MAX POVI ran a hand through my hair, muttering under my breath. “Those little pests just ruined everything. Everything! And that stupid servant…ugh!”My phone was useless now, and I didn’t have the patience or means to fix it tonight. My plans were crumbling, and I felt powerless to stop it.As I turned to head back into the ballroom, a movement on the balcony caught my eye. My steps faltered, and I squinted to get a better look.There they were. Jacob and Kenneth Johnson, standing together, deep in conversation. Their faces were tense, their gestures sharp and deliberate. Something about their body language set off alarm bells in my mind.“What are they talking about?” I muttered, creeping closer to get a better view.That’s when I saw it.A small red dot, barely noticeable at first, dancing on Kenneth’s chest. My heart stopped as realization dawned.A laser.My eyes darted upward, following the source of the light. There, on the rooftop across the courtyard, was a figure. They were
MAX POVTime slowed down, and everything around me blurred into the background.Then, without thinking, I shouted at the top of my lungs."NOOO!"My voice boomed through the night, cutting through the heated argument between the brothers. Kenneth and Jacob turned sharply toward me, their faces a mix of confusion and alarm.The sniper had already made their move by pulling the trigger and when he got his shot, he quickly packed up his things and flew away in order not to be caught , his aim was direct to Mr kenneth as he reacted to the sudden noise and bullet.For a moment, everything hung in suspense…the brothers staring at me, the sniper hesitating, and my chest heaving from the adrenaline coursing through me.What have I done?The scream I let out reverberated through the still air, and Kenneth's head snapped around to look at me. He frowned, clearly confused and annoyed, but before he could say a word, a loud crack pierced the night.The sniper had fired.I watched in slow motion a
RICHARD’S POVThe hospital’s lights were shining so brightly as I rushed inside, Kenneth groaning softly in my arms. My heart was pounding. Everything about the night felt surreal…like a bad dream I couldn’t wake up from. Nurses spotted us from across the room and rushed toward me with a stretcher.“Over here!” one of them shouted, motioning for me to place him down.I carefully laid Kenneth on the stretcher, my hands trembling. “He’s been shot,” I said quickly, my voice hoarse. “Please, do something. Save him.”The nurses nodded without hesitation, immediately wheeling Kenneth down the hall toward the operating room. I followed closely behind, but they stopped me at the double doors.“You can’t go any further,” a nurse informed me firmly. “We’ll take it from here.”I froze in place, watching helplessly as they disappeared into the operating room. Through the small glass window, I could see them transferring Kenneth to a surgical table. The doctors and nurses surrounded him, already
RICHARD POVAs we stepped inside, the quiet hum of the machines greeted us. Kenneth was lying on the hospital bed, an oxygen mask covering his face. His chest rose and fell weakly, but the fact that he was breathing at all was a miracle.Mrs. Johnson immediately covered her mouth with her hand, stifling a sob. Tamara followed suit, tears streaming down her face as she tried to compose herself.“It’s okay, Mama,” Tamara whispered, holding her mother’s arm. But even as she spoke, her voice cracked, betraying her own emotions.I stood by the door, giving them their moment. Seeing Kenneth like this…hooked up to machines, his life hanging by a thread…felt surreal. This was a man I respected, a man I hoped would soon become family.The weight of everything…the attack, the betrayal, the fear…pressed heavily on my chest. I needed air. Quietly, I slipped out of the room.The hallway felt endless as I pulled out my phone and dialed a number. As the line connected, I couldn’t shake the feeling t
MR. JACOB’S POVI walked closer to where Richard and Max stood, their voices low but unmistakably tense. I could hear snippets of their conversation, and it seemed like an argument was brewing.From where I stood, their words carried just enough for me to make sense of them.“Why are you following me, Max?” Richard’s voice was sharp and accusing.Max, ever calm, replied, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Why would I follow you?”“Don’t play games with me,” Richard shot back. “You’ve been on my tail since I left the theatre. Are you trying to eavesdrop on my conversation? Or is there something else I should know?”Max gave a dry laugh. “You’re paranoid, Richard. Honestly, this isn’t an interesting topic for me.”I stopped in my tracks, listening intently. For a moment, I felt my chest tighten. Was Max about to reveal something? But to my relief, he didn’t. Max remained calm under Richard’s scrutiny, his denial firm. I let out a cool breath, relieved. Max wasn’t going to spill an
