{Martha's POV} “Taffy Diner,” I told Cherie as she maneuvered the car out of the parking lot and onto the driveway. “Okay, ma’am,” Cherie replied with a brief smile, her eyes focused on the road ahead. I clasped my hands tightly, then released them, placing one gently over my chest. My heart was thumping erratically, and I couldn’t shake the nervous tension creeping through me. Why was I feeling this way? Why was I nervous about dining with Peter? I shouldn’t be doing this—not after everything he did to me three years ago. Why am I doing this again? The question churned in my mind as the car slowed to a stop. Cherie glanced at me through the rearview mirror, concern flickering in her gaze. “Ma’am, we’re at the diner,” she said gently. “Do you want me to go inside with you?” I shook my head, plastering on a small, reassuring smile. “No, stay in the car. I’ll be back in a bit. It shouldn’t take too long.” Grabbing my purse, I stepped out of the car, taking a steady bre
{Martha’s POV}“How are you feeling this morning, my love?” Nathan whispered softly in my ear, his voice warm and comforting. I turned toward him on the bed, his arms pulling me into a soothing embrace.I rested my head against his chest, inhaling the scent of his cologne, a rich blend of olive and winter. I loved that scent, it always made me feel safe and I've gotten accustomed to it over the years. For a while, we stayed like that, enveloped in the quiet moment until my phone began blaring on the nightstand.Reluctantly, I pulled away from Nathan’s arms, his body shifting as he propped himself up on the bed. Stretching, I reached for my phone, fumbling slightly before finally grabbing it. Without checking the caller ID, I pressed it to my ear.“Hello? Martha speaking,” I said groggily.A familiar, smooth voice responded. “How are you, Martha?”I frowned, struggling to place the voice. “Who’s this?” I asked, turning to glance at Nathan, who mirrored my confusion.“You still can’t re
{Martha's POV}“How lovely to see you too. What brings you here so early?” I asked, padding into the living room. My steps were soft against the marble-tiled floor, the faint chill waking me up further. I crossed my arms loosely over my chest as I moved toward the couch opposite hers and sank into it, brushing a hand through my unkempt hair. My gaze locked on Rachel, curiosity bubbling beneath my calm exterior.Rachel leaned back against the couch, crossing one leg over the other as if she owned the room. A small, amused smile played on her lips. “Oh, come on. You act like it’s so strange for me to show up.”I arched an eyebrow. “It kind of is, considering you didn’t mention you were coming.” My tone was sharper than intended, and I instantly regretted it. Clearing my throat, I added more gently, “I mean... I wasn’t expecting you.”Rachel’s eyes flicked toward Carolina, who was standing nearby with the remote still in her hand. Rachel’s smirk deepened as she turned back to me. “Ah, so
{Martha's POV}“Are you Martha Stewart?”I blinked, staring at Rachel as though she had lost her mind. Her question was strange, and though it was supposed to make me feel uneasy, I found it more ridiculous than alarming.“What?” I asked with a scoff, stepping closer to her. “Are you confusing me with someone else? First, you came here accusing me, and now you’re trying to connect me to the Stewart family?”She looked at me, confusion flickering in her eyes. Slowly, she took a step back, her expression softening for a moment before it turned firm again. “Quit the act, Martha. You know exactly what I’m talking about—” she said with an eyes roll. “I know you're her and you're just pretending.”I nearly laughed, but the familiar sting of old wounds kept my amusement in check. Pain from years ago resurfaced, the memory of Rachel mocking me, telling me I’d never be good enough to be part of the Hendersons because I was overweight.“I won’t tolerate another insult from you, Rachel,” I warne
{Nathan's POV}I watched as her body hit the water, her arms flailing and splashing waves around her as she desperately tried to stay afloat. Her movements were frantic, her breaths quick and shallow.“Nathan! I... I can't swim!” she called with slight laugh but quickly faded as her voice tinged with panic. She lifted her head above the water to catch a breath. “Why did you do that?”A smile tugged at my lips despite her distress. I had expected this reaction, though seeing her panic twisted something inside me. Without hesitation, I dived into the pool, the cool water wrapping around me as I made my way toward her.“I’m here,” I said, pulling her close as soon as I reached her. My arms circled her from behind, holding her securely. “You’re safe. I’ve got you.”Her body tensed in my arms, her breathing still uneven. “Nathan, I told you I can’t swim,” she said, her voice trembling.“I know,” I replied gently. “That’s why I’m here to teach you how to. You just have to trust me, okay?”H
