MonalisaAlex kept on picking different wears, I turned many down but accepted a few. I was just not in the mood. Particularly not in the mood to shop with him. Because each time I set my eyes on him, I was worried that Lena would do as she threatened. No matter how much I tried to look happy, deep down I was really sad and scared.No matter what I say, Alex is still adamant about being friends with Lena. He trusts her so much and doesn't want to listen to me. I'm so scared that history will repeat itself again. I'm not even close to him, so it would be really easy for Lena to take him away from me."Mona. " A familiar voice yelled, bringing me out of my thoughts. I raised my head to see Kate walking towards me with smiles plastered all over her face.I jumped up to my feet and ambled over, into her arms. "Thank goodness you are here. I'm so happy to see you" She giggled as we disengaged from the hug. "How are you? ""I'm fine. What are you doing here?" I asked." I asked her to com
AlexI was trying to get clothes for Mona when I got a text message from Lena. She has arranged an apology surprise package for Lisa and would want me to check it out before inviting Mona over. Mona has been moody since their fight, I just hope this surprise will lighten up her mood again and probably, they will become friends.It was a few minutes drive and I finally got to Silverado's hotel. I got out of my car and walked into the large building. The moment I stepped in, the receptionist seemed to be waiting for my arrival as she quickly got to me and escorted me to the room."Come in." Lena's voice came as the young lady knocked on the door.I muttered a thank you to the receptionist before stepping in. I closed the door and turned to see Lena seated on the bed with no sight of any surprise package. "Hi, Alex" Lena chuckled as she stood up from the bed and walked towards me. She was dressed in a red gown which had a side slit, revealing her laps."I thought you said you prepared a
AlexI exhaled deeply as I finally brought the car before my huge mansion. I stepped down and rushed towards the main door, hoping that monalisa doesn't hurt herself . Jeez. What just happened. The automatic door pulled open and I rushed in, I was quick enough to halt or I would have collided with Lisa who was hurrying towards the door, rolling her pink travelling bag along."What is going on Lisa?. Why are you with a bag?" I asked, confused. "I'm obviously leaving your life so that you can have all the freedom to go back into the arms of your most beloved Lena " She growled and made to leave but I blocked her." What are you saying Mona?. You can't leave me just like that " I countered. " I know you are angry right now but it would be better we talk it over than making such a haste decision to leave "" Talk over?. Look Alex. There is nothing to discuss here. You have chosen who you want to be with and I'm sick and tired of being a sideline. I'm sick and tired of hoping for a relat
AlexI dragged my feet into my room and slumped on the floor. Monalisa is gone. Isn't this what I have always wanted?. To be a free man. Completely free from the annoying entanglement called marriage. But then, why do I feel sad that she is gone. Why does my heart hurt. Ugh. I hate this feeling.I ran my hand through my head, struggling to keep my loose emotions together. I heard a knock on the door. "Come in" I quickly replied and the door cracked open to reveal exactly what I needed at this moment - alcohol. With the tray which contained the bottle and glass cup in her hands, Nanny Dora headed towards the side table at the end of the bed."Bring it here" I stopped her.She hesitated as she turned to glance at me, probably wondering if it was right for me to be seated on the floor. I don't care right now. I just want to get rid of the emptiness. I let out a sigh as she placed the tray before me, on the floor. "Thank you." She made to leave but paused and turned to me. "Just got a
AlexI dragged my feet into my room, each step heavier than the last, and slumped onto the cold, hard floor. Monalisa is gone.Isn’t this what I always wanted? To be free? To finally breathe without the weight of a marriage I never truly surrendered to? No more obligations. No more expectations. Then why does my chest feel like it’s caving in? Why does my heart ache as if she took a part of me with her?. I clenched my fists, inhaling sharply. I hate this feeling.I ran a hand through my hair, gripping the strands, trying to keep myself together. My thoughts were spiraling, threatening to consume me, but before I could sink further, a knock sounded at the door."Come in," I hoarsed.The door creaked open, and there she stood- Nanny Dora. In her hands, a silver tray balanced a crystal glass and a bottle of whiskey. Exactly what I needed.She walked toward the nightstand, but I stopped her before she could place it down."Bring it here," I muttered.She hesitated, her gaze scanning my d
MonaLisa “How do I look, Kate? Do you think they’ll believe me?” I asked for the third time, adjusting the disheveled strands of my hair in the mirror.Kate hesitated, her lips pursed as she studied my reflection. Then she smirked. “If I didn’t live with you and hadn’t seen firsthand how you prance around like a woman without a care in the world, I would actually feel sorry for you right now.”I arched a brow. “Really?”She folded her arms, feigning deep thought. “Mhm. You look like a woman who just escaped from a psychiatric hospital. So yeah, I think they’ll fall for your drama.”A slow grin spread across my lips. “Finally.”I turned back to the mirror for one last glance, and for a second, even I barely recognized myself. After watching hours of makeup disguise tutorials, I had managed to perfect the art of looking like a woman drowning in despair. The smudged mascara and the streaks of smeared eyeliner created the illusion of swollen, tear-ravaged eyes. My tangled hair, barely he
