...GENEVIEVE I paced the length of my bedroom, my phone pressed to my ear as I waited for Isabella to pick up. The moment I heard my friend’s voice on the other end, I exhaled in relief, as though finally able to release the tension that had built up all day.“Isabella, I can’t take it anymore,” I began, my voice low but full of frustration. “Olivia just won’t leave Roman and me alone. She’s constantly making her presence known, trying to get between us. It’s like she’s determined to make my life a living nightmare.”There was a brief pause before Isabella’s calming voice replied, “I figured she’d try to pull something like this. But, Genevieve, you need to be careful. It’s not just Olivia you have to worry about. Rosalind and Emma—they’re just as invested in making your life difficult, maybe even more now that they feel you’re a threat to whatever plans they have.”I let out a frustrated sigh, sinking down onto the edge of my bed as I rubbed my temples. “I know you’re right,
...GENEVIEVE I walked through the dimly lit hallway, the faint chill of the night air brushing against my skin as I tightened my robe around my shoulders. My throat was dry, and the silence of the house made each soft footstep echo as I entered the kitchen, my mind already half-drifting back to bed.As I reached for a glass from the cupboard, a faint shuffle from the other side of the room made me stop. I turned, my gaze settling on Catherine, who stood by the counter, her hands loosely clasped. For a moment, I felt irritation rise, but I pushed it aside, deciding to ignore her presence. I poured myself a glass of water, savoring the coolness as I took a sip, hoping Catherine would simply leave.Instead, Catherine shifted and cleared her throat. “Genevieve.”I glanced at her but said nothing, waiting to see if Catherine would continue or take the hint to leave.Catherine took a step closer, her tone softer than usual. “I… I wanted to talk, if that’s okay.”I sighed but didn’t
...GENEVIEVE As the door closed behind Jaden, I remained silent, watching my father with a look of barely concealed disbelief. My gaze held a thousand questions, but for a moment, I simply stood there, trying to gather my thoughts. The whole situation with Jaden felt absurd—first, he’d reappeared out of nowhere, and now he was set to marry Olivia? It was almost too strange to be real.Finally, unable to contain myself any longer, I looked at my father, my expression a mix of frustration and confusion. “Why was he here, Dad?” I asked, my voice sharper than intended. “And why is Olivia marrying him? How does this even make sense?”My father sighed, the weight of his own thoughts evident in his tired gaze. He rubbed a hand across his forehead before meeting my eyes. “Genevieve, Olivia made this decision on her own,” he said calmly. “She’s an adult now. She’s mature enough to make choices about her life, even if they might seem… unexpected.”I let out a soft, incredulous laug
...GENEVIEVE I stepped out of the car, glancing up at the grand estate that was my father’s house. The familiar architecture, with its sprawling columns and stately façade, brought back a wave of memories. I tightened my grip on Roman’s hand, drawing a sense of strength and comfort from his presence beside me. His fingers entwined with mine, grounding me in a way that made me feel like I could face anything — even the people inside this house.As we walked in, the cool marble floor echoed softly beneath our steps. The moment we crossed the threshold, a flurry of polite nods and smiles greeted us. The house staff, always respectful and welcoming, acknowledged me with warm smiles, some even murmuring, “Welcome home, Miss Genevieve.” I returned their greetings with an appreciative smile, feeling a surprising warmth in being back here, despite the complicated relationships that loomed within these walls.Before I could even take a full breath, I heard a familiar voice call my n
...GENEVIEVE I sat next to Roman, the low hum of dinner conversation filling the air around them as I tried to settle in. Roman’s presence at my side was grounding yet charged, an ever-present reminder of his intense gaze that seemed to watch my every move. Across from me, Jaden took his seat with a casual smile, one that instantly made me tense. I tried my best to ignore him, focusing instead on the dinnerware in front of me and the soft clinking of silverware. But my quiet attempt to avoid any interaction was shattered as Jaden’s voice cut through.“So, Genevieve,” Jaden said, leaning forward, his tone overly familiar. “How have you been since college? It’s been a while.”I felt Roman stiffen beside me, a rush of tension radiating through his entire posture. I didn’t need to look at him to know he was glaring. I mentally cursed Jaden, irritation building as I realized this dinner was about to become far more complicated.Olivia, who had been watching the exchange, raised
...GENEVIEVE I wrapped herself in my robe, my damp hair falling loosely around my shoulders as I made my way down the hall, determined not to enter the bedroom where Roman was undoubtedly stewing in silence. I wasn’t ready to face him again; my anger was still too fresh, and I needed space to calm down. Instead, I settled in the living room, sinking into the plush couch and crossing my arms, my mind replaying the disastrous dinner in a loop that only added fuel to my irritation.After a few minutes, I heard footsteps behind me, and I looked up to see Catherine entering the room. Catherine’s face was a mixture of curiosity and concern as she took in my tense posture and the unmistakable storm in her eyes.“What happened?” Catherine asked, settling into the chair across from me. “You look like you’re ready to kill someone.”I exhaled sharply, brushing a hand through my still-damp hair. “It’s Jaden,” I muttered, bitterness coloring my voice. “He’s marrying Olivia.”Catherine’s
...GENEVIEVE My breath hitched, my chest rising and falling as I stared at Roman, his gaze trailing slowly down the length of my bare figure. The room felt impossibly warm, and my heart pounded, each beat echoing through the silence that stretched between us. I watched him as he reached for the waistband of his sweatpants, his movements steady and deliberate, his eyes never leaving mine. With one smooth motion, he pushed them down, letting the fabric pool around his ankles before he stepped out, his gaze still intent on me, dark and unyielding.I swallowed, a soft gasp escaping my lips as he moved forward, closing the distance between us. His skin was warm against mine as he pressed his body against me, the closeness sending a rush of heat through me that was both thrilling and humbling. I felt the wall cool against my back, contrasting with the warmth that spread through me from where his skin met mine. A flush crept over my cheeks, and I instinctively tried to look away, b
...ROMAN The morning sun cast a gentle glow across the room, warming the air and illuminating the tangled sheets in which Genevieve laid, her body curled up in the quiet aftermath of an exhausting night. I leaned up on one elbow, my gaze tracing over her with an expression that mixed possessiveness, pride, and the kind of deep affection I rarely allowed myself to feel. Her bare back, marked with the evidence of our passion, rose and fell with each soft, steady breath, and I felt a familiar thrill at the sight of her like this—unguarded, deeply asleep, and entirely mine.We’d barely gotten to sleep before dawn, wrapped up in each other until the early hours when sheer exhaustion finally overcame us both. Now, as the morning passed us by, I was wide awake, but I didn’t mind. Watching her sleep, feeling the warmth of her against me, I was content to stay in bed all day if it meant keeping her close like this.I let my hand drift down her back, my fingers light against her skin, ca
...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