EMMA'S POV"Alright, Miss Martinez. You know why you’re here, right?" the interrogator asked, his voice calm yet filled with a hint of intimidation.I leaned back in the cold, metal chair, forcing a small smile to play on my lips. "Nope," I said, feigning ignorance.The man—Peter, as I soon learned—smiled back, but his eyes remained sharp and calculating. "My name is Peter, and I’d really appreciate it if you could make this easy for both of us. I mean, don’t drag this out," he said, tapping his pen on the table.I crossed my legs and readjusted my sitting position. "What do you want from me, Peter?"He leaned forward slightly, his expression hardening. "So, Miss Martinez, why did you stab Mr. Grant?"I blinked, keeping my face calm, though my insides churned at his accusation. "I didn’t," I said firmly.Peter studied me in silence for a few moments, his stare almost unnerving. "So, he stabbed himself?" he asked, his voice laced with sarcasm."I don’t know," I replied, keeping my tone
VERONICA'S POVOne thing I’ve always been good at is pretending. I know how to put on the perfect act, making people see only what I want them to see. So, when I had Emma arrested, I knew it would buy me time. Time to get closer to Simeon. Time to make him forget her.I sat by his bedside, watching his pale face, waiting for him to open his eyes. It was late—around 2 a.m.—and I must have dozed off. I didn’t realize I’d fallen asleep until I felt a light tap on my shoulder.I woke up abruptly, blinking in the dim hospital light. It was him. Simeon. His tired eyes were open, looking straight at me.“You’re awake?” I said, quickly sitting up, my hand reaching out to touch his cheek. I smiled at him warmly, as if I’d been waiting for this moment forever.“Where is Emma?” he asked.The question hit me like a slap. My smile faltered for a moment before I quickly recovered. Of course, she was the first thing on his mind. Not me, the one sitting by his side, sacrificing my sleep to care for h
VERONICA'S POVIt wasn’t long before a nurse walked into the room. Simeon quickly tried to remove his hand from my chest, but I held it firmly, giving him no chance to withdraw. The nurse gave me a curious look before speaking.“Miss Stacy, there are some people outside waiting to see Mr. Grant. Should I let them in?” she asked, her tone polite.At first, I was tempted to say yes, but I decided to check for myself who they were. Peeking through the door, I saw them — a group of reporters with cameras, microphones, and eager faces. My heart skipped. The media.“Praise God,” I whispered under my breath. If I had foolishly allowed them in, Simeon would have known I was the one who broke the news about Emma’s alleged involvement in his stabbing. That revelation would ruin everything I’ve been working so hard to achieve.Turning back to the nurse, I spoke calmly, “Tell them to wait. I’ll address them shortly.”I took a moment to compose myself, then stepped outside to meet the reporters. A
EMMA'S POVDaniel’s unexpected visit to the police station felt like a blessing. Thanks to him, I was able to call in a lawyer, and after some grueling interrogation, I was finally set free. They did, however, warn me not to leave the city. It was clear Veronica’s plan to keep me locked up for two days had failed. I silently thanked Daniel as I left the station, but my mind quickly shifted to Simeon. I needed to protect him.I hailed a cab and told the driver to take me to the hospital. My hands shook as I prayed silently, hoping it wasn’t too late. The guilt gnawed at me—what if something had already happened to him? When I reached the hospital, I rushed straight to the reception desk. “I’m here to see Simeon Grant. He was brought in last night to Room 106,” I said, out of breath.The nurse gave me a blank look before glancing at her computer. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but there’s no record of a Simeon Grant being admitted here.”Her words hit me like a brick wall. “What do you mean by ‘no
SIMEON'S POVI woke up feeling disoriented, my body heavy and my head pounding. The sterile scent of a hospital was gone, replaced by something softer and unfamiliar. I opened my eyes slowly, taking in the lavish room around me. This wasn’t the hospital. My heart sank as I realized I had no idea where I was.As I scanned the room, my eyes fell on her. Veronica. She stood by the dresser, her back to me, completely naked. My breath hitched. It had been years, but her body was as I remembered—perfectly curved, an image of the past I thought I’d left behind.I cleared my throat, unable to stop myself from making a sound. She turned to face me, her expression calm, almost amused. My eyes betrayed me, darting to her bare chest, her confidence holding my gaze hostage.“How are you feeling?” she asked, her voice smooth like honey.I couldn’t speak. The sight of her standing there, so unabashed, had stolen my words. She smiled knowingly, taking her time as she slipped into a dress. She climbed
EMMA'S POVIt had been two days since Veronica had taken Simeon out of the hospital and brought him to her house. Every hour that passed felt like torture to me. I couldn’t stop wondering what was happening between them. I sent countless messages to Veronica, shouting and threatening her to release Simeon, but she refused. Her silence was infuriating. Sometimes, I even questioned if Simeon wanted to stay there. Maybe he was enjoying his time with her. Or maybe... just maybe, Veronica was taking advantage of his injuries to trap him in her web.Her last words to me kept ringing in my head like a curse: "I will fuck Simeon until he forgets you." I hated how her voice echoed in my mind. What if Veronica was already doing it? The question haunted me relentlessly.This morning, the vibration of my phone woke me up. I didn’t even bother opening my eyes to look for it. I reached out blindly and answered the call.At first, I heard heavy breathing. Then, her voice—Veronica’s voice—mocking me.
