CHAPTER 1: BETRAYED KIMBERLY:I held the neatly wrapped gift in my hands, and headed to the Carter's. My heart was filled with excitement as I stepped into the family’s estate. The mansion was an architectural marvel of glass and stone, and the gates had been left open probably for Roland’s birthday celebration. Tonight was Roland’s birthday. And I'm here to celebrate with him.I walked through the grand entrance, exchanging greetings with a few servants. But there was something about the looks on their faces that I didn't quite understand. "Miss Walker, good evening!" Henry, one of the butlers greeted me with a polite nod. "Mr. Roland is upstairs in his quarters but he'll come downstairs soon. Do you mind waiting for him in the living room?""No need to wait downstairs, Henry," I said with a smile. “I'll just see him briefly before the party begins.”He nodded nervously.My flat heels made no sound as I headed to the second floor where Roland's room was located. I wanted to perso
CHAPTER 2: A KISS FOR A REVENGE KIMBERLY:Strong hands held my shoulders as I bumped into him. "Whoa. Easy there."It was a deep, rich voice. Smooth like silk, but commanding.I swallowed a thick lump down my throat as I tried to remain on my feet. Then I realized whose arms I had just crashed into.I looked up, and I found it difficult to breathe properly.He stood over me and looked at me with curious eyes. He was dressed in a custom-tailored charcoal suit that molded to his broad shoulders and lean, powerful frame. A black silk shirt lay open at the collar, revealing just a hint of tanned skin. His wristwatch—an exquisite Patek Philippe—glinted in his wrist. But it wasn’t his outfit that stole my breath.It was him.His jawline was well chiseled and his piercing blue hazel that held an intensity I wasn’t prepared for. He smelled of expensive cologne that made me want to hug him.This was Damien Carter, Roland’s step brother.He was the billionaire heir of Carter Enterprises. The
CHAPTER 3: TWISTING THE NARRATIVE KIMBERLY:I ignored the look on my father's face as I walked up to him.“Hey Dad, Mum!”His arms remained crossed, and his expression was as dark as the night sky. His eyes seemed to burn with fury as he faced me. “Kimberly, what the hell were you thinking?”I froze, confused. "Dad? What.."He held up his phone, and my stomach twisted in shock. On the screen was a picture of me kissing Damien Carter.Tess.Of course."Flirting with Damien in front of Roland? Have you lost your damn mind?!" His voice was sharp, and he didn't bother to hide his anger.My hands curled into fists. Of course, Tess made sure to twist the narrative. "Dad, let me explain—""Explain what? That you’re out there throwing yourself at another man like some cheap…""Don’t finish that sentence, Dad." I warned, my voice low and trembling with barely restrained anger. "You have no idea what happened.""Tess told me everything and the proof is here. How could you embarrass Roland in
CHAPTER 4: YOU'LL MARRY DAMIEN KIMBERLY:“What is it?” Jasmine asked, seeing the puzzled look on my face.I turned my phone screen toward her so she could read the message.“I think you should go.”“But Jas ..”“Just go babe. What's the worst that can happen? Just as I told you earlier, be smart and take advantage of the situation,” Jasmine advised me.I nodded.My fingers trembled as I put on my shoes and combed my curled hair. I barely glanced at the mirror before I hurried off.When I got to the Carter's estate, I was led into the drawing room—one of the smaller reception lounges, but still grand with its high ceilings, ornate chandeliers, and marble floors that gleamed under the lights. There, seated like a queen on her throne, was Mrs. Evelyn Carter.She wore a deep emerald gown that looked like it belonged in a museum, and her silver-gray hair was styled to perfection. Her piercing eyes, was sharp as razors, and settled on me the moment I entered. Damien sat beside her on the
