“Who is this untrained waitress?” Helen shouted and she subconsciously pulled backwards as she saw the split of the wine slashing towards her. Becky had already filled the glass cup in her hand with wine and was about to give it to the man who requested her name a few seconds ago. One thing was still unclear. Did Becky deliberately throw the cup of wine towards the direction of her ex-husband and Helen who haven't taken notice of her? “Did she know the amount my darling here used to purchase the designer gown?” Her voice drew the attention of those sitting around. She cried without tears frantically and used her hands to dust the wine from it, but the colored wine had already entered. “This gown will pay your bills and wages for a lifetime,” her face still on the gown while Alexander stood there, altering no words and his eyes a bit disgusted by her reaction. She purposely wanted people to see her gown. Truly, the gown worth hundreds of thousands, but she was doing the opposit
Diana heard the stretched, haunting sound of the word “No…” echo in her head as she walked toward the hotel building. Meanwhile, Becky sat trapped in the car, her fingers tapping aimlessly against the glass as if searching for an escape. Panic settled in her chest. She couldn't leave—not now. Not with Alexander and Helen nearby. But an unsettling question lingered: Did she still love Alexander?If she didn’t, why was she so desperate to prevent Diana from carrying out her plan? Her mind wavered. Could she live with her friend's idea of revenge? Why was she opposing the easiest way to make the two people she believed had destroyed her life pay for their crimes?Becky fumbled for her phone and dialed Diana’s number with shaking fingers. The phone rang twice before Diana abruptly ended the call. Becky stared at the blank screen in disbelief, only for her worst fears to be confirmed as Diana switched off her phone entirely. The line was dead, and so was their connection—for now.“Aaaaahhhh
"Go inside and change your dress! What if my dad sees you during the video call?" Becky whispered urgently to Diana, who quickly rushed inside. But before Becky could set up the call, her father’s face filled the screen.“Where am I?” Becky spun the phone camera around the room, her voice was so relaxed.“That looks like a sitting room...” her dad’s voice came out slowing as his eyes kept turning, trying to see the room properly.“If you’re still doubting me, I’ll step outside and show you the house,” Becky countered smoothly, her camera now capturing Diana’s compound. “Honestly, Dad, how do you expect me to split myself in two? The ceremony is still going on.”In the background, her mother’s voice was heard. “Who said they saw Becky working as a waitress at the annual business summit?”Becky winced as her father spoke again, his tone softer. “I’m sorry, Becky. It must’ve been someone who looked like you. But you know I’ve never supported you leaving home. Have you found work yet? Nev
“Helen, what is wrong with you? You’ve been so distant, acting as if something went wrong since you returned from the annual summit.” Zara said and there was silence. She stood by the bed, staring intently at Helen, who sat with her head bowed to the floor.It was the morning after the business summit, and Zara had been waiting for an explanation. Helen sighed deeply, avoiding her friend’s gaze.“I’m waiting, Helen,” Zara pressed, her tone more demanding this time.“For what?” Helen’s lips curled into a faint, humorless smile. “For me to tell you I changed my mind and followed Mr. Alexander instead of Adams? That’s not news, Zara. I know exactly what I’m doing.” She finally raised her head, meeting Zara’s eyes. “Both of them serve a purpose. My leg is in Alexander’s camp, and the other is with Adams. Both paths lead to what I want—to be either the vice CEO of AZ Corporation or the wife of whoever becomes the next CEO.”“Helen…” Zara clapped her hands in a way that showed she needs to
Becky’s mind filled with questions as the security man called out to her. “The big boss upstairs wants to see you,” he announced to the hearing of everyone.Her heart raced. “What could this be about? Am I in trouble? Did I break a company policy by arguing with their staff in the building? Why does he want to see me?”She was lost in thought until Diana’s voice jolted her back to reality.“I’ll be waiting for you outside. Please, don’t speak arrogantly to the overall boss,” Diana cautioned.Diana knew Becky well. Normally, she was calm and avoided confrontation, but today had been different. Becky’s words had been uncharacteristic—a response to the injustice her friend had faced.All eyes followed Becky as she approached the waiting security guard. Though Michelle felt embarrassed by Becky's action, her real triumph was the firing of Diana. With her fiancé’s help, she succeeded in having her permanently removed from the company.As Becky passed, Michelle turned to the other staff, “
Becky wished the floor would open and swallow her as she opened the door. Her heart pounded until she realized the man standing before her was a stranger. She let out a relieved sigh. She still suspected that Mr. Amos Wright must have sent someone, remembering his words when she was in her office: "I don’t take ‘no’ for an answer." She was sure that men like him were relentless, the type who wouldn’t stop until they got what they wanted. As these thoughts filled her mind, the man before her said something that unexpectedly put her at ease.“Where is Diana?” the man asked. He was short, wearing a striped shirt, with a noticeable scar on the side of his head, and pleasant fragrance emanating from him. Becky, gripping the door, turned slightly toward the sitting room, her entire body blocking the entrance.“Someone’s looking for you,” Becky called.Diana rose from her chair, the TV remote in hand, and walked toward the door.“Good evening, sir,” Diana greeted with a tone of familiarity.
