LOGINShare
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Last Updated:
2025-04-09 05:38:58
Related chapters
A Whole New World CHAPTER SIXTEEN
ESSENCE When I woke up the next morning, I sat up in bed and stared around the room that once felt familiar but now felt like a cage. I had made up my mind, but the heaviness in my chest reminded me of the uncertainty that lay ahead. I was about to step into a new chapter of my life..... alone. But first, I had to figure out where to go. Returning to my family was out of the question; they’d made it clear I was no longer welcome after the choices I made. I couldn’t go crawling back to them now, not when our relationship was practically non-existent. And my friends? As grateful as I was for their help, I didn’t want to be a burden. They had already gone out of their way to help me restart my career. Asking them for a roof over my head would just feel like asking too much. I needed to stand on my own two feet, no matter how shaky those feet felt. I picked up my phone and checked my bank account. I stared at the screen for a long time, hoping the numbers would somehow change. The
Last Updated : 2025-04-10A Whole New World CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
ESSENCE I sat in my car for a while longer, staring at the signed divorce document in my hand. It still felt surreal. Me. Divorced. I never imagined this day would come—not when I had fought so hard to hold onto a marriage that was already lost. After grieving the years, the energy, the loyalty and love I had invested...all now gone....I finally pulled myself together and drove to a car dealership. My car, a silver 2014 Toyota Corolla, wasn’t anything fancy, but it had been mine. My first real investment after starting work. It had carried me through job interviews, late-night food runs, and emotional breakdowns in traffic. But right now, emotions wouldn’t pay rent. I needed cash. The dealer barely gave me a second glance before quoting a price that was way below its worth. I didn’t argue. Desperate people don’t negotiate—they accept. I left the shop with just a little over three thousand dollars, knowing I’d been cheated, but grateful I had something to start with. I got in
Last Updated : 2025-04-11A Whole New World CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
LUCIAN I sat behind my desk, staring at the photo of Essence on my phone. My jaw clenched as I fought back the wave of guilt rising in my chest. I blamed myself for the state she was in. If only I had come back sooner, she wouldn’t have ended up with that sorry excuse for a man. His viral sex tape confirmed what I had always known—Essence deserved better. In the past, I took a step back. I could tell she was happy and I told myself that it was enough for me. Until one night at a party few years ago, I saw her husband laughing too comfortably with another woman. There was no mistaking their intimacy. They were clearly more than friends. I did a bit of digging and confirmed what I feared—they were having an affair. It pained me to my marrow. The woman who meant more than the world to me was being treated like trash. How could I let that be? Still, the decision wasn't mine to make. Essence was an adult, and had to decide for herself what was best for her. I had someone watch her ea
Last Updated : 2025-04-12A Whole New World CHAPTER NINETEEN
ESSENCE I stared at Lucian like he had lost his mind. There he was, down on one knee at the entrance of my dusty little apartment, holding out a 24-carat gold ring like this was some royal engagement and not a scene straight out of one of my stress-induced dreams. I stood there like a complete mess, hair stuck to my forehead, eyes swollen from crying, and holding a mopstick in one hand like a poor man’s version of Cinderella. And he.... Lucian Knight.... the country’s most desired bachelor, was proposing marriage. “Please marry me, Essence. I’ve waited for you my whole life.” I blinked repeatedly. My lips parted, but I had no words. My throat dried up like sandpaper. And the only thing I managed to say, with my voice barely above a whisper, was... “Are you trying to joke with me too?” He shook his head, calm and composed like I hadn’t just accused him of playing a prank. “No games, Essence. I’m serious.” I took a deep breath and stepped back, hugging the mop closer t
Last Updated : 2025-04-14A Whole New World CHAPTER TWENTY
ESSENCE Lucian was right.... I wasn’t a bad person. But how could he possibly know that just from a glance? A few conversations? What kind of superpower was that? Heart-sensing X-ray vision? He must have seen the confusion in my eyes because he leaned forward and said, “I forgot to add something important. I also believe this... us... it's fate. You know—how we met three times in a row?” I tilted my head slightly. “Yeah... about that. How the hell were we in the same places at the same time?” His lips curved into a knowing smile. “First time we met, I was trying out that gym for the first time. It belongs to a friend, and I went at an odd hour to avoid attention. I don’t usually go there… and I wasn’t expecting to bump into anyone.” He looked amused now, like the memory actually made his day. “Then the second time—Lovers Hill. You know it’s a big chain, right? I have shares in it. Never really visited, but I decided to drop by that day and check things out.” I nodded slowl
Last Updated : 2025-04-15A Whole New World CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
LUCIAN I nodded slowly, watching Essence, the corners of my lips lifting with a calm sort of confidence. “Yeah… we’ll get married today. And after that, you’ll move in with me.” She blinked at me like she hadn't quite heard me right. Her eyes darted across the modest living room, then at the barely-painted walls and the single bulb flickering dimly above us. I could see the disbelief building behind her gaze like a slow storm. “Isn’t that too fast?” she asked, her voice soft but uncertain. “Look around… I just moved in here after my divorce. I haven’t even unpacked my toothbrush.” I followed her gaze, allowing myself a second to take in the full scope of her new environment. The place was small. Cramped. The faint smell of dampness lingered stubbornly in the air. The walls were bare, and the curtain swayed gently beside a broken window frame. And yet, she had chosen this space to start over—this fragile little box of peace she’d carved for herself in a world that had been so u
