Nina's POVThe room was silent, hanging on the edge of anticipation. I had waited for this moment—a chance to finally show them who I truly was and end their speculations. Many of them were confused, lost in their assumptions, but tonight I would make it clear. I took a deep breath, glancing around the room with an assured smile. The moment had come.I raised my voice, addressing everyone. “I never lied to any of you,” I said, a smirk playing on my lips as my eyes lingered on each of them. “You just didn’t know to ask the right questions.”The words landed like a thunderclap, and a stunned silence followed. I saw Sarah’s face twist with anger, her jaw clenched so tightly I thought she might break a tooth. “No…how is that possible!” she exclaimed, her voice trembling as she struggled to keep her composure. She stared at me, her eyes full of disbelief and barely disguised rage.Alexa, standing beside her, looked equally astonished, her mouth dropping open. “I don’t believe this,” she sa
Nina's POVI couldn’t help the storm brewing inside me as I stood there, watching them talk about me as though I wasn’t even in the room. My fingers clenched tighter around the glass I was holding, the coolness of it grounding me as I took deep breaths to keep my face calm. My father throwing a party for me and not telling me? It felt strange—no, ridiculous—and knowing him, there had to be a reason behind his secrecy. But now? In front of everyone, I was meant to just nod along while they ripped me apart, blissfully unaware that I held the very power they were mocking me for.Mark’s grandma flashed a warm smile at Mr. Donald, her voice carrying a note of appreciation. “Thank you so much for these wonderful gifts, Mr. Donald. They’re nothing short of miraculous.” She looked toward Mrs. Santiago with gratitude before adding, “I will have to find something equally special to give in return.”Mr. Donald nodded politely, his composed demeanor barely betraying any emotion, while Tony’s frie
Nina’s POVI wouldn’t lie right now, but for a moment, I felt like laughing in their faces. Why were they all acting so smug, as if I were some charity case begging for crumbs from their table? I was the heiress. *Me.* And yet here they were, each one more insufferable than the last, trying to prove they were wealthier, smarter, or more famous than me. *Ridiculous!*I forced a smirk, holding my ground as Sarah sauntered over, an exaggerated grace in her every step like she was royalty. She leaned in, her voice laced with venom. “Just a gentle reminder, Miss ‘McDonalds,’” she sneered, putting exaggerated emphasis on my family name, “you won’t win this. Doesn’t matter who you are.”She looked at Mark, her lips curling into a sly grin. “You’ll see, Mark. I’ll just sit back and watch this farce unfold. Nina’s just a wannabe—a nobody.” She gave me one last look, eyes gleaming with barely concealed malice, and then spun on her heels. “Let’s go,” she ordered, and her entourage trailed after
Nina's POVI stood there in silence, heart racing, trying to keep my cool as Mrs. Santiago's sharp gaze settled on me. Her lips were pressed tight, her face set in an expression that was somewhere between fury and disappointment. I knew better than to speak—one wrong word, and this situation could easily explode."Mark, if you’re going to be entertaining this… this girl, knowing how it will affect the McDonalds and the Roberts' family reputation…" Mrs. Santiago’s voice trailed off, thick with disapproval. My stomach churned at her tone, but I swallowed back any retort. I couldn’t cause a scene here, not with her as furious as she was.I could feel Mark's hand tighten slightly around mine. "Grandma, I don’t think Nina’s presence has anything to do with Mr. McDonald's reaction," he said calmly. His attempt at diplomacy only seemed to aggravate his grandmother further.“Oh really? You think Mr. McDonald won’t care?” Mrs. Santiago’s gaze flicked to me, then back to Mark. "You are playing
**Nina's POV**As I followed behind the group, I could hear the excited chatter and see the stolen glances. The workers seemed to be completely captivated by the woman who had just arrived. And why wouldn’t they be? She was decked out in flashy designer labels and dripping with the kind of confidence that only comes from being completely wrapped up in your own self-importance.One of the ladies stopped halfway and turned to face me, her expression hardening. “Hey! Back off,” she snapped, as if I were some stray wandering into an exclusive event.I took a deep breath, controlling the urge to roll my eyes. Then I heard one of them squeal in admiration, “Oh my gosh! She’s carrying a Hermès limited edition!”Another gasped. “That bag alone is worth over two million dollars!” They shared a look of awe, as if they had spotted a rare gem.The woman they were fawning over was now standing with a self-satisfied smirk, clearly enjoying the attention. She held herself like royalty, and as she sl
Alexa's POV I plastered a sweet smile on my face, but inside, my stomach twisted. That maid—she slipped the VIP card into my bag! I was the only one who saw it, but I couldn’t let anyone else notice my shock. The girls around me, who were all eager to please, didn’t seem to notice a thing.“Oh my goodness, Nina, what are you doing here?” one of the girls scolded the maid, clearly irritated. “Get out! You’re obstructing our VIP guest!” The girl turned to me with a look of apology, “We’re so sorry, Miss McDonald. I hope this won’t affect your experience here. Mr. Bernard wouldn’t be pleased if he found out.”Lily, the maid, looked at me with a glint in her eyes before she scrambled away. She knew what she’d done. My heart pounded in my chest as I clutched the card, trying to calm myself. I had to play this right.I turned to the door, the girls watching me expectantly. Holding up the golden VIP card, I swiped it against the lock and heard the satisfying click. With a self-satisfied smi
