DavinaI sucked in a deep breath as I studied his face. He looked conflicted as if he was considering his choice of words. “A stranger?” He finally spoke up. “Is that how you see me?” I could feel the hurt resonating from his slightly shaken voice. I took a deep breath. How could I possibly make him understand without shattering his feelings further? “See Alex,” I began, softening my tone. “You guided me back here and helped me reunite with my family and frankly speaking, I appreciate that a ton..but it really just stops at that. You are not my family.”“But I'm a friend..” “We can be classified as friends” I cut him off. “We are childhood friends,” he said emphatically. “Yes. We were childhood friends from when I was five” “Exactly” I sighed in frustration. Why was he not getting this? Is it so difficult to understand?“Listen Alex. We were friends, correct but when I was five. I've been gone for over 20 years. You can't expect us to just become buddies again. You reunite me
Davina. I went stiff and tried racking my brain for an answer that wouldn't be suspicious. Oh God. What do I tell her? “Stasha…” Mother's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. “Yes, Mom,” her eyes gave a questioning look. “Oh, Mom. It's nothing at all”“Are you hiding things?” I could sense the hurt in her voice. I was definitely hiding things, a lot of things but I couldn't tell her that. It might break this fragile bond we're trying to build. “It's nothing, mom. It's just a plan to deal with the stubborn directors” I replied, coming up with a false idea. “Oh. I heard they kicked against your appointment.”“Yes, Mom. They are not very pleased with me, especially not after I got one of them charged and made the other lose his job”“You did nothing wrong, dear. They are simply facing the consequences of their actions. **I know, Mom. I know I did nothing wrong” I was definitely not wrong for bringing that girl King defiled justice. I was not wrong to expose his money laundering c
Davina pov Sitting in the restaurant with my family and my husband's family, I couldn't help but notice one person who had made it her life's mission to make my existence miserable—Courtney, my sister.Courtney had finished her education and had now returned.My husband, Sebastian, and my sister were eating and laughing, discussing things as if it were their first date, while I sat there, feeling like a third wheel—even though it was supposed to be a family dinner. I sat across the table, watching the scene unfold as I gently rubbed my small belly, which held the unborn child I had recently discovered I was carrying. This was supposed to be a family gathering, but as usual, I felt like an outsider. None of them even noticed that I wasn't eating, as they were all too busy listening to whatever it was Courtney was saying to my husband. I watched Sebastian gaze at Courtney with so much longing as she passed him the salad bowl. His first love had returned, and I was left
Davina Courtney stood up to make her announcement, and the room fell silent as everyone waited for her to speak. "So, I just want to share with you all... I'm two weeks pregnant," she said, a smile spreading across her face. Everyone’s mouths dropped open, and confused glances were exchanged as they tried to process her words. "Then who is the father of the child?" I asked, breaking the silence in a mix of curiosity and disbelief. Courtney smiled before answering. "Sebastian is the father." My eyes widened in shock at her statement. "What?!" I exclaimed, standing up in disbelief as I tried to process what I had just heard. Everyone turned to look at me—Sebastian remained silent, and Courtney wore a smug smirk. “Davina, sit down. You’re embarrassing us,” my mother hissed, glancing nervously around the restaurant. All eyes were on our table now. I turned to her, fuming. “I’m embarrassing you? Not your whore of a daughter, who slept with my hu
Davina’s povI sat in the cold, dimly lit cell, replaying the events at the restaurant in my mind. How had it come to this? Ending up in jail was the last thing I ever expected. Why did the woman I once called "Mother" hate me so much? The question burned in my mind as I leaned back against the wall, letting the memories drag me to a time when I was just a child. ---I was in a grand living room, the kind of place you’d see in magazines. My eyes wandered over the ornate furniture and glimmering chandelier, but none of it felt familiar. In truth, nothing did—not the house, not the people, not even myself. All I remembered was waking up in a hospital bed with a man and a woman watching me nervously. Now, here I was in their home, sipping on a juice box the woman had handed me. “Hey, sweetheart,” she said gently, her voice warm but cautious. She watched me as if I might break at any moment. “Hi,” I mumbled, taking another sip. “Do you remember anything? What happened to you?”
