Chapter 18 – A Battle of WillsAaron pulled up in front of the school, glancing at the time on his watch. He was already irritated. He hadn’t wanted to come himself, but since the cook had been nagging about Josh’s whereabouts, he decided to just pick the boy up and put an end to the complaints. It was a simple task—drive in, pick up his son, and go home.But as soon as he spotted Josh standing near the school gate, he knew things wouldn’t be that easy.Josh was standing there, arms crossed, a stubborn look on his small face. He didn’t even move when Aaron’s car came to a stop in front of him.Aaron rolled down the window. “Josh, get in.”Josh didn’t budge.Aaron’s patience was already thin. “Josh,” he said, his voice sharper this time, “I said get in.”Josh shook his head. “I’m waiting for Uncle Alex.”Aaron frowned, gripping the steering wheel. “What do you mean you’re waiting for Alex? I’m your father. Get in the car.”Josh took a small step back, his face filled with defiance. “I
The next morning, Aaron gathered the entire family in the grand dining hall of the mansion. The long dining table, usually a place for quiet meals and occasional business discussions, was now the stage for his big announcement. His mother sat at the head of the table, elegantly dressed, sipping her tea as she observed her sons. Aaron’s fiancee , Clara, sat beside her, glancing between Aaron and Alex with mild curiosity. Alex, on the other hand, was leaning back in his chair, arms crossed, already looking unimpressed.Aaron cleared his throat and stood up, adjusting the cuff of his expensive suit. “I called you all here because I have something important to share,” he said, his voice filled with confidence. He glanced at his mother, who simply raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to continue.“I’ve decided to announce my engagement at my company party next week.”He said holding clara’s hands For a moment, there was silence Alex, however, let out a quiet scoff, shaking his head as he re
Chapter 20- The Beginning of My ComebackMira’s POVThe slow ticking of the clock was driving me insane. I stared at the ceiling, counting every second that passed. I had been stuck in this hospital bed for too long, waiting, healing, hiding. I was grateful to be alive, but I was tired of feeling powerless.Then, the door opened.Alex walked in, looking as sharp as ever in a dark suit. There was something different about him today—an energy, a sense of purpose. My heartbeat quickened. I could tell he wasn’t just here to check on me.I sat up. “What is it?” I asked, my voice laced with anticipation.He stepped forward, slipping his hands into his pockets. “I have three things to tell you,” he said.I swallowed hard. “Three?”He nodded, watching me closely. “First—your parents left you an inheritance.”I froze. The words hit me like a punch to the stomach.“What?” I whispered.Alex’s expression softened slightly. “You didn’t know, did you?”I shook my head, my mind spinning. “Aaron told
Chapter 21 – The Transformation Mira’s POV The morning air felt different. There was an electric charge in the atmosphere, a sense of something big about to happen. I had spent months feeling powerless, stuck in this hospital, watching my life slip through my fingers. But today, everything was changing. it’s been weeks i last met alex and Today we are meeting again Alex had arranged for a full transformation, and when I woke up, I found my hospital room filled with people—stylists, designers, makeup artists, and a hairstylist. It was overwhelming. “What is all this?” I asked, blinking in surprise. Alex stood near the window, watching the chaos unfold with a smug expression. “You said you wanted a transformation,” he said. “So, I brought the best.” I swallowed, suddenly feeling nervous. “Are you sure about this?” Alex’s eyes locked onto mine. “Mira, the woman Aaron abandoned doesn’t exist anymore. We’re making sure of that today.” That was all I needed to hear. The transform
Chapter 22 – Unspoken TruthsAlex was in his office, flipping through documents when a sharp knock echoed through the room. He glanced up, expecting his assistant, but instead, Clara walked in, holding a stack of elegant invitations. He rolled his eyes , What was she doing here and with an invitation? He knew what this was , She wasn’t here to hand out invitations it was something else . She was dressed in a cream-colored dress, her hair perfectly styled, her expression composed. Clara had always been the picture of poise and grace, but today, there was something else in her eyes—something calculating. He and clara had a not so romantic relationship but he didn’t even know if it grew to a relationship but they were supposed to get married, It was just a marriage focused relationship, He didn’t have any feelings for her .Alex leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as she approached his desk. “To what do I owe the pleasure?” he asked, his tone dry.Clara smiled sweetly and placed
Chapter 23 – The Fear of the UnknownAlex sat behind his desk, flipping through documents, but his mind wasn’t on work. He could feel it—something was shifting. The wedding was in two days, and suddenly, everyone was scrambling to keep him in check. First Clara, now his stepmother. He knew Aaron would be next.He sighed and leaned back in his chair when his office door creaked open. His secretary hadn’t announced anyone, which meant this visitor had walked in like they owned the place.And indeed, she did act like she did.Standing in the doorway, dressed in an elegant beige suit, was his stepmother. Her presence alone filled the room with tension.“Alex,” she greeted, her voice smooth but firm.“To what do I owe this visit?” Alex asked, barely glancing up from his desk.She walked in, her heels clicking against the marble floor. “It’s been a while since we spoke.”“We don’t speak,” Alex corrected. “And we never had much to say to each other.”His stepmother sighed, acting like his wo
