"What in the world is going on here?" Beth exclaimed, rushing down the stairs, her voice laced with concern. The sound of Cindy's furious honking still echoed faintly outside, and the tension in the living room was thick enough to cut with a knife. Cindy, her face flushed and her eyes blazing, was pacing back and forth like a caged tiger."Rich!" She was screaming the house down."You had better get the heck down here and face me you cowardly bastard." Rich, who was in his study, heard the ruckus and asked his assistant to find out what was happening."What is going on, Cindy? Why are you so worked up?" Beth asked, worried."Aaah Boss, you had better go down. Your sister has just gone mad." Brian told Rich after asking a servant what was going on."Rich!" Cindy practically spat the name as soon as she saw her brother come down the staircase. "How could you? How could you let Liana do that to Megan?"Rich looked utterly bewildered. "Do what? Cindy, what are you talking about? I d
"What's going on?" Liana asked then her smile froze as she saw Cindy in the living room.She had thought that she would have time to hide the papers from Rich for a while until the 30-day cooling-off period was over.She would then find a way to tell him that it was time to finalise the divorce proceedings, and maybe by then, she would be pregnant again, holding Rich for life.Rich's sudden move took Liana by surprise. She hadn't anticipated him grabbing the envelope, assuming that the shock of knowing about the divorce papers would keep him off balance. Her carefully constructed facade began to crack as Rich snatched the envelope from her grasp and opened it.He held the papers tightly, his knuckles white. His gaze was fixed on Liana, his eyes burning with a mixture of anger, hurt, and disbelief. "How, Liana?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous. "How did you get my signature? And how did you get access to the Wayne family seal?"Liana's carefully composed demeanour faltered.
Megan and Rich met at a quiet café, the hum of conversations around them doing little to ease the tension between them. Rich sat across from her, his fingers tracing the edge of a thick envelope—fresh divorce papers. "What do you want now?" Megan asked as she crossed her arms on her chest as if guardian her heart from more pain. She had already purposed to have nothing to do with this despicable couple but just couldn't seem to get away from them. Rich eyes were downcast, avoiding Megan's sharp but questioning look. He had noticed the bag eyes and the etched lines on her face that not even the light makeup could hide. There was something different about her though; her aura was no longer timid. Determination was written on her lips that were stretched in a thin line and a sharp glint cut through her eyes. "I need to apologize for how Liana ambushed you with the divorce papers," he said as he nervously clutched the edge of the brown envelope. Megan just stared at him as she
"Sir, maybe you should go back and check on her." Brian was a worrier, and he had heard what Liana had said on the phone.In the bedroom, Liana had changed into a silky black lingerie that hugged her bust and hips, accentuating her small waist.She then filled the bathtub with water and taking the white rose flowers that she had decorated the room with, she started to slowly remove the petals, placing them from the door all the way to the bathroom. She then sprinkled some in the bathtub, leaving them floating.After admiring her handiwork, she took a glass of wine and sat on the bed, perusing a fashion magazine where she was featured on the cover as she waited.Rich lifted his glass and then put it down again without drinking. Something flashed in his mind but disappeared before he could process the thought.He had always been alcohol tolerant and knew his limit, so he didn't understand how, on that particular night, he was so drunk that he couldn't remember signing the divorce papers
He lurched forward, his hand instinctively reaching for her wrist, searching for a pulse. The water, now a chilling, viscous crimson, sloshed as he moved. His fingers, slick with the bloody water, fumbled against her skin, finding it cold and unnervingly still. A wave of nausea washed over him, the scent of iron thick in his nostrils. He pressed his fingers harder, desperately trying to feel the faintest thrum of life. Nothing. A strangled gasp escaped his lips, a sound of pure, raw terror. He yanked her arm up, the delicate white rose petals clinging to her skin, now stained a gruesome pink. He stared at the deep, ragged cuts, the blood still seeping slowly into the water, and a primal scream threatened to erupt from his chest. He had to do something.Anything. He couldn't just stand there, watching her slip away. He fumbled for his phone, his hands shaking so violently he almost dropped it. He had to call Brian. He had to call an ambulance. He had to save her.Brian rushed
