“Is he trying to running away from me because of my request? Or because he already knows that his cousin won't help me out!” Series of thoughts flashes through my mind.“Alex, Alex! What is wrong? Are you okay?”“Am fine, just feeling or wondering why you have to travel now that I need your help the most!” I said, and I could feel him smiling over the phone.“It's wouldn't be long, okay! I will be back before you know it, and we can keep on talking on the phone” He replied, and I sigh. Bading him good wishes, and goodbye, I immediately ended the call, walked back to the open window, staring at the half moon in the sky.“Just when I thought I finally had someone I can call my own! Someone I can at least depend on, and now he is he running away from me? Do I have to struggle things out on my own all my life?. Do I have to face my fears, challenges all alone? Don't I deserve some sort of love, or assurance of being not all alone, from someone?” I thought silently while drop of tears unco
CHESTER BLACKWOOD POV After waiting in vain for her call another few minutes, I decided to hold the bull by the horn. I mean, this is crazy! Waiting for who is going to call each other first?. I am going to act mature, and call her first. And when I did, I realized something that scared me a little bit! Something that gripped at my heart, at my conscience. But it's too late to make corrections now. Let her hates me in the future, not now! Not when I am finally getting a hold on her!. The way and manner she reacted to my information about my other identity make me to realize that she has unknownly falling in love with him, which is good though. Because it's actually the same person. The same me!. And I have my plans! The plans of making her fall in love with Chester, with the real me!. Not feeling sleepy, I went back to my private bar, drinking champagne. The strong ray of light coming from the window I failed to close up yesterday night, flashes through my eyes and covered my
“Who is she?” “Wow!” “She is damned gorgeous!” Some of the guests whimpers, still looking at her as she walked towards us. “Alex, darling! Thank you for coming! And I must confess, you look stunning in this dress of yours!” My mom embraced her. “Thank you mom! I got this for you!” She said, handed over a boutique of red roses to her and then a box wrapped with gold color. “Wow! Thank you for the gift, honey! Everyone please meet my soon to be daughter-in-law!” My mom suddenly announced, smiling as if it was the most casual thing to say in the world. I couldn't observed the expression on her face due to the mask but I hear her sharp breath just like me and her body went stiff for a while. I watched the unreadable expression on her face slowly turning into a smile when the some of the guests rally around her. It seems someone probably asked her a sensitive question because she suddenly turned to smile at me before answering whatever questions they're asking. “You never told me ab
“Thank you, Sir! You don't look bad yourself!” She replied. “Hummm…” “Go ahead!" I said when she hesitated from saying something. “Have you been able to call Murphy? His mobile number isn't connecting any more!” “Are you that worried about him?” I asked wondering if I should be happy about this or not. “He is my very good friend, of course I will be worried about his safety!” She said as a matter of fact. “While I believe he is fine, but I haven't heard from him either. His line isn't connecting just like you rightly observed!” I said, suddenly annoyed for no reason. “If you say so! But kindly let me know whenever you can reach him!” “No problem!” I said before opening the door to a place that I haven't been to in a very long while. “Is this your…?” She turned to stare at me, looking surprised. “Yeah, it is!” I said feeling proud of my decision of bringing her here. “This is beautiful!" You must have spend a great part of your childhood here!" She said, running her elegan
“And why is that?" She interrupted , frowning her face. "Because you are the wife, and hence I won't want eyes on your reputation as well as that of my family’s?" "Oh! I get it! Well, honestly, isn't fair!” She said, but I choose to ignore it. “The fifth one, I like I said, no flirting with the opposite gender as a married woman, and don't expect any form of intimacy from me!” I said, and she breathes out softly. “I have a condition too!" "Go on please!” “I won't be working with you at the company! And can we live separately?” She asked, and I frowned at the last part. “How do you intend to make it look real to the outside world if we were to be living separately? As the wife of a famous billionaire, all eyes especially the media eyes will be on you, finding faults from all angles!” I explained, and she breathes out softly, again. “I am smarter than she is! No man will flirt with my wife even if it a contract marriage!” I said inwardly. “Do you agree to my first request th
“Welcome home, sir!” The housekeeper hurried out to welcome me.“Thank you Mrs Williams!” I said while one of the bodyguard’s opens the car door for me. “Are you going in, sir?” She asked slowly, and I turned sharply to look at her, puzzled by her question.“Is there any reason for me not to enter my own house, Mrs Williams?”“No sir! Well, sir….” She started stuttering, and I watched her moving her arms behind her back nervously.“Is there something you are not telling me, Mrs Williams?” I narrowed my eyes at her.“I……well, I……i…..” She kept on stuttering, and I became confused.“Welcome back from the party, darling!” A female voice I have come to dislike sounded. Turning slowly to the direction the voice was coming from, I saw Sofia cat-walking towards me.“Now listen to me, Mrs Williams! The next time you allow strangers into my house without my consent, consider yourself sacked immediately!” I said coldly, while she nods her head vigorously to my words.“Yes..yes, sir!”“Who is a
“I knew it! I knew it was going this direction, but not the way I envision it to be!. So, what was your reply?” She giggled happily, and I wished I never wasted my time discussing it with her. She was going to make me agreed to it in the first place! Well, not that I had a choice, though!. “Nothing yet! He give me two days to think about it!” “Listen girl! There is absolutely nothing much to think, or worry about. Consider it as a job employment were you are being paid handsomely at the end of the month!. A marriage with convenience? And just for six months?. Girl, you are in for some luck! Chances of you getting a better medical treatment for your dad is slim! Plus an avenue for you setting up your future is guaranteed! So what are you scared of?” She asked the question that have made me restless since I came back from the party. “Yes! What am I really scared of? Afraid that I might end up loving him? Or afraid that I might miss a chance with Murphy?” I questioned myself inwardly.
