At one point, I was just a mischievous child. Then, I had become a troublesome teenager who loved sticking my nose where it didn't belong. And now? Now I was an adult who seemed to attract trouble like a magnet. Jason's confession had left me completely stunned.But as I let it sink in, Emma's behavior started making a strange kind of sense. That hostility she'd been radiating toward me since the day I hired Jason—it all clicked. Before that, I almost felt like I had her in the palm of my hand.Now, I understood why I didn't anymore. She must think I orchestrated this entire situation deliberately."I'll hand in my resignation at the end of the day," Jason said, his voice low and full of regret. "I apologize for my dishonesty."His words jolted me back to reality."You think I'm letting you walk out after dropping a bombshell like that without giving me the full story?" I shot back."It's not as significant or dramatic as you're imagining," he muttered unconvincingly."Oh, reall
"Sara! How are you? Lawrence told me about your accident... It sounded awful. Why didn't you tell us sooner?" Emma's voice poured out of the phone, syrupy and sweet.Oh, great. So Lawrence had told her about my accident. Of course, he had. A part of me bristled, but another part—one I hated to acknowledge—felt oddly warm. Ridiculous."I was resting and avoiding screens, doctor's orders," I replied, forcing a polite tone."That must've been so hard for you. I'm really sorry you had to go through that...""Yeah, well...""Listen, since you're back now, I'd really like to make amends. I know I've been... rather insufferable, but this time, I promise I'll make it up to you."I raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "When exactly were you thinking of doing that?""Right now, of course! I'll send you my location in a moment. It's a little surprise for you and my other bridesmaids. You'll love it! See you soon!" She hung up before I could respond.I stared at the phone, processing her sudden e
Emma White's P.O.V.As a child, I dreamt that my first love would also be my last. I yearned for that fairy-tale romance, believing it would find its way to me. Yet, love had never come easily. Back then, I had adored my father. In my eyes, Mark White was perfect—a tireless man who worked selflessly for others without expecting anything in return.I believed in him with the same devotion as one of his followers, almost as though I were just another citizen captivated by his promises. But I was not just anyone—I was his daughter, his most cherished possession. I trusted, with an almost blind conviction, that my father would do anything for me.Until I learned that he wouldn't.Love finally arrived when I met Jason. It was love at first sight. I still remember that day clearly, the moment I saw his smile—the kindest, warmest smile I had ever seen. Jason, who had worked for my father since he was young, was different. Gentle, steady, and kind. From the first moment, my heart was set o
I didn't want to believe it was him either when he dragged me to a gynecologist that night—a trusted friend of his. Mark stood there, watching the monitor like a hawk, searching for proof that my womb was empty. He talked about arranging an abortion right then and there, though it made no sense. Jason and I had always been careful. He was meticulous, and I loved him for it. Every time we made love, it was beautiful, sacred, and perfect.But in that cold, sterile office, with my father looming over me, it all felt filthy.Maybe I should have protested, fought, or tried to escape, but I wasn't me anymore. My brain couldn't process what was happening. And as Mark manhandled me through the house, dragging me past the other employees, no one said a word. Not a single person came to my aid. Even the doctor, who must have seen the bruises on my body, didn't so much as flinch. He just went through the motions of the examination.It was... traumatic.The next day, Mark spoke to me as if not
Instead of forgetting Jason, I found myself digging deeper, uncovering fragments of his life that only confirmed my fears—something terrible had happened to him. I discovered he was still living in the same small house he shared with his mother, the one he had once told me he dreamed of replacing with something bigger and better for her.I shouldn't have gone there. I knew Mark would be furious if he found out, but I had to know. I had to tell Jason that I was getting married.And when I did, he treated me coldly, worse than before.That's when I realized—I hadn't let go of him. I hadn't stopped loving him.I couldn't go through with the wedding. I needed time. Time to explain my actions to Jason, to make him understand. But the fear of Mark kept me from being direct. I approached Jason like a shadow, in secret, through surprise visits.Canceling the wedding wasn't an option. Mark had been planning this union for years. If I dared to break it off, I didn't know what he'd do—to me
Emma White's P.O.V.I struggled to move under the weight of my wedding gown, but I didn't stop. I had to catch Jason before he disappeared."Wait! Please, just talk to me!" I called out, my voice heavy with desperation.He halted and turned to face me, his expression unreadable—an icy wall of indifference."There's nothing for us to discuss, Miss Emma," he replied, his tone cold and formal. "Return to your fitting. I'll step out for a moment."He turned to leave, but I grabbed his arm. His jaw tightened as he glanced around, clearly uncomfortable with the stares of the boutique staff, who were now trying yet failing to pretend they weren't watching."They're looking at us," he hissed through clenched teeth."Let them look," I countered, ignoring the tremor in my voice. "We need to talk."Jason looked away, refusing to meet my eyes. It was as if looking at me caused him pain."What is there left to say?" he asked, his voice quieter but no less strained. "You and I—we're finishe
