The morning sunlight glinted off the stained glass of St. Augustine’s Cathedral, casting colors across the polished floors and filling the grand space with a kaleidoscope of brilliance.The high arches and delicate carvings on the walls stretched toward the heavens, creating a scene as extravagant as the lives of those gathered to witness it.Among the Caldwell family’s friends and allies, whispers lingered like a trail of perfume, who was this quiet, unknown “daughter” about to wed one of the city’s most powerful heirs?In a quiet room at the back of the cathedral, Sarah stood alone in front of a tall mirror, adjusting her veil.The dress was a shimmering cascade of lace, custom made by the city’s most celebrated designer.Her shoulders were bare, her neck long and graceful beneath the delicate tulle draping her arms.Around her neck was a piece she had crafted herself, an intricate choker of diamonds and rose quartz, delicate petals winding together in patterns of leaves and blooms,
The rest of the ride was silent, the weight of their words settling between them. Yet Sarah felt a strange sense of exhilaration.She had seen a chink in Alexander’s armor, a glimpse into the truth he kept hidden.As the car pulled into the sprawling driveway of Blake Manor, the realization of her new life settled over her.This mansion, this marriage, this strange game of secrets, they were all hers now, for better or worse. Alexander’s family would be her family, his enemies her enemies.Stepping out of the car, she squared her shoulders, her gaze steady as she surveyed the grand manor before her.The sprawling estate was draped in the elegance of old money, its gardens sprawling into the horizon.Guests had already begun gathering for the reception, a sea of society’s finest dressed in glittering jewels and sharp suits.Alexander’s hand on her arm pulled her back to the present, guiding her toward the crowd.She took a steadying breath, allowing herself one last look at the ring on
The wedding reception was winding down, guests dispersing into the night with murmurs of congratulations and polite goodbyes.Sarah and Alexander had played their roles perfectly, their dynamic intriguing enough to keep the gossip swirling but dignified enough to avoid scandal.She could feel the weight of the night lifting, but only slightly, she knew there was still a gauntlet to face.As Sarah moved toward the hall leading to their private wing, the familiar sharp click of heels announced Victoria’s presence.Sarah didn’t turn around, but she didn’t need to. She could already picture her, all sharp angles and sharper words, dripping with venom disguised as concern.“Well, congratulations, sister,” Victoria drawled, her voice low and biting. “You’ve really outdone yourself this time.”Sarah paused, glancing over her shoulder.Victoria stood there, her designer gown catching the light, a perfect picture of bitterness wrapped in elegance.She took a step closer, her tone dropping to a
Alexander’s smirk broke through the tension like a sharp knife through silk.He tilted his head slightly, a glint of amusement in his eyes.“Well,” he said, leaning back in his chair with exaggerated nonchalance, “since you want to consummate our marriage. We should at least make an attempt at the… consummation part.”Sarah raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching in amusement. “Oh? And how exactly do you propose we do that, dear husband?”He gestured dramatically to his wheelchair, his tone light but laced with challenge. “Clearly, you’ll need to help me into bed. After all, it seems I’m destined to be a burden.” His grin widened as he added, “And since I’m completely at your mercy, you’ll have to do all the work tonight.”Sarah folded her arms, giving him a long, appraising look. “All the work, huh?” she echoed, her voice playful. “You sound awfully confident for someone so helpless.”Alexander chuckled, the sound low and rich. “Helpless is my brand, darling. But don’t worry, I’m sure
Sarah lay sprawled across the bed, her figure illuminated by the moonlight.Her long hair spilled over the pillow, curling like dark tendrils against the white linen.At some point, she had rolled closer to him, her arm now draped across his chest in a way that was both unexpected and… comforting.Alexander froze, unsure of what to do.The woman who had spent the day sparring with him, teasing him with her quick wit and sharp tongue, now looked impossibly serene.Her lips, which had delivered more barbed remarks than he could count, were slightly parted as she breathed in and out, soft and rhythmic.Her long lashes cast delicate shadows over her cheeks.For a moment, the sight of her distracted him from everything else, the investigation, the pretense, the world outside their bedroom.She sighed in her sleep, her brow twitching slightly as if she were reacting to some dream he couldn’t see.The sound was so soft, so unguarded, that it sent a pang through him.How is it that you’re alw
