Lyla’s POV. Seeing Bailey was a burst of emotions; after the wedding drama, Jace didn't let me leave the house because of the tension from the media and people; he was protecting me from the eyes of people. I Still had trauma from the accident but was on pills to stop the pain and anxiety. My sister hugged me tightly and I felt her tears drop on my shirt; she was filled with emotions because the news of my death got to her before I got the chance to tell her that I was alive. Her eyes were filled with both happiness and pity. “I am so glad you are alive. I don't know what I would have done if anything had happened to you. “I am fine, Bailey; nothing happened to me. I was involved in the accident, though I was unhurt. “That bastard and that witch need to pay for everything they did to you. I cannot believe Becky would do this to you after all you have done for her. The worst of it all is Chad. You practically built that company for him, and he transferred your shares to Becky like
Lyla’s POVWhen Jace heard about Becky’s podcast, he rushed home as quickly as he could, wanting to beat his family to the house. Ever since our wedding, they’d been on my case. They threatened me, told me to leave their son, but I couldn’t. I knew what awaited me out there in the cold, indifferent world. When Jace finally arrived home that day, I tried to tell him everything that had happened at the hospital. I tried to defend myself, to tell him I was innocent, but Jace held my hands gently and told me to save my strength.“You don’t need to worry about this,” he said, his voice calm and steady. “I know the truth. I’m handling it. I’ve connected with a few people who will get that video off the internet. And trust me, I’ll make sure that TV station pays for what they did. Who do they think they’re fooling? They messed with the wrong person.”As Jace’s hand rested on my shoulder, my eyes inadvertently drifted to his wedding band. It was a 6mm platinum band, understated yet elegant. T
Lyla’s POVJace was too busy packing his suitcase to pay attention to anything I said. I kept watching him, wondering what he was doing. I tried speaking to him, but he didn’t respond. His focus was on the task at hand, seemingly determined to block me out.“You’re not listening to me, Jace!” I said, frustration bubbling up inside. “The world is against me. Your family is against me. This situation isn’t good for you. I think you should divorce me and marry Sasha instead.”His back was turned, but I could still hear his voice, firm and unwavering. “Never. I don’t want to hear this anymore. You’re not going to talk about this again. I’m not marrying Sasha—not even as a second wife. So don’t bring it up.”I shook my head, feeling helpless. “And how do you intend to face your family? They’re breathing down your neck. How do you plan to shut them up?”“You don’t have to worry about that,” he said, his voice cold but calm. “Leave them to me.”But I couldn’t help myself. I needed answers, s
Lyla’s POVWe were back in the room. “I knew it,” I muttered under my breath. My fingers trembled when I held the staff ID from Scandal Central in my hand. “I knew she was up to no good the moment she flashed that fake smile. You should have let me teach her a lesson she would never forget.”Jace shot me a look, his jaw tight with anger. But his gaze softened a little as he exhaled deeply. “Not yet. I don’t want her to know that I saw the ID. I need to figure out what she’s really after. If we want to beat them at their game, we need to play it smart. Right now, I’m done playing the nice guy. I don’t care what the world thinks about me. I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing until I expose Becky and Chad.”I stared at the ID one last time before letting it drop to the table. The realization was sinking in. Sia wasn’t just a friend here to help me. She was more tangled up in this mess than I’d ever imagined.Jace pulled me out of my thoughts when he handed me a photo. It was a funeral
Lyla’s POVAll roads led to Nestle Care Health Center. The ride seemed slow, and I had no idea how we magically left Hawaii, but all I knew was that we were on our way to the hospital. By the time we pulled into the parking lot, I couldn’t wait for the car to stop. I jumped out so quickly that I nearly injured myself rushing to the hospital reception. My breath was ragged, and it felt as though I might pass out if I said another word.“Calm down, ma'am. Do you have an emergency? Is there a patient in your car?”“No! I’m here to see my sister,” I panted, struggling to get the words out. It was then that Jace walked in, since I hadn’t waited for him to park properly before rushing inside.The nurse asked, “What’s your sister’s name?”“Bailey. Bailey Martins. She’s the one with the gunshot wound,” I added, and the nurse didn’t need to check her computer further.“Oh, right. She got out of surgery a few hours ago. Take the elevator to the third floor, turn right, and head to Ward 6.”“Tha
Lyla’s POV. I rushed to the location Jace gave me; it was the location of his warehouse. He didn't want me to come, but I needed to see the face of the monster that shot my sister. I picked up the car keys and drove to the warehouse; it was almost midnight so the road was free. I was driving above 100 miles per hour and at that point, I didn't care if I got pulled over or not. I arrived at the warehouse and drove in, parked the car outside and walked down to the basement where Jace had asked me to come. I got to him and I couldn't see the face of the guy clearly because he was tied to a chair and his face was covered in bruises and blood. Jace was seated at the end of the room and his legs were on the table as he puffed his big cigar. His boys were the ones handling the criminal; Jace had about 20 men present in the warehouse that night. “You monster!” I rushed to hit him but I was taken aback when I saw the face of the person; it was Bailey’s childhood sweetheart, Richard. When