NADIA’S POVThe faint hum of the hospital lights and the soft shuffle of hurried footsteps around me didn’t matter. My thoughts kept pulling me back to the ball party. The images played in my mind like a vivid film I couldn’t turn off.I remembered how I had been searching for Richard that night, my heart thundering with both hope and apprehension.I had worn the crimson gown he once said was his favorite on me, and I’d spent the entire evening looking for him among the sea of glittering dresses and tuxedos.When I finally saw him, my excitement was quickly replaced by a sinking feeling. He was standing in the middle of the ballroom, his arm casually wrapped around Tamara, his fiancée.He looked so confident, flaunting her in front of everyone as if he didn’t even know me. As if I didn’t matter.I couldn’t believe it. I stood frozen, watching him laugh, toast, and engage with his new circle of people as though I had never been a part of his life.My heart ached, but I couldn’t look aw
NADIA'S POVWhen we finally reached the theatre room again, I immediately spotted Tamara sitting beside Mrs. Johnson.My heart sank. Tamara…my worst nightmare…looked as radiant as ever. I still couldn’t believe she had gotten engaged to Richard, the richest bachelor in the city.I clenched my fists. She didn’t deserve him. Not her. A part of me wanted to walk up to her and say everything I’d been holding inside, but I knew better.All I could do was stand there and wish that the tears streaming down her face would never stop. I wanted her to always feel pain, to always cry, just like I had when Richard left me.Not only pain I had wished her but I wished her death, she had stolen my man from me.“Mrs. Johnson,” Max said gently, kneeling by her side. “Please don’t cry. Mr. Kenneth is a strong man. He’ll survive this accident. You need to stay strong for him.”Mrs. Johnson nodded weakly, dabbing her eyes with a tissue. Max stayed by her side, petting her hand like a loyal servant. I wat
MR. JACOB'S POVThe sight of the police officers in the theatre room sent a chill down my spine. Why were they here? Had they brought news about Kenneth’s condition, or was it something else?My thoughts raced as I exchanged glances with everyone in the room. I noticed Mrs. Johnson sitting up straighter in her chair, her expression tense. Clearly, I wasn’t the only one unnerved by their sudden arrival.Richard’s voice broke the silence. “I was the one who called the police,” he announced.Every head turned in his direction, including mine. His calm demeanor contrasted sharply with the panic rising in my chest. Why would he call the police? My mind screamed for answers. Could he know something? Had someone discovered the truth?The lead officer stepped forward, his gaze fixed on me. “Mr. Jacob, we need your attention at the station.”The words hit me like a blow. My throat went dry, and my heart pounded violently. “Why… why would my attention be needed?” I asked, my voice barely steady
NADIA'S POV.I gripped the steering wheel tighter as I drove away from the secluded spot, my mind racing with thoughts of Max and his twisted games.The wedding invitation card sat on the passenger seat, mocking me with its gold-embossed letters. Nadia and Max. It was written so elegantly, so perfectly, as if this was a love story meant to be.I scoffed, the bitter taste of anger lingering on my tongue. Love story? What a joke. Max didn’t love me. He didn’t even know the meaning of the word. This was about power, control, and, most of all, wealth.I knew exactly why Max had shown me that card. He was sending me a message, a warning. He was stylishly telling me to hasten up my plans to destroy Tammie and Richard’s marriage.And if I didn’t do it soon, if I was too slow or too careful, then I’d have no choice but to marry him.I gritted my teeth, the reality of his manipulation sinking in. Max was trying to corner me, to pressure me into speeding up my plans. He knew I didn’t love him.
NADIA'S POV.I paced back and forth in my room, my fingers tightening around my phone as I dialed Alisha’s number. The nerve of that girl…thinking she could play games with me.She had one job: to break up that wedding, and she failed miserably. Worse, she thought she could switch sides, working for Max behind my back. Pathetic.The phone rang twice before she picked up.“Nadia?” Her voice was uncertain, almost shaky. Good. She was already scared.I didn’t waste time on pleasantries.“You really thought you were smart, huh?” I spat, my voice dripping with contempt. “Working for Max while pretending to be on my side? Do you take me for a fool?”“Nadia, I…”“Shut up.” I cut her off, my patience wearing thin.“You failed me. You failed miserably, and now you think you can just disappear? Do you have any idea who you’re messing with?”She was silent on the other end, probably shaking in her boots. I could picture her now, all that fake confidence crumbling.“I own this game,” I continued,
RICHARD POV.It had been a week since Alisha left. A week since I found that note in her room, neatly placed on her pillow as if she’d planned her exit down to the last detail.Thank you for all you’ve done for me, but have it in mind that I have regained my memory and chose to leave your house without you knowing. Don’t look for me.I read that note at least a dozen times, trying to decipher what was real and what was just Alisha being... Alisha.Had she truly remembered everything? Did she remember the accident? The reason she was staying under my roof in the first place? Or was this another one of her games?The memory of finding that note still sat heavy in my chest, a weight I couldn’t quite shake off. And the strangest part was, I wasn’t sure why it bothered me so much.Alisha had been nothing but trouble since the day she entered my life…manipulative, secretive, and too good at playing the victim.I should’ve been glad to see her go. Relieved, even. But that’s not what I felt.
