Chapter 017ReeseI took a quick glance at my appearance in front of the full-body mirror, sweeping my eyes over my body as I wore a red satin sleeveless dress. I had to wear black high heels since I didn’t have a pair of red. Minimal make-up was applied to my face, but I put on bright red lipstick, emphasizing my full pouty lips. I blew my hair dry and tied it into a high ponytail, showing my beautiful nape.The black tote bag I was carrying around my shoulder did not give off an air of sophistication, but the contents of it were the important things that I needed for my plan later.I locked the house, waited for a taxi to arrive, and told the driver to take me to L. Carter Manufacturing and Industries. The firm where Troy and Mandy were working.The last time I went there was when he hired a new male personal assistant after he fired his mistress. But I’ve been to his office a few times in the past, when I hadn’t yet started taking care of his mother.I used to bring him lunch, but
Chapter 018ReeseI shot my mother a fiendish grin before I turned my attention to the crowd. “Everyone, my mother, Mandy Cooper, has been having an affair with my husband, Troy Byers. I don’t know when it began, but I caught them in my house, in our marital bed, having sex.”This morning, while I was crying my heart out while hugging my red dress, the doorbell chimed. A delivery man handed me a brown packet, and when I opened it to check what was inside, I was astonished to find photos of Troy and Mandy engaging in inappropriate activity in his office. In addition, I was curious about the identity of the person who was responsible for it because the delivery man stated that the sender was unknown.“I have high hopes that Mr. L. Carter will take prompt corrective action against these two adulterers to protect the reputation and dignity of your highly regarded firm. I have all the evidence with me.”I pulled the brown envelope out of my bag, the only thing left inside. I slid out the p
Chapter 019Reese“Do you want to hear my explanation?” Enzo didn’t even bother to deny it, and I stared at him in shock.Simply watching him start the engine and drive away left me speechless for a little moment.Explanation for what? For planning all of these?Did he also ask Mr. Vincent to give me a ride that day when I caught mom and Troy?I couldn't believe it. He took my virginity on purpose!Five minutes passed, and I noticed him pull over onto the shoulder of the road, and I finally came to my senses.“What explanation? You mean, you planned everything? You knew about their affair from the very start, huh?” I sneered, crossing my arms over my chest as I glared at him. “You planned to take my virginity!”“Woah, woah! Wait up!” he raised his hands in surrender. Amusement could be seen in his eyes, which made my blood boil even more. “I didn’t plan any of what you’re talking about, okay? That night when I met you, it was a coincidence, I swear!”“What? Then why are you asking me
Chapter 020ReeseSomething broke inside of me upon hearing those words from Troy. I thought I was immune to this feeling. I thought I was immune to this kind of pain. I was wrong. I never expected him to say those things to me, and I felt as if a foreign thing suddenly materialized out of the silence and the stillness devoured my heart in a single vicious bite.There was only emptiness inside me. As if nothing.I pressed my palm against my mouth to stop myself from sobbing. I promised myself not to cry over them because they weren't worthy of my tears.I stared at my phone, feeling my knees melt and my chest tightening.I can’t breathe.I can imagine him hugging my mother in comfort as she cried in his arms.My mind was a swamp and deep as I welcomed the daggers stabbing my chest repeatedly. It still hurts me.I took a deep breath. I needed to detach myself from them and clear my thoughts that were filled with them. But it still hurt.Before I could even feel myself collapse to the g
Chapter 021ReeseI asked Enzo to bring me back home, so I was here again at my house, pulling my luggage out, when I heard a car pull up with a loud screech of brakes, followed by the slamming open and closing of a car door.My eyes narrowed when I saw Troy get out of his car.“Reese!” he called out, but I didn’t pay attention to him as I went on getting my stuff out of the house. “Reese, take back what you said in the office! I want you to tell them that you were lying!”"You wish!" I scoffed, rolling my eyes at him.He grabbed my shoulders and started shaking them. He was staring at me with those piercing eyes that had me enthralled from the moment I laid eyes on them, but now they were making me terrified of him.“No.” I swatted his arms away, shoving him aside, and staring back at him with a far more intense intensity.“I can’t lose my job, Reese!” he yelled, his face contorted in fury. “I recently got promoted at my job!”I gulped, bracing myself. The fact that the person in fro
Chapter 022Reese“Oh, my mom is here to join us, darling,” I said mockingly, smiling at Troy tantalizingly. I took a few steps back towards Troy and hooked my arm around his neck, and I earned a glare at him, but didn't remove my arm.“Reese! You’re such a bitch! How dare you humiliate me and Troy in front of the executives!” my mother cried out in a piercing way, attacking me, but Troy brushed off my arm around his neck and stopped my mother with a hug.“Stop it, Mandy.” he said, trying to calm her. “She’s still your daughter. Don't hurt her.”“No!” mom yelled as she struggled to get away from Troy. “I will never forgive her for what she did to me! To us! Mr. Carter will definitely fire us, Troy. What should we do now? I can't lose my job. You know it.”And then she started sobbing loudly, burying her face in his chest, while Troy ran his palm up and down her back, kissing her hair.I quickly averted my gaze away from them, recalling how Enzo had done the same thing to me earlier. T
Chapter 023ReeseIt was much like the good old days when Liza gave me permission to stay in her house. When we were still in college, we used to be roommates. However, this new house that she has purchased has three rooms, and she allowed me to occupy the empty room that was adjacent to hers. She said her stepbrother had given her this house as a gift on her 26th birthday.Liza owned a bar and restaurant, so she was the boss herself of her own business. It had been her dream since then because she enjoyed drinking and going to parties. She left a while ago and told me to look for something to eat for dinner in the fridge.As I arranged my belongings in the empty closet, I could still hear her voice in my head.''I never really liked Troy...'' she said after I told her everything that happened. She told me before that marrying him was a mistake. She'd seen something in him. Some indications that he never really loved me. But I didn’t listen to her. I listened to what my heart was tell
Chapter 024ReeseBefore I could even take the first step to the stairs, the door threw open, and Enzo stepped inside.I panicked, and as I moved up, my foot missed the first step, causing me to close my eyes and prepare for the hard impact, but before I could fall to the ground, two arms caught me.''You’re very reckless...'' he murmured in my ear, and I breathed, becoming dizzy from his touch. ''Wait, have you been drinking?''I knew he could smell the alcohol emanating from me, and I had to get away from him immediately, but he wouldn’t let me when I tried to break free from his hold.''Stay...'' he murmured, wrapping his arms around my waist, which made me clench my inner walls as if I was ready to receive him.''Enzo...'' I whispered back, my eyes flickered to his mouth, watching his tongue brush over his lower lip tantalizingly.''You need to rest...'' he said, and I rolled my eyes when he scooped me up and carried me bridal style before he ascended the stairs. ''Liza explained
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