Julian's POVI sat alone in my dimly lit room, my head in my hands, consumed by the weight of what had happened that night. The memory replayed in my mind like a cruel joke—my hands on the maidservant, the way Lily had walked in at the worst possible moment, the disgust in her eyes. I hadn't meant for it to happen. I hadn't even realized what I was doing until it was too late. But none of that mattered. What mattered was that I had betrayed Lily’s trust, and now she wouldn’t even listen to me. I wanted to believe that if I could just explain, if I could just tell her that it was a mistake, that it had meant nothing—maybe she would understand. But deep down, I knew that wasn’t true. Lily had always been unwavering in her beliefs, in her expectations. To her, betrayal was betrayal, and no amount of reasoning would change that. I sighed heavily, running my fingers through my hair. My entire life was about to collapse, and I felt powerless to stop it. A sudden noise startled me—a sh
Julian's POV I couldn't let her leave. The moment Lily walked out of my room, I knew I had to do something. If she left now, it would be over—there would be no coming back from this. So I followed her. My heartbeat pounded in my ears as I moved down the hallway, watching her slender figure disappear into our bedroom. Our bedroom. Would it even be ours anymore? No. I wouldn’t let that happen. I reached the doorway just as she stepped toward the closet, pulling out a suitcase with steady hands. “Lily,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. She didn’t look at me. I stepped inside and, without hesitation, turned and locked the door. Her shoulders tensed, but she didn’t turn around. “Unlock the door, Julian,” she said flatly, pulling out a few dresses and folding them neatly. “No,” I said firmly. “Not until you hear me out.” She let out a sharp breath and finally turned to face me. Her eyes—cold, distant—cut through me like a blade. “What do you want to sa
(Lily’s POV)My hands trembled as I placed my suitcase back in the closet, my mind still racing from the whirlwind of emotions that had just unfolded. Julian’s words still lingered in my ears, his desperate pleas, the raw emotion in his eyes when he begged me to stay. And I stayed. I had made my decision, and no matter how much doubt clawed at the edges of my mind, I knew I wasn’t going to walk away from my marriage. But there was one last battle to fight. My mother. Taking a deep breath, I stepped out of the bedroom and made my way downstairs. The house was quiet now, almost as if it was holding its breath, waiting for the next storm.I found Monica in the living room, perched on the edge of the couch, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, her foot tapping against the hardwood floor. She looked up the moment I entered, her eyes narrowing. "Is the car packed?" she asked, her voice clipped. I swallowed. "No, Mama. I’m not leaving." Silence. Then, she stood, her bod
(Elena’s POV)I sat on the edge of my bed, gripping my phone tightly, my heart pounding in frustration. The voices from downstairs had been impossible to ignore—heated words exchanged, accusations thrown like daggers, and then… the worst part. Lily had decided to stay. I clenched my jaw, a bitter taste settling in my mouth. How could she be so blind? After everything, after all the warnings, she was still choosing Julian. I had been *so* sure she would leave this time. That she would finally see the truth. But no. She had thrown away her last chance at freedom. I stood abruptly, pacing the room before pulling out my phone. There was only one person I needed to talk to right now. Gina. I quickly dialed her number, my fingers trembling with anger. She picked up on the second ring. "Elena? What’s wrong?" "It didn’t work," I hissed, my voice shaking. "She’s staying." There was silence on the other end before Gina let out an irritated sigh. "Are you serious?" "Monica
Elena's POVThe house was quiet, save for the rhythmic ticking of the grandfather clock in the hallway. I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling, my thoughts spiraling with frustration. My fingers drummed against the mattress as I replayed the events of the evening in my mind. I had done my part—smiled when needed, picked the perfect dress, even helped her get ready like a good little assistant. But beneath the surface, I was boiling.Lily and Julian were gone. Off to their perfect date, laughing and holding hands as if nothing had happened. As if Monica hadn't fought for her, as if she hadn't nearly walked away from it all. It made my stomach twist. Just as I exhaled deeply, attempting to clear my thoughts, a sharp knock at the front door made me sit up. I froze.I frowned, pushing myself up. Who could it be? Lily and Julian had just left, and it was too late for visitors. Who could be here at this hour? Cautiously, I got up and padded toward the front door. My heart poun
Lily's POVThe moment Julian pulled up to the hotel, I knew this night was going to be different. The building itself was grand, with warm golden lights illuminating the entrance, and beyond it, I could see the soft shimmer of a lake reflecting the evening sky. The whole scene felt straight out of a dream, one I wasn’t quite ready to wake up from. Julian stepped out of the car first, moving quickly to open my door before I could do it myself. His hand reached for mine, warm and firm, and when I looked up at him, he was already smiling. "You look breathtaking," he said, his voice low, full of admiration. Heat rushed to my cheeks. I had spent extra time getting ready, slipping into a deep red dress that hugged my curves in all the right places, my hair cascading in soft waves down my shoulders. But hearing him say it like that made me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world. He reached behind him, and before I could ask what he was doing, he pulled out a bouquet of re
