Nina's POVThey turned, startled. Alexa adjusted her blouse with a smug look, while Jordan had the audacity to look bored."Nina," Alexa sneered, folding her arms as if she owned the place. "What do you think we’re doing?"I felt as if I’d been slapped. My lips trembled as I turned to Jordan. "Is this… is this really happening? Today was supposed to be our anniversary." My voice broke, the words tumbling out with my tears. "How could you… with her, of all people?"The sudden shift in atmosphere caught their attention, and Alexa looked up first, her expression smug as she zipped her dress back up. “Oh, Nina. Didn’t anyone tell you?” Her eyes sparkled with malicious delight.I took a shaky step forward. “How could you?” My voice trembled as the words escaped, barely audible. “ I loved you as my sister!…”Jordan shrugged, his face devoid of emotion. He didn’t even look guilty. “Sign these,” he said, handing me a piece of paper.I stared at it, struggling to make sense of what he was aski
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
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
Miranda's POVTriumph swelled within me as I walked out of the boardroom, my heels clicking against the tiled floor. The smile on my face was hard to suppress. Mr. Williams was finally out of my way—at least for the next six months. I had worked tirelessly to craft a strategy that would ensure his forced leave, a decision sealed by my unwavering determination. For months, he had been a thorn in my side, his every move calculated to undermine my authority. I knew he had been tormenting Laila, the woman whose body I now inhabited. His mere presence was a nightmare I refused to endure any longer.The six-month leave was my way of saying, "You’re done here." And though the message was veiled in corporate professionalism, I intended to make sure that he never returned.As I descended the stairs, my mood remained buoyant. The garage was dimly lit, the faint hum of fluorescent lights echoing through the vast space. My car beeped as I pressed the key fob, its lights flashing in greeting. Just
Miranda's POV The suffocating tension in the boardroom hung thick as I stepped in, the chaotic chatter of the board members ceasing the moment they caught sight of me. All eyes turned toward me as if I were both their savior and their target. My heels clicked sharply against the polished floor, echoing in the sudden silence. Clara, ever the steady presence, followed close behind, her clipboard clutched to her chest. She gave me a supportive nod, though her lips were pressed into a thin, worried line. I took my seat at the head of the table—the seat of power—and exhaled slowly, scanning the room. My stepmother’s schemes, my stepsister’s manipulations, and Nolan’s infuriating insistence on our engagement still swirled in my mind like a tempest. But here, in this room, I had to be the CEO they both feared and respected. My heart may have been bruised, but I wasn’t about to let that show. The first voice to break the silence was, unsurprisi