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RICHARD.I coiled my hands into fists, glaring at the bastard who was addressing the press like he owned the place. The moment he mentioned the partnership with Savvy Tech, the crowd went crazy. “Mr Hart, are you saying Mr X is willing to work with you?” One of the reporters asked. “Mr Hart, no one has ever seen Mr X. He’s a mysterious CEO who came out of nowhere. How did you manage to secure a partnership when you just returned to the country?”“How much is the partnership worth? Can we see the new product?” "You don't need to know the details. All you need to know is that Mr X and I are close. The partnership is worth a hundred million dollars and I have the contract with me. Mr X has already signed it, I just have to sign it and the deal is done,” Lucas replied arrogantly. I scoffed, my hatred for my so-called brother growing. How the hell did he manage to convince Mr X to give him a contract? Elias has been trying but he’s never gotten any response… not even a rejection. I
SOPHIA.“Congratulations on your first win, Luca!” I said the moment he walked through the door. “You were so cool!”He raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. “You watched the press conference?” “Yes, I did. It was a chance to see Elias get defeated. It was satisfying to watch,” I replied, a huge grin on my face. I found out through social media that a group of protestors were making trouble at the Hart group, so I kept up with the news to see how it would turn out. For sure, Lucas didn’t disappoint. The way he handled the protestors… the way he handled the press and him slapping his brother and Elias’s face with a hundred million dollar contract… I wish I had been there to witness the looks on their faces myself. “This is just the beginning,” Lucas replied as he rolled his sleeves to his elbows. He looked at me, saying, “I hope you haven’t had dinner yet. I promised to cook for you.” “No, I didn’t. And I’m starving,” I replied, rubbing my stomach. “Then I better feed
SOPHIA.“Bon appétit!” Lucas said and I looked down at my plate filled with a well-done steak, mashed potatoes and sautéed veggies.I gulped, my mouth watering. Not only did it look delicious, but it smelled good too.Looking up at Lucas, I smiled. “Thank you for the meal.”Lucas sat across from me. We had moved to the dining area and I was still on my first glass of wine. I didn’t want to get drunk and misbehave like last time.We sat in comfortable silence and enjoyed the food.“I met the Adams Group CEO today,” I said after a while, my mouth full.Oh, that’s so ladylike Sophie. How can you talk with food in your mouth?“How did it go?” He asked in his deep voice before reaching over to wipe some sauce from my mouth.I blushed profusely but decided to play it cool.“She offered to help me win over the shareholders. I know I haven't been active for three years, it will take some time for me to earn their trust,” I replied.For now, I couldn’t show up at the company because Elias would
LUCAS. I awoke to a soft, warm body curled up against me. The TV was still on, still playing the series I had put on last night, but outside, the birds had already started chirping and soft morning light was beginning to seep into the room. I looked down at the beautiful woman sleeping beside me and arched my eyebrow. She had used my chest as a pillow and her leg was wrapped around mine like she didn't want to let go. It seems that while trying to watch the series, we somehow ended up falling asleep. I had promised her that I would leave once she fell asleep… but who knew I would be so relaxed with her next to me? I hadn't even realised when I had dozed off. Looking at her sleeping face, I couldn’t help but admire her. She looked so peaceful. Reaching up, I brushed the hair that had fallen on her face away before caressing her cheek lightly. She moaned in her sleep but instead of waking up, she tightened her hold around me and I gulped, my heart racing at the warmth radiating f
CARLA.“What are you doing here?” I questioned the man who was sitting in my chair like he owned the place. “Who let you in?” I had just returned from my secret meeting with Lucas Hart, the second son of the chairman of the Hart Group. When I got his invitation earlier, I wondered what he wanted to talk about but now that I knew he was on our side, I didn't have to fear the man seated in my office. “Carla Hopkins, you must have forgotten your place and started to think you’re a real CEO,” Elias Hart spat as he lightly swayed in my swivel chair. I clenched my hands into fists, glaring at him. “I was able to get this job because I was overqualified for any other job in this company. Don’t belittle me just because I’m a woman!” I spat. The man always came and went as if he was the actual CEO of the Adams Group. I tried my best to put him in line but there was only little I could do when he used his marriage to Sophia Adams to get away with anything. He let out a dark chuckle. “I f
SOPHIA. “The invitations to my welcoming party have been sent out. It will be held in three weeks,” Lucas said as he manoeuvred the car out of the yard. It took an hour for me to dress up for dinner and now, we were heading out to Lucas’s mysterious place. I had asked where he would like me to treat him to dinner and he said it was a surprise. I sighed at his words. “That night, everyone will know about our marriage,” I replied, suddenly feeling nervous. What would his father think? I had divorced his grandson and became his daughter-in-law instead.“Yes, and Elias will realise that you’ve upgraded,” Lucas remarked, smirking as he steered the car with one hand. “I hope you will be ready to face him then… it won’t be easy but it’s got to be done.” I bit my lower lip.The thought of seeing Elias again still made me anxious. But if I don’t brave myself and overcome my fears, he will hold me back forever. “I won’t back down! I can’t keep hiding forever. Besides, I need to return to