**Nina's POV**I stood in the presidential suite, watching Alexa with narrowed eyes. Her gaze darted around the room, refusing to meet mine. I could see right through her—she was lying, and we both knew it. She was fidgeting nervously, her fingers tapping on the strap of her designer bag as if it could somehow distract from the tension thickening in the air.The other girls waited in silence, eyes shifting between Alexa and me, unsure of what to believe. I could feel their doubt, the way they all wanted Alexa to defend herself, to tell us what was actually inside that safe. She claimed it was jewelry—something of “great value.” But I knew better. This wasn’t about gold or diamonds.I crossed my arms, allowing a small smirk to play on my lips. “No, it’s actually the opposite, Miss McDonald,” I drawled, letting the title sink in, watching her flinch. “It’s something very special. A plastic ring,” I said, my voice calm and unyielding.The color drained from Alexa’s face, and her bravado
Nina's POV Frankly speaking, I was utterly exhausted by Alexa's endless lies. It was getting out of hand. She was spinning stories with such ease, and it infuriated me to think that she still believed she could pass herself off as the real Miss McDonald's. The nerve! Watching her prance around with that smug little smile, pretending to hold some high status—it was almost laughable. But I wasn’t laughing. I just sat there, a calm smile stretched across my lips, watching her unravel as I waited for the perfect moment to expose her.Just as I was about to respond, we all heard a commotion outside, and unmistakably, it was Mr. Bernard's booming voice. My lips twitched as the girls froze, all of them suddenly looking as if they’d been caught red-handed. I couldn’t help but think they looked like guilty children who knew they’d messed up. They were trembling in their places, eyes darting towards the door as the voice grew louder."And who the hell is impersonating my guests?!" Mr. Bernard
Miranda’s POVThe moment I stepped into the room, I knew she was there. Brenda’s scent lingered, faint yet distinct, like a trail she couldn’t help but leave behind. Desmond was already on the bed, feigning sleep, but I could see right through him. His breathing wasn’t steady; his body language was far from relaxed. I’ve known Desmond for years, long enough to tell when he’s lying. And right now, he wasn’t just lying—he was panicking.I played my part, though. I smiled at him softly, pretending to buy his half-hearted excuse. “Tired, are we?” I asked, walking across the room, my heels clicking against the tiled floor. He muttered something incoherent and shifted slightly, his back turned to me. I made no effort to press him further.Instead, my eyes flickered toward the closet. I didn’t need to open it to confirm what I already knew—Brenda was inside. Her perfume was unmistakable, a suffocating sweetness that always made my stomach churn. How predictable of her to hide there, thinking
Miranda’s POVThe air in the restaurant was heavy, suffocating almost, as I tried to keep my composure. Across from me, Desmond sat with a grin that stretched too wide, his eyes brimming with an almost childlike excitement. It was nauseating. He leaned closer, his voice cutting through the low hum of the other diners."Miss Layla," he began, his tone overly sweet, "please tell me—you are considering canceling your engagement with Nolan, right? I mean, that would be the best decision you’ve ever made. I’m ready for you. I’ve always been ready."The audacity of his words made me laugh, a short, bitter sound that escaped before I could stop it. If only he knew the truth. If only he understood the depth of his betrayal and the ruin he brought to my life before this second chance. If not for fate intervening, I would’ve been dead by now, buried six feet under while he danced on my grave.Still, I kept my expression neutral, letting my fingers trace the rim of the coffee cup before me. His
Miranda’s POVDesmond blocked my path as I exited the restaurant, his expression plastered with a self-satisfied smirk that did nothing but annoy me. His desperation to hold my attention was written all over his face, and for someone who claimed to have everything under control, he was anything but subtle.“Miss Laila,” he started, his tone a mix of pleading and practiced charm. “I was hoping we could talk.”I didn’t even slow down. “About what, Desmond?” I shot back, barely glancing at him. My voice was calm, but the annoyance was evident in my tone. “Your lies? Your desperate attempts at flattery? Or the chaos you bring wherever you go?”He flinched slightly but quickly masked it with another charming smile. “No, nothing like that,” he said, walking alongside me as I headed into the shopping mall next door. “I just wanted to make things clear between us. I feel like you misunderstand me.”I let out a short, humorless laugh. “Misunderstand you? I don’t think I do. You’re transparent,
