Elena's POVSun rays penetrated into my eyes directly, I felt my head ache alot. I was in the hotel room -with Jason! That was when I remembered what happened last night between me and that handsome stranger. His presence was comforting and unfamiliar. I got down from the bed and saw him standing on the mirror and wearing his shirts and pants. Look away immediately. He noticed my uneasiness and walked to me. “You enjoyed it last night, you saw everything…you don't have to look away now.” He said. My throat hitched and I swallowed hard. How did this happen? Jason stirred. His voice, flirtatious as he draw closer to my ear, broke the silence. “Morning,” he murmured, he peeked my cheeks which send cold shivers down my spine. “Morning,” I replied softly, my mind still racing. What does this mean now? He grabbed my waist, running a hand through his dark curls. “Need a ride home?” he asked casually, his blue eyes locking onto mine. I blinked, caught off guard by how nonchalant he so
Jason's POVThe office was quiet, with only the soft hum of the air conditioning filling the silence. I leaned back in my chair, absently drumming my fingers on the polished desk, when Frederick walked in, his expression calm and composed as usual. He held a document—a signed contract, the one Elena had finally approved."Boss, she signed it. You just need to validate it with your signature," Frederick said, placing the papers on my desk. His eyes lingered a moment, curious yet professional.I glanced down at the contract, feeling a strange mix of satisfaction and guilt. I had pushed Elena toward this, and now that it was real, a weight settled in my chest. "Thank you, Frederick," I replied, picking up the pen, but before he could leave, something made me stop him."Fred…," I hesitated, clearing my throat, feeling a rare moment of vulnerability. "Have you ever been in a relationship?" I asked, trying to sound casual.Frederick’s brow lifted in mild surprise, and a faint smile tugged
**Elena's POV**As I hung up the phone, I couldn't help but feel a bit lighter, a little happier. Jason's call always seemed to have that effect on me. But then, my mind drifted to the message I’d received earlier—a message from an unknown number claiming to be Aurora, asking for a meeting.I’d agreed, but I had no intention of meeting her in some secluded place where she could pull anything shady. That’s why I’d chosen one of Jason’s restaurants, a busy spot with enough people around. I had no reason to trust her, but I also had no reason to refuse. At least, not yet.When I arrived, I spotted Aurora seated at a table near the window. Two glasses of wine were already waiting on the table, which made me pause. She'd ordered for both of us? Odd, but maybe she was just trying to set a polite tone."Hi, Aurora. Make this quick; I have other things to do," I said, keeping my voice casual but distant.She looked up, her expression almost remorseful, but I wasn’t buying it. “Elena, I called
Aurora's POVA sharp, throbbing pain radiates through my head, like a hammer pounding against my skull. My eyes flutter open slowly, and I find myself in a nauseatingly filthy truck, bouncing and rattling over rough terrain. I take in the surroundings—the truck bed filled with grimy tarps and bits of hay, as if it’s been used to transport livestock. A disgusted groan escapes me.“Oh, great,” I mutter, forcing myself to sit up. I reach up to grab my purse, which has somehow stayed hooked on a corner of the truck bed. Digging through it, I fumble for my phone, dread pooling in my stomach as memories of the night before start filtering back. I’d tried to outwit Elena, slipping something into her drink to give her a taste of her own medicine. But now, somehow, it’s all turned against me.Finally, I hit call. When Desmond’s smug voice answers, I nearly shout, my patience frayed. “Desmond! What in the world did you do to me?!”There’s a pause, then his calm, indifferent reply. “Exactly what
Elena’s POVMy hands felt numb, trembling as I sank into the cold, hard chair outside the ICU. The sterile, white walls pressed in on me, and every sterile beep and whirr from the machines inside only added weight to my chest. If it hadn’t been for Lucas… I’d be the one in there, lying broken and battered. Someone had targeted me, but why? And who could be behind it?Tears blurred my vision, spilling over as I buried my face in Jason’s shoulder. I clutched him tightly, desperate to ground myself as I sobbed. He gently rubbed my back, murmuring, “It’s going to be okay, Elena. You’ll be okay. I’m here.”But nothing felt okay. Not when I was responsible for this. Lucas was fighting for his life in there because of me.The doors to the ICU burst open, and Mrs. Brown rushed in, her eyes red and frantic. Her gaze landed on me, and anger darkened her face as she stormed over, her voice trembling with fury. “You… you did this to him! My son is lying in there, broken, because of you!”I raised
Elena's POVAs I stepped into the ICU, the sterile air thick with the scent of antiseptic, my heart twisted at the sight of Lucas lying still, fragile against the white sheets. His once-vibrant features seemed drained, yet his eyes—pale but intensely focused—found mine the moment I entered.“Elena,” he murmured, his voice raspy but warm. The hint of a smile touched his lips, though it couldn’t mask the pain he was in.“Lucas…” I swallowed hard, fighting the lump forming in my throat. “How are you feeling?”He let out a slow breath. “Better, now that you’re here. Just seeing you…” His words trailed off as his gaze drifted over my face, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. “I’m glad you’re okay.”A wave of frustration and guilt surged through me. “Why, Lucas? Why would you risk your life for me?” I asked, my voice barely more than a whisper. “You didn’t have to do that. You don't have to save me again.”He held my gaze, his eyes hardening. “Save you again? Because…” He hesitat
