RICHARD POV.The moment the room lit up, we both froze.Right in the center of the sitting room was a beautifully decorated cake, sitting atop a glass table.The soft light of the chandelier above made the entire area shimmer, casting a golden hue over the space. Roses were scattered across the floor, their petals forming delicate patterns leading toward the cake.It was breathtaking.It was romantic.And it was a complete waste.I glanced at Tammie. Her expression was unreadable as she stared at the cake, her hands now resting at her sides.This was my mother’s doing.She must have arranged all this, thinking we would return home as a happy couple, ready to share another sweet moment together.How wrong she was.I sighed, rubbing a hand over my face as I whispered to myself.'' Welcome to married life, Richard.''Tammie stood there, her expression blank as she stared at the cake and the scattered rose petals on the floor.The soft shining light of the chandelier bathed the room in go
NADIA'S POV."But nothing!" I cut her off sharply. "You should have called me before I even had to find out from someone else!""I was scared!" Alisha admitted. "I knew you’d be mad! I knew you’d…""Damn right I’m mad!" I shouted."You think you can just mess up and hide like a coward? You think I’d just let this slide?"Alisha whimpered on the other end. "Nadia… I’m sorry.""Sorry doesn’t fix this, Alisha!" I snapped. "Sorry, don't bring me Tammie! Sorry doesn’t erase the fact that I put my trust in you, and you let me down!""I didn’t mean to…""I DON’T CARE WHAT YOU MEANT!" My hands clenched into fists. My nails dug into my palm so hard I could feel the sting."All that matters is what you did! And what you did was NOTHING!""I’ll fix it," she said suddenly, her voice shaking. "I promise, I’ll fix it. Just give me another chance."I let out a slow, mocking chuckle. "Another chance? Do you think this is a game, Alisha? Do you think I’m just handing out second chances?""Nadia, pleas
ALISHA'S POV.I moved carefully, my steps slow and deliberate as I slipped out of my room and into the dimly lit hallway.My heartbeat was steady, controlled…unlike earlier when Nadia’s screams had rattled me.Now, standing here in the shadows, I felt something else entirely. A twisted sort of excitement.I stayed close to the railing of the upstairs landing, my fingers resting lightly on the polished wood as I leaned forward.From my vantage point, I could see everything happening below. The front door swung open, and the newlyweds stepped inside.Richard wasn't the first to enter as he opened the door for her, his tall frame commanding as ever.He carried himself with that same effortless confidence, the kind that had always made people gravitate toward him.He wasn’t just good-looking…he had a presence. And standing beside him, Tammie looked… well, sickening.She was holding onto his arm, her eyes scanning the lavish interior of the house as if she were still in disbelief that she
MAX'S POV.“You’re so desperate to get Richard back, aren’t you? That’s why you started all this in the first place. And now look at you. Look at us. You failed, Nadia. You let him slip through your fingers, and now, he’s with her.”I could almost picture her on the other end, probably pacing, probably seething. But I didn’t care.“And you know what? Since you let them get married, since you let them have their perfect little moment…” I took a slow, deep breath, letting my next words sink in.“Tammie will regret it.”There was silence on the line.Then, I continued. “And since you and I are engaged, our wedding is coming up too.”A sharp gasp rang through the speaker.I smiled.Of course, she hated that.She didn’t want to marry me.She never did.She only used me to make Richard jealous, hoping he’d come crawling back to her. But her little plan backfired.Because now, Richard wasn’t just with Tammie…he was married to her.And Nadia? She was stuck with me.“Max, you can’t be serious,
MAX'S POV.Her lips pressed into a thin line, but she didn’t say anything about it. Instead, she turned to face me, her arms still crossed.“Thinking about what? And why were you shouting earlier? I could hear you from my room.”I scoffed, running a hand through my hair as the anger from earlier bubbled up again.“I was shouting because everything is falling apart. All my plans... everything I worked for... ruined.” My fists clenched at my sides as I fought to keep my composure.“Tammie is married to Richard now. I was supposed to be the one she married. I was supposed to be the Johnsons' son-in-law, not him.”My mother’s expression softened, but only for a moment before her eyes turned cold.“And why are you here sulking instead of fixing it?” Her voice was laced with impatience.“Do you realize what’s at stake here, Max? The Johnsons' wealth... the power... everything we’ve been planning for. You can’t just give up because of one setback.”I looked at her, my jaw tightening.“I didn
RICHARD POV.I should have been paying attention. I should have trusted my instincts the first time I heard that sound. It was faint at first, just a subtle creak that blended into the noise of the celebration.But something about it nagged at me, even as I tried to focus on the conversation with my client.“Richard, are you still there?” Philip’s voice crackled through the phone.“I was saying that if we don’t secure the contract by next week, we could lose the deal to our competitors. I need your confirmation on the revised proposal.”I turned slightly, scanning the room, but nothing seemed out of place. The guests were laughing, glasses clinking as they toasted to our happiness.Tammie stood near the cake, her laughter soft and melodic as she dipped a finger into the icing and tasted it.Her eyes sparkled under the glow of the chandelier, her beauty captivating even in the simplest moments.“I hear you, Philip,” I replied, forcing my attention back to the call.“I’ve looked at the
RICHARD'S POV.How long could I live with someone who saw me as nothing more than an inconvenience? I loved her, but it was clear she didn’t love me. She never would.We reached the grand staircase, the intricate designs carved into the mahogany railings shining shadows on the marble floor.I glanced down at the sitting room below, my eyes landing on the shattered remains of the chandelier.Glass was scattered everywhere, the once-beautiful fixture now reduced to a pile of debris. The guests were gone, the celebration ruined.I clenched my jaw, the image of Tammie’s lifeless body beneath the chandelier flashing through my mind.If I hadn’t moved when I did... I shook my head, forcing the thought away. She was safe. That was all that mattered.“Claire!” I called, my voice echoing through the mansion. A moment later, one of the maids appeared, her eyes wide with concern.“Yes, sir?”“Clean up the mess in the sitting room,” I ordered, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me.“Make
Alright, here we go…I stood there, staring at the empty hallway where Tammie had just stormed off, my mind spinning with confusion.Undies? In our room? How? It made no sense. I knew my servants better than I knew most people.They were loyal, trustworthy, and, more importantly, they feared me enough not to pull a stunt like this.None of them would dare to plant something so scandalous on the floor of my supposed matrimonial bed. So, how did it get there?I shook my head, a bitter laugh escaping my lips.This was supposed to be the happiest day of my life, or at least that’s what everyone expected it to be. I never imagined I’d be accused of infidelity on my wedding day, and with no chance to defend myself.Tammie didn’t even let me get a word in. Not one. Her mind was made up before she even showed me the so-called evidence.I ran a hand down my face, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. I had done everything I could to make this marriage work, despite the conditions.Ta
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