Caroline’s Point of View
The late afternoon sun is soft, casting golden light over the garden where I sit, lost in thought. My hands rest lightly on my lap, but the tension in my chest doesn’t fade. The faint scent of blooming flowers surrounds me, but it does little to calm the storm brewing inside.
I feel off. I’ve felt off for days now. Morning sickness has become a daily companion, and I know I can’t keep ignoring it. But the question remains: do I tell Knoxx?
A part of me whispers that I should. No matter how strained things are between us, he has a right to know. But then, I remember the cold silence that has hung between us since the dinner party. He hasn’t reached out, hasn’t even tried to fix things. He’s letting me stew in my own frustrations, and I can’t help but think it’s exactly what Dolly wanted.
I sigh, running a hand over my stomach as if it holds the answers. “What do I do?&rdqu
Caroline’s Point of ViewThe steady hum of my office fills the air as I sit at my drafting table, pencil in hand. The world around me fades as I lose myself in the delicate lines and curves of the necklace I’m sketching. Designing has always been my sanctuary—a place where the noise of life quiets and my thoughts can flow freely.Today, however, there’s a faint buzz of unease that I can’t quite shake. Something feels off, though I can’t put my finger on it.“Caroline,” Lisa’s voice cuts through the silence, breaking my focus.I look up to see her standing in the doorway, a nervous energy radiating from her. She’s holding her tablet, her fingers gripping it tightly. “You’re not going to believe this.”“What is it?” I ask, setting my pencil down and gesturing for her to come closer.She hesitates, then steps into the room and places the tablet in front of
Caroline’s Point of ViewThe night feels heavy as I sit in my living room, scrolling through my phone, hoping for some distraction from the gnawing unease Lisa left behind earlier.I try to focus on the bright images on my screen, scrolling aimlessly through social media, watching posts and updates that mean nothing. They’re a distraction, yes, but the unease in my gut refuses to fade. The events of the day swirl in my mind—Lisa’s unsettling behavior, her hurried exit from the studio without any explanation, the way she seemed to be avoiding eye contact. All of it points to something. Something I can’t quite grasp, but I feel it in my bones.I take a deep breath, setting my phone down on the coffee table. Maybe I’m overthinking it. Lisa has been with me for years, and while she’s been acting strange lately, it’s hard to believe she’d betray me like that. She’s always been a close friend, more than just
Caroline’s Point of ViewThe shock hasn’t worn off yet. It’s been hours since I watched Lisa’s video, but the words still echo in my mind like a hollow drumbeat. I can’t escape them. I can’t escape the betrayal, the coldness in her eyes when she said Dolly was the true visionary behind everything I’ve worked for. But there’s more to this. The more I think about it, the more I realize something doesn’t add up.How could I have been so blind?How could she do this to me?I think back to the conversations we had, the moments that should have raised red flags. How Lisa had always been so reassuring, so confident in our success. But there was that moment—the celebrity who had an allergy to one of our designs. It had seemed like a small issue at the time, but Lisa’s reaction was strange. She had known exactly what had happened, almost like she had anticipated it, and I couldn’t understand h
Caroline’s Point of ViewI stand frozen at Dolly’s door, my breath shallow and uneven. I can hear my heartbeat in my ears, thumping louder with each passing second. I should’ve expected this, but part of me is still caught off guard. I’ve prepared myself for this confrontation, but nothing could truly prepare me for the reality of what I’m about to face.When I knock, the sound echoes sharply down the hall, breaking the silence that has consumed me. A moment later, Dolly’s voice calls out from inside, almost too casual.“Come in.”I push the door open, stepping into her room. But before I can get too far, Dolly’s eyes widen in apparent surprise. She’s sitting at her desk, but the calm demeanor she usually wears falters just for a second. She’s taken off guard, I can tell. But she quickly recovers, putting on a smile as if she’s done nothing wrong.“What’s this about
Caroline’s Point of ViewI wake up in a haze, my head pounding and my body sore. The sharp scent of antiseptic fills the air, making my stomach churn. My eyes flutter open, and the bright fluorescent lights above sting my vision. For a moment, I don’t know where I am. Everything feels distant, and I can’t shake the overwhelming sense of confusion.Then panic grips me. My hands tremble as I clutch my stomach, my breath coming out in short, ragged gasps. "My baby—" My voice is hoarse, barely above a whisper.“Caroline, are you really this naïve?”I ignore the voice and immediately look down at my stomach. "B-baby… My baby! Is my baby okay?!"A firm but gentle hand presses against mine. "Caroline, calm down. Breathe."I blink rapidly, my vision clearing enough to see Penelope sitting at the edge of my bed. Her face is twisted in frustration, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, her eyes red with worry and anger."Tell me," I plead, my voice cracking. "The baby—""Your baby is fine," P
