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
The fluorescent-lit room flickers into focus as I gradually stir from unconsciousness. My body feels like it has been subjected to a thousand blows, every muscle throbbing with pain. But amid the discomfort, a profound sense of realization washes over me - I’m alive!As my senses sharpens, memories of the accident flood back with vivid clarity. The screech of tires, the sickening crunch of metal, and the jolt as the truck careened into the side of the Uber. Thank goodness for that split-second decision that saved my life - opting for the passenger seat instead of the back where fate had intended. That airbag saved me!Tears trickle down my cheeks. But my relief is short lived when fear grips my heart like a vise. My hand instinctively goes to my abdomen. My baby!Frantic, I call out to a passing nurse, my voice trembling with urgency. "Nurse, I was in a car accident... I'm pregnant. Please, please… my baby."The nurse pauses and checks the file in her arms. Then, a smile tugs at the
Will my secret be exposed? Leslie approaches me, his smile widening. "Hazel, where have you been all this time? I was so worried about you.” Alex’s puzzled gaze flicks between me and Leslie as he murmurs, "Hazel?" I pull myself together. I can’t afford to falter now. "Oh no, I’m not Hazel.”I retrieve my company ID from my purse, holding it up for Leslie to see. "Veronica Shultz," I say, the name suddenly sounding foreign yet familiar on my tongue.Shocked, Leslie’s eyes search mine for some hint of the truth. But I force a fake calmness, my eyes distant. Leslie sighs, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "I’m so sorry. You just… look so much like someone I used to know."“That’s alright,” I say, grateful that he doesn’t insist on his correct assumption.He then turns and walks away, casting one last, lingering glance over his shoulder.What’s Leslie doing here, of all places? Could he be a new colleague? Is this a mere coincidence? This can’t be happening! I have to keep my
MARIUS’ POV: Two years had passed since that fateful day, yet the memory is as vivid as if it had happened yesterday: the mangled wreck of the Uber, the panic of the ones who saw it and the blaring sirens. But most of all, Hazel’s pale and bloodied figure.I rushed Hazel to the nearest hospital and that’s when I learned that she’s pregnant, which made her escape all the more urgent. It’s then that I made a choice that’s been haunting me even up to this day.I paid the doctor a hefty amount of money to switch Hazel's identity with the woman named Veronica Shultz, the other passenger who died in the accident. Veronica’s family was also compensated handsomely to remain silent about it.Some may understand it as helping someone in need, but it’s still a crime, given that I’m a lawyer. But that’s the best thing I can do to help Hazel escape. And I’m glad she didn’t waste that opportunity I created for her."Have you told Carter about me?" Hazel asks, her voice trembling."No, and I won't.
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
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