"They arrived at the designated spot, finding the man and his partner already there, accompanied by their bodyguards. Mara confidently approached one of the guards."Hey, how's it going? Could you do me a favor and let your boss know that PJ Masks are here?" she asked casually.The guard, taken aback, responded, "Who are you?"Mara retorted, "Who do I look like?" as she swiftly disarmed him and relieved him of his pistol.Meanwhile, Lucian and Evelyn dealt with the remaining guards before joining Mara inside. The man's expression turned to surprise as he found himself staring down the barrel of a gun."Now, hand over all the property documents you took from our client," Evelyn demanded.Under the threat of the gun, the man complied, relinquishing the documents and a bag of cash.Lucian grabbed the bag and hurried back to their awaiting clients. Mara and Evelyn prepared to leave, satisfied with accomplishing their mission, when suddenly, the wail of police sirens filled the air."Hands
"Together... I mean, let's go together," Ethan said, extending his hand as an invitation for them to walk together. They had never been seen in public together before, and Ethan felt a pang of sadness realizing his wife's fear of him."No, no, hubby, don't stress yourself. Just continue what you're doing. I'll hail a cab to go home," Mara insisted, her voice trembling with fear."No, I don't have anything else to do at work," Ethan replied gently, waiting with her for his PA to bring the car.In the car, Mara tried to dissuade him. "Hubby, seriously, you don't have to stress yourself. I have nothing interesting to buy—just some underwear and sanitary pads. It's nothing serious anyway," she rushed, hoping to make him give up. But he remained silent.It was surprising to see the arrogant workaholic CEO become soft with his wife. PA Lee caught on but kept quiet.The ride was quiet. Ethan noticed his wife stealing glances at him before quickly looking away.When they arrived at the superm
She knew that even if she and her gang worked for three years straight, they wouldn't have made 1.3 million dollars. And yet here was her imbecile hubby, casually splurging that amount on a dress."Are you afraid?" Ethan asked, sensing her unease."No, but... it's way too expensive," Mara replied, her voice trembling at the mention of such a staggering amount of money."I am Ethan. You are my wife. Nothing is too much for you, okay? And besides, I've ordered some clothes that will be brought home tomorrow. So don't worry," he reassured her, gently touching her cheek.Mara leaves over and whispered, "Is all these expensive dresses part of the the contract?" "But it's in the contract that I'll take care of all you needs and we'll do like husband and wife exactly"He paid by card, and as the salesman swiped the card, Mara's chest tightened with a deafening "thump, thump."1.3 million for just one dress and a piece of jewelry. Her head spun, and she felt restless. She knew that if her ga
Lucas felt shame-faced as Mara flaunted her wealth. Just then, the car her husband had sent arrived, and a uniformed driver stepped out."Madam, master sent me to take you home," the driver said, bowing respectfully."Anyway, Mr. Lucas, nice to meet you again. See you, God knows when," Mara said dismissively before arrogantly walking into the car.As they zoomed off, Lucas couldn't help but wonder how Mara ended up with a wealthy man.Inside the car, Mara instructed the driver to drop her off at the junction leading to Evelyn's home. Once there, she changed out of her expensive clothes and jewelry into street attire, and they headed to a bar, where Lucian was absent."I thought I was going to have a heart attack today when they were swiping his cards," Mara exclaimed, recounting her husband's extravagant spending during their shopping trip."Mara, we found a home. It's in Casita, near a hospital where we can take care of your nanny," Evelyn explained.Mara had been contemplating leavi
*FLASHBACKS*"Hubby, I want chocolate," Mara cooed at her husband as he carried her to the bedroom."You can't eat chocolate tonight, it will spoil your teeth," he gently reminded her.It took him a long time to help her out of her messy dress and brush her teeth. But even then, she wanted ice cream before sleeping."No, no, no, Hubby, I want ice cream, not chocolate," she whined again."Not chocolate, ice cream? Okay, okay, I'll get it for you," he promised, inserting his finger into her mouth, which she suckled on like a child."Hubby, I want this type of chocolate every day," she murmured, half asleep."Now sleep, okay?" he reassured her, gently patting her head until she drifted off. Yet, his fingers remained in her mouth as he fell asleep beside her.Not long after, she woke up again, requesting chicken, then hot dogs, then hot pot."You can't have that tonight, Mara, be obedient," he commanded, feeling slightly frustrated."No, I won't, I want hot dog!" she insisted, her tone be
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
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