing to give me off like that, the least he would have done was to make sure he wasn't giving me to the wrong person. I was so pissed I didn't know how to react. Aria was quiet but I knew she was just as pissed off as I was. We wanted to go to his house immediately but Jace said we should go the next day when we were calmer, but I knew nothing was going to change even when we got calmer. Just then, my phone rang. The worry disappeared from my head for a second and my heart did a little flip when I saw that it was Liam. He had not called a

JENNY POVThe days morphed gradually into weeks, while weeks would gradually morph into months, and my mom was really okay after that. "Thank you so much, Jenny," she said to me, holding my hand. Her voice was much better now, and we were chatting well. She didn't get sick anymore, and the doctor visits were not frequent by now since the workers kept caring about her with kindness and compassion.Adrian and I used to go and visit the hospital together to bring her favorite food and flowers. We sat down to watch movies or even play games, but even though it was at a slow pace, she was getting back. The hospital room of care was now much brighter with laughter than it had ever been used to and filled with sadness and concern.It was like any other day; we were just chit chatting when suddenly, a glittering tear glistened in Mom's eye. "I'm very grateful to you, Jenny," she said with a shaking voice. "You have been my stronghold during this journey." A warm hug followed from me, elated a

JENNY POVIn the course of her recovery, I fleeted back home to refresh myself often. The workers would live with her, looking after her needs, and updated me about her conditions through regular phone calls, sometimes giving me a good laugh or two while hearing stories on her improvements.We began to develop a bond through these talks, and soon I would be on the edge of my seat waiting for their calls. They told me all about the jokes she told, her smiles, and how determined she was to recover. I laughed and appreciated their kindness.One day, I asked them all over for breakfast in appreciation of the small things they did for my mom. They came with huge, toothy grins and gifts of sunshine-dripped fruit and fragrant flowers. Here we were around the table, sharing together in a hearty meal.Mrs. Jenkins said, "We're so proud of your mom's progress, Jenny. She's a fighter." I smiled, feeling all the more blessed to have them with me. "Thanks to you all, she's getting a little better

JENNY POVAt first, the workers got busy setting up my mother for the transport to the hospital. I watched as they transported her into a stretcher, their faces serious."We'll get her the help she needs," Adrian said, his voice reassuring. "We'll make sure she's okay."I nodded, and hope washed over me. Maybe, just maybe, we could get my mom back on her feet. Maybe we could undo the damage that Samuel had done.But for some reason, all along the way that took us out of the house into the open, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the opening act--the warm-up--for a longer and tougher journey ahead.As the workers placed my mom in a car, an entire jigsaw puzzle of emotions filled the air: relief because actions were finally being taken; then apprehension of what could come to pass in future. The workers whose eyes had been somber just a few moments ago suddenly spoke."Pleeeeeeease, Jenny, let us help,” Mrs. Jenkins said, her voice being a little shaky. "We'll assure that y

JENNY POVAdrian took my hand and squeezed it gently."Let's go," he was saying in a steady voice. We walked together toward the little house, hearts heavy with concern for the ahead.I carefully entered the house with a pounding heart and a twisty stomach for anticipation and nervousness. Workers followed close behind, looking concerned. Adrian stayed near me, offering supporting comfort.A piece of cloth had been laid over something on the floor as we entered the room. My instinct told me it was my mother, but that thought was unbearable. "Where is she?" I managed to whisper to the men working.Mrs. Jenkins paused, speaking with a trembling voice, "Look at her here," extending her hands toward the cloth.My throat constricted as Mrs. Jenkins pulled back the cloth. I almost choked. My mom was lying on the floor with her eyes closed. I screamed, "Jezzzzz!"All hell broke loose in my mind. I staggered backward, feeling lost and disoriented. I never thought I could see such a thing: My

JENNY POVThe moment I stepped into the house, some feeling of discomfort seemed to wash over both me and Adrian. The staff had welcomed us with uneasy gestures, and one could almost taste the tension. Mrs. Jenkins, the housekeeper, came towards us smiling uneasily."Jenny, dear, we need to talk to you about something," she said in whispers.I exchanged the same puzzled glance with Adrian and followed Mrs. Jenkins into the living room. The others had entered, too, and their expressions were serious."What are we talking about?" I asked with an authority in my voice, betraying hardly any nerves.Mrs. Jenkins took a deep breath. "We have been looking after your mother for a while now, and...and there is something about which we have been doing...that we should not."I had felt that my intuition might be right: a knot was tightening painfully inside my stomach. "What do you mean by that?” I demanded, trying to add firmness to my tone while being cautious.The staff exchanged anxious look

STAFF POVMrs. Jenkins told the personal assistant Mark that they should stay together in the kitchen, closely huddled, with the anxiety clearly written in their faces. The news just broke of Samuel's arrest, and panic was creeping in."What if the police come to us next?" Mrs. Jenkins whispered, tremulous voice and all."That's what we need to think about," he whispered, "how we're going to tell them. They can't know what all we did.”Indeed, it was as Rachel, the cook, also then entered the conversation. "I think we need to go and tell Jenny the truth. Just can't keep it anymore."Mrs. Jenkins and Mark turned towards her, their faces horrified; "No, Rachel, we can't do that," Mrs. Jenkins said firmly, "We promised Samuel we wouldn't say anything."The determination of Rachel was all over her face. "But Samuel's going to prison. We have to protect ourselves. If we tell Jenny the truth, maybe she'll understand, maybe she'll help us."Head shaking, Mark replied, "I don't know, Rachel.

