I stare at my reflection in the mirror, gripping the edge of the vanity until my knuckles turn white. Today is supposed to be the happiest day of my life. But all I feel is a dull ache settling in my chest. I’m marrying a man I’ve never met, a complete stranger who may never even wake up. What kind of future is that?Vivian’s voice crashes through my thoughts, sharp as glass.“Lana!” she yells from the other side of the door. “What are you still doing? You should be dressed by now!”Vivian—my stepmother—has always treated me like a burden. She married my father when I was sixteen and made it clear from day one that I was in her way. Her daughter, Naomi, could do no wrong, while I was always the problem. And now, she’s the one forcing me into this marriage.I clench my jaw, anger bubbling just beneath the surface. Of course, she’d be impatient. She’s been waiting for this moment—to see me helpless, backed into a corner with no way out.“I don’t want this,” I mutter under my breath. “I’
The Knights sent a sleek black limo to pick me up, and it waited silently outside like a predator. I hesitated for a moment before stepping inside, the interior plush and luxurious. The driver shot me a quick glance in the rearview mirror before pulling away, navigating the streets with alarming speed. My head hammered with nerves, but I kept repeating to myself: You can do this, Lana. You can get through today.When the limo arrived at the Knights’ villa, I was struck by its sheer size. The mansion loomed before me, opulent and intimidating. A party was already in full swing inside, laughter and music spilling into the air like a vibrant tide.As I stepped through the grand entrance, I scanned the room. My heart sank when I only recognized three faces: my stepmother, Vivian; my stepsister, Naomi; and my boyfriend, Jordan. The sight of them made my stomach churn. They were supposed to be my support, yet they felt more like the eyes of judgment.A doorman approached to escort me inside
I wasn’t sure what I heard. My heart pounded in my chest as doubt and dread swirled in my mind. I knew I shouldn’t, but I had to know. I traced the sounds to the room next door, my hands trembling as I pushed the door open slightly.And there they were—Jordan and Naomi. My boyfriend, tangled in bed with my stepsister.My heart shattered into a million jagged pieces. I clutched the doorframe to steady myself, silent tears burning my eyes as I tried to breathe through the crushing weight in my chest. How could they do this to me? How could he do this to me?They lay there, tired and content, their naked bodies tangled together. I bit down on my lip, hard enough to draw blood, fighting the urge to scream. I wanted to burst in and demand answers, but my feet stayed frozen to the ground.“This is so fun,” Naomi said with a giggle, her voice dripping with satisfaction.Jordan chuckled, brushing her hair off her shoulder. My fists clenched at the way he touched her so intimately, like she wa
I took a deep breath, steadying myself. Jordan stood there, clearly startled, mouth opening to argue, but I stopped him cold.“I already know everything, Jordan,” I said, my voice sharp.He clenched his jaw, hesitating, but before he could speak, the soft, repetitive beeping from the machine suddenly sped up. My attention snapped back to Adrian, lying pale and still on the hospital bed. And then—his eyelids flickered.“Oh my god,” I gasped, taking a step closer. “Adrian! You’re awake!”Jordan took a single glance, his expression shifting from anger to unease. “I... I need to go,” he muttered before practically sprinting out of the room.Ignoring him, I moved to Adrian’s side, watching his eyes blink open with the faintest hint of awareness.“Adrian is awake!” I repeated, louder this time, heart pounding.In moments, Adrian’s mother, Evelyn, swept into the room with her usual poise, followed by a maid. She observed the scene, a quiet sigh escaping her lips as she regarded me.“There’s
After changing into soft, matching pajamas, I took a steadying breath. The quiet of the room felt heavy, as though the mansion itself was holding its breath. I glanced at Adrian, lying still, his face relaxed and calm. For a moment, I let myself think about how strange this situation was—married to a man I’d only just met, a man I barely knew.Shaking off the thought, I picked up a small bottle of oil from the table and poured a few drops onto my hands, rubbing them together to warm it. I began the massage gently, starting with his hands, moving up his arms, and talking softly as I did. “So… I guess this is a little one-sided, but here goes,” I said, smiling at the absurdity. “I love cats. Not sure if you do, but you should. I also love chilling with a good show… Netflix and all that.” I chuckled, glancing at him. No reaction, of course.I shifted down to his feet, pressing gently. “You’re really handsome, you know that? I guess you've heard that a thousand times” I murmured. “Have yo
Evelyn’s gaze met mine, her eyes sharp. “A few, yes. But he wasn't really serious about any of them.” I took Evelyn’s words in stride, though I couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement at the news that Adrian had never been serious with anyone. But before I could overthink it, my phone buzzed. I glanced at the screen—it was Sophia, my best friend. “Hi guurrl!” she greeted enthusiastically when I answered. “Hey! What’s up?” Sophia chuckled. “You’re not going to believe this, but your boss, Ms. Harper, is furious about your absence these past few days. I mean, didn’t you tell her you’d be away?” I sighed. “Of course I did, but you know Ms. Harper. She’s intense.” “Understatement of the year!” Sophia laughed. “Oh, by the way, she left a file on your desk and asked me to bring it over to you. I figured I could come by and check out the Knights’ estate while I’m at it.” “Sure, come on over. I could use some company.” After ending the call, I had about twenty minutes to kill, so
