POV: LAURENI was surprised when the housekeeper came to take my measurements, and even more so when I opened the box that arrived hours later. Inside was a stunning dress, as if it had come straight off the cover of a magazine. Since marrying Ethan, my style has become more subdued, because, according to him, there is no need to waste money on “frivolities.”“Tell that to your mistress,” I murmured sarcastically, staring at my reflection in the mirror as I finished getting ready.The dress fit my body perfectly, elegantly and discreetly accentuating my curves. Despite the pregnancy, my belly was still unnoticeable, and the fabric draped flawlessly. It was sophisticated, with just the right balance of class and sensuality—something I hadn’t worn in a long time.How long had it been since I last felt this beautiful? I gently touched the skin exposed by the subtle neckline, letting my thoughts drift for a moment, imagining what it would be like to wear dresses like this when my belly wa
POV: LAUREN“I don’t answer personal questions,” Henry declared, his voice calm yet sharp enough to cut through the air. His tone demanded respect. He glanced at me out of the corner of his eye, his piercing blue gaze assessing my reaction. “Let’s go inside.”Without another word, he guided me into the mansion, maintaining his imposing and steady presence. Even as the reporters continued shouting questions, his hand remained firmly at my waist, and Theodor, still nestled in my arms, seemed to find comfort in his uncle’s unwavering demeanor.Once the heavy doors closed behind us, I felt my knees almost give out. Henry stopped, turned toward me, and tilted his head slightly, studying my face.“Are you all right?” he asked, his voice noticeably softer this time.I swallowed hard, trying to gather my thoughts while my heart continued to race.
POV: LAURENI nodded quickly, trying to steady the surge of emotions washing over me. I wasn’t sure if it was because of the tension between Henry and Mia or the confusing feelings he always managed to stir in me. As I stepped away, I could hear Mia say something in an acidic tone, but Henry’s response was firm, his voice low and controlled as always. Their exchange echoed in my mind while I searched for Theodor.Soon, I felt a small tug on the hem of my dress and looked down to find Theo grinning mischievously.“Fairy, they have ice cream!” he exclaimed excitedly, pointing toward a nearby cart. “Can we get some without Uncle Henry seeing?”“We can, but you have to promise me you won’t spill on your clothes, okay?” I replied with a playful smile, trying to keep the mood light.Theo nodded enthusiastically as I glanced toward the back of the
POV: HENRYI pulled Mia by the elbow, ignoring the curious stares as I led her toward the back of the mansion. Once we arrived, I released her arm abruptly.“Henry, you’re hurting me!” she complained, rubbing the spot where my hand had been. “You didn’t have to be so rough!”“What do you want, Mia?” I asked, crossing my arms and narrowing my eyes. “I don’t have the patience for your theatrics.”“And that’s exactly why we drifted apart, Henry,” she replied, her voice taking on a whiny tone as she fiddled with my tie, pretending to be hurt. “You never made time for me. You can make time for your nephew, but for your fiancée? Never!”“Ex-fiancée,” I corrected, firmly removing her hands from my tie without hurting her. “Or have you forgotten that you were the one who left me before the wedding?”I took a step back, letting her go with deliberate force. As I turned to leave, Mia surprised me by hugging me from behind. She pressed her face against my back, her hands sliding up my abdomen an
POV: LAUREN“I deeply apologize for this scene, Mr. Carter,” I said, releasing Claire's wrist but still glaring at her, keeping my voice steady. “It was merely a misunderstanding.”“A misunderstanding?” Claire snapped, clutching her wrist as if mortally wounded. “This uncivilized brute threatened to hit me and break my wrist!”“Is that true, Ms. Becker?” Henry tilted his head slightly, his analytical gaze seeming to pierce right through me.“Yes,” I answered without hesitation, holding my calm demeanor. I noticed one of his eyebrows arch in response as his stare remained locked on me. “And I don’t regret it.”“There, you see, Mr. Carter?” Claire whined, rushing over to him like a spoiled child, placing her hands on his shoulders and positioning herself behind him. “This woman is completely unhinged. She should be fired!”“Uncle Henry, that’s not fair!” Theo interjected, gripping my hand tightly. “The fairy was just protecting me! That mean lady tried to hit me first!”“Theo!” I scolde