"Let me help you, otherwise, you'll end up falling in that dress," Sara said with a smirk as we walked back toward the fitting area."If I fell, you'd love it," I replied, my tone dripping with bitterness."Maybe. I won't lie—pushing you sounds tempting," she chuckled, her smile sharp. "But seriously, Emma, is this why you're marrying Ren? To chase after another man who isn't him?""You think you're so clever, don't you?" I shot back, mirroring her fake smile."I do try," she said lightly, her gaze drifting toward Jason. "But I didn't know about your history with him... interesting. For what it's worth, he was just desperate for a job. He's the cousin of one of my most trusted employees. That's it. To me, Jason is an employee I respect."Her words hit harder than I'd expected, especially the last part. I didn't anticipate her to sound so honest—or to leave me standing there while she walked back to her seat, her presence as commanding as ever.I watched her settle in with the oth
My mother was a master at handling emergencies. She always had been. With practiced ease, she flushed the toilet, grabbed some tissues, and helped me up from the cold bathroom floor. Her hands were steady as she wiped my mouth clean."You can do this, Emma. You have to do this. Have we not discussed this before?" Her voice was soft, almost gentle, but there was a firm undercurrent to her words."I saw him again..." I admitted, my voice trembling. "He hates me. He wants nothing to do with me."Her gaze softened, tinged with sadness as she finished cleaning me up."My darling girl, your relationship with that boy ended a long time ago. It was a youthful romance. You've put him on a pedestal. Let him go. It's what's best for everyone.""For everyone or for Dad?" My voice cracked as I challenged her. "Because even if Jason hadn't reappeared, I still wouldn't want to get married. I feel like I'm suffocating. I just... I just want it all to stop. Should I throw myself in front of a car?
If I had the superpower to walk up walls, trust me, I'd be doing it right now. How could I not? Lawrence, Emma, and Jason were all at that chaotic political debate. Sure, I agreed with the plan, but that was with the condition I'd be there, not isolated in my parents' house, waiting anxiously for updates and glued to the television.The program was showing introductions for each gubernatorial candidate while they took a commercial break. During the downtime, they cut to shots of the audience settling in their seats. My eyes stayed locked on the screen, my nails reduced to stubs, while I heard my mother coming down the stairs."Look at all these treasures I found, darling!" she exclaimed.I didn't take my eyes off the television, still focused on the delayed start."What did you find?" I asked absentmindedly."If you'd just turn around, you'd see what your mother is trying to show you."Sighing, I tore my attention from the screen and turned around. What greeted me left me both am
The officer's words hung in the air, echoing like a death sentence."Yes, yes, we'll confirm everything at the station," he repeated, motioning for Jason to be taken away.I stepped in their path, refusing to move. They asked me to step aside several times, but I stood firm. Just when I thought they might physically remove me, a voice froze everyone in place. Mark's voice."What's going on here?" he asked, his tone feigning martyrdom, like a man miraculously reborn.One of the officers summarized the situation—how they had been forced to shoot the sniper in the back and were accusing Jason of being his accomplice. I glanced at Jason helplessly, my heart breaking as he avoided my eyes. He wouldn't even look at me."Do you know him?" the officer pressed. "Do you have any idea why he would target you?""Unfortunately, yes, I know him. He has threatened my life multiple times and my daughter's too, driven by some sick obsession with her," Mark declared.Jason finally snapped, liftin
Emma White's P.O.V.The chaos in the auditorium was absolute—shouts, people running in all directions, and sheer panic painted a scene of hell. My eyes stayed locked on Mark, who lay on the ground with blood smeared across his face. I couldn't move, paralyzed by shock and confusion."Get down! Don't just stand there," Lawrence urged, pulling me to a crouch.Obediently, I dropped low, realizing we weren't the only ones doing so. Others had also taken cover, waiting for the madness to subside. Though the gunshots had ceased, the frenzy hadn't. I couldn't get a clear view of how badly Mark was hurt—his security team had dragged him behind the podium."What just happened?" I asked Lawrence breathlessly."Whatever it was, it wasn't fatal," he replied, his eyes scanning the stage.From my crouched position, I saw Mark rising to his feet, ignoring his guards' insistence to stay down. My mother suddenly bolted from her seat, rushing to the stage the moment she spotted him. Her face was e
