Emily's POVThe vineyard was enchanting, a private oasis where time seemed to stand still. I couldn’t help but feel at peace as Adrian’s piercing gaze held mine. He had a way of making everything else disappear, and in that moment, I wanted to let him in—fully.We sat on the soft picnic blanket, our wine glasses glinting under the fading sunlight. “So, tell me,” Adrian said, his voice warm and inviting. “What’s your dream, Emily? What do you want out of life?”His question caught me off guard, but the sincerity in his eyes encouraged me to open up. “I want... more than just success,” I began, my fingers tracing the rim of my glass. “I want to create something lasting, something that matters. A business that supports people, helps them grow. And maybe one day…” I hesitated, feeling vulnerable under his scrutiny.“Go on,” he urged gently.“Maybe one day, a family. But only if it’s with someone who sees me as an equal, someone who... values me for me.”His expression softened, and for a
Emily's POVI watched Claire’s face light up as the doctor gave her the all-clear to go home for the night. “You can return tomorrow for the tests,” he said, his tone calm but firm, “but make sure you rest.”Just as relief started to ease the lines on her face, Vincent spoke up. “Someone needs to stay with her. She’s pregnant, and I’m not leaving her alone.”I rolled my eyes. Typical Vincent. I admired his protective streak, but sometimes it was too much. “I’m here,” I said firmly. “I can stay with her.”Claire shook her head, her lips curving into a gentle smile. “Emily, you have work tomorrow. You’ve already done enough for me today.”“But—”Claire raised a hand to stop me. “Don’t argue with me.” Her tone was soft but resolute. “Go home, freshen up, and come back tomorrow.”Her words stung, though I couldn’t exactly say why. I leaned in closer, lowering my voice to a near whisper. “And where’s your... military boyfriend in all of this?” I asked, careful not to draw Vincent’s attenti
Emily's POVAdrian’s hands were all over me the second the rooftop doors clicked shut behind us. My back hit the cold wall, and I let out a startled laugh, muffled when his lips claimed mine again.“Adrian,” I gasped between kisses, trying to catch my breath, “we’re still... still outside.”He pulled back just enough to meet my eyes, a wolfish grin spreading across his face. “Then let’s go inside before I make you scream right here.”The boldness of his words sent a wave of heat straight to my core. I let him pull me down the hallway, his hand firmly gripping mine, his stride full of purpose. We barely made it into the bedroom before his mouth was on mine again, hungry and unrelenting.I fumbled with the buttons of his shirt, my fingers trembling from both the intensity of the moment and the sheer need coursing through me. When I finally tugged the fabric open, he shrugged it off impatiently, and I couldn’t help the soft giggle that escaped my lips.“What’s funny?” he murmured against
Chapter 1 : My Infertile Husband Has A Pregnant Mistress Emily’s POV My husband and his ex-fiancée were having sex on our fifth wedding anniversary.The words rang in my mind like a death knell as I stared at the video on my phone. My breath hitched, my vision blurred, but I couldn’t look away. I should have stopped watching—closed the screen, thrown the phone across the room—but my fingers stayed frozen, my heart betraying me with every beat. The video played on, each second digging a deeper hole in my chest. Nathan—my Nathan—lay tangled in hotel sheets with Camille, his ex. They were laughing, kissing, gripping each other like they couldn’t bear to let go. My stomach churned as the camera zoomed in on them. The faint swell of Camille’s belly felt like the final blow. She was pregnant. The phone slipped from my hand, clattering onto the dining table. For a moment, the sound brought me back to reality. The candlelight flickered over the delicate table setting I had spent hou
Chapter 2: The Moment of TruthEmily's POVEverybody knows.They all knew my husband was sleeping around—everyone except me.I can see it now in the pitying glances the staff gave me over the years. The whispered conversations that stopped the moment I entered a room. The way Julia’s mouth twitched with barely hidden smugness whenever I visited Nathan at work.It wasn’t just loyalty or professionalism that made them avert their gazes—it was pity.My throat tightens as I push through the revolving doors of St. Claire Enterprises. The cool blast of air conditioning does little to cool the fiery rage bubbling inside me. This building, once bearing my father’s name, now feels foreign—like a mausoleum where the remnants of my trust, my pride, and my love have come to die.My heels strike the gleaming marble floors with sharp, deliberate clicks, echoing through the expansive lobby. Every step feels like a war drum announcing the battle I’m about to wage.Nathan will see me today, whether he
Emily's POVI return home, my heart still racing from the confrontation with Nathan. The door clicks shut behind me, and for a moment, I lean against it, closing my eyes and taking a deep breath. I need to gather my thoughts, but all I can think about is the face of Camille plastered with that smug smile, and Nathan’s cruel taunts echoing in my mind.I stomp into the bathroom, shedding my clothes like they’re an old skin. The hot water of the shower cascades down my body, washing away the remnants of Nathan's betrayal, if only for a moment. I stand there, letting the steam envelop me, muttering angrily to myself. “Who does he think he is? Talking down to me like that!”I grab my lotion, but it slips from my fingers, crashing to the floor. “Ugh! Great, just great,” I groan, shaking my head.It was this clumsiness that brought be this far in the first place. I could scream in frustration, but instead, I let the water drown out my anger. Nathan might think he’s won, but I’m done being t
