After the ordeal with Jamie, I finally made it back to the house, my mind reeling as I tried to make sense of the warnings she had given me. I had to tell Andrei. I had promised to tell him everything, even though he sounded a little upset over the phone at my stubbornness earlier in the day. “It's either I'm put in charge of Carter Industries, or I walk.” Liam's voice rang out. Stunned by his outburst, I stood frozen in place, unable to move as he continued, "I've poured my heart and soul into this company for years, and I'll be damned if I let some outsider come in and reap the benefits of all my hard work." “Fine” Andrei retorted, "That’s the door. Walk away. Walk out of my life, and don’t you dare come back.” “But Carter Industries needs me. Without me, you're nothing but a two-bit huckster with a pretty face and a silver spoon up your ass. I make you look good, just like that whore you keep on your arm." “Keep deluding yourself. You think you're indispensable, but t
Baffled, I blurted out my confusion, "Why did Edna leave so suddenly?” “She thinks it’s high time we start having babies,” Andrei answered with a teasing lilt to his voice.And in that moment, he was offering me his hand, as if expecting me to take it. I was half tempted to slap it away.“Isn't that something we both want to have on our to-do list?” He smiles at me and I take his hand.It feels warm and inviting, and before I know it, I'm nestled comfortably on his lap. I forced my gaze away from Andrei's body and turned to look at him. He was gazing at me with a smile so bright. I felt my cheeks flush pink and my hands dropped to my lap, fiddling nervously with my fingers.“Last couple of days have been off the hook,” I reflected, glancing towards him. The events of yesterday alone were more than enough for a single day: It has been a wild ride to say the least.”“Yes, it's been quite an eventful few days,” Andrei murmured, his hands gently settling on my waist as I sat sideways on
Carter industries' launching new technology and revamping their e-commerce platform. Andrei's planned a commemoration and his celebratory mood is the last thing I want to mess up, but what I saw last night was seriously weird. I'm freaked out by the idea that Eva might want to harm me. The memory of her standing at my doorway still unsettles me. It's giving me major chills just thinking about it. “What's wrong, Brielle?” Andrei rolls into my bedroom, his face etched with concern. “Not sure what to wear?” My gaze flickers to the wardrobe, filled with a luxurious array of high-end clothing. I inwardly curse myself, realizing that I hadn't even thought about what to wear for the event. “This will be our first official public appearance as a couple. You need to get ready.” Andrei moves to the wardrobe, a determined look on his face. “Come on, seriously we need to find something for you," he urges, already sifting through the bountiful selection of outfits. I watch him with a m
“Three hours already?” I mutter, glancing at my watch before berating myself with a mental eye roll. 'Chill out Brielle. Not every little thing is a conspiracy. Quit being so paranoid.' I try to convince myself that Eva is just messing with my head. Yeah, she is manipulative, but that doesn't mean she's going to pull something crazy in the next few hours I turn my attention the flurry of handshakes, polite smiles, and forced small talk, but the sense of unease refuses to abate, and I'm glancing over my shoulder, trying to catch a glimpse of Eva amidst the crowd. Her threats linger in my mind, 'Just stop being paranoid, Brielle!' I reprimand myself, trying to shake off the mounting dread. 'Get it together, or tell Andrei what a demon Eva is and that's setting you on edge.' With guests filtering out of the hall, I scan the room for any trace of Eva, but she remains absent. Andrei and I take pictures with associates, his grin shining through behind that mask. He's so obviously
The car's headlights are still on, glaring right at us. Andrei, who's supposed to be confined to a wheelchair, turns to face the headlights with a look that could kill. I turn my head to see who is behind the wheel, and the answer is all too clear: it's Eva. She's gripping the steering wheel tight, her eyes wide with shock. Andrei rises to his feet, a single-minded determination in his eyes as he storms towards the car. With one swift motion, he yanks open the driver's side door, revealing a petrified Eva behind the wheel. She's frozen in fear, her eyes darting between Andrei's furious glare and the two perfectly formed limbs supporting his towering frame. I shift my weight, propping myself up on my elbows, my own disbelief mirrored in the shock on Eva's face. It's impossible, yet undeniable—the man we thought was confined to a wheelchair is standing before us, whole, broken. Eva finally steps out of the car, her movements stiff and awkward, her eyes never leaving Andrei'
Eva just keeps on butting in, trying to act all concerned and meddling like she doesn't have anything to do with the mess we're in. “It's good to see you've made such a miraculous recovery, Andrei.” “I don't wanna talk to you right now, Eva. Not after what you pulled back there…" Andrei snaps. “Everything that happened was an accident. I never intended for it…" She begins, trying to justify her reckless driving, but Andrei isn't having it. He briskly ushers me into the front seat of his car, shutting the door firmly behind me. Through the side mirror, I can still see them, their mouths moving in a frenzied back-and-forth. Eva is clearly trying to explain herself, but Andrei looks like he's not buying a word of it. It's a relentless back-and-forth. Andrei is in such a hurry to get away that you'd think the ground beneath him was on fire. Eva tries to keep up, matching his pace as they argue, she won't let go, determined to get her point across even as Andrei continues