“If I had known, I would have told Diana to follow me here. To see for herself, what was happening.”This was Becky’s greatest regret as she stepped into her father’s house after a long day trip. Leaving Diana’s house, she had rushed to grab a cab straight to the airport, carrying only a small black bag. The manner of her departure had been hurried and undetectable. Becky’s mother had never pulled a stunt like this before. Even her envious sister, Manni, was now by her father’s side. Becky wondered if Manni loved the theatrics of the situation or simply relished the opportunity to be in the center of attention. Had they been on better terms, Manni might have tipped her off about the truth.“Why was I so confident that nothing like this would ever happen to me?” Becky thought, a bitter taste forming in her mouth. Her flight had been paid for, and a special cab was waiting for her at the airport in her parents’ city.“Which hospital?” Becky asked the moment she slid into the car as she
Becky emptied her bag onto the bed, the contents spilling out in a scattered mess. Her hands sifted through the pile with increasing urgency.“Where is it?” she muttered, her voice full of frustration. No matter how thoroughly she searched, the object she sought wasn’t there. With a deep sigh, she reached for her phone, intending to call Diana. Her finger hovered over the dial button, but she hesitated and ended the call before it could connect.“How will I even explain this to Diana if she asks?” she whispered to herself, anxiety rising up in her chest.She glanced at the clock—it was already 7 p.m. Before she could think further, a knock on her door startled her.“Becky, open up. Dinner is ready,” her mother called gently from the other side.“I’m not hungry,” Becky replied at once, with a feeling of anger.“Please, open the door,” her mother said again, knocking lightly.“Please, just leave me alone,” Becky said again.After a pause, she heard her mother’s footsteps retreating. “If
Kathrine’s POVI felt so dizzy I might have collapsed if I hadn’t been sandwiched between Henry and Noah, their strong bodies holding me up. The kitten, tired of being squished, had climbed onto my shoulder, her tiny claws pricking my skin.Was this real? Had I slipped into some alternate reality? Maybe the almond milk my mom gave me had sent me into a coma, and this was all just a dream. Because who in the world gives their girlfriend a house for her nineteenth birthday?But it wasn’t the price tag or the extravagance of the gift that hit me the hardest. It was the understanding.Henry and Noah knew. They knew that for the past three and a half years, my life had been nothing but temporary, unstable, unreliable, and downright terrifying. When I lost my dad, I lost my home, my safety, my security. I’d followed my mom from one boyfriend’s place to another, always feeling like an unwanted third wheel, always at the mercy of strangers. I thought I’d built up a tough shell, that I was str
Kathrine’s POVI wasn’t expecting any more gifts from the Robert brothers. They’d already spoiled me with flowers, a fancy stainless steel water bottle, an incredible dinner on the gazebo, and those stunning rings. I couldn’t stop twisting the rings on my finger, just to remind myself this was real. This wasn’t some scene from one of my romance novels—this was my life.But when they drove me out to the waterfall, I almost melted. It was such a sweet, romantic gesture, taking me back to where it all kind of began. Okay, technically, it started at the Professor’s house, but our first real date was here, at the swimming hole under the man-made waterfall. That was the moment I started to believe I could actually be with both of them.When we arrived, there was a blanket laid out on the grass, scattered with rose petals. A vase of fresh flowers sat beside a white box tied with a big red bow. They sat facing me, their eyes full of anticipation, like they were waiting for something huge. It
Henry’s povI woke up before the sun even started to rise, the sky still dark over the mountains. Kathrine was curled up next to me, our legs tangled together with Noah’s. My brother was on the other side of her, holding her close while she faced me. At some point during the night, we’d kicked off the blankets, but the three of us together kept the bed warm and cozy.When Noah and I planned her late birthday dinner, we never imagined it would end the way it did, with the most incredible, unforgettable night of my life. Maybe even our lives. I reached for her hand in the dark, my fingers brushing over the ring she now wore. She’d accepted it. She’d accepted us.Kathrine stirred, stretching with a soft groan. “Oh my God,” she mumbled, her voice still heavy with sleep. She threw a leg over mine and sighed. “I feel like I’ve been hit by a bus. No, make that two buses.”I smiled, brushing her hair back from her face. Even in the dim light, I could see how beautiful she looked. “I’m sorry,
Kathrine’s POVI should have done this a long time ago. Sliding behind the wheel of my new car, I gripped the steering wheel a little tighter than necessary, just to remind myself that it was real, this was real. The scent of pine-tree air freshener mixed with the sharp, chemical tang of whatever they used to polish the interior at the dealership. It wasn’t exactly pleasant, but it smelled like freedom. Like a fresh start.No more asking for permission. No more borrowing keys. No more waiting for some taxi driver to show up at his own pace. This was my car, and I could go anywhere I wanted, whenever I wanted.It should have been a good feeling, liberating, even but there was a dull ache gnawing at the back of my mind.My mother wasn’t speaking to me.Late last night, I’d heard her voice sharp and angry, drifting from the other end of the house. I couldn’t make out every word, but I didn’t have to. I knew exactly what the argument was about.She must have gone to Weah, her voice rising
