~AdamAs my gaze shifted to Charlotte, a wave of emotion hit me, her presence heavy and unspoken in the room. She held our baby close, her arms protective, yet her silence spoke volumes. I turned back to Eleanor, her frail body lying motionless, her eyes filled with desperate determination. "Eleanor," I began, my voice shaking. "I... I can’t do this." Her hand gripped mine tighter, her strength surprising despite her weakened state. "Adam, please," she said, her voice trembling. "I don’t have much time left. I need to know our son will have a name, a family. He deserves that, even if I won’t be here." Her words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. Guilt clawed at me, and my chest tightened. I looked at her, her pale face lined with pain, her eyes pleading with me to understand. "Eleanor," I said softly, my voice cracking under the weight of my emotions. "I’m so sorry, but I can’t... I can’t do this to Charlotte. To us." Her lips quivered, tears filling her eyes. "I’m not
~Eleanor“Two days Earlier”The ceramic cup felt cool against my fingertips as I tapped it, trying to mask the irritation bubbling beneath the surface. The cafe was bustling with noise—chatter, the clinking of dishes, and the occasional burst of laughter. None of it could distract me. My eyes flicked to the clock on the wall. Late again. Typical of Edward. I considered leaving. I had half a mind to get up and storm out when the bell above the cafe door jingled. My head turned sharply, and there he was. Edward. He scanned the room, his gaze locking onto me almost immediately. He gave me that measured smile of his—the kind that made me want to slap it off his face—and strolled over like he owned the place. “Eleanor,” he said as he pulled out the chair across from me and settled in. “Sorry for keeping you waiting. Traffic was a nightmare.” I didn’t bother hiding my irritation. “Of course, it was. Let’s not waste time.” His eyebrow arched slightly, but he didn’t comment. Instead,
~Eleanor“Back to the Present day”The room was dimly lit, a single bedside lamp casting a warm glow over the space. I lay propped against the soft pillows, my hand resting on my stomach as I feigned exhaustion. Every breath was calculated—soft, shallow, and just enough to convince him I was struggling. I glanced toward the door, waiting. Adam had left a few minutes ago, his brows furrowed in concern, saying he wanted to get me some fruit. The look in his eyes as he gazed at me before leaving… it was pity. Exactly what I needed. My lips curled into a small, triumphant smile, but I quickly wiped it away as the door creaked open again. I adjusted my expression, letting my head fall to the side, and slowed my breathing. “Eleanor,” Adam’s voice called softly. I turned my head toward him, my movements slow and deliberate, as though it took every ounce of strength. “Adam,” I whispered, my voice trembling. He walked over to the bed and crouched beside me. His hand brushed mine, his
~CharlotteI sat in the garden, my fingers wrapped around the stem of my wine glass, the chilled liquid inside doing little to calm the storm in my chest. The roses Adam had planted bloomed in perfect harmony, their fragrance floating on the evening breeze, mocking the chaos of my life. Everything was crumbling, unraveling faster than I could contain. The love I had dreamed of, the future I had dared to imagine with Adam, was slipping through my fingers. His promises, his warmth—how had it come to this? Eleanor’s reappearance had shattered the delicate thread tethering us together. She wasn’t just back; she had returned with a purpose. And worse, she was winning. I swirled the wine in my glass, watching the crimson liquid catch the last rays of sunlight. The bitterness of it mirrored the bitterness in my soul. Her supposed dying wish to marry Adam was an insidious masterstroke. She knew exactly how to manipulate him, how to tug at the strings of his honor and responsibility. And A
~AdamI leaned forward, pushing the door open for Eleanor. She wobbled on her feet, the color drained from her face, and I reached out to steady her, my hands trembling despite my efforts to keep them steady. Her eyes, wide and glistening with a mix of exhaustion and pain, met mine. “Come on, dear,” I murmured, trying to keep my voice calm. The last thing she needed was me falling apart. My fingers brushed against her arm as I guided her out, her weight leaning heavily into me. The baby, safely cradled in Nan, her nanny's arms, shifted slightly, fussing at the movement. “I’m here,” I said, more to myself than to her, as I carefully eased her into the car. The leather seats creaked under her weight, the air inside the vehicle suddenly feeling suffocating. Eleanor looked up at me, a weak smile breaking across her pale lips. “Thank you, my love,” she whispered, her voice fragile, like the last echo of a song. A sharp pain flared in my chest at her words. I wasn’t expecting it, wa
~CharlotteI sat in my sleek red Lamborghini, gripping the steering wheel tightly. The engine hummed beneath me, ready to roar to life, but I couldn’t bring myself to move. My head rested against the leather seat, and my heart pounded in frustration. Just as I reached for the gear, I heard it—the sound of chaos erupting at the gates. My hands froze, and I glanced up toward the noise. Cameras flashed, voices shouted, and figures moved restlessly behind the iron bars. “Not again,” I muttered under my breath, rubbing my temples. Peering closer, I could make out the swarm of reporters. Ever since the news broke about Adam’s upcoming wedding to Eleanor, the press had been relentless. The world thought my marriage to Adam was real, that we were some power couple madly in love. They had no idea it was all fake—a contract designed to take revenge on both our exes, Dylan, and Eleanor . But now? Now Adam was marrying the same Eleanor. His ex. Who claims her child is Adam's. The headline
