Sandra's POVI noticed the woman by his side was Susan, and I couldn't help but frown. The moment she caught sight of me, her smile faltered for a moment.I couldn't tell if it was shock or something else."My goodness, Sandra, is that you?" she mumbled, her eyes filled with a stern gaze as if she was unwilling to believe what was already standing in front of her eyes."Good day, Miss," I greeted warmly, trying not to sound too formal.When I ran away, I left that life behind, so what was the point of reminiscing about the past?Clarie noticed something was off as we both dropped to her side. She leaned in closely, her voice coming in a soft whisper."What's up? Are you okay?"I nodded, taking a deep breath. I let Clarie handle the discussion with Eric. I didn't want to get involved, and I made sure to keep our conversation as brief as possible."Thank you so much for your time," Clarie said as we both stood up.The meeting had been finalized, and he offered to give us the contract. I
Hayden was not saying anything, and it only made me realize that my son was lying. But I didn’t want to make him feel bad.Whatever he was hiding, I had my ways to find out—and I would.“Mom, can we go now? I’m starving,” Hayley groaned from inside the car.She was already seated inside with Clarie.“Come on, Hayden, let’s go.” I smiled, stretching out my palm to my son, and he took it gladly.“Okay, Mummy,” Hayden mumbled.After we got home, the day ran by really fast, and when I checked the clock, it was already past eight. Now, it was time to put my little plan into action.Thankfully, the kids were already asleep. My feet met the earth as I stood up, snatching my black robe from the corner, and I slipped out of my room.“No, I shouldn’t be invading my son’s privacy,” I halted halfway, my hand curling into a fist.Then I shook my head with determination.“He’s just five. What does he know about privacy?” I clicked my tongue in disapproval and marched out.I didn’t know why I starte
Sandra's POV"Mummy," Hayley muttered as she stood up from the bed."Sweetheart."I went over to cuddle her in my arms as she held me close."I'm sorry, did I wake you?" I asked calmly.Now that the attention had been shifted, I wouldn't have to answer Hayden’s question.I held both of them in my arms."I'm sorry, pumpkins. Why don't you go to sleep, and tomorrow we can talk?" I said, and Hayden nodded.The next morning, Claire took them to school, and I knew it was time to face my fear.I got to the office and took out the file containing all of Eric’s information. My hands hovered with hesitation as I stared at the keyboard. I had to speak to him, but that meant I would have to see him.With an exasperated sigh, I dialed his number and waited. I paced around the room, but the line went silent."Oh great, he's not picking up my calls," I hissed and decided to focus on work.I buried myself in work, and it actually helped quite a lot to take my mind off things.My phone buzzed inside
Sandra's povMy whole world spun in an instant as a wave of emotions washed over me. It was as if I was running a marathon, my airways clogged, making it hard to breathe.I opened my mouth to speak, but the words died inside me as I stared at him. Every day, I reminded myself that Eric wasn’t worth it, that it was better to forget than drown in this endless cycle of emotions. Yet here I was, still affected by his words, even though he was the man who hurt me so badly.“Sandra, I know what I did wasn’t fair to you, but please… can you find it in your heart to—”Panic soared through me, and I gritted my teeth.“I don’t want to hear it from you,” I exhaled sharply.I tried to steady my voice, but the more I forced the words out, the more it felt like my chest was splitting open. It was just too much.All these years—aside from my kids—one of the only reasons I had made it this far in life was because I spent the last five years trying to hate him. I used his rejection as fuel for my ambi
Sandra’s POVI sat at my desk staring at the flowers and box of chocolate Jenny had brought earlier. Wild lavender flowers, fresh and woody, their scent filling the room. The scent reminded me of Eric and that made me feel uncomfortable than I wanted to admit.How easily a smell could bring back so many memories- —the sweet moments, heartbreak and the space left behind.I took the note from the table that came with the flowers and chocolate and read it. “You look beautiful today.” Just four words nothing more. No name, No clue or signature. I had no idea who had sent them, but it was more than enough to stir up every emotion I had buried.I hated the way my stomach churned at the thought of him, how my wolf stirred within me at even the mere possibility that it could be Eric. Get a grip Sandra, i told myself, shaking y head rapidly.I threw the note in the bin. I have worked hard day and night to build the life i have now that was free from anything connected to him, that was free fro
Sandra’s POVI walked to the mirror, checking out my outfit one last time my reflection staring back at me.I had picked a black, sexy gown that clung to my body like my second skin, accentuating my curves in all the right places.The gown had a deep daring neckline without being too provocative. It was in one word and that was perfect. The fabric shone in the light as I turned slightly; my black waves shimmered under the light cascading over my shoulder.My makeup up was simple yet bold, smoky eyes drawing attention while my lips were a deep red, capturing the essence of confidence and allure. I was ready for the night even though deep down I didn't want to go.“You look goddamn gorgeous; you'll turn everyone's head tonight.” Claire muttered, grinning ear to ear. Her bright red dress stood out, but even in such bold attire, she looked pretty.“You look pretty too Claire.” I said, “And I am not here to steal anything, I'm just here to enjoy the night nothing else nothing more.” I rep