Emily's POVI stand at the mirror, my hands trembling slightly as I apply the last touches of makeup. I can’t help but feel the weight of what I’m about to do. After Claire’s urging, I’ve decided to reach out to Adrian Blackwood. Just the thought of his name sends a shiver down my spine. He’s the wealthiest man in the city, a man known for being ruthless and cold, but I need his help. I need someone powerful on my side to take down Nathan.I glance at the business card he gave me, the embossed lettering gleaming under the light. “Adrian Blackwood,” it reads, and beneath it, his title: CEO of Blackwood Enterprises. I breathe in deeply, trying to squash the flutter of nerves in my stomach. I dial the number, praying he picks up.When he answers, his deep, magnetic voice pulls me in. “Why is a beggar calling me so early in the morning?” he grumbles, sleep still thick in his tone.My mouth drops open in disbelief. “Excuse me?” I manage to reply, though my heart races. The audacity of this
Emily's POVI step inside the mansion, the place that used to feel like a home but now feels like a trap. After my meeting with Adrian, everything seems so different. The weight of the deal I made, the favors I’ll owe, and the humiliating fact that I’ll be working as his maid makes my stomach churn. The mighty fall, don’t they?I glance around the grand entryway—this mansion was once a symbol of my parents’ hard-earned success, of their legacy. And now, Nathan is bleeding it dry with his reckless investments, soon to ruin everything. As I walk through the hallway, I pause by the large family portrait of my parents. I can almost hear my father’s voice in my head: Stay strong, Emily. This isn’t over. And I know it isn’t. I’ll make them proud again.I move upstairs, the exhaustion catching up with me. Two days... it's only been two days since I confronted Nathan and found out about Camille’s pregnancy. Two days, and it feels like a lifetime. My mind spins with everything—Nathan’s cruelty
Emily's POVAdrian’s hands were all over me the second the rooftop doors clicked shut behind us. My back hit the cold wall, and I let out a startled laugh, muffled when his lips claimed mine again.“Adrian,” I gasped between kisses, trying to catch my breath, “we’re still... still outside.”He pulled back just enough to meet my eyes, a wolfish grin spreading across his face. “Then let’s go inside before I make you scream right here.”The boldness of his words sent a wave of heat straight to my core. I let him pull me down the hallway, his hand firmly gripping mine, his stride full of purpose. We barely made it into the bedroom before his mouth was on mine again, hungry and unrelenting.I fumbled with the buttons of his shirt, my fingers trembling from both the intensity of the moment and the sheer need coursing through me. When I finally tugged the fabric open, he shrugged it off impatiently, and I couldn’t help the soft giggle that escaped my lips.“What’s funny?” he murmured against
Emily's POVI watched Claire’s face light up as the doctor gave her the all-clear to go home for the night. “You can return tomorrow for the tests,” he said, his tone calm but firm, “but make sure you rest.”Just as relief started to ease the lines on her face, Vincent spoke up. “Someone needs to stay with her. She’s pregnant, and I’m not leaving her alone.”I rolled my eyes. Typical Vincent. I admired his protective streak, but sometimes it was too much. “I’m here,” I said firmly. “I can stay with her.”Claire shook her head, her lips curving into a gentle smile. “Emily, you have work tomorrow. You’ve already done enough for me today.”“But—”Claire raised a hand to stop me. “Don’t argue with me.” Her tone was soft but resolute. “Go home, freshen up, and come back tomorrow.”Her words stung, though I couldn’t exactly say why. I leaned in closer, lowering my voice to a near whisper. “And where’s your... military boyfriend in all of this?” I asked, careful not to draw Vincent’s attenti
Emily's POVThe vineyard was enchanting, a private oasis where time seemed to stand still. I couldn’t help but feel at peace as Adrian’s piercing gaze held mine. He had a way of making everything else disappear, and in that moment, I wanted to let him in—fully.We sat on the soft picnic blanket, our wine glasses glinting under the fading sunlight. “So, tell me,” Adrian said, his voice warm and inviting. “What’s your dream, Emily? What do you want out of life?”His question caught me off guard, but the sincerity in his eyes encouraged me to open up. “I want... more than just success,” I began, my fingers tracing the rim of my glass. “I want to create something lasting, something that matters. A business that supports people, helps them grow. And maybe one day…” I hesitated, feeling vulnerable under his scrutiny.“Go on,” he urged gently.“Maybe one day, a family. But only if it’s with someone who sees me as an equal, someone who... values me for me.”His expression softened, and for a
