My heart shattered, the weight of betrayal pressing down on me, leaving me hollow and suffocated. My legs trembled as I struggled to stand, my body aching just as much as my soul. The room seemed to spin, the air thick with humiliation and grief. I could barely look at Peter, let alone form the words that clawed at my throat.“You’ve already replaced me?” I whispered, my voice cracking under the weight of disbelief. The words felt fragile, as if they would break apart just like I had. “You’re parading her in my house while demanding I sign these papers?”Peter scoffed, his lips curling into a disdainful sneer. His cold gaze pierced through me, void of any trace of the man I once loved. “This was never your house, Martha,” he said, each word a dagger to my chest. “You were just keeping it warm for someone better.”The woman, Rachel, as I now knew, chuckled softly, her laugh dripping with malice. Her smirk deepened, her eyes raking over me with contempt. “Don’t take it personal,” she sa
Mrs. Henderson sneered, her lips curling as she thrust the papers toward me. “Save your pathetic tears,” she hissed. “Sign the papers and disappear. You don’t belong here. You never did.”Her words were cold and unrelenting, each syllable carving into me like a blade. My hands trembled as I stared down at the divorce papers, my tears falling in hot, silent streams. My vision blurred, the ink smudging beneath the weight of my despair.I wanted to fight back. I wanted to scream, to tear the papers apart, to stand up to them both. But my strength had abandoned me, crushed beneath their cruel behavior towards me. My heart screamed for me to hold on, to not give in, but my body refused to move.“Sign it!” Mrs. Henderson snapped, her voice sharp and commanding, cutting through the haze of my pain.My trembling fingers hovered over the pen, torn between giving in and holding onto the last shred of strength I had left. Tears dripped onto the paper as I hesitated, my soul warring with itself.
“Please, Peter,” I cried as I scrambled on the floor, my knees stinging from the pain of my body colliding with the ground as I stared at the door. Confused and scared, the pain in my heart was much worse than when my parents had died. A feeling that was so hard to believe. Why didn't I see this coming? Why didn't I see through all those times when he showed love to me that they were all fake? The question hung in my mind, a painful reminder of how blinded I’d been. My knees ached badly as they pressed against the floor. The chill of the night bit into my skin, the icy wind stinging my cheeks and seeping into my bones. But it couldn’t compare to the cold emptiness within me, a void left by betrayal so complete it left me hollow. This mansion had been the only thing that kept the memory of my parents alive in my mind, and now it was gone, stolen by the man I had trusted above all else. I tried to pry myself up from the floor, my body aching from so much pain, as I stood there
{Nathan's Pov} I hit the cold water with force as I dove in, swimming fast toward the woman crying out for help. Her voice was faint and broken by the sound of the storm as she disappeared beneath the surface again. “Help me, please,” she gasped weakly, her voice barely audible before the river pulled her under once more. I pushed forward, ignoring the cold that bit into my skin. The river raged against me, shoving me back, but I wouldn’t stop. Stretching out my hand, I reached for her. The current surged, nearly tearing her away, but I kicked harder, slicing through the water until my fingers finally closed around her arm. “I’ve got you,” I murmured, though I wasn’t sure she could hear me over the roaring water. With every muscle in my body screaming, I dragged her toward the shore. The river resisted, but I held on tight, refusing to let go until we reached the muddy bank. Her body collapsed onto the wet ground, trembling violently. She dragged herself away from the water
{Martha's Pov} My heart ached, each passing second making the pain sharper, heavier. I looked up at the man sitting across from me, his calm presence grounding me in a way I couldn’t explain. I opened my mouth to speak, to thank him for saving my life, for bringing me into his home and offering me comfort. But the words wouldn’t come. They were trapped, stuck beneath the weight of everything I was feeling. I was shattered, so broken that I couldn’t imagine putting myself back together. No matter how hard I tried to push away thoughts of Peter, they came rushing back, each memory cutting into me like glass. Every laugh we’d shared, every touch, every whispered promise, they all haunted me now. “Don’t worry. You’ll be fine,” Nathan’s voice broke through my spiraling thoughts, steady and calm. I looked up at him, meeting his piercing blue eyes. They held no judgment, only kindness. Somehow, in that moment, they eased a fraction of the pain in my chest, enough to let me breathe.
