Reese agreed to marry Troy, thinking their feelings were mutual. It turned out that he only used her to get close to her mother, Mandy. When she went home after taking care of her mother-in-law, who pretended to be sick, she caught her mom and husband in their marital bed. She exacted revenge by having a one-night stand with a stranger, who happened to be the wealthiest man in town, and the business partner of her unknown biological father, Vincent. The chaos escalated when Reese discovered that the billionaire, Lorenzo Carter, intended to marry her twin sister, Candice, with whom she thought her son was Enzo's. Overwhelmed, she fled to escape the painful memories, unaware of her own pregnancy. By chance, she encountered a woman who proposed a modeling career, which flourished until her pregnancy was revealed. Faced with pressure to choose between her rising career and her unborn child, Reese stood at life's crossroads, contemplating the profound decision before her. When Lorenzo Carter found her, he proposed marriage, but sadly, she had no memory of him. Utilizing his influence, he persuaded her to agree to the contract marriage. Once successful, he endeavored to make her remember him and to reignite her love for him.
Lihat lebih banyakChapter 001
Reese ''Don't worry about me, I'll just call my daughter if I need something...'' The words were spoken in a hushed voice by my mother-in-law as she lovingly clasped my hand, her soft eyes looking tenderly at me. She was currently resting in her bed, exhibiting signs of weakness due to the severe disease that had been diagnosed by the doctor. Because she was so ill, she required my assistance in everything, including preparing her meals, feeding her, assisting her in going to the bathroom, and a great deal of other things.Mia, my mother-in-law's only daughter and the younger sister of my husband, worked as a nurse at St. Jude Hospital. However, rather than taking care of her own mother, she decided to work and provide assistance to other people, which would undoubtedly result in her coming into financial gain.
When I took a quick look at the clock that was hanging on the wall, I noticed that it was only fifteen minutes before five o'clock in the afternoon. In a short amount of time after her shift in the hospital, Mia would promptly return home.
''All right. I am going home for now, mom. I'll just come back tomorrow...'' I spoke to her in a soft voice as I tucked her in with the sheets and then kissed her on the forehead before I walked out of her bedroom.
Troy was the one who asked me to take care of his mother, and as an obedient wife, I complied right away.
I was never given a chance to object when he told me that it was an important matter for him.
At first, I assumed I would only stay for a single day. Troy did not inform me that I needed to stay so that I could check on his mother at night as well. This was because Mia would be very exhausted after work.
However, he stated that I was still allowed to go home at least twice or three times a month.
The fact that my mother-in-law gave me permission to go home today was a nice surprise. She was aware that my second wedding anniversary with Troy was today. I had planned to take him by surprise by preparing a special dinner for us.
My hardworking husband was still working at the time, but I was confident that by the moment he got home, I would have finished preparing the table for us to celebrate our wedding anniversary.
I walked out of the house with a sense of excitement and was going to flag down the taxi that I had just seen passing, when all of a sudden, it started pulling up in front of me. When I saw Mia sitting in the passenger seat at the back, my pupils contracted. I watched her as she handed the driver her payment and then exited the vehicle.
As she turned her head in my direction, her eyes instantly rolled. She walked past me with a slight bump on my shoulder, and I somehow managed to avoid her a bit, because I knew that she'd do it. The impact wasn't that hard, making my lips curve silently.
A friendship between Mia and I had never existed. Her hatred for me stemmed from the fact that she liked her brother for her best friend. Unfortunately for them, Troy chose me over Nica.
As I climbed into the cab, I shrugged my shoulders and then proceeded to tell the driver my address. After that, he began to speed away.
''What's that smell?’’ The driver suddenly scrunched up his nose, sniffing around, and heat immediately crawled up my face, my cheeks reddened in embarrassment when I noticed that my clothes were full of vomit.
My mother-in-law had thrown up on me earlier. I wasn't able to change my clothes before I left since I was so eager to get back home.
I bit my lip as I pulled a tissue out of my bag and began to wipe my clothes. However, this action did not do much other than create a mess in the taxi, and the smell did not even begin to reduce. I couldn't help but feel relieved that the driver had refocused his attention on the road and continued driving, ignoring the offensive odor that was emanating from me.