They lay there for a moment longer, the morning light wrapping them in a cocoon of warmth.“Alright,” Alexander finally said, his voice tinged with amusement. “Since you’re clearly so captivated by my presence, why don’t you help me up so we can start the day?”Sarah rolled her eyes but sat up, the sheets pooling around her waist as she reached out a hand to him. “Oh, please. I’m doing this out of kindness, not admiration.”“Of course you are,” he replied, smirking as he clasped her hand.As she helped him sit up, Alexander took a moment to study her.Her hair was slightly tousled, and her cheeks were still pink from their earlier exchange.She looked different from the composed, guarded woman he had married.She looked… real.“Alright, time to freshen up,” Sarah announced, breaking the moment as she slid out of bed.She stretched briefly before grabbing her robe and heading toward the en suite bathroom.Alexander leaned back against the headboard, watching her retreat with a faint sm
The morning air was crisp and refreshing, a stark contrast to the suffocating atmosphere of the dining room.They walked in silence for a while, the gravel crunching softly beneath their feet.“You don’t have to let her treat you like that,” Alexander said finally, breaking the silence.Sarah glanced at him, her expression conflicted. “She’s your mother,” she said quietly. “I don’t want to make things harder for you.”Alexander stopped and turned to face her, his gray eyes searching hers. “She’s my mother, yes. But you’re my wife. And I won’t stand by while she disrespects you. You shouldn’t either.”Sarah looked down, her fingers twisting nervously. “It’s not that simple,” she murmured.“It is,” Alexander insisted, his voice firm but not unkind. “You’ve stood up to me plenty of times. You can do the same with her.”She gave a small, humorless laugh. “You’re different,” she said, finally meeting his gaze. “With you, I feel like I can fight back. With her... I feel like I’m sixteen aga
Sarah returned to the study with a tray in her hands, balancing a steaming cup of coffee and a small plate of biscuits.She set it down on the edge of Alexander’s desk with exaggerated care, shooting him a smirk as she straightened.“Your coffee, sir,” she said, adopting a mockingly formal tone. “Three teaspoons of sugar, just as you requested. Though I think your dentist would have something to say about it.”Alexander grinned, taking the cup. “My dentist doesn’t know what he’s missing.” He took a sip, his eyes closing briefly as if savoring the taste. Then he opened one eye and looked at her. “You might survive this assistant thing after all.”Sarah leaned against the edge of the desk, her arms crossed. “Glad to hear it. So, boss, what’s next? More coffee? Should I shine your wheelchair? Maybe dust off your ego?”Alexander chuckled, setting the cup down. “Very funny. Actually, I thought it was time you learned about your new real job.”“Oh?” Sarah arched an eyebrow. “And what might
Seb took a deep breath as he stepped out of his hospital ward, the cool air of the hallway a stark contrast to the stuffy room he had been confined to for weeks.His body had healed significantly, but there was still an ache in his ribs, a reminder of the reckless choice he had made that day.Yet, despite everything, she had visited him. Just once.At first, he had convinced himself she was just busy, dealing with her own injuries, maybe even shaken up by what had happened. But as the days turned into weeks, he realized the truth, she had chosen not to come.And maybe she was right to.After all, he had nearly cost her life once before. Saving her now didn’t erase that fact.His steps were slow as he made his way down the long corridor toward the exit, each one feeling heavier than the last.The nurses at the front desk gave him small nods, offering polite smiles as he passed, but he barely registered them.His thoughts were elsewhere, tangled between regret and reluctant acceptance.
Cecilia sat stiffly in the waiting area, her nails tapping impatiently against the armrest of the chair.The minutes stretched into an hour, and yet there was no sign of Alexander.She had thought he would at least grant her a short meeting, even if only to scold her. But the silence, the deliberate, deafening silence, was worse than any confrontation.The whispers around her grew louder. Employees who once feared her were now openly staring, some even chuckling as they walked past.The great Cecilia, reduced to waiting like some nobody.Her jaw clenched, and she checked her phone again, nothing. Not a call. Not a message.This is humiliating.Swallowing the lump of pride stuck in her throat, she stood up, straightening her blazer. There was no use waiting any longer. Alexander had made it clear, he had no intentions of seeing her.Lifting her chin, she walked toward the exit, ignoring the murmurs and stares. But deep inside, fury simmered beneath her poised exterior.Fine, Alexander.
