Mila is a young girl of 18 who has been abused by her stepmom most of her life, you could call her another 'Cinderella'. Things gets worse when her Stepmom pushes her into an arranged marriage with the One and only McCarter Spencer, New York's biggest business mogul... At age 24, he owned over 45 percent of properties in New York, which included Hotels, Club houses Restaurants and even the Prestigious 'Spencer Conglomerate'. On a mission to acquire the bedridden Edward Monteiro's Company, Carter finds himself in a situation where he has to marry Camilla, Edward's only daughter and supposed heir of all his wealth. After a few weeks of keeping to themselves and thinking the worse of each other, they finally call a truce and become friends, to the extent someone could have sworn they noticed a love string attached to their "friendship" Things take a fateful turn when Camilla jilts Carter at the altar, leaving no trace of herself and leaving an already smitten Carter devastated and heartbroken. What happens when 5 years down the line, Camilla shows up at Carter's wedding. She doesn't only show up with a bundle of joy, she comes having a mission to execute. REVENGE. Things go haywire when Carter also sees this as an opportunity to get his own revenge. You can never tell what's gonna happen when everyone has an ulterior motive in mind. They become covered in a web of lies, secrets and untold feelings.
Lihat lebih banyakCHAPTER ONE
15th May 2021
MILA'S POV
I stood in front of the chapel in which MacCarter was about to be wed. It had been 5 long and hard years, but I was back to recover all that I lost or rather, what was stolen from me.
I was no longer that weak 18 year old girl, fresh out of high school, without a Mom or a healthy father. I turned out to be strong and bold. I had to be because life had given me a lot more reasons to be.
**********
8th August 2016And for the uptenth time that morning, I sighed in frustration. Of all things, why this? I had always been the obedient child and trophy daughter, never making decisions of my own and always abiding by the rules set for me, as the "heir" of the Monteiro Empire.
If Dad was well, he wouldn't let Claudia treat me as badly as she does. She finally did most unimaginable. It was the last straw that broke the camel's back. How could she plan my marriage to that man? A total stranger.
"Camilla open this door now!!!" She was here already, I sighed and cursed lightly. Honestly, I didn't have any option concerning opening the door. I locked myself in my room to recollect my thoughts and look for a way out of this mess I found myself. It was impossible to do that now. I clumsily came down my bed and walked to the door.
"Camilla Eloise Monteiro" whenever she called my full name, she was dead serious.
"Yes Mom" I replied, slowly feeling fear increase in my mind. She snorted, and I knew it was a reaction to the title I referred to her as. 'Mom'."I'm going to be as brief and precise as can be. You are going to marry MacCarter and that is final. You would be having lunch with him tom...." I was frustrated right now, and what she was busy saying wasn't helping my nerves at all.
"Mom I don't need this right now..." She interjected this time.
"Shut up that vile mouth of yours and let me finish" She ordered, her voice sounding firm. "Now you will marry MacCarter and that's end of discussion""I won't marry him. I don't deserve this kind of treatment!!"
"Of course you don't deserve it! You ungrateful little wench. I ask just one thing from you nicely, and you do what? You fumble as expected" Now I saw the real Claudia slowly emerging. She was never this civil when talking to me, it was either a slap on the face, or rain of insults upon me and my late mom."Mom I just didn't think it was fair to..." And that was it! This time she caught me off with a resounding slap. I could feel hot blood rushing to the left side of my face, and then the hot tears that rolled down my cheek didn't make the pain I was feeling any better.
The lump in my throat gradually grew huge until I couldn't make out a word from my mouth. I felt pain in every part of my head. This wasn't going to be the first time she'd hit me, but this one hit differently because at this point I was drained and all I felt like was abused and shattered. Yes shattered!
If there was anything I dreamt of having a say about, that was the choice of a life partner. I lived most part of my life in fear and being scorned. I was hoping to live the remaining part of my life with someone who'd treat me and make me feel like I mattered. Someone who would love me, even if it was just a little.
"Firstly, don't address me in that title. Go to your dead mother's grave and find her. Secondly, it would interest you to know that I finally got that stubborn father of yours to sign over all his shares in his company to me. Yes!!" She smiled evilly.
"What did you do to my Dad?!!" He wouldn't have done this with his senses intact.
"Nothing much dear little one. I was left with no other choice" She said in a tone so calm, that would make you think she was innocent and filled with goodness. Contrary was the real case. "It took a whole lot of time trying to convince your Dad, but I was successful at the end.""Get out!!!" I screamed without the fear of being hit or worse beaten. I was filled with so much grief. She laughed and walked towards the door. When she got to the door, she said the last thing which rendered me helpless.
"I will leave sweetie, but just have in mind that you practically have nothing if you refuse to marry MacCarter. You are left with nothing to your name. MacCarter is your inheritance. We both know your father doesn't have much time to live any longer. The choice is yours my dear."
"You can't take away my birthright from me!! You took my whole life away already. You are so heartless!" I screamed as I broke down on the floor. I heard the door close, indicating she had left.
