Vivian’s POV…I am half asleep when I sense someone sneakily entering the ward. I guess it's Michael. A few minutes ago, he went out to buy some food. I think he's back. I'm too tired to keep my eyes open. So I continued to lie with my eyes closed.Mocking laughter echoes through the room. I frantically open my eyes to find Megan appearing above me, laughing evilly. I frown and instinctively move back, my hand reaching to my tummy as I fear she will do something to hurt my baby.Her smug look makes my blood boil. I sit up slowly and look at her coldly."You are just a lowly slut," she mocks, her disdainful gaze falling on my tummy. "God knows what kind of wild man's child you are carrying. And you dare to imagine winning over George." Her lips curl into a sneer. "You are so pathetic that you even steal someone else’s design to get recognition. Shame on you."Her words, filled with contempt and venom, strike a nerve deep within me. How dare she mock me, belittle me, and twist the truth
The weight of devastation settles heavily upon my shoulders as I read the damning announcement on the official website of the Paris design competition. The words glare back at me, a harsh reminder of the plagiarism report that has tarnished my name and ruined my once-promising career.The realization sinks in like an anchor, pulling me into a sea of despair.A wave of devastation crashes over me, leaving me adrift in a sea of uncertainty and despair. The doors of every design company slammed shut before me as they blacklisted me.The dream I held so dear of becoming a successful designer is shattered into countless fragments, leaving me at a loss for what to do next.Overwhelmed by emotions, I find myself teetering on the edge of hopelessness. The tears threaten to spill from my eyes, and my heart is heavy with the weight of disappointment. I search for solace, seeking answers and guidance, but it feels as though I am trapped in a labyrinth of despair, unsure of which path to take.Th
Ring-Ring-Ring…The sound of my ringing phone pierces through the veil of sleep, jolting me awake. My groggy mind struggles to process the situation as I fumble for the phone, squinting at the screen to see Michael's name displayed."Hello…" With a hoarse voice, I answer the call, still half in the realm of dreams."Good morning, sleepy head. Are you still sleeping?" Michael's playful tone dances through the phone."Yes…" I close my eyes."Get up and freshen up. I will buy you breakfast and be there in a while."I instantly open my eyes, my mind racing to George sleeping in the hall. I desperately try to concoct an excuse to keep Michael from discovering him and misunderstanding the situation. The gears in my mind race, searching for a plausible explanation."Mm... Michael, I slept late last night. My sleep has yet to be complete. Let me sleep for a few more hours. I promise I'll have dinner with you later," I offer, hoping he will accept my feeble excuse."Huh…" He sighs exaggeratedl
I feel something crawling on my cheeks. I wrinkle my nose and twist my lips to ignore the tingling sensation and continue sleeping. I am having such a good sleep. I don’t want to wake up so early. But this crawling on my skin has not gone yet. Now something is moving slowly on my scalp through my hair. It is soothing, but at the same time, it is disturbing my sleep.Unwillingly, I open my eyes. To my surprise, I am met with a pair of tender, loving eyes fixed upon me with unwavering affection. Blinking away the remnants of sleep, my vision gradually clears, and I am struck with the realization that it is George who is watching me so intently.It is George.I remember putting an ice pack on his forehead. He suddenly drew me into his embrace. I am not sure how I fell asleep beside him on the sofa.His gaze carries a gentleness and warmth that I have rarely seen directed at me. The intensity in his gaze sends my heart racing, and I can't help but wonder if there's something more behind h
The black car that hit me fled the scene, leaving me injured and vulnerable. I know, deep within my heart, that I am losing my baby and that the dream of a beautiful life is slipping away from me.Megan’s vengeful nature has not disappeared, even after ruining my career. She wanted to kill my child. I now know why she has come to meet me and try to provoke me.It is a foolproof plan.I turn my gaze toward Megan, and a chilling realization washes over me as I see her sinister smile. The onlookers begin to gather around me, their voices merging into a cacophony of panic and concern.Amidst the chaos, a familiar figure rushes towards me, his worry etched deeply on his face.It is George. He looks worried."Vivian…" He calls out my name, his voice filled with urgency, as he crouches down and cradles me gently in his arms.Despite the pain and chaos surrounding me, I feel a sense of numbness, disconnected from the world around me. Everything seems to blur and move in a whirlwind, their act
When I wake up again the next day, I see George sitting on the chair next to the bed. The intensity of my rage and hatred toward him causes my heart to pound in my chest.He is the source of my pain and suffering; he is the one who allowed Megan to continue her malicious acts against me without any consequences. Because of this, Megan dared to continue to hurt me. First, she destroyed my marriage, then she tarnished my image and ruined my career. Now she has killed my child.It is all because of him.If George had not supported her, she wouldn’t have done so much harm to me.He is to blame for the death of my child. He is a murderer and a sinner. I hate him. I hate him with all my heart."Vivian… How are you feeling?" he asks, his eyes full of guilt.But I no longer care about how he feels.I slowly clamber down the bed, keeping my eyes on him. With all the strength I can muster, I strike him across the face.Pa…The crisp sound resonates inside the room. His face turns to the side, b