Sandra’s POVThe past few days has been really tiring. Between handling different meetings, sourcing fabrics, attending different events, and making sure the kids were fine.I had always found time to take care of the twins and attended to all their needs because they were my world. I barely had time to myself, but I didn't really care as long as they were satisfied.The twins were always begging e to make them pancakes at every single chance i got. “mommy’s pancakes are the best.” Hayley will say.But even in the chaos, something else was stirring beneath the surface—something more unsettling than deadlines or spilled batter on my new rug.Eric.The man who once tore my heart apart was now becoming a constant presence again. And the most terrifying part? I had no idea how to feel about it, I didn't want to think about it or stress myself about it.The man who once broke my heart into pieces without looking back or feeling any pity towards me was slowly finding his way back into our w
Sandra’s POVThe past few days has been really tiring. Between handling different meetings, sourcing fabrics, attending different events, and making sure the kids were fine.I had always found time to take care of the twins and attended to all their needs because they were my world. I barely had time to myself, but I didn't really care as long as they were satisfied.The twins were always begging e to make them pancakes at every single chance i got. “mommy’s pancakes are the best.” Hayley will say.But even in the chaos, something else was stirring beneath the surface—something more unsettling than deadlines or spilled batter on my new rug.Eric.The man who once tore my heart apart was now becoming a constant presence again. And the most terrifying part? I had no idea how to feel about it, I didn't want to think about it or stress myself about it.The man who once broke my heart into pieces without looking back or feeling any pity towards me was slowly finding his way back into our w
Sandra’s POVThe weight of everything had been crushing me for weeks. I didn’t need to sit with it to feel it anymore; the pressure was always there, lurking behind every conversation, every glance. But there was something about the silence that had settled over me that day, a calm before a storm. I realized something in that silence: I was tired of feeling like a victim in my own life.I could have fallen deeper, letting Susan win. I could have let her bitterness, and her manipulations pull me into a world where I was constantly battling shadows. But I wasn’t that woman anymore. At least, I wasn’t going to be.I’d spent the last few days spiraling, questioning myself, wondering if maybe this was my fault. But something in me snapped back into focus. I wasn’t just a pawn in this twisted game. And I certainly wasn’t going to let Susan or anyone else turn me into one.It started with something small, almost unnoticeable at first. I stopped pretending. I stopped pretending to be okay
Sandra’s POVThe weight of everything had been crushing me for weeks. I didn’t need to sit with it to feel it anymore; the pressure was always there, lurking behind every conversation, every glance. But there was something about the silence that had settled over me that day, a calm before a storm. I realized something in that silence: I was tired of feeling like a victim in my own life.I could have fallen deeper, letting Susan win. I could have let her bitterness, and her manipulations pull me into a world where I was constantly battling shadows. But I wasn’t that woman anymore. At least, I wasn’t going to be.I’d spent the last few days spiraling, questioning myself, wondering if maybe this was my fault. But something in me snapped back into focus. I wasn’t just a pawn in this twisted game. And I certainly wasn’t going to let Susan or anyone else turn me into one.It started with something small, almost unnoticeable at first. I stopped pretending. I stopped pretending to be okay
Sandra’s POVI knew something was off the moment I woke up that morning.There wasn’t a sound. Not the usual distant hum of the city or even birds chirping like they usually did outside our window. Just stillness. Thick, almost eerie silence. I sat up slowly, scanning the room like something or someone was waiting to jump out at me.But it was just the quiet.I shook it off and padded into the kitchen, where Eric was already making coffee. He smiled when he saw me, and for a moment, things felt normal again. “Did you sleep okay?” he asked, sliding a mug toward me.I nodded, even though I hadn’t. My dreams had been cluttered again fragments of Susan’s face, distorted in anger, floating in and out of memory. Whispers I couldn’t place. Things I couldn’t unsee. And that strange feeling of being watched.“I’m fine,” I lied, taking a sip.The taste was familiar, warm, and comforting but it did nothing for the weight pressing on my chest.The day didn’t get any better.By noon, I got the fi
