****LANCE POV**** "I'm very sorry, but i’ve changed my mind. I won't settle for anything less than 80%." I said, after finding out that the contract has been finalized with Marcus Roderigo. It was true that he recommended me for the contract but demanding for fifty percent was a bit much and since I have me own plan back then, I decided to agree with him but now that everything had been sorted out, I changed my mind. He leaned forward, eyes darkening as he hissed under his breath."What?! You…" he started, his voice sharp and heated. But he quickly lower his volume when he remembers that was are in public setting. "Are you trying to be ungrateful right now?" His tone was a low, dangerous growl. "Don’t forget Lance, you wouldn’t even have the chance if it weren't for me. I pulled the strings, I opened the doors for you. And this is how you repay me? Demanding 80%?” He growl. I forced myself to remain calm, hiding the anger simmering within. This is exactly why I hate accepting favor
Everyone looked at me, confused. “Is something wrong?”My wife asked but I'm struggling to form anywords, my thoughts was a chaotic mess. Wait, did he just say that Maya… no Ariel Roderigo… my ex-wife? Is going to be the one in charge now? If she was the new representative for A&R, that meant our entire contract was in her hands. The very woman I’d walked away from was now the gatekeeper to my company’s future. But how could I explain any of this to anyone? How could I admit that the poised, powerful woman on stage was once my wife whom I abandoned for their daughter? No matters how i put it, I think it will be a letting insane. I managed to stammer, “No, it’s… it’s nothing.” I turned back to Henry, desperation lacing my voice. “This isn’t confirmed, right? I mean, Marcus… he can’t really be putting her in charge of everything.”Henry gave me a look that was both grave and resigned. “It’s already a done deal. Marcus approved it himself, so there is nothing for her to do about it
Pacing to and fro with my hands in my pockets, I patiently waited for her to come out to come out of the female restroom. Minutes later, the door opened and Maya came out of the restroom, turning towards the hall again. “Maya!” I called out and she stopped in her tracks and slowly turned around to me. Her eyes widened slightly in surprise. “Are you referring to me?” she asked in a cold and distant tone as she pointed to herself. “Yes, of course. How can I not recognize you when we spent four years together? You have changed a lot, but…” I tried to move closer to her, but she stepped back, and I could see fear on her face as she seemed scared of me. “What do you think you are doing? Are you trying to harass me?” “Hell no! Why the fuck would I do that?” “I don’t know who you think I am, but you must be mistaken. I am Ariel Roderigo.” She denied bluntly and then turned to leave. “Maya Wells.” I called her full name, which she lived by for the four years she had been married t
******MAYA / ARIEL'S POV***** “Ariel, there you are," Mom called out as I entered the dining, while everyone turned their attention back to me. "Come and join us." I smiled politely and walked over to the table. Kingsley and I exchanged smiles as he quickly stood up from his seat and pulled out a chair for me. "You look beautiful," he whispered behind me as I sat down. "Thanks" I replied, a warmth feeling spreading through me. I glanced around the table at my parents, Richard Bane, Abigail Bane, who was Kingsley's mother, and Nora Bane, who was Kingsley's sister. The all smile kindly at me, which I returned. Kingsley's family was here today to talk about our engagement and wedding. I already insisted that there was no need for an engagement ceremony once the wedding date was set, but both my parents and his parents refused, claiming they wanted this to be a grand affair, a world wedding that everyone would talk about. That was what brought me here, to this gathering. Nora co
Everyone at the table smiled and nodded and the mood lightened once more. They continued discussing the engagement party, and I tried to push the incident out of my mind. But I couldn't help feeling a sense of unease. What if the truth came out? What if my secret was revealed? But I knew one thing: before the truth came out, I would have ruined Lance's life. After dinner, Kingsley and I excused ourselves from the table. The evening air embraced us as we made our way to the balcony, the stars twinkling above us and casting a soft glow over the garden. "Are you okay?" Kingsley asked gently, leaning against the railing with concern evident in his voice. I sighed, looking up at the night sky. "I'm fine. Just... thinking about everything." "Like you're not comfortable with the wedding?" "No. Of course, I am. It's just that everything is moving so fast as I just returned yesterday, and now this," I said, lowering my gaze and fidgeting with my fingers. Kingsley reached out, gently
I increased my pace and hurried to the living room. Getting there, I was shocked to see Mom slapping Mia hard across the face. Each slap sent Mia back, and she would quickly regain her composure and rush to the front of my mom again, standing in the same spot, and Mom would slap her again. My heart ached at the sight of this, and even Bella was on her knees begging Mom with tears streaming down her face. How could Mom be this cruel to do this right in front of her own granddaughter? "Please, Mrs. Roderigo, let my mother go," Bella cried, her face wet with tears. "It's all my fault. I shouldn't have gone outside. Mummy told me to stay inside, but I didn't listen. I promise I'll never leave my room again, I promise." I felt my heart shatter into a thousand pieces as I watched them get punished all because Bella stepped outside and met Kingsley. Rage boiled inside me as I watched my mother continue to strike Mia without even considering poor Bella, who was begging her. I couldn't st
