One damn mistake, they said, could change your life, and mine had turned everything upside down.The chill in the room made my skin prickle as I groaned and reached for the duvet to cover myself. My hand, however, landed on a warm body. I jolted upright, immediately noticing my clothes scattered on the floor and realizing I was completely naked. I pulled the duvet around me and my eyes fell on a man sleeping peacefully on the bed."What the hell?" I whispered, shock and confusion mixing in my voice. "Shit, shit." The moment I muttered the words, my head pounded, and fragments of the previous night flooded back. I remembered following my friends—Emma, Tonia, and Mara to a nightclub for our usual ladies' night. I recalled taking shots and drinking heavily, but I had no memory of ending up in a stranger’s bed.I frantically searched the room for my cell phone, finally finding it under the bed. I unlocked it, only to be met with a barrage of messages and notifications. They all seemed to
"I'm fine," I managed to say as the blaring sound of my phone made my pulse quicken, drawing my attention away from the man and back to my screen. My mom was calling, and I answered without a second thought. "Hello, Mom," I said, trying to act like nothing had happened. "Veronica, where are you?" Her voice was loud and demanding. "I know you're not at Emma's place because I just came from there. So where are you?" "Um, I'm on my way home right now," I said, feeling uncomfortable. The fact that she was looking for me made me suspect she might have seen the video. My guilty conscience twisted inside me, reminding me of the lie I’d told her last night about going to a late-night book club—something I was absolutely not doing. I braced myself for her to mention the video, but she didn’t. Instead, she just said, "Okay," and ended the call. Trying to calm my nerves, I leaned back in the seat and closed my eyes, attempting to steady my breathing. The car pulled up in front of my house,
I then turned to Ivan’s mother, my eyes narrowing. "I’m sorry, but I can’t agree to this," I said firmly, gripping my mother’s hand tighter. "This whole situation is a mistake. I was intoxicated, and I agreed to marry your son. You can tell the press that. I’m not going to make it worse by pretending to be something I’m not."The other young lady almost my age, who was dressed in a brown and cream color shirt, looked down at the iPad she was holding and raised it at me. "With this success, this is bringing, I'm not sure telling the press such is a good idea."Ivan’s mother raised an eyebrow, her expression calm and composed. "I understand this is overwhelming, Veronica," she said, her voice smooth but insistent. "But think about the opportunities this could bring. Not just for Ivan, but for you too."I shook my head, my resolve hardening. "I don’t care about the opportunities. I care about my mother and my sanity. I’m not moving into your mansion and continuing this lie."The tension
"This is getting out of hand," I whispered, my voice trembling.My mother nodded, her expression mirroring my fear. "We need to leave before this situation escalates even further."But just as I started to gather my thoughts, there was a knock at the door—firm and commanding. My mother and I exchanged a worried glance before she cautiously peered through the peephole."It's them," she whispered, her voice laced with relief.She opened the door to reveal two large men dressed in black suits—bodyguards, clearly sent by the Carlos family. Behind them, a sleek black car waited at the curb, its engine quietly idling. One of the bodyguards stepped forward, his expression stoic but respectful."Miss Veronica, Mrs. Carlisle," he said with a nod. "We’re here to escort you to the Carlos mansion. Please follow us."I hesitated, looking back at my mother. She gave me a reassuring nod, urging me to move forward. Taking a deep breath, I slipped on my coat and stepped outside, my mother close behind
"What?" I stammered. "No, I can't stay in your room. If I don’t get my own room, I won't agree to this anymore." Ivan smirked and moved closer to me. "Who’s talking about an agreement here?" He lifted his phone and played a video of a drunken me agreeing to marry him. "That’s the only agreement I need." A chill ran down my spine. The video made it clear he had leverage over me, and a growing suspicion that he had orchestrated the entire scene to blackmail me took hold. Before I could fully process my thoughts, Ivan was right in front of me. His hand reached up and gently cupped my jaw, forcing me to look directly at him. "I want you next to me, Veronica," he said softly, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that was both unsettling and mesmerizing. "That’s why I proposed to you." I tried to pull away, but his grip was firm yet gentle. "I thought you did that because you were intoxicated," I whispered, my voice trembling. "What do you want from me?" Ivan’s expression soft
I was about to push open the door to my mom's room when I overheard a conversation. At first, I intended to mind my own business, but when I heard them mention my name, curiosity got the better of me. I decided to see who they were and what they were saying. "Oh, my dear. I understand you're upset," Mrs. Carlos said as she stood behind the woman I had seen earlier, gently playing with her hair. "But don’t worry. Ivan’s heart truly belongs to you. Forget the internet; they just want something to gossip about. That girl isn’t worth it." I peered at them through the small gap in the door. The woman had a satisfied smile on her face, one that made me want to wipe it off right then and there. "Why is she here anyway? I wish we could just kick her out of this mansion," Isabel complained, her voice dripping with frustration. Mrs. Carlos moved from her position behind Isabel and sat beside her. "Ever since the video was released to the public, Ivan’s career has skyrocketed from grass to