Noah’s PovEven though Kathrine was trying to hide it, I could see she was upset. When I got to the dojo, she was already there. She had taken off her jacket, put on boxing gloves, and was hitting the heavy bag hard. She wasn’t just practicing, she was putting all her strength into every punch and kick. I could almost feel the force of her hits. Her face was red, her breath was sharp with each strike, and sweat was running down her neck.It was impressive and attractive, but also a little scary.I wouldn’t want to be that bag, but that wasn’t what worried me. It was the way she was fighting, so intense, so focused, so fierce. It was like she was fighting for her life. Or maybe she was punishing herself.After what Henry told me about her meeting with her mom, I thought it might be a mix of both. I wasn’t sure if I should stop her or let her keep going. Since we were in the dojo and she was higher-ranked than me, I felt unsure of what to do.Luckily, Clement noticed something was wrong
Kathrine’s Pov“Time to face the executioner,” I muttered under my breath as I opened the door and headed downstairs to confront my mother. My purse was slung over one shoulder, and I could hear the keys to my new car jingling inside, almost as if they were taunting me. I kept my face calm and composed, but inside, my stomach was churning with nerves. I had no idea how my mother was going to react, and I really didn’t want Henry to witness it if she completely lost it.I found her pacing back and forth between the living room and the kitchen. She had kicked off her heels by the back door and I mean kicked. One of them had flown halfway across the room. Her hair, which had been neatly tied up, was now loose and floating around her flushed face. Her pupils were tiny pinpoints, and she was shaking with anger. She was furious, and it showed in every movement.I took a deep breath, trying to detach myself from her emotional state. It wasn’t easy. Her stress and anxiety felt like invisible
Kathrine's povBuying my own car might have been a little impulsive, but I didn’t regret it. Well, not entirely. The process wasn’t exactly smooth, though. I had to visit three different dealerships before I found a salesman who actually took me seriously. The first one looked me straight in the eye and told me to come back with my parents. Can you believe that? The second one laughed in my face when I said I wasn’t interested in financing and planned to pay in cash. It was frustrating, to say the least. But at the third dealership, I finally found a guy who treated me like an adult. We talked about the pros and cons of different cars within my budget, and after some back-and-forth, I settled on a modest, older Toyota with low mileage. It wasn’t flashy, but it was reliable and affordable.I paid for the car in full and drove it off the lot, feeling a mix of pride and guilt. This was my first car, and it should’ve been a happy moment, but instead, I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling in
Henry’s POV“How much longer?” I barked into the phone, my patience hanging by a thread.“We’ll wrap up by Tuesday,” said Guy Wilson, the contractor I hired to handle the asbestos cleanup at the old factory. “After that, you’ve got to wait at least 48 hours for the air to clear. Honestly, with a job this big, I’d give it a full week before we run the final tests to make sure it’s safe.”I rubbed my eyes, frustration gnawing at me. A week shouldn’t feel like a lifetime, but with the chaos at home, it felt like an eternity.I always knew Kathrine’s mom wouldn’t be on board with us, but I didn’t expect her to go full attack mode. The way she tore into Kathrine was disgusting, shaming her, calling her awful names. It made me sick.That morning at breakfast, Clara dropped the bomb. “You’re grounded,” she announced, her tone dripping with superiority. “And you’re not touching your car. Got it?”Kathrine didn’t even blink. She just raised an eyebrow, squeezed a lemon into her water bottle li
Kathrine's POVThis wasn’t going to blow over. I could feel it in my bones, like the ache of a storm before it hits. The tension in the house was thick enough to cut with a knife, and I knew it was only a matter of time before everything came crashing down. Unless I walked away from whatever this thing was between the Robert brothers and me, my mom and Weah would keep pushing. And I’d be the one caught in the crossfire.I was the odd one out here. The outsider. The girl who didn’t belong in the Robert’ world. And honestly, I could see why my mom was so uncomfortable. Weah, her professor boyfriend, was all about appearances. He was the kind of guy who ironed his socks and probably had a spreadsheet for his grocery list. I could practically see him breaking things off with her if I caused too much of a scene. The thought made my stomach twist.Even if I ignored my mom and Weah, this thing with the twins was a risk. A huge one. Relationships were messy enough, but with two brothers? It w