Chapter 24 – Perfect Timing As Alex was getting ready to leave his office after a long day, his phone buzzed. He checked the screen and smirked when he saw Aaron’s name flashing.“Hello,” Alex answered casually, already knowing what this call was about.“I want to have a drink with you,” Aaron’s voice came through the phone. It wasn’t a request—it was a statement.Alex raised an eyebrow, amused. They had barely spoken to each other outside of family events, yet suddenly, Aaron wanted to share a drink? How predictable.“Alright,” Alex agreed.The moment he hung up, he let out a small chuckle. It was almost too easy. They were all following the same pattern—Clara, their mother , and now Aaron. One by one, they were trying to keep him in check. If only they knew they were fueling his amusement.When Alex arrived at the bar, Aaron was already seated in a private booth, a glass of whiskey in his hand. The place was dimly lit, filled with the low hum of conversations and soft jazz music pl
Mira’s POVThe day had finally come. I was leaving.For months, I had been trapped in this isolated hospital hidden deep within the woods, a place that had become both my prison and my sanctuary. The air was thick with the scent of antiseptic, and the walls, though painted in dull colors, held the whispers of my pain, my recovery, and my rebirth.I stood by the window, staring at the unfamiliar world outside. The trees swayed with the wind, their rustling leaves reminding me that life continued beyond these walls. I clutched the bag in my hands, the only belongings I had in this place, and exhaled deeply. Today was the day I would reclaim my life.A soft knock on the door broke my thoughts, and when I turned, the doctors and nurses were gathered at the entrance. My heart clenched. These people had saved me, healed me, and comforted me when I had been at my weakest. Seeing them now, ready to say goodbye, filled my chest with something heavy and bittersweet.Dr. Harrison, the surgeon wh
The Confession(Mira’s POV)Cynthia drove me home in silence, the only sound in the car was the hum of the engine. My head was still spinning from everything that had happened. Tonight was supposed to be fun, but instead, it had turned into another night of chaos.When we pulled into the driveway, I let out a tired sigh. “Thanks for the ride,” I mumbled, unbuckling my seatbelt.But the moment I stepped out of the car, my stomach twisted painfully.Alex was standing there.Under the dim glow of the streetlight, I could see his knuckles—bloody and bruised. His jaw was clenched, his face unreadable, but I could see the exhaustion in his eyes. The way he held his injured hand told me he was in pain, but he wasn’t even acknowledging it.Before I even thought about what I was doing, my feet moved on their own.I ran to him.The ache in my chest grew stronger with each step, and the moment I reached him, my emotions exploded.I hit his chest—softly at first, then harder.“Why?” I shouted, my
A Night Gone Wrong(Mira’s POV)Sitting in the VIP lounge with Cynthia, I sipped on my drink while we watched the dance floor. The music was loud, the bass vibrating through my body, but I was having a good time. It felt nice to unwind, to just sit back and not think about work, responsibilities, or the mess Aaron had made of my life.But, of course, peace never lasted long for me.“Come on!” Cynthia suddenly grabbed my hand, pulling me up. “You didn’t come all the way here just to sit and watch. Let’s dance!”I laughed, trying to resist. “Cynthia, I’m not really—”“No excuses, Mira. Let’s go.”Before I could argue further, I was already being dragged onto the dance floor. The lights flashed, people moved in sync with the beat, and for a brief moment, I let myself enjoy it.Then, I felt someone behind me.I turned around, expecting a stranger, but my heart dropped when I saw who it was.Aaron.Drunk, stumbling, and looking at me with the same arrogance he always had.“Mira,” he slurre
An Unexpected Reunion(Mira’s POV)I tried my best not to make it obvious, but I was definitely waiting for Alex to say something.His words from earlier kept replaying in my mind. When the time is right, I need to tell you something.What was it?Did it have to do with our almost kiss? Did he feel the same way I did? Or was I reading too much into it?I stole a glance at him as we stepped into the club, but his expression was unreadable. The music was loud, the flashing lights making everything feel more alive. People were already dancing, the atmosphere filled with energy.Just as I was about to say something, I heard someone call Alex’s name.A guy approached us, grinning. it was daniel’s friend . Alex recognized him instantly and gave him a handshake.“Daniel,” Alex greeted. “Didn’t know you’d be here tonight.”“Man, you know me. Always around,” Daniel said, then turned to me. “Mira so good to see you here , you look hot”Alex threw him a look.I nodded politely, offering a small
