...GENEVIEVE I sank down onto the grass in front of the grave, my white dress billowing out around me. I hadn’t bothered to bring a coat, and the chill seeped into my skin, but I didn’t care. I had been sitting there for more than two hours now, lost in thought and memories, the cold earth grounding me as my mind spiraled.I sighed deeply, my breath coming out in a visible puff in the cool air. “Mama,” I began, my voice barely a whisper, trembling with the weight of everything I had been holding inside. “I’ve been fighting so hard… for everything. For you. For me. I’m so tired, Mama.”My voice broke on the last word, a crack in the dam that had been holding back a sea of grief and frustration.I told my mother everything—how I was fighting my stepmother, Rosalind, and my conniving stepsisters, Olivia and Emma. I spoke of their constant manipulation, the way they tried to undermine me at every turn, and how I was determined to bring them down. I was tired of being the pawn in
...GENEVIEVE I stirred, my body shifting beneath the warmth of soft blankets. My eyelids fluttered open, my vision hazy as I tried to make sense of my surroundings. I blinked a few times, my eyes adjusting to the dim light filtering through heavy curtains, and I realized immediately that I was not where I was supposed to be. This room was unfamiliar—larger than mine, with dark, richly painted walls, and a tall window covered by thick drapes that kept the room cloaked in shadows.I sat up abruptly, and the sudden movement made my head spin. I groaned softly, pressing a hand to my temple, trying to steady myself as the room seemed to tilt slightly around me. As my senses slowly cleared, my eyes fell on the figure sitting on a couch at the end of the bed, and I stiffened.Roman was there, leaning back with one leg crossed over the other, his gaze locked intently on me. His eyes were dark, unreadable, as they studied me, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. He looked calm, a
...GENEVIEVE I stepped out of the room, my steps slow and deliberate. The walls were adorned with gilded portraits, tapestries, and opulent antiques, and I took a deep breath, realizing where I was: Roman’s mansion—the infamous Blackwell mansion. The realization settled over me like a shroud, heavy but oddly invigorating. My heels clicked against the polished marble floor as I descended the grand staircase, my gaze scanning the space with a mixture of curiosity and defiance.At the bottom of the stairs stood a regal older woman with cold, piercing eyes—Roman’s grandmother. Her posture was straight, and her face was set in a hardened scowl. I paused for a moment, meeting the older woman’s eyes with an unreadable expression of my own. The tension between us was thick, almost palpable. She was not happy to see me. “You,” the grandmother spat out, her voice dripping with disdain. “You think you can waltz into this family, marry my grandson, and play the lady of the manor? You ar
...GENEVIEVE My father leaned back in his chair, his expression tight with contemplation. He picked up his phone and pressed a button. "Bring Janice to my office," he instructed his assistant. The tension in the room was palpable; no one dared speak as they waited.Janice had reached to the company at father’s orders. Moments later, the door opened, and Janice stepped in. Her eyes flitted from Olivia to Rosalind, sensing the storm that had already passed through. Olivia, still fuming, shot her a look of resentment, while Rosalind’s face was a mask of thinly veiled frustration. "Janice," Our father said, his voice low and firm, "please come in. I need to speak with you and your sister privately."Olivia opened her mouth to protest, but Rosalind placed a hand on her arm, giving a tight, knowing nod. "Come on, Olivia," Rosalind said, her voice clipped. "Let them have their little family discussion." She shot me a final glare before turning on her heel, and Olivia reluctant
...GENEVIEVE I leaned back in my father's chair, the leather cool against my skin. I could feel the weight of the room, the years of power and authority it had held, now resting in my hands. I allowed myself a small smile as I gazed around the office, filled with dark wood and the scent of old books. It felt both alien and familiar — like stepping into a role I had always known was mine but had never been allowed to claim.The sudden sound of applause broke the silence. Janice, standing near the door, clapped enthusiastically, a broad grin spreading across my face. "Finally!" She exclaimed, her voice full of warmth and pride. I couldn't help but smile in response. My sister stepped closer, eyes sparkling with triumph. "Congratulations, Genevieve. It’s about time we got back what’s rightfully ours," she said. The words were filled with a mixture of satisfaction and caution. Her tone softened as she added, "But don’t forget about Olivia and Rosalind. They won’t take this lyi
...GENEVIEVE I walked into Roman’s mansion, my heels clicking against the marble floor, my expression calm but my mind spinning with thoughts. The mansion was grand, with high ceilings and elaborate chandeliers that cast a golden glow over everything. The air was filled with the scent of fresh flowers, and the faint murmur of conversation came from the living room.Roman walked beside me, his presence commanding as always, his jaw set in that familiar, determined way that made it clear he was prepared for whatever lay ahead. I felt a tension in the air as we entered the room where Roman’s grandmother sat, her posture straight, eyes sharp as a hawk’s.Arthur, Xavier, and Gabriel were also there, lounging comfortably on the plush sofas. Arthur’s face lit up as soon as he saw me, a charming smile spreading across his face. “Genevieve,” he greeted warmly, standing up and extending a hand as if to welcome me. I managed a polite smile in return, my eyes flickering between Arthur an