As soon as the taxi came to a stop in front of the house, I hurriedly paid the driver, rushed out of the vehicle, and then fished for my keys to open the main door.
Noticing that there were two pairs of shoes at the entryway caused my eyebrows to furrow in surprise. I recognized the pair of black shoes as my husband's, but the other pair made my frown deepen. It was a pair of silver stiletto heels.
I let out a sigh of dismay as I contemplated the fact that I would no longer be able to surprise Troy because he had already returned home. But the fact that he invited a friend to celebrate with us made me smile in excitement.
I did not bother to use the keys that I was holding in my hand and instead seized the doorknob and wrenched it open. Of course, it was unlocked.
I entered the house with the expectation that Troy would be waiting for me on the couch with his friend, the person who owned the silver heels. But the house was empty, and it greeted me with the silence that seemed to reign inside of it.
On the other hand, there were some things that did not correspond to the peace that I could or could not perceive. Because when I padded towards the kitchen, Troy's suit was hanging on the chair, and his dress shirt was lying on the floor. I picked it up before returning to the living room, where I looked around again, but found that the room was still deserted.
I let out a long sigh as I ascended the stairs, and as I walked my way down the corridors, I froze when I heard a peculiar sound emanating from the bedroom.
Moanings and groanings. Those were the things that pounded on my ears at that moment as I slowly approached the bedroom. My knuckles turned white as I tightly gripped Troy's shirt.
I was unmoved outside the door, and there was no question in my mind about what I was hearing. I felt my shoulders slump as I let out a soundless breath.
Although my entire body started shaking, I was still able to hold the doorknob and twist it, pushing it open. I was shocked at the sight that was in front of me, and it hit me like a freight train. The sounds that I had never heard from him before---a horrible combination of scenes and noises that sucked the air out of me, filled me with a wave of sickness that knocked me off my feet.
Troy, my husband of exactly two years today, was on our bed, naked. He was using our marital bed by having sex with someone else in between those sheets, someone that wasn't me, someone that has a smaller frame than me.
The only woman I knew who had a smaller frame than me, was Nica. And she loved to wear heels. Stilettos, cut-outs, pumps, peep-toes. Name it, and you can find it in her collections.
I thought Troy didn't like her. I thought he had already chosen me over her. I was wrong.
I remained completely frozen at the doorway in complete shock, not a single word coming out of my mouth, not a cry, even though tears started to well up in my eyes. I felt a rising sensation of betrayal in my chest, which coiled itself around my heart and threatened to cut and dice.
I was experiencing a ringing sensation in my ears, as if they had been damaged by a strong explosion, which was comparable to a bomb going off in my area and rendering me fleetingly deaf.
By this point, I ought to be accustomed to being rejected and betrayed. As for rejection, I have had enough of being rejected by people I believed I could trust, and men have proven that they cannot be trusted.
As I clutched the doorknob tightly, as if I could keep my heart from bleeding hurt, I told myself to race away from the disgusting and horrible scene, but I couldn't move my feet. I couldn't walk away. I couldn't take my eyes off of them, and I even couldn't step inside to stop them.
The only thing that the parts of my body were capable of doing was shaking violently. My gaze was fixed on their bare, sweaty bodies as they intensely slapped and moved together.
My lips were trembling, watching that body of my husband that I knew so well, and that other body I couldn't identify because Troy was covering her face as he hovered on top of her. I could only catch a peek of her ginger hair, which was quite long.
Ginger hair, exactly the same as mine. I absentmindedly touched my hair and looked down at the strands that were cascading over my shoulder.
Wait. Ginger?
But Nica's hair was dark brown.
The loud and pleasurable groan that came from my husband seemed to cut into my brain the moment it entered my head, and it caused me to stare at the woman whom I thought was Mia's best friend underneath him.
The ginger-haired woman was desperately holding Troy's back with all her might, and she was covered in a heavy layer of sweat. Her red nails left red scars on his skin, adding to the collection of fading scratches he was already displaying. It was as if she was trying to tell me that this wasn't the first time they had engaged in sexual activity.
''Troy, fuck me harder…'' the woman cried out in what could only be an immense pleasure my husband had been withholding me from experiencing for the past two years, but now he was lavishly offering it to her.
