CALEB The next morning, I barely had time for breakfast. I greeted Sophia briefly, exchanging only a few words before heading out. My mind was already set on work. At the office, I made several calls to finalize arrangements with my partners. Everything was in place, and by ten, I left for the meeting. The venue was a high-end conference hall, and I arrived to find four influential businessmen already waiting. These were men who controlled vast industries, and today’s deal was one of the biggest of my career. If all went well, this collaboration would take my company to number one in the country. We sat down, and discussions began smoothly. Everything was proceeding as planned... until the door suddenly burst open. The room fell silent. Victor Sinclair strode in, an arrogant smirk plastered on his face. And behind him? Reporters. Dozens of them. Cameras flashed, microphones extended, and the murmur of media personnel filled the air. “There he is,” Victor declared, his vo
SOPHIA Tears blurred my vision as I watched a video on my phone. My hands trembled, my chest tightening with every hateful comment flooding the internet. Caleb’s project was in ruins, and all because of Victor. I clutched my phone, feeling suffocated by guilt. I don’t want Caleb to be hurt. Maybe I should leave. I paced across the room, my mind spiraling. Would leaving make things easier for him? Would my absence stop Victor from going after him? Wiping my tears, I remembered the day Caleb told me about his past...about losing his first love. I could still hear his voice when he confessed that he couldn’t father a child. 'What if this is his only chance to be a father?' A painful lump formed in my throat. If I left, I wouldn’t just be walking away from Caleb.... I’d be taking away his chance at a family. But staying meant putting him in danger. Before I could decide, a sharp knock on the door made me freeze. My heart pounded as I approached, hesitating before opening
SOPHIA I felt Victor’s hand on my back, guiding me toward the car, his other hand gripping my luggage as if I was returning to him. Fool. I could still hear Evelyn’s words ringing in my ears. "We will do everything to make things right." Make things right? The same person who had watched Victor tear me apart was now preaching about second chances. If Caleb hadn’t saved me that night, would they be standing here, acting like they cared? I looked ahead, toward the road. Fortunately, I still had the card Caleb had given me which contained a lot of money. I was going to walk to the road, take a cab and book a hotel room for the time being.It was for the best. Just as I got close to Victor's car, he hurriedly opened the door for me to get in and I scoffed. I reached for my bag, wanting to snatch it back from him. Then, a sudden screech of tires broke through the air. Caleb. My heart lurched as his car came to a sharp stop right in front of us. The door flung open, and
VICTOR "I'm done playing nice," I muttered under my breath, gripping the steering wheel tightly. My patience had worn thin. I had watched Sophia step out of that house, watched as my chance to get her back slipped right through my fingers. And why? Because Caleb had ruined everything. Again. Caleb’s sister, Melody, had assured me that the plan was foolproof. She and her mother were supposed to convince Sophia to leave. I had done my part... I had been right there, waiting, just like she told me. But the moment Sophia walked outside, Caleb was already there, hovering over her like some damn guardian angel, dragging her back inside before I could do a damn thing. I clenched my jaw as I drove my mother home, my mind replaying everything over and over. The second I got home, I called Melody. "It didn't work," I snapped as soon as she picked up. "Yeah… we were so close," she said, sounding just as frustrated. "Caleb ruined it. Again," I bit out. Melody sighed. "Honestly,
SOPHIA Light seeped through the curtains as I sat on the couch, wrapped in a blanket. Caleb had decided to stay home with me today, sensing that his mother and Melody weren’t done trying to interfere in my life. After yesterday’s fiasco, he was worried they’d find another way to pressure me into leaving. I appreciated his concern, but in truth, I wasn’t sure how much longer I could keep dealing with this. The stress, the drama... Victor just wouldn’t let me go. Caleb sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “I need to figure out how to put an end to all this,” he muttered. Before I could respond, his phone started ringing. Again. It had been happening all morning...... one call after another. At first, he ignored them, but eventually, he picked up, and I listened as his voice hardened. “Victor cannot destroy me,” Caleb said firmly into the phone. “He doesn’t have the capability to do so.” That made me sit up straight. My stomach twisted uneasily as I watched him pace back
SOPHIA I stepped out of the elevator and walked straight toward Caleb’s office, my heart pounding with determination. After leaving the lawyer’s office, I knew exactly what I had to do. I dialed Caleb’s number. "I'm outside your building," I told him. “Come in,” he said immediately. Within seconds, a security guard was escorting me inside, and before I knew it, I was stepping into his office. Caleb stood from his chair the moment he saw me. “Hey,” he said, gesturing to the seat in front of his desk. “Sit down. You seem troubled. What is it?” I didn’t bother sitting. I looked him straight in the eyes. “I’ve made up my mind about my divorce from Victor.” A flicker of concern passed through his gaze. “Don’t tell me you want to retract the divorce.” “No,” I said quickly, shaking my head. “That’s not it. But I refuse to let you pay a single dime to that man. I would rather die than let you give Victor a divorce settlement.” Caleb’s brows furrowed. “Sophia....” “I mean i
