After running a long distance, Melissa’s feet buckled beneath her, tears streaking down her face. She crouched beside a row of trash cans in a small alley, her body trembling from both pain and anger. She didn’t want it to hurt. She understood what Eureka went through, seeing her husband cheat openly, but she never knew it would hurt so much. The voice of Cassandra moaning Jared’s name clouded her mind. It felt as though she was losing her sanity as she clamped her head, wailing. Her heart pounded loudly in her chest, drumming in her ears like an incessant beat.“Bloody bastard!” she yelled, punching a trash can with all her force. Her knuckles cracked as blood began to spill. She didn’t care. The pain in her heart was far worse than the throbbing in her hand. “I was a fool to think you loved me! Why does it have to be Cassandra of all the women in Beverly Hills? You don’t have taste, Jared. How can you share that tramp with your best friend?” She tossed her shoes aside, sat on the c
It has been two days since Melissa left Jared’s place. He has searched everywhere he could for her, yet nothing. Currently, he stood in the bar, repeatedly pouring himself a glass of whisky. His expression was downcast as he gulped the drink over and over again.“Why are you so unfortunate, Jared?” he thought. “Why do you have to be so stupid in the first place? You don’t know how to keep women, do you?”“Boss,” one of his servants called, appearing before him. He bore into her with his eyes, making her retreat.“Lunch is ready,” she notified him. He gave her the once-over without a word, then poured another glass of whisky.“Should I serve now?” she repeated.“Get lost, Juliet!” Jared snapped, startling the woman as she scurried away.“That was harsh,” came Cassandra’s intruding voice as she moved toward him. Her arm and face were strapped.“What’s this all about?” she asked with a sneer. “Why haven’t you been taking my calls or replying to my messages? Is that how you treat your wom
Melissa stepped into the living room from the kitchen, holding a cleaning rag to wipe the table. Charlie had many servants, as he had said, but Melissa insisted on helping with the household chores as her way of thanking him for being kind to her. Her tummy was protruding, and she feared Charlie would find out she was pregnant soon, so she wore baggy gowns to hide it.One day, she stepped on her long gown, stumbled, and nearly fell over.“I told you to wear normal clothes," he scolded her as he caught her.There was something about him that made Melissa's heart flutter, something she rarely felt around Jared. She felt safe and at peace with him.In the days she had spent in his house, he had been more than good to her. He treated her like a sister, and even the servants praised their boss for being a kind and wonderful man.“I wish I could marry him," joked one of the servants, a middle-aged woman, causing the others to laugh.“The boss is indeed handsome, but I’m not sure settling wi
“So, when were you going to tell me about it?” Charlie asked two days after Melissa was discharged from the hospital. She was seated on the bed, her head hanging low in sorrow. "How long did you plan to keep it from me?”"I don't know,” she replied with a shrug, looking up at him. "I'm tired of this life. Everything I do seems to go wrong. Why can't I be normal like everyone else? My mom wanted me to be a business administrator, to take over my father's company as CEO. She also wanted me to stop drinking and hanging out with my friends. My life got messier when I had to explain myself to everyone. I don’t want to keep answering questions about my life! Sometimes, I feel like I've lost something inside me. Just leave me alone!” she cried, tears brimming in her eyes as she jumped to her feet, trying to walk away."Come back here!” Charlie pulled her back onto the bed. “You don’t walk out on your elders, okay?" he scolded.“I don’t care. I just want to get out of your space. It's better
“Boss, you need to wake up. You’ll catch a cold sleeping here,” Melissa said to Charlie, who only stirred in response. "I wonder when you started drinking heavily like this. What am I going to do now? The others have gone to bed," she thought. “Boss, you need to pull yourself up," she said, grabbing his hand and trying to lift him. “I can’t carry you. Offer a helping hand." “I’m awake, Lisa. Let go," Charlie groaned, yanking his hand away from Melissa’s and forcing himself to his feet. “Stop acting like you care.” He turned to go upstairs, stumbling against the table and staggering back. He almost fell, but Melissa caught him from behind. With all his weight against her, she exhaled. “Let’s go to your room,” she said, leading him upstairs with his arm draped over her shoulders. “You don’t know what you did, do you?” he slurred in a drunken haze as Melissa practically dragged him along. “Watch your step,” she told him. It took over ten minutes for Melissa to lead Charlie to
As Charlie descended the stairs, his ginger-brown hair fell over his chiseled features, framing his bright hazel eyes that sparkled like morning dew. His confident strides exuded an almost divine aura.With each step, his entire being radiated effortless charm, as if he'd just emerged from a sunrise, his flawless complexion glowing with a warm, golden light that seemed to brighten the space around him.He was always a sight to behold, and no one underestimated his charm, but this morning was different. His smile was as radiant as sunlight, and his tone was soft as he called out to Melissa.His servants paused to stare at him, bewildered by their boss’s sudden transformation. He was never this cheerful, always waking up with a frown and responding to their greetings as though they were part of a bad dream.“Good morning, boss!" they chorused, curtsying slightly with their eyes fixed on the floor.“Good morning, ladies. How was your night?" he asked, his smile unwavering. They looked up