Susan’s POVThey said justice had spoken. That truth had won. That the monster had been unmasked.But I wasn’t dead.Not even close.A dirty secret. A mistake no one wanted to claim.And that was what hurt the most.Like I was nothing more than a shadow they accidentally stood next to once.I could still feel the sting in my chest, that slow burn of humiliation that refused to fade. It had settled deep, becoming a part of me. I remembered how they used to sit in my home, in the very living room I decorated with so much love, laughing at the stories I told. They made toasts. They danced. They claimed we were family. That we were connected by more than blood or history—we were connected by loyalty.But now?Now those same people could barely meet my eyes. Now, when I walked into a room, they shifted in their seats, cleared their throats awkwardly, avoided saying my name altogether. As if by not acknowledging me, they could pretend their hands were clean. That they hadn’t once benefit
Sandra’s POVAnother meeting.This wasn’t the first meeting, and it probably wouldn’t be the last, but it was the third since everything came to light. Since the lies unraveled. Since the truth had been dragged out into the open like an old, rotting corpse that had been hidden for far too long.And now, everyone wanted to act like they cared. Like they were shocked. Like they hadn’t known, or suspected, or played a part in letting it get this far. It was strange how quickly people could clean their hands and pretend they were never dirty.But me? I wasn’t pretending. I was just tired.Tired of being the girl who always had to be strong. Tired of being the one who people looked at with pity on their faces and questions in their eyes. Tired of fighting to be seen as more than just someone who survived.I wasn’t there to make anyone feel better. Not today.This meeting, just like the others, was meant to bring "closure." I stood by the door for a moment, just breathing. Taking it all in
Sandra’s POV The next day, there was another meeting. Another gathering of familiar faces that now felt foreign. Everyone was there because of the poisoning, the truth that had finally come to light. The elders spoke, one after the other, each with a different tone. Some spoke with regret, others with authority, and a few tried to find a middle ground, to balance what had happened with what was still left unsaid.But as they talked, I sat there, silent. Still.The words bounced off the walls, off their lips, and off me. I heard them, but I couldn’t feel them. Not the way they probably intended. They were trying to bring peace. Trying to restore order. Trying to act like what happened was something that could be wrapped up neatly and placed in the past. But I wasn’t there yet.Because peace wasn’t something you could summon with speeches.It wasn’t something that showed up just because the truth finally did.I looked around the room and saw faces I used to trust. Faces that had on
Sandra’s POV“Sandra?” His voice had broken the silence that had swallowed this room whole, the kind of silence that feels alive, like it’s watching you.My eyes locked onto his. First, confusion flashed across his face, but it didn’t last. The moment he saw what I was holding the folder pressed tight against my chest like a shield, his expression shifted.I couldn’t speak. My fingers were clenched around the file, and I hadn’t even realized how tightly I was holding it until the edge dug into my palm. I’d found it everything I wasn’t supposed to see. Everything she thought she’d buried.The proof.The documents, notes, photos... all carefully tucked away in the locked drawer of her desk, as if secrets couldn’t rot through wood. My whole body was trembling, but I didn’t let go. I couldn’t. Letting go would make it too real.Eric stepped into the room fully now, closing the door behind him with a soft click that still made me flinch. The room had felt too big just moments ago, like t
Sandra’s POVI started dressing for the day. I decided on my outfit choice from the long array of dresses on the hanger.I later settled for a light pink floral dress that had roses at the upper part.I matched it with a pink sandal Eric had bought for me on one of our shopping trips.I brushed my hair lightly and then braided it into a tight bun.I was ready, not only for the day but also for the judgmental stares of people in the castle. I was already used to it by now. And I mean no one would ever make me feel bad. I hadn't come this far to be trampled upon by anyone, not even Susan or Luke.I stepped out into the corridor holding my head up high. I could see from my vision the maids chattering.Their whispers didn’t stop; they’d been circling ever since the incident with the poisoned drinks. It wasn’t enough that Susan had been caught in the act. No, it wasn’t just the facts that mattered anymore. It was how easily they could twist the narrative to make me the villain.I wasn’t na
Sandra’s POVThe palace walls were too quiet this morning. A shift. A whisper. Like the whole house had turned its eyes on me.They think I poisoned them.Not openly, not yet, but the seed had been planted. Susan might have failed to kill anyone, but she’d succeeded in something worse: turning the court’s eyes on me.And the worst part?Mrs. Axel wasn’t even trying to hide her suspicion anymore.She didn’t look up when I stepped in.“Good morning,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm.She didn’t answer right away. Just a single glance over the rim of her teacup.“You’re up early.”“I could say the same.”I crossed the room and stood opposite her. I didn’t sit. Not yet.Mrs. Axel finally set her teacup down and folded her hands in her lap, like a queen on a throne.“I imagine sleep was difficult, given last night’s… situation.”Situation.That’s what she was calling it. Not the attempt on my reputation. Not the fact that someone poisoned the royal wine to frame me. No. Just a situati