{Martha's POV}Her lashes fluttered as she waited for my response, her sharp gaze fixed on me. I froze; my tongue felt heavy, and I struggled to find the right words. As a stranger in the house, I didn’t know how to explain myself. My throat was dry, and I swallowed hard, avoiding her expectant stare.“I’m a friend of Nathan,” I finally mumbled, the words tumbling out awkwardly. My voice sounded strange even to my own ears, and beads of sweat gathered on my forehead, threatening to roll down.Her expression hardened instantly, her eyes narrowing with a judgmental glare. It was the kind of look I’d seen so many times before, a look that said I didn’t belong, that I wasn’t good enough to be here.But she didn’t press further. Instead, she placed her small handbag on the couch and began tying her dark hair into a neat bun.“I’m Carolina,” she said briskly, her voice calm but distant. “I handle the housekeeping when Mr. Evans isn’t around.” She paused, her sharp eyes continuing to scan me
{Martha's POV}Three Year Later.“Ma’am, your dress is here,” Carolina said as she entered the room, carrying a white box wrapped with a delicate red ribbon.I jumped up from the couch, excitement bubbling within me. With hurried steps, I approached her and took the box from her hands. My fingers lingered on the ribbon for a moment, savoring the anticipation, before I gently untied it and lifted the lid.“Oh my gosh!” I gasped as my eyes fell on the plush bodycon dress, its fabric shimmering with diamond-shaped sequins. I held it up, marveling at its perfection. It was exactly as I had seen it online.“This is beautiful,” Carolina said, stepping closer to admire it. She set the box aside with a careful touch. “Do you want to try it on now, ma’am?”“Yes,” I said, unable to contain my excitement. “I think I should. The dinner party is tonight, anyway.” I draped the dress over her arm with a smile. “Please, come with me.”Carolina patted the dress gently as we ascended the stairs. Each s
{Martha's POV} I stared at my reflection once more, my gaze lingering on my brunette hair. A small thought crossed my mind, it could use some curling. With a sigh, I turned to gather my clothes from the bed, folding them neatly before walking over to put them in my closet.“I’m sorry, duty calls,” Nathan’s voice broke the silence as he entered the room, slipping his phone into his pocket.I glanced at him over my shoulder, smiling softly. “I understand. Your job always demands your attention.”Shutting the closet door, I turned to face him. Nathan was leaning against the doorframe, his piercing eyes fixed on me. The intensity of his gaze sent warmth rushing to my cheeks, making it hard to hold his stare.Heat crept up my sleeves as I fiddled with the hem of my dress. The way he looked at me made my heart flutter, stirring emotions I wasn’t sure I could manage. Clearing my throat, I tried to shift the focus. “Um, the dinner. It’s at five,” I said, offering a small smile. “You wouldn’t
{Martha's POV}"Nathan's birthday is this weekend?" I muttered as I followed Mrs. Evans to the car, my voice laced with disbelief. How could I forget something so important? I scolded myself internally, giving my arm a small pinch to snap myself out of my thoughts."Yes, dear," Mrs. Evans chuckled, her warm eyes crinkling at the corners. She didn’t seem to catch the surprise in my tone, or perhaps she didn’t expect me to forget something as crucial as her son’s birthday.As I slid into the car beside her, a little excitement bubbled within me. Ever since I had known Nathan, I had never visited his workplace. His previous birthday had been a quiet celebration at his mother’s diner, just the three of us. It was simple, intimate, and filled with laughter. But this time, I had been so consumed by my battle against the Hendersons that his birthday had slipped from my mind entirely.Mrs. Evans sighed contentedly, her gaze soft as she looked out the window. “Nathan has always been a wonderfu
{Martha’s POV}If I could describe the look on Mrs. Henderson’s face before I left, I would say she felt defeated. The carefully constructed game they had played had been shattered within seconds. I had won this round, and the knowledge settled in my chest like a warm glow.A cool breeze swept through the driveway as I brushed away a loose strand of hair, tucking it behind my ear. Hendrix stood by the car, his imposing figure a familiar source of security. As soon as I approached, he pulled the door open, his sharp eyes scanning the area before giving me a short nod. I slid into the back seat, sinking into the plush leather interior.Michael followed, settling beside me, the weight of the legal documents still in his grasp. I turned to him, my voice softer now that the battle was over.“Thank you for helping me out, Michael.”He smiled slightly, adjusting his tie. “No problem, Miss Evans. If they give you any more trouble, just let me know. I’ll drag them straight to court.”A chuckle
{Martha's POV}I inhaled deeply, steadying myself as I stepped further into the mansion. The air inside was thick with the scent of cinnamon and lavender, a stark contrast to the cold hostility I had always associated with this place. Michael walked beside me, the legal documents firmly grasped in his hands. His presence was reassuring, a silent reminder that I was no longer the weak woman the Hendersons had once controlled.The quiet atmosphere of the house was broken only by the faint hum of conversation echoing from deeper inside. My heels clicked against the polished marble floors, each step a deliberate reminder that I was no longer a guest here. I belonged here, and soon, I would make sure they were the ones standing on the outside looking in.I was lost in the thought of finally reclaiming what was rightfully mine when Rachel’s high-pitched laughter rang through the mansion, cutting through my musings like a blade.“You don’t seriously mean they wore that to the dinner party?”
