Chapter 31Julian's POVI woke up the next morning, feeling so drained and unwilling to get up. I had slept on an empty stomach because Lily refused to make dinner. She bought some food and ate alone in her room. At this point in my life, the only thing I need is money, lots of it.If Gina was here with me, at least she would offer emotional support. She wouldn't make me worry about it so much.I remembered back then when we were still courting, I had lost my job where I worked as a computer operator.I was so despondent because that was my only source of income. Gina stayed in my house for weeks, paying our bills, catering for our meals out of her own purse. There and then, I decided I was going to spend my life with her. She was so lovely and kind, never raised her voice at me. So many good things I remembered about Gina left me teary.Tears welled up in my eyes as I thought of how I had betrayed her. What was I even thinking? She must hate me so much now. She must think I'm a dev
Julian's POV“Just that? Is that why you are going to pay me any amount of money?” I was visibly bewildered. I was expecting her to ask for a bigger favor, not some stupid relationship issue.“It's not as simple as you think it is. The lady in question is wealthy even wealthier than I and my boyfriend put together. I believe she has the right connections too that will give her power.” She explained.“Well, that shouldn't be difficult. Besides, you have a lot of money, you've got the body and looks, why will you chasing a man desperately? Can't you just choose someone else?” I suggested but she glared at me.“No one else can fit into my life if not him. I love him with everything I have amd I'm not letting go of him, even if he is now married to someone else.” She said firmly.“He's even married? This doesn't make sense to me. I'm sure there are thousands of guys out there that will give up the world to have you.” I said.“It doesn't have to make sense to you, Julian. Just do as I say.
Gina's POVI sent for Lana and she came into my room seconds later. “Lana, I need your help with something very urgent.” I was still thinking of how best to carry out my plans. They said two heads are better than one, right?“Anything I can help with, Ma'am.” She replied, our eyes locking together.“I want to send someone to Julian. She'll offer all the help that I’ll need in bringing Julian and Lily to justice. Recommend someone.” I said.“You mean you need someone to act like a spy in their house?” She asked. Sensing the excitement in her voice, I rose from my seat and walked over to her.“Exactly! I haven't forgotten what they did to me. I plan to deal with them in ways they can't even imagine. I have been waiting patiently for moments like this.” I replied.“I thought you removed the idea of revenge from your mind. Oh, please, allow me to go! I'll kill that Lily with my bare hands.” Lana said firmly,“No, not you. You're very much useful to me here. I can't allow you to go there.
Julian's POV(A week later)Ever since the new house maid came, things had been a lot easier for us. Lily and I had been living blissfully, enjoying the money which Toni paid me.I was getting ready for work when Toni called. I was quite surprised because ever since that day, she hadn't said anything about the deal we had.“Hey, cousin, It's time.” She said, her voice laced with excitement.“Okay, so what do you need me to do?” I asked.“Our victim is going on a trip, I want her to be murdered on her way.” She said blankly.“Noted, but how do I come in? Surely you don't want me to kill her by myself, whoever this your victim is?” I asked impatiently.“Most times, I wonder if your head is empty. I need you to send men that will intercept her, the men will end her life instead. I need it to be a neat job, leave no traces. Of course, if you leave traces, it will be traced to only you.” She threatened.“But then, what if…” I was about to object but she cut in.“Don't forget our deal. I on
Gina's POVAs I pressed the elevator button to take me down to the last floor, I checked the time on my wristwatch and it was half past seven pm.I had just rounded the meeting with our associates and was about. The only thing on my mind was to go home, have a warm bath, eat good food and snuggle up in bed with the love of my life, Alex.The thought brought a little smile to my lips. I had several missed calls when I took a look at my phone. Five missed calls from Elena and three from Alex. I wonder why they were calling.I was so exhausted after how many hours of sitting and listening to talks. I dipped my phone back into my handbag, my mind trying to know why Elena called.Maybe she had information to pass to me concerning Julian or Lily. I'll call her when I get home, or maybe tomorrow morning. The elevator door opened up to the last floor and I stepped out. Bruno and the other guys were already waiting. After last handshakes and camera poses with other associates, I slid into t
Gina's POV“You don't have to apologise. You just saved my life. Thank you very much!” I said, hugging Simon impulsively.The smoke had almost cleared by now but then I saw a figure staggering from a distance.I waited patiently for the figure to show up and it turned out to be Bruno.“Bruno! You're safe!” I shrieked in gladness.“The other guys were shot and they died at the spot. I was lucky to escape alive. I'm glad that you're fine, Ma'am. I'm sorry that we have failed in protecting you.” Bruno went down on his knees before I could say a word.“You're injured already. Please get up. It's not your fault.” I walked over to him and helped him rise to his feet, carefully avoiding the injury on his arm.“Ma'am, we need to leave now. Most of your men are fatally ill. Let's take them to the hospital immediately so that they can get medical care.” One of Simon's men said.We got into the big black truck which they came with and drove off to the hospital.On our way to the hospital, Alex f