SOPHIA I walked out of Caleb’s company with a plan in mind. Stopping by the police station, I squared my shoulders and walked up to the officer at the front desk. My heart pounded, but my face remained calm. Controlled. “I want to file a report,” I said. The officer raised an eyebrow. “What kind of report?” I took a deep breath. “I’m separated from my husband. He was physically abusive, and I need to retrieve my belongings from his house, but I’m afraid he might attack me if I go there.” The officer studied me for a moment, then his eyes widened in recognition. “Aren’t you the woman everyone’s talking about? The one who’s gone viral for living with another man while still pregnant with her husband’s child?” A bitter laugh threatened to escape my lips, but I held it back. Instead, I pulled out my phone, scrolling until I found a video. I turned the screen toward him—the clip of Victor and Isabella harassing me at the restaurant. “Watch this,” I said. The officer f
VICTOR Sophia was finally here. Standing in my house, right in front of me. I told myself that now that she had come back, I couldn’t...I wouldn’t...let her go. But then, I saw the look in her eyes. Cold. Unyielding. She didn’t hesitate. She didn’t flinch. I barely recognized her. She was no longer the wife who once looked at me with love. She looked at me as if I were a stranger. A monster. My stomach twisted, my eyes darting to the door. She said there were police officers outside. But when I arrived… I hadn’t seen anyone. I clenched my jaw. She was bluffing. She had to be. Taking a deep breath, I did the only thing I could think of. I blocked her path. And then, I dropped to my knees. “Sophia, please.” Her eyes barely flickered. “Give me a second chance,” I begged, my voice cracking. “I love you. I swear I do. You’re all I think about.” Her lips pressed into a thin line. “Every night, when I close my eyes, I see your face. I see our child.”
MONTHS LATER The early morning sun filtered through the cream-colored curtains of Sophia and Caleb’s bedroom, casting a soft golden glow over the room. It was quiet, peaceful—too peaceful for what was about to happen. Sophia stirred in bed, her brows furrowed slightly as a sharp wave of discomfort ran through her lower back. She shifted, thinking it was just the usual pregnancy ache she’d been dealing with for weeks now. But then, a second wave came... stronger, more distinct, and she gasped, her hand flying to her belly. “Caleb…” she whispered, a mixture of nervousness and urgency in her voice. He stirred beside her, his eyes opening in slow confusion. “Soph? You okay?” “I think…” she breathed, pausing as another contraction hit, this one more intense than the last. “I think the baby’s coming.” That was all Caleb needed to hear. He jumped out of bed in a flash, suddenly wide awake, his mind scrambling to recall everything they had planned. He rushed to grab the hospital
The day finally came for Ezekiel and Irene's wedding.. The venue was a grand, open-air estate draped in soft white fabrics and adorned with cascading flowers in shades of blush, ivory, and gold. A warm breeze carried the scent of fresh roses through the air, while violins played gently in the background. The crowd was large, filled with dignitaries, friends, family, and loved ones who had gathered to celebrate the long-awaited union. Irene looked breathtaking in a flowing, pearl-white gown that hugged her frame perfectly, her veil trailing behind her like a waterfall of lace. Ezekiel stood at the altar, his face a mixture of nervousness and joy, dressed in an impeccably tailored tuxedo. Alina sat in the second row beside Zander, her fingers laced through his as they both watched the ceremony unfold. She wore a pale pink dress that shimmered softly in the light, her hair pinned in soft curls. A few people from Zander’s family had shown up too....his mother, glowing with pride, and
After Zander and Alina left Ezekiel, Irene went back home with him, and for the first time in days, she felt true relief. Finally, the storm had calmed. Ezekiel had taken the first step, and even though it wasn’t a full embrace, it was a beginning. That was all she had ever wanted. Later that day, after they returned home, Alina and Zander were greeted by a surprise—Zander’s grandfather was waiting for them in the grand living room. He sat on his usual armchair, a newspaper resting on the table beside him and a cup of untouched tea growing cold. What surprised Alina most was the soft expression on the old man’s face. “Alina,” he called gently, waving her over. “Come sit.” She glanced at Zander, who gave her a reassuring nod. Alina walked over, heart steady but expectant. Zander’s grandfather had barely spoken a kind word to her since she’d entered the mansion. But ever since the incident with Anna—the exposed plot, the video, the fall down the stairs—his demeanor had changed. Hi
Zander’s grandfather was seething when he was away from Alina and Zander. His cane trembled in his grip as his voice echoed through the room. “How dare she?” he thundered. “How could Anna try to harm Zander’s mother like that? In our home!” The anger in his voice silenced the whispers around him. Everyone, still stunned from the video Alina had shown, stood quietly as the weight of Anna’s betrayal settled over them. Zander’s mother turned toward Alina, her eyes glossy with emotion. She reached out and pulled her into a hug, her voice soft but full of gratitude. “You saved me,” she whispered. “I don’t even want to think about what could have happened if Anna had succeeded. Thank you, Alina.” Before Alina could respond, Zander stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her from behind, drawing her into his chest. “You saved my mom,” he murmured, pressing a light kiss to the top of her head.After a while, Zander's grandfather called for Alina and Zander's mother to see him.
