Serena stirred awake as the morning sunlight streamed through the curtains, casting a warm glow over her bedroom. She blinked a few times, adjusting to the brightness before sitting up and stretching her arms above her head. Today was the day she was returning to her company and finally going to put an end to the rumors.They’ve done too much trying to drag her name down the muds. For what reason exactly? This, she doesn’t know.It’s not as though she’s in their way, yet they won’t let her have some breathing space.“I already have this good feeling this morning and I just can’t wait to get everything back on track, leaving my enemies behind and speechless!” Serena uttered, smirking widely into space.She got out of bed and made her way to the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face to wake herself up properly. After brushing her teeth and tidying up, she walked to the kitchen and started preparing breakfast. The smell of toast and scrambled eggs filled the air as she set the t
Kate stirred awake as the soft rustling of clothes reached her ears. She blinked, adjusting to the dim light filtering through the curtains, and turned her head to see Ryan standing by the mirror, buttoning up his crisp white shirt. His dark hair was slightly damp from his morning shower, and he looked sharp in his tailored suit.For a moment, she simply watched him, taking in the way his fingers moved expertly over the buttons, the way his brows furrowed slightly as he focused on his tie. This was the man she had fallen in love with. Strong, handsome, powerful. The man who used to adore her way back from high school, shower her with gifts from the time she returned back into his life after leaving, kiss her awake in the mornings to make up for the time they’ve lost.But ever since she came back—his Ex wife, Serena—everything had changed in a blink of an eye. Ryan had become distant, his affection fading into cold indifference. Always claiming to be busy and barely had time for h
The towering glass windows of The Grand Luxe Hotel gleamed under the soft morning sun, reflecting the city skyline in crisp, golden clarity.Kate stepped out of her sleek black Mercedes, adjusting the lapels of her tailored coat as she took in the grandeur of the hotel’s entrance. The place exuded wealth and exclusivity, from the line of luxury cars parked outside to the uniformed doorman standing at attention, meticulously dressed in a navy suit with white gloves.As she approached, the doorman offered a polite nod, holding the door open with a slight bow. Kate barely acknowledged him, her black sunglasses shielding her sharp gaze as she stepped into the lobby.Golden chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, casting an elegant glow over the polished marble floors. The scent of fresh roses and expensive cologne lingered in the air, mixing with the faint aroma of roasted coffee from the café to the left. Soft instrumental music played in the background, a classical piece she vaguely
Kate stepped into her car, her fingers gripping the steering wheel tightly as she navigated through the bustling streets. A sly smile played on her lips as she replayed the events of her meeting with Steve Jacob in her mind. The plan had gone perfectly, just as she had expected.She reached for her phone, tapping the screen to glance at the recording she had captured. Every word, every tone, every pause—it was all there, crystal clear. Steve had no idea that his voice would soon be all over the media, twisted into something he never actually said.By the time she pulled up in front of Rolly’s apartment complex, the excitement bubbling inside her was nearly impossible to contain. She stepped out of the car with confidence, striding towards the entrance.As soon as she rang the doorbell, the door swung open almost instantly.“There she is,” Rolly greeted, a grin spreading across her face. “Right on time. I was almost going crazy by merely waiting for your arrival.”“Sorry darling.
Serena sat at her desk, her fingers tapping restlessly against the smooth surface. The weight of the upcoming press conference settled heavily on her chest, and despite her efforts to remain calm, her nerves were getting the best of her. She had faced many challenges before, but this was different. The scandal was spreading like wildfire, and every moment that passed without her addressing it only fueled the rumors.She grabbed her phone and quickly dialed her assistant’s number.“Emma, come to my office,” she said, keeping her voice firm.A few minutes later, the door swung open, and Emma stepped inside. She was dressed in her usual professional attire—a navy-blue pencil skirt with a crisp white blouse—but Serena could tell by the worried look in her eyes that something was bothering her.“You’re here,” Serena said, straightening up in her seat. “Is everything set for the press conference?”Emma gave a small nod. “Yes, ma’am. The media h
Emma rushed toward Serena, concern etched all over her face. “Ma’am Serena, breathe! Just take deep breaths,” she urged, carefully helping her up and leading her toward the chair behind her desk.Serena let herself be guided, but her hands trembled as she sank into the chair. Her mind was spinning—how had things escalated so fast? How had everything she worked so hard to build been reduced to rubble in a matter of minutes?Emma quickly turned and grabbed a glass from the small water dispenser in the office. She filled it up and handed it to Serena. “Here, drink this. You need to calm down.”Serena took the glass with shaky fingers and sipped the water. The cool liquid slid down her throat, grounding her a little, but her chest still felt tight. She placed the glass on the desk and covered her face with her hands. “Emma… this is bad. This is really bad,” she whispered.Emma exhaled sharply and crouched beside her. “I know it’s bad, Ma’am Serena. But you can’t let this destroy you.
Serena took a deep breath as she stood before the packed conference room, her gaze sweeping over the journalists, reporters, and flashing cameras. The tension in the air was suffocating, but she refused to let it shake her. She had been through enough, and today, she was taking control of her own narrative.She stepped up to the podium, adjusting the microphone slightly before she spoke. “Good afternoon, everyone. I want to start by thanking you all for coming.” Her voice was firm, unwavering. “I know there have been a lot of rumors and accusations circulating about me these past few days, and I believe it’s time to set the record straight. I will not be taking questions today. I am here to present the truth, and the truth only.”The room fell into a hushed silence as Serena reached for the remote in her hand and clicked it, causing the large screen behind her to light up. A document appeared—an official DNA test result. She turned back to the audience, her expression serious.“Th
As Serena walked off the stage, the noise in the conference room grew louder. Reporters shouted questions, their voices overlapping, but she didn’t turn back. The security team stepped in, keeping the crowd at bay as she exited through the side door. As She stepped out of the press conference venue, the weight she had been carrying for days felt just a little lighter. The reporters had thrown difficult questions her way, but she had answered them all with confidence. For the first time, she had spoken her truth, and now it was out in the open.The fresh air outside was a relief, and the moment she reached the car waiting for her, Emma was already standing beside it, her arms crossed and a proud smile on her face.“That,” Emma said the second Serena got closer, “was brilliant. You did so amazing there. I told you earlier that you can do it. You getting so frustrated and perhaps trying to hurt yourself wouldn’t have cleared your name, Ma’am Serena.”Serena exhaled and ran a hand
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