**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 abSharon’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’
001CHERRYBefore I got married, I found my mate and I tried hard to make my parents see that I couldn’t be with Dylan but they insisted. I didn’t even get the chance to get to know him before he rejected me saying that I wasn’t good enough. His rejection hurt me more than anything. And seeing me hurt didn’t deter my parent’s decision about wedding me off in the slightest.So I got married with a grudge and was furious with everyone. I was glad at the time that Dylan shared the same hatred for me because he didn’t want to be tied down to a woman who wasn’t his mate simply because his parents betrothed her to him when he was a child.But it didn’t take me a lot of time to fall head over heels in love with him despite his distaste for me. He used to hate when I would stare at him, he still does and even now as I’m seated next to him in the car, I couldn’t help but admire him. Dylan was a handsome man, and I wanted to believe that he was a good man to others even if he wasn’t to me.We
002Dylan’s povThere were two things I hated right now, first was my life and what’s left of it and second was Cherry. Getting married to her was the biggest mistake of my life and I hated it.I hated that I couldn’t live my life like I had always planned to or be with the one I actually wanted.I didn’t understand why she thought it was a good idea to even try to pursue me in this helpless marriage, one that I was fighting hard to get out of.All I wanted, truly was my mate Phoebe. Yes I did have a mate and yes I loved her more than anything. I found her a few months after I got married to Cherry. It was as thrilling as it was excruciating. I was glad that I found her but I couldn’t be with her in the ways that I wanted.But ever since then we had been seeing each other and she was understanding of my predicament. She told me she would wait until after my divorce with Cherry on the condition that I never touch her to which I immediately agreed.As I drove to her house, I could feel
003CHERRY’S POVMy parents dropped me off after Dylan drove off to goddess knows where. I took the chance to freshen up for bed but couldn’t seem to sleep off. Today wasn’t the first time Dylan was harsh towards me and each time I was able to go to bed without any sort of concern.Today however proved different. Even when I shut my eyes, I just couldn’t get myself to fall asleep. I tossed and turned, worry creeping over me. There was something about the way he said that he didn’t love me and wanted a divorce that made me question how depressed he was in our marriage and if he was having an affair.At the thought of him being with another woman, giving her himself he never did with me, my heart dropped first before squeezing itself in my chest. Did he by any chance find his mate?I didn’t want him to find her, it was a selfish thought but I was allowed to be selfish in my mind aren’t I?I also didn’t like the fact that he would have rights to divorce me when he finds her.My phone rin
004Rated 18+CHERRY’S POVI didn’t know what I was feeling. It was unlike anything I had ever felt before. From our kiss I could tell that we were both trying to show the emotions we were feeling.Anger, frustration and lust.Dylan had his hand plastered at the back on my neck to hold me in place. His body was already flushed on my, pressed firmly as he devoured my mouth. What is this feeling? My back arched and I pressed my chest onto his, pulling him by the collar impossibly closer. I heard Dylan groan and his hips grinding onto mine. He was already rock hard and I was glad to see that I was the reason for it, even though he was drunk. Did I care though? Absolutely not.He’s been the one I’ve wanted all this while. I finally was going to have him. Dylan pulled away from the kiss abruptly with a frown on his face. I thought that he had sobered up and the thought made my body tense. His eyes bore into mine as he stood frozen. I was confused and I felt vulnerable, what was he g
005CHERRY’S POVI stirred awake sore to my bone. Memories of last night made me smile and made my heart clench at the same time.Dylan was still fast asleep on the couch beside me. Well more like I was on top of him. After our wild session last night, he refused to let me go and insisted that he was going to cuddle me to sleep. I couldn’t tell if he was still drunk or sober when he said that. But I had to wake up and leave before he did. I didn’t know what to expect and I feared that he was going to tell me that everything was a mistake. But it was wasn’t it? After all we were both drunk and didn’t mean to have sex.He looked so peaceful, I couldn’t help but touch his face. What I would do to get him to fall for me too. But he wouldn’t want me.He stirred when my fingers grazed his lips. Another image of us kissing last night flashed and I swear I could feel butterflies roam on my insides. I snapped out of my thought fear gripping me that he was going to wake up.I gently pushed mys
**Cherry’s POV** When Selena ran to Dylan, my heart shattered into a thousand pieces. I felt as if someone had pierced my chest with an invisible dagger. Warm sweat trickled down my face, soaking the edges of my collar. My breaths came in short, shallow gasps, but the next question shocked me to my core. “Who is she?” Dylan’s voice was cold, sharp, and unfamiliar. I opened my mouth to answer, but no sound came out. My voice was trapped in my throat, choked by the weight of his question. My hands trembled at my sides, and my knees threatened to buckle. Depression, frustration, and a sense of being utterly stranded wrapped around me like a suffocating fog. “It… It’s not what you think,” I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper. Before I could say more, Jake stormed in, his face contorted in anger. His usually warm brown eyes now burned with a fire I had never seen in all the years of our marriage. “What?!” he barked, his voice echoing in the room. “How could she call him
### **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’
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
**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
### **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
### **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** 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 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’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
**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