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 POV** I arrived at work in my usual peaceful manner, carrying myself with the same quiet composure I always had. But nothing could have prepared me for the heartbreak that awaited me. Sharon walked up to me, her lips curled into a smug smile, and without a word, she handed me an envelope. My heart pounded as I took it from her hands, my fingers trembling slightly. A strange feeling settled in my chest, but I ignored it as I slowly peeled open the envelope. And then, I saw it. A wedding invitation. My breath caught in my throat, my fingers tightening around the card as my vision blurred with unshed tears. Sharon was inviting me—to her wedding. To the man I once loved. The man I had given my heart to. My ex-husband. A sharp pain stabbed through my chest. For a moment, I couldn't breathe. My head spun as an overwhelming wave of emotions crashed over me—pain, betrayal, jealousy. I knew I had no right to feel this way. We were over. It was long done. But that d
### **Cherry's POV** After my discussion with Dylan's mother, an odd sense of sympathy settled in my heart. She seemed genuinely remorseful for how she had treated me when I was married to her son. Her eyes, once sharp with disdain, now carried the weight of regret. It was as if the years had reshaped her into a better person. When she handed me a thick file, my fingers trembled slightly. *Everything you need to know about who killed your parents is in here,* she had said, her voice hushed yet firm. My breath hitched. *"It wasn’t me, Cherry."* She clutched my hands, her grip weak but desperate. *"I know you hated me, and maybe you still do, but I swear on everything I hold dear—I never ordered their deaths. Someone else did. Someone who wanted you to believe it was me."* I wanted to reject her words, to hold on to my bitterness, but something in her expression stopped me. A mother’s sorrow? Or was it the truth? I exhaled sharply, gripping the file tighter. *"If you're lying
### **Cherry's POV** The room was heavy with silence, thick with the weight of betrayal, lies, and long-hidden truths finally coming to light. Sharon’s secrets were no longer buried; they were on full display, every shameful deed exposed for the world to see. The gasps and murmurs around us confirmed that no one had expected this revelation. I could see it all in her wide, panic-filled eyes—the realization that her carefully crafted web of deceit had crumbled to dust. She had manipulated, schemed, and even conspired with Gabriel behind everyone’s backs. And despite knowing full well that Dylan and I were set to be married, she had still chosen to betray us, indulging in an affair with him. Worse, she had been the one poisoning everyone’s minds against my mother, twisting facts, turning me into the villain. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palm as my heart pounded with both fury and vindication. “Lies!” Sharon shrieke
**Mrs. Taylor's POV** Regret is a heavy burden, one I have carried for too long. I know Cherry has hated me for a very long time, and I don't blame her. I hated myself, too. I was blind, foolish, and cruel. Had I believed her, had I treated her like my own daughter instead of pushing her away in favor of Sharon, things wouldn’t have spiraled into such a mess. My husband always loved Cherry as if she were his own, yet I failed her. I failed my family. But now, I know the truth. **Sharon.** The very girl I placed my faith in, the one I protected at all costs, was the snake in our midst. She orchestrated every lie, every betrayal, every heartbreak. **All of it was her plan.** The realization clawed at my heart like a thousand knives. How could I have been so blind? But I will make amends. I will right my wrongs. **I will ensure Sharon rots in jail.** And Cherry… she has a daughter. **A daughter who keeps me up at night.** There’s something ab
Sharon’s POVTo be honest, I never intended to destroy their land. That was never my goal. All I wanted was to make Cherry suffer, to force her to submit, to watch her crumble beneath the weight of her own despair. But fate had other plans. Dylan—he forced my hand. He backed me into a corner, left me in that godforsaken prison without a second thought, and now, I have no choice but to strike back. For months, I rotted in that hellhole. The walls were cold, suffocating. The air reeked of sweat, filth, and hopelessness. Every night, I curled into myself, hugging my knees as the sound of metal bars clanking against each other echoed through the corridors. The guards showed me no mercy. They beat me, starved me, humiliated me. Each strike, each bruise, each unrelenting moment of agony reminded me of one thing—I was alone. Dylan never came. Not once. Not even a message. Nothing. But I didn’t expect him to. I knew the rage that burned in his eyes the day I was dragged away. It was the k
