The Winters mansion was quiet when Mr. Thomas Winters sat in his study, sipping on his whiskey as he carefully planned his next move.
He had always been a man of action, someone who didn’t wait around for things to fall into place. If he wanted something done, he made it happen. And right now, there was only one thing on his mind—ensuring his son’s engagement to Kate Andrews.There was no need to confront Ryan about it. His son had always been stubborn, and trying to reason with him would only lead to more delays. No, Thomas had a much better plan.An exclusive gala was being hosted that evening by one of the most influential business moguls in the city, and he had already accepted the invitation on behalf of himself and his wife, Mrs. Winters. It was the perfect opportunity. Ryan needs a push, else he would keep racing about like a kid.The elite of society, the press, and the wealthiest investors would be there. If he made the announcement in front of thSerena sat at the dining table, sipping her coffee as she scrolled through her phone. The morning light streamed through the large windows of her apartment, casting a golden hue over the sleek, modern space. It was peaceful—until she saw the headlines flashing across her screen.RYAN WINTERS ENGAGED TO KATE ANDREWS!BILLIONAIRE HEIR FINALLY SETTLES DOWN WITH HIS LONGTIME LOVE!Serena let out a low chuckle, shaking her head. How predictable.She scrolled further, finding pictures from the gala, including the moment Ryan’s father had announced the engagement. Kate looked like she had won the lottery, her face glowing with fake surprise and delight. Ryan, however, was nowhere to be seen. That told Serena everything she needed to know.Ryan had no idea this was happening.She rolled her eyes and took another sip of her coffee.It didn’t matter.She wasn’t stupid. She had always known Ryan was never truly hers. Even when they were married, his he
Kate turned up the volume on the speakers, letting the upbeat music fill the entire apartment. She danced around the living room with a glass of wine in her hand, laughing as Rolly joined her, their voices blending as they sang along to the lyrics.Tonight was a celebration.Kate twirled, her silk robe swaying around her as she raised her glass in the air. “To my engagement!” she cheered.Rolly clinked her glass against Kate’s with a smirk. “To finally secure your place as Mrs. Winters!”Kate grinned, taking a sip of her wine before collapsing onto the couch. She felt invincible. Everything had fallen into place exactly as she wanted. Mr. Winters had announced the engagement in front of the world, and now, there was no going back.Ryan belonged to her.“Can you believe it?” Kate giggled, placing her glass on the coffee table. “All these years of waiting, and now, it’s finally happening.”Rolly smirked. “You played the game well, babe. Now all th
Ryan gripped the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles turned white. His jaw was clenched, his mind spinning with frustration, anger, and exhaustion. He couldn’t believe his father had done this to him. He couldn’t believe Kate had let it happen. They had trapped him, boxed him in, and now the whole world believed he was engaged to a woman he didn’t even want to be engaged to.His father had made it clear—there was no way out of this. But Ryan refused to accept that.And now, he needed to clear his head.There was only one place he wanted to be right now.With Serena.Before he could even process the thought fully, he had already made the turn, driving through the quiet streets until he arrived at her building. The lights in her apartment were still on, but he knew it was late. Amy was probably already asleep.Ryan stepped out of the car, barely taking a breath before making his way to her door. He knocked, not even sure what he was going to say wh
Kate barely slept that night. She lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, her mind racing with thoughts of Ryan and the way he had stormed into her apartment, demanding answers. The way he had looked at her, his voice sharp and cold, telling her he wasn’t ready for an engagement—telling her that he never wanted this.The memory made her blood boil.How dare he?After everything she had done for him, after all the years she had spent by his side, he had the audacity to stand in front of her and act like she was forcing him into something.Well, if he thought he could walk away from this, he was dead wrong.By the time morning came, Kate was already dressed, her makeup perfectly done, her outfit carefully chosen. She had one goal today—to make sure Ryan didn’t get his way.Rolly sat on the edge of Kate’s bed, sipping on her coffee with an amused smirk. “You’re really going to run straight to his parents first thing in the morning?”Kate glanced at her thro
Serena sat in her office, her long fingers tapping against the polished wood of her desk as she stared at the numbers on her screen. The last few days had been a blur. The engagement announcement between Ryan and Kate had stolen all the media attention, helping her business recover from the damage Kate had caused. Clients were slowly returning, though some still refused to answer calls or emails.None of it mattered, though.Because Serena had never been one to beg.She had built Rocky’s Designs from the ground up, without anyone’s help, and she would continue to succeed with or without those clients. If they didn’t want to return, then so be it. She would find new ones.She leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples. The only thing she regretted was pulling Amy out of school in the first place. She had been so focused on keeping her daughter safe from public scrutiny that she had forgotten that hiding wasn’t the answer.But now, things are