Lily's POVThe warm morning sun peeked through the curtains, casting a golden glow across the room. I blinked, slowly waking up to the feeling of Julian’s arms wrapped securely around me. His steady breathing tickled the back of my neck, his warmth seeping into me like a cozy blanket. For a moment, I just lay there, letting everything sink in. The fight, the tears, the way he had begged me to stay. And now, this. The soft sheets, the scent of his cologne still lingering in the air, and the way my heart felt full again. I turned my head slightly, careful not to disturb him too much. His face was relaxed in sleep, a stark contrast to the desperation I had seen in his eyes just yesterday. A small smile tugged at my lips. He looked so peaceful, so different from the man who had locked my door and practically thrown himself at my mercy. I reached out and brushed my fingers lightly over his cheek. “Hey,” I whispered, even though I kind of didn’t want to wake him up. His eyelids f
Gina’s POVThe phone pressed against my ear, I paced the length of my office, my heels clicking against the marble floor. "Just stay put, Elena," I hissed, glancing toward the door. "I need time to figure out our next move. We can’t afford another slip-up." Elena sighed on the other end. "We should've taken care of her the moment she walked back into his life." I pinched the bridge of my nose. "I know that," I snapped. "But we need a smarter approach. Monica’s in the way, and Julian… he’s unpredictable when it comes to Lily. If we move too soon, we risk everything." A beat of silence stretched between us before Elena muttered, "Fine. But hurry up"The moment I hung up the call with Elena, I let out a sigh, tapping my nails against the desk. The wheels in my mind were already turning, formulating the next step. Julian, Lily, Monica—none of them would see what was coming. I would make sure of that. But just as I leaned back in my chair, I felt a presence behind me. My body tense
Gina's POV I couldn’t stop hugging Alex. Over and over again, I threw my arms around his neck, pressing myself against him as if I could somehow merge our souls together. My heart swelled with so much love and happiness that I thought I might burst. “I can’t believe this,” I whispered against his chest, inhaling his scent—warm, musky, and familiar. “I just… I never thought we’d get here.” Alex pulled back slightly, his hands cupping my face. His thumb traced the corner of my lips, and his deep blue eyes shimmered with affection. “Believe it, Gina. Because from now on, we’re together—*truly* together.” A fresh wave of emotion washed over me, but before I could say anything, Alex suddenly grinned. “We need to celebrate.” I raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t we already?” He chuckled, stepping away to retrieve a sleek black case from a nearby table. When he turned back around, he held up a bottle of champagne, its golden liquid glistening under the soft candlelight. I gasped. “You
Gina's POV The drive to the estate was nothing short of magical. With the countryside stretching out before us, golden fields bathed in sunlight and rolling hills fading into the horizon, I felt a sense of peace I hadn’t experienced in a long time. Alex had one hand on the wheel, his other hand reaching over to gently intertwine his fingers with mine. Every so often, he would glance at me, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he cracked one joke after another. I couldn’t stop laughing. “Okay, okay, stop! My cheeks are hurting,” I giggled, swatting at his arm playfully. “You love my jokes,” he smirked. I rolled my eyes but couldn’t deny it. He had a way of making me laugh so effortlessly, even when I least expected it. As the radio played a soft tune, Alex suddenly turned up the volume and grinned at me. “Come on, let’s sing!” I raised an eyebrow. “You *know* I can’t sing.” “That’s the fun part!” he teased. And just like that, we both burst into song, completely out o
Gina's POV The next afternoon, as I sat in the living room, sipping tea and flipping through a book, Alex walked in with a mischievous smile. "We’re leaving tomorrow," he announced. I raised a brow, setting my book aside. "Leaving? Where to?" "The estate," he said, walking over to sit beside me. He took my hand in his, gently rubbing circles against my palm. "I figured we could spend some time there alone, just the two of us. Consider it a romantic getaway." A rush of excitement flooded through me. I hadn’t even stepped foot in my grandfather’s estate yet, and now, Alex wanted to take me there for a whole week? "A vacation?" I beamed. He nodded. "Just you and me." I nearly squealed, throwing my arms around him. "That sounds amazing!" His deep chuckle vibrated against my chest as he hugged me back. As soon as I pulled away, I called for Lana. "We have to start packing!" ### **Packing for the Trip** Lana followed me upstairs, and as soon as we reached my room, I s