Brielle's POV It takes a moment for me to work up the nerve, but eventually, I find the words. “How did the miracle happen?” “It wasn't a miracle. I worked for it… I put in the time, the effort, the pain, I pushed my body beyond what it thought it could do, and I walked again…" My eyes wander, drawn to the source of my confusion and doubt. They land on Andrei's legs, and I think to myself, 'How the hell did he manage to do all that PT without me knowing,' “Don't gawk like that. It's distracting.” Andrei snaps. He keeps his eyes trained on the road, the muscles in his jaw clenched as if he's biting back a harsher response. I get the message loud and clear, and I quickly shift my gaze away. I take a deep breath, the air in the car suddenly feeling stifling as I struggle to find the right words. “It's… um, it's really amazing, Mr. Carter… It's hard to believe that you were confined to a wheelchair just a few months ago, and now… now you're walking.” “Thought I clarified it, M
Brielle's POV It's Andrei's turn to laugh, and he's just daring me to come at him. “I cheated on you? Really? You don't believe a thing I say, do you? What's the real issue here, Brielle?” “You hurt my feelings, Andrei Carter. By impregnating your ex-girlfriend, you've shown that you don't respect me or our union, so let's put an end to this." "Thick as a brick, stubborn as a mule... those traits really suit you, Ms. Monroe. I've tried to get through to you, to explain myself, but you're as deaf as a stone to reason. You'd rather cling to your misconceptions than actually try to understand." “Understand what, exactly?” I retort, my voice rising with frustration. “You're telling me that I'm supposed to believe you didn't sleep with your ex when she's claiming you did? Am I supposed to accept that this baby just appeared out of thin air? Like some divine intervention or something_" “I never slept with Eva,” Andrei grits out, his jaw tightening with each word, "Not once, not ev
Andrei's POV. For so long, I've wanted to do this. I've fantasized about it, daydreamed about it. And now, finally, it's happening. One punch, that's all it's gonna take. One swift, sweet punch to wipe the smugness off Liam's face for good.He's got this air about him, this arrogance that's just begging to be shattered. And I'm the one who's gonna do it. I'm gonna knock him off that pedestal he's been sitting on for far too long. The policemen are clueless, and I seize the moment. I cock my fist back, and throw a hard one, fueled by months of bottled-up frustration, months of gritting my teeth and playing nice. Now, finally, I get to let it all out. And I'm far from done. I cock my arm back, ready to unleash another brutal blow, but the cops intervene just in time, pulling me off Liam. I'm prepared to face the music. A fine, a slap on the wrist — it's a small price to pay for taking care of Liam. I'd do it again in a second. They toss him into the back seat of the squad car, a
Brielle's POV The autumn wind howls outside, but it's nothing compared to the ache within me… “Honey, here's a blanket,” Mom whispers, as she wraps the soft material around my shoulders. I accept it gratefully and pull it blanket tight around me, tucking my hands into its folds to stave off the chill. “You're not getting off the hook that easy, Brielle, If you don't eat, I won't either. We're in this together, you and me. You're not gonna starve yourself while I sit here eating a sandwich.” The food on the table stares back at me, “I'm not hungry, Mom,” I insist, my voice brittle. "I couldn't eat even if I tried." Mom's face crumples a little, her eyes speaking the words her lips won't. “Bri, I know this is hard. How long are you gonna keep crying over this? It's been two days since you got back home, and you haven't stopped,” her hands are gentle as she wipes the tears from my cheeks. "Did Andrei break your heart, or did he stomp on it?" I shake my head, "It's not lik
Brielle's POV. Just as my tears are about to spill, I catch a flicker of something in Andrei's eyes- a struggle. His voice is low, strained, like he's forcing the words out, “My apologies if my words caused you any distress. If leaving is what you truly desire, then by all means, please feel free to walk away." Andrei's "apology" is nothing short of infuriating. He speaks as if he's doing me a favor, offering me the gracious opportunity to leave. It's like he's treating this breakup like a casual conversation, not the unraveling of a relationship that I thought was solid. And I'm trying so hard to mask my pain, but His words really cut deep — the idea that he thinks I only care about his money is just really difficult to deal with. I'm literally dying inside right now. How could they all think that? I never cared about the money. It wasn't even on my radar. But Mom thinks I'm some kind of money-grubbing opportunist, and now even Andrei… Maybe they're right. Maybe I'm just a cha
