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
EMMA'S POV Jason and Angel had no idea I was there when they had their conversation when they were at the kitchen. I was just lucky enough to hear everything. And when I did, I couldn’t help but feel overjoyed. Finally, Jason had fallen for my plans. I didn’t even let him know that I heard anything. Instead, forcedly left the house, giving him and Angel the space to make things cook well. The best part about executing a plan was knowing exactly when to step back and let things unfold. I had played my role perfectly so far, and now it was time for Jason to unknowingly do his part. This morning, Jason came to Aunt Grace’s house, where I was staying, to update me on everything that had happened since then. The moment he stepped inside, I could tell from his expression that he had something important to say. His brows were slightly furrowed, and his lips were pressed together in a straight line, like he was trying to process his thoughts before speaking. As soon as he sat down, he lo
ANGEL'S POVI had been watching them for weeks, but lately, my secret camera in Emma and Jason’s bedroom had been useless. Not because it was broken, but because they weren’t talking like they used to. They weren’t laughing. They weren’t arguing. They weren’t whispering secrets into each other’s ears like they had always done before. It was as if something between them had shifted, something invisible but heavy, creating a distance neither of them wanted to acknowledge.Emma and Jason had always been the perfect couple in front of everyone. To the world, they were inseparable. Smiling at every event, holding hands in every picture, whispering sweet nothings whenever someone was watching. But I knew better. I had seen the cracks in their so-called love since I started living with them. And when Jason told me he never loved Emma— that he was only with her for her money— it confirmed what I had already suspected.It confirmed the rumors I had been hearing, the whispers in quiet corners,
JASON'S POVI paced around the room, shaking my head in frustration. The idea was ridiculous— dangerous even. "I can't do this. This is a stupid plan," I muttered, running a hand through my hair. My mind was racing, and my heart pounded in my chest. How did it come to this? How did I end up in such a messy situation?Emma, lounging on the couch like she didn’t have a care in the world, rolled her eyes dramatically. "Jesus, Jason, this is not hard. You’re acting like I’m asking you to climb Mount Everest. Just make her fall in love with you. Get close to her, gain her trust, and when the time is right, create a moment where it looks like you’re about to sleep with her." She smirked, her expression full of mischief. "And then I’ll barge in with a camera in my hand, catching everything."I turned to her, frowning deeply. "And what about my reputation? Won't people say I’m just using you whereas I love her?" The idea of deceiving someone like this left a bitter taste in my mouth. Sure, I
EMMA'S POV I barely stepped into the house when Jason’s voice stopped me in my tracks.“I thought you went to get foodstuff?” he asked, his eyes scanning my empty hands with a hint of suspicion.For a moment, I just stood there, confused. Foodstuff? Then it hit me. I had lied to Jason about going shopping when, in reality, I had gone to see Daniel and Simeon for help. But the meeting had occupied my mind so much that I completely forgot to buy anything to cover up my lie.His question caught me off guard. My mind raced for an explanation, but I had nothing. No excuse. No prepared lie. I just stood there, silent. I didn’t want to lie to him again. Not when he was already looking at me with so many unspoken questions in his eyes.Jason’s face shifted from suspicion to concern. His brows furrowed slightly as he took a step toward me. “Did something happen?” he asked, his voice softer now, laced with worry. His eyes scanned my face as if searching for an answer I wasn’t giving.I swallow
EMMA'S POV That afternoon, my phone rang again. It was Simeon. I had asked him for support earlier which he said he would get back to me. And now he was finally calling back. But his response was short and unexpected."I can't."My heart dropped. I stared at my phone for a few seconds, trying to process his words. Something wasn’t right.“There’s something wrong somewhere,” Jason said, sitting close to me.“Yeah, I can feel it too,” I agreed.“These two men helped you stay out of jail, so why are they refusing now?” Jason asked, his brows furrowed in concern. “Did you offend them?”I shook my head, trying to think. “I don’t know. The last thing I remember telling them was that I’m coming for them the same way I treated Liam and Hannah.”Jason’s expression changed as he considered my words. “What if they’re working for Angel now?”That question sent a chill down my spine. It made sense. Angel was manipulative, and if she had found a way to get to Simeon and Daniel, that would explain
ANGEL'S POVI’ve always believed that being rich gets you everything. I mean, that’s what people say, right? If you have money, you have power, connections, and everything you could ever want. But I was wrong. I learned that lesson the hard way— watching my best friend, Emma, get all the good things in life while I was left behind.Emma and I grew up together. Her family was average, not poor, not rich— just normal. Meanwhile, I had everything. My parents were wealthy, and I never had to worry about anything. But somehow, Emma was always the one people liked more. She had this way of making people value her. It was annoying.Then came Liam. Back in high school, he was the new student, and from the moment he arrived, I thought he belonged to me. But no, he was interested in Emma. That was the first time I realized that money didn’t always get you what you wanted. But I wasn’t going to accept that.Liam should have been looking at me, not Emma. So, during high school, I made sure that h
SIMEON'S POV I have always believed that a man can love one woman deeply, even while entertaining countless others. Some might call it foolish, others might call it selfish, but I know it to be true. No matter how many women have come and gone in my life, my heart has never wavered. It has always belonged to Emma.She doesn’t see me the way I see her. To her, I am just another man in the background, someone who exists but never truly matters. But that has never stopped me from loving her. It has never made me reconsider my feelings, not even for a second. I believe that love is patient, and someday, she will be mine.But love is never simple, and my path to Emma is filled with obstacles. The greatest of them all is Daniel— my fiercest competitor, my biggest rival. He has tried everything to win her over. He has plotted and schemed, played games both clever and desperate. He has bribed people, manipulated situations, and even tried to frame others to get closer to her. But no matter w
EMMA'S POV For about three hours after Angel’s outburst on live TV, Jason and I sat in the living room, struggling to come up with a solid plan to bring her down. Every idea we thought of had a flaw, and frustration started to creep in like a slow, unwanted guest. It was as if we were trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces, and the more we thought about it, the more impossible it seemed.Jason leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers restlessly on the wooden table. The sound was soft but irritating, like a clock ticking too loudly in a silent room. He exhaled sharply, clearly tired of our back- and- forth discussion. “I think involving someone else would be better. Let’s see his fthoughts on this,” he suggested, his voice carrying a note of desperation.I didn’t even need to ask who he was referring to. I knew exactly who he meant, and I shook my head immediately, my response firm and final. “Nope. Not after what he and Daniel did to us.”Jason frowned, clearly disagreeing
EMMA'S POVAfter last night, Jason and I promised never to lie to each other again. No more secrets, no more hiding things from each other. No matter what happened, we were going to stick together. That was the deal.It felt like a fresh start, like we were finally on the same page. I wanted to believe that from now on, nothing and no one could come between us. We had been through too much already.So, this morning, after I and Jason finish making breakfast, I went straight to Angel’s room to call her to eat. But when I got there, the room was empty. The bed was neatly made, the pillows fluffed, and the curtains drawn open, letting the morning sunlight stream in. It didn’t look like she had slept there at all.Frowning, I stepped inside and looked around. There was no sign of her shoes, her purse, or even the light jacket she always wore when she went out. It was strange. She never left the house without at least letting someone know where she was going."Angel?" I called out, but the