Davina's POVI blinked in confusion, staring up at the guard. A lawyer? My pulse quickened. I wasn’t expecting anyone—certainly not so soon. Slowly, I stood, my boots echoing against the concrete floor as I followed him out of the murky cell block. As we stepped into the hallway, my gaze landed on a young man in a sharp navy suit. He stood tall, exuding quiet confidence. His dark eyes locked on mine, and he offered a faint but reassuring smile. “Mrs. Campbell?” he asked, his voice calm and steady. I nodded, too stunned to speak. “I’m Cole Daniels,” he said, extending a hand. “Your lawyer.” I hesitated before shaking it. His grip was firm, his hand warm against my freezing skin. “Who… who called you?” I managed, my voice unsteady. He gestured for me to follow him down the corridor. “Your assistant, Jane. She’s worried about you and thought I could help.” Jane. A wave of emotion surged through me, tightening my throat. Despite everything, she still believed in me. I no
I stood there, my wrist still tingling from Sebastian’s grip, my pulse hammering in my ears. The station buzzed around me, officers moving back and forth, their voices blending into a meaningless hum. I had taken my phone and called Cole's number immediately to come take me away from here. For Jane to trust him, he was the only person I could trust at this moment. I should have felt relief. I was free. But instead, my stomach churned with fury. Sebastian wanted me to sit through that meeting like nothing had happened? Like he hadn’t just thrown our marriage away and humiliated me? Like his family hadn’t tried to bury me? Who the fuck does that? And he even had the effrontery to threaten me? I clenched my fists, "No. He doesn’t get to decide how I walk away from this." I turned toward the exit, and made my way out. The moment I stepped outside, the evening air hit my soul and it felt like I'd been in that cell for decades. A black car was parked a
I drove into Sebastian's estate that evening, my fingers gripping the steering wheel with more force than necessary. I was fuming and I believe I could pluck his eyes out of the socket if he were near me at this moment. My mind raced with questions, my heart beating erratically in my chest. What else did he want from me? I just got out of jail, I should be resting. The wrought-iron gates opened slowly, groaning as if protesting my presence. I hated how familiar it all was, how the sight of it still evoked a mixture of nostalgia and resentment. This is where I had lived for three years and now, I feel like a stranger. As I pulled into the circular driveway and parked my car, exhaustion settled over me like a heavy cloak. I exhaled sharply, rubbing my temples before stepping out of the vehicle. I looked around. No one was in sight. That was rather odd. The air was still, eerily so. A prickle of unease crept up my spine. I prayed that neither Courtney nor my
Davina. I went stiff and tried racking my brain for an answer that wouldn't be suspicious. Oh God. What do I tell her? “Stasha…” Mother's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. “Yes, Mom,” her eyes gave a questioning look. “Oh, Mom. It's nothing at all”“Are you hiding things?” I could sense the hurt in her voice. I was definitely hiding things, a lot of things but I couldn't tell her that. It might break this fragile bond we're trying to build. “It's nothing, mom. It's just a plan to deal with the stubborn directors” I replied, coming up with a false idea. “Oh. I heard they kicked against your appointment.”“Yes, Mom. They are not very pleased with me, especially not after I got one of them charged and made the other lose his job”“You did nothing wrong, dear. They are simply facing the consequences of their actions. **I know, Mom. I know I did nothing wrong” I was definitely not wrong for bringing that girl King defiled justice. I was not wrong to expose his money laundering c
DavinaI sucked in a deep breath as I studied his face. He looked conflicted as if he was considering his choice of words. “A stranger?” He finally spoke up. “Is that how you see me?” I could feel the hurt resonating from his slightly shaken voice. I took a deep breath. How could I possibly make him understand without shattering his feelings further? “See Alex,” I began, softening my tone. “You guided me back here and helped me reunite with my family and frankly speaking, I appreciate that a ton..but it really just stops at that. You are not my family.”“But I'm a friend..” “We can be classified as friends” I cut him off. “We are childhood friends,” he said emphatically. “Yes. We were childhood friends from when I was five” “Exactly” I sighed in frustration. Why was he not getting this? Is it so difficult to understand?“Listen Alex. We were friends, correct but when I was five. I've been gone for over 20 years. You can't expect us to just become buddies again. You reunite me
DavinaThe night passed by slowly as I rolled repeatedly in bed. My mind replayed the dining scene, I had lost my chance again. Why was Alex back here? I tossed and turned and didn't know when I finally drifted to sleep. I woke up early the next morning and decided to prepare for work right away. I have the directors to take of today. Tracing my hand through my belly, I greeted my baby a good morning mentally reminding myself of the need to see a doctor soon. My mind replayed the disappointment of not being able to tell my truth to mother and father yesterday all because Alex was around. I was ready to tell my family the truth but not outsiders. I took a deep breath while settling in my blazer. Walking down the stairs to go to breakfast, I silently anticipated my day at the office. I walked down the stairs slowly. I entered the dining room and greeted them. “Good morning”. My mom greeted me back with her sweet voice while my father just nodded. I plopped into my chair, serving d
