Shiva’s Point of View
“Girl, let me take you somewhere nice,” Penelope, my best friend says, her voice wrapping around me like a warm hug. She’s leaning against her sleek new sports car, a knowing smile playing on her lips, as if she can see through the mask I’m trying so hard to keep up.
I step out of the house, trying to leave the weight of everything behind me, but the hurt sticks. Penelope’s eyes catch on something near the front lawn, and she bends down to pick it up.
“What’s this?” she asks, curiosity lacing her voice as she holds up a delicate black box, gold lettering gleaming in the fading evening light.
My stomach churns. I know exactly what that box is. The jewelry box—the same kind Emeric used when he bought Barbara that ruby necklace at the auction. I take it from Penelope, my hands shaking as I pop it open. Inside are two diamond earrings, beautiful but cold. They shine, but not for me.
I snap the box shut, my chest tightening.
“They were probably for Barbara,” I mutter, my voice thick with disgust. I toss the box into the trash bin near the door, the thud sounding heavier than it should.
Penelope arches an eyebrow but doesn’t press. She knows me too well to ask questions I’m not ready to answer. Instead, she gestures to her car, throwing me a wink. “Come on. Let’s forget about that bastard for a while.”
We drive in silence, the city lights passing by like streaks of color, a blur that reflects my racing thoughts. Each neon sign and glimmering window feels like a fleeting moment, a reminder of the life I once thought I had under control. ‘
Penelope and I pull up to our usual escape—my VIP suite at Hermes. As the car doors swing open, the familiar smell of leather and perfume greets us, wrapping around me like a luxurious embrace. It almost feels like stepping into another world—a world where everything is perfect, untouched by the chaos of my life.
Penelope hands me a glass of champagne, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Retail therapy, babe. The only cure for a broken heart.”
I manage a smile, but it’s thin, hollow. This place, with its rich fabrics and heavy price tags, used to offer me comfort. I’d walk through the beautifully curated displays, my heart swelling at the thought of indulging in a new piece of exquisite jewelry or a designer handbag. The way the staff treats me like royalty once felt empowering.
Penelope twirls in front of a mirror, the silk dress she’s wearing hugging her figure like a second skin. She beams, her joy infectious. “This is the life, Siobhan. You, here, surrounded by all this luxury—this is who you are. Why are you hiding it from Emeric?”
Her words catch me off guard, and I stop mid-sip, the bubbly drink suddenly feeling heavy in my hand. I set the glass down, brushing my fingers over a crocodile-skin bag that I don’t even want. “I’m not hiding anything,” I reply quietly, though the conviction in my voice wavers. “He just doesn’t care enough to see it.”
Penelope’s carefree expression fades, replaced by a look of genuine concern. She sits beside me, her warmth radiating as she searches my face for answers. “Why do you stay with him? Why are you putting yourself through this?”
I stare into my glass, watching the bubbles dance as memories flood my mind. I remember how cold Emeric’s eyes were tonight, how he looked at me like I was nothing more than an inconvenience. “Three years, Penelope. Three years of trying to make it work, and he still doesn’t love me. He doesn’t even see me. I’ve given him everything, and all he does is push me away.”
Penelope leans closer, her voice softening. “You deserve so much more than this, Siobhan. You’re a powerful woman—this place is proof of that. Why let him dim your light?”
Her encouragement stirs something within me, but I’m still trapped in a web of doubt. I take a deep breath. “I thought he would change. I thought love could make him see me.”
Penelope shakes her head, her eyes fierce. “Love shouldn’t be a battle. You shouldn’t have to fight for someone to recognize your worth.”
I nod, but the knot in my stomach tightens. The shadows of my reality loom large, even amid this opulence. I let out a shaky breath, trying to hold it together. “He accused me of cheating. Of all things, cheating.”
Penelope’s mouth falls open. “You? With who?”
“He saw some photos of me having dinner… with my dad,” I say, shaking my head at the absurdity of it all. “He didn’t ask. He just... assumed. Thought I was with some other man. A silver-haired man, no less. It’s ridiculous.”
Penelope clenches her fists, anger flashing in her eyes. “He’s out of his mind. How can he not see how devoted you’ve been? How much you’ve sacrificed?”
“And to make it worse... Barbara’s back,” I admit, my voice barely above a whisper. “She’s always been in the background, but now she’s... she’s here. Again.”
Penelope’s face darkens. “That conniving bitch. She’s never really left, has she? Always lurking, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.” She pauses, then looks at me, her voice softening. “Why are you still holding on to him, Siobhan? He doesn’t deserve you.”
I open my mouth to respond, but nothing comes out. Before I can find the words, my phone buzzes on the table, pulling my attention. My heart sinks as I glance at the screen.
It’s from Barbara.
My chest tightens as I unlock the phone, dread pooling in my stomach. The message feels like a punch to the gut. For a second, everything stops. My hand shakes as I stare at the text, my mind struggling to make sense of the words.
[I’m pregnant with Emeric’s child. We need to talk.]– Barbara.