Vivian’s POV…Michael comes to see me in the evening after his duty. He is too kind to me and takes care of me just like a family member. His presence offers me solace and reassurance in this moment of vulnerability.I am glad that I have someone who genuinely cares about me. I am stupid enough not to see his good nature and fall into George’s trap again and again.However, I learned my lesson. I won’t make the same mistakes again. The time for revenge has come. Megan will now suffer. She will cry miserably, but her savior George will not help her.I am determined about what I am going to do."Michael, I need your help," I say."I will help you whenever you need it. Just say the word," he says affectionately. He listens attentively, his gaze unwavering, showing me that he's truly there for me.The air feels heavy with a mix of emotions as I gather the courage to share my plans with him."I want to get even with Megan." I clench my fists. My voice resonates with a steely resolve. "I wi
When I get back home, it is already the next morning. I enter my apartment, feeling a mixture of exhaustion and apprehension. Michael stands at the entrance, his presence reminding me of his unwavering support.I am tired of facing any confrontation. But I cannot ignore him either.He must be worried.Despite my weariness, I manage to muster a faint smile, hoping to conceal the marks George left on my neck and shoulder by loosely draping a scarf around them.However, Michael's observant gaze catches a glimpse of those marks, and his expression falls, concern evident in his eyes."You haven’t slept yet," I say as I unlock the door and walk in."I have been waiting for you." He follows me in.I hang the key in its designated spot, turning to face Michael. Grateful for his unwavering support, I express my appreciation."Thank you, Michael, for helping me and letting Megan see me and George together.""Anything for you," he says, smiling weakly at me. "Go freshen up. I will make breakfast
A few months later…The narrator’s POV…The sun bathed the elegant garden in a soft, golden glow as George and Vivian stood beneath a pristine white gazebo, surrounded by a sea of vibrant flowers.The venue for their wedding was nothing short of breathtaking, with its lavish decorations and stunning floral arrangements that seemed to burst with color and life. It was as if the very earth itself was celebrating their union.Vivian, radiant in her ivory lace wedding gown, held a bouquet of exquisite roses in various shades of pink and white, their delicate fragrance filling the air. George, in his dashing black tuxedo, looked every bit the handsome groom, a broad smile gracing his lips.The gazebo was adorned with billowing white fabric, which fluttered gently in the warm breeze. Crystal chandeliers hung from above, casting a soft, enchanting glow over the entire scene. The aisle was strewn with rose petals, creating a path of delicate beauty for Vivian to walk down.As Vivian took her
In the meantime, Evan and Barbe enter. Their faces light up with a grin when they see me awake."Mommy!" The voices that reach my ears are filled with excitement and pure delight. They rush over to me.With open arms, I welcome them eagerly. The warmth of their tiny bodies envelops me, and tears of joy stream down my cheeks. Their presence is a balm to my soul, soothing away the lingering echoes of fear and pain. I hold them close, cherishing every moment of their embrace."My babies," I murmur, my voice quivering with emotion. "Mommy is here. Mommy is fine."Evan's eyes glisten with unshed tears as he speaks, his voice trembling with a mixture of relief and lingering anxiety. "You scared us," he admits, his emotions raw and unfiltered. "Barbe has been crying a lot."I brush away their tears, feeling a lump form in my throat. "Shhh, my darlings. Mommy is fine. Look, I'm smiling. Give me your precious smiles."Their grins are like radiant sunshine, and I revel in the warmth of their lo
The guards had been looking for the man who sprayed the powder on the wedding gowns. They finally caught him and interrogated him, and he revealed that Michael had paid him to do that to frame me.He confessed everything to the police.I ordered the PR department to make a statement. Finally, the crisis in the company has been resolved, but Vivian is still unconscious.Thirty-six long hours have elapsed, and her continued unconsciousness gnaws at my very core. I sit by her bedside, my hand clutching hers as if it could coax her back to consciousness. I long for her to awaken, to see those beautiful eyes once again, to hear her voice, and to feel her presence fill the room.Evan and Barbe are worried as well. Tears stain their young faces as they grapple with the fear that their mother may never awaken. It breaks my heart to see them in such despair, and I pull them close, enveloping them in a desperate attempt to offer solace."Why is she not waking up?" Barbe's voice trembles as she