M-Mom," I whispered, holding my stinging cheek, my voice barely audible over the sharp, painful throb radiating across my skin. "How dare you say that to me after everything I’ve done for you? How dare you!" Her voice thundered. I couldn’t look at her, lowering my gaze as tears slipped down my cheeks. "I don’t care if you wed her father or whatever foolish choices you’ve made," she hissed, her words laced with venom. "But mark my words—nothing good will come if you continue defying me. I forgave you once; don’t think I’ll do it again. Choose your words and actions wisely, or you’ll regret it." With that, she turned on her heel, her footsteps echoing as she stormed out of the room. I stood there, rooted in place, unable to move, my heart pounding. I wasn’t sure how I finally managed to make my way to my bedroom, but before I knew it, I was slamming the door shut behind me. I stumbled over to the bed and collapsed onto it, burying my face in the pillows as a fresh wave of tears overt
~~ASHLEY~~I adjusted the collar of my blouse, trying to keep my composure as I sat across from Nora Bane who was on the phone, talking with someone. With the bright smile on her face, I could guess she's a close friend of hers. “ Oh you mean that? Of course it is.” As they were talking, Nora suddenly glanced at me, clicking her tongue and then smiled, to which I quickly returned.I was actually called this morning to take on the modeling job for their new project called mEgan3 which they wanted to launch soon. They had moved up the date due to the reason which I didn't know about. On getting the call from her secretary, I didn't even think of having breakfast before rushing here.I waited for her to finish the call so that she could hand over the contract she was holding to me.We had both signed it, and she was just about to give it to me when her phone rang. Getting this contract was a huge opportunity— the best I’d ever had in my years in this industry. It was a modeling gig fo
I hit the glass again, harder this time. “Open this damn thing and come face me! I’ll kill you, you lying piece of—”She tilted her head back. “Oh, I thought it was. If I had known it wasn’t, I would have gotten something good for you on my way here. Poor you.”“Hey, just come in here and let’s see if you can still run your mouth without your big bodyguards with you! I dare you to come here, you bitch!”“Enough!” one of the guards barked. “Unless you want to be dragged back to your cell, step away from the glass.”I gritted my teeth, my breath heavy with rage but I didn’t want to give the bitch the satisfaction of watching me get thrown out like some wild animal. So I took a step back and inhaled deeply, then turned around, shaking my head.“I don’t have time for this,” I muttered. “I don’t even want to see her face again. Next time she comes, decline her visit. But I’m sure I’ll be out by then.”I was about to leave for my cell when her voice stopped me.“Do you really think you’re g
~~~ASHLEY’S POV~~~I sat on the cold, hard floor of the prison cell with my back leaning against the rough concrete wall. Never in my life did I ever think I would end up in a place filled with people like this.I had only been here for a few days, yet I already hated everything about this place. The food was trash, the people were worse and the bed was nothing but a thin, stinking mattress.I, Ashley Miller, the once queen of all, had now become someone who was framed for something she didn't do.I sighed heavily.Couldn't really blame anyone but my own stupidity for trusting that bitch.Well, it wouldn't be that long before I got out of here as Lance already promised me that..."Hey, new girl," a voice pulled me out of my thoughts, and I raised my head only to see the leader of this cell.Fuck! I had been trying to stay out of their way for a while, but I had no idea today would be the day she would pick on me.She sneered. "Looks too clean for my liking. Come here and scratch my ba
I was more than shocked to see him like this. Lance was on his knees, holding up a ring and looking right at me, asking me to marry him again. His eyes were deep and filled with something I couldn’t explain. My heart started beating fast as I definitely remember that it wasn't that long that the two of us had an argument and he didn't really show any signs that he would do this. I was even angry at him thinking that…Oh God, Maya, can you just breathe?The loud gasps and excited whispers around me snapped me back, and I finally noticed the crowd. People had their phones up, cameras flashing from every direction. I felt trapped, not sure of the decision I was supposed to make.I turned back to Lance, still surprised and obviously I didn't really know what to say and then I looked upstairs only to see father and uncle looking at me while my dad was smiling, nodding at me like this was all part of some perfect plan. Like I was supposed to just say yes and go along with it.But how could
