“I can never change the past. Whenever I close my eyes ,all I see are the images of the people I broke, the bonds I severed, and all the awful things I have done! I’m such a bad person, I'm a villain , and even at my wedding-” Eva's voice became muffled when she was suddenly pulled into a tight hug by Damien. For the first time, he saw her in her vulnerable state. His impression of her had always been of someone who is confident, daring and feisty. He didn’t know this was how she thought about herself?“You said it yourself, the past can never be changed, my dear kitten. Instead of burying yourself in the past, learn from it. See it as a meaningful lesson and let it go. Besides, nobody is pure in this world, we all have done bad things, not just you. Everyone just has the limit of the bad things they’ve done and how long they can hide it. You were born and trained in a family that had reached its peak by being ruthless and eliminating everyone that stands in their way. Being kind to
Nathalia, whose plane was supposed to land very early in the morning had some delaymeny issues, so Ella had no choice but to rebook her flight for the next plane and she just arrived in Miami about an hour ago. Nathalia pouted and saw her blank screen. She had been spamming Eva's phone with messages and attempting to calm her multiple times to inform her that she was around and was on her way to her apartment- which was Sunset Condo, the current apartment that she knew Eva was living in, but she wasn't responding like usual.Knowing her best friend's behavior, she would probably still be hurled up in her room sleeping like an old lady with no plans of getting up. “Shouldn't she be awake by now? I still don't understand why she has to sleep for so long, it's not like she needs any beauty sleep unlike me?” Nathalia fumed angrily, she climbed out of the black luxurious car, Ella had prepared to pick her from the airport when she arrived in Miami.She pulled out her big sunglasses from
"Hey, Lucien.” Natalia spoke."Hello, sis Nathy.” Lucien's calm voice was heard from the other line." I'm sorry for calling you at this time. I hope I haven't interrupted you?” Nathalia asked, she had forgotten Lucien would be in school before she called him."You and my sister just have the habit of asking that question after you call. And we have classes now.” Lucien replied, making Nathalia curl her lips when she heard him." What exactly are you calling for?” He asked straightforwardly, knowing full well that Nathalia needed something that was why she was calling him." Um …… I just wanted to confirm if your sister is currently at the mansion?" Nathalia finally asked, not bothering to argue with Lucien since he was right.“She's not. But that would be the last place she wanted to come after what happened." Lucien casually responded, he was currently sitting under the huge tree in the school yard. They are seniors now, so they rarely have many classes.“Meaning? What happened?" N
Laying in Eva's bed was no other than her evil cousin, Damien Cross- the emperor of the business world! Her cold, ruthless, and indifferent cousin, a man who rarely smiled and laughed, he- he was actually lying on her best friend's bed! Nathalia shook her head, believing that she was still on the plane and dreaming currently. ‘Of course this isn't real.’ She raised her hand up and harshly pinched herself, still thinking that she was on the plane, and having terrible and vivid dreams. This is the last thing that could ever happen.However, after pinching herself multiple times, she didn't wake up. She breathed in shock, not able to believe the sight before her again.H-how was this possible?! Her cousin and Eva together? Even though she was hoping that these two would end up together, she wasn't expecting this at all.“Besides, I thought Eva hated Damien?” she muttered.Still confused at the sudden turn of events, Nathalia looked around the room for any sign of what happened before sh
From beside his legs, Nathalia let out a small noise. Her eyebrows creased together to form a frown on her face.Damien's gaze darkened instantly. “Keep that voice down. She is still sleeping.” His hissed at her, knowing that Nathalia would retort back in a loud voice. Unfortunately his harsh tone didn't match his action. He was still adoringly running his hand on Eva's back, hoping to comfort her back to sleep.Nathalia kept opening her mouth and closing like a fish. She couldn't believe his behavior. He is being such a pampering boyfriend! ‘What the hell?’“Listen here-" "Raise that voice again, I will not hesitate to have your manager cancel all your work and send you to your parents. They seem to have a lot of lecturing to give you.” Damien's lips pursed into a thin line.Nathalia felt her entire body tremble and itch in annoyance. However, she had no choice but to comply and whisper in a lower voice.“If you bully me, I'll complain to my Eva. Probably it would give her more rea
Eva's heart skipped a beat as she took a step back, her surprise quickly turning to apprehension as she realized the intensity of his anger. It burned like a flame, one that she didn’t shy away from. At the moment, he looked as if he wanted to interrogate her there and then about how and why she owned a gun. But who was he to care whether she had one or not? She knew he owned the S&W pistol as well. She was the first to break their staring competition and when she did, she noticed something weird. He was sitting on her bed, his suit jacket and tie gone while his crinkled shirt was half open, revealing part of his muscular chest. His legs were still tucked into the same blanket she had previously been wrapped in."What are you doing in my bed?" She frowned, coincidentally glancing down at herself to make sure that her clothes were still intact. She was scared that the same thing might happen again because she recalled what had happened nine months ago. She was worried that he might
