Jenny Winters, a shy 23-year-old artist, is pushed into an arranged marriage with Adrian Sterling, a cold, calculating tycoon, to save her family's business. Despite their glaring contrasts, their relationship strengthens as they traverse high society's brutal world together. Jenny is torn between her allegiance to her stepfather, Samuel, and her burgeoning love for Adrian, all while learning terrible details about her mother's accident and Samuel's betrayal. As tensions mount, can Jenny and Adrian's marriage blossom into love, or will the weight of their pasts separate them? Will they discover the truth before it's too late?
View MoreJENNY 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.
JENNY POV"Goodbye!" said one of the guards as he led Julian and Samuel away through the door. Samuel, with great effort, rose to his feet. Fumes of anger and humiliation filled his eyes, yet he was aware that he had lost, and the game was over.A bright cacophony erupted in the room as the reality of the matter sank into everyone's minds. Rage and humiliation burnt on Samuel's face, and tears welled up in Julian's eyes as he was being escorted in handcuffs.His grip on my wrist got tighter, and Adrian beamed, "It's over," with satisfaction etching his voice.The feeling of vindication washed over me; Julian was getting what he deserved. The board director came forward, stealing the attention from every corner."Esteemed ladies and gentlemen, the evidence presented today has shown the grave betrayal of trust. Samuel and Julian have brought dishonor to our organization, and they shall bear the consequences of their utter treachery."Silence engulfed the room once again, and the focus d
JENNY POVI stood beside Adrian, my heart racing in excitement as he ended his proposal to the crowd. He seemed to sense the moment's emotion as a lovely smile replaced the tension in his face."Now, I'd like to introduce the person who has played a pivotal role in finding out the truth regarding Samuel and Julian's deception: my wife, Jenny."The audience was utterly still, all eyes on me as Adrian took my hand and brought me to the stage. At that moment, I was stun-not sure how to react. Wife? He never mentioned it in public before.As I scanned the room, my gaze fell upon Samuel, who besides busy whispering into his brother's ears, seemed confused as he and Julian were not connected the minute before nor even knew what happened.Adrian spoke through the mic, "And now, I have something to say." The whole room held its collective breath as some kind of climatic twist was about to unravel.I gazed at him. Then Adrian began to speak, and with it, of course, my eyes were there to see h
JENNY POV"Oh my God, what do we do now, baby?" I asked Adrian almost inaudibly, it slipped out like a keenly uttered prayer, with panic and doubt glittering in my eyes as I held his gaze."I don't know, darling," he replied in soft tones, one of the soothing voices hanging on the air like an aura, "just go baby, up to the hostess, tell her you want to give your proposal," I suggested and almost rushed through the words. Adrian's eyes narrowed, contemplating my reply like a puzzle piece that reluctantly fit."Okay, are you sure it helps?" he asked skeptically. I bobbed my head for yes as if it were attached to a buoy on a swell. "Yes, go ahead, just do it before the government officials reach the stage," I added with an urgency intensifying by the moment.Another "ok", and now Adrian was striding up to the proscenium, his long legs devouring distance like a ravenous giant. The bouncers tried to intercept him, massive and intense in stature, arms like offending barricades blocking his
JENNY POV"Why are you telling us to get out?" I asked Samuel, the confusion and hint of annoyance in my voice, like a puzzle yet to be solved. The words hung heavy in the atmosphere, as it felt like a challenge, a gauntlet thrown down; Samuel's expression also seemed to morph from an unfriendly smile to something threatening."Haha, don't start proving to me that Superwoman is here now, or we shall have to black-list your company's name," Samuel said in an exaggeratedly sarcastic manner, as if the words were reverberating within the throat of an anaconda. The words slapped, a tight comment that narrowed my eyes a bit, like a detective going over some clues."Julian, even you?" Adrian grumbled, disappointment intertwining with mock fury at his friend's betrayal, the barometer of the soul hinting at stormy weather far off. It also appeared as if they hung in the air, a question mark, a puzzle to be solved.The voice of Adrian cleaved through the air, sharp and piercing as a surgeon's s
I had my drawing pad clutched up against my chest, its corners digging into my ribs, as I shouldered my bag of art supplies. The house was too quiet. My bedroom door creaked softly when I opened it, and I hesitated, holding my breath. When no one stirred, I exhaled and slipped out, stepping carefully down the big staircase. My socked feet were silent, but every creak of the old wooden railing was very loud in the quiet.And then I got down there, and I heard his voice—deep, firm, and familiar. Samuel. My stepfather."I don't want to hear excuses. Just finish it," he bellowed. His voice carried from the dining room, off the walls. I peeked around the corner at him, phone to his ear as he paced back and forth. His suit was perfect, just the light from the chandelier gleaming off his cufflinks. He looked very irritated.I was hoping he wouldn't notice me; I grabbed my bag and tried to make a run for the kitchen, but just like always, I was out of luck. My bag hit the corner of one of the...
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