### **Cherry’s POV** I was already packing my things when my thoughts clouded my judgment once again. It wasn’t just about leaving anymore; it was about something far bigger—finding out the real killers of my parents. My heart clenched at the thought, the pain of their deaths resurfacing like an old wound torn open again. The truth had been buried for so long, but I knew that if I stayed, I’d be forced to confront it sooner or later. And that wasn’t even the worst part. I had to leave because if I stayed, my secrets would be exposed. Dylan’s mother was bound to find out sooner or later that Selena wasn’t just some random girl—she was tied to them in a way no one would expect. The resemblance was uncanny. The same face. The same mannerisms. The same taste. She was a replicant of her father, and that was the last thing I wanted anyone to realize. Because if they did, they would take her away from me. They would demand that I marry Dylan, and that was something I absolutely couldn’
### **Cherry’s POV** Everything was happening too fast, too suddenly. My heart pounded in my chest as if it were trying to break free. **Sharon.** That name alone sent a shiver down my spine. Her voice slithered through the phone like a venomous snake, each word laced with malice. And now... now it was all making sense. She wasn’t working alone. She never was. Gabriel. I clenched my fists as realization struck me like a bolt of lightning. **Gabriel**, the man I once thought was on my side, the man I thought I could trust. The same Gabriel who had claimed to be helping me, who had stood by me while I fought to bring my ex-husband down—he was the real traitor. But it didn’t stop there. If what I was piecing together was true, then **he was also the one who killed my parents.** I swallowed hard, my throat dry, as my mind replayed the past—the day of the fire, the suffocating heat, the feel
**Cherry’s POV** I stood frozen, my heart pounding wildly in my chest. Of all the people I expected to see in this company, my daughter was the last. Yet, here she was, standing in front of me with her bright, determined eyes, completely unfazed by the turmoil surrounding us. The weight of the situation crashed over me like a tidal wave. This wasn’t a safe place for her—there were too many conflicts, too many dangerous people lurking in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. "Selena," I finally managed to say, my voice laced with disbelief. "You shouldn't be here. This isn't a place for children, especially not now." She tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable. "Mom, I know you're worried about me," she said, her voice steady, almost too mature for her age. "But I belong here. I can help." Help? Did she even understand what she was saying? This wasn’t some school project or a harmless game. T
Nancy sat on the edge of the bed, her heart still thudding from her daughter’s unexpected words. Find a prince of your own, Mommy.It wasn’t the first time her ten-year-old had said something like this. In her little girl’s innocent world, happy endings were simple: a prince and a princess fell in love and lived happily ever after. But for Nancy, real life wasn’t a fairytale. She had convinced herself that she was fine without a man, that she didn’t need love to complete her life.Yet, her daughter’s words echoed in her mind, lingering like an unshakable shadow. Was she really okay? Or was she just pretending?A notification pinged on her phone, snapping her out of her thoughts. It was a message from George.George: Room 605. Urgent. Bring the contract.Nancy hesitated before replying. Working late hours wasn’t new to her, and meeting George alone in his hotel suite wasn’t something she found unusual. But tonight, she felt… unsettled. Maybe it was her daughter’s words, or maybe it was
Cynthia’s heart ached with every failed attempt. No matter how hard she tried, nothing seemed to get his attention. She had poured herself into making every possible effort, hoping that somehow, he would see her, desire her, and give her the attention she craved. But all her attempts were in vain. He didn’t even spare her a glance anymore, let alone the affection she so desperately sought. Every time she thought there might be a chance, it was always snatched away, leaving her feeling smaller, invisible.Her eyes flickered to the clock. He was leaving. And she could feel that it was happening again—another moment, another chance slipping away. But Cynthia wasn’t going to let him walk out without her.She had never been one to simply step aside and let things happen. This was her chance, and she wasn’t going to let it slip through her fingers like everything else had. As she watched him grab his jacket, preparing to leave, the cold knot of desperation twisted in her stomach. Without th
Cynthia paced back and forth in her bedroom, her hands clenched into fists. Frustration twisted her features, her lips pressed into a tight line as she tried to steady her breathing. Nothing was going as planned. Every single move she made seemed to backfire, and worst of all, George remained indifferent to her struggles.She had expected him to help her, to show even the slightest bit of favor, but he had done the exact opposite. He was distancing himself from her—cold, detached, and completely uninterested.Her jaw tightened at the thought of Hassan, the boy who had been nothing but a nuisance. He was her son, yes, but his existence did nothing but remind her of the biggest mistake of her life. Instead of being a bridge between her and George, he was more of a barrier, refusing to listen to her and always ruining things for her. He wasn’t even making an effort to help his mother win George’s heart.Yet, Cynthia had been stunned when George had come to her with a request—a custody ag
