Agatha POV:My stomach felt like it was doing flips as the car sped towards home. I watched the buildings pass by, changing from crowded shops and noisy restaurants to fancy houses hidden behind tall gates and trees. Each house was bigger and fancier than the last, like a competition for who could have the most impressive castle.We turned onto my street, and I felt a little calmer. Every house here was huge, with perfect lawns and sparkling fountains. It was like stepping into a movie about rich people, where everything was beautiful and safe. Even the air seemed different – cleaner, more peaceful.Even the comfy leather seats couldn't stop the weird mix of relief and emptiness inside me. I was home, in a place where nobody could hurt me. But something was missing, a piece of me that I'd left behind somewhere.Dad's company was safe. We had beaten Richards Inc., just like I planned. So why didn't it feel good?I kept replaying the scene at the airport. Nathan's eyes, filled with
Nathan POV:My hands were sweaty as I stood in the De Rossi mansion's giant entryway.My heart pounded against my ribs like a drum solo.This was my last shot – my one chance to win Agatha back and fix everything I messed up.The past few weeks had been a harsh wake-up call. Watching my company crumble while Agatha thrived at NexGen… it made me realize how badly I screwed up.I took her for granted, treated her like she didn't matter. I was an idiot for letting go of the only woman who ever truly loved me.And now, staring into her beautiful, guarded eyes, I knew I had to spill my guts, no matter how embarrassing it felt.Camille and the baby? They were a million miles away in my mind.All that mattered was Agatha, and convincing her to give me another shot."Agatha," I began, my voice shaky."I know I messed up. I have no right to be here, to ask you to forgive me.
Agatha POV:My heart thumped against my ribs as I walked away from Nathan.The raw pain in his voice, the desperation on his face... it shook me to my core.A part of me wanted to run back, to give him the second chance he begged for.But then I remembered the hurt, the betrayal, how easily he'd tossed me aside.That memory, burned into my brain, reminded me why I had to let him go. It didn’t matter that a part of me still cared.I couldn't risk that kind of heartbreak again.Charles walked beside me, his eyes burning into my back.I knew he was watching, waiting for me to fall apart, to show weakness.And I hated how much power he had over me, how he'd wormed his way into my life.Once we were alone, I turned to face him, my face cold."What was that, Charles? I thought we were done with the games, the manipulation."He looked embarrassed, holding up h
Charles POV:The city blurred past as I drove, my mind a whirlwind. Taking down Nathan felt good, powerful. But a nagging feeling, like a pebble in my shoe, wouldn’t go away. Had I gone too far?Lying to Agatha about us… it went against everything I usually did. She deserved honesty, the chance to make her own choices. But the thought of losing her, of seeing her go back to Nathan… it made my stomach twist. I’d come too far, invested too much. Agatha was mine. Or she would be, if I played this right.I kept checking the rearview mirror, half expecting to see Nathan’s car on my tail. The guy was desperate, unhinged. What would he do next? He’d already stopped begging in front of Agatha. What lengths would he go to win her back?My phone buzzed, snapping me out of my thoughts. I glanced at the screen and smiled. My partner in crime was calling.“Well, well, if it isn’t my favorite accomplice,” I answered, my voice light.“Charles, my friend,” a smooth voice purred. “I trust you
Charles POV:I paced my fancy penthouse, my mind racing. The plan my ally had come up with was bold, risky – a gamble that could either win Agatha over completely or blow up in my face.I stopped at the giant windows, looking out at the city lights. In the distance, I could see the De Rossi mansion, a constant reminder of the woman who had captured my attention.Agatha.Just thinking her name sent a thrill through me. From the moment I met her, there was a spark, a connection that went beyond my rivalry with Nathan.I was captivated by her intelligence, her confidence, her strength. She demanded respect, refusing to be controlled by any man. And that’s what drew me to her.But now, thinking about the plan, I felt a twinge of guilt. Using Agatha's vulnerabilities against her felt wrong. This wasn’t just about winning her over anymore. This was a power play, a game of control.I ran my hand through my hair, sighing in frustration. Had I become so ambitious, so obsessed with Aga
Agatha POV:Sitting in Dad’s giant office, I felt the weight of the world pressing down on me. The past few weeks had been a crazy blur – lawsuits, reporters hounding me, and problems at work that pushed me to my limit.Richards Inc.’s collapse had sent shockwaves through everything. With Nathan’s company falling apart, everyone was pointing fingers at NexGen, at my family. They accused us of spying and dirty tricks, and I was constantly fighting fires and trying to make us look good.And then, just when I thought things couldn't get worse, a new threat popped up. A mysterious investor from Xing Enterprises wanted to buy a big chunk of NexGen. It was terrifying – what would that mean for my family’s company, for our future?I sighed, drumming my fingers on Dad's big, fancy desk. “This is a mess, Dad. A total mess.”My dad, Aldo De Rossi, always calm and in control, looked at me thoughtfully. “It’s… complicated, Agatha. But we’ve been through tough times before, and we’ll get th