Gina's POV Ever since I returned from the hospital, Alex had been treating me like a delicate piece of glass. He barely let me lift a finger, always making sure I had everything I needed before I could even ask. At first, I appreciated his attentiveness, but after a while, it started to feel overwhelming. "Alex, I can do it myself," I protested one morning when he tried to help me put on my slippers. He ignored my complaint, slipping them onto my feet with ease. "You’re pregnant, Gina. You shouldn’t have to worry about anything." I rolled my eyes. "I’m not an invalid. I can still function, you know." He smirked but didn’t argue, simply brushing a kiss against my forehead before heading to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. This had been my life for the past few weeks—Alex doting on me as if I were royalty. I won’t lie; it felt good to be cared for, to be loved in a way I had never truly experienced before. But at the same time, it terrified me. Was he doing this because he
Gina's POV The air inside the car felt heavy as Alex and I rode home from the hospital. My hands rested gently over my stomach, still trying to grasp the reality of the life growing inside me. I should have been happy. This was supposed to be a moment of joy, of hope. Yet, deep inside, I felt something else—something dark, uncertain. The doctor had given me strict instructions—what to eat, what to avoid, when to come in for checkups. She had been reassuring, telling me that everything looked fine, that I was healthy. But none of it eased the fear that gnawed at my chest. Alex glanced at me as he drove. “You’ve been quiet,” he noted softly. I forced a small smile. “Just tired.” He reached for my hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “We’ll get through this together.” I nodded but said nothing. When we arrived home, Lana was already waiting for us. Her eyes lit up with excitement as she rushed toward me. “Oh my God, Gina! I just heard!” she exclaimed, pulling me into a hug. “
Gina's POV As Alex and I stepped out of the courthouse, the blinding flashes of cameras assaulted my eyes. The air buzzed with urgency as reporters pushed microphones in our faces, bombarding us with an endless stream of questions. “Miss Saxton, how do you feel about the verdict?” “Do you think justice was truly served today?” “What are your plans for Julian’s company now that it’s been shut down?” "How do you feel about your family members being imprisoned?""What was your reaction when you found out that your sister was with your husband?"Their voices blurred together, a chaotic mixture of curiosity, speculation, and sensationalism. I kept my face expressionless, my lips pressed into a firm line as I walked forward. I had no interest in feeding the media frenzy. Alex, ever the protective force beside me, placed a firm hand on my lower back, guiding me through the throng of reporters. He shot a glare at one particularly aggressive journalist who tried to block our path.
Gina's POV Today was the day. I had waited for this moment for so long that it almost felt surreal. As I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind replayed everything that had led up to this. The betrayals, the suffering, the fight for justice—it all came down to this one day. But before I could dwell too much on it, a wave of nausea hit me suddenly and violently. My stomach churned, and I barely had time to rush to the bathroom before I was kneeling over the toilet, vomiting. I gripped the sink afterward, breathing heavily as I wiped my mouth. What was that? I wasn’t sick. I wasn’t even nervous, not really. So why did my body react like this? A soft knock on the bathroom door made me turn. Lana, my personal assistant, peeked in, her face etched with concern. “Gina? Are you okay?” she asked, stepping closer. I forced a small smile. “I’m fine. Probably just the stress.” Lana didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t push further. Instead, she helped me freshen up befor
Gina's POV #Gina's Triumph The night was ours. After months of battles, betrayals, and carefully orchestrated revenge, Alex and I finally had the victory we deserved. As we drove home, the cool night breeze drifted through the car windows, carrying with it the scent of the city—fresh rain on asphalt, the distant aroma of food vendors closing shop, and the faint trace of the ocean in the distance. I let my head rest against the window, a slow smirk playing on my lips as I replayed the look of horror on Julian, Lily, Monica, and Antoinette’s faces when the police took them away. Justice. Finally. Alex reached over and placed a hand on my thigh, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “You did it, Gina,” he murmured. “You got your revenge.” I turned to face him, my heart swelling with gratitude. “*We* did it.” He chuckled. “Damn right we did. Now let’s celebrate.” Stopping by a liquor store, we grabbed several bottles of expensive wine and whiskey. Tonight wasn’t about drinking in
Gina's POV The time was almost 10pm. I had closed from work and now, I have one thing left before I can retire for the day. Yeah, call me wicked, but I love having my revengeAfterall, everyone gets what they deserve.The evening air was thick with the promise of a storm, but I felt nothing but satisfaction as I pulled up in front of the police station. The street lights flickered above, casting elongated shadows as I stepped out of my car and walked toward the entrance. My heels clicked against the pavement, the sound sharp and unwavering—just like my resolve. Inside, the station bustled with activity. Officers moved from desk to desk, filing reports, answering calls, and booking criminals. The scent of stale coffee and ink filled the air, but I ignored it, heading straight to the front desk where a tired-looking officer sat, skimming through some documents. He looked up, his gaze assessing. “How can I help you?” “I’d like to press charges,” I said, my voice firm. His brow l