EmiliaThe news spread like wildfire.By the time I arrived at the office the next morning, everyone was already whispering about Nora’s sudden termination. It was almost laughable how quickly people turned on each other when the tide shifted. Just yesterday, Nora had walked these halls with her head held high, basking in her self-importance. But now? She was gone.And no one—not even her so-called friends—seemed particularly upset about it.As I made my way toward my office, I passed a group of employees huddled near the breakroom, their voices hushed but their excitement barely contained. They weren’t exactly subtle.“Did you hear? They kicked her out first thing in the morning.”“I heard she didn’t even get a chance to pack her things—security escorted her out.”“Well, that’s what happens when you mess with the wrong people.”A small smirk tugged at my lips. I had expected the whispers, but the sheer enthusiasm behind them was amusing. It wasn’t just about her affair with Mr. Galla
JaydenThe anticipation in the room was palpable.I sat at the long conference table, my fingers tapping against the polished wood as I waited for Richard Kane to make the announcement. Today was the day. The day he would finally reveal his right-hand man—the person who would stand beside him, making decisions, handling the most critical affairs of Kane Group.I already knew it would be me.It had to be me.I had worked tirelessly for this. No one else had climbed the corporate ladder as fast as I had. No one else had proven themselves worthy.For the past year, I had secured high-profile deals, networked with top clients, and ensured that Kane Group’s reputation remained untouchable. More importantly, Richard trusted me. He valued my work. I had been in this company longer than most of the people sitting here, and I had the track record to prove I deserved this.There was no competition. No one even came close.I leaned back in my chair, letting my fingers graze my tie before straigh
EmiliaIt had been hours since my confrontation with Jayden, but the heat of his words still burned in my chest. I had managed to shove down my emotions for a while, burying the sting of his insults deep down where I could ignore them—at least until the next time I’d have to face him. The anger, the accusations—none of it was new. But today, it had felt different. Personal. He wasn’t just angry about the position. No, it was more than that. It was about power. Control.I wasn’t the same Emilia anymore, and he couldn’t handle that.With a heavy sigh, I walked back to my office, the long hallway stretching before me like a passage I had to walk every day—grueling, unyielding. I passed several employees who quickly turned their attention back to their work as I approached, but I could sense the looks. The whispers. They were still fresh. Still sharp.When I reached my office, I felt a moment of relief, thinking I could finally gather my thoughts and catch my breath. It was only a fleetin
EmiliaThe weight of their stares never lessened.It clung to me like a heavy fog, thick with judgment and barely concealed contempt. No matter where I went in the office, I could feel their eyes trailing me, their hushed whispers punctuated by barely hidden sneers.I wasn’t naïve. I knew what they were thinking.She doesn’t deserve this position.She must have slept her way to the top.Richard Kane must have a special taste for desperate women.The words weren’t spoken directly to me, but they didn’t have to be. The looks were enough.Despite the suffocating tension in the air, I held my head high and walked with purpose. If I let them see even a fraction of doubt or hesitation, they would pounce. These people thrived on weakness, and I refused to give them the satisfaction of watching me crumble.But that didn’t mean their whispers didn’t sting.I clenched my fists as I neared the reception desk, forcing my shoulders to remain straight. If I wanted to command respect, I had to act l
Richard.The air inside Kane Group buzzed with the usual morning energy—keyboards clacking, phones ringing, employees chatting in hushed voices. But as I strode through the lobby, a different kind of chatter reached my ears.“…can’t believe she’s still here.”“I know, right? She’s acting like she actually belongs in that position.”I didn’t slow my pace, but my jaw clenched slightly.They hadn’t even noticed me approaching.“She probably thinks if she sticks around long enough, Richard Kane will put a ring on her finger.”A round of snickering followed.I stopped beside them, fixing my gaze on the group of employees huddled near the reception area. The moment they realized I was there, their faces drained of color. One of the men—a junior associate from the marketing department—stiffened, his laughter dying instantly. The others quickly averted their gazes, pretending to be suddenly fascinated by their phones or the floor.One of them, a young man I vaguely recognized, cleared his thr
JaydenThe ballroom gleamed with opulence, the golden chandeliers casting a warm, regal glow over the sea of sharply dressed guests. Crystal glasses clinked, and the soft hum of polite conversation filled the space. Waiters moved effortlessly between groups, offering expensive champagne and exquisite hors d’oeuvres.The Kane Group’s anniversary gala was more than just a celebration. It was a statement—a display of power, wealth, and influence. A night where the elite of the business world gathered to reaffirm their positions at the top. And tonight, Katherine and I were about to take center stage.I adjusted the cuffs of my tailored black suit, exhaling slowly as I scanned the room. Business moguls, investors, CEOs—all the right people were here. People who understood the value of strategic alliances. People who would recognize what my engagement to Katherine truly meant.. Beside me, Katherine radiated confidence. Her deep red gown hugged her curves, the color bold and deliberate—a q
Jayden The murmurs hadn’t stopped. Even as the orchestra resumed its melody and guests returned to their conversations, the energy in the room had shifted.Richard Kane’s announcement had stolen the night.I stood frozen in the middle of the ballroom, my mind racing. Emilia was his wife. She was pregnant with his child. And he had just kissed her in front of everyone, making a clear and public declaration.And the worst part?No one was talking about my engagement to Katherine anymore.The moment that was supposed to cement our status, the carefully planned announcement meant to elevate our position in the company, had been utterly overshadowed. Instead of congratulating me and Katherine, guests whispered amongst themselves about Emilia and Richard.Katherine was fuming beside me, gripping her champagne glass so tightly I thought it might crack. Her lips were pulled into a tight line, and her usual poised demeanor had faltered. “This is ridiculous,” she hissed, keeping her voice low.
