Claire’s POVI stared at my phone, the call screen mocking me with its unyielding silence. Voicemail. Again.My thumb hovered over the redial button as a wave of frustration surged through me. For the tenth time today, Vincent wasn’t answering. The man who had once promised me the world, who had sworn to stand by me no matter what, had disappeared as if I were nothing more than a fleeting inconvenience."You’re such a coward, Vincent," I muttered under my breath, my grip tightening on the phone. "You promised me. And now? You’re just gone?"The cold ache in my chest spread to my limbs, but I shook it off. No, I wasn’t going to let him see me like this—broken and pitiful. I grabbed my coat and bag, determination fueling every step as I headed out.His office was my next stop.When I arrived, the sleek, glass-paneled building loomed above me, cold and indifferent. I stepped inside, my heart hammering as the elevator whisked me up to his floor.“Hi, I need to see Vincent Everglow,” I sai
Claire’s POVThe antenatal class was a space I’d dreaded since the beginning, but today, the air seemed heavier, thicker with judgmental stares and whispers that buzzed like gnats around my ears.I adjusted my maternity dress as I stepped into the room, my heart thudding louder than my footsteps. A cluster of women huddled in one corner, their conversations halting as their gazes flicked toward me.“Look who decided to show up,” a voice rang out, unmistakable in its biting tone.I turned to see Patricia, her perfectly manicured nails tapping against the armrest of her chair. She had that effortless grace some people never lose, even when their insides are rotten. Once a famous model, she was now a cautionary tale of indulgence turned bitter. Pregnancy hadn’t been kind to her body, and she blamed everyone but herself for the change.Patricia had taken a liking to making me her personal target. Whether it was because I reminded her of her past or because she thought I was an easy victim,
Claire’s POVThe air felt stifling as I tried to process what had just happened. Everyone in the room had gone quiet the moment he entered, and for good reason. Larry—or whatever he was calling himself these days—was breathtaking. Broad shoulders, a chiseled jaw, and eyes that once had the power to undo me.But my head was a cacophony of emotions, drowning out the whispers of awe from the other women. This man… This man had put me through hell. The same man who, years ago, promised me the world only to vanish without a trace. The same man who called me a slut when I told him I was pregnant.I clenched my fists, willing my racing heart to calm.No, it can’t be him, I thought, watching as he moved across the room with a confidence that seemed to command attention. He looked at me for the briefest moment, his eyes flickering with something I couldn’t place before looking away like I was just another face in the crowd.Maybe he wasn’t Larry. Maybe he was just a doppelgänger—a cruel reminde
Vincent's POVI woke up to an unfamiliar ceiling, the beams of sunlight streaming through the curtains doing little to quell the disorientation flooding my senses. For a brief moment, panic surged through me. Where was I?Then, the memory trickled back—dinner at Mom’s.She’d called me out of the blue yesterday, insisting I come over for a home-cooked meal. The urgency in her voice had been surprising, and though our relationship was far from strained, it was unusual for her to be so adamant. I’d gone anyway, chalking it up to her just missing me.What I hadn’t expected was to wake up here, on a bed that reeked of childhood nostalgia, with no recollection of how I’d fallen asleep.I sat up slowly, rubbing the back of my neck as I swung my legs over the side of the bed. My clothes were still on, save for my shoes, which had been neatly placed by the door.Weird.Pushing myself off the bed, I padded out of the room, the scent of bacon wafting through the hallway.Mom was in the kitchen,
Vincent’s POV"You’re lying," I said flatly, arms crossed as I stared Mirabel down.She sniffled, her eyes darting to my mother, who sat beside her with a hand on her shoulder like she was some fragile, innocent lamb."Vincent, enough," Mom snapped. "This isn’t some courtroom.""Well, it sure feels like one," I shot back. "And if we’re going to play judge and jury, let’s talk about how I’m suddenly the father of a child I don’t remember signing up for."Mirabel’s lower lip quivered as she wiped at her tears with trembling fingers. "I’m not lying, Vincent," she said softly. "I know it’s hard to believe, but it’s the truth.""Hard to believe?" I scoffed. "Mirabel, you’ve made a career out of bending the truth. You cheated your way through college, slept with professors, and probably half the faculty at this point. And now I’m supposed to take your word that I’m the father?"Mom’s gasp was sharp and theatrical. "Vincent Alexander Everglow, how dare you speak to her like that?!""How dare
Vincent’s POVMy head was spinning as I paced the living room. Every passing second felt like an eternity, the tension in the air as thick as the lies swirling around me.Claire’s voicemail greeted me for the third time in a row, her voice calm and sweet, making my chest ache. Claire wasn’t the type to ignore calls, and that alone was enough to set off every alarm in my head.What if something was wrong?I turned on my data, hoping for a miracle—a text, a missed message—something to give me a clue. Instead, what greeted me was a torrent of notifications.BREAKING: Vincent Everglow and Fiancée Expecting First Child!Wedding Bells for Business Tycoon Vincent Everglow and Childhood Sweetheart!Exclusive: Mirabel Jones Opens Up About Love, Family, and Their Future Together.“What the actual…” I stared at my phone, scrolling through article after article, each one worse than the last. My so-called engagement was plastered across every major media outlet, complete with staged photos of Mira