Caroline’s Point of ViewThe air feels thick as I approach the café. My hands tremble slightly, though I force them to remain at my sides, steady. I’ve run this moment over in my head so many times, imagining the words I’d say, how I’d keep my composure, but now that it’s real, there’s an uncomfortable tightness in my chest. I push open the door, the chime overhead ringing lightly, a sharp contrast to the heaviness I feel inside.Dolly is already there, seated in a corner, legs crossed, looking like she stepped straight out of a magazine. Her hair is perfect, her makeup flawless, and her lips curl into a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes.“Caroline,” she says, her voice dripping with saccharine sweetness, like we’re old friends. “You’re right on time. Why don’t you sit? We have a lot to discuss.”I don’t bother with pleasantries, cutting right to the point. “You’re back, and I want to know why. What are you planning?”She leans back, her smirk growing. “Oh, Caroline,” she sighs, like
Caroline’s Point of ViewAfter that confrontation, I didn’t go home. Instead, I drive up to my childhood home, the familiar sight of the grand estate hitting me like a wave. The mansion looms large surrounded by perfectly manicured gardens filled with vibrant flowers and towering trees. It’s a palace, really—a testament to my family’s wealth, with marble columns and intricate wrought-iron balconies. The sprawling driveway is lined with palm trees that sway gently in the breeze, and as I park my car, I can’t help but feel a mix of nostalgia.The moment I step inside, the cool air wraps around me, carrying the faint scent of fresh lilies from the grand foyer. The crystal chandelier sparkles above, casting a warm glow over the opulent space filled with elegant furniture and priceless artwork. I used to love how my parents filled this house with laughter and love. But now, it feels like a sanctuary I’ve neglected since marrying Knoxx.“Sweetheart?” My father’s voice calls out from the liv
Caroline’s Point of ViewFor the first time in my marriage, I don’t go home. I can’t. Instead, I find myself in my childhood bedroom, curled up in the familiar comfort of old blankets. I try to grasp everything my dad has said. He’s right. I don’t deserve to be treated like this, not when I’ve given so much of myself, so much of my heart. I shared everything with him, my hopes, my fears, my love. And what did I get in return? Betrayal. Disrespect.I deserve someone who sees my worth and honors it, not someone who casts it aside. This is not the end of me, just the beginning of something better.That is all I think about until I finally fall asleep. It’s a heavy weight, but somehow, as I drift into sleep, it feels a little lighter, as if acknowledging the truth has started to set me free.The next morning when I wake up, the first thing I notice is my phone. It buzzes repeatedly with notifications, Knoxx's name flashing over and over. I don’t want to read them—what could he possibly sa
Caroline’s Point of ViewI pull my suitcase out of the bedroom, my heart racing as I head toward the stairs. My hands tremble, my breath shallow. I’ve packed up what little I care to take with me — clothes, a few personal things, nothing more. The rest of it? Meaningless.As I step down into the hallway, footsteps echo behind me, cold and deliberate. Karen Wayne, Knoxx’s mother, appears at the base of the stairs, her face as stern and sharp as always. She has this uncanny ability to make me feel small, no matter the situation. Today, though, I refuse to be small.She strides up to me, her eyes immediately locking on the suitcase in my hand. I don’t know why it surprises me that she’d intercept me on my way out — of course, she would. Nothing happens in this house without her approval. After all, we are living with her.Without a word, she snatches my suitcase from me, her fingers curling around the handle with unnecessary force.“I need to check if you’ve taken anything that doesn’t b
Caroline’s Point of ViewMy husband ruins our third year anniversary.I’m sitting by the window of a fancy restaurant, nervously waiting for Knoxx, my husband. I dress up in my favorite black dress. It’s been three years of marriage—three years of hoping, waiting for the man I love to finally see me, to finally understand that I’m more than just a wife of convenience. That it is not all about the arranged marriage.I fiddle with the napkin in my lap, glancing at the clock, watching as each minute crawls by. Any moment now, Knoxx will walk through the door.Tonight feels different. Tonight, I feel like something is going to change.I had seen the headlines earlier this week:[Wayne Corp Heir Spends Fortune on Rare Ruby Necklace—A Gift for Someone Special!]"Someone special." Those two words have been ringing in my head ever since I read them. Who is more important to him than me, his wife?After all the distance between us, the missed anniversaries, the cold silences… perhaps Knoxx*is
Shiva’s Point of ViewI sit there, frozen, still reeling from the words that left Emeric’s mouth just moments ago.“Didn’t you marry me for the money?”The question loops in my mind like a broken record, leaving behind a sting I can’t shake. Did Emeric always think that? That I only wanted his wealth? That I had trapped him in this marriage? The weight of the accusation presses down on me, suffocating in its cruelty."Is that really what you believe?" I ask quietly, my voice barely audible as I look at him. "That I married you for the money? That I forced you into this?"Emeric's expression is unreadable, the same cold mask he always wears, but there's a flicker in his eyes—something dark, something cruel. He doesn’t answer immediately. Instead, he picks up my half-finished glass of wine from the table and takes a slow sip. The silence stretches between us, heavy and unbearable.“You don’t love me,” he finally says, setting the empty glass down with a soft clink that echoes in the qui