Kate sat in the dimly lit hotel suite, sipping her wine as she waited. The soft hum of the air conditioner filled the room, but her mind was far from calm. She had been restless since her last conversation with Ryan’s parents, and even though Thomas had promised to handle things, she needed reassurance.Her phone buzzed.I’m here.Kate smirked, setting her glass down. A few seconds later, a knock sounded at the door. She walked over, unlocking it smoothly, and stepped aside as Mr. Thomas Winters strode in, looking as composed as ever.“You’re late,” she murmured, shutting the door behind him.Thomas loosened his tie, glancing at her with a smirk. “Traffic.”Kate poured him a glass of wine, handing it to him before taking a seat on the couch. “So?” she asked, raising a brow. “How did it go with Serena?”Thomas took a slow sip before setting the glass down. He studied Kate for a moment, then exhaled. “She’s not letting Ryan go.”Kate’s jaw tig
The private dining room of the high-end hotel was dimly lit, the ambiance oozing luxury and power. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a soft golden glow over the dark wooden table set with fine china, imported wine, and delicately plated appetizers. The scent of expensive cigars lingered in the air, mixing with the faint aroma of aged whiskey.Mr. Thomas Winters sat comfortably in his chair, his posture relaxed yet commanding. Across from him sat an elderly man, dressed in an impeccably tailored suit, his silver hair neatly combed back. Even without an introduction, it was clear—this man was wealthier than most. His presence alone radiated authority, the kind that came from years of building an empire from the ground up.Thomas took a sip of his whiskey before setting the glass down with a quiet clink. “You see, Richard, I wouldn’t normally bother you with this, but I know a man like you understands the value of business integrity.”Richard Mont
Serena exhaled, stretching her arms as she closed the last file on her desk. It had been a long day, and though she loved her work, she was more than ready to head home. She gathered her things, slipping her phone into her bag before grabbing the stack of files she needed to review later.The office was quieter now, most of the employees had already left, leaving behind only a few staff still finishing up their tasks. As she stepped into the hallway, the sound of her heels clicking against the polished floor echoed in the silence.She was almost at the elevator when, out of nowhere, someone rounded the corner at full speed and crashed into her.The impact sent the files flying from both of their hands, scattering papers all over the floor.Serena stumbled slightly, her heart jumping in surprise. “Oh—”“I’m so sorry!” the man said immediately, crouching down to pick up the papers. “I wasn’t looking where I was going.”Serena sighed, crouching down as
Ryan’s heart was pounding in his chest, but he forced his feet to move. He had stood frozen for too long. Serena still hadn’t seen him. She was focused on breathing through her contractions, her hand gripping the railing as she took slow steps forward. His throat was dry. His palms were sweaty. But he couldn’t waste another second. “Serena.” The moment he spoke, she froze. Her body tensed, her grip on the railing tightening. Slowly—so slowly—she turned her head toward him. Her eyes widened, her lips parting slightly. “Ryan?” Ryan exhaled sharply. God, she was beautiful. Even in a hospital gown, with exhaustion written all over her face, she looked like the most stunning thing he had ever seen. His chest tightened. She was about to give birth to his child. And she had tried to keep it from him. “Why?” His voice was hoarse, raw with emotion. “Why didn’t you tell me?” Serena immediately turned away. “Not now, Ryan,” she muttered, trying to keep walking. But Ryan wasn’t le
The cold air of the ice rink bit at Ryan’s skin as he skated across the smooth surface, his breath coming out in white puffs. The crowd was cheering, the sound of sticks hitting the puck echoed through the large arena, and his teammates were yelling for him to pass the puck. But none of it registered. His mind was somewhere else. Or rather, with someone else. Serena. The moment Amy’s innocent little voice had blurted out the truth over the phone, Ryan had felt the world shift beneath his feet. She had been carrying his child for nine months. Nine months. And she hadn’t told him. The thought kept slamming into him like a freight train, making his grip on his hockey stick tighten, his movements stiff and uncoordinated. “Ryan, focus!” Ethan’s voice rang from behind him. Ryan barely heard him. Ethan must have noticed, because the next thing he knew, his best friend skated up beside him and knocked him hard on the shoulder. “Dude, what’s wrong with you? You look like you jus
The Christmas lights twinkled softly in Serena’s living room, casting a warm glow over the space. Snow was falling gently outside, covering the city in a soft white blanket. The smell of cinnamon and vanilla filled the air, courtesy of the cookies Emma had baked earlier. It was supposed to be a peaceful evening. But Serena was anything but peaceful. She sat on the couch, one hand resting on her very pregnant belly, while the other rubbed her forehead. She was exhausted. Nine months. She had managed to keep her pregnancy a complete secret for nine whole months. It hadn’t been easy—working from home, avoiding public appearances, making sure no one suspected anything. Emma had done an amazing job shielding her from the world. Even now, as her due date crept closer, Serena still wasn’t ready for the world to know. And most importantly, she wasn’t ready for Ryan to know. She sighed, leaning back into the cushions. Amy was sitting on the floor in front of the Christmas tree, her li
