Audrey’s pov.The hours passed, and I tried to settle into the rhythm of the house. The housekeeper came by shortly after, showing me Amelia’s daily schedule. She went to school every weekday, followed by a few extracurricular activities, and then some quiet time before dinner. It was all neatly written out, and I was meant to follow it exactly.I wasn’t sure what to make of it. Every single detail was planned for Amelia, but it felt like she was being treated more like a project than a child.Still, I pushed my thoughts aside. I wasn’t here to question everything. I was here to help.Around three o'clock, the doorbell rang, and a housekeeper answered it. A few moments later, the sound of footsteps echoed through the hallway, and I turned to see Amelia enter the room.The moment her eyes landed on me, her face lit up.“Audrey!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. She bounded over to me, her tiny hands pulling at my sleeves as she smiled up at me. “You’re here!”I laughed
Audrey Taylor’s pov. Every night, I prayed for his return, but I never imagined he wouldn't recognize me and that he would bring another woman back. I had just managed to lay my tired body from working late at the office. The company was bleeding and I had been doing everything in my power to stop it from collapsing. But my peace was rudely destroyed by loud rapid knocking on my bedroom door. “Madam, you need to come downstairs!” Martha, the maid's voice rang. What was so urgent to disturb my rest before facing the cruel reality in a few hours’ time? I glanced at the alarm clock. “8 AM”? What could be up now? I stumbled out of bed, even though my body cried for rest. “What happened, Martha?” I moaned, pulling my nightwear around me as I opened the door. “It is Ms. Helen. She's arguing with the shareholders in the living room.” The shareholders? Damn. My mother-in-law. My head banged with a terrible headache from the abrupt disturbance. By the time I got to the living room,
Audrey povI stood there, my heart pounding so loud it drowned out the world. Harold didn’t look at me. He didn’t say my name. He just… walked past me with her.My legs felt weak, but before I could crumble completely, Simon stepped into the house. I found my voice, though it came out as a whisper. “Simon, what is going on?”He stammered, avoiding my gaze. "M-Mr. Harold... maybe he... he hasn't fully recovered his memory yet.""Recover his memory? What happened to Harold?"I asked anxiously.“He was in a car accident two years ago. They said something about amnesia. The doctors are not sure ……if he has regained his memory.”I closed my eyes, forcing myself to breathe. Harold didn’t know who I was. He didn’t remember our life together.The sound of my heart was deafening as I pushed the door open. Every step I took toward Harold felt like I was walking in a ditch.I didn’t know what I expected to find, but it wasn’t this. As I entered the room, I noticed Harold standing by the fire
Audrey povI stood in the foyer, my luggage by my side, ready to leave the house that no longer felt like mine.As I reached the staircase, Martha rushed toward me.“Ma’am, wait,” she pleaded, her voice trembling. She glanced nervously toward the living room, where Harold and Gina sat. “It has been weeks, and we still haven’t received our wages.”I paused, looking at her with an air of finality. “Your real boss is back. Go to him for your pay. Don't bother me anymore.”Her face fell, disappointment etched in her features. She hesitated, opening her mouth as if to argue.Without another word, she turned and walked over to Harold.I turned back toward the door, gripping the handle, when Harold’s voice stopped me cold.“Audrey,” he snapped, stepping into my path. A stack of papers was in his hand, his face tight with frustration. “Why haven’t you taken care of the wages?”I stared at him, disbelieving. “Me? Harold, you’ve been handling everything since you came back. Shouldn’t you know w
Audrey povI stared at Lisa, disbelief written all over my face. “Wait, you're saying the doctor who can fix my leg is now working for some billionaire and doesn't take other patients anymore?”Lisa nodded, her expression full of sympathy. “His name is Michell Garcia. My boyfriend overheard it at a cocktail party. Apparently, the guy's a recluse.”Just yesterday, I was excited that there might be a solution to my problem and now this?My heart sank, but I forced a weak smile. “Thanks for telling me, Lisa. I’ll figure something out.”I wasn’t about to give up.For a week, I had done everything I could think of to meet Michell Garcia. Every attempt ended in failure.Lisa’s boyfriend had warned me earlier. “He’s almost impossible to reach, Audrey. Even most elites can’t meet him unless they’ve got business worth billions.”But I couldn't afford to give up, not when there was hope.So, when every reasonable route failed, I took the most unreasonable one—I lied. I walked into his company’s
Audrey povWhen I opened the door and saw Michell Garcia standing there, I froze. My brain refused to register what my eyes were seeing. Was I dreaming? The infamous Michell Garcia.Before I could speak, Amelia darted past me, her voice bursting with excitement. “Daddy!” she cried out, throwing herself into his arms. Daddy? Michell’s expression softened for a split second as he caught her. Then his gaze shifted to me, hardening. “Care to explain what’s going on here?” His voice was damn smooth yet made my heart race. Michell’s eyes didn’t leave mine. His jaw tightened as if he expected me to speak. Before I could speak, his assistant, standing just behind him, chimed in. “Sir, we can’t rule out the possibility that she must have abducted Little Miss. But she's not smart enough,” the assistant said.My mouth fell open. “Are you serious? I saved her from being kidnapped.”Michell raised a hand, silencing us both. “Take her to the police,” he said curtly to his bodyguard. “