CHAPTER 5: COMMOTION AT THE REGISTRY KIMBERLY:I didn't notice her earlier, didn't even know when she came in. But when I heard her venomous voice and felt her firm hand on my shirt collar, I knew something was about to change.I held her hand and peeled her fingers off my shirt collar. “What are you doing, ma’am? Take your hands off me.”Everly halted in her tracks and turned. “What's the meaning of this, Barbra?”Barbra is Roland's mother. She glared at me. “She had it all planned out. She connived with her sister and set Roland up so she could marry the heir to Carter's Dynasty. Don't you get it? Roland has said several times that Tess seduced him.”Evelyn’s voice was low and cold. “Behave yourself Barbra and walk away. You should be ashamed of what your son did. But instead, you're here defending him. I guess apples don't fall far from the tree.”Barbra seemed furious. “If you succeed in marrying Damien, I will make your life a living hell.”I looked at her and nodded. “Challeng
CHAPTER 6: LET ME HANDLE THIS KIMBERLY:“Put your weapon down,” As the door slammed open, a number of Corps rushed into the hall but Roland was clever as he quickly grabbed my waist and pulled me to himself, pointing the knife at my chest as if he was about to stab me."Roland, please, put the knife down," I begged with trembling voice. I was very scared and kept my eyes shut.Roland’s arm tightened around my waist, and the tip of the knife pressed harder against my chest. "I said nobody moves!" he barked with clenched jaw. His eyes were bloodshot, and he looked like a madman.Damien tried to intervene, but Mrs. Carter extended her hand, stopping him. "Let me handle this," she said, her voice calm but firm. I opened my eyes to look at her. She looked so elegant but the choas in the hall contrasted with her personality. "Roland, sweetheart, please, listen to me.""No! You don’t believe me, Grandma," Roland growled. "I love her. I was stupid—Tess tricked me. I didn’t mean to betray
CHAPTER 7: THE WEDDING RING KIMBERLY:Damien placed his hand on mine, his touch warm but firm. It seemed like he was claiming something that was already his. "Let me treat you to dinner, Mrs. Carter." he murmured as he opened the passenger side for me.I managed a smile. "Thank you Damien.”“Why are you thanking me? You're my wife.”I rolled my eyes. “It's not like we don't know what this is.”He looked at me, his expression serious. "Kimberly, I'm a businessman. Whatever business I decide to undertake, I do it to the fullest.”I slipped in, and sat quietly. I glanced around at the beautiful interior of the car while Damien rounded to his side and slid behind the wheel. “Are you taking this marriage serious?”He glanced my way. "Yes, Mrs. Carter."“Oh! Well, time will tell.”He smirked but didn't say more.I had a lot on my mind as I looked out the window. The battle line had just been drawn in the Carter's family. Will Damien be able to stand up for me when the heat start coming?
CHAPTER 8: BARBRA AND TESS KIMBERLY: Damien hurriedly finished up his food and turned to me. “I have to go. I have an appointment with some business associates. Take the keys. You can take the car. I will take a cab. This key opens the door of my apartment.I nodded and took the keys from him. This was the first time he took me out and he has to abandon me in the restaurant?I sighed as I watched him leave. Then I got up and left the restaurant. Then got into his car and drove to Carter's estate.I pulled the car carefully into the garage, the engine purring to a soft stop. My hands gripped the steering wheel for a moment longer than necessary as I thought about the events of today.In just one day, a lot has happened.I stepped out of the car, and walked into the silent night.It was dark but I could see Barbra Carter standing at the entrance. She crossed her arms and curled her lips into a sneer. I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders and started towards her. I barely made i
