Lily’s Point of ViewI hoped he wouldn’t follow me as I quickened my steps, finally reaching my room and shutting the door. I exhaled. I pressed my ear against the door, listening for any sign of him. All I heard was silence. I exhaled again. Why was he tormenting me? It was hard enough being in the same place as him, and he made sure he was always around. Did he have to bring all that up? I’d tried to forget him. I spent the last three years fueling my anger to keep him out of my thoughts for good. So why did it feel like my anger was fading? I should hate him, but I don’t. Why couldn’t I look him in the eye and tell him I didn’t love him? Damn it. He’d probably think I’m still in love with him. Darn it. Am I… still in love with him? I never let myself think that before. But here he is, showing up in my life and making me confront the thought I feared most: that I still love him after everything. And maybe, just maybe, I could fall for him again.Oh God, I can’t be thinking this. How
Simon’s Point of ViewI sped down the hallway to my room, slamming the door behind me. Had I ruined everything? I could have sworn she still loved me. The look in her eyes gave her away—she wasn’t over me yet. I wondered what my next move should be. Was I trying too hard? Should I let go of Lily and watch her marry Thomas? The thought of it tore me apart. I missed Lily. I missed her being close to me, the way her smile lit up when she walked into my office. Those months we spent working together, our first night together—it blew my mind. I wanted more. I needed more. I had to be with her, feel her close to me, again and again. But it’d be impossible if she married Thomas. I have to win her back. I can’t give up. If I wanted to do this right, I needed to show her I was serious this time. I wasn’t going to walk away again. I was here to stay, to finish what we started. Tonight showed me that with just the right amount of pressure, she’d be mine again. Stay consistent, I told myself. Bu
Thomas’ Point of View I walk into the office, determined not to let last night throw me off. Simon has barely arrived, and already he’s trying to pull Lily to his side. Does she really think I’ve been too hard on her, or is Simon just twisting things to suit his agenda? Either way, it doesn’t matter—I haven’t lost sight of my goal: getting Lily to marry me. But she isn’t making it easy. She expects me to act in ways that go against everything I am. I’m not about to let myself be ruled by a woman’s emotions or whims, no matter how much she wants that. I know she does. Still, I think I’ve given her just enough to show her what she can expect from me. Simon’s meddling could have messed it up, but it’s handled now. If Lily thinks I’ll put any more effort into winning her over, she’s mistaken. My patience is wearing thin. A wife’s role is clear: someone to care for me, satisfy my needs, and give me children. Why can’t she just accept that? Just as I’m settling into work, ready to put i
Lily’s Point of ViewMy eyes fluttered open, but I felt too weak to get out of bed. Maybe it was because I wasn’t eager to face the problems waiting for me. I wanted to hold onto that moment of peace just a little longer. I heard my door swing open, the sound of heels hitting the carpet, growing closer.“Wake up, Lily,” Jessica’s voice came out firm and aggressive, as she marched over to the curtains and yanked them open. Sunlight flooded the room, and with it, any peace I had left disappeared.I sat up slowly, feeling sluggish. “Good morning, Jessica,” I said, trying to sound polite.“You’re off to a very bad morning, young lady. You’re still in bed while your fiancé is already on his way to the office. What do you think you’re here for?”“I don’t understand, Jessica.” I glanced at my phone—it was just past 8 a.m. “I had a rough night. What exactly am I supposed to be doing?” I asked, tired and not in the mood for this.“Oh, I don’t know, Lily. Maybe paint my nails?” she said sarcast
Lily’s Point of View“Si,” I muttered under my breath, and as his lips separated from mine, a sweet sensation lingered, awakening memories of the night we made love. His lips pressed against mine again, his arms encircling my waist while I clasped my hands around his neck, my eyes closed. I felt a deep, aching desire, a hunger I hadn't felt since he vanished. His kisses were like fire, destabilizing me and stirring a longing I couldn’t ignore. Kissing at the poolside in broad daylight was risky, but neither of us cared. We missed being together, lost in each other’s presence.My knees became weak, and I felt dizzy. I struggled to cling to my anger, but it couldn’t protect me from him. I longed for the love we once had.“I want to make love to you,” he murmured between our kisses.“I want that too,” I admitted, my voice barely audible. But then my eyes widened in shock. What did I just say? I tried to pull myself together, withdrawing my hands and stepping back. Simon’s intense gaze se
Simon’s Point of ViewGeoffrey stood there, observing me with concern and frustration. “Fighting with your brother and stepmother, I see,” he said, looking disappointed. “Simon, you can't wage war against your entire family.”I crossed my arms, my voice cold. “They’ve left me no choice. You made Thomas CEO over me.”“You left,” he countered, sharply. “You turned your back on your family, on me, for eight years without so much as a word.”“I had good reasons to leave,” I shot back.He sighed, his tone softening. “I know.”His admission caught me off guard. I stared at him, searching his face for signs of what he truly meant. “I had to go, Dad. I didn’t feel safe anymore.”“I understand,” he admitted, to my surprise. “We are far from the perfect family, but we do not harm our own.”I clenched my fists, bitterness rising in my throat. “I’m not so sure of that.”He looked really down. “Your brother didn’t cause your accident, Simon.”“Then who did?” I demanded. “Because the brakes on my c
Geoffrey’s Point of View I desperately peered at him, waiting for his response. He wouldn’t refuse my offer—I thought confidently, clinging to the hope that he still had a sense of duty to this family. My intention had always been for Simon to run the dynasty from the day he was born. I remembered holding him in my arms—my son, my heir. But putting him against Thomas was the only way I thought I could control him, keep him tethered to me and the company. He changed everything when he left for those eight years. Headstrong and determined never to return, he abandoned us. Whatever had made him turn his back on the family, I still didn’t fully understand. His rebellion shook my plans to their core. I had no choice but to turn to Thomas, though I knew deep down he wasn’t the right leader for the company. He had my ruthlessness, but not the vision, not the balance that Simon could have brought. But I couldn’t let Weston Global fall, and so Thomas stepped in to fill the void his brothe
Simon’s Point of View I stood by one of the windows in my room, lost in thought, staring into the void. The conversation with Dad had reopened old wounds that had never fully healed. I could still picture Simone’s smile when she used to bathe me or feed me, her gentle hand patting my hair and her soft kiss on my cheek, telling me she loved me. The memories were both a comfort and a torment, but I needed them to fuel my determination to uncover the truth and seek my revenge. First, I would find the proof of who killed my mother. Then, I would make them pay. I exhaled deeply, feeling a surge of resolve. This was my purpose, the driving force that had kept me going all these years before I met Lily, the only woman who had ever loved me after my mother. She reminded me so much of Simone. With her, I felt a sense of home. “How are you doing?” Lily said from behind me. I was so lost in thought, I didn't realize she had entered. “Not so good,” I replied, turning to face her, a faint smil