Cynthia’s chest tightened the moment she heard Nancy’s name. Could it be the same Nancy? Her mind raced, trying to piece things together.No. It can’t be. There were thousands of women named Nancy. This had to be a different one.Still, unease coiled inside her like a snake. She couldn’t ignore the possibility.And then, Anthony dropped the bombshell.Nancy was the lawyer handling their case.A sharp jolt shot through Cynthia’s body.Her grip tightened around the edges of the agreement. Her fingers dug into the paper, creasing it, but she barely noticed.She had spent years ensuring that no one—no one—knew about her arrangement with George. And now, Nancy of all people was going to find out?Her throat dried up. Her heart pounded against her ribs.Panic swirled in her gut, but she masked it with a soft, almost uncertain laugh.“Oh, a lawyer named Nancy?” she said lightly, forcing a small smile. “Well, there’s no need to call her. This is a personal matter, and I think it’s best we kee
Cynthia’s hands trembled as she clutched the custody agreement in front of her, her knuckles turning white from the pressure. Her heart pounded violently in her chest, sending waves of rage coursing through her veins. Her eyes darted across the words on the paper, and with each passing second, the meaning of George’s actions sank deeper into her consciousness.Her breathing grew uneven. “Honey…” she began, her voice barely above a whisper, trying to mask the panic in her tone. She forced a smile, one that didn’t reach her eyes. “Can we… Can we talk about this? You don’t have to do this, please.”George sat across from her, his expression calm, unreadable, as if he had already anticipated her reaction. He exuded the kind of indifference that made her stomach churn with frustration. He leaned back in his chair, fingers interlocked, staring at her with a look so impassive that it sent chills down her spine.Cynthia swallowed hard. “You can’t expect me to—”“To take responsibility for you
George’s jaw tightened as Nancy’s words echoed in his head. “My ex-husband is actually better than you.”He had laughed it off at first, convincing himself she was joking, but the way she constantly compared him to that man, mentioning him so casually, gnawed at him. It wasn’t just once. It was again and again, always referring to him as her ex-husband instead of just his name. George had never met this man, yet he was being measured against him like some unworthy competition.And when he finally gathered the courage to ask Nancy outright if she truly believed her ex-husband was better, she had simply fallen asleep, leaving him with his thoughts and a dull ache in his chest.But that wasn’t the only storm brewing in George’s life.The next morning, as he walked into his office, Mr. Anthony’s face was tight with concern. He handed George a tablet.“I think you need to see this,” Mr. Anthony said, his voice grave.George took the device, his stomach twisting into knots. The footage play
Nancy stormed into the Birdman Bar, her heart pounding with rage and desperation. She had come here for a confrontation, ready to demand justice for her daughter, but instead of the people she had expected to see, only Mr. George was inside.She frowned, her eyes narrowing as she scanned the nearly empty room. The other people present informed her that the meeting had already ended, leaving only George behind. That only fueled her frustration."Are you kidding me?" she hissed, her hands clenching into fists. "I came here to demand answers, not to be dismissed like an afterthought!"George, leaning back in his chair with an air of calm control, watched her with a raised brow. "Nancy, I understand that you're upset, but yelling at me won't change what happened."Nancy scoffed. "You have no idea how upset I am!" She took a shaky breath before speaking again. "The worst part is, I don’t even know who did it. But I do know this—my daughter and that boy had the same bags, and they were swit
Nancy wasn’t joking when she found out that her daughter wasn’t feeling well. In fact, she had already suspected something was wrong the moment she saw Kayla standing outside the school gates. The little girl wasn’t her usual lively self. Her shoulders were slumped, her lips pressed into a thin line, and there was a distant, almost vacant look in her brown eyes.Nancy had dismissed it at first, assuming Kayla was just exhausted from a long school day. But something gnawed at her, a mother’s instinct whispering that this was more than just tiredness. Still, she didn’t press too hard on the drive home.The silence in the car was unnerving. Kayla wasn’t the type to sit quietly for too long, yet she barely responded to Nancy’s attempts at small talk. Even when asked, “Kayla, is everything okay?” the girl simply forced a weak smile and muttered, “Yes, Mom, everything is fine… I just had too many lectures today.”Nancy’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. Too many lectures? That was a fl
After the encounter with the teacher, everything moved so fast that Kayla could hardly believe what was happening. For the first time, she was vindicated—by Mr. George, no less. No one had ever stood up for her like that before.All her life, she had been bullied, not just at school but even in their neighborhood. People looked down on her and her mother, mocking them for their financial struggles. Her mother had always tried to protect her, standing up for her whenever she could, but Kayla knew deep down that her mother could only do so much.But now… now she had Mr. George on her side. The way he had defended her today—it felt like, for the first time, she had a father figure looking out for her. That thought made her chest tighten with emotions she didn’t quite understand. It was strange, almost comforting, to think of Mr. George that way.Still, she wasn’t entirely happy. She didn’t like that her teacher, Ms. Bella, had been fired, even though the woman had brought it on herself.