KatnissJack’s smile was so bright that I couldn’t help but laugh freely alongside Giselle. That rare feeling of connection felt so pure, so genuine.As Jack glanced at his phone, Giselle ran toward him, her little feet kicking up sand.“Uncle Guard! Show me the photo!” she chirped excitedly.Jack chuckled warmly. He knelt down, holding out his phone to show her the screen. On it, he had recorded a video of us laughing, playing with the ocean waves and the soft sand."See this," he offered softly. "You two look so happy. It’s such a lovely moment, and I simply couldn’t help myself—I had to capture it." After a brief pause, he added, "I think this might be my favorite video from now on."His words made my heart skip. Did he really mean it? Did he like me and Giselle that much?Jack suddenly looked up at me, his expression slightly startled, as if he had realized something he wasn’t supposed to say out loud.“I mean—” He cleared his throat nervously. “I’ve told you before, haven’t I?
Chapter 1Katniss“Get away! Let me in! I am still his wife,” I exclaimed, slamming my hand on the broad chest of the bodyguard barring my way. After ten minutes of hysterical begging, I finally forced the door open.I cried helplessly, tears streaming down my face. Everyone in the room looked at me with disgust.“That woman! Why is she here?” Their murmurs cut through me like blades.This should have been the happiest day of my life. My husband, who had left for a business trip five months ago, was now returning home. But now, standing in the doorway, I witnessed the unthinkable: he was marrying another woman—the very woman who had schemed to drive us apart. She had always been a loser, but now she had won.I strode forward, my face burning with anger, and slapped her hard across the cheek.SLAP!If I hadn't overheard the maids gossiping, I would never have known about their secret wedding. But why? How could he betray me like this?She winced, clamping her mouth shut to stifle a gas
Five years later...My breath caught as his hand slid along my waist, caressing my stomach. His lips teased the side of my face, then moved to my ear, kissing softly. I heard him whisper in his deep voice, "The first time I saw you in the club, I knew I wanted to have a one-night stand with you."I closed my eyes, unable to stop a single tear from falling. My toes curled, wanting to push the body above me away and run from there. But I had no other choice.My daughter had just finished treatment at the hospital, but she wasn't allowed to go home because I hadn't yet paid off the hospital bills. I work as a fashion designer, but this month's salary hasn't come in because the company is going through a crisis, and my boss absolutely refuses to give me an advance.And here I am now. In a cheap hotel with a stranger whose name I don't even know. I need money fast! Following advice from a friend who secured my company, I made up my mind to sell my body because I was informed that it was hi
Katniss“Uncle!” Giselle shouted. A faint smile flickered on his face as he turned towards her, but it vanished the moment his eyes met mine. His body stiffened, eyes widening as he silently mouthed my name. “Katniss.” That’s James ... my ex-husband.“Aww, Mommy, it hurts.” I snapped out of my thoughts and released Giselle's hand. I knelt to check her hand, realizing I had held it too tightly.“Sweetie, I’m sorry." I dared not turn my head as I heard footsteps approaching, his silhouette coming into view.“Uncle!” Giselle called out again, joy in her voice, unaware this man was one of the reasons for our suffering.“Katniss,” he called again, reaching out his hand to help me stand. I stared coldly at his outstretched hand before standing on my own. We locked eyes in silence.“Thank you,” I said coldly. “Giselle said you brought her back.”James hesitated, glancing between Giselle and me. His gaze held deep sorrow and regret, but I dismissed it. There’s no way this heartless man could
JamesMy heart dropped when Mr. Corleone announced that Katniss would soon be Mrs. Corleone. Since when was she involved with one of the most powerful CEOs in Europe? Questions swarmed my mind.“Pardon, sir?” Katniss looked just as shocked, her expression puzzled. A flicker of hope sparked within me.Mr. Corleone chuckled, glancing at Katniss before looking back at me. “Just a joke. The atmosphere was tense, and I was trying to lighten the mood,” he explained. “Or maybe not?” he added with a small laugh, making it clear he was joking. Katniss responded with a faint smile."Ah," Katniss said, her smile barely there. My heart burned with jealousy. What was happening? Why did I feel this way?"I was really shocked. I thought my ex-wife had already found my replacement," I blurted out, locking eyes with Mr. Corleone, a silent challenge hanging in the air. It was as if I was staking a claim, reminding him that Katniss had once been mine.“James,” Katniss protested softly, my words making t
Katniss"So... he's your ex-husband, isn't he?" Mr. Corleone's sudden question startled me. I had been lost in thought, and the worst part was that I had been thinking about the very person Mr. Corleone wanted to discuss.I didn’t answer right away. The last thing I wanted was to dig up the past. But my boss stared at me with a curious intensity. I wasn’t sure why, but after working with him for so long, I’d learned one thing—he was always curious about my life. About other people? Mr. Corleone hardly cared. In fact, he didn’t care at all.Maybe it was because I was his personal assistant, and he thought getting to know me better would make our interactions smoother, more relaxed. A part of me suspected he was trying to blur the lines between boss and assistant, creating an easier flow in our work relationship."Do we really need to talk about this, sir?" I asked, forcing a smile. It was hard, considering how uncomfortable the topic was.Mr. Corleone seemed to read my expression, and
KatnissI gave him a confused look, tilting my head slightly. “Of course, sir,” I replied to his earlier question.A subtle smirk tugged at the corner of Mr. Corleone’s lips. His gaze fixed ahead, the car already in motion as we pulled away. I turned my attention forward as well, but faintly, I heard him murmur.“That will change.”I snapped my head back toward him, startled. “Excuse me, sir? Did you say something?” I asked, needing clarification.I had caught a glimpse of his words, but their meaning eluded me. Was he talking about our talking about ‘friends’ earlier? But Mr. Corleone remained silent, his focus entirely on the road ahead. I shrugged it off, refusing to dwell on it.***James“Wait!” Liam Kent’s voice cut through the air just before I disappeared from his sight. "It’s been so long since we’ve talked. Don’t you miss your sweet older brother?" He spoke with that sickeningly sweet tone, exaggerated on purpose.I stopped in my tracks, hearing his footsteps growing closer.
