Desiree's POVAll the color drains from Paul's face. His easygoing grin vanishes. Even my sister, Fiona, looks uncomfortable, her eyes wide as if she’s just witnessed a car crash.And honestly, that’s exactly what Caspian’s words feel like: a car crash. I blink, trying to wrap my head around what just happened. He couldn’t possibly mean what he said, right? Did Paul really do that?I can’t help it—I have to break the silence. “Paul,” I say, my voice shaking a little. “You didn’t actually sleep with Caspian’s girlfriend, did you?”Paul doesn’t answer. He doesn’t even look at me, which only makes my stomach sink further. His silence says more than words ever could, but I still need to hear him say it. I need to be sure.“Is that a yes or no?” I press, my heart pounding in my chest.Paul sighs and throws his hands up, like he’s tired of hiding. “Fine. We were young, okay? I was wild, Gladys was wild, and Caspian was… tame. It’s not my fault she found something in me and hooked up with m
“Yes,” Douglas says, stepping forward cautiously. “I was just about to inform you all that the table is set.”Before I can respond, Paul bursts into laughter—a cold, bitter sound that echoes through the room. “I didn’t care? Really, Caspian? You're such a hypocrite. Am I the one who married my son’s ex barely a month after they broke up? You want to talk about betrayal? You're a bad father. You're a terrible brother, too. I told you I liked Gladys, and the next thing I knew, she was your friend. And then, just like that, you were in a relationship with her. You stole her from me. Now, I have to sit here and listen to you whine about your heartbreak? You’re unbelievable. I hope Desiree breaks your heart. I hope she leaves you, just like Gladys did.”That’s it. I can't take this anymore. No one talks to my husband like that—no one except me.I don’t wait for Caspian to react. I turn to Chef Douglas. “Clear the table, Douglas,” I say firmly. “Everyone’s lost their appetite.”Douglas does
~~Two weeks later~~It’s the day of Mabel and Mike’s wedding.I walk out of the bathroom, drying my hair, and spot Caspian still knocked out on the bed, one leg tangled in the sheets.“Really?” I say, leaning over to shake him. “You went back to bed?”He cracks open one eye and grins lazily. “Didn’t sleep well last night.”“And whose fault was that?”Caspian chuckles, completely guilty. After keeping us both up, christening every corner of the bedroom, he has the nerve to act innocent.“Do we really have to go early?” he mutters, pulling the covers over his head like a sulking child.I narrow my eyes, knowing full well that if I listen to him any longer, he’s going to try something ridiculous—like pulling me back into that bed. And honestly, I don’t know if I have the willpower to resist him a second time today. But we have a wedding to attend.I grab his arm and start dragging him, which is easier said than done since his arm probably weighs as much as I do. After a few minutes of st
The room feels tense as Gladys steps closer to Mike, her hands shaking as she reaches out. “Oh, my baby,” she whispers. Her eyes are filled with tears. It’s like she’s forgotten everyone else in the room and can only see her son.Mabel walks toward her, smiling. “You must be Gladys,” she says, sounding cheerful. “I’m glad you could come.”Mike looks confused. “Babe, what’s going on?” he asks, suspicious.Mabel stays calm, like she doesn’t see how big a deal this is. “I invited your mother,” she says matter-of-factly. “I hired someone to find her, then I told her all about you.”Mike’s eyes widen in disbelief and anger. “Why the hell would you do that?”Beside me, I feel Caspian tense up. His hands are shaking as he sits back down, looking like he’s barely holding it together. His eyes stay glued to Gladys, the woman who caused him so much pain years ago.“Because everyone needs their mother, Mikey,” Mabel says softly, like she’s doing him a favor.Mike’s jaw clenches so hard it looks
