**Cherry’s POV** I was thrilled when my daughter, Selena, invited me out for dinner on my birthday. For the first time in her ten years, my little girl wanted to do something special just for me. The idea that she had planned this on her own filled me with pride. When we arrived at the restaurant, my heart skipped a beat as I spotted a dessert that looked eerily familiar. It was the exact one Dylan used to make for me back when we were married. My chest tightened as memories I had buried deep resurfaced. I turned to Selena, my voice trembling slightly, and asked, "Did Dylan help you with this?" She beamed, her innocent eyes sparkling with excitement. "Yes, Mom! Dylan said he wanted to make your birthday extra special." For a fleeting moment, I felt something I hadn’t in years—hope. Maybe, just maybe, Dylan still cared. I smiled at Selena, trying to suppress the wave of emotions threatening to overwhelm me. "It’s wonderful, darling. Thank you so much for this. You and Dylan made
**Dylan's POV** After everything that had been happening lately, Leonard came to my office, his face pale and eyes flickering with unease. “Your mother has been arrested,” he said, his voice low, as if he were delivering a death sentence. I blinked, unable to comprehend his words. *Arrested?* My mother? The words echoed in my mind, refusing to settle. “What are you talking about, Leonard?” I asked, my voice sharp. “Why would my mother be arrested? What’s her offense?” My heart raced as panic began to creep in. This had to be some kind of mistake. Leonard hesitated, as if searching for the right words to soften the blow. “She’s been accused of murder,” he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Murder?” My voice came out louder than I intended. I shot up from my chair, the room spinning as his words sank in. “Who is she accused of killing, Leonard? This doesn’t make any sense!” Leonard swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing nervously. “Two people. From the Studio Comp
APOLOGIES FOR FREQUENT CHANGE OF POV IN THIS CHAPTER, I HAD TO GIVE DETAILS. **Selena's POV**I don’t know what’s going on. Everything is happening so fast. My mom has been arrested, and I’m struggling to process it. She’s been accused of killing Cherry’s parents and driving them into bankruptcy. It doesn’t make sense. My mom would never do something so heinous. Sure, she didn’t like Cherry, but killing her parents? No. That’s not the woman I know. I’ve been trying to contact the police, trying to plead with anyone who would listen to understand that my mom is innocent. But it’s like shouting into a void. No one cares. As I paced in my office, my hands trembled with frustration, tears burning at the corners of my eyes. The laptop screen glared back at me, displaying emails and messages that had gone unanswered. I felt utterly helpless. Suddenly, Selena burst into the room, her face pale, her small hands clutching her tablet tightly. “Dad!” she
### Cherry's POV The fire roared around me, an inferno consuming everything in its path. My throat burned as acrid smoke clawed its way into my lungs, filling every corner of my being with a suffocating dread. My eyes watered, tears streaming down my soot-streaked face as I struggled to find even a pocket of breathable air. "Help!" I screamed, my voice hoarse and raw, barely audible over the crackling flames. I clawed at the ropes binding me to the chair, my wrists bruised and bloodied from repeated attempts to free myself. Despair settled like a weight in my chest, but it wasn't just fear for myself that crushed me. *Selena.* My daughter’s face flashed in my mind, her innocent smile a beacon of light in my darkest moment. "What will she do without me?" I whispered, tears mixing with sweat on my cheeks. My heart pounded as I thought of her small hands reaching out, searching for a mother who might never return. "No," I muttered through clenched teeth. "I can’t die here. Not lik
**Cherry's POV** When Dylan asked me that question, I froze, my breath caught in my throat. I didn’t know how to respond. Sharon's words echoed in my mind, stirring my doubts and confusion. *His mom wasn’t the one who killed my parents,* she had said. But how could I trust her? After everything Sharon had done—her lies, manipulations, and schemes—I couldn’t decide if her words held any truth or were just another trick. Dylan stood there, his piercing eyes boring into mine, waiting for an answer. My heart pounded as I tried to gather my thoughts. Could I tell him the truth? What would he do if he found out I was the one who had his mother imprisoned? My chest felt tight with the weight of my dilemma. Swallowing hard, I decided to face him head-on, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. "Yes, I did," I admitted, my gaze unwavering. "Do you have a problem with that? I wanted justice, and I got it. That’s all that matters." His expression twisted into something that looked
**Sharon's POV** I clenched my fists, the weight of my frustration growing unbearable. Letting her leave wasn’t part of the plan. She’s been the thorn in my side, the wedge driving Dylan further and further away from me. I still remember how he used to dote on me when she wasn’t in London—how he’d drop everything just to fulfill my every whim. Now, it’s as though I’ve been reduced to an afterthought, a shadow in the glow of her presence. I glanced over at Gabriel, who was seated across from me, a sly smirk curling at the corners of his lips. His question echoed in my mind, *“If she were dead, would you still help me?”