Gabriel’s POVAfter Lorenzo left me at the restaurant, I didn’t get up right away. I just sat there, staring blankly at the table, replaying his words over and over in my mind.“Who could I have offended?”One name rose unbidden from the depths of my thoughts—Emmanuella. She was the only one who made sense. Our recent days together had felt like walking through fire. Her trust in me had burned away, piece by painful piece, and she’d taken drastic steps to counter my motive of leaving her and make me a prisoner in our marriage.Was this her way of getting back at me?Even so, we’re still married. If I don’t secure this investment, it will impact us both. Could she really be that indifferent? Or maybe she had money stashed away somewhere and wasn’t the least bit worried about my struggles?“Would you like anything, sir?” A waiter’s voice cut through my spiraling thoughts. I looked up at her, jolted back to reality. I knew the unspoken rules—if I wanted to linger here, even just a few m
Gabriel’s POVWhile headed home, I tried to steady my thoughts. Frustration gnawed at me, but one thing was clear—I couldn’t risk showing up without the bag her ladyship at home demanded.I turned into a fashion store, the bright lights doing nothing to ease the weight pressing on my chest like a boulder chained to my soul, dragging me deeper into the abyss of my own despair.“Can I help you?” the salesperson asked, their smile overly practiced.“I need a designer bag,” I replied curtly.“This one costs 10 grand, sir,” they said, holding up a sleek, branded piece.My stomach churned. Ten thousand dollars—for a bag. I’d already scoured the entire store, and this was the cheapest option that fit the profile. There was no escaping it.“I’ll take it,” I said, the words tasting bitter in my mouth.“Okay, sir. Please hold on while we pack it for you.”Less than a minute later, the bag was handed to me, encased in luxury wrapping. The guilt didn’t wait—it hit as I stepped out of the store. T
Emmanuella’s POVOne thing was clear: a cheating husband who got caught deserved no happiness—not even in his own home. And as much as I intended to keep Gabriel in this marriage, no matter what, he didn’t deserve to enjoy it.When he returned from the business trip where he had gone to close a deal, his expression said it all. He had lost.I already knew. Before his arrival, I’d seen the news about Rebecca’s company partnering with a certain Lorenzo Fabrizio. I didn’t know who Lorenzo was, but I’d bet my life it had something to do with Gabriel.He stumbled through the door, dropping his briefcase carelessly near the entrance. His tie was loosened, his shirt wrinkled, and his steps heavy. He extended a luxurious package toward me—a gift—the one I had asked him to buy for me.“Here,” he muttered, his voice flat.I took the box, my lips curling into a small smile as I opened it. Inside was a delicate designer bag studded with diamonds. I examined it closely, twisting it under the light.
Rebecca’s POV Natasha had been glued to her laptop all night. Even now, the early morning sun was peeking through the blinds, casting streaks of light across the room, but her focus hadn’t wavered. Meanwhile, I was just climbing out of bed, the lingering haze of a perfect night still wrapping around me. Last night was a resounding success. The press conference had gone flawlessly, the stage was impeccable, and the partnership with Lorenzo was splashed across every major news outlet. It was all designed for one purpose: to rattle Gabriel. I could almost picture him now—sitting alone in that cold, hollow house, watching the news that painted me as unstoppable. I couldn’t help but scoff at the thought. He deserved every ounce of despair coming his way. Dragging myself to the power room, I was greeted by Natasha’s sharp voice. “You need to see this,” she said, handing me a hot cup of coffee. Curiosity piqued, I settled into the chair across from her, adjusting my silk robe as
Gabriel’s POVAt 6:45 p.m., I adjusted my tie in the mirror one last time. My suit was immaculate, tailored to perfection, and ideal for the evening. Tonight’s meeting with Chris would be a turning point for my company. I couldn’t afford to be late, nor could I afford to lose this deal.The drive to Disco Nightlife from my home was only thirteen minutes, which meant I’d arrive two minutes early. Timing was everything in business. Arrive too early, and you look desperate. Arrive late, and you seem unprofessional. Either way, you’d lose respect and, often, the deal itself.To avoid being seen as overeager, I spent the two extra minutes outside, pretending to admire the establishment. Neon lights glowed faintly in the dusk, and the rhythmic pulse of music seeped through the walls. Couples and groups of friends walked past, laughing as they entered the venue. Despite the lively energy around me, the weight of my company’s struggles pressed heavily on my shoulders. This wasn’t just a meeti
Gabriel’s POV Stepping outside the club, I decided to confirm with Emmanuella just to be sure she wasn’t the one who made me lose my partnership with Lorenzo. “Hello,” I said on the phone as soon as the call connected. “What?” she blurted back. “Did you have anything to do with me losing my contract with Lorenzo Fabrizio?” I asked straight to the point. “Listen dear, though you are a f**ker who attempted to leave me in this marriage. I hate you for that but I won’t sabotage the contract you ought to secure so that you can take care of me to the level I want. Now get off my phone.” Emmanuella said that she hung up the call on me at once because of this. Hearing from her, though she sounded harsh and all of that, I know for sure that she couldn’t be the one. It felt odd to even think she was the one, knowing fully well that all she cared about his getting her lifestyle sponsored. Definitely, she wanted me to secure the contract and the only person smiling on the TV was Rebecca.