The moment Caspian sees her, something shifts in him. For a second, he doesn’t move. Doesn’t speak. It’s like he’s frozen in place, trapped by whatever memories or feelings seeing her again brings up.“Caspian,” Gladys says with a sweet tone, as if she’s greeting an old friend. “It’s been so long.”He doesn’t answer right away. His jaw clenches, and he grips the armrest of his chair like he’s trying to anchor himself.“You shouldn’t be here,” he finally says, his voice low but sharp.Gladys shrugs. “I came for Mike. Not you.”“Then leave us alone,” I say. She turns her attention to me, looking me over like I’m something insignificant. A nuisance.“And you must be Desiree,” she says. “The new wife.”There’s something in the way she says it that rubs me the wrong way. Like she’s mocking me, like I’m just another temporary fixture in Caspian’s life. My blood boils, but I force myself to stay calm. I can’t give her the satisfaction of seeing how much she’s getting under my skin.“Yes,” I
Caspian's POVMike called earlier, asking if we could talk.A million reasons ran through my mind, but none of them prepared me for what he’s saying now.“I want us to make a deal,” he says, standing stiffly near the fireplace.“A deal?” I repeat.He nods, his gaze distant. “You remember when I asked you to give Mabel a seat on the board? You flat-out refused.”“And I’m not about to change my mind,” I reply, my tone leaving no room for negotiation.Mike picks up one of the figurines from the mantel, absentmindedly turning it in his hands. He hasn’t sat down since he arrived, pacing like he’s gearing up for a fight.“I figured as much,” he says, almost to himself. “But Mabel and I have decided to take it to the shareholders.”I frown, sitting up straighter. “What does that mean?”“It means she’s putting that business degree of hers to use,” he says, finally looking at me. “She knows you’re not the only one with power in the company. So she’s taking it to the other shareholders. Letting
Mike finally sets the figurine down, and by some miracle, it doesn’t fall. “I can handle her.”I narrow my eyes at him. “You’re an idiot if you think you can handle Mabel. She’s already pulling your strings, and you don’t even realize it.”He flinches, but keeps his gaze steady. “You don’t have to make this personal, Dad.”“Oh, it’s personal now, Mike. You come here, accusing me of using Desiree, but let’s be honest—you’re the one who threw her away. You made your bed with Mabel. Now lie in it.”Mike clenches his jaw. “I’m just trying to keep things from getting worse.”“And you think sacrificing my marriage is going to fix that?” I shake my head, disgusted. “This is bigger than you and Mabel, Mike. And if you really think you can manipulate me into giving up my wife for your power-hungry spouse, then you’ve lost your mind.”His face tightens, but he doesn’t back down. “Just think about it. It’s a simple trade. Desiree for peace.”I stand up, towering over him. “I won’t be making any
A honeymoon party? I don't know what they hope to achieve with such a stunt. But they're definitely cooking up something. Because as I go through the special guests of honor list, I see the entire members of the board as well as shareholders.What the hell?My mind races as I try to piece it together. This looks like a threat. They’re not just celebrating their love—they’re making a power move. It’s more than just a party. It’s a calculated display of unity, one meant to sway the board in Mabel’s favor.I’m still staring at the screen, processing it all, when I hear Desiree’s footsteps on the stairs.“Are you done with the meeting?” she asks.“Yeah,” I reply, not looking up. “What was it about? I tried eavesdropping, but you were too far away,” she teases.I chuckle too, but it feels hollow. Instinctively, I turn around to tell her everything, to share the whole ridiculous situation. But something stops me. The words catch in my throat. How can I tell her? How do I admit that I mad
