The truth was, Lucius had described himself perfectly. That was a big part of the image I had of him. I also thought about the good things he had, but no words came out of my mouth. He noticed and let out a low chuckle. We had arrived at my apartment, and he was about to park at the entrance.“Wouldn’t you rather use my parking spot? Or… do you want to come up to my place?” I offered, trying to smooth things over.He thought about it for a few seconds before driving into the underground parking lot. I used the remote I kept in my purse to open the gate, and a few minutes later, we were entering my apartment.I stood awkwardly by the door, holding my keys, unsure of what to say. It occurred to me to offer him food, so I headed straight to the kitchen.“Do you want something to drink? Or eat? I’m starving, and I have a ton of instant ramen,” I said, already setting a pot on the stove.Lucius sat in the armchair silently, as if he were debating what to say. I abandoned the pot and ap
I hadn’t been able to sleep or eat due to nerves. But the lack of sleep or food was well hidden under professional makeup and a dress like this one. Or at least that’s what Jenna kept telling me.“Oh my God! You look stunning! Like something out of a magazine!” she gushed as she adjusted the train of my wedding dress. “Look at yourself in the mirror!”Today was my wedding day. Finally, I was going to marry Lucius in a one-of-a-kind contract. I had been getting ready since early morning for the ceremony, here in this hotel room, along with a couple of stylists, a photographer, and Jenna.I took a deep breath before looking at my full bridal look in the floor-length mirror behind me. Once I felt ready, I turned around to take a good look, and I was left speechless at how beautiful the dress was.The reflection showed me in a mermaid-cut gown covered in divine lace with embroidered flowers and pearls. The dress fit my body like a corset, and the semi-sheer long sleeves, along with my
However, by the time we signed our names in the registry, those playful smiles had to come to an end. The officiant then asked us to kiss, and we did.It was probably the most chaste kiss we’d ever shared in our relationship. As we parted and turned to face our guests, I couldn’t help but notice the bitter expressions on some of my guests’ faces and the stunned looks on most of the Browns.We had done it. Lucius and I had defied all odds and gotten married.-The nerves should have calmed by now, but they hadn’t. The hard part was supposed to be over, yet as we waited to be announced at the reception hall inside the hotel, I still felt anxious.“What did the floor ever do to you for you to stomp on it so viciously?” Lucius asked, casually munching on grapes as if nothing were out of the ordinary, as if this little waiting room for the newlyweds was a spa.“Are you serious? I’ve felt like throwing up since this morning,” I complained.“Why? Did you eat too much last night?”“Pre
If it weren't for my facade, I'd be laughing hysterically at all the hypocrisy around me. That's why I completely understood the look of confusion on Jenna's face and how she must be whispering the truth of the gossip to Derek. I had to say, however, the sheer envy and frustration on Amanda's face were too obvious for me to not feel satisfied. After all, Serge hadn't given her such a passionate speech at her own wedding. "I've watched you grow into a strong, determined, and tenacious woman. From now on, you'll both face new challenges and experiences, and you'll have my absolute support through it all. To the two of you!" my father finishes, raising his glass, and the rest follow suit. As we clinked our glasses and started to drink, Amanda's voice cut through the atmosphere. "I'd like to add a few more words!" she practically shouted. The guests turned, waiting for what she was about to say. A knot tightened in my chest, and I dreaded whatever might come next, especially wit
I had sent the invitations personally, knowing that a meeting between Amelia and Liam would be inevitable. Still, I didn't expect that the shock of seeing each other after so many years would be so obvious. The two of them were frozen, staring at each other. It didn't take long for a few subtle glances to start circulating around the room."I was beginning to think Amelia wouldn't show up. Why is she only appearing now?" I asked Lucius."She wasn't planning to grace us with her presence. Serge told me before I went to get you for the ceremony. However, I reminded him how important our wedding is and how offended I'd be if she wasn't among us," he explained, clearly pleased with himself.Lucius had made sure I enjoyed our wedding, but his insistence on inviting both Liam and Amelia, setting this whole thing in motion, was a bit troubling."Do you think they'll start fighting?" I asked, observing them."I think we've got front-row seats to quite the show," he remarked, taking anothe
He laughed as we reached the room. I headed straight to the bathroom, just like I said, closing the door behind me, relieved to finally have a toilet within reach. But as I tried to bend over and gather my dress to pull up the skirt, I couldn't.I tried again, this time from the side, reaching down to grab the hem of my wedding dress. Still no luck. The corset and structure of the dress prevented me from bending the way I needed to. At another time, I might've thought of a creative way to get out of the dress to pee, but right now? Not a chance. I gave up and cracked the door open slightly."Could you help me lift my dress? I can't do it by myself, and I really need to pee," I asked, feeling a bit embarrassed.Lucius looked at me, surprised for a moment before amusement filled his face. He stepped toward me and knelt. His hands began lifting the skirt, and I couldn't say it was great for my emotional stability. His hands on my legs, the predator-like gleam in his eyes—it was not a g
How bad could it really be to give your husband oral? Because that was what Lucius was—my husband. I moved closer, kneeling between his legs as he pulled his erection free from his pants. My mouth watered, oddly enough. It was all so strange, new, and undeniably hot."Don't be scared. I'll guide you," he whispered, tucking a few strands of my hair behind my ear. "Be a good girl, open your mouth, and go down."I took a deep breath and did as he asked, taking him into my mouth. The act itself felt primitive, the motions basic and not exactly something I found pleasurable. But when I started to hear his moans of pleasure, something else stirred inside me. The deeper I went, the deeper his sounds of pleasure became, and the faster I moved, the more he called my name.Time seemed to slip away as I became lost in a different kind of pleasure—not from what I was physically feeling, but from the pleasure I was giving the man I loved. I knew things were getting messy down here, what with my
Unfortunately, Jenna's warnings turned out to be true. That was what I was witnessing now as I saw Liam and my father punching each other in the middle of the hall. Both of them looked terrible—there was blood on Serge's shirt and Liam's nose. The rest of the guests were standing back, alarmed by the scene, except for a few.Lucia, Clara, and Leah were busy ushering the children out of the room while Amelia was just sitting in a chair, pale and unresponsive. She didn't do anything, not even throwing a glance at the fight that was likely happening because of her. I didn't even need to mention the mortified looks on Andrew's parents' faces or Andrew's own discomfort nor the desperation of Amanda, who was begging her mother to react, but Amelia remained unmoved.Before they could exchange another round of punches or knock over more of the hotel's dinnerware, some of which had already been smashed on the nearby table, Lennon and now Lucius stepped in to break them apart. Lennon grabbed h
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