~CharlotteThe warm, easy conversation between Jasmine and me came to an abrupt halt as the faint sound of a voice caught my attention. I turned my head, tension winding up my spine. Someone was outside on the balcony, their voice low, urgent. The words were sharp, carrying a weight I couldn't ignore. “Yes, Eleanor. I have the results ready for tomorrow,” the man said, his voice clipped and serious. My breath caught as the name sank in. Eleanor. My hands clenched at my sides, and I took a deep, steadying breath. I knew this couldn’t be good.The man’s voice continued, but I was already leaning toward the hallway, straining to hear. “Once those fake DNA results are out in the press, Adam won’t have a choice. He’ll have to stay with you. That’s the only way to ensure everything stays in place.” A sudden heat rose in my chest, and I felt the world shift beneath me. My heart pounded, the blood rushing in my ears. And now he was caught in a trap so twisted it made my stomach turn.A shar
~CharlotteThe moment I got into my car, I slammed the door shut and gripped the steering wheel so tight my knuckles turned white. My heart pounded in my chest like a war drum, and my head was spinning with Edward’s words. Eleanor. That conniving, lying snake! Using fake illness and DNA results to trap Adam? She had crossed the line this time.“You think you’re smart, Eleanor,” I muttered under my breath, my voice shaking with rage. “But you’ve awoken the beast in me now.”I jammed the key into the ignition, and the engine roared to life. Slamming the gear into drive, I sped out of the driveway, my tires screeching against the pavement. The road stretched out ahead of me, bathed in the fading light of the setting sun. The trees blurred past as I pressed my foot down harder on the gas, the needle on the speedometer climbing higher and higher.The air whipped against the car windows, but it did little to cool the fire blazing inside me. I reached for my phone, my fingers trembling as I
~CharlotteThe sunlight filtered weakly through the heavy drapes in the living room, but its warmth was no comfort to me. I sat on the couch, surrounded by tissues and with my phone clutched tightly in my hand. My eyes burned from crying, and my body ached from sitting in the same spot all night. I hadn’t slept; I hadn’t eaten. All I had done was dial Adam’s number over and over, praying for him to pick up. Each time it rang, my heart leaped, only for it to sink again when it went to voicemail. I had even called Jacques, his assistant, hoping he might have heard from Adam. But Jacques had said he was in a meeting and couldn’t step out. His voice had been calm, almost indifferent, but I could hear the slight edge of concern in his tone when I told him what had happened. “He hasn’t called you?” I had asked, my voice breaking. “No, ma’am,” Jacques had replied. “I’m sure everything is fine. Mr. Adam knows how to handle himself.” But what if this time he hadn’t? My sobs echoed th
~CharlotteIt had been six months since Adam and I got married, and every day felt like a dream I never wanted to wake up from. Today was no different. We had just finished our antenatal appointment, and everything was perfect. The doctor said the baby was growing beautifully. Adam was practically glowing with pride as he helped me out of the hospital. As soon as we got into the car, I leaned back with a smile, resting my hand on my belly. “The baby’s kicking,” I whispered, my voice full of awe. Adam's head whipped around, his eyes lighting up. “Really? Let me feel!” I placed his hand on my stomach, and his face broke into the most beautiful smile. “Hey, little one,” he said, leaning down and pressing his ear to my belly. I laughed. “What are you doing, Adam?” “I’m talking to my child,” he said, completely serious, then added in a playful tone, “Hey, baby, it’s me, your daddy. I just want you to know I’m already your favorite parent. Right?” I burst out laughing, unable to
~CharlotteThe bathroom was quiet except for the sound of water dripping from the showerhead. I sat on the cold tiled floor, knees drawn to my chest, my damp hair sticking to my skin as tears streamed down my face. A week had passed since the wedding—a wedding I had dreamed about for so long. Marrying Adam for real was everything I had ever wanted. But now, I couldn’t find the happiness I had imagined. The silence between us was suffocating.I wiped my face, but the tears kept coming. Adam hadn’t spoken to me beyond basic pleasantries since we exchanged vows. And worst of all, I hadn’t been able to bring myself to explain everything to him, to ask for his forgiveness. The words seemed to get caught in my throat every time I tried. I cursed Dylan and Eleanor under my breath, the two people who had managed to turn my life into a living nightmare. Dylan had promised peace, but he turned out to be the same fool he’d always been, dragging me down with his selfishness and lies.The water ha
