EMMA'S POV
I walked into Daniel’s office building with excitement bubbling inside me. Today was his birthday, and I had spent weeks planning the perfect surprise for him. I could already picture his face lighting up when he saw the box in my hand—his favorite cake—and the gift I had carefully picked out for him. I couldn’t wait to see his smile, to celebrate the man I loved so much.
I stepped off the elevator and walked down the hallway to his office. The closer I got, the more I imagined how the day would unfold. It would be just the two of us, laughing together, sharing a quiet moment. It was supposed to be perfect.
But then, I rounded the corner.
I froze.
Through the glass of the office door, I saw them. Daniel was sitting there, relaxed, smiling at someone. And that someone wasn’t me. It was Veronica—his colleague, someone I’d heard of but never really paid attention to. They were sitting close to each other, their laughter blending together, and Veronica’s hand was resting casually on his arm. It was too familiar, too comfortable.
My heart sank in my chest. The smile that had been on my face just seconds ago vanished. What was this? Was I reading it wrong? Had I misunderstood? Or was this exactly what I feared? Was my husband... with her?
I stood there for a moment, paralyzed. I tried to shake off the panic, the feeling that something was terribly wrong. Maybe it was nothing. Maybe it was just a friendly conversation. But the way Veronica’s hand rested on Daniel’s arm, the way they laughed together—it didn’t feel like nothing.
I tried to calm myself. No. I was overreacting. I should go inside and surprise him, just like I planned. But before I could push open the door, I heard their voices clearly through the glass.
“Oh, come on, Daniel,” Veronica said, her voice light and teasing. “You know I’m right. You never liked surprises. You always tell me how much you hate them.”
Daniel chuckled. “Maybe so, but I’ll make an exception for today,” he replied. “It’s Emma’s surprise, after all.”
I felt my stomach twist. “Emma’s surprise.” That’s what he had said. But why was he so relaxed with Veronica, as though she were more than just a colleague? They seemed so comfortable with each other, like they had a history I didn’t know about.
I pushed the door open quietly, not wanting to interrupt their conversation. But as soon as I stepped inside, both of them looked up. Daniel’s face softened when he saw me, but I could see it—his unease. It was almost as if he wasn’t happy to see me.
“Emma,” Daniel said, standing up quickly. “You’re here early.”
His voice lacked the warmth it usually had, and the smile he gave me was forced, like he was trying too hard. I smiled back, but I couldn’t ignore the sinking feeling in my chest. I had expected to walk into his arms, to have him greet me with a kiss and a laugh, but instead, I felt like an outsider in my own marriage.
“Happy birthday,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady as I held out the cake. “I brought your favorite cake, and I have something special for you.”
Veronica stepped forward, her smile sweet but her eyes glinting with something sharper. “How thoughtful, Emma,” she said, her voice full of politeness, but there was an edge to it. “Daniel’s a lucky man to have such a sweet wife.”
I nodded, forcing a smile, though I couldn’t help but notice how she still had her hand on Daniel’s arm, as though she had every right to be there.
“Well, Emma, thank you for the cake,” Daniel said, taking it from my hands, but he didn’t give me a kiss or even a proper hug. He just set it down on the table, his gaze lingering on the cake rather than on me. I could feel my heart racing, but I tried to ignore the nagging feeling that something wasn’t right.
Veronica cleared her throat, as if she had been waiting for her moment to speak. “You know, Emma,” she said, her voice sweet but a little too smooth, “Daniel and I have known each other for a long time. We’ve been through a lot together.” She glanced at him, her fingers lightly brushing his arm again, as if to emphasize her point.
I didn’t know what to say. I felt a pang of confusion, but I forced myself to hold it in. “I’m sure you have,” I said, trying to keep my voice neutral. “But I’ve been with Daniel for a long time too.”
She smiled, her eyes glinting with something that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. “Oh, I know. But you see, Emma, Daniel and I... we’ve been through a lot even before you came into the picture.”
My heart stopped. What was she saying?
I looked at Daniel, hoping for him to speak up, to tell me that she was just being dramatic. But instead, he shifted uncomfortably, his eyes avoiding mine.
Veronica continued, her smile never fading. “We’ve had our moments, haven’t we, Daniel?” She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a soft whisper. “Before Emma, Daniel and I were always... close. You know, really close.”
I felt a sharp sting in my chest. What did she mean by that? I had never known anything about this. Never once had Daniel mentioned how close they were, how much history they shared.
