Mara felt a surge of anger at her stepmother's accusations and insinuations. Despite her efforts to maintain composure, her emotions were running high."Mrs. Astrid Lopez, I am Mrs. Mara Lewis now. Don't you dare lay a hand on me. I am no longer the timid stepdaughter you can mistreat as you please. Times have changed," Mara asserted firmly, her voice laced with determination.Her stepmother was momentarily taken aback by Mara's newfound assertiveness, but she remained defiant."Please, increase the medication for this woman, Mrs. Astrid. Please," Mara pleaded, trying to shift the focus to her nanny's well-being."I will let her suffer if you don't give up on Ethan for Maya," her stepmother retorted, her tone dripping with malice."But Ethan sent her away himself, not me. And she failed miserably in seducing him. How is that my fault?" Mara questioned, her voice trembling with frustration and disbelief."Didn't you ask Ethan to send her away? Didn't you drink yourself into a stupor to
As Ethan pondered his next steps, a wave of determination washed over him. He was determined to be the husband that Mara needed, no matter what challenges lay ahead. And as he prepared to face the truth about Mara's past, he knew that their bond would only grow stronger in the face of adversity.As Ross departed, he dialed his wife, checking in on her. Meanwhile, Mara sought solace at her best friend Evelyn's place. Seated in a circle, tears streamed down Mara's face as Lucian and Evelyn offered comfort. Despite her vow to abstain from drinking, the cigarette between her fingers betrayed her resolve.Her phone buzzed with her husband's inquiry: "Where are you?""I'm... at Evelyn's," she stammered, extinguishing her cigarette.Sensing something amiss, Ross pressed, "Why do you sound congested?""Just a cold," Mara fibbed."Butler Wang mentioned you went to your family's today. Any issues with Maya?" Ethan inquired."No, everything's fine. She's back with you, right? We just had some fa
The next day, Mara resumed her role as a dutiful wife, serving her husband as usual. Despite not yet uncovering the trump card her stepmother held, Mara decided to make a temporary pact with herself.Later, Mara and her gang gathered at their favorite bar, indulging in alcohol while Mara abstained, content with her cigarette."Man, this is insane. We haven't had any orders lately, everywhere is just Dry" Lucian lamented."Yeah, Mara's lucky. She has a rich husband, she doesn't have to wait till we have orders before she spends money" Evelyn remarked."What rich husband? He's wealthy, but I don't want to rely on his money," Mara retorted, blowing smoke into the air."Come on, just accept your fate," Evelyn urged."I know, but I don't want to. Even if I accept his money and burden him with my problems, I don't want to be dependent. I don't want to be a meek, easily manipulated wife. I like our life. People respect us, they fear us, nobody can mess with me knowing who I am, but a rich ma
Mara received a call from her husband as they left the clubhouse. Mara's heart raced as Ethan's questions grew more insistent. She struggled to come up with a plausible explanation, her mind racing with excuses."I'm just out with Evelyn, in the city," she replied, trying to sound casual despite her growing panic.Ethan's voice tightened with concern. "Where exactly in the city? I'll come to get you."Mara's mind raced. She couldn't let Ethan find her in such a place. "It's okay, Hubby. We're just around the corner from our favorite café. I'll meet you there," she lied, hoping he wouldn't press further.Ethan's tone softened slightly. "Alright, I'll see you there. Be safe, okay?"Mara breathed a sigh of relief as Ethan hung up. She turned to Evelyn, her expression fraught with worry. "We need to get out of here, now."Mara glanced around, unable to easily fabricate a lie. As if sensing her dilemma, Evelyn lifted a book."I'm at a bookstore... yeah, I'm at a bookstore," she said, the
Ethan sensed that something was amiss with his wife, but he couldn't grasp what it was.The following morning passed uneventfully, but Mara and her gang had plans."But Mara, why would you promise such a thing to your stepmother? How could you drug your husband to be with your sister?" Lucian asked."I had to promise her. She's wicked and capable of anything. I think it's time I told Ethan about us so that..." Mara trailed off."I told you, Owlett... If you had told your husband, maybe none of this would have happened," Evelyn interjected."Hey, girls, look, there's an advertisement. There's a boxing championship tonight at Leoville Ring," Lucian exclaimed, showing them the poster."What's the reward?" Mara inquired."Half a million dollars. It's sponsored by a young man from abroad," Lucian replied."I'm going there," Mara declared, standing up with all Determination.Her friends looked at her with surprise."Aren't you going home before?" Evelyn asked as the sky darkened."Ethan lef
"Mara your end is here" Evelyn said and made to run but the man who came grabbed her hands Mara....... Flinched "Miss Evelyn you want leave here now" he said with Embers of fire coming out from his angered eyesHe faced Mara"Mara what's going on?he asked Mara didn't say anything she is looking everywhere and stuttering.... "Humm Hubby, I.. am out with my friends"Ethan was taken aback by Mara's response. His heart sank as he struggled to comprehend what she was implying."Mara, what do you mean 'what if it's true'?" Ethan asked, his voice trembling with disbelief and hurt.Mara avoided his gaze, unable to meet his eyes. She could sense the weight of her words hanging heavily in the air."Mara, look at me," Ethan pleaded, his voice cracking with emotion as he gently lifted her chin to meet his gaze. "Tell me that what he said is not true. Tell me that you're not involved in... in whatever he's suggesting."Mara hesitated, her heart heavy with guilt and fear. She knew she couldn't ke
