HAZEL’S POV: This is crazy, and out of the blue too! I sit at the corner table of the high-end restaurant where Marius asked me to meet him. Marius, with his perfectly tailored suit and air of confidence, sits opposite me. "I'm not ready for a new romantic relationship. My marriage with Carter... it left me broken in ways I never thought possible." Marius’ expression is unreadable. "I know, but I’m not asking you to be my real girlfriend. You just need to act like it." A fake relationship? I’m shook! I can’t believe he’s just said that. “Not only would I be your divorce lawyer, but I also promise your protection from Carter and his family if you ever return to the capital,” he adds. A bitter taste fills my mouth for an attempted manipulation by another man who sees me as a means to an end. Is this what being wealthy and influential does to people, like they can just use anyone for their gain? "I don't want to be in a fake relationship," I declare, irritated. "Thanks for cons
I can’t look Marius straight in the eyes out of embarrassment, perhaps to also keep my remaining collectedness. “I can stay and look for Sammy,” Marius says. “No, you should go home and rest, Marie will soon be here.” I can’t entrust Sammy to someone I don't fully know. What if he steals Sammy and brings him to Carter? I shake my head at the absurd thought, feeling guilty for thinking about it even after receiving financial assistance from him. Marie finally arrives. Though it aches me with worry for briefly leaving Sammy, I have to personally go to work to properly file an immediate leave so I can take care of him myself. I kiss Sammy on the cheek before slipping away from the hospital. Marius offers to give me a ride, but I refuse again without forgetting to thank him for his kindness. I can’t be too close, or too involved with him. Whatever we have, it can’t be more than that. I can’t make the same mistake. By the time I reach my workplace, my supervisor is already on bre
CARTER’S POV: It’s been two years, but I’m still grieving my loss. I’m at the cemetery, standing in front of Hazel’s grave with a bouquet of her favorite white jasmine in hand. I make this pilgrimage countless times to appease my guilt for the cruel words and actions I hurled at her in her last moments. "If only I could turn back the time," I whisper. My fingers trace the engraved letters of her name and our unborn child’s that nobody got to utter except me in my nightmares, feeling the chill of the stone seeping into my skin. As I make my way back to my car, an unfamiliar, old couple walks towards Hazel’s grave. They‘re weeping, clutching each other. The man carries a bouquet of flowers, the woman a small, framed photograph of an unfamiliar younger woman. Who are they? I’m sure they’re not one of Hazel’s adoptive family members, Hazel also doesn’t have a friend except for Lilian. When I approach them, they gasp in fear as if I’m about to do something horrible to them. The wom
LILIAN’S POV: We had been so passionate, so in sync before Morgan came along. Now, it feels like Carter's attention is monopolized by Morgan, while I’m relegated to just an insignificant role. The only time I feel Carter's attention on me is when we’re in bed, and even that feels like it’s driven more by routine than passion. Elmyra’s voice pulls me out from my thoughts. "Is something bothering you?" she asks, her tone deceptively gentle.I sigh. "Carter. How can he not show some effort with our wedding when we've talked about this several times before, even when he was still married to Hazel?"Elmyra chuckles. The sound grates on my already frayed nerves, but I force myself to be calm. I’ve been trying my best not to make a bad impression on her, no matter how infuriating I find her.Elmyra leans closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Remember, once you're married to my son, you'll lose all the privilege to question his words and actions. You must follow him, an
HAZEL’S POV: My heart aches as I think of Sammy who has to remain at hospital for I have no idea how much longer. Our bills have already reached thousands of dollars since he became an in-patient just a few days ago. Without Marius’ help, we won’t be able to sustain it.I grab the bag, heavy with fresh clothes, and step out of my house. The sand crunches softly beneath my feet as I make my way to the bus stop. While waiting for the bus to arrive, the sound of an approaching BMW catches my attention. It glides by, followed by another, and then another. Then, a chill runs down my spine when I notice the plate numbers: WTL. T-that’s… The Whitlocks! What are they doing here?! Why do the people of my past keep reappearing now all of a sudden?!Men in black suits begin to emerge from the cars, their faces hard and menacing. Some of them I’ve seen, and even talked to before. They’re Carter’s bodyguards!Panic surges through me, and without thinking, I bolt towards the nearest convenienc
Wow! This is all… so much!This place, with its panoramic views and opulent decor, is beyond anything I’ve ever imagined for me and my son. I only want a safe place to hide, but Marius offers so much more than that - a penthouse.I lay Sammy onto his bed. His own bedroom has medical equipment meticulously arranged, and a private, in-house nurse who’ll look after him. Betty and I also have our own bedrooms, though Betty is free to come and go home just as what stated in our contract.My eyes fall upon Marius to thank him. But, I utter no single word as I first notice the red mark on his cheek. Guilt gnaws at my insides. I’ve acted out of fear and misunderstanding, and Marius has responded with compassion and generosity.Night descends, Betty is asleep in her bedroom, while the nurse is with Sammy in Sammy’s bedroom. Marius is preparing to leave and go back to the capital."I can't thank you enough, Marius," I say softly, walking over to him with an ice bag. "For everything."Marius' s
“Marius Thorne, I’ll give you twenty-four hours to surrender my wife and my child to me. Otherwise, you’ll lose everything you hold dear.” Carter and his bodyguards have left, but the threat of their return lingers. How much else can he do? Can he really destroy Marius, a man who also belongs from another powerful family? If Carter can find me here, in the supposed safe place of Marius, it means that I’ll never be truly safe anywhere else. Back in the penthouse, I sink on the sofa while Marius paces by the floor-to-ceiling window, his jaw set in a grim line. “Marius, I’m sorry that you were dragged into this,” I say. Marius moves to sit beside me, then takes my hand and squeezes it. “Don’t worry about me, Carter won’t dare harm me. If he will, I’ll make sure to retaliate. I’m not the only one who’s gonna go down, he will too.” “Will you really fight this battle with me?” I ask. Marius nods. There’s a determination in his gaze. I squeeze his hand back as I straighten my shou
LILIAN’S POV: Tonight, I wanna feel close to Carter again, to break down the walls between us that seem to be growing higher each day. After adjusting my lingerie, I make my way to Carter's bedroom. He’s sitting on the edge of the bed with a glass of bourbon in hand. His broad shoulders are tense, his gaze distant as he stares at the wall opposite. “Carter,” I say seductively. “I wanna make love with you. It’s been a week since the last time we did it.” “Yes, please. I need a stress reliever,” he replies with equal sultriness. I take the glass from his hand and set it on the nightstand. Then, I begin to undress him. Carter leans into my touch, his eyes closing briefly. But just as I undo the last button of his shirt, his phone rings. Carter's eyes snap open, and he pulls away from me, reaching for his phone with a frown. "Hello?" The previous warmth of his voice is replaced with a cold edge. "What?! Are you sure?!"He stands up and exits the bedroom. My frustration flares that