I took a step back, trying to process what was happening. “I... I don’t understand,” I said, my voice wavering. “Daniel, is this true?”
Daniel finally looked at me, but the look in his eyes was so different from what I had expected. It wasn’t warm or apologetic. It was distant, almost cold. “Emma, this is not how I wanted you to know.”
I felt like the ground was slipping away from beneath me. How long had this been going on? How long had he and Veronica been... whatever they were?
I turned to Veronica, my heart pounding in my chest. “What exactly are you saying?” I asked, my voice shaking. “That he... belongs to you?”
Veronica’s smile was slow and calculating. “Not in the way you think, darling,” she said, her voice smooth like honey. “But yes, Daniel and I have something you can’t take away. We’ve been together long before you showed up.” She looked at Daniel again, her fingers caressing his arm in a way that made me feel sick.
Daniel didn’t say anything. He just looked at me, his expression unreadable.
I felt my head spin. I couldn’t breathe. This wasn’t supposed to be happening. I was married to Daniel. We had shared so much together. But now, I wasn’t sure what was real anymore. Was Veronica right? Had I always been in the dark about something?
I needed to leave. I couldn’t stay in that room for another second. The suffocating tension was too much.
“I... I have to go,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. I turned to walk out, my heart heavy, my thoughts jumbled. I felt like I was drowning in confusion, my world crumbling around me.
Before I could reach the door, I heard Veronica’s voice behind me, smooth and cruel. “Don’t worry, Emma. Daniel will always belong to me. No matter what.”
The words echoed in my mind as I stepped out of the office, the door slamming behind me. I was shaking, my hands clammy as I walked down the hallway. The birthday surprise I had so carefully planned now felt like a cruel joke.
I didn’t know what to do, where to go. I couldn’t go back in there. I couldn’t face either of them again. What was I supposed to believe now?
I stepped into the elevator, pressing the button for the ground floor, my mind spinning. The doors closed, but the questions remained. The pain lingered. I didn’t know what came next, but one thing was clear: nothing would ever be the same again.
EMMA'S POV I tried to make it through the rest of the day at work, but my mind wouldn’t stop replaying what I saw in Daniel’s office. Veronica’s laughter, her hand on his arm, the way he didn’t pull away—it all haunted me. I stared at my computer screen for hours, unable to focus on anything. When the clock struck five, I grabbed my bag and headed home, hoping the familiar comfort of our house would ease my turmoil. As I stepped inside, I noticed the lights were on. Daniel was already home. My heart clenched. Maybe this was my chance to talk to him, to confront him about what I saw and get the truth. I set my bag down and took a deep breath, preparing myself for the conversation. But then, something caught my eye. Clothes were scattered across the floor of the living room—Daniel’s shirt, a pair of pants—and then, there it was. A bra. Not mine. My breath hitched as dread pooled in my stomach. I stood frozen for a moment, trying to convince myself that I was jumping to conclusions,
EMMA'S POV The next morning, I woke up to an empty bed. Simeon was gone, and the sheets beside me were cold. My heart sank for a moment, but I quickly brushed off the feeling. What was I expecting—a good morning kiss and breakfast in bed? I sighed, ran my fingers through my tangled hair, and sat up. The events of the previous day played on a loop in my mind. I couldn’t take it anymore. Today, I had to confront Daniel. It was time to end this nightmare. I left the bar without bothering to grab breakfast, straightened my hair in the rearview mirror, and drove straight home, rehearsing what I’d say. As soon as I stepped into the house, the smell of freshly cooked food greeted me. My stomach churned. The aroma wasn’t welcoming; it felt like mockery. How dare they carry on like nothing happened? From where I stood, I could see Daniel slouched on the couch, staring blankly at the television. His fingers fumbled with the remote control, his expression unreadable. Suddenly, he snapped and
SIMEON'S POV The bar had become my second home. Ever since Veronica left me, I’d been drowning my emotions in alcohol. It was the only way I knew how to cope. I never used to be this way, but something in me broke when she walked out. I didn’t know it then, but that heartbreak set me on a path I never thought I’d walk. Three years ago, if someone—anyone—had told me that I’d be a billionaire today, I would have laughed in their face. Me? A billionaire? I could hardly imagine it back then. But Veronica... she changed everything. Her departure, as painful as it was, lit a fire in me. I started working harder, thinking smarter, and pushing myself beyond limits I didn’t even know I had. The pain she left in me was what made me who I am now—the richest man in New York, as of yesterday. But no matter how much money I had, no matter how many deals I closed, it didn’t fill the emptiness inside me. I still drank. I still felt the sting of what I lost. I never thought I’d care about another wo