Martha's POVI ran a hand through my hair as I descended the stairs, my throat suddenly dry. I needed a drink, something to steady my nerves. The thought of walking into the Henderson estate today, restraining order in hand, gnawed at my mind. I could already picture the look on Rachel’s face when she wpuld be served the legal papers, officially barring her from posting anything about me online. The satisfaction would have feel like a victory, but instead, a bitter anger curled inside me.The last thing I wanted was to start my morning with their faces haunting my day.As I reached the bottom of the stairs, the low hum of the television filled the space. A reality show played on the screen, voices chattering about their passions and ambitions, but my attention flicked toward the figure sitting on the couch.Mrs. Evans.She turned her head at the sound of my footsteps, her face lighting up with warmth. “Martha, how are you, sweetheart?” she asked, standing up.I forced a small smile. “
{Martha's POV}I stomped out of the waiting room, my heels clicking sharply against the marble floors, my mind racing with a mix of fury and frustration. Rachel had pushed me to my limit. I had barely recovered from the last scandal, and now she was pulling out footage from five years ago, footage that could destroy everything I had rebuilt.The moment I reached my office, I stopped short, turning to Hendrix, who was already seated at his post beside Brea. His sharp blue eyes flickered with concern as he looked up from his tablet."I need you in my office, Hendrix," I said, my voice harsher than I intended.He stood immediately, his expression unreadable, and I wasted no time disappearing into my office, shutting the door behind me.I collapsed into my chair, leaning back against the cool leather as I exhaled slowly. My hands clenched into fists on the desk as I tried to steady my breathing. But no matter how much I tried to focus, my mind kept wandering back to Rachel’s smug face, he
{Martha's POV}“You need to calm down, ma’am,” Carolina said as she sat beside me.I had my face buried in my palms, my entire body vibrating with rage. “This is ridiculous. First, they put out that stupid news about me being dead, and now they’re saying I have mental issues?” I groaned through gritted teeth. “These people don’t know when to stop, do they?”“They don’t,” Carolina replied firmly. “That’s why when you finally get your revenge on them, they’ll be shocked.”Her confidence made me lift my head, my furious gaze meeting hers. She was right. These people had played their games for long enough. I had suffered in silence, hidden in the shadows, and rebuilt myself piece by piece. But they weren’t ready for what was coming.Carolina gave me a knowing look and gently patted my knee. “But for now, you need to breathe. You have work, Martha. You can’t let them mess with your head like this.”I exhaled sharply, pressing my fingers against my temples. “You’re right,” I muttered. “I ha
{Peter's POV}“It was really good of you to do this for the Stewart family,” a man in his late sixties complimented me as I stepped down from the podium. He stretched out his hand for a handshake, which I took solemnly."Thank you for coming, Mr. Parker,” I said with a smile before walking past him. My gaze drifted toward the crowd as I searched for Martha. I thought that after our conversation the previous day, she would change her mind and come, but I hadn’t seen anyone remotely similar to her."That was wonderful, honey,” my mother’s voice trailed from behind me. I turned to see her walking toward me with a satisfied smile. Well, I couldn’t blame her for being excited, this whole thing was her idea."I'm so proud of you.""This was mainly your idea," I said simply, clearly not in the mood for all the fuss."I know, but you gave the speech, and it was superb," she said, stepping beside me.I ran a hand through my hair, my mind solely on Martha as I scanned the crowd again. “Did the
{Martha's POV}If anyone had told me that I would be sitting on the couch, staring at the TV instead of doing something else with my time, I would’ve laughed at them and called them insane.I pulled my hair into a ponytail, holding onto the remote as I switched the channel to the one broadcasting the Stewart Memorial Celebration. The headline scrolled across the screen in bold letters, confirming that the event was being hosted by none other than the Hendersons.They were expecting me to be there, but I knew better, I wasn’t about to walk into whatever trap they had laid for me.As the screen flickered to life, displaying the crowd gathering at the event, I crossed my arms and sank deeper into the couch. A bitter taste settled at the back of my throat as I watched the Hendersons put on their performance, their fake grief draped around them like designer coats.The sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway, and within seconds, Nathan appeared in the doorway, dressed in his usual crisp
{Martha's POV}His touch was like a million tiny shocks, not just any kind of touch, but the kind that sent fire quenching my coldness, making me feel warmth in a way I hadn’t in so long.Nathan slowly spread my thighs, positioning himself between them as he tugged my trousers down along with him. I was left in only my panties as he adjusted me, placing a pillow beneath my head. His fingers traced along the waistband of my underwear, sending shivers across my skin as he slowly trailed his fingers up my torso.He pressed soft kisses against my skin, lingering for a moment, but then, almost as if he was resisting himself, he stopped. Without a word, he climbed off the bed, leaving me with the aftermath of being abandoned in the heat of the moment. My eyes fluttered open, watching as he disappeared into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him.That was strange, I couldn't hold myself back. Something wasn’t right.I pried myself from the bed, hesitating as I stood in front of the bathr