*********“Where are the souvenirs that you said you got for me?" Eva asked as she stared at Nathalia who was sitting on the couch in that living room. “Oh, that. Yeah, I did say that. Unfortunately! When I had rushed back to the country, I was worried about my best friend not picking up her phone call for the one week with a bag of souvenirs and gifts to give her. However, when I got to your apartment, I couldn't find you and in panic I dropped the suitcase where I had brought the whole gift.” Nathalia remarked, staring accusingly at Eva.“You sure have a lot to say and I can tell that you're really pissed?" Eva asked, flashing a smile at Nathalia. This is the only way she tries to persuade her before she continues to complain.“How did you come to know that I was here?” She added, still confused how Nathalia knew was in this place."Humph! Took you long enough to ask. Anyways, I had to call Lucien, thinking that you were at the mansion but he told me that you would be here since yo
“Hey hey, you have to share! Don’t be stingy and hog all of the food. I brought you a lot of boxes, the least you can do is share a piece with me!" Nathalia huffed when Eva held the box away from her."Oh please, why should I share with you? After all they are my gifts." Eva asked, hugging it to her body like it was a precious baby.“Geez! Just because I bought it for you doesn't mean I will not get to eat. One piece wouldn't be too much!" Nathalia yelled back at her, trying to reach for the box.“No, we all know one piece will become two, and then the entire box will be gone! You’re a supermodel, think of your figure!" Eva continue to tease her when Nathalia attempted to pounce at her for the delectable pastry. “To hell with my figure. If I add some pound I won't die except for a few scolding." Nathalia retorted. Upon seeing the pout from her Nathalia she laughed and placed the box in front of her.She shook her head when Nathalia proved her right by taking two more pieces out of th
“I... I’m starting to think Eva might be trying to sabotage me. You know, with the awards coming up, and her growing popularity... I just have this feeling she’s trying to push me out of the competition,” Christine said, her voice trembling slightly as if she was on the verge of breaking down. She knew Mark would respond to weakness, to vulnerability, just as he always had.Mark’s voice was low, filled with annoyance. “What do you mean, sabotage you? She’s already got the public on her side. What else does she want?”“I don’t know, Mark. But I can’t shake the feeling that she’s behind some of the things happening to me lately,” Christine continued, carefully planting the seed of doubt. “She’s been getting more endorsements, more media attention... She’s always one step ahead, and I feel like she’s using me to boost her own career. Maybe she’s trying to push me out of the spotlight, making sure I don’t have a chance to win.”Mark was silent for a moment, processing the information. Chr
Eva didn’t respond immediately. She could feel the seriousness in Everett’s words, and for a brief moment, the playful rivalry between them was pushed aside.Everett’s eyes softened slightly as she looked at Eva, a rare glimpse of concern flickering in her gaze. “What are you going to do about her? She’s the one who caused my accident but had that person lie he was a fan, right? Also with the recent things happening, I can tell she’s been pulling strings, trying to break you down.”Eva's expression hardened, her grip tightening on her wine glass. “I’m not sure yet. But Christine’s time is running out.” She gave a slight, bitter laugh. “I won’t let her destroy me.”Everett studied Eva for a moment, her face unreadable. “Be careful, Eva,” she said quietly, her tone more serious than Eva had ever heard. “Christine’s dangerous. And she’s got a way of making everyone believe her sweet little act.”Eva took a deep breath, looking away briefly as she processed Everett’s words. The concern wa
The day of the event arrived, and Christine was glowing with victory. Dressed in an elegant gown, she enjoyed the attention as she mingled with industry elites, knowing she was now the headlining speaker.With Eva out of the picture, this was her moment.Then the doors opened.Gasps rippled through the crowd as Eva walked in, effortlessly poised, wearing a breathtaking designer dress. The cameras instantly shifted toward her, flashing in rapid succession.Christine’s smile faltered. “What is she doing here?”Before she could react, the event host stepped onto the stage, microphone in hand.“Ladies and gentlemen, we have a special surprise. While there were some scheduling changes, we’re honored to have Eva here tonight.”Christine stiffened. “What? That’s impossible!”Eva merely smiled, making her way toward the front.Kai had pulled the right strings behind the scenes. Even if she wasn’t an official speaker anymore, she was still one of the biggest names in the room—and the audience