DavinaI entered the meeting room, Tim trailing behind me. I sat at the head of the table while Tim laid the documents in front of me. “Shall we?” Silence. Nobody said anything, they all stared at me blankly. “Hello?? Is this how you guys operate here? I need people working under me to be active and agile. Now shall we?” There was a shift in atmosphere as they all shuffled in their seats. Linda stood up to present the budget. “Why is so much money going to operations?” I questioned, leaning in my seat. “Do you even understand or you're asking because you want to say something?” Linda said with a poker face. “Fifty percent of the budget should go to works and payment of employees so why is 40 percent going to operations?” I asked again. They were all stunned, surprised I knew anything about it. The meeting was tense from start till end. By the time the meeting ended, I was able to ascertain my authority over them. “I am the boss. I call the shots” I made my last statement
DavinaI woke up very early the next morning. It was the D-day. Today, I become Stasha Charez fully. No more hidden identities, just who I actually am. I took my bath and went into the walk-in closet.I went to the row of clothes mom had gotten for me when I first arrived, all seemed off then but now I understand why she got me corporate outfits. She was preparing for the day I finally stepped into my position as the heir to the Charez empire. I blindly picked a suit but returned it immediately. I can't wear fitted outfits, my baby bump will be noticed. After much deliberation, I settled for a pantsuit and a blazer to match. Using light make-up, I hid my stressed face behind the look of a polished lady boss. My mind conflicted on what to expect. Will they be soft on me or throw challenges my way or be outrightly mean. Well I had no way of knowing unless I got there. Taking a deep breath, I stepped out of my room. It was time to be Stasha. Break went by smoothly, not as w
Davina The table was filled with laughter and the air was celebratory.A celebration. Of me.The thought made something tighten in my chest. I had spent so long fighting, proving, maneuvering in shadows where warmth did not exist. I was being acknowledged as a daughter, as a family not as a pawn. I chewed slowly thinking of how to bring up the discussion. How to tell them the life as I lived as Davina Stewart. How I was a plaything for the people I called family, how I was discarded by my husband when he got tired of me. I wished to rid myself of the burden inmy chest. But looking at them now—at my mother feeding my father a bite of his food, at the way his usually stern face softened with amusement—I faltered.I had never seen my father laugh before.The sound was warm to the ears. I watched my mother teased, and watched respond with a smile. Since I came I have never seen them like this. It felt as if the wound they carried was healing up. Perhaps I completed them. They must ha
DavinaA knock pulled from the depth of sleep. Still dazed, I refused to open my eyes but the knock came again. “Who is it?” I screamed without getting up. “Martha ma'am”It was a maid. “What do you want?” I called out again. “It's past dinner time ma'am and the sir and madam have been waiting” I sprang up from the bed and checked the clock for the time. It really was past dinner time. “Tell them I'll be there” The footsteps retreated and I forced myself to get up from the bed. Still sleepy, I dragged my feets across the room and caught my reflection in the mirror. God I look disheveled. I decided to take a quick shower to keep clean and wash the remaining sleep from my eyes. I sharply took a shower and entered the walk-in closet to pick out an outfit. Settling for a loose chiffon gown, I wore it immediately. As I buttoned up, my eyes wandered around the room. I met my own gaze in the floor to ceiling mirror. I paused.I look different than I had been months ago. My eyes c
DavinaThe ride home was quiet but pleasant. My eyes followed the trail of the city as I breathed the fresh clean air. My first task was done-with a bang. Father sat beside, his eyes on his phone,but the atmosphere was less tense that other times I've been around him. I folded my hand neatly in my palms as my memory replayed what just happened. I took care of King and got rid of Christine and Smith.Father exhaled, his voice breaking the silence. “You handled today well.”The words were simple, but coming from him, they carried weight.I turned my head slightly, studying his profile. His face was unreadable but softer. “Thanks Father ” I said, dropping my gaze to my hands. “I had to do it” He hummed in approval. “But now, things will get even more serious and complicated. People now know you're a Charez and your first line of action was getting rid of a director that has seethed his roots deep in the company. Some people will like you, most won't” He added slowly. The car stoppe
DavinaThe weekend passed in a blur of quiet moments and restless anticipation.With Mom and Dad away on a trip and Alex absent- to my relief, the house had been eerily silent. I welcomed the solitude, using it to sharpen my thoughts, to plan every step of what was to come.Monday arrived with an unshakable energy buzzing beneath my skin. Today was the day. Today, Lawrence King would finally get what was coming to him.I arrived at the office before dawn, stepping into the stillness of the empty building. The fluorescent lights overhead flickered to life, humming softly as I made my way to my desk. The scent of freshly brewed coffee from the break room lingered in the air, mingling with the crispness of the morning.I sat, fingers drumming against the polished wood, my mind whirring as I waited. The anticipation curled around me, coiling tighter with every passing minute.Slowly, the office began to stir. Employees trickled in, their footsteps echoing in the quiet space, their murmure