The scent of disinfectant filled the private hospital room where Anna lay on the bed, her head bandaged, her arm in a sling. Seated beside her was Daniel’s mother, her lips twisted in frustration as she leaned closer to Anna. "This is not how it was supposed to go," she hissed under her breath. “Your foolish stunt only made things worse. And that stupid son of mine—Daniel let Zander record his confession. Now, not only does Zander have the upper hand, but we’re both walking on thin ice.” Anna groaned and sat up slightly, wincing at the pain in her ribs. “Stop blaming me. Grandfather would never turn on me. I’m the one he loves most. I’m the only one who’s always been by his side.” “Love or not,” Daniel’s mother said with narrowed eyes, “you’re lying here, and that woman....Alina...is still walking around like a queen.” Anna’s expression twisted with pain and jealousy. “What hurts the most is that Zander hasn’t even visited me. Not once. I did everything for him. All I wanted w
When Zander and Alina returned home, Zander didn’t let her walk. He cradled her gently in his arms and was carrying her toward their bedroom when a sharp voice interrupted their peaceful moment. “Zander, put her down and explain yourself right now!” Standing in the hallway was Daniel’s mother, her face twisted with fury. Beside her stood their grandfather, stone-faced and silent, while Daniel trailed behind them, his face swollen and wrapped in white gauze from the bruises Zander had given him the night before. Zander stopped, but he didn’t set Alina down. He kept his arms firmly around her as his gaze met Daniel’s mother’s accusing eyes. “This is unacceptable!” she spat. “How dare you beat up my son for your characterless wife? What sort of example are you trying to set in this family?” Their grandfather stepped forward, his cane tapping the tiled floor. “We demand an explanation, Zander,” he said in a deep, gruff voice. “You’ve become reckless...beating family, creating sc
Despite her doubts and the warning that her brother would never approve, Alina gave a quiet nod and agreed. There was a strange sense of calm in her decision now. “Honestly,” she said softly, “being married to you feels a lot better than going back and letting my brother choose someone else for me again.” Zander didn’t say anything immediately, but the softness in his eyes said everything. A few seconds later, Alina added, “Still, I want to see him. Ezekiel knows the truth about Matt now, and I think I owe it to both of us to try one more time to talk to him.” Zander reached out and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “That’s not a problem,” he said, his tone gentle. “I’ll take you to see him. I just hope he keeps his hands to himself this time. If he ever lays a finger on you again…” Alina smiled faintly and touched his chest. “He won’t. Not now.” Zander nodded, then leaned back slightly and glanced at her. “Can I make a suggestion?” “Sure.” “I was thinking,” he
The sound of running water had faded, and a hush fell over the room as Zander stepped out of the bathroom. Steam followed him, curling like mist around the sharp angles of his body. He wore nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist, his dark hair damp and clinging to his forehead. The tension that had gripped him earlier had dissolved beneath the warm shower, leaving him quieter, calmer—but no less conflicted. Alina, seated on the edge of the bed, looked up as he entered. Her gaze locked on him, her lips parting slightly in surprise at the sight of him. There was a long pause, a silence that crackled between them, filled with all the things neither had said. Zander reached for the towel around his neck, rubbing it through his hair, and then paused. His eyes met hers, and he spoke in a voice that was low but steady. “I never doubted you,” he said. Alina blinked, unsure of what he meant. “Earlier, when I asked if what that idiot said was true,” he continued, his tone soften
Once they entered their bedroom, Alina didn’t waste a second. She pushed Zander gently onto the bed and climbed onto his lap, cupping his face as she captured his lips in a deep, lingering kiss. Her actions were bold, deliberate, and had one very specific goal. Just as their kiss deepened and Zander’s arms found their way around her waist, the door creaked open behind them. Anna stood in the doorway, frozen, eyes wide with horror. A second later, her face crumpled, and she turned and ran away, sobbing. Alina pulled back slowly and rolled off Zander, a sly smile curving her lips as she lay beside him. Zander looked at her, slightly breathless. “What was that smile for?” Alina sat up and brushed her fingers through her hair, still smirking. “Well, she came to my face and warned me earlier tonight. I just thought I’d return the favor... in a way she won’t forget.” Zander blinked at her. “So this was for Anna?” “Partly,” she replied calmly. “Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed it. B