Sarah strode toward Alexander’s office with confidence, her heels clicking against the sleek marble floors.The lingering presence of Cecilia downstairs didn’t bother her in the slightest, if anything, it amused her. The once untouchable Cecilia had been reduced to waiting in the lobby, ignored and humiliated.Raven, however, had no interest in whatever was about to unfold between Sarah and Alexander. The moment they reached the executive floor, she casually veered off in the opposite direction. “Yeah, I think I’ll go… anywhere else,” she muttered under her breath, making herself scarce before Sarah could rope her into anything.Sarah smirked, watching her slip away.Typical Raven. She had an uncanny ability to sense incoming drama and dodge it like a seasoned pro.With a soft chuckle, Sarah pushed open the double doors to Alexander’s office without knocking. She never knocked.Inside, Alexander sat behind his massive desk, flipping through documents. He didn’t even look up as he spok
It didn’t take long for whispers to spread through the Blake Group like wildfire.Cecilia, the once untouchable ice queen, was sitting in the waiting area like a rejected employee.The same Cecilia who used to treat people like they were beneath her.The same Cecilia who had once strutted through these halls, turning up her nose at anyone she deemed unworthy of her attention.Employees who had once feared her exchanged amused glances.Some dared to sneak a peek as they passed by, trying to confirm the unbelievable sight with their own eyes.“She’s really just sitting there?”“She hasn’t moved for over an hour.”“What does she think is going to happen? Mr. Blake doesn’t want to see her.”Laughter and hushed conversations buzzed in the air, and soon, the news made its way to Sarah.Sarah raised an eyebrow when Raven relayed the information to her, the corner of her lips twitching in amusement. “Cecilia? Sitting in the lobby? Like an abandoned puppy?”Raven smirked. “She looks pitiful, I
She answered but remained silent, letting Cecilia break first.“You little snake,” Cecilia hissed. “You recorded me?”“What can I say? I like to be prepared,” Victoria replied, feigning innocence. “You were so quick to abandon me, I had to make sure I had a safety net.”“Delete it. Now.”Victoria chuckled, savoring the desperation in Cecilia’s usually controlled voice. “Why would I do that? You’re the one who tried to pin everything on me. Do you think Alexander won’t find out what you did?”“Victoria,” Cecilia's voice dropped into a dangerous whisper. “If you send that to anyone...”“What? You’ll come after me?” Victoria interrupted, her voice hardening. “Like you tried with Sarah? Or will you run, just like you did with Alexander?”Silence stretched between them.“I want a deal,” Victoria continued. “If you want this recording to stay buried, you better make sure Alexander’s focus stays away. I need to clean this up, and you’re going to help me do it.”Cecilia exhaled sharply. “What
Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell sat in their grand living room, confusion etched on their faces as they reread the message from Alexander Blake."You crossed a line. This is the end for you."Mr. Caldwell frowned, his fingers tightening around the phone. "What the hell is this supposed to mean?" he muttered, passing the phone to his wife.Mrs. Caldwell’s brows furrowed as she read the message, her eyes narrowing. "I don’t understand. We haven’t done anything to provoke Alexander."From the corner of the room, Victoria stiffened, her heart pounding violently in her chest.She swallowed hard, forcing herself to stay composed. He knows. He had to.She had been careful, or so she thought. But if Alexander had sent this message, it meant one thing, he had figured it out.Her palms grew clammy as her mother looked up and asked, "Victoria, do you have any idea what this is about?"Victoria forced a confused expression, shaking her head. "Me? Why would I?"Mr. Caldwell exhaled sharply. "This is ridicul
Sarah stepped into her office, the scent of fresh lavender lingering in the air.The space was just as she had left it, elegant, minimalist, and filled with sketches and gemstone samples neatly arranged on the shelves.It felt both familiar and foreign after the chaos she had been through.Taking a deep breath, she walked around her desk and settled into her chair. Without missing a beat, she picked up the office phone and pressed the intercom button."Get me all the documents that need my attention. I want everything on my desk within the next five minutes," she said, her voice steady and authoritative.The response came immediately. "Right away, ma'am."As she set the receiver down, Raven plopped onto the couch, stretching her legs over the armrest. She looked around, then raised a brow at Sarah. "So… what exactly am I supposed to do here?"Sarah glanced at her with amusement. "Nothing."Raven blinked. "Nothing?"Sarah shrugged. "Just chill, have fun. Maybe go through my snack drawe
As soon as Alexander’s car rolled up to the Blake Group’s towering headquarters, Sarah took a deep breath.It had been a while since she was last here, and though she was confident in her abilities, she wasn’t looking forward to the inevitable whispers and judgmental stares from certain individuals.Raven pulled up right behind them, swinging off her motorbike in one smooth motion before striding toward them, helmet tucked under her arm.Her sharp eyes scanned the surroundings before she gave Sarah a subtle nod. “Ready?”Sarah exhaled, straightening her shoulders. “Ready.”Alexander, who had been watching her carefully, reached out and gave her fingers a brief squeeze before letting go. “If anything happens, call me. No hesitation.”Sarah rolled her eyes but smiled. “I’ll be fine, Alexander. It’s just work.”His expression remained unreadable, but Sarah knew him well enough to know that he wasn’t happy about this.Still, he didn’t argue further. Instead, he took her chin between his f
The room fell into a heavy silence after Alexander and Sarah left.The only sounds were the rhythmic beeping of Seb’s heart monitor and the occasional shuffle of footsteps outside the hospital corridor.Mrs. Hargrove, who had been quietly assessing the situation, finally turned toward her son, her sharp gaze filled with both concern and disbelief.“Sebastian,” she said in a voice that was deceptively calm. “What exactly is your connection to that girl?”Seb’s lips curled into an exhausted smirk, but there was a hint of something else in his eyes, something unreadable.He shifted slightly, wincing at the pain, before replying, “That girl? You mean Sarah?”Mrs. Hargrove’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Yes. Who is she to you?”Seb let out a slow exhale, staring at the ceiling for a moment before finally answering, “She’s Alexander Blake’s wife.”The silence that followed was deafening.Mrs. Hargrove’s breath hitched.Mr. Hargrove’s eyes darkened.“You mean to tell me,” Mr. Hargrove fin