Marietta’s POVI scoffed in disbelief because this was starting to look like an emotional blackmail, especially with the reporters being around.“What are you doing?” I gasped in shock.Should love be a do-or-die thing? Why must he go to the extent of pulling this kind of string?I was running from Aiden, my one-night stand and now I’m in front of my delusional ex-husband who has suddenly gone mad after killing our daughter because of his reckless attitude.“Hae you gone mad?!”“Yes,” he said, pulling the trigger, and raising a finger to stop his guards from interfering.“I’ve gone made because of you!” He lashed out. “And I need us to talk about this.” He heaved a sigh with the gun still placed on his head.“Please!” He shouted. “Just you and me.”“I have nothing to say to you, Michael.” I yanked his hand off me. “Clara let’s go,”“If you step a foot into this car, I’m going to pull this trigger.” He threatened.Taking off my glasses, I stared at him, my eyes devoid of emotions. “I’
Marietta’s POVThe world around me seemed to slow as my sister, Katty, tumbled down the golden staircase.A scream tore from my throat.I lunged forward, reaching for her, but it was too late.“Katty! Somebody help! Anybody!” My voice was raw with panic.I stumbled down after her, my heart pounding in terror as she landed with a sickening thud.Gasps echoed around the grand hall, drawing the attention of the elegantly dressed guests. A murmur of disbelief rippled through the crowd, turning into hushed whispers, then sharp accusations.“She pushed her!”“After stealing her fiancé, now she wants her dead?”“What kind of monster does that to her own sister?”Tears blurred my vision. I barely registered the insults as I dropped to my knees beside Katty.She clutched her stomach, wincing in pain. “Oww… my baby… please… save my baby…” Her trembling hands shoved mine away.Then, her voice sharpened, loud enough for the entire room to hear. “Don’t touch me! You—murderer!”The weight of her acc
Marietta's POV"He wants a divorce?" I repeated in shock, my voice barely a whisper."Are you serious?" Relief washed over me as I heard Granny Lorette’s voice from the living room.She would calm Michael. She always had my back."Michael, if this is some kind of joke, you can stop now," Granny Lorette snapped."No! It's not a joke. I’m serious about this," Michael argued, his voice filled with frustration."I can’t stand this any longer, Grandmother. I’m filing for divorce. I’m sick and tired of her. I don’t even love Marietta. You forced me into this whole thing."My breath caught in my throat. I clenched the wooden railing of the staircase, my legs trembling."Are you telling me that after all these years, you never loved Etta?" Granny Lorette’s voice wavered, laced with disbelief.Michael scoffed. "You used your influence and your company shares to push me into this marriage, and now you expect me to stand by her?"Tears burned my eyes, threatening to spill as I peered down at them
Marietta’s POV“Congratulations, Mrs. Lockhart,” the doctor said with a warm smile, extending a white envelope toward me. “You are two weeks pregnant.”My fingers trembled as I took the envelope, my heart slamming against my ribs. “No, no, no. This must be a mistake,” I muttered, shaking my head. “Are you sure? Could I have been misdiagnosed?”The doctor remained calm, folding his hands over his desk. “A mistake? The blood samples clearly match yours,” he stated, then hesitated. “But well, you might be correct. It does happen occasionally.”I exhaled in relief. Maybe this was all some cruel misunderstanding.“I’ll have one of my most efficient staff members re-run the test. She will take another blood sample. Is that okay?” he asked.I nodded hastily. “Yes, please.”“Very well then. You can wait in the lab,” he instructed.Minutes later, a nurse approached with a sealed test report.“I supervised this myself,” she said, her tone firm as she handed it to me before walking away.My breat
Marietta’s POV“I can’t believe you are still in bed!”Michael’s voice cut through my groggy mind like a knife.“And why haven’t you packed up earlier?” he demanded, his brow furrowed in frustration.“Michael, I’m sick,” I murmured weakly, my body heavy with exhaustion.“Are you aware that your flight is scheduled to take off five hours from now?!”“I think I might have caught a fever last night.”“Stop lying, Etta,” he snapped, his disbelief stinging me more than my fever.“I’m not,” I bit back, my voice hoarse.“You are leaving this afternoon. I’ll drive you to the airport, and you must leave even if you don’t want to!” Michael flared up and stormed out, his anger lingering in the air.A bitter smile curled my lips. Michael driving me to the airport himself? How ironic.“C’mon, Marietta, don’t be stupid. He just wants to make sure you leave,” I scoffed under my breath, closing the door behind him.I dragged myself to the bed, my body aching. Maybe a short nap would help.A few hours
Marietta's POVEIGHT MONTHS LATERNine months of pain, discomfort, and struggle had led to this moment."The baby is here! One last push!" the nurse urged, her voice laced with encouragement.Drenched in sweat, I mustered every last ounce of strength. A piercing scream escaped my lips as I made the final push. Then—relief. My body slackened as exhaustion consumed me, and tears welled in my eyes.I barely registered the tiny cries echoing in the room. The baby had come early. I had been terrified I wouldn't survive this—my first childbirth, all alone in a foreign place.The nurse cradled my baby in her arms. "A healthy little girl," she murmured with a smile.With the last bit of energy I had left, I lifted my weak gaze toward the small bundle. My child. My family."Finally…" I whispered, tears rolling down my cheeks. "I have a family in this world."Then, darkness consumed me.A knock at the door pulled me from unconsciousness. My eyelids fluttered open to see a nurse standing beside m