“Oh! That is kind of you sir!” I said, feeling relieved a little bit when he informed me of his intentions of taking over my father's medical treatment immediately. At least, my decision is not in vain. “You mean this evening? Alright! I will get prepared before then. Okay, see you later, bye sir!” Ending the call, I breathe out again. He is indeed not wasting time. Since he wants to officially introduce me to his parents before the commencement of the wedding plans, I need to start preparing myself for a gorgeous dress to wear. Taking a brief look at the quiet front view of the compound, I closed up the window and walked away. ************ CHESTER BLACKWOOD POV Waiting restlessly the second day, I gave up hope of her ever accepting my offer until I received her call. “Yes!” I did a happy fist up in the sir before pacing around the room, wondering what to do next now that she has finally accepted me. Suddenly I stopped on my track, picked up my car keys and head out of the hous
“Sell your shares.” “No.” I exhaled sharply, my pulse spiking. “Then I’ll buy you out.” He smirked. “You don’t have the money for that.” His arrogance made me want to slap him. “I’ll find the money.” He tilted his head, amusement flickering in his gaze. “I’ll match any offer you make. And then I’ll raise it.” I clenched my fists. “You’re a bastard.” He stood slowly, walking around the desk until he was right in front of me. “I’m a businessman.” I refused to step back, even as my body betrayed me with the memory of how close we used to be.He studied me for a long moment. Then, his voice dropped to a low, almost dangerous murmur. “You can fight me all you want, Alex. But I’m not going anywhere.” I swallowed, willing myself not to show weakness. His gaze flickered to my stomach. “Especially now.” I stiffened. That was the moment I realized—This wasn’t just a game to him. For a second, the entire world seemed to freeze. I forced my expression to remain blank, but he saw righ
I should have walked away. I should have ignored the way his words sent a shiver down my spine. But he never let me take the easy way out. I met his gaze, steady and unrelenting. “I don’t have time for your games.”He smirked. “Who said I’m playing?” I scoffed. “That’s all you ever do, isn’t it? You push, you manipulate, you trap people into your world, and you think I’ll just—” He cut me off, his voice lowering. “I think you’re scared.” And I froze. He took a step closer, his scent—expensive cologne and whiskey—invading my senses. “You’re afraid because you know the moment you let me in, you’ll never be able to push me out again.” Anger flared inside me, drowning out the weakness he was trying to pry open. “You’re just so delusional.” He chuckled. “Maybe. But I’m also a man who always gets what he wants.” I clenched my jaw. “Not this time.” His smirk didn’t waver. If anything, it deepened. “Then tell me, Alex—why are you still standing here?” I opened my mouth to ar
The Next Morning, I woke up to my phone blowing up. Calls. Texts. News alerts. My stomach dropped. I clicked the first headline I saw: “Breaking: The Blackwood's Cooperation Acquires Montgomery Tech in Multi-Billion Dollar Deal” No. No, no, no— I scrolled further. “Ethan Montgomery Steps Down Amidst Sudden Buyout—President Chester Blackwood Takes Full Control” I couldn’t breathe. And then—A text from the bastard. Chester: You still think you can push me away? Chester: Checkmate, sweetheart. I threw my phone across the room. He wasn’t just playing to win anymore. He was playing to own me. I stared at my shattered phone on the floor. Chester had done it. Again. He had outmaneuvered me, blindsided me, and backed me into a corner. I couldn’t breathe. I threw open my closet, yanked on a coat, and grabbed my keys. I needed to confront him. Now. ****Blackwood's Cooperation – Manhattan Office I stormed past the receptionist, ignoring her startled protests. "Ma’am, you can’t
The night of my business launch, I stood at the center of the event, surrounded by flashing cameras, luxury-clad investors, and Manhattan’s elite. This was my night. My future. And nothing—nothing—was going to ruin it. Until I saw him. Chester Blackwood. Tall. Unbothered. Infuriatingly confident. Dressed in a midnight-black suit, he strode in like he belonged there—like he owned the damn room. My heart slammed against my ribs.Oh, hell no. I stormed toward him, ignoring the whispers and the press who were already snapping photos..I forced a smile—because I would not make a scene. Not here. Not tonight. "What the hell are you doing here?" I hissed under my breath. He smiled. Smug. Relaxed. Completely in control."I’m here to support my wife," he said smoothly. I stiffened. "I’m not your wife anymore." His gaze dropped deliberately to my stomach. "Are you sure about that?" My breath hitched. He wouldn’t—he couldn’t— "Chester," I warned. He leaned in, voice dropping. "Re
ALEXANDRIA POV The moment I stepped into the restaurant, I regretted everything. The cameras were already flashing outside. Dozens of reporters, onlookers, and paparazzi had gathered to watch my first public appearance with Chester Blackwood And he? He looked like he was born for this. Seated at a private table, dressed in a tailored black suit, exuding power, he gave me a slow, deliberate once-over as I approached. "You’re late," he murmured. I forced a smile, sliding into my seat. "Traffic." His eyes gleamed with amusement. "You mean you almost didn’t show up." I ignored that. A waiter appeared immediately, offering an expensive bottle of wine. Chester dismissed it with a flick of his wrist. "Water," he said. My heart stopped. He seems to be catching up with things about pregnant women. I kept my face neutral. "No wine for you?" His gaze flickered to my stomach. Barely noticeable, but I saw it. I gripped my napkin under the table. If he knew, he wasn’t saying it yet.