Rebecca’s POVThe moment I stepped out of the Disco Nightlife, I didn’t leave immediately. Instead, I stayed back, hidden in the shadows, eager to see Gabriel’s expression when he realized there was no way to turn things around. The person he’d planned to make his brand ambassador was now mine, and there was no way for him to buy his loyalty.I smirked. About twenty minutes later, Gabriel emerged from the nightlife. His shoulders slumped, his face a mask of defeat. He looked lost, drowning in his thoughts.I watched him walk to his car, his movements heavy with frustration. First, he kicked his tires and screamed, his voice echoing in the quiet night. Then, as if in a fit of rage, he slammed his fists against the car’s bonnet, like it was his opponent in a boxing ring.“F**k!” he yelled, the raw frustration of a man unraveling before my eyes.Money can make or break a man. When he has it and spends it freely, he feels powerful, feeding his ego. But when the money stops flowing and all
Rebecca’s POV The first light of morning felt so refreshing when you knew that you had done something to put the one who used to put your heart at peril for something he might never recover from. But there was still a possibility that he recovered and I was about to make it more certain that he never did. I was about to make his life worse than it already was. I’d taken my elegant bath, and my makeup artists had perfectly styled me to look like the noble lady I was. Now, Natasha was with me, and we were about to do something new. “What do you think about this?” Natasha showed me her screen and I pondered staring at a building for a while. This was a fashion store adjacent to Moretti shoes on one of the popular landmarks in our city. The fashion store was said to have filed for bankruptcy because Moretti Shoes sent it out of business over a decade ago. Ever since then, their sales plummeted largely to the extent that they did not have any more sales, not even one unit sale in the
Rebecca’s POV The first light of morning felt so refreshing when you knew that you had done something to put the one who used to put your heart at peril for something he might never recover from. But there was still a possibility that he recovered and I was about to make it more certain that he never did. I was about to make his life worse than it already was. I’d taken my elegant bath, and my makeup artists had perfectly styled me to look like the noble lady I was. Now, Natasha was with me, and we were about to do something new. “What do you think about this?” Natasha showed me her screen and I pondered staring at a building for a while. This was a fashion store adjacent to Moretti shoes on one of the popular landmarks in our city. The fashion store was said to have filed for bankruptcy because Moretti Shoes sent it out of business over a decade ago. Ever since then, their sales plummeted largely to the extent that they did not have any more sales, not even one unit sale in the
Rebecca’s POVThe moment I stepped out of the Disco Nightlife, I didn’t leave immediately. Instead, I stayed back, hidden in the shadows, eager to see Gabriel’s expression when he realized there was no way to turn things around. The person he’d planned to make his brand ambassador was now mine, and there was no way for him to buy his loyalty.I smirked. About twenty minutes later, Gabriel emerged from the nightlife. His shoulders slumped, his face a mask of defeat. He looked lost, drowning in his thoughts.I watched him walk to his car, his movements heavy with frustration. First, he kicked his tires and screamed, his voice echoing in the quiet night. Then, as if in a fit of rage, he slammed his fists against the car’s bonnet, like it was his opponent in a boxing ring.“F**k!” he yelled, the raw frustration of a man unraveling before my eyes.Money can make or break a man. When he has it and spends it freely, he feels powerful, feeding his ego. But when the money stops flowing and all
Gabriel’s POV Stepping outside the club, I decided to confirm with Emmanuella just to be sure she wasn’t the one who made me lose my partnership with Lorenzo. “Hello,” I said on the phone as soon as the call connected. “What?” she blurted back. “Did you have anything to do with me losing my contract with Lorenzo Fabrizio?” I asked straight to the point. “Listen dear, though you are a f**ker who attempted to leave me in this marriage. I hate you for that but I won’t sabotage the contract you ought to secure so that you can take care of me to the level I want. Now get off my phone.” Emmanuella said that she hung up the call on me at once because of this. Hearing from her, though she sounded harsh and all of that, I know for sure that she couldn’t be the one. It felt odd to even think she was the one, knowing fully well that all she cared about his getting her lifestyle sponsored. Definitely, she wanted me to secure the contract and the only person smiling on the TV was Rebecca.
