Jesse's POV:Tamara's eyes widened, and I saw an hint of hurt flash across her face before she quickly masked it with a neutral expression. Dad's gaze shifted between Christina and me, his brows raised in disappointment.The tension in the room was consuming, and I felt a rush of guilt and panic. Christina quickly stood up, stepping away clearly not looking suprised and nonchalant.“Jesse, what's going on here?” Dad's voice was stern, cutting through the silence.I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out. I glanced at Tamara, whose eyes were now fixed on the floor, her shoulders tense.The room seemed to shit down on me as I tried to make sense of the situation, my heart racing. How had things spiraled so quickly? And what was I supposed to do now? I asked inwardly, staring at Trevor, who was standing behind Dad with a confused expression.“And you, what are you still doing here?” Dad asked, his question directed at Christina, who stood there with a nonchalant look.Dad had
Tamara's POV:“Tamara…” he stuttered as he stared into my eyes. “I love you. I can't explain it, but I really do love you so much. Everything has spiraled so quickly. Please don't let's end things. I want this whole thing to be real.”Those words hit something deep inside me, anger, everything I have been holding back “Are you joking? I blurted out in the harshest tone I have ever spoken, my eye furrowed in annoyance Oh, really? You are a playboy who darts from one girl to the other. What do you take me for? I just saw you kiss a lady, and now you are saying you love me. Is that love to you? I don't blame you, I blame myself for being so helpless to the extent of agreeing to a foolish thing in exchange for help.” My anger at its peak and the tears I had held back all along started pouring freely I stormed out of the room.“That son of a bitch how dear him tell me he his in love with me, what does he take me for?” I cursed out loud as I walked out of the building.Getting home my mind
Tamara's POV I was doing my thing at home that evening when I heard a knock on my door. Wondering who it might be, I peeped through the peephole. I wasn't ready for a scenario where it would be Jesse's father again, but to my surprise, it was Jesse. “What the fuck does Jesse want again?” I muttered to myself, feeling a sting of annoyance and curiosity. I wasn't going to open the door for him, but as he knocked, I couldn't help the pull of wanting to open it. No, I had made myself clear that I no longer wanted this relationship agreement. The last thing I needed was another incident of us kissing or something worse happening.I decided I was going to ignore him, ignore him totally, even at school. After several minutes of knocking, he finally left. Later that night, there was a notification on my phone. Only to see a message from Jesse. “Really? Has it gotten to the extent of him texting me?” I smirked after seeing the message. I wasn't going to reply.The next morning, I dressed up
Jesse’s POV I could barely contain the anger bubbling inside of me. I would stare at Tamara at intervals, each glance making my blood boil. Last time she was kissing him, and this time she was hugging him. It was so annoying, and I was going to deal with her for ignoring me. I was going to do it my way, I thought inwardly, ready to activate another side of me. I kept thinking of the best way to do that. As the class ended, the thought came to my mind to give an impromptu test. That would be the best time to do it.“I will be holding an impromptu test right now," I announced. There was an immediate murmur in the class as it caught everyone off guard, but that's none of my business. I was doing this to deal with Tamara, and I must get at her. As the test started, I looked in her direction, wanting to know how disrupted she was about the test. But to my greatest surprise, she was bent over her script, writing so fervently. Really? So it didn't get to her?After the test, I took the scri
Tamara's POV: “Yes, Tamara, please have a seat. Let's get started,” he replied. I let out a smirk before sitting down on the chair opposite him, my movements deliberately slow and measured, letting him know I wasn’t happy to be here . Just as I sat down, he passed a drink and a hamburger to me over the table. I stared at it, my eyebrow arching. What does Jesse even take me for a food monger? I came here because he asked me to come for private tutoring. If he weren't my lecturer, I swear I would have done something I might regret. Trying to keep my calm, I said, “I never mentioned that I was hungry, Professor Jesse, and I'm only here because you asked me to. Don't try to bring any formality into it.” I pushed the drink and hamburger back to him, my hand trembling slightly with irritation. He raised an eyebrow at me. “Why do I feel like you should be grateful that I'm trying to help you? And for that," he said, pointing at the drink and hamburger, “it isn't a formality. That's ho
Jesse's POV: The room fell silent, the tension between us palpable. “Jesse, don't tell me you caused all those scenes of me failing my test just so you could get to speak to me,” she asked, staring at me suspiciously. As her words hit me, I felt a wave of shame wash over me. How could I have stooped so low just to get her attention? “I was left with no choice. You were totally ignoring me,” I admitted, my voice strained. How could I make her see that I didn't mean to hurt her? I just wanted to talk to her, to be close to her. “Oh, how pathetic can you be,” she spat out, her anger evident. "Why do you want to speak to me so much? I am nothing to you. We were only in a pretend relationship, and I said I don't want that anymore. What else do you want to say to me?" Her eyes narrowed with fury. I stood there, speechless, as she let out her frustration. She doesn't know how wrong she is. “But I don't want us to stop,” I said softly, taking a step closer. The fact that she doesn't ev
