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
KatnissI wanted to pull Mr. Corleone away from this place immediately. My hand was already gripping his arm when he looked at me, puzzled. But before I could urge him to leave, my eyes locked with his.The shock in his gaze was unmistakable when he saw me. His eyes flicked to Giselle, then to Mr. Corleone, and James’s expression instantly hardened, turning cold.What irritated me even more was the fact that James was currently with the homewrecker—Renata. She was busy examining some snacks, asking James to choose which one was better, but he wasn’t paying her any attention. His focus was entirely on me and Mr. Corleone.Renata raised an eyebrow, clearly confused about what had caught her husband’s attention. She followed his gaze and, the moment she saw me, her face twisted into a sour expression. Her eyes narrowed as they met mine."James!" I heard her voice snap as she called out to her husband, slapping his arm.“What are you staring at?!” Renata immediately erupted in anger.Jame
Katniss “You don’t have to answer me now,” said Mr. Corleone realizing how hard I was struggling to be able to respond to his kind offer.“I know it’s not an easy choice Katniss.” Still, there was a soft note to his voice as he said, "Well then, do take your time—however long it requires.”"But..." He looked at me and stopped to speak, and I was just gulping for air waiting for more information. It’s like you know the longer you wait to address it, the worse it will only become. "That’s all I wanted to say,” he said with a calm but pointed tone.He glanced at the clock. "Work hours will start soon. If you would like to go home first or if you would like to come with me, that is your decision.”Without waiting for my reply, he walked out of his office, leaving me alone with my tangled thoughts. The weight of his proposal pressed heavily on my mind. Marrying him... It was something I’d never imagined in my wildest dreams.There was no way I could discuss this with James. Even though
Katniss This was no longer a personal matter. It had grown into something much more serious than that and it involved Mr. Corleone and the whole company into my problems. The weight of my choices continued to bear down on me like a heavy weight on my chest and back. Now there was nothing I could do about it – I had to pay the price whatever the state I was in. The investor had departed, and he had taken all his employees with him. The once very active meeting room was very silent, and it was only me and Mr. Corleone. He sat still; his back straight as he made a sharp breath. Sitting back in the chair, he tilted his head up to the ceiling with his eyes closed as if searching for solace in the midst of the storm I have stirred. “I deeply apologize, sir,” I began, my voice trembling. “You prepared everything so meticulously for this investor, but because of my carelessness—” “Do you think apologies will fix this, Katniss?” His voice cut through my words like a blade. He didn’t ev
Katniss "You don’t have to answer me now," said Mr. Corleone, sensing how difficult it was for me to respond to his offer of help."I understand it’s a tough decision, Katniss. So, take your time—however much you need," he added gently."But..." He paused, leaving me breathless, waiting for him to finish. "You know the longer you wait, the bigger the problem will grow. That’s all I wanted to say," he said with a calm but pointed tone.He glanced at the clock. "Work hours will start soon. Whether you go home first or come with me, it’s your choice."Then, he stood and offered, "We could have breakfast together."Without waiting for my reply, he walked out of his office, leaving me alone with my tangled thoughts. The weight of his proposal pressed heavily on my mind. Marrying him... It was something I’d never imagined in my wildest dreams.There was no way I could discuss this with James. Even though this might seem like a good idea, I was certain he’d reject it outright and do everyt
Katniss “Sit, please,” he said, his voice calm but with an edge of authority. I hesitated, my instincts warning me that nothing good would come from this conversation. The air around us felt suffocating, heavy with unspoken tension. “If you think you can fix this mess, then sit and listen carefully. I know this isn’t something you want to hear, but this is the price you must pay for what you’ve done,” he said, his tone sharp yet steady. The weight of his words made my chest tighten. Slowly, I sat on the sofa, feeling the cold leather beneath my hands. He returned to his chair, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp, watching me like a hawk. “What should I do, sir?” I asked, my voice low but firm, masking the storm inside me. He tilted his head slightly, studying me with a faint smirk. “Why are you so desperate, Katniss? You’ve already agreed without even knowing the cost.” Mr. Corleone picked up his coffee cup, steam rising from the dark liquid, but his piercing gaze didn’t wave