Gabriel’s POVAt 6:45 p.m., I adjusted my tie in the mirror one last time. My suit was immaculate, tailored to perfection, and ideal for the evening. Tonight’s meeting with Chris would be a turning point for my company. I couldn’t afford to be late, nor could I afford to lose this deal.The drive to Disco Nightlife from my home was only thirteen minutes, which meant I’d arrive two minutes early. Timing was everything in business. Arrive too early, and you look desperate. Arrive late, and you seem unprofessional. Either way, you’d lose respect and, often, the deal itself.To avoid being seen as overeager, I spent the two extra minutes outside, pretending to admire the establishment. Neon lights glowed faintly in the dusk, and the rhythmic pulse of music seeped through the walls. Couples and groups of friends walked past, laughing as they entered the venue. Despite the lively energy around me, the weight of my company’s struggles pressed heavily on my shoulders. This wasn’t just a meeti
Rebecca’s POV Natasha had been glued to her laptop all night. Even now, the early morning sun was peeking through the blinds, casting streaks of light across the room, but her focus hadn’t wavered. Meanwhile, I was just climbing out of bed, the lingering haze of a perfect night still wrapping around me. Last night was a resounding success. The press conference had gone flawlessly, the stage was impeccable, and the partnership with Lorenzo was splashed across every major news outlet. It was all designed for one purpose: to rattle Gabriel. I could almost picture him now—sitting alone in that cold, hollow house, watching the news that painted me as unstoppable. I couldn’t help but scoff at the thought. He deserved every ounce of despair coming his way. Dragging myself to the power room, I was greeted by Natasha’s sharp voice. “You need to see this,” she said, handing me a hot cup of coffee. Curiosity piqued, I settled into the chair across from her, adjusting my silk robe as
Emmanuella’s POVOne thing was clear: a cheating husband who got caught deserved no happiness—not even in his own home. And as much as I intended to keep Gabriel in this marriage, no matter what, he didn’t deserve to enjoy it.When he returned from the business trip where he had gone to close a deal, his expression said it all. He had lost.I already knew. Before his arrival, I’d seen the news about Rebecca’s company partnering with a certain Lorenzo Fabrizio. I didn’t know who Lorenzo was, but I’d bet my life it had something to do with Gabriel.He stumbled through the door, dropping his briefcase carelessly near the entrance. His tie was loosened, his shirt wrinkled, and his steps heavy. He extended a luxurious package toward me—a gift—the one I had asked him to buy for me.“Here,” he muttered, his voice flat.I took the box, my lips curling into a small smile as I opened it. Inside was a delicate designer bag studded with diamonds. I examined it closely, twisting it under the light.
Gabriel’s POVWhile headed home, I tried to steady my thoughts. Frustration gnawed at me, but one thing was clear—I couldn’t risk showing up without the bag her ladyship at home demanded.I turned into a fashion store, the bright lights doing nothing to ease the weight pressing on my chest like a boulder chained to my soul, dragging me deeper into the abyss of my own despair.“Can I help you?” the salesperson asked, their smile overly practiced.“I need a designer bag,” I replied curtly.“This one costs 10 grand, sir,” they said, holding up a sleek, branded piece.My stomach churned. Ten thousand dollars—for a bag. I’d already scoured the entire store, and this was the cheapest option that fit the profile. There was no escaping it.“I’ll take it,” I said, the words tasting bitter in my mouth.“Okay, sir. Please hold on while we pack it for you.”Less than a minute later, the bag was handed to me, encased in luxury wrapping. The guilt didn’t wait—it hit as I stepped out of the store. T
Gabriel’s POVAfter Lorenzo left me at the restaurant, I didn’t get up right away. I just sat there, staring blankly at the table, replaying his words over and over in my mind.“Who could I have offended?”One name rose unbidden from the depths of my thoughts—Emmanuella. She was the only one who made sense. Our recent days together had felt like walking through fire. Her trust in me had burned away, piece by painful piece, and she’d taken drastic steps to counter my motive of leaving her and make me a prisoner in our marriage.Was this her way of getting back at me?Even so, we’re still married. If I don’t secure this investment, it will impact us both. Could she really be that indifferent? Or maybe she had money stashed away somewhere and wasn’t the least bit worried about my struggles?“Would you like anything, sir?” A waiter’s voice cut through my spiraling thoughts. I looked up at her, jolted back to reality. I knew the unspoken rules—if I wanted to linger here, even just a few m
Gabriel’s POVToday was the day I was meeting with the tycoon businessman Lorenzo Fabrizio, a man whom I have been chasing for years to invest in my business. Luckily for me, just at the delicate time when my business was suddenly going down the slope, my appointment with him was approved, and today was that day.Nevertheless, I was the unhappy soul amidst all of the things going on in my life. Business was not moving well, and Emmanuella was also a thorn in my flesh to the extent that she even knew my darkest secret.I wished she hadn’t known this. I wouldn’t have blocked Rebecca on all socials just to make sure she didn’t expose me.Honestly, I wouldn’t lie that sometimes it crossed my mind to take the bull by the horn, give it a try to hit and run at her, or to tackle this problem head-on in another sort of way. But I knew she’d be extra careful with me now.Each of my steps, she’d be four steps ahead, and there was nothing I could do until I saw her make a mistake. Then, I could s