********
I walked into the 'Chapel of Restoration' as was written boldly in the entrance. It explained my life's purpose at the moment. To recover and have all that belongs to me restored.
I could feel my long black gown sweep the floor as I walked in, holding my priceless jewel by my right. It was a good thing the wedding hadn't gotten to the 'I do' part. I didn't want to be cliche at all.
"For richer, for poorer" I heard the officiating priest say, to which MacCarter repeated after him.
"For richer, for poorer" Smiling at his bride. Wow, so the stories were true? Carter fell in love with Claudia's Niece, Melanie. What was she, a rebound? This is where I'll come in tho."Well, mine would definitely be 'for richer, for richer'. The world revolves around money" Everyone turned to identify the source of the voice, and there was me.
Carter looked at me as if trying to recognize me, and boom! his squinted eyes dilated, and I knew that recognition hit him hard.
"Camilla?" He asked, clearly sure, but probably expecting me to deny."Nice to see you're doing well Carter" His face lost all colour. It was enough confirmation he clearly dreaded. He's face slowly contorted in
"How.... Where.....What are you doing here?" He queried. At that point the whole congregation lost coordination, and there was a big noise in the wedding hall. I looked at the 'to be bride' who was looking as scared as possible."Who is she?" She asked Carter who was looking at me until something or rather, Someone else caught his attention. The sweetest little kid I was holding by my right.
He seemed lost for a while, trying to match a few puzzles together. There was not a single difference between Father and Son. His son was an exact replica of him.
"Papa?" Ethan asked all of a sudden, which even caught me off guard. And the chaos in the hall increased.
"No!" Melanie Voiced out in disagreement. And then I saw the woman who made my life a living hell. Stepmom Claudia. She slowly made her way to the place we all stood. She looked at me for a while, but wasn't able to say a word. Her expression of shock and fear. Fear? The time to be scared hadn't even come yet."Ca..ca..Camilla" she stuttered in disbelief, to which I smiled. I was back and It was time for her retribution. She was going to be paid back in her own coin. Soon.
"You know her, Aunt?" Melanie queried as beads of sweat were clearly breaking off on her skin.I turned to Carter who was still looking at Ethan, and Ethan kept his eyes fixed on Carter too. Then Ethan put his tiny hands into Carter's and called him again .
"Papa?"Carter looked back at me immediately. His eyes requesting for an explanation."Our son is so brilliant, don't you agree? They wouldn't be any need for an official introduction then. The striking resemblance is more than enough explanation" I said and then I heard Melanie sniffing, and the next thing she did was to pick up her heavy gown and run out of the hall, with Claudia running after her and calling her name.
'Good' I thought. I'm back and they aren't even ready for me yet.
MILA'S POVI sat with him on his bed but hadn't been able to strike up a conversation with him over 5 minutes after I had gone in."They have always been this way since they were little. Whenever the slept together, they'd snuggle but wouldn't want to believe so the next morning. Even after a year apart, the habit continues." Carter Stated."What?" I asked clearly confused."Nathan and Peggy." He explained."Oh!! Nathan and Peggy huh." I chuckled. "They are quite the pair. Always fighting, but snuggle while they sleep.""Exactly what's gets me confused!" He laughed and after that, we went silent again. we both occasionally caught each other staring at the other. "You came for us to talk about dinner right?" He finally asked."Yes?" my reply sounded very much like a question."Welllll....." He dragged. "Shoot! Ask me whatever you want to know and I'll answer."I inhaled sharply and placed my hands on the fluffy duvet as I looke
MILA'S POV "Hmmm" Smith moaned. "This is good mom! How did you pull this off? Tastes familiar to me." He said amused."Ohhh.... Thank you baby." Mrs Spencer showed her appreciation, and I have to say, I was very suprised to see the woman in such a jolly mood. It was the total opposite of the attitude she gave Carter and I, but I wasn't thinking so much of it. The woman was just displeased with the video she had seen, and also about the fact Carter had said nothing about me to the family. "I had decided to make the meal myself since we are going to celebrate your win. Saw this old cook book lying around the kitchen store room, and I decided to use a few tricks from it." "Now I thought as much! It tasted like a recipe of Aunt Felicity. She definitely owns the cook book." Smith affirmed and Mrs. Spencer went a bit stiff, like she was trying to control herself from having an outburst."Uhmm, My dear..." She cleared her throat. "I have told you a lot more than once that the wretch of a w
MILA'S POV Personally, I knew Peggy and Nathan were hiding more than they were letting on, but I didn't want to come off as intrusive. I honestly felt I had intruded enough already. I walked up the staircase to my room and settled on the couch adjacent to my bed. I hadn't gotten seated for up to 5 minutes when Peggy came in through the door and made straight for my bed. She didn't look angry per say, but she did look troubled in a way."Heyyy" I called. "Do you feel okay?""Hmmm" She nodded her head yes. "I just need...... I need....." She thought of the right word."Space?" I suggested."That would definitely fit the description." She gave a tight smile."Do you mind me being in your space?" I muttered, but I knew she could hear me. Funny as it sounded, I felt this deep connection with Peggy that I hadn't felt with anyone in forever. I laughed inwardly. Basically I had no one to share such connections with. I was always home, surrounded by same old faces. Dad, Claudia and Denver.