Claire’s POVLarry’s eyes bored into mine, a strange mix of anger and entitlement simmering just beneath the surface. His silence was suffocating, pressing on me as if daring me to break first.I swallowed hard, the disgust clawing its way up my throat. My fingers trembled as I pushed at his chest, but he didn’t budge. The parking lot seemed to shrink around me, the walls of cars becoming a cage, and suddenly, the air felt too thick to breathe.“Larry,” I said, my voice shaky but firm. “Move.”He didn’t respond. His jaw ticked, his arms tightening slightly.“Larry!” I tried again, more forcefully this time. But his body was immovable, his presence oppressive.Then my phone rang.Relief washed over me, the sound a lifeline pulling me out of the swirling tension. I reached for it, fumbling in the pocket of my hoodie, but before I could grab it, Larry’s hand shot out, snatching the phone and tossing it across the parking lot. The clatter echoed, my heart sinking with it.“What are you do
Claire's POVThe sound of fists colliding filled the air, each blow reverberating like a thunderclap in the stillness of the parking lot. Nothing I did seemed to stop them.“Stop it!” I yelled again, my voice breaking under the weight of my desperation. “Please, just stop!”Neither man listened. Larry was losing ground fast, his movements sluggish and clumsy, while Vincent’s strikes landed with brutal precision. Larry stumbled, blood dripping from his split lip onto the asphalt.I turned to the security guard stationed near the entrance, my voice frantic. “Do something! Call the police!”The old man hesitated, his gaze darting between the fight and me. “Miss,” he said, his voice low, “I can’t. If I step in and get on the wrong side of the director, I’ll lose my job. And besides…” He trailed off, his lips pressing into a thin line.“Besides what?” I snapped, my patience wearing thin.His eyes flickered back to the brawl. “That one,” he gestured to Larry, “he’s had this coming for a lon
Larry's POVThe bass of the club’s music vibrated through my chest, but I barely felt it. Claire was beside me, as always, her eyes sparkling with the excitement of the night. I had told her it was just a simple date—a night out to unwind and enjoy ourselves. But in reality, I had already mapped out everything in my head. This was the night I’d get what I wanted, no matter the cost.I’d never been faithful to Claire. But she never knew. She trusted me, and I let her, even though I was a man who craved more than what she offered. It was easy—she never suspected a thing. Tonight was no different. I had plans. I needed to take what I wanted, and Claire, oblivious to it all, was just a convenient distraction.The club was packed, the lights flickering in rhythm with the music. I caught sight of a woman across the room. She was perfect—tall, blonde, and alluring, with a body that promised everything I wanted. I had to have her.I wasn’t about to let Claire stand in the way. I slipped a pil
Larry's POVI lay there on the sterile white bed, my arm throbbing from the stitches the doctor had just finished applying. The pain was nothing compared to the growing tension in the room. Marissa was beside me, her fiery gaze still locked on the door where the doctor had just exited. I could feel the heat of her anger radiating off her like a furnace. She was muttering curses under her breath, fuming about the person who had dared to lay a hand on her husband.I let out a deep breath, trying to remain calm. I knew I had to. I couldn’t afford to make her angrier, not now. She was already so close to snapping. Her temper was something I’d learned to fear. And right now, I had to navigate this minefield carefully—because I was the one who had planted the bomb.As soon as the door clicked shut behind the doctor, Marissa turned to me, her eyes blazing. "What happened, Larry?" she demanded, her voice sharp. "Tell me everything. I want the truth."I swallowed hard. My throat felt dry. I kn
Mirabel’s POVVincent’s mother entered the living room, a tray of fresh fruit in her hands. She smiled warmly at me, setting it down on the table in front of me. "You should relax, Mirabel," she said kindly, her tone motherly as she patted my shoulder. "Let me pamper you.""Thank you, Mother," I said, reverting back to the role I’d carefully crafted. I’d always called her "godmother," but now, with her affection and the way she had welcomed me back into the family, it seemed fitting to step up the intimacy. The word felt sweeter now, more genuine in my mind, but I kept my face neutral, feigning innocence.Her eyes softened. "You don't need to call me 'godmother' anymore. You can call me 'mother' from now on."I smiled, nodding as if her words were a blessing, though inwardly, I knew I had to play this part carefully. She was so eager to please, to believe the best in me. And that was exactly what I needed. I let my fingers graze the edge of the fruit bowl, eyes still on her, wondering