POV: LAURENThe tension in the air seemed to thicken until a robust man with a mustache and an authoritative demeanor approached.“Now, Henry, do we really need all this drama?” he said in a conciliatory yet condescending tone. Only then did I realize it was Roger, James’s father.Henry let out a dry, ironic laugh, crossing his arms as the vein on his temple became more prominent.“Roger, you really should be more selective with your guest list!” he retorted impatiently, his imposing stance and icy gaze making his discomfort clear.Before any more words could be exchanged, I felt a gentle touch on my shoulder. The warm voice of Margareth caught me by surprise.“Mrs. Becker, my goodness, it’s been ages!” she exclaimed kindly, pulling me into a tight embrace. Her presence was almost a relief amid the chaos. She whispered into m
POV: LAUREN“Becker, Becker, what a surprise to see you here,” James said in a mocking tone, leaning in to whisper near my ear. “Have you become Henry’s pet now, going everywhere he takes you?”“Hello, James,” I replied, trying to maintain my composure as unease crawled up my spine. I took a step back, forcing a polite smile. “I’m here accompanying Mr. Carter because I’m his nephew’s nanny, and Theodor is also attending the party,” I added, standing from my chair. “Speaking of Theodor, I should go check on him.”“Nonsense!” Margareth intervened, gently holding my hand. “Let the boy enjoy himself a little without supervision. Why don’t you and James go dance? I’ve always admired your friendship. I thought you two might end up getting married one day.”“Why would you think that?” I aske
POV: LAUREN“Whoever got you to dance first and managed to take you home would win. I was heading your way that night, but then I heard your father felt unwell, and you left the ball with Ethan. What a surprise, huh?” James mocked, a malicious glint in his eyes.“How do you know that?” I asked, my voice faltering. James leaned in provocatively, grazing his teeth over the tip of my ear.“Oh, darling, Ethan bragged about it afterward,” he said with a laugh. “Your father’s 'illness' was caused by Ethan during that 'urgent meeting' they had earlier that day.” James laughed louder, clearly enjoying himself. “And you fell for it. His attention, his concern for your father—it was all part of the plan.”“That’s impossible,” I murmured, a knot tightening in my throat as my body began to tremble. I couldn’t hide the wave of tensi
POV: LAURENThe man was still trembling, his breathing heavy, and his wild eyes locked onto me. The barrel of the gun wavered between Henry and me, but Carter remained firm, unwavering.“No, it’s definitely not fair,” Henry stated calmly, taking another step forward—without hesitation, without concern for the gun aimed at his head. “But you’re committing the same injustice against Lauren. The decisions were her father’s, not hers.”The man growled, his jaw clenched in fury.“That bastard was a coward!” he spat, his face twisting with hatred. “He chose death over facing the consequences of what he did! But someone has to pay for it.”My body froze as he shifted the gun back toward me, aiming over Henry’s shoulder.“I might go to hell for this, but I’m taking the magnate’s little
POV: LAURENThen, without warning, his lips captured mine.Shock hit me first.But it was the intensity of the kiss that truly disarmed me.Henry wasn’t just putting on a show. His touch was firm, demanding, as if he wanted to leave a mark—prove a point only he understood. His tongue brushed against my lips, forcing me to yield, and before I knew it, I was kissing him back.Heat spread through my body. My hands instinctively pressed against his chest, but instead of pushing him away, my fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt. My heart pounded wildly, as if it were trying to escape my chest.What the hell was I doing?Before I could pull away, a bright flash followed by a clicking sound echoed around us.Flashes.The rapid snapping of cameras jolted me back to reality.I gas
POV: LAURENA soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. When I opened it, the housekeeper stood there, holding an elegant box out to me.“This arrived for you,” she said with a slight smile.I hesitantly took the box, feeling the weight of what it meant.“Did Mr. Carter send it?” I asked, suspicious.“Yes, he asked you to get ready for dinner—without delays,” she confirmed before stepping away.I took a deep breath and carried the box to the bed. Undoing the ribbon, I slowly lifted the lid.Inside, a white dress lay neatly folded—delicate and sophisticated. The lace details made it even more refined, and for a moment, I swallowed hard.“He’s got to be joking.” I murmured.The dress was stunning—almost too stunning. There was something about it that reminded me of a wedding gown. My fingers glided over the fabric, and the thought of what Henry might be planning settled in my mind.Was this a date?I shook my head, pushing the thought away. No… He was practical and calculated.