The villa bustled with activity, maids hurrying to adjust linens and arrange the room. By the time I returned to Adrian’s bedside, Evelyn and the doctor were already there, speaking in hushed tones.Evelyn's face lit up the moment she saw me. Without warning, she swept me into a hug. "Thank you!" she exclaimed, almost breathless with excitement. “I just know you’re Adrian’s luck. You brought him back to us!”I blinked, stunned. “It’s… just a coincidence,” I stammered, unsure what to say. “I didn’t really do anything.”She shook her head, smiling. “No, dear, it’s because of you.”Suddenly, Adrian’s voice, still faint but sharp, cut through the room. “Mom…” His gaze shifted, confused but filled with a quiet intensity. “Who is she?”Evelyn immediately moved closer to him, reaching for his hand. “Sweetie, I’m here. This is your wife.”Adrian’s eyes widened in shock. His gaze hardened, shifting from his mother to me. “Wife? When? How?”Evelyn's face twisted with frustration. “I made the de
I stammered, trying to find the words. "I thought… maybe if I kissed you…"He cut me off, his tone mocking. “Maybe I’d wake up?” He shook his head, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth, and I felt my face flush with embarrassment.The doctors came and went, each one checking his vitals, while Adrian grew more impatient with each visit. Finally, as another doctor adjusted his IV, Adrian snapped, “Is this the last of it? Or are there more pointless treatments?”Trying to calm him, I stepped forward. “They’re only making sure you’re okay.”He fixed me with a cold stare. “Do you honestly believe that?”I hesitated. "Are… are you feeling any discomfort in your legs?" I asked, shifting the conversation.His expression stayed flat. “You don’t need to pretend to be nice to me.”“Why not?”“Because,” he replied sharply, “nice people get steamrolled.”I stared at him, shocked by his bitterness. “That’s not true.”“Oh, really?” He arched a brow. “When has being nice ever benefited you?”I
Adrian’s refusal to marry Clara sparked a storm in the mansion. His words cut through the air like a sharp blade, leaving a stunned silence behind him. Vivian’s face was pale with disbelief at first, but that quickly turned to anger. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Adrian, her son, her carefully groomed heir, had just publicly rejected the one thing she had worked so hard for—the marriage to the Sebastians.Vivian’s voice broke the silence, her fury barely contained. “You’ve lost your mind, Adrian. This marriage is not just a suggestion, it’s a necessity. It’s what will secure your future, your position. It’s what will secure our future.”Adrian stood firm, his jaw clenched, every muscle in his body tense with defiance. “This isn’t about securing futures, Mother. It’s about me living my own life, not being controlled by you or anyone else. You’ve always put your plans for wealth and status before anything else, but I’m done with that. I’m not marrying Clara for your ambitio
After days of going back and forth in my mind, I finally made the decision—I was keeping the baby. It wasn’t an easy choice, but something inside me told me it was the right one. I couldn’t bring myself to think of any other option, even if it meant facing everything alone. If Adrian wasn’t going to be part of this, I had to find a way to move forward without him.The first thing I did was research. I spent hours on my phone, looking up information about pregnancy, prenatal care, and what I’d need to prepare for the months ahead. It was overwhelming at first, reading about all the changes I’d go through and everything I’d need to take care of. But I couldn’t let fear stop me. I had to be strong, not just for me but for the baby too.When I felt like I couldn’t make sense of it all, I decided to go back to the clinic. The nurse from my last visit, Maria, was there again. She greeted me with the same kind smile.“Lana, good to see you again. How are you feeling?”“I’ve made a decision,”
The Sebastian family arrived in Eldenburgh in grand style, their convoy of sleek cars drawing the attention of everyone they passed. The town buzzed with excitement as the prominent family made their entrance. At the gates of Vivian’s estate, a red carpet had been rolled out, and a group of photographers eagerly awaited their arrival. Vivian had spared no expense to make sure this occasion would leave an impression.Vivian stood at the entrance, her smile wide and welcoming, as the Sebastians stepped out of their cars. Mr. and Mrs. Sebastian, an imposing couple with a commanding presence, led the group. Clara was at Vivian’s side, dressed to perfection in a pale blue gown that complemented her soft features. Vivian introduced her warmly."Mr. and Mrs. Sebastian, this is Clara," Vivian said, gesturing toward the young woman. "She and Adrian make a perfect pair, don't you think?"Mrs. Sebastian gave Clara a once-over, her approving smile subtle but evident. "She’s lovely," she said, tur