Brielle's POV.The muscles in his jaw flex as he grinds his teeth, his deep brown eyes flashing with anger. Yet, in their depths, a spark of vulnerability flickers, hinting at a pain that goes beyond mere fury.“You're really going to cut and run? Just wake up one morning and decide you're done? No discussion, no compromise. Just… gone. You always do this, Brielle, don't you? You do whatever you want, whenever you want, and to hell with everyone else.”I shake my head firmly, my voice trembling with conviction. “That's not true, Andrei. I'm just doing what needs to be done.”“What needs to be done? Yeah. Leaving me, walking out on our agreement, that's what needs to be done_”He runs his fingers through his hair, pacing back and forth as he struggles to contain his emotions. “How… why would you even consider leaving me like this? I don't understand. Have I wronged you in some way?”My heart shatters further, the words barely a whisper, “You haven't wronged me, Andrei. Not really. Exce
Brielle's POV.Mom thinks she's saving me, but from what? Love? Happiness? The Carter's imperfect chaos?Her words are stuck in my head, and I'm freaking out, doubts eating away at my trust in Andrei. Fear's got me in a chokehold.I'm torn between loving him and listening to her warnings. What if she's right? What if the Carters are hiding something?Why did she have to say that? Why now? Just when I thought I'd found my happiness.The Carters may have their skeletons, but they've got heart. Helen and Edna are the ultimate package deal — love, laughs, and culinary mastery.I recall their frantic prep for my wedding: 'Don't trip!' 'Smile!' Now, they're my quirky family. They've been sweet and reassuring since day one. What's not to love?I reminisce about my whirlwind wedding to Andrei. One night, rescue; next day, 'I do.' But those two lovely ladies made me feel like I'd known them forever.And that initial nervousness was forgotten. Marrying a stranger, coping with his wheelchair-b
Brielle's POV Ivy's gaze pierces mine, and I feel my cheeks flush. “You, of all people, handling company finances? You can't even manage your own expenses.” I cringe inwardly. Why do I always bring my emotional luggage – and a side of financial chaos – to her perfectly organized life? “Marketing, Brielle. That's your expertise. Not accounting. What possessed you to take on that role?” I squirm under her scrutiny, shame washing over me. Andrei's offer had seemed like a vote of confidence, a sign that he trusted me. But now, I realize my ignorance. “Andrei suggested it,” I admit. Ivy's expression turns stern. “And you didn't question it? Didn't think twice about taking on a responsibility that's so far out of your league?” I shake my head, feeling a mix of embarrassment and defensiveness. “You have to tell Andrei or if things go south, it's gonna be on you. Or have you told him?” I wince, the weight of responsibility crushing me. Ivy's right, I have to tell Andrei. But how do
Brielle's POV I glance towards the entrance, and my heart skips a beat as Andrei stands there, his presence a welcome relief. Finally, he's home. But my attention quickly shifts to the unsettling scene unfolding before me. Helen's behavior is erratic, and I'm lost. She's been ranting about bad omens and curses, things that need to be “cleansed.” I exchange a bewildered glance with Andrei, his expression mirroring my confusion. I thought I knew Helen, but this superstitious side of her is unfamiliar. And who is this elderly man she's brought along? His presence only adds to the chaos. Andrei's face darkens, his eyes narrowing as he takes in the scene. He looks like he's about to explode. “Oh, Andrei, thank goodness you're here! We need your help to chase away the evil spirits…" Helen motions for him to follow. He keeps his eyes trained on me, gritting his teeth… Well, don't stare at me like that... “The Oracle's here,” she announces. “He traveled 120 miles just to get here.
Andrei's POV I stand by the window of my office, gazing out at the city skyline. The bustling streets below seem to stretch on forever. My thoughts are lost in the urban landscape when Sarah's soft voice breaks the silence. “Sir, package just arrived.” I turn, and there's Sarah with this gorgeous bunch of roses. Thick, velvety petals in deep red and pink Sarah's cheeks flush as she places the flowers on my desk. “They're pretty. Meant for your wife, I presume? Who else deserves these three dozen beauties?” A smirk plays on my lips, my gaze drifting to the bouquet, “You think Brielle would love this?” “I think she'll love them. They're beautiful.” However, Someone else is getting lucky today, I hand Sarah the roses. “Stick these in the car, would you? I'm done for the day.'” *** I arrive at the hospital around 3 pm, just before visiting hours end. Standing in Jamie's doorway, I take in the serene scene. She sits upright, clutching a teddy bear to her chest, eyes fixed on the
Andrei's POV. Whoever shot at wife better start praying to whatever god they believe in, 'cause they're gonna need all the divine intervention they can get once I get my hands on them. The estate's on high alert. I've reinforced the perimeter, stationed extra men around and sealed off all exits. Brielle's staying put, no arguments. I know she can be stubborn, but I won't budge. She'll remain safe at home while my team and I tackle this Ivy situation, no matter how deadly it gets.However, the latest update has my gut twisting. The location's been rigged with explosives. It's absolute chaos unlike anything I've ever witnessed. Events unfold at breakneck speed, but nothing could've prepared me for this. Paul and the explosives expert assured me they'd defuse the bomb, but now I'm gripped by doubt, “How long until extraction?” I ask, eyes fixed on the road ahead. Paul's voice crackles through the earpiece, “Three minutes, tops. We're still working on disabling the security feeds.