We finally arrived at Blackwind Mansion, the sprawling estate where Emmerson, the patriarch of the Blackwinds, lived. The place was huge. The size of the estate was overwhelming, with its vast gardens, two pools, one inside, one outside, a mini-golf course, and a staff quarter tucked away behind the mansion. Despite all this huge space, it always puzzled me how Emmerson managed to live here by himself. Technically, he wasn’t entirely alone, he had his staff, but still, it seemed a bit crazy to have all this place and be here on your own.As we sat in the car, neither of us made a move to get out. I glanced at Emerson, as we sat there watching the house in front of us. "I always wondered why Eric didn’t want to stay here," I said with a thought that had crossed my mind a few times. "I mean, he moved out when we got married. Why didn’t he just stay here?"Emerson raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean? He told me you were the one who refused to live here because you didn’t want to live
The staff was clearly shocked. Madeline's eyes widened as she kept blinking rapidly. I had never seen someone blink their eyes so fast. And Rose? She just opened her mouth, with no words coming out. Tom was the only one who looked normal, although I couldn't read his facial expression. It was clear, though, that we had managed to shock the living hell out of them. I mean, I would have laughed if this wasn't serious, given the way they were acting right now. But since this was serious and true, and not something to laugh at, I had to maintain my composure. "You two... you're getting married?" Madeline was the first one to regain her voice."Yes, she's going to be Mrs. Blackwind," Emerson said, affirming our union and holding me tighter."Again?" Rose chimed in. I guess she finally found something worth saying. I stared at her, not saying a word. "Yes.“ Emerson answered, I could tell he didn't like where the conversation was going.“…but she was married to Eric." Rose continued"Yes
He took a deep breath as if he was preparing himself for something hard."Look, Mina, I don't want us to get lost in what we're doing, and this way we get to separate reality from make-believe. We get to put some distance and a limit somewhere.""Yes, but we're supposed to be convincing people that we are married….""Yes, and a lot of couples are married and living in different rooms. It's not unheard of. Some people like their own spaces.""What about the staff?"“What about it?“"They will know that we are not sharing the same bedroom.""Stop worrying about the staff. They're here to work; that's their job." He said dismissively"Yes, but what about Eric? I'm sure he's going to come to the house, and he'll know that we aren't sharing a bedroom." I kept pointing out"Like I said, personal space. It's so simple to answer."But I knew he understood my hesitations.“ I was married to Eric, and I didn't need my own space. He will see through it, and then I'll be…""Okay, stop it, Mina. T
I walked into the dining room and found Emerson already seated with dishes laid out before him. He was waiting, arms resting on the table, looking out toward the windows. I moved towards him and placed my hand on his shoulder, before sitting down on his right."You haven’t started eating yet?" I asked, surprised."How could I eat without the woman of the house?" he replied playfully, reaching for my hand across the table. I leaned in, letting our fingers touch, as a smile crossed my face. His playful charm was always there, but now it felt different, there was a warmth that I hadn’t noticed before. Our eyes met, and I looked at him, feeling something settle between us.We ate silently for a while, exchanging smiles and throwing each other knowing glances across the table. There was no need for words. The silence felt comfortable, even intimate. I felt happiness in that moment I hadn’t expected. A sense of peace that I had been craving for so long.I was happy. I didn't think I would
Emerson and I sat in silence, the dining room still and our food untouched. I looked toward him hesitantly, sensing the emotions swirling inside him. I knew how much he loved and cared for his son, and seeing the conflict in his eyes, I understood just how difficult this was for him. He had just kicked Eric out of the house. Eric’s childhood home and that decision must have been so hard. To be honest, I was shocked when Emerson agreed to my crazy plan in the first place. I didn’t think he would actually follow through with it and agree to marry me. But he did. And now, here we were, with Eric no longer welcome in his father’s home. I could see the war raging inside Emerson.I feel so guilty for the way he must feel although it sent a zing of pleasure inside me to see Eric's face when he realized he had lost this round.“I’m sorry,” I whispered softly, my voice low.He turned his attention towards me, and he blinked as if surprised by my apology. “Why are you apologizing?” he asked,
The Black Wind scandal was plastered across most of the headlines. Everywhere I looked, the story seemed to be the same. Some of the headlines were vicious, accusing me of being a gold digger, sinking low and a social climber. Scattered among these were pictures of Emerson proposing to me yesterday, and people were astonished. They couldn’t believe that Emerson, the father, had suddenly gotten engaged to his son's ex-wife. The speculation about the Blackwinds was everywhere.The rumours were going hard with the news about, ThE FATHER-IN-LAW AND HJS DAUGHTER-IN-LAW.Some articles focused on the scandal creating a rumour between Emerson and Eric, suggesting that the two of them had shared women in the past and they probably continued with this behaviour after Eric's marriage to me. One particularly outrageous headline read, "This doesn’t surprise us. We’ve always known they share women. Eric would bring them home, and he and his dad would have threesomes with these women." I was livi