{Martha's POV}I walked towards the elevator in haste, my gaze drifting to the watch on my wrist. I was late, so fucking late, for the meeting I had set to finalize the investment deal.Cherie walked in haste to meet up with me, her brows furrowed and her lips slightly parted as though she wanted to speak but she didn'speak, anything.I could feel her tension, matching my own, though neither of us was to blame for our tardiness. How could we have predicted the car would break down in the middle of the highway? The wait for help had taken longer than expected, and now, here we were.The elevator door slid closed, and I took a relaxing breath, brushing my hand against my hair. As I waited patiently, staring at the metallic door, my thoughts ran an extra mile.This wasn't good, and the fact that it would leave a bad reputation in the minds of the investors didn't make things easier for me.The moment the door slid open, I rushed out again, walking down the hallway towards the conference
{Nathan's POV}"Mrs. Carlos, how are you feeling today?" I asked, as I walked into the ward and made my way towards the patient bed side. She raised her hand slightly, as if to get a better view of my face, though her expression was hard to read with the bandages wrapped around most of her face. Only her eyes, nostrils, and mouth were visible. It had been three days since her facelift and rhinoplasty surgery. I knew the recovery process was painful, healing could take weeks, but she was pushing through."I'm fine," she murmured, her voice muffled by the bandages. "Feeling like a sixteen-year-old already." She managed a small, thumbs-up at me.I chuckled. "Of course, Mrs. Carlos. You’ll be breaking the internet with your new look in no time." Moving closer, I carefully inspected the bandages. "I hope the pain isn’t too bad anymore?"She shifted her hand to rest gently on the pillow, her gaze fixed on the ceiling. "Just a little fuzzy. It’s nothing compared to when the anesthesia wore
Martha's POVI sat at the kitchen island, nibbling on a slice of creamy white cake while staring at my phone screen. I scrolled through one picture after another, my eyes lingering on Peter and Rachel’s wedding photo. In the image, he stood proudly by her side, his arm around her waist, another picture showed them during their honeymoon, laughing under the soft glow of a sunset.I didn’t know why I was doing this to myself. Why was I staring at pictures that should have fueled my anger and resentment? Instead, I found myself stuck, my finger hesitating over the screen as if it would uncover something I was searching for but dreading to find.I took a spoonful of cake, its sweetness doing little to soothe the bitterness rising within me. I kept scrolling, my eyes scanning every image for something, anything, that connected to me. Something within me just wanted to see a picture of my old self, I could remember Peter had taken endless pictures of me. But as I stared at his Instagram no
{Martha's POV}"Good morning, my queen," Nathan whispered against my ear, his lips brushing my cheek in a feather-light kiss. His voice, deep and husky with sleep, sent a shiver down my spine. I stirred, my lashes fluttering open to meet the soft glow of the morning sun filtering through the curtains."Morning, my love," I murmured sleepily, turning onto my side to face him. A slow smile spread across my lips as he cupped my cheek, his warmth seeping into my skin. He leaned in, pressing a gentle peck to my forehead before pushing himself up from the bed.I stretched, my arms reaching over my head as a deep sigh escaped my lips. For the first time in seven years, I felt truly free, as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. No more battles, no more struggles, I had finally reclaimed what was rightfully mine. And best of all, I was engaged to the most loving, handsome man in the world. Everything was exactly as I had dreamed.Nathan stood by the window, the golden sunlight castin
{Martha's POV}“Thank you, Michael,” Nathan said as he exchanged a handshake with him.I sat there, unmoving, as if I had been glued to my seat. The courtroom was nearly empty now, people filing out in hushed murmurs. I had won. I had fought for justice and reclaimed what was taken from me. But instead of triumph, a hollow ache settled deep within my chest. What I truly longed for, what would have made this victory complete, was seeing my beloved parents again.The bitter truth cut through me like a blade. I had allowed the man who planned their deaths into my life. I had loved him. I had let him and his family treat me like nothing. And now, even though justice had been served, my heart still bled.“Come on,” Carolina’s voice broke through my haze as she positioned herself behind me. “You won the case, Martha. Peter Henderson is finally going to pay for everything he took from you.”I turned to her and forced a thin-lipped smile. “Yes, I won,” I murmured, my voice distant, detached.