And her voice sounded really familiar. So familiar that I could even hear my mother from her.
No. Mom wouldn't do something like this to me. She was beating me sometimes, but I understood that it was how she disciplined me. We're not on good terms, but she won't hurt me like this.
I shook the thought out of my head and focused my attention on Troy. I noticed that his facial expression now was a combination of concentration and pleasure. I could clearly read them in his eyes. And there was something else I refused to interpret.
Love.
He loved her? But what about me? Where was I in his heart? And I thought it was only me. He said I was the only one he loved.
Chapter 149ReeseWe stood in front of Enzo's grandfather's house, and a sense of apprehension washed over me. This marked my first encounter with my grandparents-in-law, hoping that it wouldn't be the last.A maid opened the door, greeting us with a respectful bow and gesturing for us to enter. Enzo held my hand while his other hand clasped Riza's as we stepped inside. We were welcomed by a beautiful woman seated gracefully on the living room couch. She was someone I recognized but had yet to meet. Beatrice Jackson.''Hello, Enzo...'' she said with a flirtatious smile, rising from her seat to approach him, planting a kiss on his cheek. Her gaze remained fixed on him, seemingly oblivious to our presence.''Beatrice, what brings you here?'' Enzo inquired, releasing my hand to wipe away the lipstick mark on his cheek.''Oh, grandpa invited us for dinner. He mentioned you would be joining us...'' she replied nonchalantly, then took Enzo's hand from Riza's. ''Come on. They are waiting for
Chapter 148TroyI stood up as the female warden escorted Mandy into the room where I was waiting for her. My brows knitted when I saw her current state. She was using a cane for support, and a metal brace extended along her right leg. What happened to her? Had she been involved in a fight with her fellow inmates?Our eyes locked, yet her expression revealed no emotion. She appeared to have lost considerable weight, her once fake ginger hair now dark and cut very short. Her complexion appeared quite pale, and she seemed excessively thin, a stark contrast to the woman I believed I had fallen in love with.Mandy was hardly recognizable.''Mandy...'' I spoke as she settled into the chair opposite me, with the guard positioned a few meters behind her.Mandy regarded me with an expressionless face. ''What the fuck are you doing here?''I observed her closely, noting the animosity reflected in her eyes.''I came to say goodbye. I'm leaving Manhattan...'' I replied, anticipating her inquiry
Chapter 147Troy I had just paid a visit to my mother's grave and opted to enjoy a coffee at a nearby café beforehand. As I gazed through the glass window, I noticed a woman on the pavement across the street who bore a striking resemblance to my ex-wife. Her long peach dress, covered with a coat, fluttered in the breeze as she stood, lost in thought, staring down the road. She brushed a strand of her ginger hair away from her face with the back of her hand, a gesture so familiar that it sent a jolt through my heart.I rose abruptly, inadvertently knocking over my cup of coffee. The woman turned her lovely face upward, and for a fleeting moment, it felt as though she was looking directly into my eyes. In that instant, I realized that the woman was indeed my wife. I recognized her without a doubt.ReeseThe last time I had seen her at the office, she had noticed me but chose to ignore my presence, heading straight for the elevator to meet her husband, Lorenzo Carter.Prior to that, I h
Chapter 146Reese''Each morning, my mom prepares a cup of milk for me, joins me for breakfast, and gives me a kiss before I head off to school. Upon my return home, she is there waiting, ready to greet me with another kiss. We love playing hide and seek together...'' Riza continued to recount these cherished memories to Asher, and I felt a wave of warmth envelop my heart as if I were reliving those moments. ''At bedtime, she reads my favorite stories and gives me yet another kiss before I drift off to sleep...''Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. Riza was cherishing every single moment we had shared.''Do you love your mom, Asher?'' Riza inquired, to which the boy nodded. ''I love my mommy too, but I feel like she doesn't love me...'' Her voice became strained, and my heart ached as I watched her cry, wiping her tears with her shirt. ''I wish we could be together forever. I wish she would never leave me again...''Oh, God! My baby!I rushed to her, enveloping her in a tight