Marietta’s POVThe moment I stepped into the airport terminal, I felt it—the weight of a past I had long buried.Three years had passed, yet the air in America still carried the scent of old betrayals. I had rehearsed this moment countless times, told myself I was ready. But nothing prepared me for the sharp sting of familiarity as the cold air kissed my skin.I adjusted my sunglasses and tightened my grip on my suitcase. My plan was simple: get in, handle business, and leave with my dignity intact. No distractions. No emotions.But fate had other plans.I heard reporters calling my name—the one I had spent years rebuilding—spread like wildfire. Heads turned. Cameras flashed. Reporters swarmed toward me with recorders and microphones in hand.I kept my expression neutral, offering the reporters a small, polite smile before walking past them. My driver, already waiting, quickly opened the car door, shielding me from the chaos.I slid into the back seat and let out a quiet breath as the
Marietta’s POVThe air in the ballroom shifted.A murmur went through the crowd as Mr. Harris stood on the stage, his expression calm, his presence commanding. The last time I had seen him, he had been delivering Granny Lorette’s orders—orders that had shattered what remained of my world.He was the one who had dished me the divorce papers. And right now he was, ready to hand me an award for being the best actress worldwide.My gaze shifted across the hall. And there she was. The woman that has sent me to Paris.And left me there to suffer alone.Granny Lorette watched me carefully, her sharp gaze unreadable. "Ladies and gentlemen," Mr. Harris continued, his voice smooth as he addressed the audience. "It is a privilege to stand before you tonight to honor an individual whose resilience and talent have captivated the world."My stomach tightened.He wasn’t talking about just anyone. He was talking about me."Three years ago, circumstances took her away from us. But as fate would have i
Marietta’s POVI scoffed in disbelief because this was starting to look like an emotional blackmail, especially with the reporters being around.“What are you doing?” I gasped in shock.Should love be a do-or-die thing? Why must he go to the extent of pulling this kind of string?I was running from Aiden, my one-night stand and now I’m in front of my delusional ex-husband who has suddenly gone mad after killing our daughter because of his reckless attitude.“Hae you gone mad?!”“Yes,” he said, pulling the trigger, and raising a finger to stop his guards from interfering.“I’ve gone made because of you!” He lashed out. “And I need us to talk about this.” He heaved a sigh with the gun still placed on his head.“Please!” He shouted. “Just you and me.”“I have nothing to say to you, Michael.” I yanked his hand off me. “Clara let’s go,”“If you step a foot into this car, I’m going to pull this trigger.” He threatened.Taking off my glasses, I stared at him, my eyes devoid of emotions. “I’
Marietta’s POV I had woken up muttering my daughter's name. I squeezed the bed with my eyes still shut. “Valerie!” I lashed before opening my eyes. My whole body trembled at the sight of the Greek god lying beside me. How can a man who sleeps with women for money be this flawless?His eyes, his cute little nose–Fuck! I don't want to do this. We are done. And I don't want to see him again. It's time to get back at those who haunted me and my daughter. Love? It's already been deleted from my dictionary. Looking behind me, I noticed the wall clock was just ticking after six in the morning. I can't afford to be seen like this. I'm a public figure and I really need to keep my decency. Just then, it dawned on me that my daughter was dead. The decency thing has ended. So I don't give two fucks about what anyone says. They will always talk. And they can go fuck themselves. Everyone had pretended not to know a thing. Just because Michael paid them off. I'm human too. Being an ac
Marietta’s POV I had woken up muttering my daughter's name. I squeezed the bed with my eyes still shut. “Valerie!” I lashed before opening my eyes. My whole body trembled at the sight of the Greek god lying beside me. How can a man who sleeps with women for money be this flawless?His eyes, his cute little nose–Fuck! I don't want to do this. We are done. And I don't want to see him again. It's time to get back at those who haunted me and my daughter. Love? It's already been deleted from my dictionary. Looking behind me, I noticed the wall clock was just ticking after six in the morning. I can't afford to be seen like this. I'm a public figure and I really need to keep my decency. Just then, it dawned on me that my daughter was dead. The decency thing has ended. So I don't give two fucks about what anyone says. They will always talk. And they can go fuck themselves. Everyone had pretended not to know a thing. Just because Michael paid them off. I'm human too. Being an ac