The streets of Italy had been both a haven and a hell for me. After leaving the movie set in disgrace, I thought I could land on my feet. Surely, someone in this glamorous city would recognize my beauty and charm.But I had no plan—just desperation. For a month, I drifted from one extravagant party to another, mingling with powerful men. A few were intrigued by my looks and rising star status, but none saw me as more than a fleeting distraction.“You’re stunning, but let’s not pretend this is more than it is,” one man had told me, dismissing me like I was some common club girl.I hated the way they looked at me—like I was cheap. And as my pregnancy became harder to hide, their interest waned. I tried convincing myself that I could manage alone, but the truth was, I was sinking fast.By the end of the month, my options were gone, and my savings were dwindling. That’s when it hit me—I didn’t need some random Italian billionaire. I already had someone who would do whatever it took to pro
Mirabel’s POVThe baby isn’t his.I’ve told myself that so many times, it feels like a mantra. And why wouldn’t I believe it? I have his mother wrapped around my finger, and Vincent... well, he’ll never know. Men like him don’t ask questions when the answers might inconvenience them.Still, as I stand in front of the ornate mirror in my suite, brushing a hand over my barely-there bump, memories of six months ago creep in, unbidden and relentless.Six Months AgoThe club was alive with electric energy, music thundering in time with my pulse. Neon lights danced across the packed room, blurring faces and distorting intentions. I sat in the VIP lounge, surrounded by sycophants who laughed too loudly and drank too much.“She’s getting too big for her boots, don’t you think?” Sandra, the loudest and most shameless of them all, leaned in, her voice dripping with malice.I didn’t have to ask who “she” was. My assistant—the irritating little upstart who’d somehow managed to secure a role in th
Claire's POVThe road stretched endlessly before me, the headlights of passing cars flashing in fleeting bursts. The rhythmic hum of tires on asphalt, usually a soothing backdrop, grated on my fraying nerves. My hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, the leather biting into my palms as I fought the nausea building in my stomach. My knuckles, pale and strained, were a testament to my stubbornness—I had been holding it in for too long.But I couldn’t anymore.I swerved onto the shoulder and threw the car into park. The engine’s low rumble seemed to mock me as I stumbled out, barely making it to the side of the road before doubling over. My body convulsed violently, the nausea clawing its way out of me in harsh, unrelenting waves. I clung to my knees, trembling as I retched until there was nothing left.When it finally subsided, I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand and reached into my bag for the bottle of water I always kept. My hands shook as I unscrewed the cap, splashing some
Claire's POVThe sound of fists colliding filled the air, each blow reverberating like a thunderclap in the stillness of the parking lot. Nothing I did seemed to stop them.“Stop it!” I yelled again, my voice breaking under the weight of my desperation. “Please, just stop!”Neither man listened. Larry was losing ground fast, his movements sluggish and clumsy, while Vincent’s strikes landed with brutal precision. Larry stumbled, blood dripping from his split lip onto the asphalt.I turned to the security guard stationed near the entrance, my voice frantic. “Do something! Call the police!”The old man hesitated, his gaze darting between the fight and me. “Miss,” he said, his voice low, “I can’t. If I step in and get on the wrong side of the director, I’ll lose my job. And besides…” He trailed off, his lips pressing into a thin line.“Besides what?” I snapped, my patience wearing thin.His eyes flickered back to the brawl. “That one,” he gestured to Larry, “he’s had this coming for a lon
Claire’s POVLarry’s eyes bored into mine, a strange mix of anger and entitlement simmering just beneath the surface. His silence was suffocating, pressing on me as if daring me to break first.I swallowed hard, the disgust clawing its way up my throat. My fingers trembled as I pushed at his chest, but he didn’t budge. The parking lot seemed to shrink around me, the walls of cars becoming a cage, and suddenly, the air felt too thick to breathe.“Larry,” I said, my voice shaky but firm. “Move.”He didn’t respond. His jaw ticked, his arms tightening slightly.“Larry!” I tried again, more forcefully this time. But his body was immovable, his presence oppressive.Then my phone rang.Relief washed over me, the sound a lifeline pulling me out of the swirling tension. I reached for it, fumbling in the pocket of my hoodie, but before I could grab it, Larry’s hand shot out, snatching the phone and tossing it across the parking lot. The clatter echoed, my heart sinking with it.“What are you do
Vincent’s POVMy head was spinning as I paced the living room. Every passing second felt like an eternity, the tension in the air as thick as the lies swirling around me.Claire’s voicemail greeted me for the third time in a row, her voice calm and sweet, making my chest ache. Claire wasn’t the type to ignore calls, and that alone was enough to set off every alarm in my head.What if something was wrong?I turned on my data, hoping for a miracle—a text, a missed message—something to give me a clue. Instead, what greeted me was a torrent of notifications.BREAKING: Vincent Everglow and Fiancée Expecting First Child!Wedding Bells for Business Tycoon Vincent Everglow and Childhood Sweetheart!Exclusive: Mirabel Jones Opens Up About Love, Family, and Their Future Together.“What the actual…” I stared at my phone, scrolling through article after article, each one worse than the last. My so-called engagement was plastered across every major media outlet, complete with staged photos of Mira