Audrey povLeaving Michell’s luxurious hotel, I felt a mix of gratitude and dread. Grateful I was able to see the doctor but also the cost. The cost was a hell much.I had no one to rely on, no immediate solution to my problems, and certainly no magic wand to make it all go away.I pulled out my phone and hesitated for a moment before dialing my mother’s number. The line rang twice before I hung up. Who was I kidding?She hadn’t spoken to me in years—not since I married Harold. She’d called my quitting dancing to follow love a mistake back then, and I’d stubbornly ignored her warnings.Now, fate cruelly stood waiting for me to digest the consequences of my choices.“Snap out of it,” I muttered under my breath, shaking my head.Later, I met with my lawyer, a kind but no-nonsense man—Greg. He didn’t sugarcoat anything.“Your ex-husband has hired one of the best lawyers in town, Ms. Taylor,” he said, adjusting his glasses.“He’s throwing money at this case to ensure he doesn’t have to p
Michell’s povI heard the raised voices from inside the hotel. At first, I tried to ignore it—nothing new, really. Guests were unpredictable, and emotions flared. But this was different. The sharpness of the tones, the obvious tension, grated on me. I didn’t appreciate noise in my space, especially at this hour. I was on my way to the elevator when the sound hit a peak I couldn’t ignore. I paused, narrowing my eyes. It was coming from outside, in the direction of the entrance. I couldn’t make out the words, but the argument was unmistakable. My footsteps slowed as I approached the door, and that’s when I saw them—Audrey and Mr. Thomas? I didn’t expect to see either of them here. Audrey, I assumed, had already left after our conversation. She had no reason to stay. As for Mr. Thomas, I had no particular interest in what he was doing outside my hotel at this hour, especially not if it involved causing a scene. I stepped outside without a word, taking in the scene with a quick, cal
Audrey’s pov.The hours passed, and I tried to settle into the rhythm of the house. The housekeeper came by shortly after, showing me Amelia’s daily schedule. She went to school every weekday, followed by a few extracurricular activities, and then some quiet time before dinner. It was all neatly written out, and I was meant to follow it exactly.I wasn’t sure what to make of it. Every single detail was planned for Amelia, but it felt like she was being treated more like a project than a child.Still, I pushed my thoughts aside. I wasn’t here to question everything. I was here to help.Around three o'clock, the doorbell rang, and a housekeeper answered it. A few moments later, the sound of footsteps echoed through the hallway, and I turned to see Amelia enter the room.The moment her eyes landed on me, her face lit up.“Audrey!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. She bounded over to me, her tiny hands pulling at my sleeves as she smiled up at me. “You’re here!”I laughed
Audrey povI let out a slow breath as I watched Mr. Garcia disappear back into the hotel. “You have an agreement. Figure your personal issues out elsewhere.” I swallowed hard, gripping my purse tighter. The sharp dismissal in his voice wasn’t surprising—he had made it clear from the start that he wasn’t interested in anything outside of business. Still, the way he had cut me off so coldly left a sting I hadn’t anticipated. With Harold already gone, his tail tucked between his legs, I was finally alone. Alone with my thoughts. And unfortunately, they all circled back to him. Harold. The man I had once loved. The man I had defiled all odds to be with. The man who, now, looking back, I wasn’t sure I had ever truly known. I sighed and started walking toward the bus stop, ignoring the way my legs ached from the long day. The city was alive around me—horns blaring, neon lights flickering, people bustling through the night like they had somewhere more important to be. Meanwh
Michell’s povI heard the raised voices from inside the hotel. At first, I tried to ignore it—nothing new, really. Guests were unpredictable, and emotions flared. But this was different. The sharpness of the tones, the obvious tension, grated on me. I didn’t appreciate noise in my space, especially at this hour. I was on my way to the elevator when the sound hit a peak I couldn’t ignore. I paused, narrowing my eyes. It was coming from outside, in the direction of the entrance. I couldn’t make out the words, but the argument was unmistakable. My footsteps slowed as I approached the door, and that’s when I saw them—Audrey and Mr. Thomas? I didn’t expect to see either of them here. Audrey, I assumed, had already left after our conversation. She had no reason to stay. As for Mr. Thomas, I had no particular interest in what he was doing outside my hotel at this hour, especially not if it involved causing a scene. I stepped outside without a word, taking in the scene with a quick, cal
