RICHARD POV.“It’s only been a week, Mom,” I said with a chuckle, though her enthusiasm warmed me.“A week is too long when it comes to you,” she replied, pecking my cheek repeatedly. “You’re all I have, Richard. You know that.”I smiled at her affection, but out of the corner of my eye, I saw Alisha standing awkwardly near the entrance. She looked out of place, her posture stiff as she tried to stay unnoticed.“Lunch is ready,” my mother said, looping her arm through mine. “Come, sit down and eat. You must be starving after all that work.”She started to guide me toward the dining room, completely unaware of Alisha’s presence.I glanced back at her, hoping she wouldn’t take offense, but she just gave me a small, hesitant smile as I signal to her to come over to the dining room.“Mom,” I began as we walked, “there’s someone…”“Oh, Richard,” she interrupted, her eyes full of concern. “You look tired. Have you been eating properly? You know you work too hard. You need to take better car
ALISHA POVAs we entered the dining room, she finally turned her head and froze. Her eyes landed on me, and her expression changed instantly.“And who is this?” she asked, her tone sharp and her eyes narrowing.“This is Alisha,” Richard said, his voice calm. “She’s… staying with me for a while.”I forced a smile, trying to hide how nervous I felt. “Good afternoon, ma’am,” I said politely.Her response was a quick, dismissive nod. She didn’t say anything else, just turned back to Richard as if I didn’t exist.My heart sank. It was clear she didn’t like me, and she wasn’t even trying to hide it. For some reason, that stung more than I expected. I’d just met her, but her coldness felt personal.We sat down at the dining table, which was covered with dishes that looked straight out of a gourmet restaurant. Roast chicken, mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, freshly baked bread…it all smelled delicious, but I suddenly didn’t have much of an appetite.Richard sat at his mother’s right, and
ALISHA POVI clenched my fists in frustration. Damnit. The one piece of information I needed, and it was interrupted by a phone call.I glanced at Richard, who looked just as annoyed as I felt. He shook his head and muttered under his breath, “Unbelievable.”My thoughts were racing. If the date was close, I needed to act fast. Nadia’s plan to use me as a spy was already risky, but now I was beginning to think I might need to take matters into my own hands.As Mrs. Garrison continued her phone conversation, I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. I had to stay focused, had to keep playing my part. But inside, I couldn’t help but feel like time was slipping away, and the stakes were higher than ever.RICHARD POV"Richard," my mother called sharply, her voice cutting through the tension that hung in the room like a storm cloud.She motioned for me to follow her after making a few minutes' call, her manicured finger beckoning me toward the far corner of the sitting room.Her eyes
RICHARD POV."Have a nice day, Richard." Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and ascended the staircase, her movements brisk and purposeful.I watched her retreating figure, the sound of her footsteps fading as she disappeared upstairs. The tension in the room lingered, but I shook it off, pulling my phone from my pocket.I scrolled through my contacts and pressed the call button when I found the name I was looking for. The phone rang twice before a cheerful voice answered."Richard! What a surprise," Mrs. Daniella, Tammie’s mother, greeted warmly. "How are you, dear?""I’m doing well, Mrs. Daniella," I replied, forcing a polite tone. "I just wanted to let you know that I’ll be coming over shortly to drop off some items for Tammie…the bridal wear and a few other things my mother prepared.""Oh, that’s wonderful!" she exclaimed, her excitement evident. "Tammie will be so thrilled to see you, even if it’s just for a moment. You’ve been so busy lately, but I understand
TAMMIE POVI forced a smile, my lips curving upward even as my stomach churned. "That’s great, Mom," I said, my tone steady, though the words tasted bitter on my tongue.She didn’t notice. She was too busy practically floating with joy, her excitement radiating through the room as she started straightening the cushions on the couch, humming softly to herself.I watched her, my heart sinking. How could she be so happy? So oblivious? I wanted to scream, to shake her, to make her see what I saw…but I couldn’t. She was my mother, and she deserved to hold onto her joy, no matter how misplaced it was.As she flitted about the room, my thoughts drifted back to Richard. My fiancé. My future husband. The man I was supposed to spend the rest of my life with.How was I supposed to cope with that?I bit my lip, the forced smile slipping away as memories flooded my mind. I’d been scrolling through my phone one night, idly flipping through social media posts, when the image appeared.A disaster. Th
ALISHA POVRichard reached the entrance first and pushed the doors open without hesitation. He didn’t hold them for me, but I managed to slip in behind him before they closed.Inside, the mansion was even more breathtaking. The foyer alone was larger than any room I’d ever seen, with a crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling, casting a warm, golden glow over the space.The floors were polished to a mirror-like shine, and the walls were adorned with artwork that looked like it belonged in a museum.Richard walked ahead, his footsteps echoing softly against the marble. He didn’t look back to see if I was following, but I trailed after him anyway, my eyes darting around the room as I tried to take it all in.I felt like an intruder, a stranger in a world that wasn’t mine. But there was no turning back now.As we moved deeper into the mansion, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was stepping into something far more complicated than I’d expected.Something about this place, about Richa