CHAPTER 10: I MARRIED YOU BECAUSE I WANTED TO KIMBERLY:I was curled up in bed when I heard the soft click of the door.I faced the wall and pretended to be sleeping. I didn't want him to see the dried tears in my cheeks..I heard Damien’s footsteps as he walked into the room, then crossed toward the bed slowly. His cologne.filled the room and I heard him call me."Kim?" His voice was low, and cautious.I didn’t move."Kim, I know you’re awake," he said gently.I squeezed my eyes shut for a second before forcing myself to turn over. "Hey," I said, trying to smile. "You're back."He sat on the bed, his eyes searching mine. "Have you been crying?”"No," I whispered, shaking my head too quickly. "I'm fine."Damien reached out, and brushed his thumb along my cheek. "Don’t lie to me, Kimberly."I breathed down heavily, being touched by the tenderness in his voice. "I’m just tired," I said, my voice wobbling.He didn’t argue with me. Instead, he stood up and started loosening his tie, his
CHAPTER 9: JUST AFTER HIS MONEY KIMBERLY:I was just beginning to drift off when I heard the knock.It was soft at first. I rolled over, hoping whoever it was would just go away. But it came again and again.Groaning, I threw off the covers and padded across the room, rubbing my eyes. When I opened the door, I saw Janet, a maid standing there."Miss Kim," Janet whispered, wringing her hands nervously. "Sorry to disturb you. Mr. Kelvin wants to see you downstairs."I blinked. "Kelvin? Now?"She nodded apologetically. "He said it’s important."I suppressed a sigh. I had grown up visiting the Carters often enough to know everyone here. Kelvin was my father in-law.I didn’t want to displease him. "Alright. I’ll come."Janet gave a small bow and hurried off.I closed the door, grabbed Damien's robe, and slipped it over my camisole and shorts. My feet felt like lead as I followed the soft lights down the grand staircase, the house eerily quiet except for the ticking of the grandfather clo
CHAPTER 8: BARBRA AND TESS KIMBERLY: Damien hurriedly finished up his food and turned to me. “I have to go. I have an appointment with some business associates. Take the keys. You can take the car. I will take a cab. This key opens the door of my apartment.I nodded and took the keys from him. This was the first time he took me out and he has to abandon me in the restaurant?I sighed as I watched him leave. Then I got up and left the restaurant. Then got into his car and drove to Carter's estate.I pulled the car carefully into the garage, the engine purring to a soft stop. My hands gripped the steering wheel for a moment longer than necessary as I thought about the events of today.In just one day, a lot has happened.I stepped out of the car, and walked into the silent night.It was dark but I could see Barbra Carter standing at the entrance. She crossed her arms and curled her lips into a sneer. I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders and started towards her. I barely made i
CHAPTER 7: THE WEDDING RING KIMBERLY:Damien placed his hand on mine, his touch warm but firm. It seemed like he was claiming something that was already his. "Let me treat you to dinner, Mrs. Carter." he murmured as he opened the passenger side for me.I managed a smile. "Thank you Damien.”“Why are you thanking me? You're my wife.”I rolled my eyes. “It's not like we don't know what this is.”He looked at me, his expression serious. "Kimberly, I'm a businessman. Whatever business I decide to undertake, I do it to the fullest.”I slipped in, and sat quietly. I glanced around at the beautiful interior of the car while Damien rounded to his side and slid behind the wheel. “Are you taking this marriage serious?”He glanced my way. "Yes, Mrs. Carter."“Oh! Well, time will tell.”He smirked but didn't say more.I had a lot on my mind as I looked out the window. The battle line had just been drawn in the Carter's family. Will Damien be able to stand up for me when the heat start coming?