Caroline’s Point of ViewPenelope returns not long after Knoxx storms out, her face a mask of barely contained fury. She sets her purse down on the chair and crosses her arms tightly over her chest, staring at me with a mix of anger and concern.“I can’t believe him,” she hisses, her voice shaking. “I cannot believe that man. What did he say to you?”I shake my head, my throat tight, the lump in it making it impossible to speak. Tears I’ve been holding back spill over, and I cover my face with my hands, sobbing quietly.“That bad, huh?” Penelope mutters, pulling a tissue from her bag and handing it to me. “I don’t need to hear it. I already know. He’s a grade-A idiot. Always has been.” She sits down beside me, her voice softening slightly. “But you need to tell me what happened, Caroline. I need to know exactly what he said.”I wipe my face, trying to find my voice. “He... he said when I fell down, I took Dolly with me. That I’m lying. He said... he doesn’t believe me, Penelope. He th
Caroline’s Point of ViewI lie in my hospital bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind racing faster than my heart can handle. Everything feels like a nightmare I can’t wake up from. Lisa. Dolly. Knoxx. They all played a part in my downfall, and I had been too blind to see it coming.Lisa and Dolly worked together. The realization hits me like a cold slap across the face. It makes sense now—the way Lisa had always been around at just the right time, the way she had subtly manipulated conversations, making sure I never saw the truth. She had been feeding Dolly everything. My designs, my ideas, my weaknesses. She had never been my friend. And now, Knoxx…I squeeze my eyes shut, the memory of his voice still fresh in my mind.“I was wrong about you. I didn’t think you’d be this vicious.”I clutch the sheets tightly. The way he looked at me, like I was someone he couldn’t recognize, someone unworthy of even hearing out… it’s unbearable. He chose Dolly. He always chooses her.My mind is a mess
Caroline’s Point of ViewThe ride back to the house is silent. Penelope grips the steering wheel so tightly that her knuckles turn white. The tension in the air is heavy, suffocating. I know she’s furious—for me, for everything I’ve been through—but she keeps it bottled up, swallowing her words.I should feel angry too. I should be livid, screaming, demanding answers for everything that’s happened to me. But I feel nothing. Not sadness, not relief, not even pain. Just an empty, hollow void stretching inside me, swallowing up every emotion I used to have.The house looms ahead as we pull into the driveway, dark and quiet. It looks exactly the same as when I left, but something about it feels different. Or maybe I’m the one who’s changed.Penelope parks the car but doesn’t turn off the engine. She shifts in her seat, her sharp gaze locking onto me. “Are you sure about this?” Her voice is firm, steady, but I can hear the concern beneath it.I force myself to nod. “I need to do this.”She
Caroline's Point of ViewI sit on the couch, my fingers touch the edge of my glass creating a soft clink that breaks the quiet between Adrian and me. My brain can't stop, ideas colliding as I look at Adrian, who sits across from me. His face gives nothing away, his body seems at ease, but I know better. I understand him more deeply. Something always hides under the surface with him.The impact of this revelation hits me hard making breathing tough. For years, I clung to that memory—gripped it like a lifeline during my marriage's worst times, as if it proved Knoxx could do something good, something unselfish. But it wasn't him. It was Adrian.I let out a slow breath before I break the quiet. "Adrian," I begin, my voice gentler than I meant it to be. "The watch... that day... you saved me, didn't you?"Adrian looks at me, his dark eyes calm hard to read. He doesn't answer right away, which makes my heart race with suspense.After what seems like forever, he sits back on the couch drummi
Caroline’s Point of ViewI hesitate for a moment before knocking on Liam’s bedroom door, the soft sound barely audible in the quiet hallway. My fingers tighten slightly against the wood as I wait for a response. When none comes, I push the door open gently, peeking inside.Liam is curled up on his bed, his small frame illuminated by the glow of his nightlight. The soft, star-shaped light casts a faint pattern against the walls, a comforting presence in an otherwise heavy atmosphere.He doesn’t look at me when I enter.Instead, he stares at the ceiling, his brows furrowed in deep thought, his little hands gripping the blanket tightly. The sight makes my chest ache. I know that look—I’ve worn it too many times myself.Something is eating at him.I take a slow step forward, keeping my voice gentle. “Hey, buddy,” I say, sitting on the edge of his bed. “Uncle Adrian said you came home upset today. Want to talk about it?”Liam’s reaction is immediate. His small shoulders tense, and he shake
Caroline’s Point of ViewAs expected, Adrian’s entire demeanor shifts the moment his gaze lands on Alessandro. His usual cool confidence falters just enough for me to notice—the sharp furrow of his brows, the slight clench of his jaw, the way his shoulders stiffen like he’s bracing himself for something.Jealousy.It hums in the air between us, subtle but unmistakable.He steps forward, his movements controlled but laced with something tense, something taut and restrained. “Who’s this?” His voice is steady, but there’s a bite to it, a careful edge that makes my stomach flutter for reasons I don’t want to analyze too deeply.Alessandro, ever the charming one, doesn’t seem the least bit fazed. He offers a small smile, tilting his head as he introduces himself. “Alessandro Luca Romano,” he says smoothly, his Italian accent thick and effortless. “Caroline’s newest employee.”I can practically feel the heat of Adrian’s gaze as he shifts his attention to me, questioning, searching for somet
