{Martha's POV}After a long bath, I walked down the stairs in a blue sweatshirt and leather pants, my hair pulled up into a ponytail with soft curls cascading over my shoulder. The living room was quiet, though I could hear Mrs. Evans and Carolina chatting in the kitchen, their conversation punctuated by the soft clinking of ceramic plates.I settled onto the couch, tucking my legs beneath me as I reached for the remote. I wanted to watch a rom-com, any kind I could find. It had been so long since I’d let myself unwind like that.But just as I switched on the TV, the living room door slid open. My heart skipped a beat when I saw Nathan walk in, carrying a small dark blue bag.I stood up immediately, rushing toward him, and we wrapped each other in a comforting embrace.Resting my head against his broad shoulder, I inhaled his familiar scent, a mix of warm musk and summer air. I had missed him so much. The last three days we’d spent together had mostly been him insisting that I rest an
{Martha's POV}The next morning, I woke up before the sun had fully risen, its golden light barely peeking over the horizon. I slipped out of bed and made my way to Nathan’s door, standing hesitantly in front of the oak panels.After everything that had happened yesterday, Nathan’s anger, my guilt, there wasn’t much I could do now except apologize.I took a steady breath and knocked softly. No response. I knocked again, waiting a little longer, but still, nothing.Just as I reached for the handle, the door creaked open, revealing Nathan standing before me.His eyes met mine, softer than I had imagined all night. I thought he would avoid me or greet me with a frown, but instead, his expression was warm, almost comforting."I… I…" I stammered, lowering my gaze to the floor. My nails dug into my palms as I struggled to find my voice."You don’t have to apologize again, my love," Nathan’s calm voice pulled my gaze back to his. "You’re the CEO anyway, but…""Whatever I do from now on, I’ll
{Martha’s POV}I walked further into the room, stopping where Rachel sat next to Mrs. Evans, her face buried in her hands. Nathan knelt beside her, rubbing her back in an attempt to console her as she continued sobbing.“She hates me, Brother!" Rachel wailed, lifting her tear-streaked face. "She’s been trying to steal my husband, she terminated my contract with your company, and now she wants to make me a laughingstock!""I’m sorry this is happening, Rachel," Nathan soothed. "I promise I’ll do everything I can to have the video taken down."I bit my lip, fighting back my irritation as I stepped closer."Rachel, I’m sorry this happened," I murmured, keeping my voice low. Nathan glanced up at me with sympathy in his eyes, but Mrs. Evans didn’t even spare me a glance.Rachel lifted her head, her expression twisting in disgust. I let a small, smug smile slip before masking it with feigned concern."I’m sorry if you think I’m against you because of everything that’s happened lately," I con
{Martha's POV}The next day I stepped into the office feeling both relieved and curious. I needed to know who had taken the video of Rachel’s outburst. While I wasn’t angry, far from it, actually, I was grateful. Still, my curiosity was gnawing at me.Hendrix walked beside me, matching my pace as we entered the elevator and rode up to the first floor. Once we reached my office, I moved straight to my chair, crossing my arms against the desk. Hendrix, always efficient, placed a stack of files neatly in front of me, then stood by, waiting for instructions.I bit my lower lip, debating whether calling for a meeting would help me identify the person or if I should just let the matter slide."Is there anything you’d like me to do, ma’am?" Hendrix asked, his deep voice calm."Yes, Hendrix," I said, my tone firm. "A video of Rachel’s outburst was posted online yesterday. I want to know who recorded it. Call all the staff to my office, now."For a split second, Hendrix lowered his gaze to the
{Peter's POV}I ended the call and dropped my phone onto the desk, rubbing my sweaty palms together. I hadn't realized just how nervous I was until I received confirmation that the video of Rachel had been removed from the internet. Thank goodness for the influence I had.Letting out a deep sigh, I ran a hand through my hair before rising from my chair. I walked over to the glass wall, gazing out at the city. This had always been my favorite thing to do, watching the endless movement of people below, the vibrant city lights blending into a symphony of colors, and the chaos that somehow always seemed perfectly organized.The soft creak of the door opening behind me pulled me from my thoughts. I didn’t have to turn around to know who it was.Mabel was the only person in the entire Stewart Company who had unrestricted access to my office. Not because I fully trusted her, but because she was my personal assistant."Mr. Henderson, there’s a lady here to see you," Mabel’s small voice chimed
{Martha's POV}My heart ached with every passing minute as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. For the fifth time, I reminded myself why I was doing this. Why I had to.Carolina straightened the last section of my hair, running her fingers through the strands with admiration. I couldn’t deny it, the smooth, silky look suited me. My brown waves shimmered under the vanity light, framing my face just right.I reached for a lip gloss and coated my nude lips with a subtle sheen. Turning toward Carolina, I placed my hands on my waist. “How do I look?”Her smile was bright, teasing. “Beautiful. I’m sure Peter won’t be able to resist staring at you.”I rolled my eyes but smiled. “Thanks.” I grabbed my silver purse from the vanity and tugged down the hem of my plush dinner dress. “If Nathan comes before I return, tell him I went out for an important meeting.”Carolina chuckled. “Got it. Just make sure to break a heart today.”I smirked, shaking my head as I stepped out of the room.—The
{Martha's POV}I took a deep breath and exhaled sharply as I sat in the passenger seat of the car. The city lights flickered through the tinted windows, casting shadows that danced across my face.Through the rearview mirror, I caught Hendrix stealing a glance at me before quickly looking away. He was always unreadable, but tonight, I sensed something behind his gaze, curiosity, perhaps, or maybe concern.The dinner had gone well. Peter had been thoroughly engaged, hanging onto every word, savoring every moment. And yet, all I could think about was the feel of his hand in mine, It wasn’t supposed to happen.I hadn’t planned for physical contact, hadn’t accounted for how much it would unsettle me. And the fact that it was just the beginning, that there might be more, made my stomach churn with unease, there had to be another way.I shook my head, my mind racing for an alternative. Some way to get those documents from Peter without spending more time with him, without letting him touch
{Nathan’s POV}The day had been far more stressful than usual, especially compared to my regular routine of scheduled surgeries and checking in on patients a few days after they've been discharged.I dropped the tab onto my desk and sank into the brown leather chair opposite it. I reached up to massage my temples, the tension in my head throbbing, before letting my head rest on the armrest. I closed my eyes, trying to clear my mind and release the weight of the day before I gathered the energy to finish my remaining tasks.The creak of the door pulled me out of my momentary respite. I lifted my head to see who was at the door.“Dr. Nathan, one of your patients is here to see you,” Nurse Hannah said, her hand still on the doorknob.I glanced at her through tired eyelids. “Who is it, precisely?" The question slipped from my lips slower than intended.“Mrs. Henderson,” she replied, shutting the door. Almost immediately, it opened again, and Mrs. Henderson walked in, looking more excited
{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