(Mira’s POV)I had been staring at the clock endlessly, tapping my fingers against my dresser, waiting for time to pass. Every minute felt like an hour. I was already dressed, and I looked hot.The deep black dress hugged my curves perfectly, stopping just above my knees, classy yet daring. My makeup was light but flawless, highlighting my best features. My hair? Perfect waves that framed my face just right.I picked up my phone and took a few pictures for Instagram. It had been a while since I posted something for myself and not business-related. I smiled at the photos, satisfied.“Mom, you actually look hot,” Josh teased from my doorway, arms crossed with a smug grin.I rolled my eyes, laughing. “Oh, so I never look hot?”He shook his head dramatically. “Not this hot. Are you sure you’re going to the club and not a red-carpet event?”I threw a pillow at him, and he dodged it easily, laughing. But deep down, his words made me wonder.Would Alex bail on me tonight after what happened
“Let’s Pretend That Didn’t Happen” i said to myself. The second I stepped into my house, I rushed straight to my room and shut the door behind me, pressing my back against it. Josh was sitting on my bed, playing a game on his tablet, but as soon as he saw me, he smirked. “What was that about?” he asked, his voice filled with amusement. I groaned and covered my face. “Nothing. Nothing at all.” Josh chuckled. “You and Uncle Alex were about to kiss.” I gasped. “Excuse me?” I dropped my hands and looked at him. “We were not.” He rolled his eyes. “Mom, I’m not a kid. I saw it.” I grabbed a pillow and threw it at him, but he dodged it, laughing. “Go to sleep, Josh.” He snickered. “Whatever you say, Mom.” Before I could throw another pillow at him, I heard a knock on my door. I froze. Josh raised an eyebrow. “You gonna get that, or should I?” I slowly walked to the door and peeped through the peephole. My stomach did a little flip when I saw Alex standing there, wavi
Stepping out of her comfort zone I stared at my closet, arms crossed, lips pressed into a thin line.All I had were work clothes.Blazers. Pencil skirts. Crisp white shirts. A few modest dresses that screamed corporate boss rather than night out.I sighed. “Well, this is a disaster.”Josh, sitting on my bed with his legs crossed, let out a loud laugh. “Mom, you’re so funny right now.”I turned to him with a playful glare. “Oh? And what exactly is funny about this?”He grinned, eyes twinkling. “You, freaking out over what to wear to a club.”I scoffed. “I am not freaking out.”Josh raised a brow, clearly not convinced.I groaned and grabbed my phone, dialing Alex. He picked up immediately.“Yo,” he answered. “You ready for tonight?”“No,” I huffed, flipping through the clothes in my wardrobe again. “I have nothing to wear.”There was silence for half a second before he burst into laughter.“Oh no,” he said, his voice dripping with amusement. “The great Mira doesn’t have the perfect o
Taking Back ControlThe office was finally peaceful. No more chaos, no more betrayals—just me, my work, and the steady hum of productivity. I focused on my new project, checking every little detail carefully. Things were falling into place, and for the first time in a long while, I felt like I was back in control.Just as I was about to take a sip of my coffee, my manager walked in with a smirk on his face, holding a document in his hand.“You wouldn’t believe this,” he said.I raised an eyebrow, curious. “What is it?”“A direct mail from Aaron’s company,” he said, waving the paper slightly. “Do you want to read it?”Aaron? The name alone made my mood sour. There was no way he would have the guts to contact me himself. If anything, he’d use someone else to do his dirty work.“Let me see,” I said, taking the document from him.I skimmed through the contents, and before I could stop myself, I let out a loud laugh.Co-CEO?They really thought I would agree to that? After everything I had
Aaron’s Office ShowdownAaron sat at his desk, flipping through a stack of files while trying to ignore the growing headache pressing against his temples. The past few weeks had been stressful. His company was struggling, facing unexpected financial hits and internal instability. Just when he thought things couldn’t get any worse, his assistant walked in.“Sir, the Chief Director is here to see you,” she announced cautiously.Aaron frowned. The Chief Director rarely showed up unannounced. Something was off.“Let him in,” he said, closing the file in front of him and leaning back in his chair.A few moments later, the Chief Director, an older man with silver-streaked hair and a sharp gaze, walked in. His expression was unreadable, but Aaron could sense the weight of his presence. He gestured toward the chair in front of him.“To what do I owe the pleasure?” Aaron asked, trying to sound casual.The Chief Director sat down, placing a folder on the desk. He adjusted his suit jacket and ex
Chapter: A Small Victory to Celebrate(Mira’s POV)The moment I stepped into my house, relief washed over me like a warm wave.Josh was in the living room, curled up on the couch with his tablet, completely engrossed in whatever game he was playing. His little fingers moved swiftly over the screen, his brows furrowed in deep concentration.I stood there for a moment, just watching him.This was why I fought so hard. This was why I refused to back down.“Mom!” He looked up and beamed the moment he noticed me.I walked over and ruffled his hair before pulling him into a hug. “Hey, baby. How was your day?”“It was okay. I finished my homework already,” he said proudly.“That’s my boy.” I smiled, brushing his cheek before deciding it was time to tell him the good news.I sat beside him, taking a deep breath. “Josh, you’re not going to boarding school anymore.”His eyes widened in disbelief. “Wait… what?”“You heard me.” I nodded, watching his face carefully. “You’re staying home with me.