*NEXT MORNING*Ethan woke up as usual next to his wife, but he didn't say anything to her. Instead, he went jogging, consumed by pain.At some point, he stopped."What did she want? Am I that wicked? Am I that scary? Is she doing this for fun or just to hurt me?" he asked himself. He returned home and found her sitting at the dining table eating.He paused and sat down with her."Mara, what did you want? Why did you do such a thing?" he asked."Ethan, I have been in this since I was a child. I didn't know my mother; I only had my Nanny. I didn't go to a good school; I didn't enjoy the privileges a child of a rich man should enjoy. I met Lucian and Evelyn when I was being bullied and couldn't defend myself. Evelyn said she escaped the orphanage because the director was harassing her sexually, and I mixed with them. I grew tough," she explained, her voice trailing off."But Mara, why didn't you tell me all these? Did I offend you? Look how you tarnished my image in front of my cousin. M
Ethan smiled with amusement as he teased Mara whose cheeks was now flushed with embarrassment."Mara, who sent you those?" he asked teasingly."Hubby, let's not discuss that further," she replied, her cheeks flushing.Ethan smiled at his wife's bashful demeanor and pulled her into a hug."Mara, how I wish we could stay like this forever," he mused.Mara hugged him tightly in response, her heart feeling heavy with remorse."If it weren't for your studies, we could travel the world together. But I have something important for you—an admission letter," Ethan said, his voice tender.Mara collected the letter and read it. "Wow! Thank you so much hubby!" Mara exclaimed, planting a kiss on his cheek.With that, they retired for the night. The next day, Ethan enrolled Mara in medical school.In the principal's office:"What's your name?" the principal inquired."Mara, sir... Mara Lopez," she responded."No, she's not Mara Lopez... Mara Lewis," Ethan interjected, adding his surname to her name
As days passed, Lisa continued to deepen her bond with Ethan and Erica. They settled into a routine, with Lisa becoming an integral part of their lives. She often stayed over at Ethan’s place, helping with household chores and taking care of Erica while Ethan spent time at the hospital.But amidst the growing closeness, Lisa’s anxiety over her mission gnawed at her. She hadn’t updated Dilraba in a while, fearing her reaction to how emotionally involved she had become.One evening, after putting Erica to bed, Lisa stepped out onto the porch to make the call she had been dreading. The phone rang twice before Dilraba’s voice came through, cold and expectant.“What’s the update, Lisa?”Lisa took a deep breath. “I’ve made significant progress. Ethan and Erica trust me completely. Ethan even...” She hesitated, feeling a pang of guilt. “We’re getting very close.”Dilraba’s silence was heavy, laden with unspoken judgment. “Define that your very close, I hope you haven't messed anything up.’”
As dawn broke, Lisa woke to find Ethan still asleep beside her. She quietly slipped out of bed, careful not to wake him. She needed a moment to herself to process everything. She tiptoed down the hallway and checked on Erica, who was still fast asleep, clutching her stuffed animal.Lisa headed to the kitchen, her mind racing. She made a pot of coffee, the aroma filling the quiet house. As she poured herself a cup, her phone buzzed with a message from Dilraba."Any Update? What is the progress?"Lisa sighed, typing out a response. "Spent the night at Ethan's. Getting closer. He opened up more about his feelings and fears. What’s next?"She sipped her coffee, waiting for a reply. When her phone buzzed again, she quickly read the message."Good. Keep the pressure on. Make him dependent on you. Remember, the goal is to have him trust you completely. You must become indispensable to him and Erica, Mara must come back from the hospital to realize that her husband and daughter is no longer h
After Ethan agreed to take a break, Lisa helped him gather his things. Erica, still groggy from the long day, clung to her father's hand as they walked to the car. Lisa settled into the passenger seat while Ethan buckled Erica into her car seat. The drive home was quiet, the tension palpable. Lisa's mind raced with the steps she needed to take next.Once they arrived at Ethan's house, Lisa helped carry Erica inside. The house was warm and inviting, filled with family photos and the lingering scent of Mara's favorite candles. It felt like a sanctuary, but Lisa reminded herself why she was here.Ethan turned to her, gratitude evident in his eyes. "Thank you, Lisa. Really. I don't think I could have managed today without you."Lisa smiled softly. "You're welcome, Ethan. I'm glad I could help. Why don't you take a hot shower and relax a bit? I'll stay with Erica."Ethan hesitated, then nodded. "Okay. I'll be quick."Lisa watched as he headed down the hallway to the bathroom. She took a d