POV: LAURENBeing around Henry was becoming dangerous.I touched my lips, still tasting him, the vivid memory of his kiss burning against my skin. My body felt branded by the firm grip of his hands, as if he were still there, holding me, provoking me.I bit my lip, trying to push the sensations away. Running my hands over my face, I let out a frustrated sigh.“What am I doing?” I muttered, staring at my reflection in the mirror.My eyes looked brighter than usual, and my cheeks were flushed.I couldn’t keep doing this.“This is already complicated enough.”I exhaled slowly, trying to rearrange my thoughts.“But why did he come here last night?” I murmured, remembering the knock on the door, the way his gaze devoured me, and the kiss he stole without hesitation.“Damn it!”The worst part?I liked it.No one had ever kissed me like that.No one had ever touched me with that kind of intensity, as if I were something precious and forbidden all at once.Not even Ethan—my ex-husband—had eve
POV: HENRYMy voice came out firm, unhurried. My eyes traveled over her body, taking in every detail of the thin nightgown that clung to her curves.Damn it… why did she have to look so irresistible?“We’re already done here,” she countered, her voice steady but her gaze hesitant. She tried to pull her arm free, but I tightened my grip slightly, keeping her in place.“There was nothing.”I raised an eyebrow, assessing her tense expression.“Nothing?” I repeated slowly, leaning in slightly.“Nothing,” she insisted, averting her gaze.“Then why are you running from me?” I stepped closer, brushing a strand of her hair away from her face, tucking it behind her ear. “Why are you looking at me like that if nothing happened?”Becker p
POV: HENRY“Damn it…” I muttered as I opened my eyes, bringing a hand to my forehead, massaging the throbbing pain. My mouth was dry, my head heavy. “How the hell did I get home?”I tried to move, but I felt something pressing against my shoulder.Frowning, I turned my head to the side.Lauren.She was lying beside me, her hand resting on my chest, her head nestled against my arm. Her hair spilled over the bed—soft, fragrant, silky.My gaze traveled down her partially covered body. The thin nightgown clung to her curves, revealing just enough to make my breath hitch. One of her legs was draped over my hip, her bare thigh exposed, dangerously close to revealing more than it should.Shit.She was stunning.I swallowed hard, shifting carefully so I wouldn’t wake her.
POV: LAURENHe moved forward in silence, his eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made my heart race. I stepped back, but it was useless. In one swift motion, Henry pulled me toward him and pinned me against the wall.His strong hands seized my wrists, holding them above my head, keeping me trapped as his face drew dangerously close. His gaze dropped to my mouth before he captured it between his teeth, biting down on my lower lip and sucking it slowly.A low moan slipped from me.He didn’t wait for anything else.He plunged into a deep, intense, and hungry kiss, exploring my mouth with no rush—but with absolute possession. His tongue moved against mine, setting the pace, while his hands released my wrists to roam my body.His firm touch slid beneath the hem of my nightgown, tracking every curve before gripping my leg and pulling it against his hip. I fe
POV: HENRYI had forgotten an important folder at home and had to go back to get it. I was supposed to meet some clients at the new nightclub—Lucian’s idea—who insisted on taking the French investors out for a night of fun before closing our business deal.I was just about to leave the mansion when a car pulled up in front.I stood still, watching as a tall, well-dressed man stepped out and walked over to the passenger side, opening the door with a chivalrous gesture.Then, I saw Lauren Becker step out of the car.My eyes narrowed as he took her hand and pressed a kiss to the back of it.Crossing my arms, I felt my fingers dig into my biceps, unable to understand why that small gesture irritated me so much.When Lauren turned around, her body tensed the moment she saw me standing there—like she had been caught in the act.
POV: LAURENThe following days passed without me seeing Henry as often. He was buried in work, and his presence in the house became almost nonexistent. I used the mornings, while Theodor was at school, to go to my prenatal appointments. To my relief, my baby was developing well and healthy. The nausea had eased, and for the first time in weeks, I felt like I could finally breathe a little better.I visited my mother and Kate, hoping to find some comfort in their presence. But reality hit me hard when I went to the bank to negotiate the debt my father had left behind.“This is absurd!” My voice came out louder than I intended, but I didn’t care. I placed my hands on the desk and stared down at the manager in front of me. “These interest rates are outrageous! How do you expect me to pay the creditors when the bank is robbing me like this?”The man before me wore an expensive suit and a