{Martha's POV}The blaring sound of my phone shattered the peaceful silence of the early morning. I groaned, rolling over and burying my face into the warmth of Nathan’s chest, hoping the caller would give up. But the ringing persisted, shrill and unrelenting.Nathan stirred beside me, his arm tightening around my waist as he let out a soft sigh. “My love,” he murmured sleepily, pressing a gentle kiss to my temple. “Your phone.”I groaned again, reluctantly stretching my hand toward the nightstand. Without glancing at the caller ID, I grabbed the phone and pressed it against my ear.“Hello?” I mumbled, my voice thick with sleep.“Good morning, Martha.”The familiar voice sent a jolt through my body, instantly dispelling the last traces of drowsiness. My breath caught in my throat. Peter.I sat up abruptly, the sheets pooling around my waist as my pulse quickened. After the incident at the Henderson's mansion and the call to court. Peter and I had never spoke to each other, at some poi
{Martha’s POV}“Come on, let me take you to the room so you can rest,” Nathan said as we pulled away from the hug.I let out a deep sigh, exhaustion settling in as he stood and took my hand. His touch was warm, reassuring, the kind of steady presence I needed right now.“Don’t let this bother you,” he murmured as we made our way toward the stairs. “I’ll talk to Michael about it. While you rest, he and I will continue the investigation.”I squeezed his hand, my voice barely above a whisper. “Thank you so much.”Nathan glanced down at me, his expression firm with certainty. “Peter will get what he deserves, my love. I promise you.”His words carried so much conviction that, for a moment, I almost believed justice was inevitable.When we reached the bedroom, I settled onto the bed, the soft mattress cradling my tired body. Nathan lay beside me, pulling me close until my head rested against his chest. His steady heartbeat beneath my ear was soothing, grounding me in a way nothing else cou
{Martha’s POV}I took a deep breath as my body sank into the plush cushions of the living room couch. A wave of relief washed over me, the familiar scent of home wrapping around me like a warm embrace.I had missed this place, the way the soft glow of the chandelier made everything feel safe, the quiet hum of the city outside the windows, the warmth that lived in these walls. And I also had missed staying in the same roof with Nathan. “I’ll tell Carolina to prepare tea for you,” Nathan murmured, leaning in to place a gentle kiss on my cheek. His lips were warm, lingering for just a moment before he straightened and made his way to the kitchen.I watched him disappear around the corner, my heart aching in a way I couldn’t quite describe.Leaning my head against the armrest, I let my eyes flutter shut, allowing the exhaustion to settle. But just as I began to relax, the vibration of my phone in my pocket snapped me back to reality.I frowned, fishing it out and glancing at the screen.
{Martha's POV}I sat on the couch, gripping the hem of my sweater tightly, trying to suppress the weakness coursing through my body. My limbs felt heavy, exhaustion tugging at me, and the urge to go back to bed was almost unbearable.Nathan's eyes were fixed on me, concern evident in his gaze. “What’s wrong?” he asked after a moment, his voice softer than I expected.I hesitated, shifting slightly under his scrutiny. This Nathan, this gentle, caring version of him, was different from the man who had once pushed me away, convinced that I had no place in his life. The change in him was undeniable.Before I could answer, he stood and crossed the small distance between us. When he reached me, he took my hand in his, his grip warm and reassuring. A shiver ran through me, not from the cold, but from the comforting heat of his touch.His thumb brushed against my knuckles before he reached up, resting his palm lightly against my forehead. His touch was tender, his fingers lingering as if he c
{Nathan’s POV}I buried my face in my palm, my elbow resting on the polished surface of my desk. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get Martha out of my mind.Everyday that passes I felt like seeing her and wanting her by my side, but I felt too broken to even muster the courage to go and see her. “What's wrong with me?" I asked myself as I close my eyes. When I sent her away, I thought I was doing the right thing. I convinced myself that keeping my distance would make things easier, that maybe it would ease the pain of betrayal I felt. But now? Now, all I wanted was to have her back.A frustrated sigh escaped me as I leaned back in my chair.After talking to Michael, I found out that Martha had taken Peter to court over her stolen inheritance. She had been fighting this battle alone, and I wasn’t there for her. The guilt gnawed at me, heavy and unrelenting. I should have been by her side. I should have protected her.I reached for the bottle of water on my desk, twisting the ca
{Martha’s POV}I sat curled up on the couch, a warm blanket draped over me, sipping my tea in slow, deliberate sips. The heat spread through my chest, soothing but not entirely taking away the discomfort that had settled deep in my body.I had barely slept last night. My stomach churned with nausea, and an aching fatigue clung to my bones, making every movement feel like a struggle.At first, I brushed it off as the early symptoms of pregnancy, morning sickness, fatigue, maybe a little dizziness. It was normal, right? But as the hours dragged on, my body felt heavier, and a dull pain gnawed at my head, making it impossible to ignore.I closed my eyes, taking deep breaths in an attempt to ease the discomfort, but it didn’t help. Then, a sharp pain twisted in my stomach.I gasped, pressing a hand to my abdomen, my breath hitching. A wave of heat rushed over me, followed by an unbearable chill. My skin felt clammy, my hands trembling as I reached for my phone.This wasn’t normal. Somethi
{Martha's POV}"Objection, my Lord," the man who had arrived earlier with Peter stood up, his sharp gaze locking onto mine. "She claims that Peter tricked her into signing divorce papers and orchestrated her supposed death, but we have video footage showing her jumping into the river of her own accord. Not only that, but it has been seven years since the incident, and she never came forward to stake her claim until now."A hush fell over the courtroom. My breath caught in my throat.I turned to Michael, searching for reassurance, but his expression had darkened. He clenched his jaw, clearly frustrated, but he remained silent, waiting for the judge’s response.The judge adjusted his glasses, considering the statement. "Do you have this footage with you now?"Peter's lawyer nodded confidently, gesturing to an assistant who walked up to the judge with a flash drive. "Yes, my Lord. If permitted, we can play it right here."I clenched my fists beneath the table. Rachel, sitting beside Pete