Miranda’s POV Desmond. His name alone was enough to make my skin crawl. A green snake in green grass—a perfect idiom for the kind of man he was. I had known him far too long, loved him far too deeply, and been betrayed by him in ways I could never forget. We had been married for three years, and in those years, I had learned one undeniable truth: Desmond was a master of deception. As Clara and I arrived at the restaurant for lunch, she quickly excused herself to find us a table, leaving me to my thoughts. My gaze naturally scanned the parking lot, and there he was. Desmond. And with him was someone I had hoped never to see again—Brenda. My lips curled into a bitter smile as I watched her wrap her arms around him from behind. The smug grin on her face screamed familiarity, intimacy, and arrogance. Desmond, ever the performer, immediately began pushing her away as soon as he noticed me. His face morphed into one of exaggerated annoyance, but I could see right through him. I wasn’t r
Miranda’s POVDesmond. His name alone was enough to make my skin crawl. A green snake in green grass—a perfect idiom for the kind of man he was. I had known him far too long, loved him far too deeply, and been betrayed by him in ways I could never forget. We had been married for three years, and in those years, I had learned one undeniable truth: Desmond was a master of deception.As Clara and I arrived at the restaurant for lunch, she quickly excused herself to find us a table, leaving me to my thoughts. My gaze naturally scanned the parking lot, and there he was. Desmond. And with him was someone I had hoped never to see again—Brenda.My lips curled into a bitter smile as I watched her wrap her arms around him from behind. The smug grin on her face screamed familiarity, intimacy, and arrogance. Desmond, ever the performer, immediately began pushing her away as soon as he noticed me. His face morphed into one of exaggerated annoyance, but I could see righ
Miranda's POVNolan and Desmond—two men entangled in a dangerous web they believed I couldn’t untangle. Little did they know, I had no intention of being anyone’s pawn. They thought I was weak, someone who could be manipulated, but this time, I held all the cards. I wasn’t seeking love, not from them or anyone. My reincarnation wasn’t a gift for a second chance at romance—it was for revenge.Sitting in my office, Nolan’s words still echoed in my mind. His warning was genuine, his concern palpable. “Desmond is dangerous,” he’d said. I didn’t need his caution. Desmond was my ex-husband, the man who had betrayed and murdered me in my past life. I knew his motives better than anyone.Nolan, on the other hand, intrigued me. There was a sincerity in his voice that made it difficult to brush him off completely. Unlike Desmond, his intentions didn’t seem malicious—at least not yet. But sincerity wasn’t enough to earn my trust. Both men had their sights set on my f
Miranda's POV They were all just barking like dogs, their voices blending into a cacophony of anger and frustration. I stood there, unfazed, watching the chaos unfold. My stepmother and stepsister were putting on a show for everyone in the restaurant, their faces contorted with rage. To me, it was amusing. No matter how loudly they yelled, it didn’t matter. I was prepared for them—more than they realized.But since this was a public place, I knew I couldn't fully indulge in what I wanted to say or do. Still, a part of me itched to stay. I wanted to see just how far they’d go. As I turned to leave, Desmond called out, his voice laced with a desperate apology.“Lila, wait,” he said, stepping toward me.I paused and looked back at him. His expression was conflicted, a mixture of guilt and determination etched across his face. I raised a brow, waiting for him to speak. Before he could, my stepmother rushed toward us, her face red with fury.
Miranda's POV The next morning, I stretched languidly on my puffy bed, savoring the brief calm. The sunlight filtering through the curtains felt unusually gentle, a rare moment of peace I rarely allowed myself to indulge in. That was until my phone buzzed insistently, dragging me out of my reverie. Groaning, I reached for it, curiosity outweighing my reluctance to face the day."Hello, who is this?" I asked, my voice groggy but sharp enough to convey my irritation."Good morning, Ms. Lila," came the smooth, familiar voice.I froze for a second before recognition hit me like a lightning bolt. Desmond. My ex-husband. My lips tightened as I sat up in bed, the sheets pooling around me. How in the hell did he get my number?"It's me, Desmond," he continued. "I wanted to thank you again for what you did yesterday. I owe you one."Feigning calm, I pressed the phone tighter against my ear, forcing my voice to remain neutral. "How did yo
Miranda’s POVAs I stared down at the battered figure of Desmond, I couldn’t help but suppress a sardonic smile. There he was, the man who destroyed me in my past life, lying helpless before me. He clutched his ribs, groaning in pain, his disheveled hair falling over his face. Part of me wanted to leave him there, to let him feel what helplessness truly meant. But another part, the calculating part, saw an opportunity.I crouched down, feigning concern as I tilted my head and forced a sweet smile. “Desmond,” I said, my voice honeyed but devoid of warmth, “are you dying, or are you just being dramatic?”His eyes fluttered open, glassy with pain. “I saved you, didn’t I?” he croaked. “The least you could do is help me now.”I rolled my eyes but quickly masked the motion with a look of feigned worry. “Fine,” I said, brushing invisible dust off my tailored blazer. “But let’s get one thing straight. I’m helping you because I need answers, not because I