Ivan looked at me for a long moment, as if he knew exactly what was on my mind. He climbed onto the bed, gently parting my thighs with his hand.I shifted, torn between wanting to leave his room immediately and the part of me that didn’t. No matter how much I tried to hide how he made me feel, it was as if I were an open book.“Let's just say every part of you want me more than I want you,” he whispered in my ear, kissing my neck softly. I scoffed, trying to pull away from him. “In your dreams, Mr. Carlos.“ But he drew me back, his body hovering over mine, his eyes piercing into me.I took a deep breath, avoiding his gaze as I struggled to control my feelings.He kissed me softly on the chest, his hand sliding from my side to under my dress, and I realized I was wearing a flower printed knee length dress that made it easy for him to touch me.I wasn’t intoxicated this time—I could feel everything. It brought back memories of our first night, the kind of feeling that made me feel like
The knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts, and I turned toward it, already knowing who it would be. I tried the knob again, only to remember it was still locked. I sighed, ready to ask Ivan for the keys, but when I turned, he was standing right beside me, so close I almost lost my breath.“Uh...” I mumbled, my eyes trailing down to his torso, instantly reminded that he was still shirtless. The fact that I always felt awkward and tongue-tied whenever he was near was painfully obvious. Ivan wore a smirk, clearly enjoying how flustered I was. He knew exactly how he made me feel, and my face heated up in embarrassment. How much longer would I let my words get stuck in my throat whenever he was around? Without a word, he reached over and unlocked the door, pulling me even closer, his arm wrapping around me as the door creaked open.I found myself pressed against his bare chest, the side of my face brushing against his skin. Standing on the other side of the door was Isabel, her eye
He pulled out and put it in again, going faster as I held onto him, his mouth finding mine in a searing kiss. As his thrusts increased and I felt that wave of pleasure again washing over me, I could only grip him tighter and close my eyes, willing myself to come faster. My climax ripped through me and I clutched onto him, my whole body shaking uncontrollably as my release hit me hard, sending me into oblivion. I felt his warm cum spilling over my stomach, soaking into me as he held me tightly. His breathing slowed and his hands smoothed over my body, soothing and comforting, making sure that I was okay.He kissed me softly as he let me down, pulling out of me and laying me gently on the bed. When he got under the covers beside me. I smiled, snuggling into his warmth.He kissed me on my neck softly slowly the urge to have another moment came once again, and I leaned in kissing him my tongue diving into his mouth surveying his tongue. I climbed over him my body onto his erect as I bega
We spent a long time on the lawn that night, our bodies entwined as we lay side by side on the soft grass, staring up at the sky. The moon was full, its silvery light casting a glow over the world around us. A gentle breeze rustled the trees in the distance, carrying with it the scent of pine and fresh earth. I felt a deep sense of contentment, a peacefulness I hadn’t known in years.“I never thought a time like this would come,” I said softly, breaking the silence, my voice barely above a whisper. “After all that your mom did to me.” I turned my head to look at Ivan, who still had his gaze fixed on the sky, his profile illuminated by the soft glow of the moon.He didn’t respond right away, but I saw the faint smile tug at the corners of his lips. After a moment, he turned toward me, his blue eyes meeting mine with an intensity that took my breath away. “I knew it would come,” he said, his voice steady, reassuring. “But I didn’t think it would be this soon.”He pulled me closer to hi
Brenda had her bags packed as we stood together at the doorway, holding each other in a long, tight hug. She had been my rock throughout all the madness, and now she was going on a vacation for her work trip.“I’m going to miss you,” I said, my voice heavy with emotion. “I don’t know how I would have gotten through any of this without you.”Brenda smiled, pulling back to look at me, her eyes filled with warmth. “You’ve been strong, Veronica. Stronger than you give yourself credit for. I’m always just a call away, and don’t you dare forget that. You're always welcome in Paris whenever you feel like seeing your Fav cousin.”“I won’t forget all you did for me.” I said, wiping a tear that had started to roll down my cheek. “Thank you for everything.”We shared one last hug before she picked up her suitcase. Mark, her new romantic interest, was waiting by the car, ready to drive her to the airport. She gave me a wink and a playful nudge toward the house.“Take care of that man in there and