* His words had sent a shiver racing down my spine earlier, but now, I matched his smirk with one of my own. "Gabriel," I said, my voice smooth and calculated, "you should know by now that this is a partnership. Nothing more, nothing less. Don’t take it personally." His smirk faltered, his brow furrowing as he leaned forward, his dark eyes narrowing. "Do you remem
**Cherry's POV**I’ve been in the hospital for two days now, and this is my third. The sterile walls, the beeping machines, and the smell of antiseptic are starting to suffocate me. I miss my daughter. Despite the countless calls we’ve shared, her tiny voice on the phone isn’t enough. I need to hold her, to feel her little arms around my neck. She must miss me too. The thought of her little face lighting up when she sees me again brings a bittersweet ache to my chest. When the doctors came in for their rounds, I didn’t waste any time. “I’m ready to be discharged,” I told them firmly. The doctor hesitated, his brows knitting together as he studied my chart. “Are you sure you’re ready, Mrs. Cherry? You’ve been through a lot.” “I’m fine now,” I replied, my voice steady. “I can’t stay here any longer. My daughter needs me.” After what felt like an eternity of persuading, they finally handed me the discharge papers. Maurice, my trusted
cherry's POV I am feeling so much better now, and I need to get back to work. There are things I have to clear before I can leave Legacy’s company. Today, the office feels heavier than usual. Maybe it’s the pile of files stacked on my desk, screaming for attention. I’ve already ensured my daughter is taken care of—thanks to Kiva, who’s been doing exceptionally well at handling things for me. But as I sit in my chair, trying to tackle the mountain of paperwork, I can’t shake the sense of unease creeping over me. Just as I start to make some progress, the door creaks open. I don’t even have to look up to know who it is. That overly sweet voice and the faint smell of her perfume are unmistakable. Sharon. She walks in with a smug smile plastered across her face. **"Speak of the devil,"** I mutter under my breath, keeping my eyes on my work. I have no desire to entertain her, but she’s persistent. She approaches my desk, holding something in her hand.
Cherry’s POVI stared at Dylan, my heart pounding in my chest. His deep brown eyes were filled with desperation, his hands gripping mine as if he were afraid I’d disappear again. The hospital room felt suffocating, the walls closing in on me as the weight of his words settled in.“Will you marry me, Cherry?” His voice cracked with emotion, his lips trembling. “I love you.”I sucked in a sharp breath, my throat tightening. My heart warred with my mind, torn between the past and the present. The pain, the betrayal, the years of loneliness—how could I just forget? My fingers twitched in his grasp, and I slowly pulled away, shaking my head.“I’m sorry,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “There are things I can forget, Dylan, but I can never forgive.”A heavy silence filled the room. I saw the heartbreak in his eyes, the flicker of hope extinguishing into despair. His shoulders slumped, his jaw clenched, and for a moment, I thought he migh
Cherry’s POVI had just finished eating with my daughter, Selena, at the restaurant connected to the hospital. The food was nice, and for a brief moment, everything felt okay. No worries. No overthinking. Just a mother and daughter enjoying a peaceful meal together.But peace never lasted long in my life.Just as we were about to leave, Leonard walked in. He looked a little worn out, his sharp features slightly softened by fatigue. His shirt was unbuttoned at the top, and he ran a hand through his dark hair, exhaling as if he had been holding his breath all day.“What a coincidence, Miss Cherry,” he said with a small smile, sliding his hands into his pockets. “I’m actually here to eat. But, you know, your daughter is really friendly. I’d love to spend some time with her—talk more, maybe order her some ice cream. You can go ahead if you’d like.”I looked down at Selena, my little angel. She was practically bouncing with excitement.
