Donovan pov So, I decided to hit up the nightclub, you know, the main one where I practically lived during my marriage to Lana. That’s where I first spotted Sarah, but she was just another face in the crowd, totally clueless about the scene until we started hanging out and suddenly it became her second home. But I digress. My eyes were glued to the dance floor, where this stunning stripper with chocolate skin was wrapping her legs around the pole like it was her best friend. I was mesmerized, completely lost in her performance, until the bartender snapped me back to reality. “Hey, Mr. Donovan, you good?” he grinned. I turned to him, flashed a smile back, and said, “Yeah, I’m fine, thanks,” while adjusting my stool and resting my arms on the counter, my mind wandering off again. I was totally lost in the moment, staring at the dancer who dared to lock eyes with me and flash that cheeky smile while her hips moved like they were in a dance-off with the beat. Sure, there was a litt
Sarah pov So there I was, downstairs, totally lost in my fun time with Bryan when the doorbell decided to crash our party. Bryan paused his giggles and shot me a look. "Mom, someone’s at the door," he said, eyes glued to the entrance. I frowned and let out a loud hiss, not that I was expecting any visitors. "Come on, let’s focus on our fun! Let them keep knocking; I’m not waiting for anyone..." But before I could finish my thought, the knocking got louder, practically screaming for attention. "Who's there?" I called out, trying to keep my cool as I released Bryan's leg and strolled toward the door. Bryan piped up, "Mom, you look all serious! Smile! It could be someone you know!" I managed a smile back, but honestly, surprise visits are not my jam, especially from that annoying Lana. As I reached the door, I silently growled, then swung it open, my jaw dropping at the sight before me. It was rare and downright creepy. "Betty?" "Sarah? Babygirl, stop acting like a scaredy-cat a
Betty pov Happiness is totally free at Donovan's mansion, and let me tell you, Sarah has been living the high life ever since she snagged him. Newsflash: he was mine before she swooped in with her sneaky little ways. So there I was, rocking my bikini bottom, soaking up the sun by the pool on the very day I decided to drop by. Honestly, Sarah's sad puppy eyes and her dramatic sniffles just make me want to roll my eyes and throw a punch. But hey, I had to keep it cute and play nice while I figured out my next move. I flashed a smile at the sun, shades on, feeling fabulous. Just then, I heard the gate creaking open. Someone was definitely coming in, and I had a hunch it was Donovan. Oh, he’s going to be so shocked to see me! As the footsteps drew near, I adjusted my sunglasses and struck a pose that would make any runway model jealous. The moment Donovan's deep voice hit my ears, I felt a little spark of excitement. "Betty? What are you doing here?" he asked his tone a delightful m
Sarah pov. Whoa there! Bryan better keep Lana's name out of this crazy lady's mouth! I thought as I scooped up my little guy like he was a precious treasure. He shot me a look, his brows all scrunched up. "Mom, I'm not a baby anymore! I'm six! You need to carry me like a pro," he said in a low voice, clearly trying to throw some sass my way. I couldn't help but chuckle, my eyes darting to Betty, who looked utterly baffled. But who cares? I’d go to the ends of the earth to protect my family—even if it meant taking out this chatterbox! I thought as I hugged my kiddo tight. "Sarah, that kid seems to have something on his mind. Does he know Lana?" she asked, and Donovan shot me a look, scoffed, and strutted off, leaving me to deal with the drama queen solo. "Not your concern, Betty," I shot back, leaving her to stew in her thoughts. I trudged upstairs with Bryan, letting out a heavy sigh. As we reached his room, I glanced out at the balcony, my ears picking up some ruckus from below.
Lana pov I must have sounded like a total clown when I told Sarah I wanted her kid to spend the holidays at my place. Honestly, it was a struggle to even admit it, especially since he clearly wanted to come with me, but his mom was just digging in her heels. Whatever, her opinion doesn’t matter to me anymore—Caroline’s DNA drama is starting to make a lot of sense, and I’m taking charge of this situation. I looked at the kid, his eyes all puffy and red from crying, and it was obvious he wanted to be with me. But with Sarah playing the overprotective mom, I’m betting she’s not going to let that happen. “Sarah, I’m not trying to stir the pot here, but I owe you an apology for any chaos I might have caused earlier. Can you please let me take Bryan for a bit? I really think he’s amazing and just want to spend some time with him,” I said, keeping my cool. The room was dead silent, except for this random lady in a bikini who looked like she was having the time of her life when I walked in.
