Chapter 12: Hidden ConnectionsThe morning sickness hit just as James walked into my office."Are you okay?" His voice carried that familiar concern that used to make my heart flutter. Now it just made my stomach churn harder."Fine," I managed, gripping my desk. "Just... haven't eaten."He frowned,
James's phone screen felt like a ticking bomb between us. Marcus's hand tightened on mine as the footage played on loop – his tender touches, my vulnerable moment, all our careful secrets exposed in harsh fluorescent light."Interesting morning routine," James said, his voice deadly quiet. "Tell me,
Chapter 14: UltimatumsVictoria Henderson's smile promised destruction as she glided into my office, manila envelope tapping against her manicured nails. The same nails that had once patted my cheek at holiday parties, calling me "the daughter she never had." The irony wasn't lost on me."Am I inter
Chapter 15: Victoria's GameThe exclusive restaurant Victoria had chosen hummed with power. Every table hosted someone who mattered in our city's hierarchy - politicians dining with donors, celebrities with publicists, business titans with ambitious protégés. The perfect setting for her ambush."Sop
Chapter 16: Corporate WhispersThe Henderson Industries boardroom felt like a courtroom as I slipped into Marcus's side entrance, careful to avoid the main hallway where executives might spot me. The tension suffocated the space - thick enough to slice with the letter opener on Marcus's immaculate d
Chapter 17: Unexpected AllyI never thought I'd see Rachel Winters on my doorstep again."You look like hell," were the first words out of her mouth. Same Rachel—designer jeans, cashmere sweater, and the brutal honesty that had once made her my closest friend before she became the woman I caught nak
"James gets chatty after sex. Always has." Her smile was sharp. "And I've been recording our conversations since he contacted me again last month, trying to pull me into their scheme.""You've been sleeping with him again?" Something about that hurt in a way that made no sense, given everything else
Chapter 18: Hidden Truths"You've got to be kidding me." Emma's voice echoed through the phone as I packed an overnight bag, Marcus moving around my apartment with restless energy, checking windows and pulling blinds."I wish I was," I replied, tucking the envelope with Rachel's evidence into my ba
I bit back a retort. Antagonizing him wouldn't help Sophia."My sister fell in love with Marcus after James betrayed her. It wasn't planned or calculated. Can you say the same about Victoria's actions?"My phone buzzed with a text. Nathan: *Victoria called. She's offering me SVP if I confirm you acc
Chapter 27: Emma's MissionI sat in Lawrence Chen's waiting room, clutching a manila folder containing everything we had on Victoria. The Henderson Tower's executive floor buzzed with barely contained chaos—assistants rushing between offices, phones ringing constantly, security personnel stationed a
Chapter 27: AftermathI awoke to hospital monitors beeping and morning light filtering through the blinds. Reality crashed back instantly—the gala, the public humiliation, Marcus's impossible choice."You're awake." Emma looked up from her phone, dark circles under her eyes. "How are you feeling?""
"What strategy?" Emma and James asked simultaneously.Marcus met my eyes, a question in his gaze. Whatever he was planning, he wanted my approval first. I nodded slightly, and he turned to face James."I'm going to announce my engagement to Sophia at the gala," he stated. "Then I'm resigning as CEO—
Understanding dawned in his eyes. "This is about your daughter's legacy.""Everything is about her now." My hand pressed against the curve where she rested. "I want her to grow up proud of both her parents, not ashamed of how we began."He nodded, closing his bag. "One hour," he repeated firmly. "I'
Chapter 25: The Gala PreparationI stood before the full-length mirror, barely recognizing the woman who stared back at me. The midnight blue gown—custom-made to accommodate my five-month baby bump—draped elegantly over my curves, the empire waist creating a silhouette that somehow managed to look b
"I'm a big girl, James." I gestured to my hospital room. "Not exactly going anywhere."He pulled out his phone, fingers flying across the screen. "I'm calling in a security team I trust. Not Henderson security—independent contractors.""You don't have to—""Yes, I do." His expression hardened. "Look
Chapter 24: James's DilemmaThe document on my phone blurred as tears filled my eyes. Marcus took one look at my face and gently pried the device from my fingers. I watched his expression change as he read—confusion, then disbelief, finally settling into something unreadable."You filed a harassment
Victoria barely spared her a glance. "Family business. It doesn't concern you.""My sister and my niece concern me," Emma shot back, moving to stand beside me. "The tabloid hit job you just orchestrated? That concerns me too.""A few unflattering articles," Victoria waved dismissively. "Hardly worth