JUDITH'S POV When Veronica knocked on my door two weeks ago, I never imagined how much my life would change. I was already at my lowest point, battling a serious health crisis with my mom. She needed surgery, and the cost was more than I could ever afford, even with my high-paying job. No one seemed willing to help, and I had exhausted all my options. Then, Veronica showed up like a miracle—although I’d soon realize she was anything but. The first words out of her mouth caught me completely off guard: "I need your help, and I’ll pay you any amount you want." My heart skipped a beat. Veronica’s offer sounded like it had been sent straight from heaven. I didn’t even ask what she needed at first. I was too focused on what her words meant—relief. A way out of this nightmare. But as she explained, I started to understand the real cost of her so-called help. "I want you to send a resignation letter to Emma," she began. At first, I thought it was a harmless favor. Maybe a disagreement o
VERONICA'S POVIt was an ordinary afternoon when one of my security guards informed me that a lady named Judith was waiting at the gate. I frowned, puzzled by her unexpected appearance. I don’t have any business with Judith anymore. Why is she here? I thought. Despite my confusion, I gave the order, “Walk her in.”Moments later, Judith strolled into my living room, and what she was wearing left me speechless. She had on a short, tight gown that hugged her curves in all the wrong—or right—ways, depending on who was looking. Her hips swayed with every step, and her breasts was practically on full display. Her nipples pressed visibly against the fabric, leaving nothing to the imagination.“Good afternoon,” Judith said with a sugary sweetness that made my stomach churn. I heard her words, but my attention was trapped by her bold appearance. She even cleared her throat to grab my attention further, forcing me to look up at her face.“What are you doing here, Judith?” I asked, doing my best
SIMEON'S POVI was having a wonderful time in my sitting room, surrounded by laughter and the warm glow of soft lights. The air was rich with the aroma of wine and the faint scent of expensive perfume. Two stunning ladies were with me, each captivating in her unique way. Their beauty was undeniable, their presence mesmerizing. As the evening unfolded, the sound of clinking wine glasses echoed in the room, blending harmoniously with their playful laughter.They were dressed in nothing but radiant smiles, their carefree energy filling the space. I leaned back in my chair, savoring the moment, feeling like I had the world at my feet. Everything was perfect, almost too perfect. Then, out of nowhere, a noise outside shattered the tranquility.At first, I thought it might be the wind or some distant commotion, but then I recognized the voice. It was Emma’s. My heart skipped a beat. That voice, so familiar and yet so sharp at that moment, sent a wave of panic through me. Emma couldn’t see th
EMMA'S POVFor the past day, Jason hasn’t been answering my calls. At first, I tried to brush it off, convincing myself he was probably busy with work or tied up in something important. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling growing inside me. Yesterday at the office, his behavior wasn’t normal— it was strange, almost as if he was deliberately avoiding me. He barely even looked at me, let alone spoke to me like he usually does. Jason is never like that. Even when he’s stressed or under pressure, he always makes time to smile at me or share a few comforting words. Yesterday, though, was different. It was like he was trying to put some invisible wall between us, and I couldn’t understand why.The goodbye kiss he gave me by my car was the clearest sign that something was off. It wasn’t the same as usual. It wasn’t deep or passionate, and it didn’t feel like it came from the heart. Instead, it felt distant, almost like he was holding himself back. I replayed t
SIMEON'S POVThe moment Daniel and I discovered we shared a common enemy, Rose, it felt like fate had aligned our goals. She had been a thorn in both our sides for too long, interfering with our plans and making life unnecessarily complicated. It didn’t take long for us to decide we needed to eliminate her from the picture entirely.It was Daniel who suggested framing her for a crime. The idea was brilliant in its simplicity. If she were accused of something serious, something that could not be easily disproven, she’d be out of the way for good."Frame her for what?" I asked, leaning in to hear his plan.Daniel grinned, his confidence evident as he sipped his glass of wine. "I think framing her for running an illegal casino would be the best option," he said.I nodded thoughtfully but remained cautious. "There has to be evidence," I pointed out. "There must be a casino for the authorities to find when they investigate."Daniel leaned back in his chair, his grin widening. "I have a cas
EMMA'S POVI noticed the way Mary was looking at me, probably because of how I was staring at Jason. Her concerned gaze told me she had noticed something unusual about my reaction. “Is there any problem, ma?” she asked, her voice filled with curiosity and a hint of worry. I quickly shook my head, forcing a smile to reassure her. “Nothing,” I replied, hoping to divert her attention. To change the subject, I asked, “Are they all five?” Of course, I already knew the answer. The five candidates scheduled for the interview were waiting.“Yes, ma,” Mary confirmed with a professional tone, her expression now calm.It wasn’t every day you saw a man applying for a secretary position, and that alone would’ve been enough to surprise me. But seeing Jason— the same Jason I had met on the dating app and spent a wonderful evening with— completely left me speechless. It felt like the universe was playing a trick on me. What were the odds of him showing up here, in my office, for this job? I didn’t kn