LisaI swallowed hard as camera flashes exploded around me, the chaotic voices of reporters blending into a deafening roar. Their aggressive questions cut through the thick air, but I barely registered them. My heart pounded in my chest, and I felt suffocated. Strong hands, ones I didn’t recall summoning, kept the press at bay, shielding me from the frenzy."Is it true that you and Alexander aren't together anymore?""We noticed renovations at your shopping mall. Are you repurposing it?"My throat tightened. Alex’s parents hadn’t just handed me major shares in their company, they had bulldozed my shopping mall and erected something bigger.I hesitated before stepping closer, knowing that the only way to get rid of them was to give them something. “Firstly,” I started, keeping my voice steady, “my shopping mall will remain. I’m simply adding a confectionery section. As for Alex and me…” I exhaled. “We are still together.”Silence. Then, a hand shot up. A woman with perfectly curled blo
Lisa"Where am I?" My voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper. My head throbbed as I rubbed my sleep-filled eyes."You’re home," Alex said, his voice tense, like he was holding something back.I blinked at him, trying to focus. His brows were furrowed so tightly it was as if his entire face was carved from stone. I reached up, smoothing the crease between them with my fingertip. "Why the long face?" I giggled, my voice laced with exhaustion. "You look like someone stole your food or something."He didn’t laugh. Instead, his jaw clenched and when he spoke, his voice was low, almost shaking. "How could you do this to yourself? Lisa, you’re pregnant. You shouldn’t be drinking."I scoffed, rolling onto my side. "It’s not like you care," I muttered. "What are you even doing here? Shouldn't you be with her?""Don't," he snapped, his tone sharp enough to slice through the fog in my brain. "Don't say her name."I snorted, unimpressed. "Why not? Afraid of feeling guilty?"He exhaled heavily,
LisaThe soft hum of the city outside was drowned by the rhythmic breathing of my sleeping angel. With a cup of milkshake in hand, I tiptoed into the nursery, where the golden morning light painted warm hues across the walls. My little prince lay peacefully in his crib, his tiny fingers curled into loose fists, his delicate lashes fanning over his rosy cheeks. It had only been a few minutes since I left him to make my drink, yet it felt like I had been away for hours.A soft smile stretched across my lips as I leaned over, my heart swelling with indescribable love. Gently, I ran a finger down his velvety cheek, memorizing every inch of his perfect face, his button nose, the tiny lips that occasionally puckered in his sleep. He had his father’s sharp features, but his deep brown eyes were unmistakably mine.The nursery, adorned with plush animals and a celestial-themed mobile, carried the faint scent of baby powder and lavender, creating a cocoon of warmth and tranquility. Alex had gon
LisaDays blurred into weeks, and weeks melted into months. My mother had returned to her hotel in California, the one Alex had set up for her, and transformed it into a thriving five-star establishment. She had always been a force to reckon with, turning every opportunity into something grand. My father, on the other hand, had vanished from my life. A part of me wanted to care, but every time that feeling surfaced, I quickly buried it under a mountain of reasons why he didn’t deserve my concern. Maybe pregnancy had softened my heart, but not enough to forgive a man who had only ever brought me pain.A warm arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me from my storm of thoughts. Gentle fingers caressed my swollen belly, sending waves of warmth through me. I inhaled deeply, recognizing the intoxicating scent of Alex’s cologne before his lips brushed against my ear."What’s troubling my beautiful wife?" His deep voice sent a delicious shiver down my spine.Even after all this time, he still h
LisaA sharp vibration in my palm pulled me from my thoughts. My phone had beeped. A message from Alex."They're here."A slow smirk curved my lips before I quickly wiped it away, returning to my somber expression. The real show was about to begin.Donald’s eyes pleaded with me, his voice shaking under the weight of regret. "I'm really sorry, dear. I didn’t mean to hurt you and your mother."I let out a bitter chuckle, folding my arms. "You didn’t mean to hurt us?" I repeated, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "That’s the best you can come up with? You knew we had nothing. You knew how helpless we were, yet you still left. You abandoned my mother—the woman who stood by you when you had nothing—just to chase after another woman’s wealth. Tell me, Donald, did you hate us that much?"His eyes widened in panic. "No, I don’t! I never did! I love you and your mother. I just...""To hell with your love." My voice rose, my breath shaky as emotions surged through me. "If you cared about us like