"You can tell yourself that all you want," he murmured. "But we both know the truth." I turned on my heel. "We’re done here." "Alex." His voice stopped me. For a second, I hesitated. For a second, I almost turned back. But I didn’t. Instead, I forced my feet to move, stepping into my car, and slamming the door shut. I had to shut him out. Because if I didn’t—he’d find a way in. ******* CHESTER BLACKWOOD POV She was running. Again!. I clenched my fists, watching her car disappear down the street. For weeks, I’d played by her rules. Let her shut me out. Let her build her defenses. But tonight? I changed the rules. And I wasn’t stopping. I pulled out my phone and dialed Andrus. "Boss?" "Prepare a press release," I said. "I want a statement out first thing in the morning." He hesitated. "What kind of statement?" I smirked. "The kind that makes it impossible for Alex to ignore me." ****** ALEXANDRIA POV By the time I got home, my phone was blowing up. Ava had sent ove
I pointed to the door, my body shaking. He hesitated. Just for a moment. Then he nodded once, stepping back. But before he walked out, he turned to face me one last time. "This isn’t over." His voice was calm, certain. "You can keep shutting me out. Keep pretending you don’t feel anything. But I’m not leaving." His gaze flickered to my stomach. "Not when I have two hearts to fight for." Then, without another word, he walked out. Leaving me standing in the middle of my apartment, breathless, trembling, and utterly, completely lost. I didn’t sleep that night. His’s words haunted me. "Not when I have two hearts to fight for." Damn him. I should have been relieved that he left. That I had thrown him out before he could sink his claws deeper into my life. But instead, I lay awake, staring at the ceiling, my hands resting over my stomach. Because no matter how much I hated him, no matter how much I wanted to erase him from my life… He was still the father of my child. And he wasn’
The color drained from her face for a split second before she recovered. "Oh, Alex. Always so dramatic." I watch Chester’s gaze snapped to her. Sharp. Furious. Good. Let him see exactly who she was. I tilted my head. "You’re right. Almost dying in a staircase accident orchestrated by my husband’s mistress is such a trivial thing." Gasps rippled through the nearby guests. Natasha’s smirk faltered. Chester s jaw tightened. "Alex—" But I didn’t give him a chance. I turned to the crowd. "Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a charity to support. Unlike some, I actually care about something other than my ego." Then, without another glance, I walked away. And for the first time in a long time… I felt like I won. ******* CHESTER BLACKWOOD POV Natasha barely had time to process her humiliation before I grabbed her wrist and yanked her aside. She gasped. "Chester—" "Enough." My voice was lethal. "You shouldn’t have come." She recovered quickly, her eyes flashing with fake innocenc
CHESTER BLACKWOOD POV I waited. The moment the article went live, I knew she’d see it. Knew she’d react.The invitation wasn’t a request. It was a challenge.And Alex? She never backed down from a challenge.Andrus walked into my office. "Ms. Alexandria's PR team just released a statement."I leaned forward. "And?"His lips twitched. "She confirmed her attendance."I smirked. Checkmate.Now all I had to do was make sure that when she walked into that gala...She walked out as mine.*****ALEXANDRIA POV The night of the gala arrived too soon.Dressed in a sleek, midnight blue gown that hugged my curves, I stepped out of the car, my head high. Cameras flashed like lightning, reporters shouting my name.But I was ready. Chester had thrown down the gauntlet, and I was about to show him I wasn’t just playing defense—I was fighting back.Adrienne linked her arm through mine, whispering, "You look like you own this city. President Chester’s not going to know what hit him."I smirked. "Good.