At Thousand OaksDamian's Pov ***The day of Lisa's disappearance***I called out to Lisa, desperation creeping into my voice. "Lisa, wait! Please don't do this! I can explain!" But she was already gone, vanished into the crowd. I could see the hurt in her eyes, the betrayal etched on her face. My heart sank, feeling like a piece of me had been ripped away.How could this have happened? One minute I was trying to protect Lisa and our marriage. I wanted everything Freedman had been saying to be wrong, and the next, I was standing in front of her, holding Lauren's hand. It looked bad, really bad. I knew I had to fix this, to make Lisa understand.I turned to Lauren, my anger and frustration boiling over. "I shouldn't have trusted you," I snapped, jerking my arm free from her grasp. "You knew how much my marriage meant to me. How could you do this?"Lauren looked taken aback, but I didn't care. I was too busy trying to process the mess I'd just made. The media was closing in, sensing a
I stared at my parents, my mind reeling in shock. The opulent dining room, once filled with warmth and laughter, now felt suffocating. The crystal chandelier above the table cast an eerie glow, illuminating the desperation etched on my parents' faces."An arranged marriage?" I repeated, my voice trembling. "You can't be serious."My mother's eyes pleaded for understanding, her hands clasped together in a desperate prayer. "Lisa, we have no choice. Father's scandal has left us financially ruined. Richard Sparks' offer is our only salvation."The memory of my father's downfall flashed before me – the news headlines, the whispered conversations, the shame. Our family's reputation lay in tatters. The once-respected business magnate now faced financial ruin and social ostracism."But Damian Sparks?" I protested, a shiver running down my spine. "I know him."My father's expression turned grim, his jaw clenched. "That's precisely why this will work. Richard wants to merge our families, and D
"I won't marry you," I blurted out, my voice firm.Damian's charming smile faltered for a moment before he regained control."Why are you telling me this?" he asked, amusement dancing in his eyes."Because I want to make it clear," I replied, my voice steady. "I won't be forced into this marriage."Damian chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners."Ah, Lisa, you're adorable when you're defiant," he said, his voice dripping with charm.I felt a surge of annoyance."Stop pretending to care," I snapped. "You don't know me."Damian's smile widened."Oh, but I do," he said, his voice low and intimate. "I know you're beautiful, intelligent, and fiercely independent."His words made my skin crawl."You know nothing about me," I repeated.Damian shrugged."Perhaps not," he said. "But I do know your family's in a financial crisis. You have no choice."His blunt words stung."You're really something, aren't you?" I spat. "Using my family's misfortune to manipulate me."Damian's smile never wa
The grand ballroom's crystal chandeliers refracted colours across the polished marble floor, casting a glow of hues. But none of it impressed me."I do," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart.My eyes locked onto Damian's, his gaze burning with intensity. His smile faltered for a moment, as if he saw something in my eyes - a flicker of doubt, a spark of resentment.Damian's eyes seemed to gleam with triumph, his smile smug. He thought he'd won.The reception was a whirlwind of laughter and tears, of champagne toasts and forced smiles. Damian's hand on my waist felt suffocating, his fingers brushing against mine like a branding iron.His touch sent shivers down my spine, but not the kind he intended.As the night drew to a close, Damian led me to our luxurious suite. Soft candlelight danced across the room, casting shadows on the walls. The king-size bed seemed to loom over us, a constant reminder of the expectations.But I wouldn't submit."Tonight changes
Damian's POVI stormed into the bedroom, a mixture of curiosity and anger boiling over."Lisa, we need to talk," I growled.She looked up from her book, her eyes narrowing."What's wrong, Damian?""You know exactly what's wrong," I spat."This...this charade. You're still freezing me out."Lisa's expression didn't change."I don't know what you're talking about.""Don't lie to me!" I slammed my fist on the dresser."The death threats. The tension. It's all connected to you."Lisa's eyes flickered, but she remained silent."You're acting like I'm the enemy," I accused."Like I've done something unforgivable."Lisa's gaze dropped."You have no idea," she whispered."What does that mean?" I demanded."Tell me!"Lisa's shoulders stiffened."Nothing.""Nothing?" I repeated."That's all you ever say. Nothing. You're hiding something."Lisa stood, her eyes flashing."Maybe I am," she snapped."Maybe I have every reason to hate you.""Hate me?" I took a step closer."You're my wife. I deserve
The email read: "Congratulations, Lisa. Saw the news online."Brief, yet laced with undertones. I quickly picked up my phone, dialling Sophie's number, my heart racing with anticipation. The phone rang several times, each passing moment amplifying my anxiety.Sophie finally picked up, her voice neutral."Hello?""Hey, Sophie," I replied, trying to sound calm."Lisa." Her tone was polite, but a hint of reserve lingered."I wanted to talk to you..," I said, hesitating."I saw the news," Sophie said, her voice measured."Can we meet at the coffee shop on 5th Street?" I asked.Pause."Okay.""4 PM today?" I pressed."Okay," Sophie repeated.I sensed a subtle tension beneath her calm demeanour."Thanks, Sophie. I appreciate it.""See you then."The line went dead.I stood there, phone still pressed to my ear..I arrived at the coffee shop early, nervously fidgeting with my cup. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, but my stomach was too knotted to appreciate it.At 4 PM sharp