LisaMy heels clicked against the polished marble floor as I stepped into the grand hotel lobby. The air was crisp with the scent of expensive cologne and freshly brewed coffee, but even that couldn’t calm the storm raging inside me. I had agreed to meet Mr. Donald, yet with every step toward the room, my heart pounded harder against my ribcage.I had seen him countless times on television, and every time, all I felt was raw, unfiltered hatred. So why was today different? Was it because I would finally see him in person, just the two of us, no cameras, no distractions?I swallowed hard. God, I wish Alex was here. If only he could hold my hand, tell me I’d be alright. But no, I needed to do this alone.A poised young woman in a crisp uniform approached me, her smile polished and professional."Mrs. Marvins, I presume?" Her voice was smooth, almost too welcoming.I nodded."Welcome, ma'am. Please come with me. Mr. Donald has been waiting for you." She gestured toward the stairs, leading
AlexThe tension in the room was suffocating. Monalisa paced back and forth across my study, her heels clicking sharply against the polished floor. Her brows were furrowed, her expression unreadable. The silence stretched between us like a taut rope, ready to snap at any moment.I shifted uneasily in my chair, my fingers gripping the armrests. She had just told me about her confrontation with Lena, about the outrageous claim that she was pregnant with my child. But that was impossible. I had never once had unprotected sex with Lena. So how in the world could she be carrying my child?My jaw clenched as frustration surged through me. This is not right. I hissed under my breath, running a hand through my hair. Why did this have to happen now? Just when things were finally getting better between Monalisa and me?I could feel the storm brewing in the air. Monalisa abruptly stopped pacing and turned to glare at me. My heart pounded. The weight of her gaze was heavier than any accusation sh
DonaldI ran my hand through my hair for what felt like the hundredth time, frustration twisting my gut. How had things gone so wrong? For years, I had considered Mr. Marvin a friend but all this time, he had been nothing more than a snake, lurking in the grass, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.Days ago, my financial secretary called, his voice laced with urgency, to inform me that the Marvins had suddenly withdrawn their shares. Just like that, without warning. And the timing couldn't have been worse. We were in the middle of production for our latest car model. The betrayal hit me like a punch to the gut.Fuming, I had immediately reached out to Mr. Marvin, demanding an explanation. But his response was as cold as ice. “Speak to my daughter-in-law. She’s in charge now.”The audacity.I thought we were about to become family. And yet, they had discarded me like a piece of trash the moment they saw fit. I should have seen this coming. Maybe if I had learned my lesson when the
Lisa"Are we going to your summer house?" I asked, my voice laced with excitement.Alex nodded, and I gasped, my heart skipping a beat."But how did you know?" he asked, his brows drawing together in confusion.I sucked in a sharp breath. I wasn’t supposed to say that out loud.The truth was, I had seen it in his childhood diary, the one where he poured out his innocent dreams before the world turned him cold. In one of the pages, he had written about building a summer house, a place where he would escape with his Cinderella, the one woman who would truly belong to him. I had wondered what could have happened to that hopeful little boy to make him grow into the ruthless man he had become.But I couldn’t tell him that. He wouldn’t take it well."I… I just made a guess," I improvised quickly. "I mean, if you can have a penthouse, then you should also have a summer house, right?"It sounded weak, even to my own ears, but I prayed he wouldn’t press further.Alex studied me for a moment be
LisaI still couldn't believe it—this was Alex, the same cold-hearted man who once made me cry myself to sleep every night. Now, he was spoiling me with gifts, affection, and surprises. It was almost too good to be true.Today, he had suddenly asked me to step out with him. I had no idea what he had planned, but I didn’t care. As long as I was with him, I knew it would be worth it. I grabbed my bag, ensuring I had everything I might need, and hurried out to meet him.Sliding into the luxurious black Rolls Royce, I fastened my seatbelt and turned to him, excitement bubbling in my chest. “So, where are we going?” I asked eagerly.He chuckled, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine. “It’s a surprise. You’ll find out soon enough.”I leaned back, observing him as he started the car. My husband. The word still felt surreal. Dressed simply in a fitted red t-shirt, blue jeans, and a black cap, he exuded effortless charm. Even if he wore a trash bag, I was sure he’d still look devastati
LisaI reached out in my half-asleep daze, expecting the comforting warmth of Alex’s chest beneath my cheek, only to find… nothing.My fingers brushed against the cold sheets where he should have been. My heart stilled. My eyes snapped open.The other side of the bed was empty.I sat up, my mind racing as a sense of déjà vu hit me like a wave. The night before had been magical—his hands on me, his whispers against my skin, the way he held me like I was the only thing that mattered in his world. Had it all been a dream?I swallowed hard, glancing down at myself. I was still naked, my nightgown neatly folded beside me on the bed, just as he had done the last time.The last time…A bitter chill crept into my veins as the memories crashed over me. Waking up happy, only to be shattered by his cold words."It was a mistake, Lisa."I had spent days convincing myself that this time was different, that he had changed, that I meant more to him now. But what if I was wrong?"You’re a fool, Lisa,