In the evening, Roseanne, accompanied by her two kids, eagerly prepared for a party. Upon reaching the venue, they were assigned a table. As the party started, four of them were already settled. Coco engaged herself in the beautiful fashion show organized by the brand, showcasing her interest in style and trends. Meanwhile, Leon relinquished in the tasty delights, savouring the delicious desserts brought by attentive waiters. In the middle of the hustle and bustle, the kids had already discovered their source of entertainment.While her kids were engrossed in their respective entertainments, Roseanne took on a more observant position. She was analysing everything about the environment with keen eyes. Although the kids were enjoying themselves, she knew that she did not come here for the same purpose. She was here for work and she had to finish it. The party was good but it did not entertain her that much. For some reason, she was having ominous feelings. She could not understand wh
“No, I can go outside. My mom and sister might have gone to the ladies’ washroom.” He wanted to say something snarky to this man but stopped himself as he realized that he couldn't say it as the latter only helped him. Reluctantly, he added, “Thank you, Mister!”Of course, he would not take any more help from this man. Moreover, he did not want Coco to tease him more by knowing that he could not even pee alone. Nicholas raised his brow at the boy's mannerisms and before he could say anything, the boy ran from there. As Leon reached outside, he saw his mother and sister waiting for him. “Let's go, Leon,” Coco said. She grabbed his hand and began running towards the venue. “Kids, don't run!” Roseanne said. “I can't catch up with you.”At this time, Nicholas left the washroom and happened to hear the voice. The voice left him in a trance. No matter how much he wanted to ignore that Anne Rose was not on his mind, he could not help but notice how similar it was to hers. Shaking his head
Roseanne would never forget the day when Nicholas Hart made an entry in her life for the very first time. She used to remember that day with a sweet smile but after the betrayal it only scared her heart. The visceral hate that she had for Nicholas Hart began five years ago when she saw his real face. But eight years ago, she met the charming Nicholas Hart that made her fall for him in an instant. She was not someone who would decide to spend the rest of her life on the basis of a single meeting but Nicholas Hart touched the corners of her heart that she did not know existed. Sometimes, she wished that day eight years ago had never occured. The day when she lost her sanity and never recovered. *Flashback*"Anne?"A young girl in her early twenties entered the living room of her humble house as she heard her father calling for her. Her father was usually busy with work at this time of the day. It was surprising for her to see her father at home at this time. "Papa, I missed you, "
"Anne, are you ready? We have to leave soon, "Her father said from outside. He had been waiting for her for a long time but there was no movement on her side. "Yes. Yes. I'm coming, "Anne murmured, looking at herself in the mirror for the last time."Are we getting late, papa?" Anne whispered as he was driving. "Will you get scolded by your boss?""I am sure they will not mind waiting an extra five minutes, "Her father said. Did her father really said that the Hart couple could wait? For a moment, she could not believe it. All her life, she had seen him giving the Hart family the respect one would give to god. She was not a religious person nor her father was but if he considered someone God it would be Nikolai Hart. "Is everything alright?" Anne asked. Her father had been behaving unusually. This time, he had crossed a big limit. Perhaps, she was thinking too much. Jacob looked at his daughter and said, "Yes, child. Everything is alright."Reluctantly, she believed his words. If
"Kids, come join us at the dining table."Throughout the meal, Anne was on pins and needles. She could feel Nicholas' eyes boring into her. She was stealing glances at him throughout the time she was there. How could she not? He was the most beautiful man she had ever met. He emitted dangerous sensations but she ignored them and focused merely on his masculine magnificence. When the dinner was over, Anne returned home with her father. She wanted to bid bye to Nicholas who she had come to like a lot in a single meeting. Unfortunately, he left after the meal and she didn't see or hear of him again. On the way home, Mr Swift bought a tub of ice cream, making Anne even more suspicious of his move. It was when they were in their house, he confided in her, "Anne Rose, you have grown up to be a very beautiful and precious woman."Anne didn't say anything but she highly doubted it. She was a dull and plain looking blonde. There was nothing beautiful about her. Beautiful was the skin the Har
The click on the door startled Anne who was sitting on the bed in her wedding gown, waiting for her newly wedded husband. She was in her new bedroom in the new home that she shared with her husband. It was their wedding night and she was nervous about it. She had never been close with any boy. She didn't know if she would be able to make her husband happy with her. After all, she was nothing special. Though she dared to live the big dream of having Nicholas Hart all for herself. Anne had worn the beautiful and sensual lingerie selected by her mother-in-law, saying that it would be useful to her. She was flushed when her mother-in-law gave her lessons about her first night. There was a noise again in the room. "Nicholas?" Anne whispered. "Is that you?"The room was dimly lit and she couldn't make out his silhouette as he was far away and she wasn't wearing her spectacles. "Yes, Anne Rose. It's me."His voice vibrated in her ears and her heart started beating heavily. Suddenly, she