Maya gazed out at the city through the window of her penthouse, watching the dawn break over the skyline. It was quiet now, but she knew it wouldn’t be for long. This war with Gabriel was nearing its final act, and by the sunset, one would be left victorious.She turned as she heard the door open. Zane walked inside, silver eyes sharp, movements measured, but she knew enough of him to feel the tautness behind his calm demeanor.“It’s time,” he said simply.Maya nodded. “Then let’s finish this.”Moretti Corp – War RoomThe normal tension in the war room had changed. No longer the vagueness of battle — but the gleam of victory. When Maya and Zane came in, Victor, Luca, and Adrian were already sitting. A huge digital map of the city was projected on the wall, red markers showing Gabriel’s known assets and weak points.Victor reclined in his chair. “We’ve tightened the noose. Gabriel’s financial network is collapsing, his allies are betraying him, and his only remaining political connecti

Gabriel Montclair clicked off the television, flinging the remote onto his desk with a muffled thud. He’d seen Maya’s interview from beginning to end, dissecting every word, every motion, every well-chosen pause. She hadn’t merely evaded his strike — she had turned it on him.He breathed out, letting the silence of his study settle over him. He had underestimated her. He could admit that now. Maya Moretti wasn’t merely a fearsome adversary — she was a survivor. Yet if he was going to win this war, he had to adapt.A knock on the door broke him from his musings.“Come in,” he called, his voice steady.The door opened and in stepped Ethan Blackwood. Ethan had been Gabriel’s second for as long as he could remember, a man who worked in the shadows, taking care of the parts of the business that Gabriel didn’t like to touch to keep his hands clean.“You saw the interview,” Ethan said, not even asking.Gabriel sat back in his chair. “I did.”Ethan closed the door behind him and walked ahead,

Maya paced her Moretti Corp. office as the weight of the impending war hung heavy on her shoulders. The early-morning sun poured in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the sleek interior in a golden light, but she hardly noticed. The papers on her desk began to fade together and her mind raced through the alternatives.Gabriel had made his move. He had gone after her history, her marriage, the life she had built so painstakingly. And yet she was unafraid — just seething with determination.Her phone buzzed again. Another message from Zane.Zane: We need to talk. Now.Maya let out a sharp breath, suppressing a rising irritation just under the skin. She took her phone and answered.Maya: Meet me in my office. Bring Victor.Nine minutes later, the door opened and Zane came walking in with Victor hot on his heels. Zane’s face was hard to read, but his shoulders were tense. He was angry — but not at her.Victor, always a cool mastermind, tossed a file onto her desk with an air of

The day arrived too soon, dragging Maya back into the ice-well of their war with Gabriel. She paced the window at her penthouse, coffee clutched in hand, watching the city below her stir. The weight of last night’s meeting with Philip Marquez was still heavy in her mind. They had won a skirmish, but the war was still in its early stages.Next, her phone vibrated on the marble counter. A message from Zane.Zane: Victor got the first buyouts. Gabriel will be feeling the squeeze soon. Meet me at the office.Maya drank the rest of her coffee and replied by text.Maya: On my way.Her husband, Adrian, had already left for the day. Their marriage was a matter of practicality rather than of love. It was a strategic maneuver — a winning of alliances and of power. Love had never been in the contract.But still, she couldn’t help but ache at the thought of the what-ifs.Brushing the thought aside, she got dressed, putting on the armor of the woman she had become.Moretti Corp – War RoomZane was

Maya sat across from Zane in his office, eyes fixed on the latest reports spread across his desk. The tension between them was palpable, though unspoken. She knew that tight-jawed look—something wasn't right. Breaking the thick silence, she said, "Well? Are you going to tell me what has you so troubled, or must we sit here all evening stewing in uncertainty?"Zane didn't look up from the pages. "We lost three major investors this morning. Gabriel is sabotaging us financially just as he tried through his connections in The Order."Maya sighed heavily. "Do you have proof it's him pulling the strings?"Zane tossed the folder aside and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I don't need proof when I know his methods. He wants to crush Moretti Corp and he won't stop until he succeeds."Her eyes narrowed with steely resolve. "Then two can play at his game. If he aims to strangle us through our funds, we'll retaliate in kind."A trace of a smirk crossed Zane's stern features. "Spoken like a true p

The tension hanging over the room was palpable, with the weight of their impending choice bearing down on everyone. No turning back now—every action going forward could fortify their authority or shatter it completely.Maya placed her glass down deliberately against the polished table, her keen green eyes locking onto Zane’s. “If we’re moving ahead, it has to be flawless. No errors. No vulnerabilities.”Leaning in, Zane returned her gaze with calculated intensity glowing in his silver eyes. “I agree. We strike where they least anticipate financially, strategically. We take control before they realize what’s transpiring.”Sprawled casually in one of the leather chairs, Victor let out a low chuckle. “You two truly have a way of making corporate warfare sound sexier than shootouts.”Maya arched a brow. “Because it is.”Luca smirked from across the room. “I have to admit, witnessing this side of you, Maya, is unexpected. You appear to be genuinely enjoying the challenge.”Maya exhaled, cr