“Yes, Alfonso, I'll come over today to give you the mansion documents,” Ivan said as I walked into the living room. He was sitting on the couch, phone in hand, his tone serious. “Make sure it's confidential. I don't want anyone knowing about it.”I placed the cup of coffee I was holding on the table and took a seat opposite him. His call ended, and he looked at me with a warm smile. “Thanks, my love, for the coffee,” he said, reaching for his cup.I smiled back, taking a sip from mine, but I couldn't shake the thoughts swirling in my mind. I lowered my gaze, and Ivan noticed the unease written across my face. He stood up, still holding his cup, and moved to sit beside me, his expression softening with concern.“What’s wrong, my love?” he asked gently, placing his hand on my shoulder. The warmth of his touch was comforting, but it wasn’t enough to ease the knot tightening in my chest.I sighed, my voice shaky as I spoke. “I’m just thinking... since you're selling the mansion here in Pa
Ivan’s hand found mine, squeezing it gently. “I was blind, Veronica. I thought I was protecting my family, but in reality, I was only protecting their lies. I hate that it took me so long to realize.”I was silent for a moment, letting his words sink in. The hurt, the betrayal, it was still there, but hearing Ivan acknowledge his role in it, hearing him apologize with such sincerity, softened some of the walls I had built.“I just wanted to be enough for you, Ivan,” I whispered. “But your mother made me feel like I was nothing, and you… you never defended me.”He turned toward me, lifting my chin so our eyes met. “You were always enough, Veronica. I’m so sorry I didn’t make you feel that way. I was too wrapped up in my own fears, in trying to live up to what my mother expected. But that’s over now.”I nodded, my heart aching with a mixture of relief and sadness. “I don’t want to go through that again, Ivan. I can’t. Kelly can’t.”“I know,” he whispered, his voice full of regret. “I do
“Daddy, why's mommy over there is she trying you?“ Kelly asked looking up at Ivan. Her question seemed innocent enough, but it hung in the air like a fragile thread, threatening to unravel the delicate balance I was trying to keep.Ivan glanced at me, his eyes searching for some kind of permission or understanding. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, not sure how to handle the moment. How could we explain this tangled mess to Kelly without breaking her heart?Ivan smiled down at Kelly and gently stroked her hair. “No, sweetheart. Mommy’s just giving us some time to enjoy our ice cream. She’s not avoiding me.” He tried to keep his tone light, but even Kelly could sense that things weren’t right.She wrinkled her nose, unconvinced. “But you should sit together. Like in the movies.”Ivan chuckled softly, though it was strained. “Maybe someday we will, princess. For now, let’s just enjoy our ice cream, okay?”Kelly, satisfied for the moment, returned her focus to her ice cream, but I coul
“Mommy, are they gone?” Kelly whispered, pushing open the door and making her way towards us.I turned towards her and scooped her up into my arms. “Yes, honey. They’re gone,” I said softly as I carried her over to the couch in the living room, placing her gently down.She looked up at me, her innocent eyes filled with expectation. “Is it Daddy?” she asked, her voice small but hopeful.I hesitated, glancing at Brenda, who was sitting on the couch, her attention fixed on her phone. The weight of Kelly’s question hung in the air. How could I explain everything to her, a child who only wanted to feel safe and loved by the people she thought should protect her?I opened my mouth to say something when the door creaked open. I looked up and saw Ivan standing in the doorway, watching us with a mixture of hope and regret. He was part of Kelly’s life, whether I liked it or not, but the complexities of our situation made everything more difficult.I sat down next to Kelly, brushing a hand throu
Mrs. Carlos’ face paled, her eyes widening in shock as the weight of Ivan’s words hit her. For the first time, her composed mask slipped, revealing the fear and desperation underneath. “Nathaniel told you…?” she whispered, her voice trembling. “That ungrateful, how dare he?”Ivan released her wrist and stepped back, shaking his head in disbelief. “Yes, he told me everything. And I still can't believe you of all people would do that to me, I thought father was the bad one. Because he left when we were young, but now I see you for your true colors. I thought the problem was Nathaniel, all this time, I thought it was just him acting out of spite, but it was you pulling the strings. You did everything you could to make sure we would never be happy. And for what? Your pride? Your obsession with control, money? Did you stop for once your think about me?“Mrs. Carlos’ eyes flickered between Ivan and me, her face contorted with a mixture of fury and panic. “I did it to protect you!” she spat.
The loud banging on the door drew our attention, and I immediately stood up. "Wait here, baby. Don’t come out until I say so." I told Kelly “Okay, mommy.“ She nodded, her wide eyes filled with fear, as I closed the door behind me. My heart pounded as I made my way to the living room. The constant hammering on the door sent chills down my spine. Who could it be? The first thought that flashed through my mind was Ivan's fans. Maybe they hadn’t accepted my statement on the news and had come to confront me in person.Brenda appeared from the laundry room, her expression mirroring my own, fear. We were both terrified of who might be on the other side of that door. I stepped forward to check, but Brenda held up a hand, stopping me."You should go back," she whispered urgently. "I’ll open the door and see who it is.""It’s too dangerous. I can’t let you do that," I whispered back, glancing toward the kitchen as a possible hiding place in case it really was Ivan's fans."I’m scared, V," she