Katniss"Come on, sweetie."Giselle nodded, and I took her tiny hand as we stepped out of the apartment. But I froze instantly. Someone was already standing at our door."Oh my God! Mr. Corleone, you nearly gave me a heart attack!" I gasped, clutching my chest. He simply smiled, completely unfazed."Heading out?" His voice was calm, almost too casual for the way my heart was racing."Uncle! It’s the same uncle from yesterday," Giselle exclaimed, eyes wide with recognition."What brings you here so early?" I asked, trying to catch my breath and make sense of his sudden appearance.He glanced at me briefly, then crouched down to Giselle’s level. "Good morning, Giselle. Did you sleep well?" His voice softened as he addressed her, his gaze kind and warm.Giselle nodded shyly. "Yes, Uncle."Yesterday, he’d introduced us to his family, as promised. Giselle had been hesitant at first, but now... now there was something different. They had connected in a way that seemed almost too easy, too fa
KatnissJack’s smile was so bright that I couldn’t help but laugh freely alongside Giselle. That rare feeling of connection felt so pure, so genuine.As Jack glanced at his phone, Giselle ran toward him, her little feet kicking up sand.“Uncle Guard! Show me the photo!” she chirped excitedly.Jack chuckled warmly. He knelt down, holding out his phone to show her the screen. On it, he had recorded a video of us laughing, playing with the ocean waves and the soft sand."See this," he offered softly. "You two look so happy. It’s such a lovely moment, and I simply couldn’t help myself—I had to capture it." After a brief pause, he added, "I think this might be my favorite video from now on."His words made my heart skip. Did he really mean it? Did he like me and Giselle that much?Jack suddenly looked up at me, his expression slightly startled, as if he had realized something he wasn’t supposed to say out loud.“I mean—” He cleared his throat nervously. “I’ve told you before, haven’t I?
JamesI couldn’t help but smile as I watched her cheeks flush a soft pink. Katniss had always been terrible at hiding her emotions. Everything she felt played out so vividly on her face, in the way her hands fluttered nervously, and in her body language. It was the same as before, an adorable trait that she used to have every time we were still in a relationship.Still the same, I thought, amused yet aching. The way she fidgeted, the flushed look on her face—they were so recognisable.“You know…” I said."Um.."I could see the tension in her shoulders, the confusion in her eyes. Every part of me wanted to tell her the truth, to see the realization dawn on her that it was me. But I couldn’t. Not yet. If I did, she’d pull further away, and I couldn’t let that happen. I needed to trap her in this moment, to let the feelings she’d buried resurface. Only then could I ensure she wouldn’t run.“No, ma’am. This is the first time we’ve met,” I said, keeping my tone steady, my gaze locked on he
KatnissI stared at his car. Ethan told me I didn’t need to go to work today. He said it was my right to take a break since I had complained earlier about a headache. He insisted I stay home and pamper myself.I touched my forehead. Ethan had just kissed it—his kiss was soft and full of love, but somehow, I didn’t like it. The uncomfortable feeling was so strong. What bothered me most, though, was the disappointed look on James's face that kept playing in my mind.“Katniss, what do you even want from that man? He’s the one who put you in this difficult situation. You should stop thinking about him.”But the heart wants what it wants.“Mommy.” I snapped out of my thoughts when Giselle called me.“Ah, yes, sweetheart?” I replied.“I want to play,” she said, her face scrunched up. Giselle hadn’t been outside for a long time. Poor thing, she must feel trapped.I looked at the situation. Is it okay for Giselle and me to go out in public now? The news about James and my wedding with Ethan h
JamesI quickly hid after making sure everything was in place. My emotions were a mess, a strange mix of anger and relief. But my mind was still racing, thinking about what I should do next now that I knew the truth.Step. Step. Step.The sound of footsteps grew louder and closer.Who is that? My heart began to race. I ducked behind Ethan's desk, holding my breath.Click.It felt like my heart would stop when the door opened. From the scent of his cologne, I knew immediately it was Ethan.Damn it! What does he want now? Why is he back?! Frustration boiled inside me.I could hear a sharp sigh from Ethan. Was he coming closer? Had he noticed something?"Tch." I heard him click his tongue. What’s going on? Did he spot me?"Ugh... It’s already past midnight... I guess I shouldn’t make the maid go fetch my..." Ethan’s voice trailed off as he seemed to prepare to leave.Just when I thought he was gone, my hand brushed against the chair, knocking it over with a loud clunk.Shit! I cursed und
