ADELINE’S POVI tried to stay calm, but I couldn’t. My heart raced and my hands trembled as we stepped out of the restaurant.The night air was cool, but it did nothing to soothe my nerves instead it chilled my bones.“Is everything okay?” Matt asked as soon as we left the building. His voice was gentle, but I could tell he was studying me.I opened my mouth to answer, but no words came out. My mind was blank, and all I could do was stare at the ground.“Adeline, you’re pale. Are you sick? Who are those people?” he asked again, more urgently this time.“Matt,” I finally managed to say, “can you please take me home?”He frowned. “What’s wrong, Adeline? Who are they and why are you affected so much by what they said? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”I shook my head, trying to clear the fog in my brain, but the image of Sasha and Xander kept flashing before my eyes. Sasha’s hand on her belly, Xander holding her waist, their glowing faces, and the way they looked so happy. The joy in h
SASHA’S POVI stared at the text in disbelief. Sasha had sent me a message that felt surreal."Adeline, let's put everything behind us. I really want to apologize for everything that has happened. Can you come over? Let's talk. Also, Father has been asking for you. He really misses you."The past few days have been testing. Finding out she was not pregnant had been bittersweet. My private investigator had paid the doctor who prepared the results triple the original price to get the news.It amused me to see the lengths Sasha would go to keep Xander, but I couldn't be bothered about what they did. It served its purpose, though. I had texted Sasha that day after I got the information. "Meet me in an hour if you don't want your biggest secret out."I parked in front of my father's house and saw her walking furiously towards my car. She entered and closed the door, looking at me like she had seen the devil."What's this about?" she asked angrily."Take down the news circulating about me
XANDER’S POV"Sasha!" I heard a piercing scream.My heart skipped as I opened the door and walked into the house, only to see the most horrifying sight ever. I ran towards the stairs, my pulse racing. Sasha was falling from the top of the stairs, her body tumbling in slow motion. My legs moved on their own, but I wasn't fast enough. She hit the ground with a sickening thud, crumpling into a heap at the base of the stairs."Sasha!" I yelled, dropping to my knees beside her. Her face was pale, and blood was seeping from her white dress. Her eyes fluttered open slightly."Xander," she whispered, her voice weak.I leaned in closer, desperate to make sure she was breathing at least. "Adeline... pushed me," she breathed out, just before her eyes closed again."Help! Somebody help!" I screamed, my voice breaking. I looked up at Adeline, who was standing at the top of the stairs, frozen in place. "Call an ambulance!"Adeline didn't move, her eyes wide and her face pale. She seemed unable to
ADELINE’S POVEverything was happening in slow motion and my brain could not quite comprehend what was going on. I stood at the top of the stairs, transfixed. This was all Sasha's plan. I had been a fool to believe she really wanted to say something important to me and came to this house."Call the ambulance!" Xander screamed, but I was still in shock, unable to move from the spot I stood."Adeline did this," Sasha said before passing out. Xander looked up at me with so much disgust."I didn't do it…," I started to say, but my stepmother rushed into the house and started to scream at the top of her voice."What has Sasha ever done that you'd do to her?" she yelled, calling me names. She frantically dialed for the ambulance, and I stood there, frozen."I didn't do it, Xander," I said, looking at him. "She fell by herself." Sasha's mom screamed, "How could anyone believe such a lie? Why are you still lying after all you've done?"Xander glared at me, his eyes full of anger and disbe
SASHA’S POVI looked lovingly at Xander, who had been by my side since the accident.Honestly, I didn’t know Adeline would fall into my trap. I smiled when I remembered the look on her face when I let myself fall from the stairs. She was very shocked. I snickered, trying hard not to burst out laughing."Are you alright?" Xander asked, concerned. I nodded and smiled weakly.He looked deeply grieved, still thinking about the child we lost. I would see him staring at my stomach randomly with a sad, longing look.He hadn’t said much since everything happened because I would start crying at the slightest mention of it.But I knew he was going to have a conversation with me soon.Just then, Mrs. Devon walked into the room carrying a large basket. There were fresh fruits, cookies, a warm blanket, a small bouquet of flowers, and a couple of magazines.She came straight to me, hugging me closely and kissing my forehead. She had also been so attentive, visiting the hospital regularly."How are
MATT’S POVI was working late one evening when I received a call from Adeline's secretary.I'd asked her to contact me whenever Adeline needed anything because Adeline never asked anyone for help; she did everything herself."Hello?" I answered, already sensing something was wrong."Mr. Matt, it's Clarissa. Adeline needs help. She's at the private lounge and I think she’s drunk. I just sent you the location." She said. "I'll be there soon," I said, hanging up and grabbing my coat.I arrived at the private lounge and found her passed out on a couch, empty glasses around her. It had been years since I’d seen her like this. She was always composed, always in control. She had built her empire from scratch, refusing my help every step of the way. And now, here she was, a mess.Seeing her like this annoyed me. "Adeline," I said softly, shaking her shoulder. "Adeline, wake up."She mumbled something incoherent, eyes fluttering open briefly before closing again."Xander?" she slurred, rea
SASHA’S POVI was so happy to be getting discharged today. I was so done with being in the hospital, I wanted to go to the club and drink but I couldn’t leave. Someone fumbled with the lock and I quickly lay on the bed, trying to look as pale and weak as possible.The door creaked open, and my mom walked in, carrying a greasy brown paper bag. The smell of fried food wafted through the air, making my mouth water."Sasha," she said softly, sitting by my bed. I didn't respond. My eyes were glued to the bag in her hands.Without thinking, I reached out and snatched the bag from her. She came with fried chicken, burgers, fries, and onion ring. I tore open the bag and grabbed a handful of fries. They were still warm. I shoved them into my mouth, groaning deeply as I chewed, savoring the salty, oily goodness. I almost ran mad from eating the bland hospital food and the so-called nutritious meals Xander's mom had been forcing on me."Sasha” my mom called “I’ve been avoiding this conversatio
ADELINE’S POVThe past few weeks had been challenging, to say the least. From the fake accusations to the surprise marriage proposal from Matt. I hadn't heard from him since I rejected his marriage proposal.He seemed to disappear completely from my life, which was both a relief and a cause for worry. I wanted to reach out but I didn’t want him to get the wrong idea but I missed my friend. I did nothing about it instead I buried myself in work, refusing to think about anything. I promised myself to stay away and not even defend myself to Xander or anyone else. Today was a big event in Manhattan, the Manhattan Idea Festival. I was a key speaker for the event, I didn’t want to go but it was too late to cancel. The driver drove me and my secretary, Clarissa, to the venue. Clarissa had been stuck to me like a gum these past weeks, making sure I was fed and hydrated while I worked myself to death."We're here, Ms. Adeline," the driver announced as he pulled up to the venue."Thank you,