Dolly’s Point of ViewThe moment Knoxx mentions that our stay in Italy is only temporary, a sharp pang slices through my chest. I have always known this wasn’t permanent, but hearing it so plainly from his lips makes my stomach churn. It isn’t just about me anymore. My daughter loves it here.And I can’t say no to her.“Mommy, please,” she whines, tugging on the hem of my designer dress with her tiny hands. Her big, pleading eyes glisten as she looks up at me, her bottom lip jutting out in an almost perfect pout. “I don’t want to go back. I love it here. Italy is so much prettier than home! The people talk funny, but I like it!”I stroke her soft curls, my heart squeezing. She is my world, my perfect little angel. How can I deny her anything?I kneel in front of her, smoothing out the frills of her dress as I speak softly. “I know, sweetheart. Mommy loves it here too. But Daddy—” I hesitate, my lips pressing together. The words feel heavy, like they don’t belong in my mouth. “Daddy th
Caroline’s Point of ViewThe moment he speaks, I know I’m in trouble."I saw your job posting," he says, his deep, smooth voice laced with something effortlessly charming. "I’d like to apply."Penelope grips my wrist hard under the counter, and I barely suppress a wince.This man—this Italian god—is exactly the type of employee that would drive my customers crazy. And I don’t mean bad crazy. I mean good crazy. The buy-everything-in-the-store-just-to-see-him-smile kind of crazy.He's got a boyish charm, younger but still undeniably handsome. Tall and lean, he carries himself with effortless confidence, the kind that turns heads without trying. His dark brown hair is tousled in that perfect mix of careless and intentional, and his sharp, well-defined features make it impossible to look away.But it's his eyes that truly draw you in.A deep, warm hazel—alive with mischief, edged with something both playful and a little dangerous.He tilts his head, and I realize I’ve been quiet for too l
Caroline’s Point of ViewWinning the competition should have been the hardest part.I pour everything into my designs, fighting against sabotage, betrayal, and every possible obstacle thrown my way. Yet, standing in my boutique weeks later, watching the steady stream of customers come and go, I realize something.The real battle has just begun.Success has turned into an exhausting whirlwind. My inbox is constantly flooded with custom orders, my phone never stops buzzing with inquiries, and every time I sit down, another customer walks in needing assistance.At first, the rush of it all is exhilarating. Now? It’s just exhausting.Penelope leans against the counter, arms crossed, watching me struggle to balance three jewelry boxes while answering a customer's question. "You need help," she says, unimpressed."I’ve got it," I insist, shifting my grip.I do not have it.One box slips, and in my panic to catch it, the others follow.With a loud clatter, all three hit the floor.Penelope s
Caroline’s Point of ViewI grip my bag so tightly my fingers start to cramp. But I don’t loosen my hold. I don’t dare. Because if I do, I might lose my grip on more than just the bag—I might lose my grip on myself.My mind is still a storm of emotions, a violent whirlwind that refuses to settle, refuses to let me breathe. I replay every word of that kindergarten disaster, every sharp remark Dolly threw at me like knives, aiming straight for the parts of me she knew were already bruised."A child raised without a real father is bound to be unruly.""No wonder Knoxx replaced you."My jaw clenches, my teeth grinding together.How dare she?How dare she stand there, smug and victorious, as if she has some moral high ground over me?Dolly—the woman who stole my designs, my husband, and now wants to act as if she has the right to look down on me?The very thought of it makes my blood boil.I should have said more. Should have ripped her down from that pedestal she’s so desperate to stay on.
Caroline’s Point of View The call from the kindergarten comes when I’m in the middle of reviewing some design sketches. "Ms. Hill," the teacher's voice is tight with concern. "I'm sorry to bother you, but there's been… an incident with Liam." My heart stops for a second. I grip the phone tighter. "What happened?" The teacher sighs. "There was a disagreement between the children. Some of the kids… well, they were saying that Liam has no father. Another child defended him, but it escalated into a physical altercation." My breath catches. Liam. They bullied him again. I inhale sharply, trying to control the sharp sting in my chest. "Who defended him?" A pause. "Bryan." I blink, stunned. Bryan? Lorenzo’s son? That… that doesn’t make sense. Bryan had always been distant towards Liam, not outright cruel, but he never stood up for him either. So why now? I shake off the confusion, focusing on what’s important. "Is Liam hurt?" "No, but we need to address this
Knoxx’s Point of ViewThe moment Dolly steps into my house, holding our daughter in her arms, I feel nothing.Absolutely nothing.I stand there, watching as she moves past me with her usual bright, expectant smile, her heels clicking against the polished marble floor like she already owns the place. She looks around, her eyes lighting up, as if she’s envisioning the future she’s always wanted—the future she thinks she’s about to have.I should feel something.Satisfaction, maybe.Relief, even.But instead, there’s only this dull, suffocating weight in my chest, this gnawing emptiness that refuses to go away no matter how hard I try to convince myself otherwise.This was supposed to make me feel better.I brought them here for a reason.To prove a point.To show Caroline that I didn’t need her. That I moved on. That I had a family now, a woman who stayed by my side instead of walking away.But the moment I saw her face twist with that cold, indifferent expression, the moment she looked