JamesI remember the feeling of Katniss as if the very thought was trying to drag from my mind. My happiness has no bounds; I am even getting tired of smiling as I walk around the room. In the way she clung to me, the way she whispered please help me, the way she shivered and sought refuge in my embrace – it was like we hadn’t changed at all. It felt right.I let out a low chuckle, shaking my head. “You know, this whole ‘guarding Ethan Corleone’s mansion’ thing might not be the disaster I thought it’d be. At least I get to see you, Katniss.”My voice fades into the quiet room, but the emotions stay, swirling like a storm I can’t contain. I closed my eyes, with the intention of sleeping, but my brain could not keep idle. Her—him—these thoughts won’t let me sleep.I stand up annoyed and put on my sandals. “Fine. If I can’t sleep, the least I can do is have a drink of water.”The hallway is empty when I go toward the kitchen, then I hear it—a door has been opened. My heart stops.It’s hi
JamesI choked and was about to walk out of the room. But before I could get out my door, her gentle voice called me back.“Y-You....” Her voice was shaking as if she was battling with her own fear.I stood there for a moment at the door before slowly backing away. The light of the flashlight was on her face and tears still rolled down her pretty face. “What is it?” I asked the question although I could guess the answer.“Take me to Giselle’s room,” she said in almost a hiss. Her hand shook as it reached for the bottom of my shirt. "I- I want to make sure that she is alright in this darkness."I nodded silently, my heart in turmoil. “Alright, follow me.”Our steps were slow as we moved toward Giselle’s room, walking down the long, dark hallway. I made sure to walk ahead, using the flashlight to light our path. But when I felt her small, cold fingers brush against mine, a sharp pang hit my chest.She gripped my hand tightly, like a little child afraid of losing her hold on me. The touc
JamesThat day, like usual, I stood watch at the guard post of Mr. Corleone's mansion. It felt odd, standing there, observing every person who came and went. But deep down, there was only one person I wanted to see: Katniss. I still couldn't believe I had managed to get this job, but somehow, I felt like this was the only way I could stay close to her—even if only for a brief moment.The area outside was quiet, so I was given the task of checking a few sections of the mansion. I walked through the halls, my heart pounding, restless with every step. A few minutes ago, Katniss and Giselle had left, so I figured now was the perfect time to check something my friend had left for me at the guard post. But as I passed through the living room door, I froze.There, in the front room, something made my heart leap into my throat—Katniss. She had just entered the same room as Mr. Corleone.I stood still, struggling to remain calm as a wave of jealousy surged within me. I knew, I knew, she was ma
JamesThis morning, the atmosphere felt more peaceful than usual. Sunlight filtered through the window, casting a soft glow on the breakfast table. I sat across from Mr. Corleone, while Giselle sat beside me, staring at her plate with a frown.I tried to focus on my breakfast, but my mind kept drifting back to the divorce between James and Renata. The decision, though relieving, left me with a mix of emotions I couldn’t easily ignore.“Aren’t you going to eat, Giselle?” Mr. Corleone’s deep voice broke the silence.Giselle looked up, her face clouded with a grim expression. “I’m not hungry,” she replied shortly.Mr. Corleone and I exchanged a glance. Usually, Giselle was a cheerful child, especially when her favorite foods were on the table. But today, something was different.“Is something bothering you?” I asked gently, trying to understand what was going on.She shook her head slightly, but her eyes didn’t meet mine. “Nothing.”“Giselle,” Mr. Corleone’s voice was firm, yet filled wi
KatnissI was tidying up some documents when Mr. Corleone’s voice suddenly broke the silence of the room. “James and Renata are officially divorced today,” he said bluntly, sitting in the chair with an unreadable expression.I froze for a moment, my fingers pausing over the paper. I tried not to react, but my heart began to beat faster than usual. There was something inside me that felt unexpectedly light, as if a weight I hadn’t even realized was there had been lifted.However, I knew better than to show what I was feeling. I lifted my gaze, making sure my expression remained neutral. “Oh,” I murmured briefly, as if it were just another piece of news. “That’s their business. It has nothing to do with me.”Mr. Corleone raised an eyebrow, his gaze fixed on me as if it could pierce through my thoughts. “Really? Nothing at all, Katniss?”I sighed, lowering my head back to the documents. “I’m just your secretary, Mr. Corleone. James’s personal life has nothing to do with me.”He chuckled