I woke up to the warmth of Damian's body beside me, his chest rising and falling with each steady breath. The sunlight streaming through the window highlighted the sharp angles of his face, accentuating the rugged beauty that had captivated me.His eyes fluttered open, and he smiled, his lips curling upward. The warmth in his gaze made my heart skip a beat."Good morning," he whispered, his voice husky, low, and seductive."Morning," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper, still laced with the remnants of sleep.Damian pulled me close, his lips brushing against mine. The gentle touch reignited the flames of last night's passion."Last night was incredible," he said, his eyes burning with desire, his voice filled with emotion.I blushed, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks. But amidst the warmth, doubts crept in.Was this real? Or was I blinded by desire?Damian's fingers intertwined with mine, sending shivers down my spine."I want to make this work, Lisa," he said, his voice fille
Sunday afternoon cast a golden glow over the city as I arrived at the designated meeting spot, a discreet café on the outskirts of town. The scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, mingling with the hum of hushed conversations. Freedman already sat, nursing a cup of black coffee, his expression grave."Freedman," I said, taking a seat across from him."Damian," he replied, his voice laced with a hint of urgency.The cafe's muted atmosphere provided a stark contrast to the darkness we were about to uncover.Freedman pulled out a small laptop, his eyes locked on mine. "I've got something you need to see."I nodded, anticipation coursing through my veins like a slow-burning fire.With a few swift keystrokes, the laptop screen flickered to life, displaying a grainy video clip. The footage revealed a deserted alleyway, the only sound the distant hum of passing cars."This is from Luke's murder scene, five years ago," Freedman said, his voice barely above a whisper.My heart
At Thousand OaksDamian's Pov ***The day of Lisa's disappearance***I called out to Lisa, desperation creeping into my voice. "Lisa, wait! Please don't do this! I can explain!" But she was already gone, vanished into the crowd. I could see the hurt in her eyes, the betrayal etched on her face. My heart sank, feeling like a piece of me had been ripped away.How could this have happened? One minute I was trying to protect Lisa and our marriage. I wanted everything Freedman had been saying to be wrong, and the next, I was standing in front of her, holding Lauren's hand. It looked bad, really bad. I knew I had to fix this, to make Lisa understand.I turned to Lauren, my anger and frustration boiling over. "I shouldn't have trusted you," I snapped, jerking my arm free from her grasp. "You knew how much my marriage meant to me. How could you do this?"Lauren looked taken aback, but I didn't care. I was too busy trying to process the mess I'd just made. The media was closing in, sensing a
A Close CallLisa's Pov "Where do you think you're going?" Damian asked, his voice low and husky.I spun around, my heart racing like a jackrabbit. What was he doing here? I thought I was alone on the stairs.I tried to think of an excuse, but my mind was a blank. "Uhm...I'm sorry, Sir," I stuttered. "I got lost. I was trying to locate my sister's room."Damian raised an eyebrow, his eyes narrowing slightly. "It's in the opposite direction," he said, pointing down the hall. He went back to scrolling through his phone, clearly uninterested in my presence.I let out a sigh of relief as I watched him walk away. Wow, that was a close call. My heart was still racing, and my palms were sweaty.But as I turned to head in the direction Damian had pointed, a thought struck me. Damian and Lucinda were not in the same room. A wave of relief washed over me. At least they weren't sleeping together.I felt a pang of guilt for thinking that way, but I couldn't help it. The thought of Damian with Lu
Living The LieLisa's Pov Three days had passed since Lucinda's shocking announcement. My parents were over the moon, treating me like royalty. After all, their long-lost daughter had finally returned. The news had spread like wildfire, and I couldn't escape the headlines: "The Thompsons' Long-Lost Daughter Found."I had to admit, it was surreal. Everything was going smoothly. The DNA test had confirmed my identity, and the drama with Damian had died down. I'd even seen articles about how he was showering his wife - or rather, Lucinda - with love and gifts.Lucinda was living her best life, and for some reason, I was enjoying the lie too. I didn't have to worry about Sophie or James anymore. Damian seemed happy, and I thought, why not? Let Lucinda live my life.But deep down, I was worried. What if she took everything? What were her plans? I still had no idea, and I hadn't had a chance to snoop around her house - my house - to plant a chipToday was the perfect opportunity. Mom and I