Emilia The air was still thick with tension from Richard’s announcement. I could feel the weight of a hundred eyes on us, watching, whispering, speculating. But none of it mattered—not when Richard stood beside me, his hand resting protectively on my waist, his presence a shield against the storm.The music had resumed, a slow, elegant tune filling the grand ballroom. The murmur of conversation was back, but there was an undeniable shift in the atmosphere.Richard had claimed me in front of everyone. And now, the world saw me not just as Emilia, the once-forgotten fiancée of Jayden Turner, but as his wife.And the mother of his child.I wasn’t sure how to feel about it. My heart was still racing from the kiss he had given me earlier—possessive, deliberate, leaving no room for doubt about where we stood. Even now, my lips still tingled from the warmth of his touch, the sensation lingering like an unspoken promise.I turned to look at him, expecting him to be scanning the room like he a
EmiliaI took the elevator and made my way up to my office. Just as I was about to walk in, my secretary stood up from her desk and gently stepped in front of me."Excuse me, Mrs. Kane," she said, holding a small tablet in her hand. "You have a new schedule today."I stopped, slightly confused. "What new schedule? I thought I was done for the day."She tapped quickly on her tablet, her eyes scanning the screen. "There's an impromptu board meeting. I just got the update. It’s scheduled for 1 PM."I glanced at the clock on the wall behind her. It was already 12:50."1 PM? That’s in ten minutes," I said, raising an eyebrow. "Do you know who called the meeting?"She typed a bit more, then looked up. "It was... Mrs. Smith."I didn’t even try to hide the frown that formed on my face. "Of course it was," I muttered.Without another word, I turned around and headed into my office to grab a file and straighten up. I didn’t want to give Elena the satisfaction of seeing me caught off guard.---
EmiliaDinner last night was a disaster. I was attacked by Richard's mum and that smug called Elena, head on.Even Richard's cousin Jacob insulted me. I wonder why his family decided to pick on me, even suggested that my child isn't his. What the hell??Last night was an absolute disaster, A full-on nightmareBut like every bad dream, the morning always comes. And when it does, I shake it off. I move on.I knew what Emelda and Elena were trying to do. Their plan was clever, I'll give them that but it was very petty. They wanted to humiliate me, to make me feel small, like I didn’t belong. They might have gottento me last night but I wasn’t going to let it stick. I wasn’t going to let two bored women with too much time on their hands ruin my peace.Not after everything I’ve been through.I wasn’t going to let any of them see me flinch. So today, I made sure to look like I was glowing.I wore a sleek, fitted dress , black, simple, elegant. My heels clicked confidently on the floor as I
RichardHer expression shifted for a moment. It was small, barely noticeable, but I caught it. There was something in her eyes. A flicker of hesitation, maybe even discomfort. She opened her mouth to say something but paused, like she was trying to find the right words. That told me everything I needed to know. This wasn’t just a casual chat.Nora had never been the type to hesitate. She was sharp, always composed. So seeing her like this—unsure, quiet, almost nervous—was new. And it made me curious.I hadn’t spoken to her in a long time. The last time we saw each other... things were complicated, to say the least. We hadn’t parted on bad terms, but there was unfinished business, words left unsaid. Now here she was again, standing in front of me, looking like she had something important to say.“I just...” She stopped and looked down briefly, then back at me. “I wanted to catch up, Richard.”Her voice was softer than usual, but it was still steady. She forced a small smile, though it
Elena I walked into my office with a slight smile on my lips. Last night had gone exactly how I wanted. Emilia was shattered. I could see it in her eyes. Every word Emelda said at that dinner, every glance chuckle I had, every smirk, I did it on purpose. And it worked. She was falling apart. I slipped off my coat and hung it carefully on the brass hook behind my door. As I turned, my reflection caught my eye in the large glass window. I paused and looked at myself, perfect makeup, flawless hair, fitted dress. Powerful. Beautiful. Intimidating. I moved to my desk and sat down, slowly crossing one leg over the other. I opened my laptop, but I wasn’t really reading the emails. My mind was still at the dinner last night. Emilia had looked like a deer caught in headlights. She didn’t fight back. She just sat there, quiet, eyes dull, like someone who had finally realized she didn’t belong. She’s breaking. She’s going to leave on her own. And when she does, I will finally break her ju
