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
**Hamilton's POV** Leila thought she could outsmart me? How naive. Does she think I’ve been blind all these years, sitting back, watching her smug little face parade around as if she owns the world? I was there. I’ve always been there, watching her grow from that scrawny little girl into the woman she is now. From the moment her mother abandoned her and left her in my care, I knew she was trouble. But I played my part. I cared for her as a stepmother should—no, as a *better* stepmother than she deserved. I fed her, clothed her, sheltered her, even before I got pregnant with Mara, my beautiful daughter, my pride. But Leila? I always knew she’d try to rise above her station. She had that defiance in her eyes, even as a child. That rebellious streak. She thought she could hide it from me, but I saw it all. I *know* her. I know what makes her tick, what she hates, and most importantly, what can destroy her. Leila is allergic to water. She’s always hated
**Laila’s POV**Weekends. Oh, how I loved weekends. Those were the only days I didn’t have to think about work, deadlines, or the stress of daily life. It was my sanctuary, my time to rest and rejuvenate. This particular Saturday, I had no plans except to curl up in bed and let the world pass me by. I was in the middle of a blissful dream when the shrill ring of my phone jolted me awake. Groaning, I reached for it on the nightstand, my eyes barely open. **Nolan’s name flashed across the screen.** Why is he calling me so early? I wondered, yawning. “Good morning, Laila,” Nolan’s deep, cheerful voice greeted me. I stifled a yawn and replied lazily, “Good morning, Nolan. How can I help you?” His chuckle was warm, almost teasing. “Help me, I help you, huh? Well, I wanted to ask if you’re free this evening. Let me take you out for dinner—just a casual hangout. You don’t relax enough, you know?” I wanted to decline,
Laila's pov The tension in the air was almost palpable as I sat in my car, gripping the steering wheel tightly. Clara’s words from earlier still echoed in my mind, her paranoia about the loan, her relentless warnings that things could spiral out of control. She had been restless, pacing my office like a caged lioness, her eyes darting with worry. "Clara," I had said, my tone firm but calm, "you need to trust me on this. I anticipated this mess a long time ago. That’s why I insisted on installing the CCTV cameras. It’s all under control." She wasn’t convinced, not entirely. Her lips pressed into a thin line, her brows furrowing deeper as she leaned against my desk. "Ms. Lila," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly, "you’re always so composed, but this... this could ruin everything." I had smiled at her then, a small, knowing smile. "Clara, you worry too much. Sometimes, you have to let people dig their own graves." The polic
### Laila's POVOne thing about me is that I keep records—meticulous, detailed records. My company is my life, my fortress, and my legacy. I know I have enemies, a long list of them. People who want me dead. People who want to see me fail. But what they don’t realize is that I am always prepared. I’ve spent years perfecting the art of vigilance. It’s why I’ve made sure no stone is left unturned when it comes to my company’s security. A week ago, Clara—my trusted assistant and confidante—accompanied me to the supermarket under the guise of buying office supplies. What we really purchased were state-of-the-art CCTV cameras. I had them discreetly installed in the most inconspicuous places, embedded in ceilings and hidden from plain sight. No one would know they were there—no one except Clara and me. This afternoon, as I was engrossed in some paperwork in my office, Clara burst in, her face pale and her hands trembling. I immediately put my pen down, sensi
**Laila’s POV** The past few weeks had been nothing short of a whirlwind. Between the legal battles over Miranda Inc., court appearances, countless hours spent at the police station dealing with Desmond’s embezzlement case, and managing the mountain of work at my office, I was stretched thin. Stress had become my constant companion, yet somehow, through sheer determination, I pushed forward. The day I finally reclaimed Miranda Inc., my late father’s beloved company, was nothing short of victorious. After months of being robbed of what was rightfully mine, the judge’s gavel struck, and the courtroom erupted in applause. Relief surged through me like a tidal wave, and for the first time in months, I felt a flicker of hope. I held onto that feeling tightly as I left the courthouse, the company once again bearing my name. The next day, as I woke up to the soft golden light filtering through my bedroom curtains, I allowed myself a moment of
**Desmond’s POV** The chill of the cell crept into my bones, but it was nothing compared to the storm raging in my mind. I sat hunched on the cold, hard bench, my head buried in my hands, trying to make sense of it all. Homicide. The word echoed in my skull like a death knell. Did someone see me that night? Did someone see me throw Brenda into the river? My heart hammered against my ribcage as a thousand possibilities flashed through my head, each one worse than the last. The clinking sound of keys snapped me out of my thoughts. One of the officers approached, his face a mix of indifference and authority. “Mr. Desmond, someone wants to see you,” he said curtly, unlocking the cell. I frowned, confusion tightening my features. Someone wanted to see me? Who? My mind reeled as I was led out of the cell and down the dimly lit hallway. My stomach churned, not just from hunger—I hadn’t eaten since morning—but from the growing dread in my chest.
### Miranda’s POVThe night was unusually quiet as I drove home, the streetlights barely illuminating the long stretch of road ahead. My body ached from the exhausting day at work—dealing with the embezzlement of company funds, fielding calls from lawyers, and dodging relentless reporters. The air in my car was cool, the gentle breeze brushing against my skin, offering a small reprieve from the day’s chaos. It was almost 8:00 p.m. when I left the office, and all I wanted was to collapse into bed. But as fate would have it, peace was the last thing the night had in store for me. I was crossing the bridge that divided the city from the suburbs when something unusual caught my eye. A figure was squatting near the riverbank, his silhouette illuminated by the dim moonlight. My hands tightened on the steering wheel as I squinted to make out the details. From his posture, I could tell it was Desmond. But why was he out here, alone, at this hour? What could he possibly b
**Desmond’s POV** The day had started with a glimmer of hope, however faint. I had driven to Miss Leila’s house, swallowing my pride to beg for mercy. I hated every moment of it—groveling before a woman who thrived on others’ misery. But I had no choice. My company was crumbling, my clients had abandoned me, and the penalty fees she demanded were far beyond what I could pay. Still, I had hoped that a sliver of humanity would emerge from her cold, calculating heart. Her response, though, was a brutal reminder of the kind of person she truly was. “No refunds, Desmond. And no, I won’t lower the penalty,” she had said with a twisted smile, arms crossed as if relishing my despair. I had begged, my voice cracking with desperation, “Please, Miss Leila, just reduce it a little. I’ll fight to pay the rest. I just need a chance to save my company!” Her expression didn’t falter. “That’s not my problem. You should have thought about this be
**Laila's POV**I stepped out of the company, needing a breath of fresh air and a brief respite from the constant chaos. The sun was warm on my face, but it did little to ease the storm brewing inside me. As I headed back towards the entrance, I caught sight of him—Daniel. My heart skipped a beat, not out of love or affection, but from the rush of anger that surged through me like wildfire. His usually confident demeanor was replaced with frantic movements. His tie hung loose, his hair disheveled, and his face was etched with desperation. He looked like a man clinging to the edge of a cliff, and I knew I was the one who had pushed him there. Good. He deserved it. I kept walking, my heels clicking against the pavement, my head held high. I wouldn’t let him see even a flicker of emotion. I had caused his misery, and I had no regrets. After all, he had caused mine first. I was the one who had called the authorities. I was the one who had ensured he faced th