Chapter 1 - Stepmother's Hatred

**Seventeen Years Ago**

Mr. Leo Adams married Mrs. Zoe Nelson, and she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl with sparkling brown eyes named Olima Adams. However, after Olima’s birth, Mrs. Zoe faced serious complications.

Heartbroken that she could not give her husband more children, Zoe wept, but Leo assured her that his love was an unshakable mountain—it would never change.

Two years later, Leo spoke to his wife about his intention to marry a second wife who could bear him more children, especially a son to inherit his properties and carry his name, rather than adopting a child since Olima was a girl.

Zoe, emotional and afraid of another woman entering her home and stealing her husband’s heart, turned to her best friend, Gina Edwards, and asked her to accept Leo’s proposal.

Zoe and Gina had been inseparable since high school, both growing up on the island where billionaire families resided. They remained close even after Zoe’s marriage.

Unbeknownst to Zoe, Gina secretly admired Leo, so when Zoe proposed the marriage, Gina eagerly accepted and moved into their white mansion.

But as soon as Gina arrived, she transformed like a sudden storm, quarreling with Zoe and demanding she vacate the master bedroom—since Zoe could no longer bear children, Gina insisted the room should belong to her and Leo.

Leo was stunned by Gina’s cruel metamorphosis. He threatened divorce the next day after she called Zoe a witch for refusing to leave the room.

Frightened, Gina softened, reverting to her former friendly self, and begged Zoe to plead on her behalf.

Leo declared to Gina, “How dare you enter my home and turn against your best friend? I regret marrying you, Gina. Tomorrow, Olima will inherit everything I own. Even if she marries and changes her surname, she will always be my daughter. Prepare to leave—our marriage is over!”

Gina, desperate, appealed to Zoe, who sighed, remembering she had brought Gina into this situation. Zoe persuaded Leo to relent, and Gina remained in the mansion, though in a separate room.

From that day forward, Gina’s friendship froze into silent hatred. She believed Zoe and Leo had conspired to humiliate her, flaunting their love like a perfect, painful portrait.

One day, Gina entered Zoe’s room and pleaded for a night with Leo, reminding her that bearing his children was her purpose.

That evening, Zoe urged Leo to spend the night with Gina. Reluctantly, he agreed, and they shared a single night together.

A month later, Gina’s jealousy festered as she saw that Leo’s love for Zoe burned brighter than ever. Instead of discarding Zoe, Leo avoided Gina, refusing even to eat her food—a deafening silence that pushed Gina into another quarrel.

Enraged, Leo brought home divorce papers, but Gina refused, announcing, “I’m pregnant.”

Unable to send her away while she carried his child, Leo allowed her to stay on one condition: she would live in the boys’ quarters, away from the main mansion, and never quarrel with Zoe again.

Gina agreed, having no other choice.

Eight months later, she gave birth to a baby girl, Mia Adams. But Leo never visited her again, abandoning hope for a son.

Fourteen years passed, and Gina’s hatred grew like a poisonous vine. In all those years, Leo had touched her only once—a bitter reminder of his regret.

Trapped by the scorn of her town and her parents’ disapproval, Gina knew she could not leave. Her heart, a frozen desert, plotted revenge.

She hired a truck driver to crash into Leo and Zoe’s car as they traveled to their daughters’ graduation—Olima from college and Mia to senior class. After the deadly deed, Gina silenced the driver forever.

Three months after the burial, Gina moved back into the main mansion, dismissed all the maids, and turned Olima into a servant, withdrawing her from school.

When family members came to discuss Leo’s wealth and oil company, Gina, now a brutal ruler, had them arrested and falsely accused of the murders. They bailed themselves out and signed agreements never to return.

Gina then summoned Leo’s lawyer to inquire about the will, recalling Leo’s vow that Olima would inherit everything.

Though she chose not to kill Olima—leaving Mia a companion—Gina made Olima her permanent maid, ensuring no one would come to her rescue.

The lawyer arrived and stated, “Mr. Leo’s will cannot be altered. It stipulates that the company be given to Olima Adams when she turns twenty-four.”

Furious, Gina dismissed him, already scheming to claim everything for herself and her daughter alone.