Katniss"Stay in bed with her. Make sure she does not watch TV or sit to play on her phone or do anything with her social media account. Do you understand?" I said, my voice rising an octave, my stare daring her, looking directly into Nanny’s eyes.She agreed without any further questions. "Yes, ma’am,” she responded.I quietly smiled and nodded somewhat in agreement."I’m leaving now," I said, not waiting for her response.I was ready to go, though I hadn’t showered—just changed my clothes, brushed my teeth, and washed my face. Mr. Corleone had insisted on this meeting at his house, and though I didn’t understand what will he said, I couldn’t risk defying him. He said it was important, and I couldn’t afford to refuse.Before heading out, I quickly sent a message to the maid. I didn’t want Giselle to wake up to any bad news about her parents, especially anything negative about herself.The drive was long, but eventually, I found myself in front of the grand mansion, its towering struc
JamesSpit it out already! You know his name, don’t you? You know who that man is!” I demanded, my voice sharp and unyielding.Beads of sweat poured down his forehead, his face pale and trembling. Who could terrify him to this extent? Just how powerful was the person he was so afraid of?“I-I don’t know, sir,” he stammered.“Don’t give me that!” My voice thundered, drawing the attention of those nearby. Their heads turned in my direction, their curiosity evident, but one icy glare from me sent them scrambling to mind their own business.He flinched, his shoulders hunching further as he struggled to find the words.“T-They… I can’t say much, sir,” he mumbled, his voice shaking. “They… they threatened me.”I frowned, confusion briefly cutting through my rising anger. “Threatened you?” I asked, my tone low and dangerous.“Yes,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. “They kidnapped me… took me to some place. They said if I didn’t give them the evidence, they’d…” He trailed off, swallowi
James “James!”Katniss tugged at my shirt, her urgency pulling me back from the brink of confrontation. Her voice trembled, carrying the weight of her fear.“I-I swear I didn’t see him leave, sir. B-But when he came in, I noticed him. He hasn’t exited yet,” the security guard stammered, his words tumbling out as his gaze darted nervously between us.I felt my patience snap. “Why didn’t you say that from the start?!” My voice was sharp, cutting through the heavy air. “Instead, you claimed you hadn’t seen anything! Be clear—give me proper answers!”“I’m sorry, sir,” he muttered, his head hanging low in shame.I inhaled deeply, forcing myself to rein in my temper. “Listen closely,” I said firmly, each word deliberate. “If you spot the man with the description Katniss gave, you detain him immediately. Do you understand me?”“Yes, sir,” he replied, his head nodding rapidly in nervous compliance.I turned to Katniss, whose face was a mixture of worry and determination. “That means he’s sti
Katniss"I don’t know how she found out, but she will let everyone believe whatever she wants. She’s trying to make it look like she’s the innocent one, like we’re the ones to blame for the divorce,” he explained.I don’t even want to say anything. The words catch in my throat."Uncle?" Giselle’s voice cuts through the thick silence, and without warning, our attention shifts to her. James stands up quickly, wiping away the hardness in his eyes. His expression softens, like he doesn’t want to worry her—doesn’t want her to see the cracks in his armor."Giselle!"She walks toward him and wraps her arms around him. She must’ve been holding it together for too long. For a moment, James freezes, then his arms close around her, tightly, as though he’s desperate for her warmth to steady him."Ah, Giselle. Thank you for hugging me," he mutters, his voice thick with something raw, something I’m not sure I want to understand.I can’t wait any longer. "Giselle, go to your room. There’s something
Katniss Just before James arrived at my house, my phone rang. It was a colleague.“Katniss, you’re the hot topic at work right now. Do you even realize what’s going on?”“I know,” I answered, trying to stay calm. “I’ve heard people whispering, but I still don’t understand what new rumor could be spreading now. I don’t know why I keep getting dragged into these scandals.” My voice betrayed the exhaustion I felt.“Katniss, it’s serious. This might turn into one of the biggest scandals of the year! The whole business world is buzzing!”My heart dropped. His words hit like a punch, leaving me breathless. Could it really be that bad?“What are you talking about? Please, just tell me,” I managed to say, my throat tight with anxiety.Ding…The doorbell rang, and I hurried to check who it was.“I’m sending you the article now,” my coworker said. I nodded, nerves knotting in my stomach as I went to open the door.I saw James on the monitor, looking shaken. His hair was disheveled, his eyes wi