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
TAMERA'S POV I couldn’t breathe. My cheeks were still burning from the sting of Max’s hand. I stood frozen in the living room, surrounded by the people I once called family, feeling the ache of betrayal deep in my chest. “Thief!” Delores, Max's mom, spat at me. “I always knew you weren’t good enough for my son, and now, you’ve proven it.” Her hand struck my face before I could even react. I couldn’t believe what was happening. Max. My Max. My husband. How could he believe this? How could he think I would steal from them? He had even hit me. “I didn’t do it!” I managed to choke out. “I swear, I didn’t take anything.” Max stood across from me. His face was hard, and his jaw was set. His arms were crossed over his chest like a wall I couldn’t break through. His once warm brown eyes were cold, unforgiving, as if the man I loved was no longer standing there. This wasn’t him. This wasn’t the man who promised to love me forever. He didn’t say a word as Delores stepped closer. “Liar,”
I sat on the cold, hard bench of the cell, staring blankly at the wall. I didn’t know how long I’d been there. Days, maybe? I couldn’t tell anymore. My thoughts were a jumble of confusion, disbelief, and heartbreak.How had my life turned out like this?How had Max, the man I loved with every fiber of my being, become a stranger to me? The man who had promised to protect me, to cherish me, had thrown me into this cell like I was nothing.The image of his face, twisted in anger when he slapped me, burned in my memory. He had looked at me like I was a criminal, like he didn’t recognize me. No matter how much I had pleaded, no matter how much I cried and told him I didn’t do it, he refused to believe me. They all did—Delores, his mother, who had slapped me and called me a thief, and Anya, his sister, who had stood by, arms crossed, glaring at me like I was filth beneath her feet.I closed my eyes, trying to block it out, but it was all there—the accusations, the shouting, and then the po
The room was hazy when I first opened my eyes. The bright lights hurt my eyes, forcing me to squint. My mind felt sluggish, like it was struggling through fog. Slowly, I realized I wasn’t in the cramped cell where I last remembered being. No, this place was much cleaner, sterile. The sharp smell of disinfectant filled the air, and when I glanced down, I saw I was in a hospital bed.Panic took over me for a moment as the memories of jail flooded back—cold nights, harsh words, fear pulling at the edges of my mind. But... I wasn’t there anymore. I was here, in this bed, feeling safe. How? Why? The questions swirled in my head, but before I could even process them, the door opened.That was when I saw him.For a second, I thought I must still be dreaming, or maybe I had died and gone to heaven. The man who walked in was nothing short of breathtaking. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and undeniably gorgeous. He looked like a god. His suit fit his muscular frame perfectly. His jaw was sharp,
I sat at the private dining table, drumming my fingers nervously against the tablecloth. The soft glow of candlelight reflected off the crystal wine glass in front of me. The place was luxurious—too luxurious for someone like me. But then again, I supposed I was supposed to be someone new nowI adjusted the necklace around my throat and sighed, my heart beating wildly. I knew why. Richard. He was coming. I invited Richard to this restaurant to talk to him about the engagement. I want him to call it off. The second the door opened, my breath caught. He walked in, and for a moment, I couldn’t move, couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. He was stunning. Every inch of him radiated confidence and power. His tall muscular frame moved with a kind of quiet authority. The way his tailored suit hugged his body made it impossible to look away. Dark hair, slightly tousled, a sharp jawline that was both intimidating and seductive. And those eyes—icy blue, the kind that seemed to look right through yo
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
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
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
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,
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
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
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
RICHARD POV.The car ride was quiet.Too quiet.I stole another glance at Tammie, hoping to catch some sign of how she was feeling. But she was lost in thought, her gaze fixed outside the window, her expression unreadable.The flashes of passing street lights illuminated her face, making her features appear even more distant, more unreachable.I sighed internally.This wasn’t how I had hoped tonight would go.Not that I had expected anything grand, but… something.Anything.Instead, I was sitting beside my wife…my wife…who had barely looked at me since we got into the car.I shifted in my seat, clearing my throat."So… that was a long day, huh?" I started, keeping my voice light.Tammie didn’t respond at first.For a second, I thought she hadn’t even heard me.But then, she gave a small nod.Just a nod.I waited, hoping she would say something. Maybe agree, maybe add to the conversation, maybe… anything.But nothing.I pressed my lips together.Alright.I tried again."The ceremony we
RICHARD POV.Then she took my hand, her touch light, almost distant.She picked up the ring, slid it onto my finger, and whispered the words, "With this ring, I take you as my husband."It was done.The exchange was complete.The priest smiled as he looked at both of us, then turned to the crowd."By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife."I barely had time to process it before the next words came."You may now kiss the bride."Tammy's body tensed slightly.It was subtle, but I felt it.She didn't want to kiss me.Not really.I wasn’t expecting a passionate kiss, but at the very least, I had hoped for something that didn’t feel forced.I lifted her veil slowly, revealing her face.Her expression was unreadable, her lips pressed into a thin line.I hesitated.Then I leaned in, gently pressing my lips against hers in a soft, fleeting peck.It lasted only a second.Just enough for tradition.Just enough to make it official.When I pulled back, she finally met my ey