...GENEVIEVE I stood in front of the mirror, droplets of water still clinging to my skin as I wrapped myself tightly in a soft white towel. The steam from my recent bath swirled around me, the warmth lingering in the air. I could feel Roman’s gaze on me — intense and unwavering, like a tangible heat on my back. I didn’t have to look to know that he was watching my every move.The feeling made my heart skip a beat. I tried to ignore him, my eyes focused on my own reflection, smoothing my damp hair with my fingers. But the weight of his stare was impossible to ignore, pulling my attention like a magnet. I took a deep breath, steadying myself, and finally turned around. Roman was sitting on the couch, shirtless, his muscular chest illuminated by the soft glow of the lamp beside him. His expression was inscrutable, a mixture of curiosity and something darker, more possessive.He lounged back against the cushions with a casual arrogance, his eyes tracing the curve of my neck, the d
...GENEVIEVE I stood in front of the full-length mirror, carefully applying a final coat of mascara to my already long, dark lashes. I had chosen a dress that was meant to make an impression — a sleek, crimson number that hugged my curves in all the right places. The fabric was smooth and silky, catching the light as I moved, and the neckline dipped low enough to tease but not reveal too much. The dress ended well above my knees, showing off my long legs, accentuated by a pair of black stiletto heels that gave me an extra inch of height and confidence.My hair fell in soft waves around my shoulders, framing my face perfectly. I glanced at my reflection, a small, satisfied smile playing on my lips. I knew I looked good, and I felt a thrill of excitement course through me as I imagined Roman’s reaction. As if on cue, I heard the sound of footsteps approaching. Roman appeared in the doorway, his expression darkening the moment he laid eyes on me. His gaze swept over me, starting f
...AUTHOR’S POVGenevieve stood quietly, her hands clasped in front of her as she watched Olivia, who was seated on the couch with her head in her hands. Olivia’s shoulders shook with silent sobs, and her face was pale, a stark contrast to the fiery confidence she often carried. The raw vulnerability in Olivia’s posture struck Genevieve deeply. She wasn’t just looking at her sister who had caused her pain—she was looking at someone consumed by guilt, someone struggling with the consequences of their own choices.Genevieve’s heart ached, but not with anger. Despite everything Olivia had done—the lies, the betrayal, the manipulation—Genevieve couldn’t bring herself to hate her. She could see how much Olivia regretted it, how her actions had broken her just as much as they had hurt others.Taking a deep breath, Genevieve stepped forward. Her heels clicked softly against the wooden floor, drawing everyone’s attention. The room fell silent as she approached Olivia, who flinched slig
...AUTHOR’S POVOlivia sat alone in her room, the weight of her conversation with Genevieve pressing heavily on her chest. The words Genevieve had spoken echoed in her mind: “I do love him, but I also know you love him more… I can do anything for my sisters.” At the time, Olivia had hugged her sister, even smiled in gratitude, but now, hours later, the guilt gnawed at her like a relentless tide, pulling her under.She couldn’t shake the image of Genevieve’s gentle smile, her selfless forgiveness. It was like a mirror reflecting everything Olivia had done wrong. Genevieve’s kindness had disarmed her completely, and for the first time, Olivia found herself questioning the choices she had made. She had spent so long justifying her actions, convincing herself that Roman was meant to be hers, that she had fought for love. But was it really love? Or was it greed, just like her mother had once admitted?Sighing deeply, Olivia reached for her phone, her hands trembling as she scrolled
...AUTHOR’S POV The evening was peaceful, with the soft hum of conversation and the gentle clinking of teacups filling the cozy living room. Genevieve, Janice, and Rosalind sat around the table, the warm glow from the lamps casting a comforting light on their faces as they shared a quiet moment. Outside, the world was slowly slipping into twilight, but inside the house, the calm seemed to promise solace after the storm of emotions they’d all been through.Genevieve leaned back in her chair, sipping her tea thoughtfully, while Janice fiddled with her cup, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the rim. Rosalind, who had been unusually quiet for most of the evening, looked deep in thought as well, occasionally glancing at her daughters with an air of regret that none of them had yet been able to understand fully. The stillness was interrupted by the sound of the door slamming open.In strode Olivia, her face flushed with anger, her steps sharp and purposeful as she stormed into the