NATHAN'S POV On a normal day, I would have been indifferent to situations like this. It wasn't going to be the first time women were fighting each other on my account, but this was Peggy! Janet had humiliated Peggy in the worst way possible, and I wasn't going to be having any of it. I was still shocked and couldn't find it in me to say a word or make a move. Carter and Mila were already angrily chastising Janet who seemed to be comfortably eating her food, which only seemed to aggravate my anger the more. Justin had immediately offered Peggy a handkerchief to help clean the mess as much as it could, and I know I sounds pretty to be worried about such gestures at such a wrong time, but I couldn't help it. His continuous obsession for Peggy hadn't died a bit even after the tangible time she had spent away. That almost sounded hypocritical, as mine hadn't also died a bit. But in my defense, I wasn't in love with Peggy. I just wanted non stop access to her body until I eventu
PEGGY'S POV. The moment I stepped foot into the airport, I felt the fresh air of New York city hit my face. It felt really good to be back home. I had initially told myself I wasn't going to return home until I was done with my third year in school atleast. But that was all before my big brother Carter had told me about this girl whom his imbecile of his father had forced him to marry. Carter wasn't my biological brother per say, but he had earned that position in my life in every way possible. He was the reason I was even going to school, as well as my rebellious sister Annabelle. Annabelle would be a discussion for another day, I guess. So back to the matter at hand. When Carter had told me he had been forced to marry this rich brat, I felt so much pain inside my heart. The poor guy had always displeased himself to do all of his father's biddings, and this one wasn't any different. Marriage would be the last thing on the mind of the Carter I knew. All I could do at that
CARTER'S POV I could hear the sound of the girls laughing, just behind the door. I had just returned to the penthouse at 6:15 PM, and was about entering the house. I unlocked the door, and saw them."Wow!..... I..... You guys are...." I was lost for words. Peggy and Mila were looking so dashing and beautiful, but Camilla especially, took my breath away. The girl had fine thighs too! The joggers and big tees she always wore around the house did well to conceal that fact. Peggy looked dashing as always, and her body never lied. It was then I had taken note of the dresses they both wore. The gowns were identical, except for a few differences. "Do we look okay?" Mila asked with a look of dread."How can you not know that you do girl?! Didn't your mirror sing your praises?" I joked, and she grinned widely. "You both look amazing. I could stand here looking at you both all day, but I have to quickly wash up, so we can be on our way.""Okay, we'll be here waiting." Peggy replied in so muc
MILA'S POV I walked into the dinning room with a big yawn and some fe stretches. My night had been pleasant to say the least. As I took a seat next to Carter who was already munching on some sausage, I said my greetings, and drew the tin of coffee towards me."Morning Carter!""Good morning Mila. Slept well?""Sleep has never felt better, trust me." Chuckling, I drew the China kettle and poured some hot water into the cup containing coffee. "So I was thinking...." Carter started off, and I nodded in attentiveness as I stirred my coffee and proceeded to pour some milk. "Okay actually, Nathan invited us both for his exhibit later tonight, after which we go have dinner.""So what exactly where you thinking?""If you would oblige?" "I definitely would. It's Nathan! Plus I would really appreciate more time with him. To get to know him.""Perfect! We leave by 6. Until then, take care" He wiped his mouth with a napkin, stood up and took his suit that was hung on the next chair. "But it'
MILA'S POV. After Carter had successfully persuaded Felicity to go sleep, that we were going to retire afterwards, we went ahead to seat on the Sofa and began reminiscing the night's events."I'm sorry you had to break off your relationship because of me.""You shouldn't be" he replied looking indifferent. "I think I brought commotion into your life, as much as you did mine. So, no hard feelings" He gave a tight smile. "By the way, why were you being so inquisitive about us. I mean, I and my ex?" He queried. "To be sincere, I wanted to know if you both were still together." I answered honestly."What would you have done if you had found out we were still together?""Probably.....find a way out of this mess?" I said unsure. "I didn't have anyone in my life before the news of you, but I can imagine how it feels to let go of someone you still love, for something that has an alternative. I was scared that I would probably live the rest of my life regretting why I had to entrap an innocen
CAMILLA'S POVI was still thinking about my confrontation with Carter. I still couldn't believe he was forced into this whole thing just like I was, and to think that I took the issue the worst way possible, where as, he was also in the same problem but managing his emotions just fine.I looked around me and carefully eyed all the documents on the bed. My eyes were already aching as I hadn't gotten much sleep last night due to the fact that I was going through all the documents. I was also surprised when I saw the last document in the file. Dad left I and Carter an early wedding present, he gifted us a Duplex in the heart of New York. I was still very shocked concerning all the properties I had to my name now. How? Just how? We were really broke, if I remember quite well and I didn't understand how it was possible for Dad to have had all this wealth. Well, if I was being honest, We lived very comfortably for people who were bankrupt. Yes, I know I said the poultry kept us going, but h
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