Christine was livid. Every attempt to ruin Eva had backfired, and now, the industry was beginning to suspect foul play.Her carefully crafted innocent image was slipping, and she refused to let that happen.Gripping her phone tightly, she dialed Tanya, her voice sharp the moment the call connected."Tanya, listen carefully. I don’t care what it takes—pull every string, bribe whoever you need to, but make sure Eva does not attend the upcoming fashion event. I want her out, completely.”Tanya hesitated. “Christine, are you sure about this? Maybe you should—”“Don’t question me!” Christine snapped, her frustration boiling over. “Do you think I have the luxury of waiting? Eva is already taking the spotlight. If this continues, I won’t even be considered for the Top Ten Models Award!”Tanya sighed. “Fine. I’ll see what I can do. But Christine, be careful. You’re playing a dangerous game. If this backfires, it could cost you everything.”Christine scoffed. “Please. Eva won’t be able to prov
Christine sat alone in the dimly lit hotel, her fingers lightly tapping against the side of her untouched wine glass. The usually confident and composed woman looked lost in thought, her expression unreadable as she stared at the city skyline beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows.Everything she had planned against Eva had backfired spectacularly. Instead of destroying Eva’s reputation, she had only fueled the public’s admiration for her. The industry was turning against Christine, and the narrative was slipping out of her control.A soft click of heels echoed through the room, breaking Christine from her thoughts.“Christine?”She turned her head slightly, finding Tanya standing near the entrance, a curious look on her face.Tanya was one of the few people Christine trusted—or rather, tolerated—because she was useful. Smart, cunning, and always willing to play dirty, Tanya had been by Christine’s side long enough to know exactly how far she was willing to go to get what she wanted.“Wh
A few days after Mark successfully cleared his name from the Harper Luxuries scandal, Christine sat alone in her dressing room, her perfectly manicured fingers tapping impatiently against the vanity table.She had tried everything—sabotage, whispers in the right ears, carefully placed rumors—yet Eva always came out unscathed. Every plan Christine devised had crumbled before her eyes, and it was beginning to drive her insane.If indirect tactics didn’t work, she had to change her approach. This time, she wouldn’t hide behind shadows. She wouldn’t need to.Instead, she would manipulate the situation so well that Eva would ruin herself.All she needed was the perfect stage.---An exclusive fashion gala was set to take place, attended by top designers, influencers, and media elites. Both Eva and Christine had been invited as brand ambassadors for their respective labels.Christine smirked to herself. This was it. The perfect opportunity.She had carefully arranged for the media’s attenti
The dim candlelight cast a golden glow over the elegantly set dining table. A soft melody played in the background, filling the room with warmth. Christine had spent hours preparing this—his favorite dishes, the finest wine. Tonight had to be perfect.She glanced at the clock anxiously. Mark would be home soon. And she had to fix this.The front door finally opened, and Mark stepped inside. His face was tired, his eyes dark with frustration. He didn’t even glance at the romantic dinner she had prepared. Instead, he sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair.“Christine, what is this?” His voice was cold.Christine swallowed and stepped toward him. “A dinner. For us.”Mark scoffed, shaking his head. “A dinner? Christine, do you have any idea what I’ve been dealing with? My father’s furious. Investors are backing out after the Harper Luxuries. I've lost of funds.” His voice grew sharper, filled with exhaustion. “And do you know what people are whispering? That my own fiancée might
The silence between them was thick with unspoken thoughts, but Damien wasn’t one to leave things unresolved. He turned slightly, his piercing gaze fixed on her.“Why didn’t you ask for my help?” His voice was calm but held an edge of something deeper—something close to frustration.Eva, who had been absentmindedly tracing the rim of her wine glass, glanced at him. A small smirk curled her lips, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.“Because it was something I could handle,” she said simply. “Like always.”Damien’s expression remained unreadable, but his fingers curled slightly against his knee. “And if you couldn’t?”Eva shrugged. “Then I would have asked. But it wasn’t time for that yet.”That answer didn’t satisfy him. He exhaled slowly, rubbing his temple. “Eva—”“I know what you’re going to say,” she interrupted, meeting his gaze head-on. “You think I should have let you take care of it. But Damien, I don’t always need you to fight my battles. Sometimes, I want to win them on my own
Eva sat on the couch, feeling bored. The scandal had caused too much noise, and going home—where the paparazzi were undoubtedly lurking—was out of the question.With a sigh, Eva reached for her phone and scrolled through her contacts. Her finger hovered over Damien for a moment before she pressed the call button.The phone rang twice before his deep, smooth voice came through. “Eva.”Just her name. Nothing more. But there was something in the way he said it—low, controlled, yet sharp with attention—that made her exhale slowly.“Hey,” she murmured, leaning against the plush headboard.Silence. Then, “What’s wrong?”She almost smiled. He always saw through her.“I can’t go home,” she admitted, rubbing her temple. “The reporters are camped outside. And after today’s interview… they’ll only get worse.”Damien didn’t answer immediately. She could hear the faint rustling of papers, the click of a pen, before he finally spoke. “Where are you?”“Penthouse suite at the Grand Royale,” she repli