...AUTHOR’S POV The dining room was bathed in soft morning light, the golden rays spilling through the large windows, casting a warm glow over the elegantly set table. Genevieve’s father sat at the head of the table, sipping his coffee and reading the newspaper, his usual composed demeanor slightly relaxed as he waited for everyone to gather. Rosalind sat to his right, delicately arranging a plate of toast, while Janice, on his left, idly stirred her tea, her thoughts clearly elsewhere. The clinking of cutlery and soft rustling of the newspaper were the only sounds breaking the quiet morning.The soft patter of footsteps drew their attention, and Genevieve appeared at the entrance. She was dressed simply but elegantly, her hair loosely tied back, her face calm and composed. “Good morning,” she greeted softly, her voice carrying a hint of weariness as she took a seat across from her father.Her father smiled warmly, folding the newspaper and setting it aside. “Good morning, s
...AUTHOR’S POVGenevieve lay sprawled on her bed, her gaze fixed on the ornate ceiling above her. The dim light of the evening painted soft shadows across the room, the quiet hum of the city outside barely audible through the thick curtains. The bedspread, an intricate pattern of gold and cream, seemed to swallow her small frame as she sank deeper into the mattress. Her face was calm, but her red-rimmed eyes and the occasional twitch of her lips betrayed the storm she was enduring within.Isabella, Janice, and Amelia sat cross-legged on the bed around her, forming a silent semicircle. For the past thirty minutes, no one had said a word. The room was heavy with unspoken emotions, the kind that pressed down on your chest and made every breath feel labored.Janice absently picked at the hem of the blanket, her usually lively demeanor replaced by a pensive stillness. Amelia fiddled with her bracelet, the soft clinking of the charm breaking the silence now and then. Isabella, perc
...AUTHOR’S POVThe tension in the room was suffocating, the silence broken only by the sharp slap of a file being thrown onto the polished conference table. Everyone’s eyes turned to Xavier, who stood at the head of the room, his jaw clenched and his hand still resting on the now-disheveled pile of papers. His normally calm demeanor was gone, replaced by an edge of frustration and tension that was palpable.Roman gaze flickered between Xavier and the reports, confusion etched on his face. He leaned forward, his voice low and steady but laced with unease. “What is this, Xavier?”Xavier rubbed his face with both hands, the gesture betraying his frustration and hesitation. He looked at Roman with an intensity that made everyone in the room hold their breath. “These,” Xavier said, his voice taut, “are Olivia’s pregnancy reports.”The air seemed to thicken around Roman. His heart began to pound in his chest, the sound echoing in his ears. He froze, his confusion deepening into s
...GENEVIEVE I sat on the edge of the plush couch, my hands folded neatly in my lap, though my knuckles were white from the tension running through me. My head laid on the head of couch staring blankly at the wall while waiting for my father. The grand living room felt colder than usual, its ornate chandelier casting shimmering patterns across the marble floor. I was waiting for her father to arrive, the seconds dragging on endlessly. The soft ticking of the clock on the wall only heightened my restlessness. My heart was heavy, my mind a whirlpool of emotions she could barely contain.I looked toward the towering window, the golden hues of the setting sun doing little to warm the chill that gripped my chest. My thoughts wandered to the turmoil of recent days, the choices I’d made, the bridges I feared I’d burned.The sound of approaching heels echoed sharply through the quiet room. I turned my head, my posture stiffening instinctively. Rosalind entered the room with an air of
...ROMANI sighed deeply, sinking back into the worn leather of my chair. My gaze wandered aimlessly around my office, but my thoughts were far away, tangled in the delicate intricacies of my own schemes. The plan to trap Olivia in her game consumed me, its threads tightening like a web. The room was quiet save for the faint ticking of the clock on the wall, its rhythm a constant reminder of the time slipping through my fingers. My fingers drummed idly against the edge of my desk, my mind running through every possible move and countermove.The sudden creak of the door startled me. My head snapped up, my thoughts abruptly severed, and he turned toward the source of the intrusion. The sight of her standing in the doorway made my heart stutter for a beat. Olivia. She stood there as if she owned the space, her expression unreadable yet tinged with a faint, unsettling confidence. My whole body filled with anger but I remained calm. The soft hum of tension in the room grew louder.
...ROMAN The atmosphere in the room was heavy, the kind of tension that seeped into every corner and pressed down on everyone present. I sat in one of the large chairs in the conference room, my elbows resting on the mahogany table, my hands clasped tightly together. My face was pale, my eyes shadowed from a sleepless night, and my usual air of confidence had been stripped away, leaving only raw vulnerability. Genevieve’s father, sat at the head of the table, his stern expression softened by a glimmer of sadness. He sighed deeply, the sound loud in the silence that followed. “Roman,” He began, his voice low but steady, “why did you cheat on my daughter?”I flinched as though struck. I shook my head quickly, my words tumbling out in a frantic attempt to defend myself. “I didn’t,” I said, my voice strained. “I swear I didn’t. I—” I paused, running a hand through my already disheveled hair. “I was drunk. I don’t even know how Olivia ended up there. I know I didn’t… I would