MR JACOB POV.Just as I was considering tailing him discreetly, a sleek black car pulled up outside. My curiosity spiked.The door opened, and I froze when I saw who stepped out. Nadia. Of all people, her. The infamous socialite whose scandals filled gossip columns.The same woman who had been caught in that viral photo with my stepbrother’s future son in-law, Richard.The Morales's daughter.What was she doing here, meeting Max?She walked toward him with the kind of confidence only someone who knew they were untouchable could have. Her heels clicked against the pavement, her stride sharp and deliberate.I ducked behind a shelf, peeking just enough to watch the exchange. Max greeted her with a nod, and then, in a move that confirmed my suspicions, he turned his head, scanning the area like a hawk.He was checking to see if they were being watched.I held my breath, pressing myself further into the shadows. He was smart, I’d give him that, but not smart enough to spot me.Satisfied, M
MAX POV.I froze, my body tensing as I adjusted the bouquet on my lap, pretending to be occupied. But my eyes stayed locked on the mirror, watching the faint shadow lingering just out of sight.“Max?” Nadia’s voice cut through my focus. “What is it?”“Shh,” I said sharply, raising a hand to silence her.I shifted slightly, angling the mirror to get a better view. The parking lot wasn’t crowded, but there were enough people milling about to mask a potential eavesdropper.The shadow was small and quick, disappearing as soon as it appeared.“Is someone there?” Nadia whispered, her tone laced with unease.“Maybe,” I muttered. “Stay quiet.”I leaned forward, peering through the windshield. Nothing seemed out of place…just a few shoppers heading to their cars, some loading groceries into trunks. But my instincts told me otherwise.I glanced at the other side mirror, scanning the opposite direction. Still nothing.“Nadia, stay in the car,” I said, my voice low but firm.“What are you going t
TAMMIE POV.A few more final touches were added…silver earrings, a matching diamond necklace, and a delicate bangle, all glimmering under the light.They were real diamonds, of course. Nothing less would do for the grand wedding of Richard Garrison.The moment everything was in place, the door opened, and my mother, Mrs. Daniella, walked in.I turned to face her, and for a brief second, something flickered in my heart.She looked at me with so much love, her eyes soft with emotion.“Oh, my baby,” she whispered, her voice trembling.“You look…breathtaking.”I smiled, and for the first time today, it wasn’t completely fake.She walked up to me, holding the delicate veil in her hands.“It has always been my wish to place this on you myself,” she said, her voice warm with motherly affection.She gently placed the veil over my styled hair, adjusting it carefully, making sure it sat perfectly.My heart clenched at the way she looked at me, as if this was the most beautiful moment of her lif
Something wasn’t sitting right with me.As I stared at my phone, tapping my fingers against the desk in irritation, I couldn’t shake the nagging feeling creeping into my mind. Why do I feel like Alisha isn’t telling me the truth?I had worked with her for years…long enough to know when she was holding something back. And lately, something was off. She wasn’t as forthcoming as she used to be.Where were the detailed updates? The little pieces of information she used to feed me without hesitation?Is she hiding something from me?I exhaled sharply and shook my head. No. Alisha wouldn’t dare. She had always followed my instructions, always obeyed without question. It wasn’t like her to go against me.But still…These past few days, she’s been different.I had noticed the slight hesitations in her voice, the way she chose her words carefully. It wasn’t obvious, but I knew her too well. She wasn’t as eager to update me about Richard’s every move anymore.I leaned back in my chair, folding
And once Tammie was gone, Mrs. Garrison would have no power to stop what was meant to happen.Before I could revel in my plans any longer, a sudden vibration against my waist made me freeze.My heart jumped, and for a split second, I panicked. I quickly glanced around, making sure no one was near before slipping my hand into the folds of my dress.My phone.I pulled it out, keeping the screen facing me so no one would see.Nadia.Of course, it was her. Who else would be calling me at a time like this?I stared at the phone for a moment, my teeth pressing into my bottom lip. What does she want now?I knew better than to ignore her calls, but a part of me was growing tired of being at her beck and call. I wasn’t some puppet she could control forever.Taking a deep breath, I made sure my voice was calm before pressing the answer button."Hello," I said, keeping my tone neutral.And just like that, my mind shifted gears. The game is still on, and I'm not going to lose.Nadia’s voice came
