The morning started like any other, but by the end of it, I knew my world was about to change. Standing in my restaurant,I never imagined today would bring this much drama.---I was excited when I heard Alexa’s sharp gasp. The expression on her face when she saw Jordan, her so-called “one true love,” holding another woman was priceless. For the first time in a long while, I felt a sense of justice. Karma was finally paying her a visit.I couldn’t help but smirk as Alexa’s face twisted, a mixture of shock and rage flashing across her features. Her lips trembled, but she quickly composed herself, her eyes narrowing at the couple before her. “Jordan, what’s the meaning of this? Why are you with *her*? And who is she?” she demanded, her voice trembling.I crossed my arms and leaned against the receptionist’s desk, watching the scene unfold like a spectator at a live drama. The corners of my lips curved up in satisfaction.Jordan turned to Alexa, his arm still possessively draped around t
**Nina's POV**Mark stepped in front of me and Jordan, his posture solid and unyielding. The air between the two men was charged, as if the universe itself was holding its breath. Jordan’s jaw tightened, and his dark eyes bore into Mark’s with unbridled hatred.“Well, if it isn’t Mr. Perfect,” Jordan sneered, his voice dripping with venom. “Think you’re invincible, Mark? Guess what? You’re not. Let’s see how you handle this bid, Santiago. I can’t wait to see you cry like the loser you are.”Mark didn’t budge. Instead, his lips curled into a slight, almost mocking smirk. His piercing gaze didn’t waver as he said, “Whatever you think, Jordan. But let me make one thing clear—I’m not like you. I don’t depend on others to survive. I stand on my own two feet, confident in who I am. You, on the other hand, are nothing but a parasite, clinging to people to get by.”The words hit Jordan like a slap. His face flushed a deep red, and his fists clenched tightly at his sides. His entire body tremb
**Nina’s POV**We stood frozen in place, watching as Mr. Donald escorted Vivian out of the restaurant. Her hips swayed dramatically, as if she was still putting on a show for Mark, but it didn’t matter anymore. She was gone, and so was her unwelcome presence.Jordan’s face was a mask of pure shame and despair, his eyes darting frantically around the room as if searching for someone to save him. His once-confident demeanor had completely crumbled, leaving him exposed. It was oddly satisfying to witness his downfall.But then he did the unthinkable—he rushed over to Alexa, who was standing with her arms crossed, her expression a perfect mix of disdain and impatience.“Alexa, please,” Jordan begged, grabbing her hand desperately. “Will you give me a second chance? Just one dinner. That’s all I ask.”For a moment, I thought she might give in. Her eyes softened ever so slightly before narrowing into slits. “You’re just a pathetic fool, Jordan,” she spat, yanking her hand away. “Go fuck you
**Nina’s POV**The night was finally here—the highly anticipated date party hosted by my father. My hands trembled slightly as I adjusted the delicate straps of my dress, one of the gorgeous outfits Mark had bought during our shopping spree. I felt an unfamiliar mixture of excitement and unease as we entered the grand hall together, arm in arm. The venue was breathtaking—soft, twinkling lights danced across the room, blending with the vibrant glow of rotating colors. A soft hum of sophisticated chatter filled the air, and I could feel every pair of eyes turning toward us.Mark looked impeccable in his tailored black tuxedo, his presence commanding the room. As we walked, I handed him a small, neatly wrapped box. He raised a brow at me, curiosity flashing in his eyes.“What’s this?” he asked, holding the box carefully as though it contained something fragile.“You’ll find out soon enough,” I replied with a sly smile.He gave me a playful smirk, his gaze lingering on mine for a beat lon
Nina'sI felt Mark’s hand tighten around mine as his panic became more evident. His wide eyes bore into mine, pleading silently for me to stop whatever I was about to do. The tension between us was thick, almost tangible, but I refused to be deterred. I leaned closer, lowering my voice so only he could hear me.“You don’t have to be afraid, Mark,” I whispered, flashing him a reassuring smile despite the storm brewing inside me. “I know exactly what I’m doing. Trust me, just follow my lead.”Mark’s jaw tightened, his lips parting as if to argue, but no words came out. His fingers trembled slightly against mine, and the fear in his eyes made my heart clench. But I couldn’t let his worry stop me. Not now. Not when everything I’d worked for was on the line.A loud, mocking laugh erupted from across the room, drawing everyone’s attention. Vivian sauntered forward, her confidence radiating off her like heat from a wildfire. Her lips curled into a smirk as she stopped just inches from me, he