Emerson chuckled as he pulled me back towards him on the bed. "We are not at war. There is no war going on," he said, his voice teasing.I frowned. "It feels like there is."" There is no war, okay? This is all in your head," he said gently, tapping his finger slowly on my forehead. "You see? No one is at war with you...""They are! Have you seen the news?""I’ve seen it," he replied with a shrug. "But you're the only one on this path for revenge. Whoever wrote this nonsense probably knows nothing about what's actually going on. I don't think they did this to start a war with you, it just happens to be a juicy headline."I shook my head. "But the rumours, the speculations… Saying that you're sharing women with Eric? It’s ridiculous!""Nonsense," he agreed, a smile on his lips."I know, right? I mean, there’s no way they could think that, right? And then all the stuff about us going behind Eric's back, it's… it's absurd!""It is absurd," Emerson said, still smiling. "People will say wh
Emerson sighed, looking at me, and there was some flicker of vulnerability in his eyes. I hated doing this, turning his idea down, he probably planned a whole day, but I was being practical. I didn’t even know where this sudden idea of a date came from.“Fine,” he said after a moment, his tone defeated. “You know what? Focus. On your revenge, focus on what you have to do. I... I just thought maybe you needed to relax, and have some fun. I thought maybe we could spend some time together. But it seems like you're not in the mood for that right now, so... whenever you change your mind, I'm here."I smiled, feeling a bit sad inside, I did want to spend time with him…. but I had to put on a brave face. “I understand, a lot. I just know that when I go back to work, with everything that’s been said... and knowing Eric, I have to be ready for it. We'll do it another time, maybe next weekend? After we get through this first week back at work.”He nodded, though there was still a hint of disap
Trey just grins. "I try."I roll my eyes at him. "I can’t believe you’re actually defending hanging out with Eric." I practically spit out his name.Trey rolls his eyes at me too. "Okay, first of all, I didn’t know he was going to throw the vase at you like that. And second, I get that you’re mad because he’s a cheater, but that doesn’t mean I have to cut him off completely. I can still talk to him. I can still be friends with him.""Yeah, because you’re also a cheater, aren’t you, Tracy Flager?"Trey freezes. His eyes narrow. "Okay, hold on a minute. Just because I’m friends with a cheater doesn’t make me one."I scoff. "Cheaters are the worst kind of people."" What if it was someone close to you? What if it was your mom for example? If you found out your own mother was a cheater, what would you do?" "If I found out my mom cheated on my dad, I would never speak to her again. Ever." My voice holds no space for doubt. Because I know it’s true. The way I loved my father? If my mom
“Come on, Trey, just tell me. Who is it?” I demand, my mind racing with a million different possibilities.Trey lifts his hands, making a grand gesture as if unveiling a piece of art. “Mommy dearest, of course.”I frown. “My mother?”He bursts out laughing. “Of course not. I don’t even know your mother. I meant my mom.”His mother? "Your mother?". He nods excitedly. “Tina flager?” I ask again He grins. “Yep! Isn’t it great? This is going to be an interesting dinner.”I stare at him, baffled. “Are you crazy? You want me to have dinner with your mother?”Trey just shrugs, like this is no big deal. Like the last time I sat at a table with him and his mother, it didn’t end with him in the hospital. Like his mother didn’t want to drag me to a police station by my hair.“The last time the three of us were at the same table, your mom literally tried to have me arrested, Trey.” “I know, good times,” he says, smirking. “Just think about it— in a few decades, when we’re old, sitting in ou
He takes a breath. "I cannot work with Emerson. I’m not working with your ex-fiancé. I’d rather work with your ex-husband than work with your ex-fiancé."I raise an eyebrow. "Wow!""We already have bad blood, okay?" he says, shaking his head. "I don’t want to be in a situation where I say something about you sleeping so beautifully in my bed, and then I find myself in the hospital again."It’s a joke. And I laugh, because—well, it’s true.He grins. "See? You’re laughing. Good beginnings."I shake my head, amused. "So? What are you proposing?""Not proposing," he corrects. "I already did the proposal. I pitched it to the team, and the Blackwind board, and they understood me. They agreed with me."I frown. "Agreed with what?"He leans forward. "You don’t want to go back to the company. But you’re passionate about this project. You want to do this. So if you and I are going to work together, why not do it from here? We can set up an office here—just like A, B, and C."I hesitate. "And wh