I nod, my throat tight. “You better be.” The doors to the delivery room swing open, and suddenly, I’m surrounded by bright lights, the sterile smell of antiseptic, and the calm, authoritative voices of nurses. My mind is racing. My body, however, is focused on one thing: the relentless, excruciating contractions that feel like my insides are being wrung out like a soaked towel. “Breathe, Desiree. You’ve got this,” a nurse says, guiding me onto the bed. Caspian bursts through the door moments later, his hair disheveled, his suit jacket gone, and his sleeves rolled up. He looks like a man ready for battle. And, honestly, that’s what this feels like. “I’m here,” he says, taking my hand again. His grip is warm, solid, a lifeline in this sea of chaos. I glare at him through the pain. “You did this to me.” He leans down, brushing a kiss against my sweaty forehead. “I know, baby. And you’re doing amazing.” “Amazing? I feel like I’m being ripped in half!” I shout, my voice cracking wit
~~Months later~~ My best friend, Jessica, decided to organise a baby shower for me. She rented a penthouse. I know Caspian's involved in this. Who else is paying for the penthouse? The penthouse is everything Jessica promised and more—sleek marble floors, floor-to-ceiling windows with a panoramic view of the city, and enough floral arrangements to make a florist weep. There’s an extravagant dessert table with a towering cake. And, of course, the unmistakable Caspian touch—a champagne fountain. I take it all in, my eyes narrowing suspiciously as I glance at Jessica, who’s currently trying to pass off the event as “modest.” Modest my ass. “You’re sure this wasn’t Caspian’s idea?” Jessica flashes her most innocent smile, which is about as believable as a politician’s promise. “I mean, he may have helped. But you deserve this! Come on, Dee, when was the last time we celebrated you?” I snort, adjusting the sash draped across my belly that reads Mom-to-Be. “You mean besides the
Desiree's POVWe're at a press conference.Cameras flash like lights at a club, and the buzz of reporters fills the air like a swarm of relentless bees. I hate it. Every second of it. But I stand tall, my hand resting in Caspian’s, my knuckles white from the grip. He doesn’t seem fazed—his jaw set, his eyes gleaming. He’s in his element.Me? I’m a bundle of nerves hiding behind a tailored dress and a painted-on smile.The tension in the room is obvious. Every gaze is pinned on us, every microphone is pointed in our direction. There’s no escaping it.Caspian steps forward, adjusting the microphone. His presence is magnetic. Commanding. He could announce the end of the world, and people would believe it was for their own good.He clears his throat, and the room falls silent.“For weeks now, CypherEdge Dynamics has been under siege,” he begins. “An individual named Mabel Blackwood infiltrated our company. She blackmailed board members, manipulated shareholders, and attempted to undermine
“Mr. Hart,” Aaron’s voice oozes through the line, smug and infuriating. “I trust you’ve been thinking about my offer.”“More like thinking about how to kill you,” I mutter under my breath, then louder: “I’ve considered it. But I need proof Desiree is alive. Now.”A pause. Then, Desiree’s voice, faint but there. “Caspian, please…”It takes everything in me not to lose it. “I’m here, Desiree. Hold on.”Aaron returns. “Satisfied?”“Barely,” I say. “You’ll get what you want. But not a second before I see her safe.”“Fine,” Aaron agrees. “Bring the drives to the location we’ll send you. Alone. And no tricks, Hart. Or she dies.”The line goes dead.Antonio is already moving, giving quick commands into his headset. “They’ll never see us coming,” he promises.I grip the phone. “They’d better not.”Because if they do, I’ll burn the entire city down before I let them take her away from me.---I park a block away from the designated warehouse, my pulse thudding in my ears. I sit there for a mom
The tone sends a chill down my spine. Calm, too calm, like this is a business deal and not—“Where is she?” I say. “If you’ve touched her—”“Tsk, tsk,” the man interrupts, almost amused. “Let’s not start with threats. You’re not in a position to make them.”I grip the phone tighter, my knuckles white. “You have no idea who you’re dealing with.”“Don’t I? Your reputation precedes you, Mr. Hart. Ruthless. Powerful. But none of that matters here.”My free hand balls into a fist at my side. “What do you want?”Finally, he gets to the point. “You’re going to deliver something to me. Two things, actually. First, the drives you took from Mabel’s mother’s house.”My mind races. How does he know about those?“And second,” he continues, “your shares in the company. Sign them over. All of them.”I laugh, sharp and humorless. “You think I’ll just hand those over? Do you know what they’re worth?”“Oh, I know exactly what they’re worth.” His voice drops. “I also know what she’s worth to you.”The a
