LisaI stumbled into my room, slamming the door shut behind me as hot tears streamed down my face. My breath came in ragged gasps, my heart pounding against my ribcage like a caged animal. The image of Alex in another woman’s arms was burned into my mind, an agonizing loop that refused to fade.It didn’t matter who was hugging whom. It didn’t matter if she had thrown herself at him or if he had willingly embraced her. What mattered was that I saw it. And it hurt.If he was so desperate to fall into another woman’s arms, then why the hell did he call me here?I collapsed onto the bed, curling into myself as sobs wracked my body. It was just a hug, right? It shouldn’t hurt this much. But it did. Maybe because I had foolishly let myself believe—just for a moment—that he was finally realizing how much he loved me. That he would finally confess.Or maybe because Lena had warned me. “I’ll make Alex crave my touch.” Those smug words echoed in my head, and now, like a cruel joke, her predicti
LisaI must be hallucinating. There’s no way I just heard those words come out of his mouth.The shock ripples through me, paralyzing every nerve in my body. My breath catches in my throat, my heart hammering so wildly I fear it might burst. Did Alex, my cold, emotionally detached husband, just say he’s madly in love with me?No. Impossible.His hands cradle my face, his thumbs brushing against my cheeks, anchoring me in this moment. His deep, steady gaze burns into mine, his usual guarded expression now softened by something unfamiliar—something vulnerable.“Breathe, Lisa,” he murmurs, his voice gentle yet commanding. He shakes me lightly, snapping me out of my daze. That’s when I realize—I’ve been holding my breath.I exhale shakily, air rushing past my lips in uneven bursts.“Are you that shocked?” A low chuckle escapes him, the kind that used to make my stomach flutter when I foolishly longed for his affection. But now? Now, it threatens to undo me.“Of course, I’m shocked!” My vo
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,
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
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
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
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
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
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,