Audrey povLeaving Michell’s luxurious hotel, I felt a mix of gratitude and dread. Grateful I was able to see the doctor but also the cost. The cost was a hell much.I had no one to rely on, no immediate solution to my problems, and certainly no magic wand to make it all go away.I pulled out my phone and hesitated for a moment before dialing my mother’s number. The line rang twice before I hung up. Who was I kidding?She hadn’t spoken to me in years—not since I married Harold. She’d called my quitting dancing to follow love a mistake back then, and I’d stubbornly ignored her warnings.Now, fate cruelly stood waiting for me to digest the consequences of my choices.“Snap out of it,” I muttered under my breath, shaking my head.Later, I met with my lawyer, a kind but no-nonsense man—Greg. He didn’t sugarcoat anything.“Your ex-husband has hired one of the best lawyers in town, Ms. Taylor,” he said, adjusting his glasses.“He’s throwing money at this case to ensure he doesn’t have to p
Audrey povWhen I opened the door and saw Michell Garcia standing there, I froze. My brain refused to register what my eyes were seeing. Was I dreaming? The infamous Michell Garcia.Before I could speak, Amelia darted past me, her voice bursting with excitement. “Daddy!” she cried out, throwing herself into his arms. Daddy? Michell’s expression softened for a split second as he caught her. Then his gaze shifted to me, hardening. “Care to explain what’s going on here?” His voice was damn smooth yet made my heart race. Michell’s eyes didn’t leave mine. His jaw tightened as if he expected me to speak. Before I could speak, his assistant, standing just behind him, chimed in. “Sir, we can’t rule out the possibility that she must have abducted Little Miss. But she's not smart enough,” the assistant said.My mouth fell open. “Are you serious? I saved her from being kidnapped.”Michell raised a hand, silencing us both. “Take her to the police,” he said curtly to his bodyguard. “
Audrey povI stared at Lisa, disbelief written all over my face. “Wait, you're saying the doctor who can fix my leg is now working for some billionaire and doesn't take other patients anymore?”Lisa nodded, her expression full of sympathy. “His name is Michell Garcia. My boyfriend overheard it at a cocktail party. Apparently, the guy's a recluse.”Just yesterday, I was excited that there might be a solution to my problem and now this?My heart sank, but I forced a weak smile. “Thanks for telling me, Lisa. I’ll figure something out.”I wasn’t about to give up.For a week, I had done everything I could think of to meet Michell Garcia. Every attempt ended in failure.Lisa’s boyfriend had warned me earlier. “He’s almost impossible to reach, Audrey. Even most elites can’t meet him unless they’ve got business worth billions.”But I couldn't afford to give up, not when there was hope.So, when every reasonable route failed, I took the most unreasonable one—I lied. I walked into his company’s
Audrey povI stood in the foyer, my luggage by my side, ready to leave the house that no longer felt like mine.As I reached the staircase, Martha rushed toward me.“Ma’am, wait,” she pleaded, her voice trembling. She glanced nervously toward the living room, where Harold and Gina sat. “It has been weeks, and we still haven’t received our wages.”I paused, looking at her with an air of finality. “Your real boss is back. Go to him for your pay. Don't bother me anymore.”Her face fell, disappointment etched in her features. She hesitated, opening her mouth as if to argue.Without another word, she turned and walked over to Harold.I turned back toward the door, gripping the handle, when Harold’s voice stopped me cold.“Audrey,” he snapped, stepping into my path. A stack of papers was in his hand, his face tight with frustration. “Why haven’t you taken care of the wages?”I stared at him, disbelieving. “Me? Harold, you’ve been handling everything since you came back. Shouldn’t you know w
Audrey povI stood there, my heart pounding so loud it drowned out the world. Harold didn’t look at me. He didn’t say my name. He just… walked past me with her.My legs felt weak, but before I could crumble completely, Simon stepped into the house. I found my voice, though it came out as a whisper. “Simon, what is going on?”He stammered, avoiding my gaze. "M-Mr. Harold... maybe he... he hasn't fully recovered his memory yet.""Recover his memory? What happened to Harold?"I asked anxiously.“He was in a car accident two years ago. They said something about amnesia. The doctors are not sure ……if he has regained his memory.”I closed my eyes, forcing myself to breathe. Harold didn’t know who I was. He didn’t remember our life together.The sound of my heart was deafening as I pushed the door open. Every step I took toward Harold felt like I was walking in a ditch.I didn’t know what I expected to find, but it wasn’t this. As I entered the room, I noticed Harold standing by the fire
Audrey Taylor’s pov. Every night, I prayed for his return, but I never imagined he wouldn't recognize me and that he would bring another woman back. I had just managed to lay my tired body from working late at the office. The company was bleeding and I had been doing everything in my power to stop it from collapsing. But my peace was rudely destroyed by loud rapid knocking on my bedroom door. “Madam, you need to come downstairs!” Martha, the maid's voice rang. What was so urgent to disturb my rest before facing the cruel reality in a few hours’ time? I glanced at the alarm clock. “8 AM”? What could be up now? I stumbled out of bed, even though my body cried for rest. “What happened, Martha?” I moaned, pulling my nightwear around me as I opened the door. “It is Ms. Helen. She's arguing with the shareholders in the living room.” The shareholders? Damn. My mother-in-law. My head banged with a terrible headache from the abrupt disturbance. By the time I got to the living room,