See Right Through MeLisa's Pov "Lisa, what's the meaning of this nonsense?" my mom finally spoke up, her voice laced with confusion and concern.I tried to respond, but Lucinda shoved me aside, her eyes flashing with malice."I'm sorry, Mom," Lucinda said. "I was going to tell you, but I wanted it to be a surprise. Didn't you know you had twins at birth?"The room fell silent, with all eyes fixed on Lucinda. My dad's face turned bright red, while my mom looked like she was about to faint."Mr. Thompson, what's the meaning of this?" Damian's father thundered, his face stern with disapproval.Lucinda turned to him, a charming smile spreading across her face. "Oh, Father-in-law, I'm so sorry. I thought since we were now family, there was no need to hide anything. Right, Dad?" She turned to my father, who looked like he was about to explode.I felt a wave of shame wash over me. My family was going through this because of me... or at least, because of Lucinda's twisted game."Uhm... I'm
I'm Lucinda Lisa's Pov “Now back to where we were”. She continued, smiling sweetly. "I've invited both families to dinner tonight. And I'll be introducing you as me."I laughed. "You think I'll go along with that?"Lucinda's smile grew wider. "Oh, you will, sis. You love your family too much to risk hurting them. And let's not forget, I have someone ready to hurt Damian if you try to cross me."My eyes narrowed. "You're bluffing."Lucinda chuckled. "Am I? You see, I know all about your little secret. How you sold out your husband's family while he was in the hospital."I felt a wave of shame wash over me. How did she know?And then it hit me - Ethan, the man who had been blackmailing me for months. The car accident, the hospital visits...it was all a setup.The lawyer, My lawyer that I had given information to. He was supposed to be confidential. The bag, all the money gone.I glared at Lucinda. "You used me."Lucinda shrugged. "You were easy to manipulate, sis. And now, you're goi
Lookalike Lisa's Pov I stared at the phone in Lucinda's hand, my heart sinking as I saw Damian's name on the screen. Why was he calling her? And why did she have his number?Lucinda flashed the phone in my face, a triumphant smile spreading across her face. "Looks like someone's looking for you, sis," she said, before hurrying out of the room.I was too weak to follow her, my mind reeling with questions. A twin sister I never knew existed? A family that seemed to be in on some secret? And Damian, calling Lucinda instead of me?I needed to get out of there, but where was I? And who could I call for help? I thought of my mom.I reached for my phone again, but my heart sank as I saw that all my contacts had been deleted. I tried to dial my mom's number from memory, but it wouldn't connect. My number had been blocked.I threw the phone across the room, watching as it shattered on the floor. What use was it to me now? I was completely cut off from the outside world.Panic set in as I rea
A New Enemy Lisa's Pov I could hear my heart racing. I had barely escaped the trailer's deadly path. Its brakes had screeched to a halt just inches from my car.But my relief was short-lived. My car was still stuck, and I was running out of air. I was drenched in sweat, my tears long gone.Everything was fading to black. I tried to call out for help, but my voice was barely a whisper."Help..." I croaked.It was obvious someone had tampered with my car on purpose. But who? And why?My mind was spinning, but my thoughts were getting cloudy. The last thing I remembered was the sound of shattering glass and a sharp pain on my face.And then, everything went black.I slowly opened my eyes, slowly taking in my surroundings. I wasn't at a hospital. Where was I? The room was dimly lit, with cream-colored walls and a single window with closed curtains. A drip was connected to my hand, and I felt a dull ache in my head.I tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness washed over me, forcing me ba
Hating you LisaI stood there, my mind a mix of emotions. Damian was supposed to be on a flight, but he was here, with Lauren. He walked towards me, his eyes filled with guilt, like a cheating husband who'd been caught."How could you do this to me, Damian?" I screamed, my voice echoing through the cafe. I felt like I'd been punched in the gut.There was no need for an explanation. My husband had lied to me, betrayed me. The same person I was fighting to protect.I glared at him, tears streaming down my face. "So this is the trip you talked about?" I spat, my voice venomous.Damian took a step back, his eyes pleading. "Wait, it's not what you think," he said, holding up his hands.But I wasn't having it. "Don't you dare come close to me," I hissed, my anger boiling over.I looked at Lauren, standing silently beside him. "So it's her now, isn't it?" I sneered, my heart heavy with pain.Damian's face contorted in a mixture of guilt and desperation. "Lisa, please listen to me," he begge
Please Let Me Go Lisa's Pov I fidgeted with my napkin, my eyes scanning the bustling cafe. Why had James insisted on meeting here, in such a public place? I knew Damian was on a flight right now, but I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease."James, why did you want to meet at an open cafe?" I asked, trying to keep my voice low.James smiled, his eyes glinting behind his glasses. "Why are you getting worked up, Lisa?" he asked, his tone mocking. "Thought you said Mr. Perfect Husband has traveled?"I felt a surge of irritation. How dare he? "James, stop it," I warned, trying to keep my cool.But he continued, his voice dripping with malice. "Thinking about it, you didn't care for me as you do for that bastard. You know it makes my blood boil."I clenched my teeth, my heart racing. How had things escalated so quickly? "Watch what you say, James," I said sternly, trying to regain control of the situation.But James just laughed, a cold, mirthless sound. "What is it you want?" I asked