Last Updated : 2025-04-15A Whole New World CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
LUCIAN "That is completely ridiculous, baby. You absolutely can't think that way." I said softly, watching Essence pout as she shifted in her seat. "Food is important, and I think your body is more than okay. You're beautiful, Essence. I have a gym at home. If you're worried about your weight, we’ll work out together. But please stop worrying. You look absolutely perfect." She blinked at me, her eyes searching mine for something.....maybe doubt, maybe sincerity. But then she went quiet, lips pressed together in contemplation. A few minutes later, I pulled into a quiet restaurant parking lot. She looked around, confused. "Why are we stopping?" "For a quick late brunch," I replied, already unbuckling my seatbelt. "You haven’t eaten all day." The small smile she gave me was the kind that slipped past her guard. The kind that made my chest tighten. Inside, I’d already made arrangements. A private booth had been prepared, and within minutes, servers began to fill the table
Last Updated : 2025-04-15A Whole New World CHAPTER ONE
ESSENCE I sat quietly in the corner, watching everyone eat, drink, and laugh like it was the happiest day of their lives. Well, it probably was. Everyone’s life but mine. They looked right through me, as if I didn’t exist. Which was ironic, considering I was supposed to be the co-star of the show. It was my tenth wedding anniversary, for goodness’ sake. Ten years married to Alex Watson, yet here I was, the invisible woman at my own celebration. But not Remi Vanguard. Oh no, Remi was impossible to miss. She was the star of the evening. She floated around like she owned the place… like she owned my husband. Alex couldn’t take his eyes off her, and neither could half the people here. Including my nine-year-old son, Asher, who seemed to think she was some kind of goddess sent from heaven to grace us with her presence. I looked at the party I had spent weeks planning. The decorations, the flowers, the cake I nearly lost my eyebrows baking in the middle of the night because the ca
Last Updated : 2025-03-14
Latest chapter
A Whole New World CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
LUCIAN "That is completely ridiculous, baby. You absolutely can't think that way." I said softly, watching Essence pout as she shifted in her seat. "Food is important, and I think your body is more than okay. You're beautiful, Essence. I have a gym at home. If you're worried about your weight, we’ll work out together. But please stop worrying. You look absolutely perfect." She blinked at me, her eyes searching mine for something.....maybe doubt, maybe sincerity. But then she went quiet, lips pressed together in contemplation. A few minutes later, I pulled into a quiet restaurant parking lot. She looked around, confused. "Why are we stopping?" "For a quick late brunch," I replied, already unbuckling my seatbelt. "You haven’t eaten all day." The small smile she gave me was the kind that slipped past her guard. The kind that made my chest tighten. Inside, I’d already made arrangements. A private booth had been prepared, and within minutes, servers began to fill the table
A Whole New World CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
LUCIAN I nodded slowly, watching Essence, the corners of my lips lifting with a calm sort of confidence. “Yeah… we’ll get married today. And after that, you’ll move in with me.” She blinked at me like she hadn't quite heard me right. Her eyes darted across the modest living room, then at the barely-painted walls and the single bulb flickering dimly above us. I could see the disbelief building behind her gaze like a slow storm. “Isn’t that too fast?” she asked, her voice soft but uncertain. “Look around… I just moved in here after my divorce. I haven’t even unpacked my toothbrush.” I followed her gaze, allowing myself a second to take in the full scope of her new environment. The place was small. Cramped. The faint smell of dampness lingered stubbornly in the air. The walls were bare, and the curtain swayed gently beside a broken window frame. And yet, she had chosen this space to start over—this fragile little box of peace she’d carved for herself in a world that had been so u
A Whole New World CHAPTER TWENTY
ESSENCE Lucian was right.... I wasn’t a bad person. But how could he possibly know that just from a glance? A few conversations? What kind of superpower was that? Heart-sensing X-ray vision? He must have seen the confusion in my eyes because he leaned forward and said, “I forgot to add something important. I also believe this... us... it's fate. You know—how we met three times in a row?” I tilted my head slightly. “Yeah... about that. How the hell were we in the same places at the same time?” His lips curved into a knowing smile. “First time we met, I was trying out that gym for the first time. It belongs to a friend, and I went at an odd hour to avoid attention. I don’t usually go there… and I wasn’t expecting to bump into anyone.” He looked amused now, like the memory actually made his day. “Then the second time—Lovers Hill. You know it’s a big chain, right? I have shares in it. Never really visited, but I decided to drop by that day and check things out.” I nodded slowl
A Whole New World CHAPTER NINETEEN