SOPHIA. “I just heard your voice and had to see you right away! So, how have you been? We haven’t talked in a while,” the woman said before Lucas could even respond. She was facing him, completely ignoring my existence. “Hello,” Lucas replied nonchalantly. He glanced at me. “Try the noodles, love. Aunt Elena makes the best noodles in the city.” I smiled but before I could respond, the woman placed her hand on Lucas’s arm. “Lucas, I know you love Mom’s noodles. This has been your go-to restaurant for years now. I learnt Mom’s recipe and my noodles taste the same as hers… I’ll be preparing them for you from now on.” I felt an odd twinge in my chest. Picking up the chopsticks, I twirled my noodles before taking them into my mouth and chewing them with fake calmness. My eyes subtly fell on her hand that was on Lucas’s arm and inexplicable anger rushed through me. Why was he letting her touch him like that?Lucas shook her hand off. “Kimberly, meet my wife, Sophia Adams,” he said,
SOPHIA. “Earth to Sophia!” Carla’s voice reached my ears, bringing me back to the present. “Um... I’m sorry. Where were we?” I asked, looking down at the documents on the table. Carla raised an eyebrow. “I can’t believe I spent thirty minutes talking to myself,” she complained. “You’ve been absent-minded since we started.”I sighed. “That’s true... I’m sorry, Carla. I called you all the way here and I’m not even paying attention.”My mind drifted to Lucas and what he had said when we left the restaurant the other day. “I’m all yours, Soph.”What did he mean?Those words had given me sleepless nights as I tried to figure out their meaning.A few days passed since that night. Lucas and I continued to live under one roof and I soon adjusted to my new life. Despite Lucas being extra busy now that he was working on a new project for the Hart group, he still made time to have dinner or lunch with me. Sometimes he cooked for me and I found myself wanting to eat the food he cooked more
VIOLET. My mind was racing as the ambulance rushed to the hospital. Damn you, Sophia! This was not how I had planned for things to go! My plan was simple. I wanted to make Sophia look bad in Lucas Hart’s eyes and then he would feel sorry for me— a poor woman who was suffering a miscarriage. However, my plan backfired. Not only did Lucas not care about me, but he also supported Sophia. What kind of luck was that bitch born with?She was already born rich… men always fall for her, but never me. I can’t accept that I was meant to be beneath her for the rest of my life. Hatred and anger bubbled up within me. Sophia must have been my enemy in my past life. How come things always worked out for her?I have to put an end to this! Sophia has to walk through my shoes... she has to suffer the way I've suffered. After flaunting her wealth in my face for years, she shouldn't blame me for being ruthless. I reached for my phone, but one of the paramedics took it from me. “You can’t use th
SOPHIA. I knew Violet was up to no good, but this… this was purely evil. How could she use her innocent baby’s life in her schemes? Tears rolled down her cheeks as she looked up at me. Anyone seeing this would think I had really pushed her. “Help me, Sophia. I don’t want to lose my baby. I’ll divorce Elias, I promise," she pleaded, making me roll my eyes. Was she a villain in her past life? She was so good at playing pretend.However, I was the only one who could see through her crocodile tears. Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd, my stomach knotting at the sheer weight of their whispers and judgmental stares. “What a vicious woman! She pushed a pregnant woman and couldn’t even help her out!” “She’s a monster!”“It seems she’s this poor pregnant lady’s husband’s mistress. How shameless!” “Has anyone called the police? We have a husband snatcher on the loose!”I clenched my fists, not bothering to defend myself. After all, with this scene, nothing I say would make the
SOPHIA. “How was my reminder?” Lucas asked as he dressed up, ready to go back to work. I blushed, recalling how he took me while I leaned against the wall. The way he held me... the way he kissed me like he was trying to carve his mark into my soul... his sharp and powerful thrusts that made me see stars...My God...It was so hot… I couldn’t stop thinking about it. He then dragged me into the shower and we had another round while at it. He had turned my back against him while my hands were braced on the tiled walls. He then raised my right leg while he penetrated me from behind and fucked me hard. I bit my lower lip, looking at him as he buttoned up his shirt. “I think I’m suffering from memory loss… maybe you should try to remind me again tonight,” I said, my face burning. Lucas’s eyes darkened with desire. “Getting greedy, are you?” He asked with an arched eyebrow. I shrugged, a small smirk tugging at my lips. “You started it. You need to see to it that I remember who I bel