Caspian's POVIt’s been over two hours since Desiree disappeared, and the hospital has called the police against my wishes.I’m pacing the waiting room like a caged animal, the fluorescent lights buzzing overhead doing nothing to quell the pounding in my skull. Every passing second feels like an eternity, a loud and unrelenting reminder that she’s not here, that I don’t know where she is, that I failed to protect her.“Mr. Hart,” one of the officers starts, her voice too calm, too measured, like she’s asking about a lost cat. “Let’s go over this again. You’re sure your wife didn’t… leave voluntarily?”My fist clenches so hard my knuckles crack. I whip around, staring at her like she’s grown a second head.“Voluntarily?” The word leaves my mouth dripping with venom. “You think she just decided to disappear in the middle of a goddamn ultrasound?”The other officer, a man with a face so nondescript I could forget it in seconds, clears his throat. “We’re just trying to establish all possi
Desiree’s POVI wake up feeling like my head has been split in two.Pain radiates from the back of my skull, throbbing with every heartbeat. My mouth feels like I’ve swallowed sand, and the metallic tang of blood lingers on my tongue. I try to move, but my arms won’t budge. Cold metal digs into my wrists, and the sharp edge of panic slices through the fog clouding my mind.“Welcome back.”The voice is smooth, almost polite, but it sends a chill racing down my spine. I force my eyes open, blinking against the dim light until the blurry figure in front of me sharpens into focus.Aaron.He leans casually against a table, his arms crossed, a smug grin stretched across his face. He looks like a villain from one of those old spy movies—too polished, too composed, too damn pleased with himself.“What the hell,” I croak, my voice raspy. “What is this, amateur hour? I thought kidnappers were supposed to wear masks.”He chuckles, slow and deliberate, like he’s savoring my sarcasm. “You’re in go
Caspian's POVDesiree has been gone for too long.I glance at the clock on the wall, tapping my fingers on the armrest of the chair in rhythm with my heartbeat, which is getting louder and faster with every passing second. Maybe I’m being paranoid. Maybe this is one of those “pregnancy bladder” situations everyone warned me about. But how long does it take a pregnant woman to pee? Five minutes? Ten? I’ve lost track of time, but it feels like hours.I shift in my chair, trying to shake off the gnawing sense of unease creeping up my spine. The ultrasound pictures are still in my hand, slightly crumpled from where my grip has tightened.“She’s fine,” I mutter to myself. “She’s fine.”But the words don’t stick.Standing abruptly, I glance toward the hallway leading to the bathroom. The corridor feels longer than I remember, its sterile walls closing in like they’re mocking me. Every instinct in me screams that something isn’t right.Dr. William steps out of an adjacent room, looking surpr
Dr. William turns to us, his smile widening. “It’s a girl.”For a moment, the world stops. A girl. We’re having a daughter.“A girl,” I repeat, the words tasting foreign and magical on my tongue. Tears spill over before I can stop them, and I press a hand to my mouth, overcome with emotion.Caspian is silent beside me, his gaze fixed on the monitor. When he finally speaks, his voice is rough, as if he’s struggling to keep his own emotions in check. “A girl,” he echoes. Then, with a soft laugh, he adds, “God help her if she inherits your stubbornness.”“Excuse me?” I glare at him, though the tears streaming down my face probably ruin the effect. “She’s going to be the perfect combination of both of us, thank you very much.”“Let’s hope she leans more toward your good looks than my temper.”“Let’s hope she doesn’t inherit your ego,” I shoot back, though my voice is choked with laughter.Dr. William chuckles, stepping back to give us a moment. “I’ll print out some pictures for you two. T