Aurora’s POVAs soon as I entered Lucas’s hospital room, I could feel the tension between us. He looked pale, fragile even, but there was still a strength about him—an intensity in his eyes that lingered on me as I approached. I put on my best concerned face, though I wasn’t sure if I could even fool him.“Lucas, I brought you something.” I forced a smile, holding up a pizza box. He didn’t even look at it, his eyes drifting back to the window as though my presence was already boring him. My fingers twitched with irritation, but I kept my composure. I had to.“Thanks,” he muttered, barely glancing my way.I swallowed the bitterness rising in my throat, squatting down beside him as I pretended to inspect his legs. I could feel the anger boiling beneath my calm expression. He should be thanking me for being here after all I’d done for him, yet his attention was still fixed on that…Elena.His voice broke the silence. “What happened to your face?”I hadn’t expected that. Startled, I quickl
Jason's POVAs I walked out of the restroom, I noticed a figure in the hallway—a tall, slim person in a black hoodie, her face partially hidden, but her stride gave her away. It was Aurora. Just moments ago, she'd mentioned needing to leave for a business meeting, yet here she was, sneaking around in the hospital, her movements tense, like she was concealing something. I quickly ducked behind a corner as she passed, barely breathing, watching her hurry down the corridor with suspicious urgency. Once she disappeared, I let out the breath I'd been holding, a strange unease building in my gut. What was she doing here? I shook my head, trying to dismiss the thought, but it lingered, persistent.I caught up with Elena, and we headed to Lucas's room, where he was sitting up in bed, slicing through a ripe apple. His casual demeanor faded the second he saw the look on my face. "What’s going on? Did something happen?" he asked, his brows knitting together in concern.Elena and I exchanged a gl
Nina's POVHeaven knows I did nothing to Alexa. Nothing. I treated her like my own sister, yet here I am, blindfolded and trembling in fear as her venomous words slash through the air. My chest heaves as I listen to her, the sheer malice in her tone chilling me to the bone.“Nina, everybody loves you!” she screamed, her voice cracking with emotion. “But what about me? Why am I always the one left in the shadows? Why am I the one who feels inferior every damn day?”Her anguish cuts through me, but my fear outweighs any sympathy. My voice shakes as I respond, “I didn’t do anything, Alexa! You pretended to be me—you shouldn’t have done that. You don’t know the weight that comes with being part of the McDonald family!”“Shut up!” she yelled, and the sound of her slap reverberated in the small, cold room before I even felt the sting on my cheek. Tears spilled from my eyes as the heat radiated from my face.“I come from a family of nobodies!” she continued, her voice trembling with a mix of
Nina's POV I woke to an unbearable throbbing in my head, the kind of pain that felt like a heavy block pressing down on my skull. The sensation was so intense, it made my eyes ache. My vision blurred as I blinked against the faint slivers of light streaming into the room, trying to make sense of where I was. My head lolled forward, and every movement sent sharp jolts of pain rippling through my body. Slowly, I lifted my head, feeling the cold bite of metal restraints around my wrists and ankles. I tried to focus, but the pounding in my head made even that an arduous task.Where am I?The room was dark, save for a tiny opening high above me that allowed a faint glow of light to seep in. The dim rays barely illuminated the space, but I could make out the crumbling walls and damp, musty smell of the air. My heart raced as I realized I was tied to a chair, my wrists and ankles bound so tightly that the rope dug into my skin. My lips moved, but no sound came out, muffled by the tape seali
Nina's POV:---I could feel the stares of disbelief from everyone in the room, their expressions shifting between shock and humiliation. Alexa’s smug confidence had finally crumbled, her face paling as Mr. Donald, our host, made the announcement.“With these pieces of evidence presented, I would like to officially recognize the lady standing beside Mr. Mark Santiago as the one and only Miss Nina McDonald. She is also known globally as Miss Miriam, the top chef in New York and a culinary icon. Let’s give her the recognition she deserves!” Mr. Donald’s authoritative voice rang out across the hall.A wave of applause rippled through the room. My heart pounded as I stood there, basking in the validation I’d waited so long to receive. I turned to Mr. Donald with a grateful smile, nodding in acknowledgment. Then, I faced the crowd, my gaze sweeping over the sea of faces. The myriad of emotions painted across them was like a symphony to my soul: awe, disbelief, envy, and—most satisfying of
I couldn’t hold back the laughter bubbling inside me as I watched Jordan make a fool of himself yet again. The sheer audacity of his antics, the way he desperately clung to straws, was nothing short of pathetic. Did he honestly think he could discredit me with baseless accusations? How foolish could one man be? I couldn’t help but smirk as I adjusted the hem of my dress, exuding confidence.“Oh, please, Jordan. Stop being so dramatic—it doesn’t suit you,” I said, my voice dripping with mockery. “Why must you always act so foolish in front of everyone? Always trying to prove a point that doesn’t even exist?”His face darkened, his jaw clenched in frustration, but before he could respond, I reached into my purse. The tension in the room thickened as all eyes fell on me. Slowly, deliberately, I pulled out a small hairpin. Its delicate design shimmered under the soft lighting—pink and blue with intricate floral patterns.I held it up, turning toward Xavier. “Do you remember this pin, Xavi
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