Cherry’s POVI couldn't explain the overwhelming joy that filled my heart the moment I found out Dylan was alive. My body trembled, not out of fear but from sheer relief. He was stable. No longer in a critical condition. My knees almost gave out beneath me as I rushed into his hospital room. My heart was thudding violently, as if it wanted to leap out of my chest and embrace him itself.Tears burned in my eyes, and I clutched my chest, struggling to breathe through the emotions choking me. I had been so scared—so, so scared that I’d lose him forever. The thought of him never opening his eyes again had made my world feel like a dark, empty void. But now, seeing him awake, those beautiful, familiar eyes blinking up at me, was like being given another chance at life."Dylan…" I whispered, my voice barely above a breath as I stepped closer.His gaze locked onto mine, his lips twitching slightly, as if he wanted to smile but was too weak to do so. My heart ached at the sight of him lying t
Cherry’s POVFear gripped my chest like an iron fist, tightening with every second that passed. My breath came in ragged gasps, my entire body trembling as I struggled to hold back the tears threatening to spill over. My heart pounded so loudly in my ears that I could barely hear the doctor’s words.Critical condition.The phrase echoed in my mind like a cruel curse, stabbing into my soul. No, no, no—this wasn’t supposed to happen. He wasn’t supposed to get hurt. Not now. Not when I had just started to love him again. Not when I had just begun to let my guard down.I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I stared at the doctor, my lips trembling. “P-please, Doctor,” I choked out, my voice barely above a whisper. “Please save him for me.”The doctor’s gaze softened, and he gave a small nod. “We will do our best.”I couldn’t hold back anymore. A sob broke free from my lips as I buried my face in my hands. Around me, the atmosphere was suffocating. Dylan’s mother was cryin
Cherry’s POVI never wanted this moment to come. I swore to myself I would never tell him. No matter what happened, I promised that I would take this secret to my grave. But now, standing here, watching my daughter's life hang in the balance, I have no choice.It feels like the world is caving in around me. My heart is pounding so hard that I can hear it in my ears. My hands are trembling, my breath uneven, but I have to do this. I have to save her.Gabriel's cold, merciless gaze locks onto me as he cocks his gun, his finger resting dangerously on the trigger. His expression is void of sympathy, void of patience. He wants an answer, and he wants it now."Yes!" The word bursts out of my mouth before I can stop it, my voice cracking under the weight of my fear. "Selena is your daughter!"A stunned silence follows. Even Dylan, who had been holding his breath, stiffens beside me. His eyes widen in shock, his lips parting as if he wants to say
Cherry’s POVMy heart pounded against my ribcage, each beat a deafening echo in my ears. My hands trembled, my vision blurred with unshed tears as Gabriel’s cruel laughter filled the abandoned house. I stood frozen, my entire body paralyzed with terror, staring at my daughter—my sweet, innocent Selena—tied to a chair, her cheeks streaked with tears. Her small body shuddered with every sob, her wrists raw from struggling against the tight ropes."Mommy!" she cried, her voice hoarse from screaming. "Mommy, please help me!"My knees buckled beneath me, but I forced myself to stay upright. I had to be strong—for her. For my baby. My vision flickered between her terrified face and the gun clutched in Gabriel’s shaking hands, the muzzle pointed directly at her head.No.This couldn't be happening.“Gabriel, please,” I pleaded, my voice barely above a whisper. “She’s just a child. She has nothing to do with this. Let her go, and I’ll do whatever you want. Just don’t hurt her. Please…”But Ga
Cherry’s POVFor weeks, we had scoured every inch of the city searching for Gabriel David’s cousin. Ever since he fled from the police the day we came looking for him at his office, he had vanished without a trace. No sightings. No leads. Nothing. At first, we thought he had simply gone into hiding, waiting for the storm to pass. But as time stretched on, we began to suspect the worst. Either he had left the city, or… he was dead.Still, if he was alive, I was certain of one thing—sooner or later, we would get our hands on him, and when that day came, the police wouldn’t hesitate to take him in. But until then, life had to go on.Dylan and I had been working closely together. If I was being honest, he was the best thing that had happened to me in a long time. Gone was the man with a troubled past, replaced by someone who had turned over a new leaf—a man who was kind, patient, and fiercely protective. If there was anyone I trusted completely, it was him.Everything seemed to be going s
Gabriel’s POVIt had been nearly six months since everything crumbled. Six months since the trials, the investigations, and the bloodshed that stained my hands—though not in the way I had intended. I never wanted Cherry dead. No, she was the only person I truly cared about in that godforsaken mess. My plan had been simple: eliminate Dylan. But Sharon—reckless, unpredictable Sharon—had turned the gun on Cherry.The deafening crack of the gunshot still haunted my nights. The moment replayed in slow motion: Cherry’s widened eyes, the sharp gasp that never turned into a scream, the way her body crumpled to the ground before Maurice even had a chance to react. And then, chaos. Maurice lunged forward, but another shot rang out—this time, the bullet lodged deep into his chest. I remember the way his mouth opened in shock, his hands trembling as they clutched his wound. The horror, the betrayal written all over his face as he collapsed beside Cherry.Everything after that was a blur. Sirens.
Cherry’s POVTears poured from my eyes, hot and unrelenting. My chest tightened, my breath came in short gasps, and my entire body trembled. I wasn’t just crying—I was breaking. Shattering. The weight of everything that had happened crashed down on me like a tidal wave, drowning me in pain, in disbelief.It all happened so fast. Too fast.One moment, I thought everything was finally going to be okay. I thought justice would prevail. I thought the nightmare was finally over. They had found out the truth—I was innocent. I wasn’t supposed to be in prison. My heart had soared with hope. Relief had flooded my veins like warm sunlight breaking through storm clouds.And then… gunfire.The deafening crack of a bullet split the air. And when I turned, my world stopped.Maurice.He was lying there. Motionless. A pool of crimson spreading beneath him. My heart clenched painfully, a scream lodged in my throat. No. No, no, no. This c