ALISHA POV.The door opened, and my heart skipped a beat as I turned to see who it was.My eyes widened in shock as Mrs. Garrison walked in, her head held high, her presence commanding the room the moment she stepped inside.I didn’t expect it to be her. Of all people, I never imagined Richard’s mother would show up tonight.She was dressed elegantly, as always, in a tailored suit that screamed wealth and power.Her hair was perfectly styled, not a strand out of place, and her lips were painted in that signature red that made her look even more intimidating.Her sharp eyes scanned the room, landing first on Tammie. Her face softened instantly, a warm smile spreading across her lips as she hurried towards her.“Oh, my dear!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with affection.“Tammie, my beautiful daughter-in-law!”I watched, my chest tightening as Mrs. Garrison wrapped her arms around Tammie, pulling her into a tight embrace.Tammie laughed softly, returning the hug, her eyes shining with
ALISHA'S POV.My phone rang, slicing through the suffocating silence of my room. I jumped, my heart hammering in my chest as I saw the name flashing on the screen.Nadia.I swallowed hard, my throat tightening as dread pooled in my stomach. I knew this call was coming…I just didn’t expect it so soon.My hands trembled as I picked up the phone, pressing it to my ear, forcing myself to sound calm.“Hello?”There was a pause, a tense, heavy silence that made my skin crawl. Then her voice came through, cold and sharp, cutting straight to the bone.“You think you’re clever, don’t you?”My heart stopped. I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out. I felt like a deer caught in headlights, frozen, helpless, knowing the impact was coming but unable to move out of the way.Nadia’s laugh was low, bitter, dripping with contempt.“All this time, pretending to work for me, pretending to be loyal... and all along, you were working for Max.”I felt the blood drain from my face, my knees buck
ALISHA'S POV.I stared at my reflection in the mirror, barely recognizing the woman who looked back at me.Her eyes were hollow, haunted, dark circles forming beneath them from too many sleepless nights.Her face was pale, drawn tight with guilt and worry. Her lips were pressed into a thin line, the weight of her secrets pulling them down.I turned away, unable to face myself any longer. How did I get here? How did I become this person…someone who betrays the very person who trusted me the most?Nadia.My stomach twisted just thinking about her, remembering the way she had looked at me when she offered me this job. There was no doubt in her eyes, no suspicion.She trusted me, believed in me, gave me this position to watch Tammy and Richard, to report back to her, to help her carry out her plans.But I’d betrayed her.The guilt was suffocating, wrapping itself around my chest and squeezing until I could barely breathe. I pressed a hand to my heart, trying to steady its frantic beat. It
TAMMIE POV.I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think. All I could feel was him…his lips on mine, his hands on my body, his warmth surrounding me.I was lost in him, drowning in his touch, his scent, his taste. I didn’t want to stop. I didn’t want to let him go.My hands moved on their own, gliding over his shoulders, down his chest, feeling every muscle, every line. His body was firm, strong, and I wanted to feel more of him.I wanted to be closer to him. I pulled him closer, pressing myself against him, feeling his heart racing against mine.His lips moved against mine, desperate, hungry, as if he couldn’t get enough of me. And I couldn’t get enough of him.I matched his urgency, my fingers tangling in his hair, my body arching into his touch. I felt his hands slide down my waist, gripping me tighter, pulling me closer.I was losing myself in him.I didn’t even realize when he started to unbutton his shirt. I didn’t realize when his clothes fell to the floor.All I knew was his skin agai
RICHARD POV.I didn’t realize how heavy my breathing was until I heard it echoing through the hallway.My chest felt tight, each breath a struggle as I cradled Tammie in my arms, her body limp, her face pale.I tightened my hold on her, my heart kept beating loud as I made my way to her room, my footsteps quick and steady. I couldn’t let go. Not yet. Not when she looked so fragile, so broken.I should’ve been there sooner. I should’ve protected her. If I hadn’t been so stupid…so consumed by my own pride and anger…I would’ve never let her walk out alone.I knew something was off when she left the house without a word, her face blank, her shoulders tense even though she must be mad at me for hugging Alisha or probably thinking I have something to do with Alisha.Or was she trying to do something stupid? That’s why I followed her.That’s why I trailed her car all the way to that damn parking lot, hiding in the distance, watching her every move. I didn’t know who she was meeting. I didn’t
MAX'S POV.I watched Tammie’s back as she stormed off, her shoulders rigid with anger, her head held high. She was mad…really mad.But she didn’t understand. She didn’t get that everything I was doing, every word I’d said, was for her. For us.I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I watched her march across the parking lot, weaving through the maze of cars.My heart raced, my chest tightening with frustration. I had done everything I could to show her how much she meant to me. I even offered to cancel my wedding for her.For her! How could she not see how serious I was? How much I was willing to sacrifice just to have her back?My eyes fell to the spot where the promise ring had rolled to a stop, its silver band glinting under the sun. She’d slapped it out of my hand like it was trash.Like it meant nothing. My jaw clenched. How could she be so cruel? So heartless?The wedding invitation felt heavy in my hand, my knuckles whitening as I gripped it tighter.I’d played