Caroline pov ‘What do you mean Donovan has a grandmother? That's hilarious! I can’t even wrap my head around this ridiculous news.” I said hoarsely, pacing back and forth like a caged animal. “Seriously, what is Lana trying to spill? It’s odd for that little boy to be spinning tales.” I shot a glance at him, completely absorbed in his video game on Lana's phone, his eyes glued to the screen. Lana was too busy grinning at him to notice my restless pacing. “Lana? Are you even hearing me? Good grief!” She snapped her head around, eyes wide like she had just seen a ghost. “What’s the drama, Caroline? You just hollered my name like we’re in some Wild West showdown. What’s up?” “Come on,” I called softly, but she just frowned and shrugged. “I can’t stand it when you’re being so nonsensical, Caroline.” “Oh, I’m about to make perfect sense, Lana.” She was still lounging on the couch when I lunged at her, grabbed her hands, and yanked her up. “Let go! I need to knock some sense into th
Sarah pov I rummaged through Donovan's closet, sifting through his shirts and shorts, searching for my wedding ring. I couldn't recall which piece of clothing I had placed it in, but I was certain about what I was looking for. "Donovan, did you take my wedding ring from your suit? Donovan?" I called out, but there was no answer. He had been in the bathroom when I started my search, and now he was silent. I looked up, trying to figure out where he could have gone in such a short time. My thoughts immediately turned to Bryan; Donovan had mentioned checking on him before his shower. Later that day, after Lana took Bryan, I couldn't shake my worries. At 10 PM, I grabbed my car keys and drove to Lana's mansion to retrieve my son. As I stepped out of the room and into the corridor, I scanned the area. "Donovan? Are you there?" I asked softly, my voice barely audible. I decided to check on Bryan's room. As I approached Bryan's room, a mix of excitement and dread surged through me.
Lana pov I realized I needed to clarify to the board of trustees that I wouldn't make any decisions without a brief meeting with Donavon's company. It's exhausting to keep running into my ex-husband; whether at the mall or in my office, it feels inevitable. I sighed, my heart racing at the thought of what to do next. The weight of everything that had happened in the past few days was almost too much to bear. It hurts so much that I don’t have a child to look after, and I’m indifferent to what others think. I will announce to the media that I want my child; the orphanage must be informed through this announcement. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself, but my thoughts were racing. The idea of facing Donavon again, along with the pressure of the upcoming board meeting, was too much. Our divorce had been tumultuous, and the pain still felt raw. Each encounter with him was like reopening an old wound. As I sat at my desk, attempting to organize my thoughts, Mr. Jan knocked on
The Truth Unfolds Lana’s POV I sat in the living room, the weight of everything pressing down on me like a heavy blanket. My mind spun with all the revelations from the past few days—Leo’s betrayal, Sarah’s twisted games, and the danger we were all in. It felt like the walls were closing in on me, and I had no idea who to trust anymore. Donovan stood by the window, his face unreadable as he stared out into the night. The silence between us was thick, and I knew there was more he hadn’t told me yet. I could feel it in the air, a tension that seemed to tighten with every passing second. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and strained. "Lana, there’s something I need to tell you. Something I should have told you a long time ago." I looked up at him, my heart pounding. "What is it, Donovan? I don’t think I can handle any more surprises." He turned to face me, his eyes filled with a mix of guilt and determination. "Remember when we thought I couldn’t have children? When we believed I w
Truth Lana’s POV My hands shook as I stood over the knife, my heart pounding. The air felt thick with tension, and I could hardly breathe. Leo was still wrestling with the stranger on the floor, and I knew I had to act fast. “Get off him!” I shouted, hoping to break through the chaos. Leo glanced up, his face smeared with sweat and determination. “Lana, I can handle this! Just—” But before he could finish, the stranger threw him to the side. Leo hit the wall with a loud thud, and I winced at the sound. “Now, where were we?” the man said, grinning menacingly. I tightened my grip on the knife, trying to steady my racing thoughts. Who was this guy? Why had he come here? “Get away from him!” I yelled, stepping forward, ready to protect Leo at all costs. The man turned his gaze toward me, his smile widening. “You think you can stop me? You don’t even know what’s happening here.” “What are you talking about?” I snapped. He straightened up, brushing off his clothes like he
The Storm Lana’s POV My heart raced as I looked from Donovan to Leo, who was blocking our only way out. The air was thick with tension, and the darkness felt like it was closing in on me. I had never been so terrified in my life. “Lana, listen to me!” Donovan said urgently, his eyes fixed on me. “We can’t let him get to you. We need to stick together.” “Together?” Leo sneered, stepping forward. “Do you think that will save you? You’re both just pawns in my game.” “What game?” I shot back, trying to keep my voice steady. “What do you want?” Leo grinned, but there was no warmth in it. “I want everything. You, Lana. Your trust. Your love. I want to destroy Donovan, and you’re the key to making that happen.” I felt a wave of nausea wash over me. How had I misjudged him so completely? I had thought Leo was my ally, someone I could trust, but now he was showing a dark side I had never seen before. “Lana, don’t listen to him!” Donovan shouted, stepping protectively in front of me. “