RichardI felt a little bit of relief now. Emilia seemed okay, and I was okay too. After everything that happened, after all the shouting, the hurt feelings, the coldness between us,just hearing her voice so calm and seeing her smile again made me breathe easier. It was like a heavy weight had been lifted off my chest. Things weren’t perfect yet, but they were better. And that was enough for now.I leaned back a little and looked at her. She was seated on the couch in her office, her hands gently resting on her desk. She looked calm, peaceful even, but I knew her well enough to still be worried. What happened last night wasn't something anyone could easily brush off, especially not her. But still, she had this strong way of holding herself together."I'll make it up to you, I promise," I said, keeping my voice low and sincere. I meant it with every part of me. She deserved that, at the very least."With what? A French toast?" She teased as she gave me a wink."Okay, good one," I co
Richard The day had just begun, but I was already exhausted and drained, my body was sitting in my office chair but my mind was elsewhere. The weight of it all seemed to hang over me like a dark cloud. The stress, the meetings, the constant expectations, it was all becoming too much. I couldn't focus on anything. My thoughts were jumbled, and my mind felt heavy with everything I had to manage. Being Richard Kane wasn’t just a job, it was a constant battle to stay on top, to meet the ever-growing expectations of the company, the family, and everyone around me.But I knew I needed to pull myself together. I couldn’t afford to let the pressure break me. I had responsibilities, and I couldn’t let my mind wander, not today, not now.I rubbed the back of my neck as I stared at the screen in front of me. I wasn't even reading the emails anymore.I was just staring at the words that had no meaning at the moment.The pressure of running a company, the drama surrounding Emilia and my family w
RichardAs I stepped inside the building, the usual buzzing and soft chattering of employees filled the air. The sound was almost comforting. The hum if a productive office, phones ringing, shoes tapped against the tiled floor, keyboards clicked nonstop, it was the typical morning scene at Kane Group. Most days, I would pause for just a moment right at the entrance. I had this habit of stopping, lifting my head slightly, and waiting for people to notice me. That slight pause always made them hurry back to their workstations, pretending they hadn’t just been chatting or joking around seconds ago.But today... today was different. I wasn't paying attention to any of that. My mind was elsewhere.I didn’t stop.I didn’t wait for anyone to notice me.I just walked straight in, my head slightly lowered, my eyes fixed on the ground ahead of me. A few murmurs all around my but I couldn't care less. Thoughts ran wild in my head. My head was preoccupied with a thousand things at once and non
RichardI stood there, staring down at my plate. My mind felt numb, and my body was stiff with anger. I didn’t know what to do, what to feel, or even how to react. I glanced over at my mother. She sat there, completely unfazed, like she hadn’t just ripped my wife apart emotionally.Emilia was still sobbing quietly. I could hear the soft sounds of her tears, and every one of them hit me like a slap. How could my mother do this? How could she say those things, attack the woman I loved so mercilessly?Then, suddenly, everything went quiet. Emilia stopped crying, and I looked up just in time to see her stand. Her face was red and swollen from the tears, and her eyes were filled with pain. I could see the hurt in them, but she didn’t say a word."I think I’m full," she said, her voice shaky, barely a whisper. She didn’t even look at me. "I’m just gonna go to bed now," she added, turning around to leave.I opened my mouth, about to call out to her, but the words got stuck in my throat. I
EmiliaSomething inside of me snapped. It wasn’t just the words she had spoken. It was everything, The pressure, the words, the stares—it all became too much. I felt my chest tighten, and the constant judgment, the subtle insults, the way Richard’s mother had made me feel less than, every single time. My hands began to tremble under the table. My throat burned with anger, but it wasn’t just that—it was pain too. Deep pain.I could feel my chest tighten, my hands tremble, and my heart beat faster. My blood was boiling as I looked directly at her. And before I could stop myself, I just lost it.“How dare you accuse me of something like that?” I snapped, my voice loud and shaking with anger. “Do you have any idea what you're accusing me of, huh?”My face was red now, and my vision blurred from the hot rush of emotion that flooded over me. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. This was a new low. The woman who was supposed to be Richard’s mother, the one who should’ve been supportiv