EMMA'S POVI never expected to see Simeon again, let alone in the middle of my workday, sitting across from me in my office. Of all people, why him? The moment I saw him step into my office, I felt my heart skip. Simeon Grant, the man I’d met at the bar yester-night, was now here to buy fifty percent of Daniel's shares in Pixel Forge Studios.Before I could fully process his presence, my phone rang. The name flashing on the screen made my stomach twist: Daniel.“I heard there’s a buyer for my shares,” his familiar, cold voice said as soon as I picked up.“Yes,” I replied cautiously. “But why are you selling? The company is doing so well.”“What I do with my money is none of your business,” Daniel snapped, his tone loud enough that I was sure Simeon could hear him.I clenched my jaw, biting back the words I wanted to hurl at him. Daniel’s selfishness never failed to surprise me. Part of me wanted to tell him that Simeon Grant—his business rival—was the one buying his shares. I imagined
EMMA'S POVI stepped out of the building, the cool evening air hitting me as I made my way to the sidewalk. My heart was still racing, and I could hear Simeon’s voice calling after me, but I didn’t look back. I couldn’t. I didn’t want to. I was done with all of this—done with him, done with Daniel.I hailed a cab and slid into the back seat without a second thought. “Take me to Pixel Forge Studios,” I said to the driver, trying to push the chaos of the last few hours out of my mind. As the cab pulled away, I stared out the window, my thoughts a tangled mess. It wasn’t until we reached the company that I felt the weight of everything settling in.I paid the driver and stepped out, heading straight for the parking lot. I needed my car. I needed space. I needed to get away from everything that had happened.After a short drive, I pulled up in front of my Aunt’s house in Queens. She was the one person who never judged me, and I needed her now more than ever.As I walked up the front steps
DANIEL'S POVThe past few days have been a nightmare. Everywhere I turn, the media is buzzing with one question: Why did you sell his shares to Simeon Grant? It's a question I can't bring myself to answer, not to the press, not even to myself. The truth is too messy, too humiliating. It all happened so suddenly, like a tornado ripping through my carefully constructed life.The real reason? Emma. She wants a divorce.I’ve built my life around my image, around the reputation of being New York's most successful businessman. A divorce would destroy that. It would cost me everything—half my properties, my rank, my pride. I couldn’t let that happen.Veronica, as always, had a plan. She told me to sell my shares and move my properties into another name. “When the divorce happens, Emma gets nothing,” she had said confidently. At the time, it seemed like a brilliant idea. But now, looking at the fallout, I’m not so sure.Selling those shares went wrong in every possible way. Sure, I got the mo
EMMA'S POV It had been four days since Simeon’s last text message, and those words still lingered in my mind. He had made his feelings clear, and it was obvious he wanted me. But I didn’t want to seem like a woman who was too easy to win over. No, that wasn’t me.I stayed at my Aunt Grace's house, ignoring his calls and countless messages. His persistence was unrelenting—sweet words, loving texts, even apologies—but I didn’t budge. I convinced myself that his inability to see me was only because he didn’t know where I lived. That gave me a bit of peace, but it didn’t stop me from thinking about him.Today, however, I decided to stop hiding. As I stepped out of bed, I made up my mind: I was going to work. I couldn’t avoid the world forever.After a quick shower, I stared at my wardrobe, searching for something that would make me feel confident. My hand rested on a deep red gown, fitted to the point where every curve of my body would show. Perfect. I slipped it on and dabbed on some li
SIMEON'S POVI couldn't believe what Daniel had said to Emma. The audacity of him, acting like he owned everything, including her. But I had to make her understand—it wasn't over. Emma was giving up too easily, and I wasn’t about to let her."Tell him no, Emma. You can’t let him take everything from you," I said after explaining everything Daniel had thrown at her. My voice was firm, trying to break through the fog of doubt that clouded her mind."I can’t do that, Simeon," Emma replied, her voice filled with frustration. "I think I should just let him win.""Emma, listen to me. Everything he said is nothing but empty threats. Nothing more," I said, trying to give her a little confidence, though I could tell it wasn’t enough. She sounded defeated, like she didn’t believe in herself anymore. I hated hearing it.I could hear her breathing heavily through the phone, and it hurt me. I wanted to be there for her. "Emma," I said softly, "I think we should see each other and talk about this i