Marietta's POV“Do some artificial respiration. She’s still breathing,” Bella yelled.I wasted no time in adhering to what she had suggested.“Did you say anything to her? I think I asked Clara to always be with her every time?” I said, breathing some air into her.I cannot lose her too. I’ve already lost a daughter.“C’mon, Marietta,” “You cannot die now, please!” I shouted.I was about to order them to get a nurse, when Etta finally breathed out.I felt a bit weak, as my legs cringed beneath me. For a second I thought I’d lost her.My heart raced faster, knowing the kind of history we both had in the past.If this happens, then the world will never look at me the same again. It’s enough for them to think we killed our daughter. I cannot have the reporters put us out there again.Laying her on the bed, and adjusting the air conditoner, I turned towards Bella.“What happened?”“She said she wanted to come pick something up at your side,” Bella rolled her eyes.Even though I’ve been
Michael’s POV“Do some artificial respiration. She’s still breathing,” Bella yelled.I wasted no time in adhering to what she had suggested.“Did you say anything to her? I think I asked Clara to always be with her every time?” I said, breathing some air into her.I cannot lose her too. I’ve already lost a daughter.“C’mon, Marietta,” “You cannot die now, please!” I shouted.I was about to order them to get a nurse, when Etta finally breathed out.I felt a bit weak, as my legs cringed beneath me. For a second I thought I’d lost her.My heart raced faster, knowing the kind of history we both had in the past.If this happens, then the world will never look at me the same again. It’s enough for them to think we killed our daughter. I cannot have the reporters put us out there again.Laying her on the bed, and adjusting the air conditoner, I turned towards Bella.“What happened?”“She said she wanted to come pick something up at your side,” Bella rolled her eyes.Even though I’ve been
Michael’s POV“Do some artificial respiration. She’s still breathing,” Bella yelled.I wasted no time in adhering to what she had suggested.“Did you say anything to her? I think I asked Clara to always be with her every time?” I said, breathing some air into her.I cannot lose her too. I’ve already lost a daughter.“C’mon, Marietta,” “You cannot die now, please!” I shouted.I was about to order them to get a nurse, when Etta finally breathed out.I felt a bit weak, as my legs cringed beneath me. For a second I thought I’d lost her.My heart raced faster, knowing the kind of history we both had in the past.If this happens, then the world will never look at me the same again. It’s enough for them to think we killed our daughter. I cannot have the reporters put us out there again.Laying her on the bed, and adjusting the air conditoner, I turned towards Bella.“What happened?”“She said she wanted to come pick something up at your side,” Bella rolled her eyes.Even though I’ve been
Marietta's POVEIGHT MONTHS LATERNine months of pain, discomfort, and struggle had led to this moment."The baby is here! One last push!" the nurse urged, her voice laced with encouragement.Drenched in sweat, I mustered every last ounce of strength. A piercing scream escaped my lips as I made the final push. Then—relief. My body slackened as exhaustion consumed me, and tears welled in my eyes.I barely registered the tiny cries echoing in the room. The baby had come early. I had been terrified I wouldn't survive this—my first childbirth, all alone in a foreign place.The nurse cradled my baby in her arms. "A healthy little girl," she murmured with a smile.With the last bit of energy I had left, I lifted my weak gaze toward the small bundle. My child. My family."Finally…" I whispered, tears rolling down my cheeks. "I have a family in this world."Then, darkness consumed me.A knock at the door pulled me from unconsciousness. My eyelids fluttered open to see a nurse standing beside
Marietta's POVEIGHT MONTHS LATERNine months of pain, discomfort, and struggle had led to this moment."The baby is here! One last push!" the nurse urged, her voice laced with encouragement.Drenched in sweat, I mustered every last ounce of strength. A piercing scream escaped my lips as I made the final push. Then—relief. My body slackened as exhaustion consumed me, and tears welled in my eyes.I barely registered the tiny cries echoing in the room. The baby had come early. I had been terrified I wouldn't survive this—my first childbirth, all alone in a foreign place.The nurse cradled my baby in her arms. "A healthy little girl," she murmured with a smile.With the last bit of energy I had left, I lifted my weak gaze toward the small bundle. My child. My family."Finally…" I whispered, tears rolling down my cheeks. "I have a family in this world."Then, darkness consumed me.A knock at the door pulled me from unconsciousness. My eyelids fluttered open to see a nurse standing beside
Marietta's POVEIGHT MONTHS LATERNine months of pain, discomfort, and struggle had led to this moment."The baby is here! One last push!" the nurse urged, her voice laced with encouragement.Drenched in sweat, I mustered every last ounce of strength. A piercing scream escaped my lips as I made the final push. Then—relief. My body slackened as exhaustion consumed me, and tears welled in my eyes.I barely registered the tiny cries echoing in the room. The baby had come early. I had been terrified I wouldn't survive this—my first childbirth, all alone in a foreign place.The nurse cradled my baby in her arms. "A healthy little girl," she murmured with a smile.With the last bit of energy I had left, I lifted my weak gaze toward the small bundle. My child. My family."Finally…" I whispered, tears rolling down my cheeks. "I have a family in this world."Then, darkness consumed me.A knock at the door pulled me from unconsciousness. My eyelids fluttered open to see a nurse standing beside