Lana's POVThe news weighed on me like a storm cloud I couldn’t escape. Pregnant. No matter how many times I repeated it in my head, it still felt surreal. I couldn’t figure out what scared me more—the thought of becoming a mother or the uncertainty of Adrian’s reaction if he found out. Would he feel trapped? Angry? Or worse, indifferent?I wanted to talk to someone, anyone, but every time I thought about it, my chest tightened. Sophia was the obvious choice. She was my closest friend and had been there for me through so much. But this wasn’t something I could just drop on her. I could already imagine her look of shock, the questions she’d ask, the advice she’d try to give. I wasn’t ready for that—not yet.Sitting in my apartment wasn’t helping. The walls felt like they were closing in, and my thoughts were spiraling out of control. I grabbed my coat, deciding I needed air, something to clear my head. The park nearby was always my escape. It wasn’t much—a couple of benches, a small fo
Vivian was determined to move things along. She decided that a grand dinner to officially welcome the Sebastians to the city would be the perfect opportunity to push Adrian and Clara’s engagement forward. The invitations were sent out, the venue lavishly prepared, and the guest list meticulously crafted to include people who mattered. Everything was set to impress the Sebastians and pressure Adrian into compliance.Clara arrived early to help Vivian with the final arrangements. As they worked, Clara sighed, her frustration evident. "He barely talks to me anymore," she said, her voice low. "It's like he’s avoiding me on purpose."Vivian gave her a sympathetic look. "Men can be stubborn, especially Adrian. But don’t worry, my dear. We’ll figure this out."Clara hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "I’ve tried everything—being patient, being kind, even giving him space—but nothing works. I’m starting to think he’ll never come around."Vivian’s expression hardened. "Adrian needs
I had been feeling off for a while, but it wasn’t until recently that the dizziness became impossible to ignore. It started out as a faint light-headedness, but today it hit me like a freight train, leaving me unsteady on my feet. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong, so I finally decided to visit a clinic. The doctor seemed concerned but reassured me that it could be something minor. They would run a few tests just to be sure.Sitting in the sterile examination room, I tried to push the swirling thoughts in my head to the back of my mind. The sterile smell of the clinic only made the anxiety in my chest grow. I distracted myself with the buzzing of the fluorescent lights, but even that couldn’t calm my racing thoughts. The doctor had said it would take a few minutes, but each second felt like an eternity.Finally, the door opened, and the doctor stepped in with a clipboard in hand. He looked at me with a serious expression. “Lana, the tests have come back. I’m afraid
The news spread like wildfire through the Knights' household: the Sebastian family was arriving from Eldenburgh. The wealthy family from the prosperous city was well-known for their influence and power. Vivian Knight could hardly contain her excitement. For her, this was an opportunity too important to pass up. The Sebastians represented everything the Knights could aspire to—status, wealth, and an alliance that would cement their place at the top of the social ladder. And the best way to secure that alliance, in her mind, was a marriage between Adrian and Clara.Vivian paced around the living room, the soft tapping of her heels echoing as she made her plans. The Sebastians' arrival couldn’t have come at a better time. Adrian’s stubbornness was one obstacle, but if he could be persuaded to marry Clara, everything would fall into place. She was certain of it. Adrian was her son, after all, and she knew him better than anyone. His reluctance to accept what was best for the family was fr
At the Knights' mansion, the air was tense as Clara sat in her room, fuming over her latest encounter with Adrian. Despite her best efforts—her carefully chosen words, the way she presented herself—he had dismissed her again. His outright rejection stung, but it only strengthened her resolve. Clara had always been told that persistence was key, and she wasn’t about to let Adrian slip away. Not when everything was so close to falling into place.Meanwhile, Adrian sat in his study, trying to bury himself in work. The relentless interruptions from Clara were testing his patience. Every time he turned around, she was there, trying to force her way into his life. He knew why she was doing it—her family’s influence, his mother’s manipulations—but he couldn’t stand the thought of being trapped in a loveless marriage. His mind wandered to Lana, the only woman who had ever truly captured his heart.The door to his study creaked open, and without even looking up, Adrian sighed. “What is it now,
Lana's POV I woke up to the same dull ache in my head and an unsettling heaviness in my chest. Every part of my body felt sluggish, like I hadn’t rested at all. Sitting up was an effort; the moment I moved, the room spun slightly, and I had to close my eyes to steady myself. It had been three days since I broke things off with Adrian, but the pain still felt fresh. No matter how much I tried to push it away, it lingered like a shadow.“Lana, are you up?” Sophia’s voice carried from the kitchen.“Yeah,” I called back, trying to sound normal. My voice betrayed me, coming out weaker than I intended.Sophia stepped into the room moments later, holding a steaming cup of tea. She paused when she saw me. Her brows furrowed as she scanned me from head to toe. “You don’t look so good,” she said bluntly, placing the cup on the table.“I’m fine,” I lied, avoiding her gaze. “Probably just tired.”Sophia crossed her arms, unimpressed. “You’ve been ‘tired’ for days. What’s really going on? Are you