Julian’s POV The moment I got the intel on Catherine’s hideout, my blood boiled. For weeks, she had evaded us, her twisted plans always just out of reach. But now, justice was a step closer. I stood with the DPO and his men outside the decrepit cabin, my fists clenched. “This ends today,” I muttered, my voice low but firm. The officers nodded, their weapons ready. I signaled for them to move, and they surged forward, breaking through the door. Catherine barely flinched when they stormed in, her piercing gaze meeting mine as if she’d been expecting us. “Well, well,” she sneered, standing slowly with her hands raised. “If it isn’t the hero himself.” I ignored her venom and stepped forward. “Catherine, you’re under arrest for attempted murder and countless other crimes. Your reign of terror is over.” Her lips curled into a smirk. “Reign of terror? Dramatic, aren’t we?” Before I could respond, I felt a hand on my arm. I turned to see Lexi. She was trembling, her hazel eyes w
Julian I stood by the window in my office, staring out into the sprawling city below. My reflection glared back at me from the glass—stern, cold, and unyielding. Catherine’s arrest had lifted a weight, but it wasn’t over. Not by a long shot. “Victor Hale is still a loose end,” I muttered, gripping the edge of the windowsill. His name alone churned my gut. The man was slippery, unpredictable—a snake coiled in the shadows. A knock on the door disrupted my thoughts. “Come in,” I barked. Lexi stepped inside. She was composed, as always, but there was something different in her demeanor today. Her movements were measured, her eyes flicking around the room as if gauging the space. “You wanted to see me?” she asked, her voice soft yet steady. I nodded, gesturing for her to sit. She didn’t. “We need to talk about your mother,” I said. Her jaw tightened, but she masked it quickly. “What about her?” “I can’t let her roam free. She’s dangerous, Lexi. Too dangerous. For you, f
Julian The courtroom was a battlefield—a war of words, evidence, and strategy. I stood at the back, arms crossed, watching as the judge’s gavel struck to bring the room to order. Catherine sat at the defense table, her face a picture of practiced vulnerability. Her lawyer looked polished and confident, but I could see through the façade. They had something up their sleeve, and I wasn’t going to let my guard down. Then she walked in. Lexi was poised, dressed impeccably, her face unreadable. She walked past me without a glance, taking her seat beside Catherine’s lawyer. I leaned toward the DPO. “This doesn’t feel right.” He frowned. “What do you mean?” “She’s up to something. I can feel it.” The DPO sighed. “Julian, you’ve got to trust the system. Catherine’s case is solid. She’s going down for this.” I didn’t respond. My instincts told me otherwise. Alexa I sat beside the lawyer, my pulse steady, my breathing controlled. This was my moment to cement everything. Cath
Julian The air felt heavy as I left the courthouse, the faint drizzle doing little to wash away the bitterness of the verdict. Catherine, remanded to a psychiatric facility—what a joke. I knew this was Lexi's doing. The pieces didn’t fit perfectly, but they fit well enough. “Sir, what’s the next move?” the DPO asked, walking up to me. I looked at him, my jaw tightening. “We’re not done. Just because the court believed that farce doesn’t mean Catherine isn’t dangerous. Keep an eye on her—her visitors, her calls, everything.” The DPO nodded, but there was hesitation in his expression. “Julian… are you sure Lexi’s not involved in this somehow?” The question hit me harder than I expected. “What are you implying?” “She’s been acting… differently,” he said cautiously. “You’ve noticed it too, haven’t you?” I didn’t respond immediately. I had noticed. Lexi—or who I thought was Lexi—wasn’t the same. There was a distance, a calculated edge to her that hadn’t been there before.