Nina's POVVivian's laughter erupted, sharp and grating like nails on a chalkboard. Her manicured finger jabbed the air in my direction as if her mockery wasn’t already loud enough. Around us, the others joined her, their laughter rolling through the room like a cruel wave. My cheeks burned hot with shame, and I gripped the hem of my dress tightly, my knuckles whitening as my frustration grew. Only Mark and Jasper stood silently beside me, their gazes heavy with concern."Really?" Vivian sneered, tilting her head in exaggerated amusement. “You mean to tell me you’ve got support from the Northern Group? Please, Nina. You’re always dreaming of impossibilities that will never come your way!” Her tone dripped with venom, and her laughter cut through the air again.I swallowed my irritation and forced a smile, stepping closer to her with calm deliberation. “Shut up, Vivian. You clearly don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said firmly, my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside me
Nina's POVThe room fell silent as Mark lifted the lid of the ornate box in his hands. Inside lay a stunning display of delicately crafted desserts, their intricate designs gleaming under the room’s chandelier. A gasp escaped Mark’s lips as he looked at me, his eyes wide with disbelief. His voice trembled as he murmured, "Nina… how did you…?" I smiled, but my heart pounded like a drum. I couldn’t afford to show weakness now—not in front of Vivian, Alexa, or Jasper. Keeping my gaze steady, I turned to the crowd that surrounded us, their eyes glued to the box. “These aren’t just desserts,” I announced confidently, my voice carrying over the murmurs of the room. “These are creations from my *personal* recipe collection—unique recipes that aren’t in any notebook, let alone the one Alexa claims as hers.”Gasps erupted from the crowd. Even Vivian, who had been smirking smugly moments earlier, faltered. Her sharp eyebrows furrowed, and her lips parted in disbelief. Alexa’s face, however,
Chapter One ^ELENA^I stared at the pregnancy test in my trembling hands with mixed feelings.Two dark pink lines. Although the result is undoubtedly positive, I'm still not sure what was the appropriate reaction for me– should I be happy or sad?In the eyes of the world, I was married to the love of my life– at least that’s what I used to think previously. But in the three years of our marriage, Lucas Brown has always treated me like a stranger.Beep!The shrill sound of a message alert broke through my thoughts. “Elena, I just sent you $500k. Please come to the hospital immediately. Aurora needs blood.”Aurora…I clenched the phone, my nails digging into my palm till the extent of drawing blood; but that was nothing compared to the pain I was going through.I felt like I had been pierced in the chest with a knife. The message was sent by “Hubby”, and that's what hurts the most.Right now, it feels like even his contact name is taunting me with its hollow meaning. In reality, our
Nina's POVThe room fell silent as Mark lifted the lid of the ornate box in his hands. Inside lay a stunning display of delicately crafted desserts, their intricate designs gleaming under the room’s chandelier. A gasp escaped Mark’s lips as he looked at me, his eyes wide with disbelief. His voice trembled as he murmured, "Nina… how did you…?" I smiled, but my heart pounded like a drum. I couldn’t afford to show weakness now—not in front of Vivian, Alexa, or Jasper. Keeping my gaze steady, I turned to the crowd that surrounded us, their eyes glued to the box. “These aren’t just desserts,” I announced confidently, my voice carrying over the murmurs of the room. “These are creations from my *personal* recipe collection—unique recipes that aren’t in any notebook, let alone the one Alexa claims as hers.”Gasps erupted from the crowd. Even Vivian, who had been smirking smugly moments earlier, faltered. Her sharp eyebrows furrowed, and her lips parted in disbelief. Alexa’s face, however,
Nina's POVVivian's laughter erupted, sharp and grating like nails on a chalkboard. Her manicured finger jabbed the air in my direction as if her mockery wasn’t already loud enough. Around us, the others joined her, their laughter rolling through the room like a cruel wave. My cheeks burned hot with shame, and I gripped the hem of my dress tightly, my knuckles whitening as my frustration grew. Only Mark and Jasper stood silently beside me, their gazes heavy with concern."Really?" Vivian sneered, tilting her head in exaggerated amusement. “You mean to tell me you’ve got support from the Northern Group? Please, Nina. You’re always dreaming of impossibilities that will never come your way!” Her tone dripped with venom, and her laughter cut through the air again.I swallowed my irritation and forced a smile, stepping closer to her with calm deliberation. “Shut up, Vivian. You clearly don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said firmly, my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside me
Nina'sI felt Mark’s hand tighten around mine as his panic became more evident. His wide eyes bore into mine, pleading silently for me to stop whatever I was about to do. The tension between us was thick, almost tangible, but I refused to be deterred. I leaned closer, lowering my voice so only he could hear me.“You don’t have to be afraid, Mark,” I whispered, flashing him a reassuring smile despite the storm brewing inside me. “I know exactly what I’m doing. Trust me, just follow my lead.”Mark’s jaw tightened, his lips parting as if to argue, but no words came out. His fingers trembled slightly against mine, and the fear in his eyes made my heart clench. But I couldn’t let his worry stop me. Not now. Not when everything I’d worked for was on the line.A loud, mocking laugh erupted from across the room, drawing everyone’s attention. Vivian sauntered forward, her confidence radiating off her like heat from a wildfire. Her lips curled into a smirk as she stopped just inches from me, he