ESSENCE I stared at Lucian like he had lost his mind. There he was, down on one knee at the entrance of my dusty little apartment, holding out a 24-carat gold ring like this was some royal engagement and not a scene straight out of one of my stress-induced dreams. I stood there like a complete mess, hair stuck to my forehead, eyes swollen from crying, and holding a mopstick in one hand like a poor man’s version of Cinderella. And he.... Lucian Knight.... the country’s most desired bachelor, was proposing marriage. “Please marry me, Essence. I’ve waited for you my whole life.” I blinked repeatedly. My lips parted, but I had no words. My throat dried up like sandpaper. And the only thing I managed to say, with my voice barely above a whisper, was... “Are you trying to joke with me too?” He shook his head, calm and composed like I hadn’t just accused him of playing a prank. “No games, Essence. I’m serious.” I took a deep breath and stepped back, hugging the mop closer t
A Whole New World CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
LUCIAN I sat behind my desk, staring at the photo of Essence on my phone. My jaw clenched as I fought back the wave of guilt rising in my chest. I blamed myself for the state she was in. If only I had come back sooner, she wouldn’t have ended up with that sorry excuse for a man. His viral sex tape confirmed what I had always known—Essence deserved better. In the past, I took a step back. I could tell she was happy and I told myself that it was enough for me. Until one night at a party few years ago, I saw her husband laughing too comfortably with another woman. There was no mistaking their intimacy. They were clearly more than friends. I did a bit of digging and confirmed what I feared—they were having an affair. It pained me to my marrow. The woman who meant more than the world to me was being treated like trash. How could I let that be? Still, the decision wasn't mine to make. Essence was an adult, and had to decide for herself what was best for her. I had someone watch her ea
A Whole New World CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
ESSENCE I sat in my car for a while longer, staring at the signed divorce document in my hand. It still felt surreal. Me. Divorced. I never imagined this day would come—not when I had fought so hard to hold onto a marriage that was already lost. After grieving the years, the energy, the loyalty and love I had invested...all now gone....I finally pulled myself together and drove to a car dealership. My car, a silver 2014 Toyota Corolla, wasn’t anything fancy, but it had been mine. My first real investment after starting work. It had carried me through job interviews, late-night food runs, and emotional breakdowns in traffic. But right now, emotions wouldn’t pay rent. I needed cash. The dealer barely gave me a second glance before quoting a price that was way below its worth. I didn’t argue. Desperate people don’t negotiate—they accept. I left the shop with just a little over three thousand dollars, knowing I’d been cheated, but grateful I had something to start with. I got in
A Whole New World CHAPTER SIXTEEN
ESSENCE When I woke up the next morning, I sat up in bed and stared around the room that once felt familiar but now felt like a cage. I had made up my mind, but the heaviness in my chest reminded me of the uncertainty that lay ahead. I was about to step into a new chapter of my life..... alone. But first, I had to figure out where to go. Returning to my family was out of the question; they’d made it clear I was no longer welcome after the choices I made. I couldn’t go crawling back to them now, not when our relationship was practically non-existent. And my friends? As grateful as I was for their help, I didn’t want to be a burden. They had already gone out of their way to help me restart my career. Asking them for a roof over my head would just feel like asking too much. I needed to stand on my own two feet, no matter how shaky those feet felt. I picked up my phone and checked my bank account. I stared at the screen for a long time, hoping the numbers would somehow change. The
A Whole New World CHAPTER FIFTEEN
ESSENCE Remi got up at this point and came to stand close to Alex, a smug look of triumph dancing across her face. A bandage was wrapped around her head too, as though she was the one injured. I could have laughed. “And who exactly will kneel and apologize to me for my own injury?” I asked, eyeing them. Vesper and Asher stood too and joined the drama. “Stop pretending!” Vesper snapped. “We all know that bandage on your head is fake. Kneel down and apologize to Remi now while we’re still being nice.” I scoffed and folded my arms. “And if I don’t? What’s going to happen? You and your brother going to try and jump me?” I chuckled bitterly. “A cripple I once helped out of pity is now trying to bite the hand that fed him? Interesting. Should I remind you what would’ve happened if I hadn’t wasted my hard-earned money to get an ungrateful man like you to walk again?” Alex blinked at me like I’d just slapped him across the face. Well, not yet. “You dare!” Vesper screamed and rai
A Whole New World CHAPTER FOURTEEN
ESSENCE Hailey led me back into the room. The moment Sky saw my condition, she got up and exclaimed, "What happened!" "Please, get the doctor," Hailey quickly told her. Thirty minutes later, the doctor wrapped a piece of bandage around my head and said, "You have to be careful, Mrs. Watson." I nodded. "I will. Thank you, doctor." After he left, Hailey held my hand and asked, "Do you want to talk about it?" "Talk about what?" Sky asked, her brows raised. Hailey sighed. "Well... um... her husband was..." "I'll talk about it some other time," I cut in quickly. "My head is aching right now and my mind is all over the place." "What exactly happened, guys!" Sky exclaimed. "Stop keeping me in the dark, people!" "We saw Lucian," Hailey revealed. Sky furrowed her brows. "And who the hell is that?" "Lucian Knight!" Hailey exclaimed. "Hello... richest billionaire in the country? Hot and sexy? And oh—he knows Essy. Not just 'hi, hello' kind of know, but 'take my jacket, let me cradle