"What's more humiliating than being left alone during the debate? That was the plan—to show everyone that neither his wife nor daughter supports him after his scandals, emphasizing the danger he represents," Lawrence argued."I have to go. I'm sorry, but it's something I need to do. What's your take?" I pressed, glancing at the others.In the end, we agreed Lawrence would accompany me with his security team, Jason would be nearby to help extract my mother if necessary, and Sara offered to provoke Mark by visibly supporting Isabelle Silver.Oddly enough, Lawrence scolded Sara, telling her to stop meddling and stay with her parents that afternoon. Even more strangely, Sara didn't argue. Instead, she pouted and quietly placed her hand over her stomach in a... peculiar way.Was it just me, or did she have a bit of a belly?-All the progress I'd made in the days away from Mark seemed to crumble the moment we arrived at the auditorium for the candidates' debate. Seeing his face on the
"With you... I'd want everything."I smiled like a love-struck fool, nibbling on my fruit as my heart melted. If there were ever going to be kids in our future, I had to be at my healthiest. Jason started talking about his morning routine, and I listened with the phone tucked against my shoulder as I continued preparing breakfast. But as I poured the batter onto the pan, it struck me how odd it was that my mom hadn't come out of her room yet."That's strange. My mom's still asleep," I said, glancing toward her door."Did you check to see if she might've stepped out?" Jason suggested gently."Why would she leave? We agreed neither of us would go anywhere... I'll check."I put the phone down for a moment and knocked on her door, calling out softly. There was no response. When I opened it, the room was empty—her bed neatly made, her shoes gone. My heart raced as my phone buzzed again, this time showing my mom's number. Picking it up, I quickly explained the situation to Jason and tol
Emma White's P.O.V.I woke up wrapped in an unexpected sense of peace. Despite the unfamiliar bed and the small, borrowed space, it was a kind of calm I'd never known before. Peace, as it turned out, wasn't something you could buy, no matter how much money you had.Life in Lawrence's apartment had been surprisingly pleasant. Each day felt a little brighter, a little safer. As I got up and made my way to the bathroom, I splashed my face with cool water, noticing with delight how much my skin had improved.By the time I reached the kitchen, I was in an unusually cheerful mood. Pancakes seemed like the perfect breakfast, so I opened the fridge to grab some pre-cut fruit—melons and papayas, today's choice. The sight of the neatly packed container brought a smile to my face. I plucked a piece of melon and popped it into my mouth. It was perfect.Setting the fruit on the counter, I gathered the rest of the ingredients: oatmeal, eggs, and milk. The clock on the microwave caught my attenti
"Have you forgotten that you're still engaged to Emma White? Because I certainly haven't," Lionel accused, his tone sharper than a blade."The repeated delays in the wedding should've given you a clue—it's not happening," Lawrence stated firmly."Then why is the engagement still active? Wouldn't it have been simpler to handle this in order? Or do you enjoy fueling the rumors about my daughter? You've turned her into your mistress," Lionel spat, his glare piercing.Lawrence visibly flinched at the accusation, guilt washing over him. He seemed lost for words, so I stepped in."Dad... are you really going to echo the same gossip as those busybodies? I already told you—there was never a real relationship between Emma and Lawrence. That engagement was arranged by their parents," I explained, trying to diffuse the tension."There was never anything between us," Lawrence added, his tone desperate for clarity. "Not emotionally, not physically. It was entirely a business arrangement."At
In my head, an apocalyptic soundtrack was playing; on my parents' faces, an apocalyptic expression was forming. My apartment had turned into the ninth circle of hell. From this moment on, everything spiraled out of control. Lawrence turned to face Lionel and Clara while I instinctively clung to his back, using him as a human shield."Sara Brown!" my dad bellowed."She's not here!" I shouted, clutching Lawrence so tightly my arms ached."What are you doing with that boy?!" my father roared.Still pressed against Lawrence, I could see him glance around the room, taking in the chaos of scattered clothing—including undergarments. And then, Lawrence did something unforgivable."Isn't it obvious, sir?" he said, calm as ever.Lawrence clearly wanted to watch the world burn, and my dad wasn't about to disappoint. He lunged toward us, but my mom intercepted him, wrapping her arms around his middle to stop a full-blown disaster. Meanwhile, I stayed glued to Lawrence's back, peeking out fro
"Because I just found out from Richard!" I exclaimed, watching Lawrence's brows lift in genuine surprise. "He said Emma is their half-sister, which officially makes Victoria the ultimate hypocrite. I mean, how was she planning to marry you off to the half-sister of your half-brothers? And I was supposed to be the 'incestuous' one because of her wild theory that you and I might be siblings?""Why would Richard tell you that?" Lawrence asked, his curiosity piqued.I looked at him with a mix of tenderness and pity. I knew that Lawrence had said back in that room that he didn't see Richard and Julian as brothers, but I also knew him better than anyone.Gently, I stroked his face. "Because deep down, those two brats care about you, and they still see you as their brother."He shook his head, unconvinced. "You heard them. All they care about is the money. I even offered to give them some before the will was read but they ignored me and kept coming at me. I'm done, Sara. Let them file wha