As Ethan left to be with Mara, Lisa's mind churned with conflicting emotions. She needed to stay focused. With Erica still asleep, she took a moment to text Dilraba for guidance."Progress update: Ethan is getting closer. Mara's stable but still critical. What's next?" she typed, sending the message before she could second-guess herself.Moments later, her phone buzzed with a reply. "Good work. Keep deepening the bond with Ethan. Make him rely on you more. Ensure he doubts his ability to cope without you and let him have lesser concerns for Mara, in that way, you will assume to control his heart.."Lisa sighed, slipping her phone back into her pocket. She knew what she had to do.When Ethan returned, his face was a mask of exhaustion. "She's stable for now," he said, his voice hollow. "I just don't know how much more I can take."Lisa reached out, placing a hand on his arm. "You're doing everything you can, Ethan. You need to take care of yourself too. Brooding and stressing yourself
Lisa's heart raced as she watched Roger leave the room. The secret message burned in her mind, a constant reminder of her mission. Get close to Ethan. Now.She took a deep breath, her eyes scanning the hospital room. Ethan was still gone, tending to his wife's crisis. But Lisa knew he would return, and when he did, she would be ready.As she waited, a young girl with big brown eyes and curly hair entered the room, her eyes fixed on Lisa. "Mommy said I could come see you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.Lisa smiled, her heart melting. "Hey there, Erica. I'm so glad you're here."Erica climbed onto the bed, her eyes fixed on Lisa's face. "Mommy's sick, isn't she?"Lisa nodded, her voice gentle. "Yes, sweetie, she is. But your daddy's taking good care of her."Just then, the door opened, and Ethan walked in, his eyes red-rimmed from fatigue. "Hey, kiddo," he said, scooping up Erica in a big hug. "How's my little girl doing?"Erica wrapped her arms around his neck, her eyes s
Ethan's expression turned guarded, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I don't need anything in return, Lisa. Just focus on getting better."Lisa's smile never wavered. "I'll get better, Ethan. And when I do, I'll make sure to repay your kindness."The silence that followed was palpable, the only sound being the steady beep of the heart monitor. Ethan's gaze lingered on Lisa's face, searching for something - a glimmer of truth, a hint of sincerity. And in that moment, Lisa knew she had him right where she wanted him."I'll hold you to that," Ethan said finally, his voice low and husky.Lisa's heart skipped a beat. "I'm counting on it," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.The tension between them was grow thick, the air thick with unspoken promises and unmet desires. And as the nurse bustled in to check on Lisa's vitals, the spell was broken - but the seeds of determination had already been sown.As the nurse left the room, Lisa's thoughts turned to the real reason she was here. D
Upon waking, Lisa's body throbbed with discomfort, signaling the early hours of the audition day. Attempting to rise, she froze upon spotting a man by the window engrossed in a book. His posture exuded confidence, his long legs crossed casually beneath him, accentuated by a slim-fitting suit that emphasized his broad shoulders and trim waist.Bathed in the morning sunlight, his demeanor remained cool and collected, adding to his stoic allure. Sensing her gaze, he glanced up from his book, his icy stare penetrating her being with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine.This man indeed worth spying on. She now got the reason why Dilraba wanted him for herself. Who will see this handsome man and not want him to be her husband? She felt like a surgery knife was piercing her skin, scattering her veins sheet by sheet, when he looked at her. It seems like a staring contest between the man and Lisa, as he didn't loosen his gaze and Lisa was not ready t
As they all got to the direction she was point to, they were all shocked to see Erica pointing to the door leading to the storeroom. Ethan yelled at the Bar manager to open the door. Trembling with fear, the manager reluctantly produced the keys, her hands shaking as she approached the door. "There's a problem!" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper as she struggled to maintain her composure.Despite the formidable presence of her boss and everyone else including Ethan Lewis, the Manager knew she had no choice but to comply. With a trembling hand, she unlocked the door, revealing a sight that sent shivers down her spine—an unconscious woman lying amidst the chaos of the storeroom floor."What is that? Why is there a woman there?" Ethan's voice echoed the confusion shared by those present."I... I don't know what to say. There wasn't anyone in there when I last checked," the Manager stuttered, her panic evident as she realized the gravity of the situation.With no time to w
Erica and Ethan now lives alone, days dragged on roughly and weeks become thinner. Ethan and Erica had been given time that they could visit Mara since she slipped into a coma. Meanwhile, after Ethan Located Mara, he brought her back from Egypt to Los Angeles to continue treatment. Ethan tried his best make sure to give her the best treatment ever from the best doctor. She is not responding to treatment, Just lay on the bed lifeless but still breathing though. "Dad pls come back early" Erica pouted as she escorted her father out for the day. "Don't worry Girl, I will come back as soon as I am done with the Conference" He said while adjusting his tie. Since the house is now empty, Erica and Ethan were the only occupants save for the old Butler and thier servant. Evelyn, Lucian, Maya and speedy visits once in a while but no matter how much they visited could make up for the presence of Mara in the house. Erica became his angel, his only possession, he after leaving work, he comes