EMMA'S POV Three days after my conversation with Rose, she was arrested. Her arrest didn’t surprise me, but her words before she was taken away kept replaying in my mind. She had insisted that Simeon and Daniel had framed her. As much as I didn’t want to believe her, the thought clung to me, refusing to leave. Since her arrest, everything around me had taken a strange turn. Simeon and Daniel began acting oddly, almost like they were trying too hard. They showered me with expensive gifts and compliments that felt excessive. It was as though they were competing for my attention and favor. I couldn’t shake off the echo of Rose's final words to me: “They’ve placed a bet on you. Whoever wins your heart gets something big.” At first, I brushed it off as a desperate attempt to manipulate me, but the constant attention and gifts from Simeon and Daniel made me reconsider. Could there be some truth to her claim? I had no evidence, but the idea planted a seed of doubt in my mind. The more I th
EMMA'S POVI sat on the couch, my mind swirling with a whirlwind of emotions I could barely process. Aunt Grace had just said something that felt like a slap across my face, and I couldn’t shake off the sting of her words. She stood in front of me, her arms folded tightly across her chest, her expression a mix of frustration and concern. Her sharp tone cut through the silence of the room like a knife."I don’t know why you don’t listen, Emma. Leave those two men alone. They don’t love you," Aunt Grace said, her voice firm and unyielding as we delved into the sensitive topic of Daniel and Simeon, the two men I had convinced myself were important in my life.I inhaled deeply, trying to maintain my composure despite the bubbling frustration threatening to spill over. I didn’t want to argue with her, but Aunt Grace had a way of pushing all the right buttons. "They both love me, Aunt Grace," I said, forcing my voice to remain steady. "I believe one of them is the best for me," I added, hop
SIMEON'S POVI sat on the edge of the bed, my hands gripping the sides, my head pounding with thoughts of Emma. The guilt swirling inside me felt like a heavy weight pressing down on my chest, suffocating me. My eyes stayed fixed on the floor as if staring at the wooden tiles would somehow bring clarity to the chaos in my mind. Emma’s face flashed in my thoughts— her bright smile, her warmth, her laughter. She didn’t deserve this. None of it.Behind me, Rose lay sprawled across the bed, her body glowing under the dim light of the room. Her hair cascaded over the pillow, and her lips curved into a small, smug smile. There was no denying her beauty; she was captivating in a way that could tempt anyone. But my heart wasn’t here. It wasn’t in this room, with her. It belonged to Emma, even though my actions betrayed every word of my love for her.Taking a deep breath, I forced the words out. "I can’t continue this with you. We can’t keep doing this," I said, my voice firmer than I expected
EMMA'S POVI couldn’t believe what I just heard. The message Rose had sent felt like a punch in the stomach, leaving me breathless. The words replayed in my mind like a haunting melody, each repetition more terrifying than the last. “You promised me two weeks to make Emma mine for the exchange of your life, but I haven’t seen anything. So, tell me a reason why I shouldn’t send my men to kill you?” My hands trembled as I clutched my phone, listening to those words over and over again, as if doing so would somehow change their meaning. But no matter how many times the audio kept playing , the words remained the same— cold, sharp, and utterly devastating.It was as if the air had been sucked out of the room. My heart raced, pounding so loudly in my chest that it drowned out every other sound. For a moment, the world around me seemed to blur, my mind unable to process what I had just listened to. Was this some kind of cruel joke? A mistake? I didn’t want to believe it, but deep down, I k
DANIEL'S POV It’s been six days since Rose made her promise to help me win Emma back. She said I’d have her in two weeks, but honestly, I haven’t seen any real effort from her side. Sure, Simeon hasn’t been around Pixel Forge Studios for the past two days, but does that really mean anything? I can’t help but feel like I’m being played. This question has been stuck in my head, repeating itself over and over, like an annoying tune you can’t get rid of.This morning, I woke up determined to take matters into my own hands. If Rose wouldn’t help me the way I wanted, then I’d have to find my way back into Emma’s heart myself. My plan was simple: pick her up for work. I thought it would be a good way to show her I was serious about fixing things between us.As my car pulled up in front of her house, I spotted her standing in the driveway, looking at her cars. She seemed undecided, her eyes moving back and forth between the vehicles, as if she were struggling to choose which one to take.“Ju