The first thing that happened the next morning was Nicolas making love to his newly married wife. Then, the newly wedded couple went to his parent's house to have lunch with them. In Anne's mind, she was supposed to leave for her honeymoon in the evening but the news that she received in her in-laws' home shook her to the core. "My father is arrested?" Anne asked as she heard the news. The various news channels were reporting the arrest of Jacob Swift for his involvement with the mafia. "That's a lie. My father is an honest man. He can never do that!"In every girl's mind, her father was the best person on the planet. Anne was the same. However, she had so many instances to cite that her father could never do the heinous crimes that he was accused of. He could not even kill an ant. How could he be associated with dirty mafias? She wanted to scream that his arrest was wrong and unfair. "Anne sweetheart, we can understand your pain. It's hard to understand, "Mrs Hart said, trying to
One day while they were having dinner at her in-laws' house, she heard Ellora say, "You should consider LASIK."Anne never had a problem with her glasses and so she never considered surgery as an option. She liked her glasses as it had become a part of her personality. Moreover, she had changed herself a lot in the course of two years to be part of this family. She even got her natural teeth extra whitened that Ellora believed were yellowing. She changed the way she behaves, sits, eats, sleeps and everything to fit in this family. When Ellora asked about the eye surgery, she felt like her essence was getting snatched from her. For others, it was a small thing but for her, it was asking her to change her essence. "What do you say, Nicholas?" Ellora questioned her son who usually keeps himself away from her musings. "I don't have any problem, "Nicholas said without even bothering to look at anyone. Emery, Ellora's daughter added, "Then, sister-in-law should also get her crooked teet
“What do you want to know about her?” Carter asked, his tone measured as he observed his son’s restless demeanour. He wondered if his son recalled anything about her? As much as he knew that stubborn yet kind woman, she would not come to him again. “Who is Charlotte?” Sebastian asked directly, his voice tinged with both curiosity and apprehension.Carter leaned back in his chair, folding his hands together. “She is your wife. Or rather, she was your wife.”Sebastian frowned. “Our divorce isn’t finalized yet,” he corrected.“Great,” Carter said with a small satisfied smile.Sebastian raised an eyebrow, surprised by his father’s reaction. “Are you happy that we are still married?”“You bet I am,” Carter replied with a nonchalant shrug.Sebastian leaned forward, his confusion evident. “As much as I know you, you are an overprotective man. How on earth did you approve of a woman who married me after what was, by all accounts, a drunken mistake?”Carter chuckled, his expression softening.
“What’s up?” Sia asked, leaning casually against the doorframe. Charlotte was sitting quietly in her room, staring at nothing in particular.“I met Sebastian,” Charlotte said flatly, her voice devoid of any emotion.“Oh?” Sia raised an eyebrow, feigning ignorance. “How did that go?”It was as if she was not sitting with Anne and scheming about Charlotte. Charlotte gave her a look. “Knock it off. I know you already know everything. Whatever you are thinking, it’s not going to happen. He asked me to sign the divorce papers, not to be his wife.”Sia stepped into the room, sitting across from her. “The real question is, do you want to be his wife?”Charlotte’s gaze faltered. “He doesn’t even remember me, Sia. And don’t forget—he loves Emily. Always has, always will.”“Did you ask him if Emily is still in his life?” Sia pressed, tilting her head.Charlotte shrugged. “How does it even matter?”“Coco,” Sia said, “How does it not matter? Why are you being such a coward? We both know you stil
“So, Saturday night at Apollo’s? It’s a date,” Andrew said, taking a chance with the woman of his dreams. They were standing on the porch of the café. With Charlotte’s high-heeled boots, she stood an inch taller than him.Before she could respond, a smiling hunk with his arms crossed over his chest approached and said, “No, it’s not.”Charlotte froze at the sound of the deep, husky voice that had haunted her dreams. She didn’t dare turn around. What if it was him? What would she do? And if it wasn’t him, how would she handle the crushing disappointment?Andrew frowned at the interruption and asked, “Who are you, man?”“Why don’t you ask the lady?” the stranger replied, cocking an eyebrow.Andrew turned to Charlotte. “Do you know him?”Without even glancing at the man, Charlotte said firmly, “No.”Andrew wasn’t convinced. There was an undeniable tension between them with her avoidance and his unwavering stare. It was as if an unspoken history filled the space between them.“Well,” And
