Serena had barely taken another sip of her wine when she felt a presence behind her. She didn’t need to turn around to know who it was—the air had suddenly shifted, charged with hostility.But when she did turn, her eyes met Kate’s, who was standing there, arms crossed, a wicked grin curling her lips.“Well, well, well,” Kate drawled, loud enough for the people around them to hear. “If it isn’t the queen of pretenders, acting like she belongs here.”Serena exhaled sharply, already exhausted.She had no intention of engaging in whatever childish drama Kate was trying to start. So, she simply turned her gaze away, focusing on her drink, as if Kate wasn’t worth a second of her attention.But that only poured fuel onto the fire.Kate’s smirk faltered, her fingers tightening into fists.“Are you deaf, Serena?” she hissed. “Or are you just acting like you’re too important to acknowledge me? Oh wow, I can’t believe that with this cheap dress of yours, you would try to act this way.”Seren
Bianca paced inside the private lounge at the ball venue, her fingers tapping against the table impatiently. The anticipation coursing through her veins was almost intoxicating. Tonight would be the end of Serena Winthrop.When her phone vibrated, she grabbed it instantly, answering without hesitation.“It’s done,” Mr. Carter’s voice came through the line.A slow, wicked grin spread across Bianca’s face. She leaned against the mirror and admired her reflection, tilting her head slightly. “Perfect.”She took a moment to smooth out her dress, ensuring every strand of hair was in place before stepping out. The hallway was silent, the music from the ballroom faint in the distance. As she made her way toward the private suite where Serena was being kept, she could already imagine the headlines that would dominate the news the next morning.“Rocky’s Design CEO Caught in a Scandalous Affair!”“Exclusive Leaked Photos of Serena Winthrop Exposed!”The thought made her giddy with excitemen
Serena leaned against the seat of the cab, staring out the window as the city blurred past her. The morning sun was bright, casting golden rays over the streets of Arizona. But inside, she felt anything but warm.Her thoughts swirled with everything that had happened last night. Bianca. Nathan. The ball. The fact that she had almost been humiliated beyond repair.She clenched her fists in her lap.How could she have been so blind?She had trusted Bianca, considered her a friend, and yet, Bianca had been plotting against her all this time. And worst of all, it was all because of Nathan.Serena shook her head. She didn’t even want to think about him.The cab slowed to a stop in front of her apartment complex. She paid the driver and stepped out, walking quickly inside. The second she entered her bedroom, she shut the door and leaned against it, exhaling deeply.Finally alone, the weight of everything settled over her like a thick fog.Bianca had been pretending all along. How long
Bianca paced restlessly across her apartment living room, her heels clicking against the wooden floor. Her fingers twisted together, her brows knitted in frustration. Maddie sat on the couch, watching her with folded arms and an exhausted expression.“You need to calm down, Bianca,” Maddie sighed, adjusting her posture. “You’ve been pacing for the last hour, and honestly, you’re making me dizzy.”“Calm down?” Bianca snapped, whirling around to face her. “How the hell do you expect me to calm down, Maddie? Everything was going perfectly. Everything! And then—” She stopped, taking a deep breath, pressing her fingers against her temple.Maddie exhaled, shifting her weight. “And then Nathan walked in and ruined everything,” she finished.Bianca scoffed, crossing her arms tightly. “Exactly! Just when I had everything under control. Serena was out cold, the men were ready, and—ugh!” She groaned, stomping her foot in frustration. “Why did he have to show up? Why now?”Maddie leaned forw
Kate reclined on her couch, her phone pressed to her ear as she laughed. Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she spoke.“Rolly, you should’ve seen Serena’s face last night at the ball. I called her a slut right in front of everyone. I told them how she slept her way to the top, and do you know what? She just stood there like a fool! She didn’t even defend herself!”On the other end, Rolly sighed. “Kate…”“She just stood there, looking pathetic,” Kate continued, flipping her long hair over her shoulder. “Not a single word! I made sure everyone at that party knew what kind of woman she really is. It was humiliating for her!”“Kate,” Rolly cut in, “that’s actually why I called you.”Kate frowned. “Huh? What do you mean?”Rolly hesitated before saying, “I came across a video of what happened last night.”Kate’s lips curled into a smirk. “Oh? You saw how I completely destroyed her, right? I made sure everyone made mockery of her. If she isn’t a slut, how the hell did she suddenly own a