Jesse's POV “Yes,” she replied. A pause, then more words appeared on my screen. “You are the heir of the almighty Carter family. I don't know, but I feel scared. You are a potential bachelor to many, and I don't think I can match your standard. I'm just a poor girl trying to support her family. I don't know, but I'm so scared.” I read her message and felt a wave of frustration. How could she not see that she was more than enough? I typed quickly, hoping my words could bridge the gap between us. “If I wasn't from the Carter family, if I wasn't the heir, if all these things were out of the way, would you have said yes?” I waited, my heart pounding. The silence was unbearable. Then, finally, her message arrived. “Yes.” Relief flooded through me. “Then if you can love me when I am not the heir of the Carter family, then I promise you that you can love me more with the knowledge that I am a member of the Carter family. And I am only a potential bachelor to you, just you, my Angel” I wro
Tamara's POV:The night went in a blur of me tossing and turning in excitement. I woke up kind of late the next morning, so I had to rush to class. It wasn't Jesse's class, and that made me wish it was. I can't believe the same lecturer I hated so much is now the one I'm dating and wishing for his class. After taking my bath, I stood in front of my closet, contemplating what to wear. I wanted to look good just in case Jesse saw me. I thought inwardly, Should I go for something casual or a bit more eye, catching?Finally, I picked a short blue flare gown and matched it with black platform sandals. I pulled my hair into a ponytail and applied some makeup. I hadn't checked my phone yet because I was rushing, my mind buzzing with thoughts of seeing Jesse.As I walked into the school premises, I noticed Kevon waving at me. I had totally forgotten about Kevon. Why can't he just move on already? I thought inwardly, feeling a pang of guilt. Left with no choice, I walked up to him, my steps r
Tamara's POV The day had finally arrived. After years of challenges, long distance, and dreams, here we were standing on the edge of forever. My wedding day. I stood in front of the large mirror, smoothing my hands over the delicate lace of my wedding dress. The soft ivory fabric clung to my curves. My heart pounded in my chest as I gazed at myself, barely able to recognize the woman staring back. I looked radiant, more beautiful than I had ever felt before. My veil sat perfectly on my head, and my makeup had been done flawlessly. But it wasn’t just the dress or the makeup, it was the overwhelming joy of the day. I was marrying Jesse. The love of my life. “Tamara, you look stunning,” my mother said as she stepped into the room, her eyes glistening with tears. She hugged me gently, careful not to wrinkle the dress. “I can’t believe this is happening,” I whispered, my hands shaking slightly. “It feels like a dream.” “It’s not a dream, sweetheart,” my mother said softly. “Yo
Tamara's POVIt had been four long years since I left to study abroad, and everything felt like a blur. Four years of late nights, exams, projects, and internships. Harvard had been a dream come true, but it had also kept me away from home, from Jesse.I hadn’t gone back during the holidays, deciding to take internships at top companies to strengthen my career path. Jesse was busy expanding his family’s business, opening new branches around the world. We barely had time to visit each other, except for the phone calls and video chats that seemed too few and far between.Today, though, was different. It was my graduation day.I woke up early, excitement humming through my veins as I stared at the gown hanging in my closet. I couldn’t believe the day had finally come. I was finally graduating. I had made it through Harvard, one of the toughest schools in the world, and now… now I was ready to go home. To be with Jesse. To start the next chapter of my life.I glanced at my phone, hoping f
Tamara's POVIt had been four long years since I left to study abroad, and everything felt like a blur. Four years of late nights, exams, projects, and internships. Harvard had been a dream come true, but it had also kept me away from home, from Jesse.I hadn’t gone back during the holidays, deciding to take internships at top companies to strengthen my career path. Jesse was busy expanding his family’s business, opening new branches around the world. We barely had time to visit each other, except for the phone calls and video chats that seemed too few and far between.Today, though, was different. It was my graduation day.I woke up early, excitement humming through my veins as I stared at the gown hanging in my closet. I couldn’t believe the day had finally come. I was finally graduating. I had made it through Harvard, one of the toughest schools in the world, and now… now I was ready to go home. To be with Jesse. To start the next chapter of my life.I glanced at my phone, hoping f