Emma had just stepped out of the shower when her phone started buzzing on the nightstand. She wrapped a towel around herself, quickly reaching for the device. A small smile tugged at her lips when she saw the name flashing across the screen. Ethan. She answered immediately, pressing the phone to her ear. “Hey, babe.” Ethan’s deep, familiar voice came through the line, warm and teasing. “Hey, beautiful. Busy?” Emma chuckled, settling onto the bed. “Not really. Just got out of the shower. Why? You sound suspiciously sweet today.” Ethan laughed. “Can’t a man be sweet to his girlfriend without suspicion?” “Not when that man is you,” Emma teased, shaking her head. “So, what’s up?” “Clear your schedule tonight,” Ethan said smoothly. “I’m taking you out.” Emma raised an eyebrow. “Out? Like… dinner?” “Dinner, yes,” Ethan confirmed. “But before that, I’m taking you shopping. You need something special to wear for tonight.” Emma’s heart did a little flip. “Ethan, you know I can pick
Serena had been feeling off for weeks. It had started with the constant nausea, the exhaustion that no amount of rest could fix, and the strange sensitivity to smells that had her gagging at the most unexpected moments. At first, she dismissed it as stress. Her life has been a whirlwind of events lately—Philip being exposed, Ryan trying to win her back, the scandal that nearly destroyed her company, and the overwhelming relief of regaining her reputation. It wasn’t surprising that her body was reacting to all of it. But when she could barely keep food down for three days in a row, Emma had stepped in. “You need to go to the hospital, Serena,” Emma had said firmly, standing in her office with her hands on her hips. Serena, who was slumped over her desk, groaned. “It’s just stress.” Emma arched her brow. “Stress makes you tired, moody, and maybe gives you headaches. Stress doesn’t make you throw up every morning for two weeks straight.” Serena sighed, pinching the bridge of her n
Serena sat in her office, staring out the large window at the city skyline. The sun was setting, casting an orange glow over the buildings, but she hardly noticed. Her mind was elsewhere, tangled in the mess of emotions she had been avoiding for weeks. Everything had changed. The truth about Philip. The revelation that Steve—the man who had helped her rebuild her life—was actually Ryan’s father. The scandal that had almost cost her everything. But most of all, Ryan. His presence in her life had once been something she had accepted begrudgingly. Their nights together, their moments of passion—it had all been something she had allowed herself to indulge in, telling herself that it didn’t mean anything. She had convinced herself that it was just sex. That her heart wasn’t involved. But now, as she sat alone in her office, she realized that Ryan had always been a storm in her life. And she was tired of storms. She exhaled, leaning back in her chair. She had fought so hard to re
The news spread like wildfire, dominating every media outlet, news channel, and social platform. It was a scandal unlike anything the city had ever seen. The man the world had known as Thomas Winters was not Thomas at all. Every major newspaper, every television station, and every online gossip site ran with the same shocking headline: Philip Winters—Imposter Billionaire! Not the Real Thomas Winters! Billionaire Steve Jacob is Actually Thomas Winters! The revelation shook the entire business world. For years, the Winters family had been seen as one of the most powerful and influential families in the country. But now? Now, the truth had shattered their reputation in ways no one could have ever imagined. And Kate’s involvement? That only made it worse. Reports detailed her role in the conspiracy—how she had aligned herself with Philip, how she had worked against Serena Winthrop, how she had helped orchestrate attacks on Serena and her daughter. It was a complete disaster for
Kate sat on the floor of Rolly’s living room, her hair disheveled, eyes wild with frustration. The walls seemed to close in on her, suffocating her as her thoughts spiraled deeper into madness. The only sound in the dimly lit apartment was the low hum of the television, where a news report was still playing clips of the scandal that had ruined her life. The footage of her and Thomas—no, Philip—played over and over again, reminding the world of her shame. She clutched her phone tightly, her nails digging into the glass screen as she dialed Ryan’s number again. One ring. Two rings. Straight to voicemail. Kate let out a ragged breath, her pulse hammering in her ears. She had called him more than a hundred times. Had sent him texts, voice messages—begged him to at least talk to her. But there was nothing. He had cut her off. Completely. A scream of rage ripped from her throat as she threw the phone across the room. It hit the wall with a loud crack, pieces scattering onto the floo
The room was filled with a suffocating silence as Margaret Winters’ sharp gaze swept over her husband. She squared her shoulders, her expression unreadable. “I don’t know what you’re trying to imply,” she said coolly, her tone sharp and unwavering. “But I’m looking at my husband, Thomas Winters, right now. There’s nothing off about him.” Ryan’s breath hitched. His gaze flickered between his mother and Steve, waiting for some kind of reaction—a hesitation, a flicker of doubt. But Margaret remained completely convinced that nothing was wrong. Steve smirked, shaking his head slightly. “Well, Philip,” he said, his voice laced with amusement as he looked at Thomas. “Are you going to start confessing? Or should I spill the truth myself?” A brief shadow crossed Thomas’s face—a flicker of confusion. “What the hell are you talking about?” he snapped, his tone edged with irritation. But Ryan caught something beneath it. Fear. Steve sighed, slipping his hands into his pockets. “You’re r