Lyla’s POVI was finally going to experience the joy of motherhood, and my heart was soaring with excitement. The moment I found out I was pregnant, I felt like a weight had been lifted. I was going to prove to the world that I wasn’t barren, that I could have a child, that I was fertile. Ever since I discovered the pregnancy, I couldn’t help but touch my tummy every chance I got. Jace would bring me breakfast in bed every morning before heading off to work, and every evening, he would massage my feet—without fail.“Do you really have to do all of this?” I asked, looking down at him as he gently massaged my foot with lavender oil. It felt wonderful, but I needed to make sure it wasn’t too much for him.“Just stay still and enjoy the treat. The doctor said you should rest and eat well, and I’m going to make sure that happens.” He smiled at me as he continued his task.“But you do this every day—massaging my feet, rubbing my back, and my waist. It’s a lot.”“You’re carrying my first chi
Lyla's POVI stepped out of the bathroom and made my way to the closet to change. As I was rummaging through my clothes, I saw Jace, already dressed and preparing for work."Oh, you're finally out," he teased, raising an eyebrow. "I was starting to wonder if you were ever going to come out. You took longer than usual in the shower today.""Well," I said, shrugging as I pulled on a blouse, "I was enjoying the peace and quiet. Didn't want to leave the shower, honestly.""Did you hear the news?" Jace's tone was more serious now, and I could tell something was on his mind."What news?" I asked, feeling a slight itch in my ear. I hoped it wasn’t anything bad."Chad’s company just lost over $10 million," he said, his voice low.Apparently,Chad added Becky to his board of directors, and she advised him to invest in a deal that completely fell apart. Now, his company's net worth is plummeting. If they don’t turn things around soon, they're going to end up in a lot of debt."What?" The shock h
Lyla’s POVI folded my arms across my chest, a habit that had become second nature when I was trying to hide my emotions. My arms were positioned firmly at breast level as I stared at Abel. A scoff escaped my lips before I could stop it.“What did you just say?” I moved closer to him, my eyes narrowing, trying to read his expression.“You heard me correctly, Lyla,” Abel’s voice was cold, almost mocking. “I’m going to tell my father and my uncle about Bailey’s kidnapping, and I’ll make sure they know exactly what you’re doing—all of this to get your sister out. How do you think they’ll react when they find out you’ve played them both twice? Do you really think the contract you have with Jace is enough to shield you from their wrath?”His words were meant to strike fear into me, but I wasn’t intimidated. I held his gaze firmly, my arms still crossed. I wasn’t afraid of him or his threats. Abel was many things, but he wasn’t someone who could rattle me. Not now, not after everything.Abe
Lyla's POVEverything was finally in place. The warehouse was packed with crates of the new drink, and the press had already arrived to cover the production of the latest strawberry-flavored beverage. It was an important day for the Karev family, one that would bring them both publicity and, hopefully, profits.Mr. Karev was present, of course, though he was accompanied by his mistress. Mrs. Karev, on the other hand, looked absolutely miserable, her frown unwavering throughout the entire event. It wasn't just because we had ignored her wishes—it was because the woman standing beside Mr. Karev, who was laughing and leaning into him, was none other than her old friend. The woman who had, years ago, swooped in to steal Mr. Karev away from her."Can you believe this?!" Sasha hissed, her voice dripping with disgust. "The audacity! Who does she think she is? Look at them! They're practically holding hands in front of everyone. This is not good for your image as the leader of the Universal W
Lyla’s POV“Are you insane? I will never let that happen, not under my watch! Have you completely lost your mind? Your father and I worked so hard to build this company and the reputation you’re trying to destroy! What the hell has come over you?” Mrs. Karev’s voice was sharp, every word cutting through the room like a knife. The anger in her eyes was undeniable, a storm brewing behind them as she raked Jace with her gaze. She had just learned about the plans to open another factory for the production of the illegal drink, and she was having none of it.I stood frozen at the edge of the doorway, barely daring to breathe, as the argument unfolded before me. The tension in the room was suffocating, every word from Mrs. Karev fueled by disbelief and frustration.“This is the only way we can save Bailey, Mum,” Jace replied, his voice firm, but there was a hint of desperation beneath it. He was never one to back down, especially when it came to people he cared about. “The Mafia boss is a v