“Mr. King, welcome,” Kate said with a professional smile. “My boss sent me over with the revised agreement. If everything looks good to you, we can proceed with signing the contract.”“Miss Swift certainly lives up to her name,” Sebastian remarked as he skimmed through the document.Kate chuckled softly. “Her last name is Swift for a reason,” she quipped.Sebastian let out a low, rich laugh, his grey eyes glinting with amusement.Kate felt her ears heat up as her heart started pounding unexpectedly. What’s happening to me? she wondered, trying to focus. She had a boyfriend—a perfectly nice one who might even propose soon. So why was she reacting like this to a man she had just met?“Miss Kate,” Sebastian said, pulling her attention back. “I have reviewed all the clauses. I’m ready to sign.”Kate blurted out in surprise, “So quick?”Sebastian leaned in slightly, his voice playful. “I’m quite swift even without the last name, Miss Kate.”Her cheeks flushed crimson as she realized he had
“Coco, did you reach?” Sabrina asked over the phone. She was thrilled that her daughter was on a date. She was so grateful to Sia for making it happen. Seriously, no one else would have the guts to pull what Sia did. Charlotte glanced at the café Sia had booked. It wasn’t just any café—it was Anne’s Café. Seriously, was Sia so unoriginal? Or was she planning something?“I did, Mom,” Charlotte replied. “He is here. I will call you later.”“Have fun, sweetie,” Sabrina said. “Your daddy and I are rooting for you.”Charlotte hung up and took a deep breath. She looked over at the table and saw the charming Andrew Jackson sitting there. His curly hair was his best feature, paired with a smile that could sell anything—even to the devil himself.She walked over, took a seat, and said, “Hello, Andrew. I’m Charlotte.”Andrew looked up and gasped. “Damn, it must have hurt when you fell from heaven.”Charlotte rolled her eyes. “Too cheeky and old, but I will take it. And not heaven—a demon brough
When Sebastian walked into the house, carrying the large painting, his father looked up, quite surprised.“What is this? What did you bring?” Carter asked, his voice filled with curiosity. He knew that his son had gone to meet Alessia Swift. He was surprised that the woman agreed to meet for a start-up. Both of his children had no interest in his business, and he could not do anything about it. “Alessia Swift gave me a painting,” Sebastian replied, his tone matter-of-fact.Seraphina, who had been sipping her coffee, immediately set her cup down. “Let me see it,” she said, her interest piqued.“Why are you so interested?” Carter raised an eyebrow.“Dad, Miss Swift never does anything without a reason,” Seraphina explained, her voice very excited. “I work for her. That’s how I know.”Carter shifted, his gaze lingering on his daughter. “When will you come back to join our company?”Seraphina shrugged nonchalantly. “I like working for her. She is cruel and unforgiving, but I’m learning t
“I have heard about your accident,” Sebastian continued, his tone softening. “It’s good to see you doing well.”She nodded, appreciating the sentiment. “Thank you.”He leaned in slightly, his voice laced with curiosity. “Miss Swift, isn’t an art gallery an unusual place to discuss a potential collaboration?”Sia’s eyes glinted with amusement as she responded, “Isn’t using contacts to fix a meeting with someone who is almost retired a bit unusual as well?”His lips curled into a charming smile, revealing dimples. “No, because you are almost retired, not fully.”She chuckled, genuinely amused. “You are quite charming, Mr. King.”He shot back playfully, “I wouldn’t dare flirt with you, Miss Swift, despite your dangerously captivating beauty.”Sia raised an eyebrow, teasing. “Ah, I wonder why?”He leaned closer, his expression growing more serious. “There is a certain someone with a more villainous reputation than you. When you had your accident, he flipped the country upside down. He didn
“I can’t believe you all did this to me,” Charlotte muttered, her voice laced with both annoyance and frustration.Abella glanced up from her phone and asked, "What are you wearing for tonight?"Charlotte shot her a playful glare. “You too?” she accused, raising an eyebrow.Abella walked over and wrapped her arms around Charlotte. "No, no, elder sister. I'm all team Coco. But if you need a backup plan, you know I will help you," she said with a teasing smile.Charlotte’s eyes flicked to Estelle, who sat quietly in the corner, looking slightly out of place. She couldn’t help but wonder what Estelle was doing here again.As if sensing Charlotte’s unspoken thoughts, Estelle spoke up. "Emery sent me here, saying I should bond with you all like Leon’s girlfriend or something. I don’t know what she meant."Charlotte raised an eyebrow. “What’s wrong with Aunt?” she asked, her tone curious.Estelle shrugged nonchalantly. "I don’t know..."Her mother-in-law was trying to be competitive here. Sh
Later, Charlotte and Sia were alone.Sia sat on her best friend’s bed, listening as Charlotte excitedly talked about her recent exhibition—how her paintings were now displayed in a prestigious museum and the incredible response she had been receiving.“You are not listening to me, are you?” Charlotte asked, narrowing her eyes.Sia smiled absentmindedly. “I’m a little lost in thought.”“Care to share?” Charlotte prompted, intrigued.Sia grinned. “Do you remember Andrew Jackson?”“Yeah?” Charlotte’s expression shifted, a knowing look crossing her face.Sia continued, “He is in town. He started a new startup, and I invested in it. He is brilliant.”Charlotte raised an eyebrow. “That much I know…”Sia leaned forward with a mischievous smile. “Well, this morning, he contacted me. Asked how I was doing, heard your voice in the background, and got all excited. And I also know that you knew he had a massive crush on you.”Charlotte looked at her in confusion. “Where are you headed with this, S