**Nina’s POV**The night was finally here—the highly anticipated date party hosted by my father. My hands trembled slightly as I adjusted the delicate straps of my dress, one of the gorgeous outfits Mark had bought during our shopping spree. I felt an unfamiliar mixture of excitement and unease as we entered the grand hall together, arm in arm. The venue was breathtaking—soft, twinkling lights danced across the room, blending with the vibrant glow of rotating colors. A soft hum of sophisticated chatter filled the air, and I could feel every pair of eyes turning toward us.Mark looked impeccable in his tailored black tuxedo, his presence commanding the room. As we walked, I handed him a small, neatly wrapped box. He raised a brow at me, curiosity flashing in his eyes.“What’s this?” he asked, holding the box carefully as though it contained something fragile.“You’ll find out soon enough,” I replied with a sly smile.He gave me a playful smirk, his gaze lingering on mine for a beat lon
**Nina’s POV**We stood frozen in place, watching as Mr. Donald escorted Vivian out of the restaurant. Her hips swayed dramatically, as if she was still putting on a show for Mark, but it didn’t matter anymore. She was gone, and so was her unwelcome presence.Jordan’s face was a mask of pure shame and despair, his eyes darting frantically around the room as if searching for someone to save him. His once-confident demeanor had completely crumbled, leaving him exposed. It was oddly satisfying to witness his downfall.But then he did the unthinkable—he rushed over to Alexa, who was standing with her arms crossed, her expression a perfect mix of disdain and impatience.“Alexa, please,” Jordan begged, grabbing her hand desperately. “Will you give me a second chance? Just one dinner. That’s all I ask.”For a moment, I thought she might give in. Her eyes softened ever so slightly before narrowing into slits. “You’re just a pathetic fool, Jordan,” she spat, yanking her hand away. “Go fuck you
**Nina's POV**Mark stepped in front of me and Jordan, his posture solid and unyielding. The air between the two men was charged, as if the universe itself was holding its breath. Jordan’s jaw tightened, and his dark eyes bore into Mark’s with unbridled hatred.“Well, if it isn’t Mr. Perfect,” Jordan sneered, his voice dripping with venom. “Think you’re invincible, Mark? Guess what? You’re not. Let’s see how you handle this bid, Santiago. I can’t wait to see you cry like the loser you are.”Mark didn’t budge. Instead, his lips curled into a slight, almost mocking smirk. His piercing gaze didn’t waver as he said, “Whatever you think, Jordan. But let me make one thing clear—I’m not like you. I don’t depend on others to survive. I stand on my own two feet, confident in who I am. You, on the other hand, are nothing but a parasite, clinging to people to get by.”The words hit Jordan like a slap. His face flushed a deep red, and his fists clenched tightly at his sides. His entire body tremb
The morning started like any other, but by the end of it, I knew my world was about to change. Standing in my restaurant,I never imagined today would bring this much drama.---I was excited when I heard Alexa’s sharp gasp. The expression on her face when she saw Jordan, her so-called “one true love,” holding another woman was priceless. For the first time in a long while, I felt a sense of justice. Karma was finally paying her a visit.I couldn’t help but smirk as Alexa’s face twisted, a mixture of shock and rage flashing across her features. Her lips trembled, but she quickly composed herself, her eyes narrowing at the couple before her. “Jordan, what’s the meaning of this? Why are you with *her*? And who is she?” she demanded, her voice trembling.I crossed my arms and leaned against the receptionist’s desk, watching the scene unfold like a spectator at a live drama. The corners of my lips curved up in satisfaction.Jordan turned to Alexa, his arm still possessively draped around t
Nina's POV It was a beautiful morning, the sun was barely rising, casting a soft glow through the window. I groggily reached for the alarm, squinting as I turned it off. I stretched and yawned, blinking away the remnants of sleep. It was almost time for work, and judging by the time on my phone, I was cutting it close.With a small sigh, I slid out of bed, still in my pink pajamas, and put on my fluffy slippers. I shuffled over to the mirror, staring at my own reflection. My face looked a bit puffy; maybe I’d indulged in one too many snacks before bed. "I really need to work on my skincare routine," I muttered, grabbing my facial products and toothbrush.In the bathroom, I turned on my electric toothbrush and began brushing my teeth, feeling the buzz clear my head. Once done, I carefully applied my face mask, then a lip mask, letting the cool sensation wake me up. After a few minutes, I washed everything off, brushed my teeth again, and finally hopped into the shower.I emerged feeli
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