I'm already standing, walking to my bedroom. I step inside, and lock it—this time with bolts. I take a long shower, washing off everything that happened today. By the time I slip into bed, exhaustion lulls me into a deep, dreamless sleep.The loud ringing of my phone wakes me. I groggily reach for it, rubbing my eyes as I glance at the screen. An unknown number.For a moment, I consider ignoring it, but something makes me pick up.“Hello?” My voice is hoarse with sleep.Silence.“Hello?” I try again.Then I hear it—the familiar voice,“Nina.”I sit up instantly. “Emerson?”“Yes.” I exhale. “Are you okay? How are you feeling?”“I’m fine,” I say. “Don’t worry about me.""I… I wanted to come after you. I wanted to stop you and talk to you... When you left, I wanted to hold you, to take care of you. I knew you needed me, but I also knew you wouldn’t have liked that. So, I just had to stand there and let you leave.”I sigh. “It wouldn’t have made a good picture if I wanted to quit and prov
I go shopping and buy new clothes.Yesterday, when Trey came back from wherever he had disappeared to, he brought me a few outfits because, according to him, I didn't have any. But today, I doing the shopping. I have my own money—the money Emerson gave me for my trip—so I take myself shopping.I even go to the salon and get my hair done. My nails, too. I throw a spa day for myself, just me, a celebration of… whatever this new chapter of my life. In the evening I have dinner, and then I head towards Trey’s penthouse.I think it’s time I start looking for my own apartment. I have Emerson’s money, after all.Or, you know what? I could still go on that trip to Rio.These are the thoughts running through my head as I step into the elevator. I get off the elevator and I open the door. The moment I step inside, I freeze.I blink, processing the sight in front of me.Trey is standing right there, in the exact spot where I stood yesterday when he came home with that blonde bimbo.And he’s hold
Then, all at once, the decision is made."This is not worth it," I say, standing up so fast my chair scrapes against the floor. I’m not doing this. I don’t care about this job, this project, this entire damn company. I’m not safe here.No one stops me as I step away from my desk."People have put things in my drink," I continue, my voice growing louder. "I don’t even know if they were trying to poison me or just being assholes. I don’t know what they’re capable of. And now this?" I motion toward the broken vase. I look at Eric, who has a forced smile on his face. I know that smile, he knows he fucked up but he is not going to own up to it or apologize. "No. I’m done." I announceI turn toward Emerson. Our eyes meet. His expression is unreadable, but something flickers there—something like regret.I smile tightly, grabbing my bag. "I’m leaving."And this time, I mean it.I am out of the door and already in the parking lot, walking towards my car, ready to leave it all behind. But t
I wake up the next morning in a surprisingly good mood.And as always, when I’m in a good mood, it’s all white for me. A white suit, white shoes, and, of course, my white handbag.When I pull into the parking lot, I spot Trey right away. He’s leaning against his car, phone pressed to his ear, talking animatedly. The moment his gaze lands on me, his entire face lights up."There you go, Miss Harper," he greets, slipping his phone into his pocket. "I’ve been waiting for you. I thought since it’s my first day here, you could show me around."I arch a brow. "You don’t work for Black Wind Company, Treyson. You’re just an affiliate.""Still means I get to be here, doesn’t it?" He smirks. "Besides, don’t tell me you don’t want to see how amazing I look today."I roll my eyes, but I can’t help taking him in. He does look good—annoyingly."Well, you seem to be in a good mood," he notes.I don’t confirm or deny it. Instead, I just say, "You could say something like that."We chat as we walk in
The minute I step inside the penthouse, I close the door behind me and slump to the floor.And then, I start sobbing.I cry. And I cry. And I cry.I have no idea why the tears won’t stop falling. Maybe it’s exhaustion. Maybe it’s frustration. Maybe it’s everything catching up to me all at once.Then, suddenly—The door handle rattles.I freeze, my heart hammering. My head snaps toward the door in alarm.Then I hear Trey's voice—low, amused. A woman’s voice follows, laughing a little too much, a little too loud. And then—kissing sounds.Panic grips me.Oh God. They’re coming in here.I can’t let them find me like this. A mess. My mascara is probably streaked down my cheeks, my eyeliner smudged, my hair wild.I jump to my feet, wiping my tears in a hurry. I run my fingers through my hair, trying to smooth it down, to make myself look less like someone who was just breaking down on the floor.And then the door swings open and Trey walks in With her. The blonde beauty from the club.I sho
We were already in the parking lot. Emerson’s driver had stepped out, opening the car door for him.Then, Trey’s words came back to me.He just decides. One moment, he pushes you away and tells you to take time and think for yourself. The next, he decides you're his again. Just like that.And wasn’t that exactly what was happening?Right now, he had decided I was his girl again. Right now, I am sick, weak, and unable to stand on my own. So he was taking me home. Taking care of me. But what happens tomorrow morning when I wake up feeling fine? Will I still be his? Or will everything go back to how it was—cold, distant, uncertain?Was he doing this because he still loved me? Or was it guilt? Some sense of responsibility because he thought I couldn’t take care of myself?The more I thought about it, the more I realized something painful. Maybe Emmerson was right. Maybe I wasn’t capable of taking care of myself. I never had been. I'd never really been alone. And that scared me more than a