Serena sat in her office, the weight of the past few days slowly beginning to lift off her shoulders. The battle had been long, the tension suffocating, but she had won. She was still CEO of Rocky’s Designs, and despite all the odds stacked against her, she had managed to outmaneuver those who wanted her gone. She leaned back in her chair, exhaling slowly as she stared at her phone. Ryan’s name hovered on her screen, her finger hesitating over the call button. It wasn’t like her to reach out to him first. In fact, she rarely did unless it was absolutely necessary. But this time, something in her gut told her it was the right thing to do. Ryan had helped her. He had reached out to shareholders on her behalf. He had warned her about his father’s possible involvement, something he hadn’t needed to do. Despite their complicated past, he had stood by her in this—at least in his own way. With a deep breath, she pressed the call button and held the phone to her ear. It only rang tw
Thomas Winters sat in the dimly lit VIP lounge of an upscale hotel, his fingers tightening around the glass of whiskey he had barely touched. The leather booth he sat in was isolated from the rest of the room, providing the perfect setting for a private conversation—one he wasn’t particularly looking forward to. Across from him, Kate Andrews sat with her arms crossed, legs elegantly crossed at the knee, her expensive designer dress clinging to her body. Her face was perfectly made up, but the anger simmering beneath her cold, sharp gaze was unmistakable. She had just heard the news, and she wasn’t taking it well. “She won?” Kate hissed, her voice laced with disbelief and fury. Thomas exhaled sharply, setting his glass down on the marble tabletop. “Yes, Kate. She won.” Kate scoffed, shaking her head in frustration. “Unbelievable. You promised me that she would be gone. You said the board was already in our hands. And yet, somehow, Serena still manages to slip through like a da
Serena sat in her office, reviewing a set of documents when her phone vibrated against the desk. She almost ignored it, assuming it was another email or message from Emma about the board’s latest concerns, but something about the way it buzzed—an unfamiliar number flashing across the screen—made her pause. Frowning slightly, she picked it up, unlocking the screen to see a new message. Unknown Number: I have something you’ll want to see. Her eyebrows furrowed as she sat up straighter. Before she could reply, another message came in—a series of photos. Serena’s breath caught as she tapped on the first image. It was a picture of Thomas Winters and Kate Andrews, seated in what appeared to be a private lounge. They were close—too close. Thomas, dressed in his usual tailored suit, leaned forward slightly, his expression serious. Kate, in a slinky designer dress, had a smirk on her lips, her posture suggesting familiarity, even intimacy. Serena’s fingers tightened around the phone
The massive Winters Mansion was eerily quiet, save for the soft echo of Margaret Winters’ heels clicking against the polished marble floor as she paced restlessly across the grand living room. Her hands were tightly clasped around her phone, her brows furrowed in deep thought. A mix of frustration and unease coiled in her stomach, making it impossible to sit still. She had spent the entire day trying to push away the nagging suspicion that had lodged itself in her mind after that mysterious text message. But no matter how hard she tried, it wouldn’t leave her alone. She brought the phone to her ear, sighing as the familiar voice of her closest friend, Eleanor Harrington, filled the silence. “Margaret, darling, you sound stressed,” Eleanor said, her voice laced with curiosity. “What’s the matter?” Margaret exhaled, rubbing her temple. “I don’t know, Eleanor… I just have this terrible feeling. Something isn’t right.” Eleanor hummed. “Is this about Thomas?” Margaret hesitated. “
The early morning sun barely peeked over the horizon when Thomas Winters stirred awake. The mansion was silent, save for the occasional soft footsteps of the house staff preparing for the day. He sat up in bed, running a hand through his graying hair, his mind already set on what needed to be done. He had no time to waste. Sliding out of bed, he moved swiftly, dressing in a crisp black suit, his usual choice when he needed to handle something important. He adjusted his cufflinks, buttoned his jacket, and grabbed his phone, checking the time. 6:15 AM. The flight was already arranged, and he needed to leave before Margaret started asking questions. Just as he stepped out of the bedroom, his wife’s voice cut through the quiet hallway. “Where are you going?” Thomas stopped mid-step, inhaling sharply before turning to see Margaret Winters standing in her silk robe, arms crossed, eyes narrowed. The tension from last night still lingered between them, and it was evid
The luxurious private resort Thomas had arranged for Kate was nothing short of paradise. Nestled along the pristine coastline, the secluded five-star retreat boasted sprawling white-sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and exclusive villas designed for the elite. Kate had woken up that morning to the soft sound of waves crashing against the shore, the golden rays of the sun filtering through the floor-to-ceiling windows of her lavish beachfront suite. She stretched lazily in the massive king-sized bed, the silk sheets cool against her skin. The scent of fresh flowers filled the air, mingling with the salty ocean breeze that drifted in from the open balcony doors. For the first time in days, she felt truly pampered—free from the stress of dealing with Serena, free from the constant need to fight for her place in Ryan’s life. Sitting up, she reached for the silver tray of breakfast that had been delivered to her suite—a decadent spread of fresh fruits, pastries, and a steaming cu
The private jet was cruising at 40,000 feet, its sleek interior exuding nothing but luxury. The leather seats, polished wood finishes, and soft golden lighting gave it the feel of an exclusive boardroom in the sky. Thomas Winters sat comfortably in his seat, one leg crossed over the other, a glass of scotch resting in his hand. Despite the smooth hum of the aircraft engines and the tranquility of being away from prying eyes, Thomas’s mind was far from relaxed. His meeting with Sophia had stirred something in him—a renewed determination. He had made her a promise, and Thomas Winters never made promises he didn’t intend to keep. He was going to take everything from Ryan. Seated across from him was Marcus Sterling, his trusted assistant and right-hand man for the past fifteen years. A man as sharp as he was ruthless, Marcus had been instrumental in handling Thomas’s more… delicate business dealings. And today was no different. Marcus had his tablet open, scanning through mult
The private jet touched down smoothly at Los Angeles International Airport, its engines humming as it taxied down the runway. The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden glow over the city skyline. Thomas Winters exhaled, adjusting his cufflinks as the plane came to a full stop. The moment the door opened, Marcus Sterling was already at the bottom of the stairs, speaking with the driver of a sleek black Rolls-Royce that awaited Thomas’s arrival. “Welcome back, sir. We are heading straight to the Winters mansion right?” Marcus asked smoothly as Thomas stepped off the plane. Thomas barely acknowledged him, sliding into the back seat of the waiting car. “ I won’t be going home tonight. I need some time alone, some time away from home. Take me to the resort instead,” he ordered, his tone leaving no room for discussion. Marcus raised an eyebrow but nodded, stepping aside as the driver shut the door behind him. The car pulled away from the airport, seamlessly merging onto the f
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