LUCAS. I was in a meeting with some potential business partners when Sophia sent me a text.Everyone looked at me when my phone chimed, probably wondering why my phone was not on silent during a meeting. I smirked, opening my phone. “Wait…” I said to the project manager who was giving a presentation of his company’s proposal. “I just got a text from my wife. I need to read it.”“Uh… o-okay, Mr Hart,” he responded as I opened the text, only for my eyebrows to furrow. What the fuck was Elias doing at my house and why the fuck wasn’t I alerted? I checked and found several missed calls from the security team. Shit. My phone is usually on silent mode whenever I’m in a meeting. Only Sophia’s call was set to ring whenever she called. I clenched my hand around the phone. How dare Elias go to my house to seduce my wife?“M-Mr Hart, should I–”“This meeting is over,” I said coldly, getting to my feet and walking out of the conference room as I dialled my wife’s phone. When an automated
SOPHIA. “Sophia… I’ve been waiting for your call, but you didn’t call me. You wanted me to come for you, right?” Elias said, shocking me to the core. I looked at the stuff in his hands, my eyebrows furrowing. “Elias–”“It’s ok… I’m here. I’ve done what you want. Now come home with me, you don’t belong here,” Elias confidently said, making me wonder if he had a few loose screws. Was he for real?“And where do I belong?” I sneered. “With you? You have some nerve coming here.” “Of course you belong with me! Not here… anywhere but here! Do you even know my uncle very well? He–”“Shut up! I don’t want to hear it! Leave my house!” I yelled, frustration creeping into me. Who did he think he was?“Sophia…” Elias said, taking a step forward, but I stepped back. “Stay where you are! Elias, why are you here?” I questioned, glaring at the man I once thought was my whole world. Looking at him now felt like I was looking at a total stranger. Funny how that works. I took out my phone and text
SOPHIA. “Ah... Luca! Right there!” A horny sound escaped my lips as Lucas ate me out. I was seated on top of the dining table, our used plates were swept to the ground by a very hungry and impatient Lucas. My legs were spread apart and held in place by strong, manly hands. Lucas, while on one knee, had his face buried in my core, eating me like a man who had been starved for years… Earlier, he made love to me, taking me in all sorts of positions that I never knew existed. The passion, the pleasure, the intensity... I was floating on cloud nine. After he rested for a little while, he had carried me to the dining area and placed me on top of the dining table before getting down to business.“Oh, Luca! Oh yes!” I cried out when he sucked my pleasure nub, intoxicating pleasure rippling through me. He looked up, one of his hands reaching for my breast. “Fuck, I did well to save the best for last. Your exquisite taste is just what I needed for dessert,” he murmured, his voice deep
SOPHIA. A gasp escaped my lips when Lucas ripped my dress off, the sheer force leaving a stinging pain on my skin. “Luca…”“Yes, love?” Lucas arched an eyebrow before raking his eyes over my body. My face burned. Instinct kicked in, making me cover my breasts with one hand while the other one cupped my crotch. Lucas let out a low chuckle. “You’re so cute, you know that?” He said, a smirk tugging at his lips. “What part of you haven’t I seen? Why are you hiding yourself? Not like it would stop me from devouring you anyway…” Butterflies fluttered in my stomach. I bit my lower lip, my heart pounding hard in my chest. I loved everything about this night... his confession, the scenery... the fact that I could see stars while lying in this position made it all too perfect. Reaching up, I grabbed Lucas’s shirt and tugged at it. “Take this off. I don’t want to be the only one naked,” I uttered in a low voice. Lucas’s smirk deepened. “Gladly.” He knelt on the bed, making me watch as
LUCAS.There. I said it. The instant relief that washed over me made me question why I kept this to myself all these years…It felt good to finally voice my feelings. To finally tell the woman of my dreams how much I loved and cherished her... “Lucas…” Sophia’s eyes widened in shock. “Are you saying you’ve always been in love with me?” I nodded, my fingers caressing her smooth skin as I cupped her cheek. “I have…” I replied. “I love you, Sophia Adams Hart.” Silence fell upon us, but we maintained our position, simply looking into each other’s eyes as Sophia tried to process my words. “Can you tell me why you left three years ago? Is it because I married Elias?” She asked, her eyes watering with tears. I sighed, recalling the past. When Elias proposed to Sophia and she accepted, that was the worst day of my life. I couldn’t take it. So, I gave up everything and left. I tried to move on… I even dated a few other women to try and move on, but I failed. Terribly. My heart, my so
SOPHIA. My heart slammed against my ribcage like a war drum being beaten into action. He wanted to say he would do it because he was my future husband? But that was nine years ago…A breath caught in my throat at the thought that crept into me. I looked up into gorgeous blue eyes that always seemed to be too intense when staring at me. “Luca… you—”“Come, let’s go in,” Lucas said, placing his hand on the small of my back and leading me into the villa. I temporarily put that thought aside, but my heart couldn’t stop racing. The possibility of Lucas…No, he didn’t, did he? That would mean…When we walked into the villa, I gasped, taking in the beautiful interior. Plush white sofas in the living room with a cozy fireplace, an open-plan kitchen on one side and a dining area with dinner for two already set up on the table. A bedroom lay on the other side of the villa, featuring a king-sized bed draped in sheer white curtains, a soft glow from bedside lamps casting warm light over the r