All Lies Lana’s POV The night was thick with tension, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were being watched. Sarah and I sat in the dim light of the cabin, huddled together as we planned our next move against Donovan. I tried to focus, but my mind kept drifting back to the shadow I had seen outside. “Lana, are you even listening?” Sarah’s voice cut through my thoughts. “Sorry, I just…” I hesitated, trying to find the right words. “I keep thinking about Donovan. What if he is coming for us?” Sarah rolled her eyes, irritation flashing across her face. “Donovan is a monster. He will do anything to get to you. We need to stay focused.” As she spoke, I felt a knot tightening in my stomach. Something didn’t feel right. The more I thought about it, the more I began to question Sarah’s intentions. Was she really on my side, or was she just trying to protect herself? Suddenly, the front door creaked open, and a figure stepped inside. My heart raced as I turned, ready to confront
Unexpected Lana’s POV The days following Donovan’s death—if it was even that—were a blur. I felt like I was trapped in a nightmare, each moment dragging on as I tried to process everything that had happened. Leo was gone. The thought crushed me. I could still hear his voice, his laughter, and his promises echoing in my mind. I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the wall, my heart heavy with grief. Leo had fought for me. He had given everything to protect me, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had failed him. I should have been there. I should have done something more. “Lana, are you okay?” Caroline’s voice broke through my thoughts. She stood in the doorway, concern etched on her face. I forced a smile, but it felt hollow. “Yeah, just thinking.” “Thinking about Leo?” she asked gently, stepping closer. I nodded, tears welling in my eyes. “I can’t believe he’s gone. He didn’t deserve this.” “I know,” Caroline said, sitting beside me. “He loved you, Lana. And you loved
The Truth UnveiledLana’s POVThe chaos in the cabin was overwhelming. I felt my heart racing as Donovan’s men stormed in, and I barely had time to process what was happening. The air was thick with tension, and I could hear the sound of fists hitting flesh, shouts of anger, and the shattering of furniture. I had to focus. I had to protect Sarah.“Sarah!” I yelled, scanning the room for her. She was pressed against the wall, eyes wide with fear. “Lana, get out!” she shouted, her voice trembling. “They’re going to hurt you!”I pushed through the crowd, trying to reach her. But just then, Leo stepped in front of me, brandishing an axe with fierce determination. “Stay back!” he warned, ready to defend us. Suddenly, I heard Donovan’s laugh cut through the chaos. “You think you can save her, Leo?” His voice dripped with mockery. “You’re out of your league!”Without warning, a loud crash reverberated through the cabin as the front door burst open. Donovan stood there, a twisted smile on
BetrayedLana’s POVRunning through the thick trees, I could hear the sounds of footsteps pounding behind us. Panic surged in my chest. We had to get away before they caught up. “Where do we go?” Caroline shouted, glancing over her shoulder. I didn’t have a plan. “Just keep moving!” I yelled back, adrenaline coursing through my veins. My mind raced as I tried to think of a way out. Leo and Jax were close behind, their faces set with determination. “We need to find shelter,” Jax suggested, his voice steady despite the chaos. “There’s a cabin nearby. If we can reach it, we might be safe.”“Let’s go!” I replied, pushing through the branches that scratched my arms. My breath came in quick gasps, but I focused on putting one foot in front of the other. As we ran, I felt a twinge of guilt for Sarah. I couldn’t deny the pain she had caused, but there was a part of me that wondered how she had ended up this way. Did she ever have a choice? “Here!” Jax pointed ahead, and I saw the outline
ReckoningLana’s POVThe sound of gunfire still echoed in my ears as I rushed toward Sarah, adrenaline pumping through my veins. I had never imagined my life would lead to this moment—facing the woman who had caused me so much pain. Jax was right beside me, his expression fierce and focused. “Watch out!” he yelled as Sarah fired again. I ducked just in time, feeling the heat of the bullet whiz past my shoulder. “We need to flank her!” I shouted, trying to think clearly in the chaos. I signaled to Leo and Caroline, who were hiding behind the trees. They nodded, understanding the plan. “On three!” Jax said, his voice steady despite the chaos. “One, two, three!”We all moved at once, rushing toward Sarah from different angles. She looked frantic, scanning for us, her gun shaking in her hands. “Get back!” she screamed, her voice breaking. But we didn’t back down. I felt a surge of courage. This was my moment to take control. I could see the fear in her eyes as she faced us, her brava
The Calm Before the Storm Lana’s POV I felt a wave of anxiety was right over me. A hidden island? What if it was a trap? But there was no other choice; we couldn’t go back to the city. As we approached the island, I noticed that the trees loomed like dark shadows against the night sky. “What’s on this island?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. “A safe spot. I used to come here for quiet when things got crazy,” Jax replied, his eyes focused on the shoreline. We pulled up to a small, rocky beach. Jax quickly shut off the engine, and a heavy silence settled around us. I felt the weight of uncertainty pressing down. We climbed out of the boat and onto the shore, and I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. The air was thick with the scent of salt and damp earth. “Let’s find some cover,” Jax said, leading us into the trees. “We can’t stay exposed here.” As we walked deeper into the island, I felt a chill run down my spine. The shadows felt alive, shifting with every