MARIUS’ POV:I never expected to see such fire in Hazel’s eyes, hidden beneath that soft, desperate plea for help. She’s stronger than I give her credit for, braver than I could have imagined. Hazel’s feign composed facade is completely exposed after unleashing a fierce slap across Carter's face. Soon after, she storms out, leaving behind a stunned, silenced crowd.Carter is frozen in humiliation. He had it coming, treating her with such disrespect and deceit. Maybe this slap will finally knock some sense into him.But, after sensing that Carter won’t make any effort to seek Hazel's explanation or apology, I follow Hazel outside, finding her huddled in the corner of the porch, her body wracking while she’s retching. I approach her cautiously, my handkerchief already in hand."Hazel, you okay?" I call softly.Hazel takes a moment to compose herself before turning to face me, tears streaking down her cheeks, her hand trembling as it covers her mouth. “Thank you,” she murmurs as she ac
HAZEL’S POV:"May I know first why you want a divorce?"The lawyer’s voice breaks through my reverie, pulling me back to the present. These days I've been wondering what on earth Marius Thorne means. If he is completely unwilling to help me, why did he refer me to this law firm?I hand Mr. Salazar an envelope filled with my prenuptial agreement, marriage certificates, and other contracts I signed as Carter’s wife.“I caught my husband and his mistress - my friend, red-handed," I reply without the tiniest hint of embarrassment.Mr. Salazar’s eyes flick over the papers, his expression thoughtful. "Since Mr. Thorne personally recommended you to me, then I'll be happy to help you. "“Are you positive this is what you really want?” he asks. “Yes,” I say. I’m so tired of people questioning my decisions and underestimating me. “Good. Now I need to ask you a question, and don’t take offense. It’s important you tell us the entire truth so we can plan out our case. We don’t want any surpri
“We’re not looking for a housewife.” Their words are like daggers piercing my already fragile confidence.For days, I’ve been on a fruitless quest, knocking on the doors of countless companies, only to be met with polite refusals, sympathetic smiles and sometimes rude and inappropriate criticisms. Each rejection letter weighs heavily on my heart.I’ve never finished college nor even experienced working for any kind of job, my dreams were put on hold when I fell in love with Carter. He has promised me the world, but instead, he has left me with nothing but shattered illusions and a mountain of regrets. Speaking of Carter, some of the companies I’ve applied to know him. The interviewers whispered among themselves, their eyes darting nervously, and sometimes mockingly, in my direction, as if I’m some kind of pariah tainted by association.Now, as I face the harsh reality of my situation, I can't help but curse myself for ever believing in him.***********Express Cafe is my last shot.
Despite the inappropriate advancement of the manager, I accepted the job. I’m desperate to end the cycle of rejection and despair, to get my chance of independence and to prove that I’m more than just a housewife.Little do I know, however, that my journey will soon take a dark turn.The Express Cafe bustles with the morning rush. I’ve landed a job as a barista. As I steam milk and pull espresso shots, I find myself the target of unwanted advances from both the manager, and the owner. When no one is looking, they’d brush their c.rotch area against my b.utt, their fingers touching my exposed legs, sending a shiver of disgust through my bones.I feel trapped in another nightmare that’s not easy to escape. And it doesn't end there. The manager, sensing my subtle defiance on his advances, would take revenge by humiliating me in front of my colleagues. He would nitpick every move I’m making, correcting me with a sneer even when there’s nothing to correct.My anger simmers beneath the sur
CARTER’S POV:My wife seems like a different person now.How can I make her see reason when she’s so damn stubborn? My threats aren’t working, even bankruptcy doesn’t faze her anymore. I need to find a way to reach her heart again.A bottle of beer dangled loosely from my fingertips, my other hand absentmindedly massaging my cheek where the sting of Hazel's slap still lingers, days after the fact. The memory of her angry and pained face flashes before my eyes again.“It’s just a kiss,” I hiss.We’re married, for crying out loud! Her need to humiliate me in front of the other families was evident in every fiery word she spat. To add insult to injury, she found herself a divorce lawyer – Marius Thorne, of all people!Marius is known for his ruthlessness in the courtroom, his unyielding determination to win at any cost. I drain the last dregs of beer from the bottle and set it down on the bedside table with a hollow thud. Rising from the couch, I make my way to the bathroom.I sink int
HAZEL’S POV: Becoming a future mother changed me.As I stand before the mirror, a small, almost imperceptible bump catches my eyes. I pause, my hand coming to rest gently on my belly. "Hey there, little one," I murmur, my voice barely more than a whisper. "We're going to make it, you and me. I promise. Mommy is gonna work super hard to give you the best life you deserve."My thoughts drift to the future, to all the hopes and dreams I hold close to my heart: a world where my child will want for nothing, where we’ll know only love and laughter. Before I can fully lose myself in the wonders of my imagination, a sharp knock on the door echoes. I frown in confusion. I don’t expect any visitors, not at this hour and certainly not in this place.I make my way to the door, the wood creaking softly in protest as I pull it open.Oh s.hit!“Carter,” I breathe.His looming figure is framed against the still dim, early morning light. His face is twisted in anger. My breath hitches in my throat