Emily's POVI woke up to the soft light of morning filtering through the curtains, warming the edges of the bed. Stretching languidly, I let the events of the last few days wash over me. Adrian—his intensity, his protectiveness, and that maddening charm of his—was all I could think about.But my responsibilities called, tugging me back to reality. The hotel wouldn’t run itself, and I had left so much undone. My team deserved more than me hiding away, no matter how tempting it was to let Adrian keep me cocooned in his world.As I made my way to breakfast, I resolved to convince him I needed to return to work. Easier said than done, I realized when his piercing gaze met mine over the table.“You’re not going back without security,” he said before I could even get the words out. His tone left no room for argument.I tried to keep my voice calm, measured. “Adrian, I’ll be fine. Really. I’ll be careful.”“That’s not enough,” he replied, his voice softening but still firm. “Emily, I can’t t
Emily's POVI woke slowly, the warmth of the sheets cocooning me, creating a shield against reality. The faint ache in my body was a bittersweet reminder of everything that had transpired—fear, rescue, and the man who refused to let me face any of it alone. Adrian. His presence lingered in the air, as palpable as the cedar and citrus scent that clung to the bedding.The room around me wasn’t mine. It was too masculine, too pristine, yet somehow inviting in its simplicity. My gaze drifted to the bedside table, where a note sat propped against a steaming cup of tea."You’re safe here. Rest. I’ll be back soon."The sight of it made my chest tighten. He’d thought of everything, even my favorite tea. As I reached for the cup, its warmth seeped into my hands, steadying me. The taste was familiar, soothing, but it did little to calm the storm inside me. How could someone so powerful, so complicated, care this much?The sound of the door opening startled me, and I turned just as Adrian steppe
Emily’s POVWhen I woke, the first thing I noticed was the faint golden light streaming through the curtains. It painted the room in warm hues, but the warmth didn’t extend to my chest. There was a dull ache there, a reminder that the horrors of last night hadn’t been a nightmare.I sat up slowly, my muscles stiff and aching, and the events of the previous evening washed over me like a cold wave. The hands that had grabbed me. The cruel laughter. The helplessness. My chest tightened, and I clenched my fists against the surge of emotions threatening to drown me.But then I remembered him.Adrian.My gaze flicked to the chair by the window, where he had sat the last time I drifted off, his presence a silent shield against my spiraling thoughts. But now, the chair was empty.He’s gone.The thought was like a knife twisting in my gut. I shouldn’t have expected him to stay. He had done enough, hadn’t he? Stayed through the worst of it, comforted me when I couldn’t even face myself. It wasn
Adrian’s POVThe silence in the penthouse was unnerving. My steps echoed faintly as I moved through the dimly lit space, the weight of the night pressing down on me. Emily lay asleep in my bed, her delicate form wrapped tightly in the blankets, as if shielding herself from the world. Her face was calm now, a stark contrast to the fear and pain I’d seen etched into it only hours ago.My hands curled into fists at the memory. Those bastards had dared to lay a hand on her—to hurt her. Rage simmered beneath the surface, threatening to boil over, but I forced myself to exhale slowly, grounding the storm. I couldn’t afford to lose control now. Not when she needed me steady.I sat down on the edge of the bed, careful not to disturb her, though my gaze lingered on the faint bruises marring her skin. Her breathing was soft, even, a rhythm I found myself syncing to as the tension in my body eased ever so slightly.But the guilt? That didn’t fade.I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees
Adrian’s POVThe rain lashed against the windows of the penthouse, each droplet pounding as if it were trying to pierce through the glass. The storm outside mirrored the tempest inside me—a raging, relentless fury that no amount of whiskey could dull.I stood in the living room, swirling the amber liquid in my glass, but its heat did nothing to thaw the icy anger gripping my chest. Emily was safe now—that fact should have been enough. Yet every time I closed my eyes, I saw her. Bound. Bruised. Terrified.My Emily.The image tore through me, a fresh wound every time it resurfaced. They had dared to touch her, dared to hurt her, and now every fiber of my being demanded retribution.My knuckles throbbed, the raw skin splitting where I had thrown punch after punch. The satisfying crunch of bones under my fists should have brought me some peace. It hadn’t. Not when there were still unanswered questions. Not when I knew the threat wasn’t over.“Adrian.”Her voice was soft, hesitant, yet it
**Emily’s POV** The rain poured relentlessly, soaking me to the skin as I thrashed weakly against the ropes binding my wrists. My heart pounded in my chest, and every slap of thunder echoed the terror racing through my veins. I screamed until my throat felt raw, my voice lost in the howling wind. “Shut her up!” one of the men growled, raising his hand again. I braced for the impact, but the sharp sting across my face was no less shocking. I bit my lip to keep from crying. They couldn’t see my tears. I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction. But I was losing hope. The dark room, the rough voices, the oppressive weight of fear—I didn’t think I’d make it out of here whole. Then I heard him. “EMILY!” Adrian’s voice cut through the rain like a blade. It wasn’t a call—it was a command, filled with frantic desperation and unyielding fury. “Did you hear that?” one of the men hissed, stepping toward the door. Another laughed. “Doesn’t matter. He’ll be dead before he gets to her.”