Melissa sat on her bed, folding her washed clothes while humming a song. She had decided to let her past go for the moment, focusing more on her role as a soon-to-be mother. She was trying to forgive herself for being so foolish over the years, for neglecting her mother’s teachings and ending up as a rebellious, spoiled daughter. If only she could turn back time, maybe she would have been working in her father's office, enjoying the luxury of being part of the De Leon legacy. No one is perfect, and she had learned her lesson the hard way. But for now, though living under someone else’s mercy, she had decided to be happy. She owed that to herself and her baby.“Baby, I’m sorry for making you go through all this, okay?” she said, caressing her tummy as she finished folding her clothes. “I promise to make you the happiest child alive, even without your daddy. Just know that Mommy loves you so much,” she smiled softly. Suddenly, she felt a gentle tap in her stomach and gasped, startled by
It was a beautiful Monday morning. The trees swayed gently in the breeze, as if greeting the start of a new day. The streets of Beverly Hills were calm yet vibrant, with polished cars gleaming under the sunlight. The aroma of fresh coffee lingered in the air from nearby cafes, mingling with the scent of blooming flowers in the gardens. The neighborhood exuded a peacefulness that felt almost dreamlike, as though everything was just a little too perfect.But this peace didn’t extend to Charlie’s home. The small household was awake early, seeing their boss off on a trip to New York City. Melissa had just walked him out, reminding him to be careful and to return soon. His car rolled out of the driveway, and Melissa smiled as though she had just won a Grammy award.“Don’t miss him too much; he’ll be back soon,” Ms. Martha teased as they walked back inside.“And why would I miss my boss?” Melissa shot back, glaring at her. “As long as my salary keeps coming, I’m fine.”“Says the woman wavin
The ballroom sparkled under the golden glow of chandeliers, buzzing with the voices of fashion elites, celebrities, and business tycoons. Glasses clinked, laughter rang out, and photographers darted through the crowd, capturing the grandeur of the night. At the far end of the hall, Kaiden stood near a floral backdrop, selfie stick in hand, adjusting the camera angle just right.“Yo, what’s up, guys! We’re live at my mom’s launch party!” he grinned, tilting his face to catch the best lighting. His Instagram flooded with comments almost immediately.“Looking sharp, Kaiden!”“Your mom is a legend!”“Show us the outfits!”Chuckling, he took a few selfies before refocusing on his audience. As he spoke, he didn’t notice the man approaching until a deep voice cut through the noise.“Excuse me.”Kaiden lowered his phone and turned. Standing before him was a tall man in an expensive, perfectly tailored suit. Golden-brown hair, piercing gray-blue eyes, a strong jawline. There was something oddl
The soft hum of a jazz playlist filled Raymond’s office, blending with the quiet tapping of his fingers against his desk. The floor-to-ceiling windows of his corporate tower overlooked the Los Angeles skyline, but his mind wasn’t on the view.His assistant, Logan, stood by the doorway, a tablet in his hand, shifting uneasily. Raymond barely glanced up. “If it’s about the board meeting, push it to tomorrow. I don’t have the patience for their nonsense today.”“It’s not about the meeting, sir,” Logan said, taking a step forward. “It’s about… Miss Bennett.”“And who the hell is Miss Bennett?” Raymond snapped. The past few days had been unbearable for him. He thought he had overcome his anger issues, but lately, everything was resurfacing. Small things irritated him, he snapped at everyone, and he preferred to be left alone. Coming to the office felt like a burden he had to endure daily. If the company weren’t his, he would have disappeared by now.“Have you lost yo
A black luxury car moved smoothly through the streets, but inside, Eureka sat stiffly, her fingers tightening around the cool leather seat. Los Angeles felt foreign and strange. She knew she had grown up here—at least, that’s what she had been told—but there was no warmth in the familiarity. No sense of belonging. She turned to the boy sitting beside her. Kaiden had his earbuds in, his sharp features illuminated by the city lights flickering through the window. He was quiet, staring outside as if trying to piece together something from the scenery, just as she was.Eureka swallowed, tears filling her eyes. Her son. She knew she had given birth to Kaiden, yet sometimes, when she looked at him, she felt disconnected. There was something about his features that tugged at her, like a puzzle piece that didn’t quite fit.The doctors had told her not to force it, that her memories might never return. The accident had erased parts of her past, and she had to learn to live with the blank space
He stood and walked over. “You can go stay at your mom’s or Jared’s—I don’t care. Stetson stays with me,” he declared, pushing her aside and carrying the baby. “Go on. I’ll tell the driver to drop you off.” “You’re so mean, Charlie! Stetson is my baby! How can I live without him?” she sobbed, her resolve faltering. “Who knows? You can visit us once in a while,” he smirked, heading out. “Okay,” she said, blocking his path. “I won’t go. Just hand over my child,” she pleaded, tears rolling down her cheeks. “Not so fast. Why don’t you go out there and tell that loser outside the truth? We are getting married, and Stetson was never his child.” Melissa stumbled back, her back hitting the door. “You can’t make me do that.” “I’m not making you—just a suggestion,” he said. “Charlie, please,” she begged. “I don’t want to go back to Jared, but I don’t want him to think I fooled him. Let me show him his child, just once.”