Gina's POVJulian! Again! The realization that Julian could be the one behind my attack tore me apart. Why would he try to kill me? After everything he did to me, to hurt me? After leaving me devastated? I was shaking from both anger, frustration and being heartbroken.Alex slung his arm over my shoulders when he noticed my shaky hands.“Alright, Thank you Elena. Goodnight.” I said, ending the call abruptly. When I dropped my phone, I broke down in tears.“All I ever did was love him. I loved Julian with my whole heart, Alex. I never treated him like trash, I was very loyal to him. That is my only offence.” I paused to catch my breath. This is how he has chosen to pay me back for everything. Not only did he betray me, he killed my child. Our child, Alex! Then he sent me away from his house. Alex, this is the height of it.” I wailed but Alex gripped me tighter as I shuddered against him.I cried for minutes which seemed like eternity until my head began to ache. I paused to clean th
Elena's POV When I got home, it was almost seven p.m. and Mr. Julian was not home yet. Lily paced around the room with her hands on her waist. “Please get some rest, ma'am. You have been like this for the past thirty minutes now.” I pleaded.“Let me be, Elena. You have no idea how worried I am. Why isn't he home yet? What if something has happened to him?” She asked, her brows furrowing.“Let me get you a cup of coffee. It will help you calm down a bit.” I said, hurrying off to the kitchen.I turned on the coffee machine and rinsed the teacup. Then I brought out the tiny bottle which I tucked into my apron.When I poured the coffee drink into the cup, I added a little quantity of the colourless. It had no scent and it quickly blended with the dark coffee drink.It would be better if I keep giving her this poison in minute amounts. That way, it will slowly eat up her insides without her knowledge. Until she would start feeling the pains, but it'd be too late by then.I stirred the li
Five years later, the estate is no longer just a retreat. It’s a sanctuary—a living, breathing testament to the resilience of love, family, and legacy. As I stand by the grand oak tree in the heart of Seraphina’s Garden, I can hear the laughter of children echoing through the estate. My daughter is among them, her golden curls bouncing with every step as she runs around with her friends, her infectious giggle carrying on the breeze.Seraphina. The little girl who was born during a storm and who now, in the light of day, flourishes as a beacon of joy and hope. She’s everything I ever dreamed of and more. Every day, she reminds me of the strength I had when I thought I had none. And every day, she teaches me that the future is always worth fighting for.I watch as Alex kneels on the grass, helping her with the butterfly she’s carefully cupping in her hands, showing her how to let it go, how to trust the world outside. His love for her is something more than I ever imagined. A father’s l
Gina's POV There’s something sacred about peace—not just the absence of chaos, but the quiet fullness of a life hard-earned. I used to wonder if I would ever know such a feeling. Now, sitting in the sun-drenched solarium with my daughter giggling in my lap and Alex stretched beside us on the chaise, I know I’ve found it.I’ve found home.And it didn’t come wrapped in the perfect package or with a roadmap. It came in storms and secrets, in compromise and conflict, in tear-streaked nights and breathtaking mornings. It came in the arms of a man I never expected to love. And in the eyes of a child who showed me how to live without fear again.That’s why I decided to write it all down.My story.Our story.At first, it started as therapy. I needed a way to untangle the knots left behind by everything that had happened—the contract marriage, Victor’s threats, the courtroom battles, Evelyn’s truth, and the secrets buried deep within the Saxton legacy. But the more I wrote, the more I realiz
Gina's POV We named her Seraphina.The moment I held her in my arms, I knew there was no other name that could ever fit. She was born from fire and softness, from struggle and grace. And as she blinked up at me with those curious hazel eyes, so much like mine yet startlingly like Alex’s, I felt my heart permanently tether to hers.“Seraphina,” I whispered against her soft cheek, brushing a kiss there. “You’re going to change everything.”****Weeks passed in a blur of midnight feedings, lullabies hummed through tired lips, and soft coos that echoed down the estate’s halls. Alex and I were exhausted, but blissfully so. Our world had narrowed to a singular, perfect focus—her.The estate, once a symbol of looming uncertainty and painful inheritance, had become our sanctuary. But I didn’t want it to be just ours. My grandfather’s name had been dragged through courtrooms and sullied by lies. I wanted something different—a legacy rooted in healing, not conflict.That’s how the idea for the