“This girl… Alisha," she said, deliberately referring to her as a ‘girl’ rather than a lady. "Will she still be staying in your house after today? After you get married to Tammie?"I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling deeply. Ishould have known this was coming. "Mom, Alisha isn’t a bad person," I said, trying to sound patient."She’s only here because of the accident. I was the one who got her involved in it, and now she’s lost her memory. The least I can do is make sure she recovers properly."My mother scoffed, shaking her head."Richard, you’re too soft-hearted sometimes. How do you think Tammie will feel about this?You’re bringing your wife to your home…no, to your matrimonial home…only for her to find another woman living there? A woman covered in bandages, no less!"I frowned."Tammie knows about Alisha. She won’t have a problem with it. She understands the situation.""Are you sure about that?" she pressed. "Because, Richard, I wouldn’t be happy if I were in her shoes. A wo
RICHARD’S POVThe morning of my wedding had arrived, and my mansion was already busy with activity.From the moment I opened my eyes, I could hear the distant chatter of staff moving around, finalizing last-minute preparations.The weight of the day sat heavily on my chest, not out of nervousness but from the sheer reality of it all. Today, I will become a married man.As I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the crisp white dress shirt laid out for me, the sound of approaching footsteps pulled me from my thoughts.I looked up just as my mother, Mrs. Garrison, walked into the room. She was dressed in an elegant blue gown, her hair styled to perfection, and her face glowed with a mixture of pride and excitement."My handsome son," she said, smiling warmly as she walked toward me. "Today is finally here."She didn’t wait for an invitation before she began adjusting my collar, fussing over me like she always did. I chuckled, allowing her to do as she pleased. It was a small thing, but
NADIA POVYes, thing. That’s all she was to me…a nuisance, an obstacle, an ugly little thing standing in the way of what was rightfully mine.Richard was supposed to be mine. He was always supposed to be mine. Tammie had no right to him, no right to the life she was trying to claim.I stopped pacing and stared out of the window, the city lights twinkling in the distance.But their beauty did nothing to soothe me. Instead, they reminded me of the glittering facade Tammie presented to the world…a facade I intended to shatter."I’ll stop the wedding," I said, my voice barely above a whisper but filled with conviction. "I’ll stop it, and I’ll make sure she’s gone for good."My mind raced with possibilities, each one darker than the last. Kidnapping her was the most obvious solution.Take her away, hide her where no one could find her. But that wasn’t enough. Simply removing her from the picture wouldn’t satisfy the anger burning inside me."No," I said, shaking my head. "She needs to be d
NADIA'S POV.I smirked, setting the phone back down. Everything was moving like clockwork. Now, it was just a matter of waiting for the right moment to strike.I sat back down on the bed, crossing my legs as I allowed myself a moment of satisfaction. Alisha would do her part, whether willingly or not.And if she thought she could outsmart me, well, she’d soon find out just how wrong she was.For now, I had to keep playing the part of the calm, collected puppet master. But inside, the fire of ambition burned hotter than ever. This wasn’t just a plan…it was a masterpiece, and I was the artist.As I leaned back against the pillows, my mind wandered to the moment when everything would come together. The look of shock, of betrayal, of defeat…it would all be worth it.With a final glance at my phone, I closed my eyes, letting a sinister smile linger on my lips. "Eighteen hours," I whispered to myself. "And then it all begins."As I sat in the quiet of my room, my mind betrayed me, wandering
ALISHA'S POV.I rolled my eyes, though I made sure to keep my voice calm. "I was busy, Nadia. You can’t expect me to drop everything every time you call.""Busy?" she snapped. "What could you possibly be doing that’s more important than keeping me updated?"I clenched my jaw, taking a deep breath before responding. "I was in the middle of dinner with Richard. I couldn’t exactly answer your call in front of him, could I?"Nadia’s tone softened slightly, but her impatience was still evident. "Fine. But you need to tell me what’s going on. Have you heard anything new about the wedding?"I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "No, Nadia. I haven’t heard anything else. And even if I had, do you really think I’d tell you in the middle of dinner?"There was a pause on the other end of the line, and I could almost hear her frustration. "You need to stay on top of this, Alisha," she said finally. "We can’t afford any mistakes.""I know," I replied, my voice clipped. "You don’t have to remin
ALISHA'S POV.I hesitated again, lowering my gaze as though I was embarrassed. "I was just wondering..." I trailed off, biting my lip for effect."Wondering what?" he prompted, his voice patient."If I could come," I said in a rush, my words tumbling over each other."To the wedding, I mean. I promise I won't cause any trouble or anything.I just thought…well, I’d really like to be there. But if you don’t want me to, I understand, and I won’t bring it up again."Richard stared at me for a moment, his expression unreadable. My heart pounded in my chest, though not from fear or nerves. This was the critical moment, the point where I’d see if he’d bend to my request.Finally, he sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Alisha," he said slowly, "why would you even want to come? It’s not exactly a public event."I smiled again, this time letting it tremble slightly. "I don’t know," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "Maybe it’s because you’ve been so kind to me, and I just want to be