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
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