Tamara's POVI blinked my eyes open, a little beam of sunlight sneaking through the curtains. The faint murmur of footsteps from the living room reached my ears, and I instinctively reached out for my phone on the nightstand. I unlocked it, eager to see the news I had been dreading and hoping for all at once. I learned that they were taken to court yesterday. I just want the outcome of it.Breaking news: Olivia and Christina sentenced to prison. Olivia, the mastermind, who is also guilty of murder received a life sentence without parole, while her accomplice, Christina who is also her daughter faces a lesser sentence of five years.My breath caught in my throat. It felt surreal. The nightmare was finally over. Olivia was going to prison for life. I tossed the phone aside and sprang up from the bed, the joy of everything lifting off me in an instant. We are free. Finally, truly free from the pain and torture Olivia and her daughter has been putting us through.I couldn't wait to tell J
Tamara's POVI woke up early the next morning, the brightness of the rising sun creeping through the curtains and illuminating the room. I turned over to see Jesse still sleeping, his face peaceful but still carrying traces of the pain he was feeling deep down. Last night had been hard, perhaps the hardest moment I had ever witnessed with him. He had cried himself to sleep in my arms, a vulnerability I never thought I’d see from him. My heart ached for him, but I knew he needed rest, and I needed to do something to help.Carefully slipping out of bed, I tucked the covers back around him and left the room as quietly as I could. The house was still so quiet, and as I made my way downstairs, I realized that I hadn’t seen any of the staff around since I’d arrived. The absence of activity made the house feel so much larger, so much lonelier. But as I walked into the kitchen, I was surprised to see the cook and a few maids bustling around.“Oh, you’re back,” I said, more relieved than I ex
Tamara’s POVAs Jesse’s car pulled to a stop in front of Kevon’s house, I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the strange tension between us. The entire drive, Jesse had been acting overly protective, going on about rules like “no touching” and “one meter apart,” all because of Kevon. I knew he was jealous, and though I teased him about it, I found it oddly sweet that he didn’t want anyone else getting too close to me. His possessiveness was something we’d have to deal with later, but for now, I had to focus on meeting Kevon.Climbing out of the car, I tugged at the baggy jeans and oversized shirt Jesse had made me wear. He was determined no one else should find me attractive today, apparently. I gave him a little wave as he drove off, his intense gaze lingering on me until the car turned the corner. Smiling to myself, I turned toward Kevon’s house, eager to catch up with my friend.As I walked up the steps, something seemed off. The front door was slightly ajar. Frowning, I hesi
Jesse's POVThe usual drive to the family mansion felt so unusual today. It felt like going to my own durgen, the same woman who had been manipulating my father and I had lived in the same mansion all these years. The betrayal and silence was pressing down on me. As I pulled up the driveway, I had once thought it was perfect until it all began to unravel. I parked and stepped out, my chest tightening with every step toward the front door. My mind was racing, wondering what was waiting for me this time.As soon as I stepped inside, I froze. The sight before me was not what I expected.Aunt Serena was standing near the entrance, her eyes red as if she had been crying. But the real shock hit me when I saw my father, sitting in the living room, his face buried in his hands. And there, in front of him, was Olivia on her knees, her wrists in handcuffs with a few police officers standing close to her. She was sobbing uncontrollably, pleading with him, but her words barely registered in my h
Jesse's POV Lying next to Tamara, felt like heaven on earth. I couldn't help but reflect on how everything was finally coming together, and yet, there was a nagging feeling in the back of my mind. Christina and Olivia. I still couldn’t wrap my head around it. If someone had told me they were related, I would have laughed in their face. Now, though, it all made sense. I couldn't just still believe that my father and I were caught up in the middle of the manipulation of a mother and daughter and none of us ever found out. Every step Olivia made was all part of her planned twisted game.I sighed, rubbing a hand over my face. My thoughts were heavy, too heavy to shake off easily. But then I turned and saw Tamara, her body curled up under the sheets, breathing softly. Her face was so peaceful, but I could help but still feel guilty. I don't just deserve her. She deserved better than what I had put her through, and yet here she was, still by my side.The phone on the nightstand vibrated, d
Tamara's POVChristina stormed out of the room, her heels hitting sharply against the floor as the door slammed shut behind her. The tension in the air calmed down with her departure, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I exhaled a sigh of relief. I knew I had talked to her with so much boldness but I was still freaking inside, I stood still for a moment, absorbing the sudden quiet. Everything was finally falling into place. I turned to Jesse, my heart raced for him, but for a different reason now. He stood there, his posture tense, as if waiting for another blow to fall. His eyes, familiar eyes held a hint of guilt like he was doing something very bad. His look was getting softer. “I'm sorry,” he said, breaking the silence. With a very low tone, almost hesitant, as if the weight of everything around him was too heavy to bear. “I'm sorry for everything I made you go through. You didn’t deserve any of it.”I shook my head softly, stepping closer to him, wanting to close