CHAPTER 6: LET ME HANDLE THIS KIMBERLY:“Put your weapon down,” As the door slammed open, a number of Corps rushed into the hall but Roland was clever as he quickly grabbed my waist and pulled me to himself, pointing the knife at my chest as if he was about to stab me."Roland, please, put the knife down," I begged with trembling voice. I was very scared and kept my eyes shut.Roland’s arm tightened around my waist, and the tip of the knife pressed harder against my chest. "I said nobody moves!" he barked with clenched jaw. His eyes were bloodshot, and he looked like a madman.Damien tried to intervene, but Mrs. Carter extended her hand, stopping him. "Let me handle this," she said, her voice calm but firm. I opened my eyes to look at her. She looked so elegant but the choas in the hall contrasted with her personality. "Roland, sweetheart, please, listen to me.""No! You don’t believe me, Grandma," Roland growled. "I love her. I was stupid—Tess tricked me. I didn’t mean to betray
CHAPTER 5: COMMOTION AT THE REGISTRY KIMBERLY:I didn't notice her earlier, didn't even know when she came in. But when I heard her venomous voice and felt her firm hand on my shirt collar, I knew something was about to change.I held her hand and peeled her fingers off my shirt collar. “What are you doing, ma’am? Take your hands off me.”Everly halted in her tracks and turned. “What's the meaning of this, Barbra?”Barbra is Roland's mother. She glared at me. “She had it all planned out. She connived with her sister and set Roland up so she could marry the heir to Carter's Dynasty. Don't you get it? Roland has said several times that Tess seduced him.”Evelyn’s voice was low and cold. “Behave yourself Barbra and walk away. You should be ashamed of what your son did. But instead, you're here defending him. I guess apples don't fall far from the tree.”Barbra seemed furious. “If you succeed in marrying Damien, I will make your life a living hell.”I looked at her and nodded. “Challeng
CHAPTER 4: YOU'LL MARRY DAMIEN KIMBERLY:“What is it?” Jasmine asked, seeing the puzzled look on my face.I turned my phone screen toward her so she could read the message.“I think you should go.”“But Jas ..”“Just go babe. What's the worst that can happen? Just as I told you earlier, be smart and take advantage of the situation,” Jasmine advised me.I nodded.My fingers trembled as I put on my shoes and combed my curled hair. I barely glanced at the mirror before I hurried off.When I got to the Carter's estate, I was led into the drawing room—one of the smaller reception lounges, but still grand with its high ceilings, ornate chandeliers, and marble floors that gleamed under the lights. There, seated like a queen on her throne, was Mrs. Evelyn Carter.She wore a deep emerald gown that looked like it belonged in a museum, and her silver-gray hair was styled to perfection. Her piercing eyes, was sharp as razors, and settled on me the moment I entered. Damien sat beside her on the
CHAPTER 3: TWISTING THE NARRATIVE KIMBERLY:I ignored the look on my father's face as I walked up to him.“Hey Dad, Mum!”His arms remained crossed, and his expression was as dark as the night sky. His eyes seemed to burn with fury as he faced me. “Kimberly, what the hell were you thinking?”I froze, confused. "Dad? What.."He held up his phone, and my stomach twisted in shock. On the screen was a picture of me kissing Damien Carter.Tess.Of course."Flirting with Damien in front of Roland? Have you lost your damn mind?!" His voice was sharp, and he didn't bother to hide his anger.My hands curled into fists. Of course, Tess made sure to twist the narrative. "Dad, let me explain—""Explain what? That you’re out there throwing yourself at another man like some cheap…""Don’t finish that sentence, Dad." I warned, my voice low and trembling with barely restrained anger. "You have no idea what happened.""Tess told me everything and the proof is here. How could you embarrass Roland in
CHAPTER 2: A KISS FOR A REVENGE KIMBERLY:Strong hands held my shoulders as I bumped into him. "Whoa. Easy there."It was a deep, rich voice. Smooth like silk, but commanding.I swallowed a thick lump down my throat as I tried to remain on my feet. Then I realized whose arms I had just crashed into.I looked up, and I found it difficult to breathe properly.He stood over me and looked at me with curious eyes. He was dressed in a custom-tailored charcoal suit that molded to his broad shoulders and lean, powerful frame. A black silk shirt lay open at the collar, revealing just a hint of tanned skin. His wristwatch—an exquisite Patek Philippe—glinted in his wrist. But it wasn’t his outfit that stole my breath.It was him.His jawline was well chiseled and his piercing blue hazel that held an intensity I wasn’t prepared for. He smelled of expensive cologne that made me want to hug him.This was Damien Carter, Roland’s step brother.He was the billionaire heir of Carter Enterprises. The