~AdamThe murmurs filled the reception hall like an annoying buzz in my ears. Everywhere I looked, guests whispered behind their hands, their eyes darting between me and the altar. I clenched my fists, trying to rein in the rage still simmering inside me. My mouth stung, and I could taste blood from where Dylan’s fist had connected earlier. But he’d gotten the worse end of the deal—no question about that. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Charlotte walking toward me, her hands wringing nervously. Her face was pale, her makeup smudged from tears. I knew she wanted to explain. Hell, I wanted answers too, but I wasn’t ready to hear her excuses. “Adam…” Her voice was soft, hesitant, and it grated on my already frayed nerves. I didn’t look at her. I pulled out my phone instead, dialing the head of my security team. “Get this chaos under control,” I barked into the phone, my tone leaving no room for argument. “Have Dylan and Eleanor removed immediately. Take them to the warehou
~CharlotteThe silence in the room was deafening as the words “I object” hung in the air. My heart pounded, the rhythm erratic and loud enough to drown out the collective gasps of the guests. Slowly, all eyes turned towards the man walking up the aisle. My breath hitched when I saw who it was.Dylan.I gasped audibly, my hand flying to my mouth. Adam’s eyes widened in shock as he turned to face the unwelcome interruption. The tension in the air was so thick, it felt like a physical weight pressing down on my chest.What was Dylan doing here? My mind raced as I tried to make sense of it. He was supposed to be on a flight to Spain for his business meeting. I had been so sure he was out of our lives for good, that we had found peace. But now, seeing him stride towards us with that smug smirk plastered on his face, I felt an icy dread seep into my veins.Adam and I exchanged a glance, his confusion mirroring my own. His jaw tightened as his grip on my hand faltered. The guests murmured am
~CharlotteThe golden rays of the morning sun filtered through the sheer curtains of my bedroom, bathing everything in a soft, warm glow. Today was the day—the day I would walk down the aisle and become Mrs. Adam Morgan. I stood in front of the mirror, gazing at my reflection with a mix of anticipation and nerves. My heart thudded in my chest, the enormity of the day washing over me. Jasmine stood beside me, her nimble fingers adjusting the intricate lace of my veil. “Charlotte,” she said softly, her voice full of emotion. “You’re a vision. I’ve never seen you look so beautiful.” I smiled at her through the mirror, my eyes glistening. “Thank you, Jasmine. It feels... surreal.” She chuckled. “It’s real, all right. In just a few hours, you’ll be married to the love of your life.” Her words sent a rush of warmth through me. “I just hope everything goes as planned.” Jasmine waved a dismissive hand. “Relax, everything is perfect. And Adam... well, let’s just say you’ve got a ma
~CharlotteThe evening before the wedding was bathed in golden light, the soft glow of fairy lights strung across the sprawling garden. The scent of freshly cut roses and lavender drifted on the warm summer breeze, blending with the quiet hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses. The rehearsal dinner party was in full swing, a gathering of family and friends united to celebrate Adam and me. I stood near the edge of the dance floor, champagne flute in hand, feeling a strange mix of excitement and nerves. My pale blue dress clung to my figure in all the right places, the fabric shimmering faintly under the soft lights. My hair was swept into an elegant updo, with a few loose curls framing my face. Jasmine, my best friend, had convinced me to go for a bold red lipstick, and though I’d been hesitant, I had to admit it made me feel… powerful. Adam was across the room, deep in conversation with his father, Albert. He looked as dashing as ever in his tailored navy suit, his tie sl
~CharlotteEverything felt like it was finally falling into place. For weeks, I’d been plagued by doubts, fears, and the gnawing anxiety that the secrets of my past would come crashing down around me. But now, as I stood in the warm kitchen, the soft light of the chandelier casting a golden glow across the counters, I allowed myself a rare moment of peace. Noah was gone. Dylan had made peace with me, and to my relief, he hadn’t brought up the night we spent together. That night was buried deep in the recesses of my mind, locked away with all the other mistakes I prayed Adam would never uncover. I leaned against the counter, stirring a pot of soup while the chef plated some appetizers nearby. The aroma of fresh herbs and roasted vegetables filled the air, soothing me further. Adam and I were set to marry in two days, and for the first time, I believed there was a real chance for happiness in our future. My lips curved into a small smile as I imagined walking down the aisle, Adam’
~DylanThe drive home was uneventful, but my thoughts were anything but calm. The night had gone surprisingly well until Noah showed up like a bad rash. I gripped the steering wheel tighter, the weight of the evening pressing down on me. The headlights of the car illuminated the long driveway as I pulled up to the mansion. The place was quiet, the kind of silence that came with late hours and everyone being asleep—or so I thought. As I stepped out of the car, stretching to shake off the stiffness of sitting too long, my eyes caught a faint glow in the distance. The guest house. I frowned. The light was still on. That bastard. I exhaled sharply through my nose, my anger bubbling just beneath the surface. Did he think I was joking when I told him to leave? I squared my shoulders and headed toward the guest house, the cool night air doing little to soothe my irritation. “Noah,” I muttered under my breath, my strides long and purposeful. “Of all the people Adam keeps around, it