{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}I looked at Peter’s hand for a moment, debating whether or not to accept it. Refusing might create a scene that could arouse suspicion. Forcing a thin smile, I placed my hand in his palm.He brought it close to his lips, placing a soft kiss on my knuckles. “It’s a pleasure,” he said, his tone smooth and confident. I quickly pulled my hand away, my skin crawling at the contact.Peter’s gaze lingered, his sharp eyes tracing every inch of my features with unsettling intensity. My stomach twisted, but I forced myself to remain composed. He finally turned to Nathan, acting as though nothing had happened. I kept my expression neutral, a picture of innocence, as though this man wasn’t the same person who had broken my heart and ruined my life years ago.“Let’s grab a drink,” Rachel said, her voice sharp with jealousy. She turned to us, her forced smile as thin as paper. “We’ll be right back.” Without waiting for a response, she linked arms with Peter and trotted off, her postu
{Martha Pov} I ignored her question, my gaze locked onto her reflection in the mirror. Her heels clicked against the marble floor as she moved closer, the sound echoing in the quiet restroom. She stopped beside me, her presence stifling. “Nathan and I have known each other for a long time,” I finally replied, my voice calm but laced with tension. She positioned herself next to me, half-facing the mirror as she studied my reflection before meeting my gaze. “Quite surprising,” she chirped. “That my cousin would have time for a woman, considering how busy his schedule is.” A practiced smile curved her lips. I turned to her, my eyes locking onto hers with piercing look. “Yes, he is busy sometimes. But it’s nothing I can’t manage,” I replied, my voice sharp yet controlled. Her smile faltered for a split second before she recovered, her gaze drifting to the floor as if in thought. “You’re right. It takes patience to be with a doctor,” she said lightly, then looked up at me again. “
{Peter's Pov}Ever since I set my eyes on her, I just couldn't look away. She is beautiful, undoubtedly the most curviest and sexiest woman I've ever seen.I shoved my hand into my hair, brushing it back as I sank into the chair, swirling the glass of wine in my hand slowly. The way her golden-brown eyes pierced into mine when I took her hand and kissed it softly, God, I wish I could do more.I wish I were the one standing next to her instead of Nathan. I'm sure he doesn't have much time for her anyway.I took a sip of my drink, the coldness of the liquor doing little to cool the heat of emotions churning within me.But the feeling faded as Rachel approached me, her face laced with guilt as she sank into the seat opposite me.“All I did was tell her what I thought, and she attacked me like I’d said something terrible,” she hissed, almost to herself, as she sat down, dragging me out of my thoughts.I leaned back in my chair, setting the glass on the table. “What’s the problem, honey?”
{Nathan's Pov}“Is something bothering you?” I asked, glancing toward Martha’s direction before focusing back on the road. She seemed lost in thought, and I couldn’t figure out why.At first, she was happy to go to dinner with me, but later, she seemed like she wanted to leave badly. Did someone offend her?She looked my way and smiled. “No, just got a little carried away.”Her response didn’t sit right with me. “Tell me, is it Rachel? Did she say something to you?” I tried to think of the possible reasons why she seemed moody, recalling her earlier complaint about not liking the vibe Rachel was giving her.She shook her head. “Nope, she didn’t. Please stop worrying about me. I’m fine. I just got a little overwhelmed by the dance, I guess.”I looked at her again, locking eyes with her briefly before turning my attention back to the road. Well, I intended to wipe that mood away with the surprise I’d been preparing for days.I pulled into the driveway and got out of the car, walking ove
{Martha's POV}“You deserve it, Martha,” Mrs. Evans said as we pulled away from the hug.I still couldn’t believe it, everything felt like a dream. “Thank you so much, Mrs. Evans. How can I ever repay you?”Mrs. Evans smiled as she gently took my hands, pulling me toward the couch. We both sat down. She squeezed my hands softly and reached over to tuck a loose strand of my hair behind my ear.“You don’t have to repay me, honey. You’ve given me something far more precious,” she said calmly. “By staying here with my son, you’ve given me something I’ve been longing for, a day when he would finally find a girl who loves him genuinely.”I blushed at Mrs. Evans’ words, but she was right. Ever since I met Nathan, I’d never experienced heartbreak. He always put me first before himself, even though I've asked him several times not to. “No, ma’am. It’s you and your son I should be thanking. You’ve been there for me, even when I was a stranger.”She chuckled at my words. “I like your energy, Mar
{Martha's POV}I shifted on the bed, turning to face Nathan as he slept. I couldn’t deny how handsome he looked, even while sleeping. The fact that he had chosen to sleep in my room instead of his made my heart swell with warmth.“I can’t leave you here all alone when I know that once I’m gone, you’ll start overthinking again,” he had said the night before, his voice soft yet firm. He had removed his suit, leaving only his underwear, and slipped into bed next to me without hesitation.Now, as I gazed at him, a tender smile spread across my face. I turned away, feeling a slight blush creep up my cheeks. But my heart raced when I felt his arm wrap around me, pulling me into a comforting embrace.That meant he’d been awake and had noticed me staring at him. My cheeks burned with embarrassment.“Good morning, my love,” he whispered softly into my ear, his breath warm against my skin.I turned to face him, unable to hide my grin. “Good morning.”He placed a gentle kiss on my lips, then on
{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