Time ticked by, and at first, the masked man was filled with confidence. But as the minutes slipped away, unease began to creep in. Why hadn’t he received a call by now? The delay could only mean one thing. His meticulously crafted decoy had failed. If that were true, it meant not only that his true identity would be uncovered, but also that his base could be compromised. If Nash arrived with backup, everything would fall apart.“Nina, you and he must have a deep connection,” the masked man sneered, his gaze piercing as he looked at her. “Otherwise, how could he have spotted the imposter so quickly?” He tried to brush off his failed plan, thinking he still had her as leverage. Both Nash and Micah would be reluctant to let her be harmed, making her a powerful bargaining chip in his hands.He stepped closer, ripping off his mask to reveal a remarkably plain face beneath. “The bet’s over, I lost,” he admitted. “Per our agreement, I’m showing you my face. But there’s one more thing
Nash, of course, immediately approved the leave. What neither he nor anyone else knew was that Ben harbored an unrequited love, someone he adored in his youth but came to despise over the years. ……“Ben, not here... please...” Jamie Lewis’s voice quivered in pleading as he held her tightly against the narrow vanity. She was trapped, nowhere to escape under his unyielding hold. Her protests did nothing to sway him.His gaze only hardened with a cold fury. “Now you know how to beg?” he sneered. “Where was your mercy when I was the one pleading?” Jamie swallowed hard, her throat constricting painfully as she forced the words, “Ben, I know I wronged you back then. But Winnie is innocent. She’s out there right now.” It was the engagement day of her younger sister, Winnie Lewis. While Winnie stood outside, joyfully greeting the guests in her wedding dress, Jamie was trapped here, humiliated by Winnie’s own fiancé. Terror and a crushing guilt overwhelmed her, leaving her para
Jamie’s face went pale instantly. Winnie, oblivious to her sister’s turmoil, released Jamie’s hand and moved toward the source of the sound, only to discover Ben’s phone sitting on the vanity by the mirror.Jamie felt her stomach twist in anxiety. How could she possibly explain this?With a relieved smile, Winnie commented casually, “So careless, leaving his phone behind.” She picked up the phone without a hint of suspicion. Jamie held her breath, quickly shifting the conversation. “You’re the guest of honor today. Get back out there. I need to run to the restroom again.”Without waiting for a response, Jamie dashed into the restroom and locked the door in one fluid motion. But once inside, she felt Ben closing in behind her, pressing her back against the door with an ominous intensity.Just as his hand began to roam in a way that was both cruel and deliberate, Winnie’s voice sounded from outside the door, “Jamie, I really think you should go to the hospital. I’m going to get J
Jamie was certain of one thing. Ben did not love Winnie. This engagement party was nothing more than a trap. It was a twisted game Ben was playing for revenge against her. He had known about Winnie’s connection to her all along and had orchestrated each move to pull her into his plan.She had no choice.“Don’t tell her. I’ll do whatever you want,” Jamie said, defeated.“Perfect. Tonight, I want to see you at my feet, playing the obedient little dog I need. Don’t disappoint me,” he sneered, leaning in close, his breath hot against her ear, yet filled with chilling cruelty.Jamie steadied herself and, with shaky steps, forced herself to leave the room. After a moment, she joined Winnie outside.Winnie rushed over to her. “Jack couldn’t get here right away, so I had someone pick up some medicine from the pharmacy. And, Jamie,” Winnie continued with a determined look, “later, I’m taking those jewelry pieces to get some cash for Charlie’s hospital bills.”Each word pierced Jamie’s h
As Winnie's gaze drifted to the side, she noticed Ben approaching, dressed in a sleek black three-piece suit. Behind her, Jamie saw him too, and memories came rushing back. “Jamie, the man you were once with was Jack Green, but now he's Ben Lucas. You have to let him go!” Jamie thought to herself.He was both Ben Lucas and Jack Green. She could have been happy with Jack, but with Ben, there could be no connection. That was why she chose to walk away. She had buried Jack deep in her memory until today, when her sister’s repeated mentions of his name brought those memories flooding back.He was using his identity as Jack to get close to her sister, and now her sister was carrying his child. He wanted her to move into his house with her sister. It was all part of his revenge. But why drag Winnie into this? She had done nothing wrong. If anyone was at fault, it was only for having her as a sister.“I just went out to meet a guest. Are you all set on your end?” Ben asked casually, sl
“‘Innocent?’” Ben scoffed coldly. “You took all that money and didn’t share a cent with your sister? If that’s true, maybe this whole sisterly bond isn’t worth as much as you think.”Jamie's heart sank again. She knew that nothing she said would make a difference now. Ben would never believe her. To him, she was just a woman who took what she could get, unworthy of even a second glance. Still, she found herself pleading with him, “It’s been four years since we ended. Now Winnie is carrying your child. If you’re truly committed to her, please treat her well.”But Ben’s gaze only grew colder. His hand slid to her collar, and Jamie felt a spike of panic. They were in a public hallway, surveillance cameras overhead, and anyone could walk by at any moment. If someone saw them like this, the scandal would be unavoidable. What would happen to Winnie? All she wanted was a family of her own, a loving husband and an adorable child.Jamie’s guilt weighed heavier with each passing second. W
Ben leaned in close, so close that Jamie could hear his every breath. He asked, his voice cold, “Then tell me, what exactly do you think I should do? Should I go and break up with Winnie right now? Should I tell her what we just did, then drag her to a clinic for an abortion? Would that make you happy?”“Of course not!” Jamie quickly protested, her face going pale. “That’s your own child. Do you even hear what you’re saying?”Winnie wanted nothing more than a loving, happy family. Jamie couldn't bear the thought of shattering that dream.“So, what’s your solution?” Ben straightened up, looking down at her with cold amusement. “Go on, Jamie. Tell me what’s really on your mind.”Jamie took a breath, speaking as sincerely as she could. “I’ll do my best to make it up to you. I’ll gather whatever money you want. I can disappear if that’s what you need. Move far away so I’ll never cross your path again. Just… take care of Winnie and pretend I’m gone.”Ben’s expression only hardened, h
“Jack, what were you just talking about with my sister?” Winnie asked, her eyes bright with curiosity after greeting guests. It was her sister's first time meeting her boyfriend, and she felt a bit anxious. What if Jamie didn’t like him?Ben shook his head. “Just some small talk. I have a question for you though. How would you describe your sister?”“My sister is the best in the world,” Winnie said with a smile. “She’s incredibly kind to me, and all her friends think so highly of her too. There’s just one thing…” Winnie’s face fell as she sighed.Ben prodded gently, “Mind telling me?”“Well, it’s not really a secret since we’re family now.” Winnie glanced around, then continued, “She had a boyfriend she really loved, but they broke up, and it really hurt her. She was down for so long, and I don’t think she’s fully moved on even now.” Winnie's expression darkened at the thought. Jamie had never shared the details, but it was clear her sister was deeply affected. Winnie could only