Chapter 145ReeseCandice received a call and had to leave immediately, which gave Enzo and me some privacy to talk.Enzo recounted everything to me: the events that transpired, how he located both me and my daughter, and his decision to allow Troy to remain at the company to facilitate Mandy's imprisonment. It was Troy who had also disclosed all my favorites and personal details to him.As Enzo finished his story, my sobs became increasingly uncontrollable.My daughter had endured so much pain. She was aware that I was her mother, and all of this turmoil stemmed from the schemes of Mandy and Flora, who sought to destroy my life.My heart shattered further as the last words I had spoken about my daughter reverberated in my mind.What had I been thinking? She must be feeling heartbroken and angry with me now.''I never intended for you to love me and Riza because you were forced to...'' Enzo said, holding me close as we locked eyes. ''I did not wish to impose any pressure. My desire wa
Chapter 144ReeseThe tears that streamed from my eyes onto Riza's drawing paper in my grasp, soaking her watercolor artwork.My sobs were relentless, and I struggled to catch my breath. My lips quivered as I silently screamed within.Every memory flooded back into me.How could I not when I gazed down at Riza's paintings? When I saw the words that she wrote.These phrases, which I found myself reading repeatedly, drove me to the brink of madness. ''I love you, mommy and daddy!''A wave of panic surged within me, as if the car crash had just occurred anew.My child. She was in pain.My knees trembled as I rose, clutching the drawing papers in my hand, and rushed back to Enzo's room to retrieve my phone.With unsteady fingers, I finally dialed Enzo's number.Enzo. The man who rescued me from that bridge. The man I gave my all to, after Troy cheated on me. The man I had missed dearly, to whom I had entrusted my heart and soul. The father of my child.How could I forget about him?Please
Chapter 143Enzo''Daddy...'' Riza sobbed against my shoulder, and all I could do was hold her close, trying to reassure her that everything would be alright. The big lump in my throat made it nearly impossible to speak, and I could only manage a whisper as I said, ''Mommy didn't mean what she said, baby. Please try to understand her...''Tears filled my eyes as I recalled how Nick Rivers found Reese and my daughter.''Both Reese and your daughter survived the accident. The hospital contacted Flora, her guardian. Incredibly, the baby was healthy and unharmed. They entrusted her to Flora, who assured them she would take good care of her...''My heart raced as I awaited Nick's next words.''I've looked into the orphanages in Los Angeles, and there is one girl who arrived on the same day your daughter was released from the hospital and entrusted to Flora...'' Nick continued, and my heart plummeted. ''I spoke with the head of the orphanage. That day, someone left a box at the gate. When
Chapter 142ReeseA heavy silence enveloped Flora and me, and it took her some time to respond to my question.''I really have no idea what you mean...'' she replied, her voice barely audible. ''Please, I don't want anyone to disturb me. Your husband sent me to jail! I hate him! I hate both of you!''I began to feel a surge of impatience. She was evading my question. ''Who is the sister you mentioned when you tried to shoot me? Who else was imprisoned besides you?'' I retorted, and once more, Flora hesitated to answer me.The seconds of silence stretched on, and it felt like ages to me.''N-nothing...'' the moment she stammered, I knew something wasn't right. ''Please, I want to rest now. Don't ever call me again, you ungrateful bitch!''''Don't even think of hanging up on me!'' I snapped, tears welling up in my eyes. I sensed that my emotions were on the verge of overflowing. ''Did you know Lorenzo Carter?'' I yelled. ''Did you know him before he reached out to me and proposed marria
Chapter 141ReeseI watched Candice and Mrs. Martin as they both attempted to reach Enzo by phone, yet he failed to answer their calls. This situation heightened my unease, leaving my thoughts in disarray regarding the events that had transpired.I had no idea what was going on. Why people around me said things that were incomprehensible, making me feel as though I was the only one without understanding.As Mrs. Martin's expression shifted to one of panic due to Enzo's continued silence, a sharp headache struck me once more. The image of Riza's tearful gaze lingered in my mind, and I felt as though I might faint from the intensity of the pain.I slowly moved away from them, making my way upstairs to Enzo's bedroom. Perched on the edge of the bed, I pressed my hand against my head, grimacing in discomfort. I was starting to think that I had significantly underestimated the severity of this headache.Could it be attributed to my lack of sleep the previous night? That seemed unlikely. As
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