Daniel The low hum of my car engine filled the air as I pulled up to the dimly lit café where I was about to meet Elise and Lexi. For weeks, I’d been digging into the chaos surrounding Lexi’s life—the deception, the betrayals, the lies—but this new piece of information had me questioning everything. I glanced at the file on the passenger seat, my fingers tightening on the steering wheel. They weren’t going to like what I had to say, but they deserved to know the truth. With a deep breath, I grabbed the file and stepped out into the cool evening air. Inside, Elise and Lexi sat in a booth at the back, their faces tense with anticipation. I made my way over, sliding into the seat across from them. “You’ve got news,” Elise said, her voice steady, but her eyes betrayed her anxiety. “I do,” I said, placing the file on the table. “And I’ll be honest—it’s not the kind of news you’ll want to hear.” Lexi leaned forward, her hazel eyes narrowing. “Just tell us, Daniel. What did you
Lexi “So…” Elise began cautiously, breaking the silence. “Are you going to keep the baby?” “Of course,” I finally said, my voice firm. “I can’t afford to hurt my baby.” Elise nodded, her eyes soft with understanding. “It’s a lot to take in, Lexi. You’re dealing with so much already.” My jaw tightened. “I know. But one thing’s for sure—Julian will never know about this baby. He doesn’t deserve to.” Elise frowned, tilting her head. “Are you sure about that? I mean, it’s his child too, Lexi. Don’t you think—” “No,” I snapped, cutting her off. “He’s been living with Alexa, thinking she’s me, trusting her, loving her. He couldn’t even tell the difference between us, Elise. That’s unforgivable. He lost the right to know anything about me or this baby.” Elise leaned back, studying me carefully. “Alright,” she said finally, her tone careful. “But what’s your plan, then? You can’t hide forever, Lexi. If you’re going to take your life back, you need to figure out how to get to the pentho
Lexi I leaned back in my chair, my hands clenched into fists. “We’re getting closer, Elise. I can feel it.” Elise nodded, though her expression was cautious. “We are. But we need to be careful, Lexi. Carla isn’t the only enemy we’re up against. Alexa, Catherine… they’re all working against you.” “Let them,” I said fiercely. “I’ve been hiding for too long, Elise. It’s time for them to see what I’m capable of.” Elise smiled faintly, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Just promise me one thing, Lexi.” “What?” “Don’t lose yourself in the process. Revenge can be a dangerous thing.” I didn’t respond, because deep down, I wasn’t sure I could keep that promise. Catherine I sat in the sterile room, the walls around me a dull shade of white. The asylum was quiet, the only sound the faint hum of fluorescent lights above. The door creaked open, and I looked up, expecting another nurse or doctor. But when I saw who it was, my heart stopped. Lexi. The asylum was surrounded by tall
Lexi paced the length of Elise’s living room, her mind racing. The plan was coming together, but every step forward felt like walking a tightrope. She had managed to stay hidden this long, but one wrong move could bring everything crashing down. Elise leaned against the kitchen counter, her arms crossed. “You’ve been pacing for ten minutes, Lexi. Sit down before you wear a hole in my floor.” Lexi stopped mid-stride, running a hand through her auburn hair. “I can’t help it. There’s too much riding on this.” Elise softened her tone. “I get it, but we’ve got a plan now. Daniel’s finding Carla. Once we know where she is, we can use her to get back to the penthouse and expose Alexa.” Lexi dropped onto the couch, exhaling sharply. “It’s not just that. It’s…” She hesitated, her voice dropping. “It’s Julian. He’s so blind to all of this. I can’t decide if I’m angry or hurt.” Elise grabbed two mugs of tea from the counter and handed one to Lexi. “Both are valid. But you need to focus. Ju
Julian's POV: The Santorini sun kissed Lexi's skin as we lounged on our private terrace, the Aegean Sea stretching endlessly before us. I couldn't take my eyes off her - the way her hair caught the light, the gentle swell of her stomach where our child grew. "What are you staring at?" Lexi asked, a playful smile on her lips. I pulled her close, my hands roaming her curves. "The most beautiful woman in the world," I murmured, capturing her lips in a searing kiss. Our week in paradise had been nothing short of magical. Days spent exploring the island, nights filled with passion and whispered promises. I'd never felt more connected to Lexi, more certain of our future together. As I deepened the kiss, Lexi moaned softly, her body melting into mine. "Julian," she breathed, "take me to bed." I didn't need to be asked twice. Lexi's POV: Julian's touch set my skin on fire, his lips trailing a path of heat down my neck. We stumbled into the bedroom, shedding clothes as we went. "God,
Lexi’s POV “Actually Lexi, I need to talk to you,” he said, his voice low. I forced myself to stay calm, even as my mind screamed for me to get rid of him. Julian’s in the shower. He can’t see him. Not now. “What is it, Liam?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. Liam leaned back against the couch, crossing his arms over his chest. “I’m sure you’ve been wondering about the pregnancy. About whose it is.” I clenched my fists at my sides, my breath quickening. “What do you mean?” Liam’s eyes softened for a second. “Lexi, you and I both know what happened that night. We got drunk, we made out, and things escalated.” He paused, watching me closely. “I’m pretty sure I’m the father of your baby.” “I’m here because I want to step up, Lexi,” he continued, his tone serious now. “I’m here to take responsibility. I want to be a part of your life, and I want to be a father to our child.” I took a step back, panic starting to take over. Julian can’t know about this. He’ll kill him. The
Lexi’s POV The suitcase lay open on the bed, half-filled with carefully folded clothes. Excitement buzzed through me as I reached for another dress, my mind already painting images of the romantic getaway Julian and I had planned. We needed this—after everything, we deserved a moment to breathe, to just be us. I bit my lip, suppressing a smile. Julian was in the shower, and I could already picture his reaction when he saw my outfit choices. The thought made my heart race. Just as I zipped up the suitcase, a soft knock came at the door. “Ma’am?” A hesitant voice followed. I turned to find a young woman standing by the doorway, her hands neatly folded in front of her apron. I recognized her as the new maid Julian had hired after the last one was caught snooping. “What is it?” I asked, straightening up. “You have a visitor, ma’am,” she said, shifting uncomfortably. A visitor? My brows furrowed. No one was supposed to know we were here. “Who is it?” The maid hesitated before ans