On the way, I receive a video message on my phone from the chief security officer. It is the video recorded on the pendant.As the video message unfolds on my phone's screen, I am drawn into a vortex of shocking revelations. The images and sounds contained within this digital tape serve as a bitter pill to swallow, awakening me to the harsh truth that I've been living a carefully crafted lie for years.My eyes widen in disbelief. The guilt and regret that surge within me is like a turbulent sea, threatening to overwhelm my senses.Vivian, the woman who has always been there for me and who has loved me unconditionally, emerges as the true heroine of that fateful kidnapping incident.I thought it was Megan who saved me from the kidnappers back then, but it was Vivian. Megan twisted the facts and acted as if she risked her life to save me. In reality, she ran away, leaving me in danger while Vivian fought back with the goons. She even partially lost her memory.Tears well up in my eyes,
My body twists and jerks in an attempt to evade the blows, but her strikes find their mark, the impact sending shockwaves of agony through me.Blood drips down my face. I cry out in pain and fear. Each blow feels like a stab of darkness, threatening to extinguish any hope of survival.Megan has gone crazy. She won’t stop until she kills me. But I don’t want to die, not like this, until I punish her. I need to tell George everything."George…" My voice is a raw scream of pain as I plead for George, hoping that somehow my cry will reach him and that he will come to my rescue.Everything is turning black. My eyes are getting closed. I feel a sense of lightness as if I am flying."Vivian…" His voice echoes in my ears, a lifeline that seems just out of reach. Is he truly here, or is he a mirage born from my desperation?The room blurs and the edges of my vision grow hazy as if reality is slipping through my fingers. My body is weakening with every passing minute. I feel like I am leaving t
All the scenes are playing as a recording in front of my eyes. I feel like I am reliving the terror of the past.The goons take us to an abandoned house on the hilltop. They throw us on the cold floor and close the door. The room we're trapped in feels like a desolate prison, cold and damp. The muffled sounds of the outside world barely penetrate the thick walls.George is still unconscious. His forehead is bleeding. I'm driven by a fierce determination to protect him. I tear my dress with my teeth and use the fabric as an impromptu bandage to staunch the bleeding. His vulnerability, lying there unconscious, tugs at my heartstrings.I glance around the room, my eyes landing on the meager comforts of a mattress and a blanket. Gently, I drag George over to the mattress, huddling close to him and pulling the blanket around us, seeking whatever warmth and reassurance it can provide.As the night wears on, George's condition worsens. His fever rises, and he trembles in his fitful sleep.In
Her eyes blazed with a mad intensity, her pupils dilating as she spoke. "I loved him since I was a child," she said, her voice low and even. "I always wanted to be around him, play with him, and marry him. But he liked to play with you. I hated you for grabbing his attention."Megan's confession is both unsettling and tragic. Her childhood infatuation with George has festered into a twisted obsession, and her jealousy of my connection with him has fueled her hatred. Her admission paints a grim picture of her psyche, revealing the depths of her delusion.I feel a cold dread creeping up my spine as she continues to speak. Her words are laced with venom, her anger and resentment palpable.Why is she saying such things? Has she mistaken me for someone else?I have no recollection of playing with George. George and I had never met before high school. I narrow my eyes, trying to process her words.I struggle again, trying to break free from her grasp. But Megan is too strong, her hold too s
As my consciousness gradually returns, the world around me materializes in fragments. The grimy, dilapidated surroundings of the room come into focus, casting an eerie atmosphere that matches the unsettling situation I'm in. Cobwebs cling to corners; shadows dance on the walls of my vision.My head feels heavy, and my ears still ring from the blow I received. I blink, trying to clear my vision, and my heart skips a beat when I realize I'm bound to a chair.The voices, hushed but audible, pierce through the haze in my mind. My senses sharpen, and I strain to listen, piecing together the conversation unfolding before me."I told you to stay away from here. Why did you come here?"I squint as I find this voice familiar. It’s Michael’s voice. Who is he talking with?"Ugh…" I groan and try to free my hands from the ropes that are restraining me.A second voice joins the conversation, and my heart sinks as I recognize it.Megan.The pieces fall into place, and I'm struck by the cruel revela
A few days later…Megan visits me when Vivian is away. I can't help but feel a wave of annoyance wash over me.She is so shameless. She has the nerve to show up in front of me again."George, oh, my God. Look at you, how badly you have been injured." She comes closer to me with tears in her eyes.I used to feel sad whenever I saw her cry. But now I can see through her malicious nature hidden beneath this pitiful exterior. Megan is pretentious. Her tears and sweet words can’t change my perception of her anymore. I now know how cunning she is.She tries to reach out and touch my face, but I swat her hand away instinctively. I don't want her touching me; doesn't she understand that? I glare at her, my eyes flashing with warning."I have completely lost my patience with you, Megan," I growl, my voice low and menacing. "Stop trying to get closer to me. Get lost."She gives me a hurt look as if she is the one who has been wronged. "How could you say such a thing to me?" she asks, her voice