Lyla’s POV“I don’t know what to do… I’m so worried about my wife. I can’t even tell if they’re treating her well or if they’re hurting her! That Don… he’s a terrible, wicked man. I just hope he’s not doing horrible things to Bailey.” Collins’ voice cracked with emotion, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I saw a man cry. The tears flowed down his face, his body shaking with the weight of his anguish. I had never seen him like this—so raw, so vulnerable. Collins, usually the calm and collected one, had lost all semblance of control.The only person standing by his side in that moment, holding him together, was Jace. He stepped toward Collins, wrapping his arms around him in a comforting hug. The embrace was silent, but the emotion in the room was palpable. My own eyes stung with tears, but this was different. I had cried countless times in the privacy of my room, but seeing Collins break down like this… it shattered me in ways I couldn’t describe.I couldn’t deny it—Col
Lucas’s POV“I exchanged contacts with Sofia. She was the one who insisted, and it would’ve been rude to turn her down. She was all over me last night. She didn’t want to let me go; she was grinding and whining her waist on me. I won’t lie to you, bro! I felt really uncomfortable. What if Bella saw us together? It would’ve been disastrous. I couldn’t even hold hands with her. My eyes were busy scanning the whole environment, trying to make sure no one saw us,” I said into the phone, narrating the events of the previous night to James. He already knew who Sofia was—he’d been there with me back in high school. He knew how much trouble she used to cause.“Dude, you need to avoid Sofia like the plague!” James’s voice came through clearly, a mix of frustration and disbelief. “You know that girl is trouble! You always got into trouble because of her back then in school. You never did your assignments because you were always focusing on her, helping her with hers. You were always late to sch
Lyla’s POVI knocked lightly on the door, holding my arm across my chest. My heart was racing, and every instinct inside me screamed to turn around and leave. But something kept me rooted in place. When no answer came, I hesitated for a moment before pushing the door open. It was unlocked, just slightly ajar.Stepping inside, I was met with an unsettling silence. I’d hoped Sasha wouldn’t be there—she wasn’t—but the tension I carried with me still lingered. It wasn’t that I was scared of Sasha, but more of the potential conflict that seemed to always swirl around her. I wasn’t in the mood for a confrontation. Not now, not when Bailey was still missing, and I had no idea where she was or what might be happening to her.As I entered the room, my eyes scanned the familiar space. I moved slowly, my body almost on autopilot, but my mind was racing. The memories came flooding back in waves, each one crashing into me with surprising force. I hadn’t been in this room in so long, and it felt li
Lyla’s POV“Now is not the time, Chad. How did you even get my number in the first place?” I asked, my voice sharp and tinged with frustration. My head was pounding, and we had been stuck on Bailey’s situation for days. There hadn’t been any substantial updates in what felt like forever, and the silence was starting to get to me. The anxiety, the not knowing—it was wearing me thin. I had no idea how Chad had gotten my contact information. I never used the complimentary card he gave me when we met, and the fact that he had my number felt… suspicious.“Look, Lyla, I just care about you. That’s all,” Chad’s voice came through the phone, softer than usual, almost gentle. “I heard about Bailey’s kidnapping, and I just want you to know that I’ll be here if you need me.”His words caught me off guard. Chad had never sounded so genuine in my life. There was something in the way he spoke, a sincerity I hadn’t heard before. It brought a strange sense of peace to my troubled mind, but it also ma
Lyla's POVI tried calling the number again, my fingers shaking as I dialed. But once more, it wasn’t connecting. My heart skipped a beat. The officer had been right all along—Bailey had been kidnapped, and I knew she was in grave danger. The message had been so brief, so cold. No details, no demands. Just a simple, chilling sentence: “We have your sister.”I stared at my phone, my mind racing. "Oh my God! They just messaged me! They just messaged me!" I shouted, almost in disbelief, as I clutched the phone tighter. My voice echoed in the empty room, and for a moment, I couldn’t even process the enormity of the situation. The message was unsettlingly simple, and now that I tried calling the number back, I realized it wasn’t connecting. Whoever sent it had used a burner phone, making it impossible to trace.My loud cry didn’t go unnoticed. From upstairs, Mrs. Maddy hurried down, followed closely by Sasha. Sasha came rushing down the stairs with a look of annoyance, clearly startled by
Lyla’s POV“Kidnapped?” the words echoed around the room, each person’s voice a mixture of disbelief and confusion. The room seemed to freeze for a moment, the reality of what had been said hanging in the air like a dark cloud. The officer who had just spoken seemed certain, but I couldn't bring myself to accept it.“But who would want to do that?” I asked, my voice shaking with the weight of the question. “Bailey is my kid sister, and she’s so calm. I can’t think of anyone who would want to harm her, let alone kidnap her.” My words faltered, the gravity of the situation slowly sinking in. I wasn’t ready to believe that my younger sister, my baby sister, was in the hands of someone who wanted to do her harm. I wasn’t ready for that reality to be true.The officer gave me a solemn look, his gaze hard but not unkind. “Well, I’ve handled cases like this before, and I can tell you that most kidnappers don’t have any personal connection to their victims. Often, they’re just opportunists, o