LILIAN’S POV:Is Carter really over Hazel, or is he just saying that to keep me around? I see the way he looks when he talks about her, and it makes me wonder if I'm just a distraction. My reverie is interrupted when a sharp desperate knock comes to my door.As I fling the door open, my irritation evaporates. Standing at the threshold, swaying slightly, is Carter."Carter," I breathe as I take in his disheveled appearance. His face is flushed, his eyes half-closed, and his necktie hung loose around his neck. His shirt is wrinkled and stained, a far cry from his usual meticulous attire."Lilian," he mumbles, stumbling forward. I catch him just in time, my arms steadying his larger frame. The smell of alcohol is overwhelming, and I wrinkle my nose but hold him up, guiding him towards the living area.Carter collapses onto the sofa, his head lolling back against the cushions."What happened? Why are you so drunk?" I ask.Carter's eyes struggle to focus on me, his words slurring togeth
HAZEL’S POV:Leave the city if you want Marius Thorne’s help.I slump against the cold kitchen counter, my phone still clutched in my trembling hand as I barely register Leslie's text message.My heart aches with the weight of it all. This city is my home, even amidst the ruins of my marriage. I have already lost so much—and now, to save myself, I have to give up this city too?A bitter laugh escapes my lips as tears well up in my eyes. It seems the universe will take everything from me one by one, leaving me with a choice that feels like no choice at all.I’m not just going to accept this fate without an explanation, not when my entire future hangs in the balance. I must personally talk to Marius.Quickly, I head down from my apartment and hop in a taxi. I arrive at the Counsel Commanders Law Firm in just a few minutes. “I’m here to meet Marius Thorne,” I say.To my surprise, the receptionist greets me with a knowing smile and gestures for me to follow. It’s as if Marius Thorne has
Being the world’s richest and powerful couple is an honor, but comes with it the burden of attracting possible new jealous and evil individuals. To prepare for this, Marius and I put the country’s Chief of police and the General of the army on our payroll in exchange for their protection of our family’s well-being. Additionally, we befriend some politicians here and abroad by funding their projects and election campaigns. We also keep our contact with the hacker and the cosmetic artist. Though we’re not yet needing their help again, we’re sending them and their families’ gifts every once in a while - a way to show our appreciation for the skills and to keep them loyal to us. Everything is going well. Except,... My relationships with my former and my current mothers-in-law. They remain adamant in forgetting our pasts. Even so, we maintain our respect for each other unlike before. Plus, they always visit their grandchildren to spend some time with them. “Elmyra,” I begin, trying to
Charles Guo Committed S.uicide Behind Bars! - That’s the headline of every news outlet. I’m shocked that he’d do this to himself. But to make sure that this isn’t just a lie so that he can escape jail, I head to the morgue myself. And there he is - white and cold, with a chain mark on his neck. There’s a little guilt in me, but there’s also a huge relief. Suzy and the others who vouched for him in the courtroom are now in jail for lying, awaiting their trials. The second DNA results of Rain and his grandparents turn out to be positive, and the one Suzy presented to the court is proven to be fabricated. This, hiding Rain’s father’s death from the law, and hiring my former bodyguards to become their spies and kill my family, add to the charges she’ll be facing, making it difficult for her to pose bail. “P-please, Hazel… I’m sorry I chose my husband over you. He threatened me, that’s why I have no choice,” she cries, clutching the bars of her cell.I raise an eyebrow. “You didn’t
My tears continue to cascade from my eyes, as I chase after Marius, who’s on a stretcher and being rushed to the emergency room. “Ma’am, you can’t enter,” the doctor says as she shuts the door in my face. I sink to my knees and clutches my tightening chest. Oh God! Please, save Marius! Don’t take him from me! Hours pass, but the emergency doors remain closed. There’s no update about Marius’ situation so far. Betty has arrived too, panicking and sobbing, which only makes me even more apprehensive. The nurses help her to calm down by giving her some medications. Then I sit beside her, hoping to give and get comfort. But,... “If I lose my son too, I will kill myself, and will blame my death on you,” she says, coldly. I stop myself from responding. This isn’t the right time and place to argue. Finally, the doctor steps out of the emergency room, his expression grave. “The patient is in a coma and will be under monitoring. The bullet has pierced through his left lung, but it’s