Serena let out a small sigh as she pulled the blanket up to Amy’s chin, tucking her in securely. Amy’s soft breaths filled the room, her little hand curled near her face. Serena watched her daughter for a moment, a faint smile touching her lips.Leaning down, she pressed a gentle kiss on Amy’s forehead. “Sleep well, my love,” she whispered.She turned off the bedside lamp and quietly slipped out of the room, closing the door behind her.As she walked toward her own room, exhaustion settled over her. The ball last night, Kate’s humiliation attempt, the way Ryan had stepped in—it was all still fresh in her mind.She entered her room, shut the door, and let out a long breath.Sitting on the edge of her bed, she grabbed her phone from the nightstand, planning to check her emails before sleeping. As she scrolled through, her eyes caught a familiar name.Bianca.Her fingers hesitated before clicking on the message.“I’m sorry for everything. I was wrong. I hope you find happiness.”Sere
Ryan sat alone in his office, staring at the pile of paperwork scattered across his desk. The dim light from the desk lamp cast long shadows on the walls, but his mind wasn’t focused on work. He leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples, feeling a strange emptiness.Suddenly, it hit him—he hadn’t heard from Amy since he got back from Paris. Guilt washed over him like a wave.“I should’ve checked on her sooner,” he muttered under his breath.Glancing at the clock, he realized it was already late evening. Serena must’ve been home with Amy by now. The thought of going to Serena’s place crossed his mind, but he quickly shook it off.“She’ll just get annoyed if I show up unannounced,” he sighed.Instead, he picked up his phone and dialed Serena’s number. It rang twice, then stopped. He frowned and called again. This time, it rang longer before someone answered.But it wasn’t Serena’s voice on the other end. It pained him, realizing Serena obviously didn’t want to speak to him. But
Serena adjusted Amy’s backpack and crouched to meet her daughter’s bright eyes. The morning sun cast a soft glow over the school’s courtyard, where other parents were dropping off their children. Serena gently tucked a loose strand of Amy’s hair behind her ear.“Be a good girl today, okay?” Serena smiled warmly.Amy nodded enthusiastically. “I will, Mommy!”Serena placed a soft kiss on her daughter’s forehead, watching as she skipped off towards her classroom, her little figure disappearing among the crowd of children. A soft sigh escaped Serena’s lips, mixed with pride and exhaustion. She walked back to her car, her heels clicking softly against the pavement, oblivious to the storm that awaited her.By the time she arrived at Rocky’s Design, the usual bustle of the lobby felt different—too quiet, too stiff. Employees who usually greeted her with bright smiles offered awkward nods, their eyes darting away as soon as she looked at them. Whispers floated behind her, but she dismis
The evening air was cool, but Ryan’s blood was boiling with frustration. The image of Steve Jacob flashed in his mind, but what made his chest tighten was the little girl he saw in those features—Amy. Her resemblance to Steve was undeniable, and it gnawed at him, making his head spin.Slumping back in his office chair, Ryan let out a rough sigh. His tie hung loosely around his neck, and his suit jacket was tossed aside. He needed to clear his head. Finishing the last of his work, he reached for his phone.“Mr. Ryan,” Jefferson, his assistant, peeked in through the half-opened door. “Anything else you need before I leave?”Ryan shook his head, his voice curt. “No, Jefferson. Go home. I’m done here.”Jefferson nodded and left, leaving Ryan alone with his restless thoughts. Without hesitation, Ryan scrolled to his contacts and dialed. The line barely rang twice before a familiar voice answered.“Yo, Ryan!” Ethan’s voice was warm and lively. “Knew you’d call. I’ve been seeing the mes
The grand, luxurious interior of Ryan’s mansion stood in perfect silence—a sharp contrast to the chaos brewing outside. Kate lounged on the plush cream-colored couch in the living room, her bare feet tucked beneath her, a half-eaten tub of ice cream balancing on her lap. She had been indulging herself freely since Ryan left for the office earlier that morning. With no one watching, there was no need to keep up her usual act—no sweet smiles, no fake tears, no calculated pouts. Just her, the food, and the empty house.“Finally,” she muttered, scooping another bite of the cold, creamy dessert into her mouth. “Some peace and quiet.”She had wandered through every corner of the house, opening cupboards, sampling expensive wines from the cellar, and even trying on some of Ryan’s clothes—just because she could. This was her space now, or at least it would be soon enough once she becomes Ryan’s wife.Bored, Kate tossed the empty ice cream tub onto the coffee table and grabbed her phone.
