Nina's POVNina's POVI stumbled into the bar, numb with disbelief, the pain in my chest throbbing like a fresh wound. Jordan’s words still echoed in my head, sharp as a knife: *“I never loved you, Nina. I was just faking it.”* After two years together, he betrayed me with my own stepsister, Alexa. It wasn’t as if he didn’t know who she was. He knew she was my sister—and he still chose her.I found an empty table near the corner, away from the loudest part of the bar, and slumped into the seat. My heart felt heavy, my mind blank, and tears threatened to spill over. I needed to forget, to numb myself, even just for a few minutes.“Waiter!” My voice came out rougher than I expected. “Three glasses of your strongest drink.”The waiter gave me a wary glance but didn’t question me. Soon enough, he placed three tall glasses of amber liquid in front of me. I didn’t waste any time—I gulped down the first glass in one go, feeling the burn as it went down my throat. Good. Maybe it would burn aw
Nina’s POVWe walked through the doors of the city hall, my heart pounding with a strange mixture of nerves and anticipation. Every step I took beside Mark felt like a step toward a new life, one where I would finally find the strength to stand tall against the betrayal that crushed me. As I walked, Mark was already several paces ahead, his confident strides making it clear he didn’t need to wait for me. I hurried to catch up, my heels clicking against the polished floors, feeling like an echo of the determination building in me.Today was the day I’d make a statement, the day I’d find a way to make Jordan and Alexa regret everything. Mark was as charismatic as he was indifferent, a man who’d plainly stated he didn’t care for affection. He wasn’t wrong; this wasn’t about love. And I didn’t need it to be.We reached the marriage office door, and as we pushed through, I was struck by a sight that brought me to a standstill. Jordan and Alexa, hand in hand, standing just a few feet away.
Nina's POVI woke up with a start, my heart thudding in my chest. Sunlight peeked through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. The events of the day swirled in my mind—the impending charity banquet, the chance to stand tall and confront Jordan and Alexa, and, of course, the ongoing charade with Mark. Taking a deep breath, I tried to ground myself. Tonight would be my moment, a chance to claim my place and prove I wasn’t the broken, discarded woman they thought me to be. I needed to be prepared, and above all, I needed to look powerful.Mark had driven me to my new apartment after our courthouse encounter, which gave me a bit of time to breathe and collect myself. I wouldn’t move into his house just yet, not until after tonight. It was a calculated decision—a way to maintain a level of control over my own life and avoid appearing too reliant on him. Checking the clock, I saw it was nearly 7 p.m. I had just under an hour to get ready, but everything was in place: the dress
Nina's POVStanding at the gate of the grand ballroom, I clenched my fists, struggling to contain the frustration building up inside me. I had been here for more than five minutes with Mr. Bernard by my side, while the bouncers stood in our way, refusing to let us in. It was absurd—completely ridiculous—that they couldn’t recognize who I was. They seemed to think I was pretending, faking my identity. I took a steadying breath, preparing to make my move, when a sleek black car pulled up to the curb, and I saw them—Jordan and Alexa.My heart twisted. Jordan and I had once shared a life, but now that felt like a distant memory, clouded by betrayal. He stepped out with Alexa at his side, the same woman who had shattered my world. They looked at me with thinly veiled disgust, as though I was nothing but a piece of dirt beneath their feet. Without so much as a greeting, they turned to the guards, ignoring me as if I were invisible.“Welcome to the party, Mr. Jordan and Miss Alexa!” The guar
Nina's POVAs soon as I saw my husband, Mark, stepping in to shield me from the guards' hostility, an overwhelming wave of relief flooded me. Finally, someone was on my side in this miserable situation. These guards were relentless, practically pushing me and Mr. Bernard out as if we were some kind of riffraff. The nerve! I’d spent hours on my hair, a fortune on my makeup, and my dress—let’s not even talk about how much it cost. The idea of going back without even making it through the door felt like a stab to my pride.And my father… oh, if he found out that I was treated like this despite our family's status, he’d be furious. I could barely manage to say thank you to Mark, but my gratitude showed in the way I clung to his arm, hoping he’d resolve the issue once and for all.But, of course, just as I was savoring that small victory, Jordan and Alexa turned their mocking gazes on us, laughing as if this was all just a show for their entertainment.Jordan’s voice cut through the laught
Nina's POVAs I stood there, my eyes widened in disbelief while Mark held me close to his side. The warmth of his arm wrapped around my waist felt strangely comforting, even though I was still reeling from the shock. How could this be happening? Mark Santiago—the man standing beside me, my husband—was actually *the* Mark Santiago, CEO of Santiago Group, the wealthiest man in New York? I tried to wrap my head around it, but my mind spun.“Are you serious right now?” I managed to murmur, barely able to keep my voice steady. My heart was racing, and I stared at him, searching his face for any sign that he might be pulling some kind of elaborate prank.He gave me that familiar, slightly smug smile, but this time, there was a warmth in his gaze that made me feel unexpectedly safe. “Yes, Nina,” he said, his voice calm and unwavering. “I didn’t lie to you.”Greg, who had been standing nearby looking tense, now turned to face Mark, visibly swallowing as if trying to find his courage. His face
**Mark's POV**The moment Nina walked into the party hall with Mr. Bernard, something shifted inside me. Today, I felt an unfamiliar ache—a strange, raw sensation tugging at me. I hadn’t been this affected by a woman in years, let alone cared enough to step in to protect one. Yet, when I saw a man daring to raise a hand to her, I acted before I could think, my hand instinctively reaching out to her waist. And now, here I was, still replaying that moment, haunted by the warmth and fragility I’d felt in my hold. Nina—my wife in name only—was different. She was unguarded, vulnerable, and it made me feel…responsible, maybe even possessive. She's looking so snatched and breathtaking tonight in her attire. I don't think I can resist her!But duty called, and I tore my gaze from her, watching as she disappeared into the crowd with Mr. Bernard. I took a deep breath, pulling my focus back to the present as I turned to Greg.“So, what was it you wanted to talk to me about?” I asked, keeping my
Nina's POVAs Alexa flounced over to Mr. Lawrence, her face contorted into a perfect mask of innocence, her big, doe-like eyes brimming with fake vulnerability, I fought back an eyeroll. Her entire aura screamed, “Daddy’s little girl,” even though I knew—*we both knew*—this man wasn’t her father. From what I’d learned, he was a security captain for the Mark Group, not her biological father, nor any kind of family. But even if he is, I don't really care!But Alexa? She had this knack for twisting any situation, positioning herself as the blameless victim.“Daddy!” she cooed, clutching his arm. “This woman is stalking my boyfriend! She’s trying to humiliate me here, right in the middle of the party.”I almost laughed. “Humiliate you?” The words escaped me before I could help myself, disbelief painting my face.Mr. Lawrence cast a stern look in my direction, crossing his arms in a manner meant to intimidate. Alexa smirked, waltzing back to Jordan, who patted her back with a satisfied smi