The sterile, hushed atmosphere of the ICU was a stark contrast to the storm brewing within its walls. Liana lay pale and still, a network of tubes and wires snaking across her body, the rhythmic beeping of the monitors a constant, unsettling pulse. After hours in the operating theatre, she was alive, but barely. The doors to the ICU burst open, and Liana's parents, their faces etched with grief and rage, stormed in. Their eyes, red and swollen, immediately locked onto Rich and Beth. "What have you done to her?!" Liana's mother shrieked, her voice cracking with emotion. "You've driven her to this! You've pushed her too far!" Liana's father, his face a mask of fury, pointed a trembling finger at Rich. "You! You're the reason she's lying there! You never appreciated her! You never deserved her!" "How could you let this happen?" Liana's mother wailed, her voice rising in hysteria. "She was always so happy, so vibrant! You've destroyed her!" Beth, her own guilt a heavy weight in her
After Briana had been kicked out by the security team, the company settled down. Logan called Megan to his office because she was still shaken up. He watched her walk in, fragile but guarded and all he wanted to do was envelope her in a protective hug. Megan sat nervously across Logan, the huge mahogany office desk creating a boundary between them. "Megan, thank you for coming in. I wanted to address what happened just now." He said as he tried to read her face. "Oh Okay," Megan looked down as she intertwined her fingers. "First, I want to be absolutely clear: there is nothing, and I mean nothing, going on between Briana and myself." "I don't even understand why she would think that we have a thing going on". He continued but Megan only gave a slight nod, her eyes avoiding him. "I also want to apologize for any discomfort or distress that Briana caused you. That was completely unacceptable." Megan trembled slightly. It was… unsettling, to say the least, but she remained silent
Megan's gaze drifted, unfocused, as she settled into the plush leather of the company car's backseat. The city lights blurred into streaks of color, mirroring the chaotic whirl of thoughts in her mind. Athena, ever vigilant, her assistant, bodyguard, and now, trusted driver, navigated the winding streets with a practiced ease that Megan had come to rely on. The company had furnished her with the executive-level car, a perk befitting her position as Vice President.Logan, with his characteristic blend of generosity and persistence, had also offered her a sprawling, impeccably designed house but Megan had politely declined.It wasn't a matter of ingratitude, but a desperate need for the familiar. The bond she'd forged with Athena and Cindy in their home, had been instrumental in her arduous journey of healing. Their little home, a haven of warmth, love, and the comforting rhythm of everyday life, provided the emotional stability she craved. The thought of exchanging it for the ster
The grand ballroom buzzed with vibrant energy, the air thick with the murmur of conversations and the clinking of glasses. The party was in full swing, a celebratory affair following the successful signing of a crucial international investment contract. Yet, amidst the revelry, Rich, the company's usually charismatic CEO, stood apart. He was a solitary figure in a dimly lit corner, a glass of amber liquid clutched in his hand, its contents barely touched. The truth was, he hadn't wanted to be here. The weight of the day's intense negotiations still pressed heavily on him, and all he truly desired was the quiet solitude of his home. However, his position demanded his presence, a symbol of gratitude and success for the visiting investors. Across the room, Liana was a whirlwind of practised charm, embodying the role of the perfect hostess. She glided from table to table, her laughter echoing, ensuring her presence was felt by every guest. A carefully cultivated percept
Queen sighed, running a hand through her hair. She had noticed the dreamy look on Megan's and the soft hum on her lips, indicating that something might have transpired that day. She had also missed classes, which had never occurred before."It must be Dante" she guessed."Queen, we cleared things up." She said as she smiled at her friend and explained what happened earlier.Megan's blissful ignorance was starting to grate on her nerves. "Megan," she began again, trying to keep her tone gentle, "I'm just saying, isn't it a little convenient that Dante suddenly has all the answers and Lizbeth is just… a liar?"Megan's smile faltered slightly. "But Queen, he explained everything! He said Lizbeth was just someone his family knew a long time ago, and she's always been a bit… dramatic. He said he told her to stop spreading rumours."Queen raised an eyebrow. "And you believe that wholeheartedly?""Yes!" Megan insisted, her smile returning with a touch of defiance. "Dante wouldn't lie to me.
"Megan, Megan, wait up!" Dante's voice echoed down the hallway.Megan was coming from her room, ready to start her day. She had lessons lined up throughout the day and was already running late for her first class.She rounded the corner and headed to the lecture room when she saw him, Dante. He leaned against the cool, tiled wall, arms crossed, a familiar, persistent look in his eyes. It had become a pattern, this unexpected appearance wherever she went – the library, the cafeteria, even the quiet courtyard where she sometimes ate lunch. He had been stalking her, showing up wherever.A wave of frustration washed over her. Ignoring him had been her strategy, a silent but firm declaration of disinterest. But seeing him waiting there, so deliberately, sent a shiver of unease down her spine. Without breaking stride, she executed a sharp about-face, her heels clicking against the floor as she headed towards the staff room door. She would just pretend that she was there for her lecturer.