That afternoon, the large conference hall buzzed with anticipation, a low hum of murmurs filled the air as journalists adjusted their microphones and tested their cameras. Bright flashes from photographers sparked across the room, casting quick bursts of light on the polished podium set for the day’s speaker.Rows of reporters, some from the most prestigious media houses and others from hungry online tabloids, filled every available seat. Notepads flipped open, and fingers hovered over recording devices. The air felt charged—thick with curiosity.The subject of their speculation was a man few had seen in public. Steve Jacob. The reclusive tycoon who rarely appeared in the spotlight had summoned them. The internet was already flooded with theories—some claimed it was a business announcement, others speculated a scandal. After all, Steve Jacob was a name synonymous with power and mystery.The side doors opened. Conversations halted as heads turned. A tall, striking figure entere
The morning sunlight streamed softly through the curtains as Kate lay comfortably on Ryan’s bed, her body half-covered by the blanket. She held her phone tightly against her ear, her eyes glinting with satisfaction as she whispered into the receiver.Rolly’s excited voice buzzed through the line.“Kate, you won’t believe it! Mrs. Winters really went all out. She got Serena arrested last night!”Kate’s eyes sparkled with delight, and a wide smirk curled on her lips. She sat up slightly, her back against the soft pillows. “What?!” She gasped in fake surprise, though her voice couldn’t mask the thrill she felt. “Are you serious?”“Totally!” Rolly replied with excitement. “It’s already all over the internet! Serena Winthrop was arrested for causing your miscarriage. The headlines are crazy!”Kate let out a soft, breathy laugh and covered her mouth. “Oh, Rolly, this is perfect. Just perfect! She deserves every bit of it. Now the world will finally see her for what she truly is—a home-
Emma sat up in bed, staring at her phone in disbelief. Serena’s voice still echoed in her head—“I’m being arrested. Please come to my apartment. Take Amy and stay with her until I sort this out. Also call the contact I’m sending to you.”She threw her blanket aside and jumped out of bed, her heart racing.“This can’t be happening,” she muttered, pulling open her wardrobe and grabbing a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt. Her hands trembled as she struggled to get dressed, her mind spinning with worry for both Serena and little Amy.Before heading out to her living room, Emma grabbed her phone again and dialed Ethan’s number. He answered on the second ring, his voice groggy with sleep.“Hey, babe… what’s wrong? It’s late. Aren’t you sleeping yet? Do you want me to tuck you to bed?” He asked, his voice playful.“Ethan,” Emma blurted out, her voice shaky, “I need your help. My boss, Serena, has been arrested.”“What?” Ethan shot up from his bed, now fully awake. “Arrested? For what?”“I d
Ryan stood outside the hospital room, clutching a bouquet of fresh roses and a small bag filled with gifts. His heart pounded heavily against his chest, each beat a reminder of his guilt. I’ve hurt her so much. I can’t undo what’s happened, but I have to make things right, he thought, taking a deep breath before pushing the door open.Inside, Mrs. Winters sat beside Kate’s hospital bed, her face stern and cold. Kate was lounging against her pillows, munching on slices of apples from the fruit basket Rolly had brought earlier. The moment Ryan walked in, both women looked up.Mrs. Winters scoffed loudly, rolling her eyes.“Well, look who finally decided to show up,” she muttered bitterly, crossing her arms.Ryan ignored her sharp tone and walked straight to Kate, placing the bouquet gently on her lap.“These are for you,” he said softly, his voice filled with regret.Kate’s eyes flickered with curiosity. “What’s he up to now?” she thought but kept her face neutral. She accepted t
Ryan stood by the hospital window, his phone gripped tightly in his trembling hand. The sky outside was dull, the clouds gray and heavy, mirroring the weight pressing down on his chest. His fingers hesitated over the screen before he finally tapped his mother’s number. The phone rang only twice before Mrs. Winters picked it up.“Ryan?” Her sharp voice echoed through the speaker.Ryan swallowed hard, his throat dry. “Mom… something happened.”Mrs. Winters’ tone shifted immediately. “What is it? What’s wrong? Hope you’re okay?”“ I’m fine mom. But It’s Kate. She isn’t okay…,” Ryan muttered, his voice low, guilt dripping from every word. “She… she lost the baby.”Silence. For a moment, there was only the faint sound of static. Then came the explosion.“What?!” Mrs. Winters’ voice roared through the phone, making Ryan wince. “How could this happen? What did you do, Ryan?!”“What did you do to Kate that led to her losing my grandchild? What the hell did you do?” She demanded, her voic
Kate paced around her small apartment, her footsteps echoing in the quiet space. The morning light barely seeped through the blinds, casting long shadows on the walls. Her face was flushed with frustration, her jaw clenched tight. She’d spent the entire night at Ryan’s house, waiting like a fool. She sat on his couch, checking the time over and over, hoping he’d walk through the door. But he never came.Now, back in her apartment, her mind was racing with dark thoughts.Where the hell did he go?Her chest tightened with suspicion. Maybe he was with Serena. Again. Even after everything—the lies, the news that Amy wasn’t his daughter, all of it—what if he still wanted her?Kate’s hands curled into fists at the thought.“No. I won’t let that happen. Not again.”She snatched her car keys off the counter, her mind already racing with a plan.“This time,” she muttered under her breath, “I’ll make sure Ryan hates her for good.”She grabbed her phone and quickly typed out a message to Rya
Ryan drove through the city streets that evening, his fingers gripping the steering wheel tighter than necessary. The neon lights flashed against the windshield, blurring with the growing ache in his head. His jaw clenched as the video replayed in his mind—his mother standing in Serena’s company, publicly humiliating her in front of everyone. The look on Serena’s face, the humiliation, the shame—it should’ve made him angry.But it didn’t.If it were the old him—the Ryan who believed every word Serena said—he would’ve stormed into his mother’s house, demanding answers, defending Serena. But not anymore.Not after the lies.Not after she kept Amy away for years.Not after she looked him in the eyes and claimed he was Amy’s father when he wasn’t.A bitter laugh escaped his lips. One part of him was glad his mother had done it. Serena deserved it. Didn’t she?The ache in his chest disagreed.Ryan pulled into the parking lot of a dimly lit nightclub in town. The sign flickered in red