Gina's POV The nursery smelled like fresh paint and baby powder, soft sunlight streaming through the white lace curtains that fluttered slightly in the breeze. I sat on the rocking chair near the window, my hand resting over my growing belly, which had become more prominent with each passing week. I was just seven months along, and though I felt constantly tired and achy, I also felt an overwhelming sense of love swelling inside me—more than I thought was humanly possible.Alex had just left for a quick meeting with our lawyer to finalize some estate documents. Evelyn was downstairs preparing her herbal tea mix that she claimed would "bring me peace of mind and smooth sleep," and Lana was folding tiny baby clothes in the corner of the room. It was a quiet morning. Too quiet.I shifted in my seat, rubbing my belly as a sharp ache shot up my spine. I winced but brushed it off. Pregnancy was full of strange sensations—this had to be just one of them. But a few minutes later, the ache r
Gina's POV The courtroom was colder than I remembered, its marble walls echoing the low murmurs of conversation, the clicking of heels, the scratching of pens. I wasn’t physically there—I was still confined to my bed—but through the live stream set up on my bedside table, I watched everything unfold.Alex sat at the front beside our lawyer, composed and confident in his tailored navy suit. Beside him, Evelyn, dignified in a modest beige dress, clutched a worn leather folder tightly in her lap. Her hands trembled slightly, but her eyes held the strength of someone ready to face the ghosts of her past.I pulled the blanket tighter around me, my heart pounding. This was it.“Court is now in session,” the bailiff announced.I gripped the edge of my blanket. This wasn’t just about reclaiming the estate anymore. It was about reclaiming the truth—our family’s truth. It was about protecting our baby’s future from a man who had threatened everything we held dear.Victor sat across the room, a
Gina's POV The room was silent except for the steady ticking of the antique grandfather clock that stood tall near the window. I lay in bed, propped up with an array of soft pillows, my hands gently resting on my growing belly. The sun had barely risen, but I hadn’t slept. My mind buzzed with anxiety, thoughts turning in endless circles.Alex had been pacing the hallway since dawn, talking to lawyers and strategists, his voice hushed but urgent. I could feel the weight of our reality pressing down harder with each passing day. The threat Victor posed wasn’t just legal anymore—it was dangerous, personal. And with each letter from Evelyn, each scrap of evidence we uncovered, the stakes only grew.I had never imagined a world where my family’s legacy could turn into a battlefield, or where protecting my unborn child would mean playing dangerous games of deception and strategy.When Alex finally stepped into the bedroom, his face was pale but determined. His suit was pressed, his tie per
Gina’s POV The morning sunlight filtered gently through the gauzy curtains, wrapping the living room in a soft golden glow. The sound of waves crashing against the distant shoreline was like a lullaby to my anxious heart, and for the first time in days, I allowed myself to relax. I stretched slightly on the couch, my swollen belly cradled by pillows, and let my eyes drift lazily across the pages of the book I was reading.Lana sat just behind me, carefully running a wide-tooth comb through my tangled hair. She was gentle—always had been. Her hands worked through the knots in slow, practiced strokes, humming quietly as she did so. It reminded me of childhood days, when my mother would brush my hair and talk softly about her dreams and regrets. It brought a strange sense of comfort, even amidst the chaos of recent events.“Lana,” I murmured, closing my book and glancing over my shoulder, “would you mind getting me a glass of water?”“Of course,” she replied warmly, setting the comb dow
Alex's POV The courthouse smelled of polished wood, nerves, and freshly brewed coffee. A place where truth was supposed to hold weight—but truth, I’ve learned, is fragile in the face of men like Victor Wells.The judge’s voice echoed in the courtroom as the proceedings began, stern and unwavering. I sat at the front bench beside our attorney, Mr. Langdon, a seasoned man with sharp eyes and a mind like steel. Beside Victor, his legal team looked smug—too smug for someone who hadn’t even seen the real documentation yet.Gina should’ve been here with me. She would’ve sat tall and poised, even in fear. But the doctor’s orders had been clear: strict bed rest. No exceptions. Not when her life and our baby’s were on the line.Just the thought of her curled up at home in bed while this circus played out made my jaw tighten. I was here not just as a husband—but as her voice, her shield, her sword.Victor looked every bit the conman he was, wrapped in a tailored gray suit and arrogance. He sat
Gina's POV “He claims to be Martin’s son,” Evelyn said. “My grandson. Your cousin, Gina.”The room tilted slightly.“Claims? You're not sure?” Alex asked, cutting in.“That’s why he’s claiming the estate,” I said slowly. “Because he believes it’s rightfully his.”“Yes. But he doesn’t know the full truth. He doesn’t know what Wilson planned. And he certainly doesn’t know that I kept every letter. Every piece of proof.”“And yes, I'm not sure”, Evelyn continued, throwing us into further confusion.My son, Martin, never told me about his son. I know he had a child some years back but I never met him. Surprisingly, this Victor Wells, has the resemblance of Martin. I suggest you carry out a DNA test to be sure if he's from our lineage. That will give you all the answers that you need, because if he isn't, a court case wouldn't be necessary.’She slid a box across the table toward me. “It’s all here. Letters, photographs, even legal documents Wilson sent me but never filed. They’ll be enou