Liana stood frozen, her hand pressed against her stinging cheek, disbelief warring with a rising tide of fury. The skin beneath her palm throbbed, a burning heat that mirrored the humiliation flooding through her. A stark red imprint was already beginning to surface, a visible testament to the unthinkable. Her lover, Rich, the man who had never so much as raised his voice to her, the man who had showered her with pampering and indulged her every whim, had actually struck her."What is going on here?" Rich’s voice boomed, cutting through the stunned silence that had fallen over the boutique."Babe… you slapped me? Without even knowing what happened?" Liana stammered, her eyes wide with a mixture of shock and outrage.Rich didn't even glance in her direction. His attention was fixed on the manager, the man’s badge a clear identifier amidst the unfolding chaos. "It would be best if you saw for yourself," the manager replied, his tone carefully neutral as he discreetly signalled to sec
Rich stood by his car, his gaze fixed on the endless rows of vehicles filling the mall's expansive carpark. A profound weariness settled over him, a bone-deep exhaustion that transcended mere physical fatigue. He yearned for escape, a desperate urge to slide behind the wheel and embark on an aimless drive, a journey to nowhere in particular, a flight to his own personal Neverland.The memory of his forced marriage to Megan surfaced, unbidden. He had envisioned a life of unrelenting misery, his only solace the sweet affection of Liana, his girlfriend. It was this belief that had fueled his resistance to the marriage, his deliberate refusal to acknowledge the genuine effort Megan had poured into their ill-fated union.But the landscape of his life had shifted dramatically in the few short months since his divorce. The rose that was Liana had inexplicably transformed into a sharp, unforgiving thorn. The woman who had once offered him immeasurable pleasure and comfort had morphed into
Rich trailed behind Liana, his footsteps heavy with unspoken resentment. She had been relentless in her demands for a shopping excursion, her persistent nagging finally eroding his resistance. He had given in, hoping a few hours of retail therapy might appease her and grant him some much-needed peace.Liana, oblivious or perhaps deliberately ignoring his dark mood, was chattering animatedly about the latest trends and celebrity gossip. Noticing his continued silence, she skipped back to him, her movements light and carefree. "Honey, cheer up," she chirped, playfully swinging his lapel like a spoiled child seeking attention.Rich had been deliberately creating distance between them lately. He’d leave for work before the first hint of dawn, ensuring he was gone before Liana even stirred. Beth preferred to take her meals in her room, leaving Liana to navigate the vast, echoing spaces alone, boredom her constant companion. Even the household staff seemed to avoid her, materializing on
The sight of Lizbeth’s tear-streaked face and trembling form tugged at the heartstrings of Dante’s friends. They exchanged knowing glances, a silent understanding passing between them. "Just let her be, Dante," one of them advised, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "After all, we grew up together. People might naturally consider her your childhood sweetheart." Dante bristled at the insinuation. "I have a girlfriend," he stated firmly, his voice carrying a clear warning. "So please, let this be the last time I hear about this!" He genuinely cared for Megan and the thought of her misinterpreting his connection with Lizbeth sent a wave of anxiety through him. He wanted to build something real with her, something untainted by past associations. Reaching for his wallet, he extracted a credit card and tossed it towards Lizbeth, who stood looking forlorn. "You can shop for whatever you want," he said, his tone clipped but not unkind. "I need to find my girlfriend." With tha
The murmur rippled through the crowded hallways of the second floor, a wave of hushed excitement and morbid curiosity. Dante, his heart hammering against his ribs, propelled himself forward, his friends trailing close behind. The snatches of conversation they’d overheard – a fight, girls involved, and then the chillingly familiar name, Megan – had sent a jolt of adrenaline through him. He had to know what was happening.The scene that unfolded before them was a tableau of raw emotion. Lizbeth stood near the stairwell, her face streaked with tears that carved clean paths through the dust on her cheeks. Her voice, thick with sobs, reached Dante’s ears. "I was only trying to help," she choked out, her small frame trembling.The initial sympathy of the small crowd that had gathered was visibly shifting. Whispers turned to pointed glances, and a palpable air of disapproval began to emanate from them. Lizbeth’s eyes darted around, a flicker of panic in their depths. Her reputation, car
"Country pumpkin!" The insult, laced with a cruel, mocking sweetness, sliced through the air, followed by the sickening thud of something soft and viscous striking the back of Megan's head. The sticky, pungent substance oozed into her hair, a grotesque parody of a country harvest.Megan, her heart pounding a frantic rhythm against her ribs, whirled around. She had been caught in the frantic churn between classes, the minutes slipping through her fingers like sand. Her last lecture had bled into the next, leaving her scrambling to make up for lost time. Now, she was faced with a trio of girls, their laughter echoing in the deserted hallway like the cackle of hyenas."What is your problem?" she demanded, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and bewildered confusion. She fumbled with her handkerchief, attempting to wipe the foul-smelling goo from her hair, the thought of returning to the hostel for a desperate, cleansing shower a tempting escape.The girl in the centre, a caricat