"You... you are the worst father on this earth. Is this your idea of being a father? Taking the blame for her? Do you even know what she did to me? How she tried to kill me multiple times? And yet, you dare to get on your filthy knees and beg for her forgiveness. You must be joking.”His head snapped up at that and I could see his eyes flickering with shock and regret, showing that he had no idea about that part."Oh you didn’t know, did you? That she was the one behind the chandelier falling? That she was also the one who gave the order for me to be kidnapped and killed during the board meeting?" I pressed, and he fell to the ground in shock.I couldn't help but let out an unbelievable chuckle. "It's so surprising that you really had no idea what your own child is capable of. So now that you are aware of everything, are you still going to defend her?!! Are you still going to make excuses for her and take the blame?!!"Carlos opened his mouth to talk. I didn't know whether he wanted t
Lance’s brows furrowed. "Maya, that’s not it—""Then what is it?" I cut him off, my chest tightening with every word. "Because right now, it really does feel like it. It feels like you’re more worried about your ex-wife than the woman standing right in front of you!""Maya, stop. That’s not what this is about," Lance said firmly. "I love you.""Do you?" I shot back, my tone cracking.It really hurt to still see him like this and I hate what he’s making me feel.Lance shook his head, stepping closer but I took a step back.I bit my lip, forcing down the lump in my throat. "Lance, it all makes sense, and I am not really that angry. Instead, I am trying to understand you—that you can’t easily let go of a woman whom you have been in love with for almost half your life and even married for five years, while you’ve only been with me for a few years." My voice wavered, but I held his gaze. "I get it, Lance. I really do. That you can’t just erase all those years, all those memories, overnight
~~~MAYA'S POV~~~With my fingers wrapped around the delicate stem of a wine glass, I walked through the bustling room, greeting guests who were here to celebrate my father's release. He was released two days ago, and we had thrown a party for him, inviting friends and family who did not deserve to be here, as they were not there for him when he needed them most.But my father wasn't bothered by their betrayal and still insisted on inviting them. Seeing their pretentious faces made me want to vomit, and some even lied, saying that they tried so much to prove his innocence.Oh gosh. Their words make me sick.As my eyes landed on my parents, who stood a few feet across from me, a smile graced my face. I could hear my mother’s laughter blending into the soft hum of music, her hand resting on my father’s arm. I was so happy to see her like this again after almost thinking that I would lose her. And my father, who held Bella in his other arm, was also happy, a bright smile on his face.The
~~~LANCE'S POV~~~Ashley’s screams echoed through the air as the cops dragged her away. She fought against their grip, twisting, turning, and doing everything she could to break free. Her wide, tear-filled eyes locked onto mine, desperation spilling from them like a broken dam.“Lance! Lance, please!” Her voice cracked. “You know I didn’t do this! Please believe me!”I clenched my fists as I watched her being taken away.Love? No. That was long gone.But watching her like this… I won’t lie, it did something to me, something that made my heart ache for her. Yes, I hated her. I hated her for every lie, every dirty thing she ever pulled and did to me and Maya.But did she deserve this? To be dragged off like some criminal for something she didn’t do while the real culprit was still out there acting like she was innocent?I didn’t know what to say or what to do.She broke free from the cops’ grasp and ran to me. Her hands, which were cuffed together, grabbed my left hand, while she looked
FLASHBACKThat bitch! She dares hang up on me!Wrapping my arm around my body to shake off the cold, I cursed under my breath as Maya ended the call before letting me talk to Lance. She was talking as if she was some kind of automatic network agent.shit.I really needed Lance’s help as I just kept having this horrible feeling that someone was following me—watching me for days now.I knew Lance might be hesitant to help me but If I told him what I overheard the other day, maybe he’d offer me protection in exchange. But that bitch just wouldn’t let me talk to him.From my findings, I knew they were in Miami. Maybe I just needed to go there myself and find him. That bitch was in the way, but I knew Lance. If he heard that I was in danger because I found out that someone is after him, he definitely wouldn’t turn me away.He still loved me. I knew it.The cold night air nipped at my skin as I stepped out of the call booth, my mind racing with thoughts of how to get to Miami as soon as po
~~~ASHLEY'S POV~~~A piercing pain shot through my skull as I shifted uncomfortably from where I was. I groaned, clutching my head as I pushed myself up. I was seated on the chair and my entire body aches like I had been thrown down a flight of stairs. But what sharpened my mind was the sharp chemical scent that hit my nose and I quickly rubbed my blurry eyes, only to find myself in a room that looked like an old office.Where the hell is this?I forced myself to focus, but panic clawed at my chest as I didn't recognize where this was or how I got here. But then I remember how I got a message from Sophia, asking me to come to her house and on getting there, someone hit my head hard with something and that was the last thing I remember. As I remember that, I realized I was in trouble and without wasting another second, I rushed to the door and burst through it, desperate to leave.But the moment I stepped outside, my breath hitched as my gaze landed on men in lab coats moving frantic