SIMEON'S POV It had been six days since the news broke. The headlines were brutal: “Simeon Grant: The Thief in a Suit.” Everywhere I turned, people whispered, stared, or outright accused me. My wealth, once admired, was now questioned. Was everything I had earned tainted? Daniel had managed to weaponize the truth and manipulate the narrative to turn New York against me.I couldn’t even blame him entirely. Ninety percent of what he said was true. He laid it all out, sparing no detail. Daniel explained how he transferred his properties to Veronica to shield them during his messy divorce with Emma. He even exposed how Veronica refused to return his assets once their arrangement ended. The public ate it up, especially since rumors about Veronica’s sudden control over Trenton Corp had been swirling for weeks. Now, they had their answer, and I was the scapegoat.That night, as I sat on Judith's couch, my phone rang. It was Emma. Her name on the screen sent a wave of guilt through me. After
SIMEON'S POV After leaving the restaurant, the argument with Emma kept playing in my mind. I had hoped for a different outcome, but her words struck me harder than I cared to admit. Still, my resolve hadn’t wavered. Daniel had to pay for what he did, and I was ready to take what mattered most to him, Trenton Corp. My feelings for Emma wouldn’t stop me from exacting my revenge.As my driver maneuvered through the quiet streets, I pulled out my phone and dialed Veronica. She picked up after the first ring."Hello, Veronica. Are you home?""Yes, I am," she replied, her tone hinting at anticipation."Good. I’ll be there in ten minutes."Hanging up, I leaned back in my seat, my thoughts already drifting to what awaited me at Veronica's place. A text notification flashed across my phone screen. It was from Judith.Judith: I have a surprise for you tonight.I smirked. It was obvious what she meant. If she wanted to play, I’d indulge her after finishing my business with Veronica.When I arri
EMMA'S POVWhen Simeon and I arrived at the restaurant, the serene environment eased some of the tension between us. It was quiet and cool, the kind of place where you could have a meaningful conversation without distractions. We placed our orders, and soon enough, the food arrived. For a while, everything seemed normal. We ate in silence, savoring the calmness of the moment. Then, Simeon suddenly stopped eating, his fork hanging mid-air as if he had just remembered something important.“So, you know that Veronica wants me to believe that you had something to do with my stabbing?” he asked, his tone calm but serious.I froze, unsure of what to say at first. “What?” I finally managed, shocked by his words.“She told me that you knew about it,” he added, his voice filled with doubt.I leaned back in my chair, shaking my head in disbelief. “Do you know she got me arrested, Simeon? My arrest bought her enough time to move you out of the hospital before I could do anything,” I said, my voi
SIMEON'S POV I hated myself for lying to Emma. I looked into her eyes and told her I didn’t sleep with Judith when I knew I had. It was a cowardly move, but I wasn’t ready to face the consequences of the truth. Emma’s trust was already fragile, and I couldn’t bear to break it completely. Still, the guilt weighed on me, and every time I thought about it, I felt disgusted with myself.The truth is, Judith’s visit to my house wasn’t planned. She came uninvited, dressed in a way that left nothing to the imagination. Ever since I bought forty percent of Pixel Forge Studios, Judith had been finding ways to get my attention. She didn’t even try to hide it anymore. At work, she used to wear professional, modest outfits, but later, she’d begun showing off her figure. I had noticed her curves, the way her blouses hugged her body, and the way she moved with a deliberate purpose. I tried to ignore it, but some part of me was tempted.When Judith touched me in front of Veronica, it shook me. Her
EMMA'S POV Finally, my app was ready. It had taken weeks of sleepless nights, endless trials, and rejections before it became perfect. Today was the day I’d present it to the team and stakeholders that I later sold ten percent of the company out to. I couldn’t deny that I felt proud. This app was going to change lives and bring people together. As I stood in front of the room, the presentation about to begin, the door suddenly opened, and there he was, Simeon.All eyes turned to him as he walked in, his presence commanding attention. My heart raced, and I hated that I felt a spark of joy. While everyone stood to welcome him back, I remained rooted, staring at him. He didn’t break eye contact as he walked straight toward me. Before I could comprehend what was happening, he pulled me into a kiss, right there in front of everyone.“I missed you so much,” he whispered.I didn’t respond. I couldn’t. The man who had disappeared for weeks, stayed with another woman, and left me in a sea of
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
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
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.
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