A month had passed since Melissa agreed to marry Charlie, and they had been actively preparing for their wedding. Melissa wanted a simple wedding. She didn’t want outsiders witnessing their union—just family members and a few friends. Currently, Charlie opened the car door for her as they arrived at Melissa’s mother’s house. She stood for a moment, gazing at the home she once called hers. She wasn’t sure if her mother would throw her out again. The last time she was here, she had promised to become the woman her mother always wanted. Was getting married truly the beginning of that journey? She took a deep breath as Charlie held her hand, reassuring her.“She’s still your mom,” he said. Melissa nodded, and they headed inside. One of the maids let them in, then went upstairs to get her mother.“Your house is beautiful,” Charlie whispered. Melissa smiled, surveying the living room. Nothing had changed much. It was just as she remembered, except it was quieter. This had once been her hom
Melissa pinched her arm, hoping she was still dreaming, but no. She was fully awake, and Charlie’s words only made her feel lightheaded. “What… what do you mean?” she asked, her voice trembling.A sly smirk spread across Charlie’s face as he stared at her. “What were you thinking, Lisa?” he asked sharply, making her recoil. “Stetson is my son, and nothing can change that.”“Stop saying that!” Melissa snapped, her temper flaring. “Don’t make me go crazy, Charlie. I’m just respecting you.”“Oh, you are?” he leaned forward, his dark hazel eyes locking onto hers. “Why don’t you lose it? Let’s see how far you can go,” he challenged her, then leaned back again.Melissa scratched her neck, trying to calm herself. Her temper was bad, but Charlie’s could be worse. Though she hadn’t seen him lose control, she had heard stories.“Fine, tell me what you mean by Stetson is your son,” she said, her voice calmer.“I adopted him,” he said curtly, reclining against the headbo
Melissa didn’t look up as she felt his gaze piercing her, making her feel exposed. “Look at me, Lisa.” His commanding tone sent shivers down her spine, and she found herself lifting her eyes to meet his. She dared not defy that simple order from her charming boss. He was eerily handsome, and every time she got close to him like this, her heart felt like it might explode. Her body reacted so sensitively to his touch that she wondered if she was truly in love with Jared. When her eyes met his, her pulse quickened.“Tell me what you want,” he said, his voice low and seductive as his hand brushed against her arm. It was hot in the room, but Melissa was certain she felt goosebumps form where he touched her.“I… I wanted… us to…” her voice trembled. Charlie leaned in, his lips barely inches from hers. His gaze seemed to pierce straight through her soul.“I’m listening,” he urged.Instinctively, her hand reached up to his chest, his heartbeat mirroring hers. “Can we talk outside? It’s very h
“Lisa!” Charlie shouted in his sleep, startling Melissa, who had been admiring his sleepy face. He jerked upright, disoriented, until his eyes found hers.“Boss,” Melissa called softly, sitting up.“Are you okay?” he asked, inspecting her. “Does anything else hurt? I told you to stop saying last words!”“I’m sorry,” she apologized, confused. “I didn’t repeat it.”Charlie exhaled sharply. “I thought something bad happened to you. The doctor said—”“It was a dream,” she interrupted. “I’m okay now. I don’t feel severe pain anymore. The doctor also said Junior will be fine, so there’s nothing to worry about. I didn’t want to wake you up, seeing how stressed you were,” she explained.“Okay,” Charlie said, stretching. “I’ll go get you something to eat. Stay safe,” he added, picking up his phone from the bed.“Don’t bother. I’m not hungry yet,” she said, grabbing his hand. “I think you should go home and rest. The doctors will take care of me.”“Don’t worry about me. Let me get you food firs
The baby was immediately taken away as the doctors discovered he had breathing problems. “Where are they taking him?” Melissa demanded. “Just relax. He’ll be fine,” Charlie assured her, but she wasn’t convinced. “They didn’t let me hold him. They just left. Is my child okay? What are they doing to him?” she cried. “Do you think I’d let them do anything wrong to him?” he said, and she relaxed. “He’s in the NICU, receiving urgent medical attention,” he explained. “Thank you for being here with me. I would have given up without your support,” she said gratefully. “It’s nothing. I’m happy you made it through,” he smiled, grabbing her hand and kissing her knuckles. “I’ll always be here, okay?” “You missed your presentation because of me. You’re supposed to be angry,” she said, feeling guilty. Charlie chuckled. “Why would I be angry? I can always get another contract, but if I lose you, how do I get you back?” His reply made Melissa’s eyes water. Sh