A week has lapsed,...And finally, the judgment day has arrived! Will fate back us up? Or will it vouch for Charles instead? Inside the courtroom, Charles looks calm, a complete turnaround from how he was when he’s in our basement. Sitting on the bench behind him is Amber, Rain and Suzy. I saw those three earlier, arriving separately. The media were all over them, throwing questions about the scandal surrounding their family’s odd relationships. They ignored them. And just like Charles, they all look calmer than how I was expecting them to be. When the trial begins, the first case that’s discussed is the m.urder of Rain’s biological father. Rain’s grandparents get on the witness stand. Their emotions rise as they state how they remember their son when he was still alive. “He just suddenly came home one day with groceries and shopping bags that we knew he can’t afford, given the salary he’s getting in Mr. Guo’s factory,” the father says. “Soon, he brought us a brand new house
HAZEL’S POV: It’s proven that Amber Stark can’t be trusted. But, what about Suzy and Rain Guo, will they side with me and Marius? Marius and I, disguised as Crystal and Chris, meet Suzy and Rain in a high-end cafe. “Give us the list of Charles’ illegal businesses, and we promise that all of his wealth will be yours,” I say. Suzy responds, “Believe it or not, my husband doesn’t have any illegal businesses, so there’s no way you can lawfully freeze his access to his wealth.” It seems like we can’t trust these two as well. If only our hacker can find these pieces of information, then we won’t need to bargain with them. But our hacker has limitations too. Suddenly, Suzy’s aura shifts! “However, I can give you the identity of Rain’s biological father. You can use his death against Charles,” she says. That’s a help, but that's not enough to freeze Charles’ assets. Charles may still be able to utilize his wealth to manipulate the authorities. After giving us the details of Rain’s
AMBER’S POV: Crystal Wu’s offer is tempting, but she and her husband can’t be trusted. Plus, Charles won’t be defeated that easily. I call Charles through my phone since he hasn’t come back home yet. When he picks up, he sounds a little more enthusiastic than usual. Even when he’s celebrating something huge, he isn’t like this. “Weird,” I murmur, then continue with a clearer voice. “Be careful. Crystal Wu is planning to destroy your finances, and she’s trying to use me against you.” His enthusiasm doesn’t falter. -[“I’ll be careful. Thanks for letting me know.”]- He then drops the call, and I can’t reconnect with him when I try to call him again. Frustrated, I send her a text message: -[Where are you anyway? I need s.ex!]- But, there’s no reply. I meet Rain and Suzy, who are having their lunch in the dining area. Then I tell them about Crystal Wu’s scheme. “She wants me to know all Charles’ illegal businesses, so the government can freeze all of his wealth just like what hap
HAZEL’S POV: It’s not easy to harden our hearts, but Marius and I must do it if we don’t want our enemies to get the better of us again. We already got access to our bodyguards’ and house staff’s past and current call and text message logs, and we identified five Guo’s spies in total. To stop them from continuously betraying us, we target their weaknesses - their loved ones. We gathered the traitors inside the study, and took their phones and their weapons. At first they’re confused until we explained why.“You’re spies of Charles Guo and you’ll pay for that big time,” Marius said coldly.Stunned, their faces paled and their bodies clenched. But none dared to deny it.“We have your family members, hidden in a place where you can’t contact or see them. If you want them to stay safe, you must follow every single thing we’ll demand from you,” I added with equal coldness.Alarmed, they tremble. One of them even kneeled down and begged,“Please, my family has nothing to do with my bet
“Take off all the CCTVs now!” I roar. Frantically, the maids and the bodyguards uninstall all the CCTVs in every corner of my estate. It may lessen the safety of my home, but I can’t risk giving my enemies more of our privacy! Once they’re done, I turn to Suzy and clutches her shoulders furiously.“I didn’t realize that there’s CCTV in that hospital room!” Suzy explains, trembling in fear. “Regardless! You shouldn’t have told the Thornes about our family’s affair!” I hiss, before pushing her onto the sofa. Then I turn to Amber, who’s fearfully hiding behind Rain. I wanna lash out at her too, but I stop myself. Even I didn't think that the CCTVs in my home used for our safety would be hacked to shove us into danger.Over the next few days, the mainstream and social media explode with news about our unconventional family relationships. We have become the laughing stock of the entire country. I can’t get out of my estate out of humiliation, can’t even accept an interview or a new
CHARLES’ POV: There’s nothing! Crystal and Chris Wu’s cellphones can’t provide anything that’ll connect them to Marius and Hazel Thorne! I turn to Rain and ask, “Are you sure you don’t know them?” Rain replies, “They invested one billion dollars to my new business venture, but I don’t know them personally. And I also don’t remember ever inviting them to my prenuptial party.” Irritation courses through me. “You’re so s.tupid to not meet your investors in person! I’m not gonna be surprised why until now you can’t build connections on your own!” “And now we can’t be sure if we can trust those two or not!” Rain shrugs, unbothered in showing his disinterest. I can’t believe that I’m squandering so much wealth for this d.umbass! If only I’m able to produce my own son, I would never let him exist! Amber approaches me and seductively rubs her palms across my chest area. “Honey, I’m scared. Everybody is talking about us now. Shall we just confess our affair?” she asks without any hin