...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
...GENEVIEVE I drove through the bright lights of the city, my hands gripping the steering wheel of my sleek car as the neon signs flickered past.The hum of the engine filled the car, a sharp contrast to the muffled beat of the music that thumped from my stereo. My heart raced slightly; it had been a while since I had attended a party like this, and tonight I felt an inexplicable excitement buzzing in my veins. The image of angry Roman flashed in my mind. I smirked at his reaction. It was like his whole world crumbled down when I made him realize there’s no ring on my finger. So it made me single and I was gonna live my night like that. I turned down the street leading to the hotel, its grand façade lit up like a beacon against the night sky. A valet approached as I pulled up, and I handed over my keys with a smile, stepping out onto the red carpet entrance.I, soon spotted Janice, Amelia, and Isabella waiting for me by the entrance. The three were already chatting animatedly,
...GENEVIEVE The morning sunlight streamed through the large glass windows of the cozy café, casting a warm, golden hue over the room. I sat at a small table, stirring my coffee absently, my expression distant as I stared out into the street. Janice, sitting across from me, watched me with a thoughtful gaze, waiting for the right moment to bring up the topic that had been on my mind.I had left Roman’s house early because I did not want to face his grandmother. After a few moments of silence, Janice set her coffee cup down with a soft clink and leaned forward, her voice gentle but direct. "So... what's really going on with you and Roman?" She asked, her eyes searching Genevieve’s face for any hint of emotion.I sighed deeply, my shoulders slumping slightly as I shook my head. "It's... complicated," I replied, my voice tinged with frustration.“ he gave you a ring after an hour of him realizing that he did not give you one. He must have called someone to arrange it or else he
...GENEVIEVE My car rolled to a stop in front of Roman’s sprawling mansion, its grand façade looming ahead like a fortress. The lush greenery surrounding the estate contrasted with the storm raging inside me. I hadn’t expected to be here, not tonight. I wanted to spend the night at Isabella’s place But something about Roman’s cryptic message had made me feel uneasy. I stepped out of the car, my heels clicking sharply on the gravel path leading up to the front doors. The mansion’s heavy wooden doors swung open as if they were expecting me, revealing a lavish interior. The moment I crossed the threshold, I felt a strange tension in the air. The grandeur of Roman’s home—polished marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and gilded décor—did little to mask the undercurrent of unease. They were gathered in small groups, their murmurs filling the room, but something felt off. It was too quiet for a mansion this size. Too secretive.As I moved further into the room, my eyes scanning the f
...GENEVIEVE I sat on the edge of the bed, sinking into the soft sheets with a deep sigh. The room was dimly lit, the golden glow of the bedside lamp casting long shadows along the walls. I tilted my head back, staring up at the ceiling, letting the quiet of the room settle around me. For the first time in days, I allowed herself to relax, my muscles loosening as the tension of the day melted away.I still was not properly relaxed. My mind was running with ideas to take revenge on Catherine. I could not let her off the hook so easily. A soft sound caught my attention, the subtle rustling of movement. Roman stepped out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist, droplets of water still clinging to his skin. He looked over at me, his eyes narrowing slightly in curiosity. My eyes met his and I held his intense gaze. Then, suddenly, a small laugh escaped my lips, light and unexpected.Roman, drying his hair with another towel, paused, his brow furrowing as he watched me. “W
...GENEVIEVE I woke up to the soft glow of early morning light filtering through the curtains.The warmth of Roman’s body was pressed against my own, his head resting on my bare chest, his arms wrapped securely around my waist. His breathing was slow and deep, a rhythmic sound that made me smile as I gently ran my fingers through his hair. I could feel the steady rise and fall of his chest, his skin warm against mine, and for a moment, I just lay there, content to be in this peaceful silence.My gaze drifted over Roman’s back, where faint red nail marks traced across his skin, a reminder of the intensity from the night before. The memory of our passion made my cheeks flush slightly, and I bit my lip, admiring the marks I had left on him. It was rare for me to feel so completely at ease, and the sight of Roman sleeping so peacefully, vulnerable in her arms, filled me with a sense of tenderness I hadn’t expected.I traced my fingers lightly over his back, careful not to wake him
...GENEVIEVE As Roman and I descended the grand staircase, the morning sunlight poured through the tall windows, casting a warm glow across the mansion’s marble floors. I walked with a quiet grace, my hand lightly resting in Roman’s as we approached the dining room. The faint murmur of conversation could already be heard, signaling the presence of Roman’s family gathered for breakfast.When we entered the room, the scene before us was one of casual elegance—Roman’s grandmother, Catherine, Xavier, Arthur, and Gabriel were seated around the long table, plates laden with food. The soft clinking of cutlery and the smell of fresh coffee filled the air. My eyes briefly scanned the room, noting how everyone seemed deep in conversation, but the moment we stepped closer, all eyes turned towards us.“Good morning,” Roman’s grandmother said, her tone warm and inviting, her eyes immediately brightening at the sight of Roman and me. She motioned towards the table. “Roman, Genevieve, come j
...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