Julian’s POV Pain. That was the first thing I felt. A deep, gnawing ache in my side, sharp and unrelenting. It dragged me back to consciousness, forcing my heavy eyelids to flutter open. The room was dimly lit, the beeping of machines the only sound breaking the silence. The sterile scent of antiseptics filled my nose, and it didn’t take long to realize where I was—hospital. I blinked, my vision adjusting, and then I saw her. Lexi. She was curled up in a chair beside my bed, fast asleep. Her head rested against the armrest, strands of her hair falling into her face. Her breathing was soft, steady, and for the first time in what felt like forever, there was peace in her expression. No tension. No fear. Just… peace. My chest tightened at the sight. How long had she been sitting there, waiting for me to wake up? I studied her face, memorizing every detail—the way her lashes rested against her skin, the gentle rise and fall of her chest, the way her fingers twitched slightly, as if
Julian’s POV I couldn’t hear anything over the deafening thrum of blood pumping in my ears. The pain in my chest was overwhelming, but there was no time to dwell on it. I couldn’t let her win. Not like this. Not after everything. I pushed forward, stumbling slightly, using the wall to steady myself as I moved toward her. I had to end this. It didn’t matter how bad I was hurt—I would finish this fight. “Stay down, Alexa!” I shouted, my voice rough, every word a struggle to push out. My grip on the gun was shaky, but my aim was steady. But Alexa didn’t seem scared. Her lips curled into that smug, dangerous smile of hers. “You really think you can win this? You’re too late, Julian.” She lunged forward in a blur of motion, catching me off guard. The blade flashed in her hand, and before I could even think, it sunk deep into my chest. I gasped, blood spilling from my mouth as the pain hit like a wave, knocking the air out of me. The world started to spin, but I gritted my teeth, refu
Julian’s POV I slammed my hand against the steering wheel, my mind racing. Every inch of my body burned with adrenaline as I drove through the streets, trying to calm the storm of anger that raged inside me. I couldn’t believe what I’d just learned—Alexa killed Etienne. The betrayal hit harder than any punch. I grabbed my phone, dialing the investigator’s number with shaky fingers. The line clicked before it even rang twice. “Julian,” the voice on the other end said, calm, collected, as always. “I’ve got the information you need.” “Tell me where she’s hiding,” I growled, not caring if my words sounded sharp. I was beyond caring. This had to end now. “She’s holed up in an old warehouse by the docks, Julian. It’s under heavy security. You’ll need to be careful.” “Understood. Just drop the location,” I snapped, my grip tightening around the wheel. He rattled off the address, and I hung up without saying another word. My fingers gripped the wheel tighter as I pressed the accelerato
Lexis pov “You should’ve told me,” he said, disappointment in his voice I didn’t know how to respond. My throat tightened, and I just stared at him, the weight of his words sinking in. I had been so caught up in everything else—Alexa, the betrayal, the lies—I had forgotten to mention the most important thing. I didn’t want to complicate things further, but now, it was out in the open. “Well, yes,” I said, my voice quiet. “I didn’t bother to tell you because you were comfortable living with another woman.” The words stung, and I hated the bitterness in my voice, but it was the truth. Julian’s face faltered for a moment, and he took a deep breath. “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice thick with regret. “I swear I never knew. I thought it was you, Lexi. I… I never would have done what I did if I’d known.” He sat down beside me, his hands reaching for mine. The sincerity in his eyes was unmistakable, and I felt a pang in my chest. He was sorry. And I could see it. “How many weeks?” he
Lexi The world felt heavy. My body ached, my mind foggy as I forced my eyes open. A dull beeping echoed in my ears, the sterile scent of antiseptic filling my lungs. The hospital. I was still alive. But then I saw her. Alexa. She stood near my bed, one hand idly playing with the oxygen tube beside me, her golden eyes gleaming with something twisted—something cruel. I tried to move. Tried to scream. Nothing. My throat was raw, my limbs weak, my voice trapped in my body. Alexa smirked, tilting her head. “You just won’t die, will you?” she mused. Panic shot through me. My heart pounded against my ribs as I struggled to move, but my muscles wouldn’t cooperate. Alexa traced her fingers along the oxygen tube, twisting it slightly. Not enough to cut off my air—but enough to make her point. “You should’ve stayed dead,” she whispered. “Do you know how easy it would be for me to finish this right now?” I willed my body to move. To do something. She leaned in, her breath brushing a
Julian I walked the hallway outside Lexi’s room, my mind racing. Elise sat nearby, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. Neither of us spoke for a while. “She’ll be okay,” Elise finally said, her voice softer than usual. I dragged a hand through my hair, frustration clawing at my insides. “She shouldn’t have to be okay. This shouldn’t have happened in the first place.” Elise sighed. “We both know that’s not how life works.” I clenched my jaw, my fists tightening. Alexa had been right under my nose, pretending to be Lexi, and I hadn’t seen it. I had trusted her. I had lived with her. And now Lexi was lying in that hospital bed because of my blindness. Without another word, I turned on my heel and stalked down the hall. “Where are you going?” Elise called after me. I didn’t stop walking. “To end this.” Julian The fluorescent lights of the asylum buzzed faintly overhead, casting a sickly glow on the white walls. The air smelled like antiseptic and something stale—something