Agatha POV:I sat across from Charles in Dad’s fancy office, the weight of our new “partnership” heavy in the air. My gut churned with a feeling of unease that wouldn’t go away, no matter how much I tried to tell myself everything was okay.“So, Charles,” I started, keeping my voice calm and steady. “What’s the plan? How do we deal with this Xing Enterprises situation?”Charles leaned forward, his elbows on the shiny desk.“Well, Agatha, I’ve been doing some… deep research on Xing Enterprises. And I’ve found some… interesting things.”I raised an eyebrow, curious in spite of my doubts. “Go on.”“It seems Xing Enterprises has been making some… shady deals lately. Deals that, if everyone knew about them, could ruin them.”A chill ran down my spine. “Shady deals? What are you saying, Charles?”He held up his hand, looking serious. “Now, now, Agatha, don’t get me wrong – I’m not saying your family did anything wrong. But Xing Enterprises… they have a reputation for being… dirty in thei
Agatha’s POV:Days blurred into weeks, a chaotic jumble of meetings and strategic planning. The potential alliance between Campbell Enterprises and NexGen felt like a giant, complicated dance, with me stuck in the middle trying to please both my father and Charles. And all the while, a tiny voice inside my head whispered, "What about what you want, Agatha?"But it was hard to even think about what I wanted with Nathan’s shadow still looming over everything. He was like a stubborn weed in my perfectly manicured garden, popping up again and again no matter how hard I tried to pull him out.I couldn't shake the memory of him showing up at my house, his eyes pleading, his voice raw with regret as he begged for another chance. It had shaken me, made me doubt my decision to push him away. Had I been too harsh? Was there still a chance for us, even after everything?Those thoughts battled with the very different feelings Charles stirred in me. His smooth charm and constant attention wer
Agatha POV:“Agatha, you’re being reckless! You can’t just discharge yourself. The doctor said you need to rest.” Charles’s voice was a mix of concern and… annoyance? I couldn’t quite tell.I ignored him, signing the discharge papers with a flourish, my hand surprisingly steady despite the lingering dizziness, the exhaustion that tugged at me.“I’m fine, Charles,” I said firmly, my gaze meeting his, unwavering. “Really. I need to be with my father. He needs me.”“But Agatha…”“No, Charles,” I interrupted, my voice sharper than I intended. “I appreciate your concern, but I can’t… I can’t stay here. Not when Dad is…”I couldn’t finish the sentence. The thought of him, lying in that hospital bed, hooked up to machines, his life hanging by a thread, was a physical ache in my chest.“Okay,” Charles said, his voice softening, his hand gently touching my arm, a possessive gesture that both comforted and irritated me. “I understand. I’ll… I’ll drive you.”“No,” I said, shaking my head. “I’l
Charles POV:The taste of Agatha’s lips, a bittersweet mix of tears and uncertainty, lingered, a phantom sensation against my own. The air in the hospital room crackled with tension, thick and heavy with unspoken words, unresolved emotions.Nathan’s presence, a ghost I thought I’d banished, hung over us, a shadow tainting the intimacy I craved. His eyes, those that mirrored my own hunger for Agatha, were a constant, irritating reminder of the past, of the bond they shared—a bond I was determined to sever, once and for all.I forced a smile, my hand lingering on Agatha's cheek, a possessive gesture meant to stake my claim, to ward off any lingering hopes Nathan might harbor.“Are you feeling better now?” I asked, my voice a carefully modulated murmur.Agatha’s gaze, usually so sharp, so focused, was clouded with confusion, her eyes darting between me and Nathan, a silent plea in their depths.“I’m… I’m not a critical patient, Charles,” she said, her voice a shaky whisper, her hand fl
Agatha POV:My head throbbed, a dull, insistent ache that pulsed in time with the rhythmic beeping of a machine I couldn't quite place. I blinked, my eyes fluttering open, the harsh fluorescent lights of… a hospital room? … stinging my vision. Disoriented, I tried to sit up, a wave of dizziness washing over me, forcing me back against the starched white pillows.“Whoa, easy there.” A gentle hand pressed against my shoulder. “Just take it easy, Ms. De Rossi. You’re safe now.”A doctor, a young woman with kind eyes and a warm smile, stood beside my bed, a stethoscope dangling from her neck.“What… what happened?” I asked, my voice a raspy whisper, my throat dry and scratchy. “Where… where am I?”“You’re in the hospital, Ms. De Rossi,” she explained patiently. “You fainted in the cafeteria. Don’t worry, it’s nothing serious. Just exhaustion and… well, it seems you haven’t been taking very good care of yourself lately.”Fainted? The cafeteria… Nathan. Camille's baby…The memories of
Agatha POV:The smell of stale coffee and antiseptic hung in the air, a strange mix of comfort and despair. I sat across from Charles, the plastic table a flimsy barrier between us, a bouquet of lilies wilting beside my untouched grilled cheese sandwich. He’d insisted on bringing me here, to this dingy little café across the street from the hospital, after catching me crying in the cafeteria.The news of Camille's baby, of Nathan’s daughter being born with a heart defect, had hit me harder than I expected. It wasn't jealousy, not exactly. It was more like… a painful echo of my own losses, a reminder of the fragility of life, of the dreams that could be shattered in an instant.And then there was the guilt, a gnawing ache in my chest, the constant reminder that I was somehow responsible for this whole mess, for the tangled web of pain and betrayal that had ensnared us all."Agatha, you barely touched your food," Charles said, his voice laced with concern, his blue eyes searching mi
Charles POV:The sight of Nathan Richards slumped on the hospital floor, his shoulders shaking, his face buried in his hands, should have filled me with satisfaction. This was what I’d been working towards, wasn’t it? To break him, to strip him of everything – his company, his family, his pride. To expose him as the weak, selfish fool he truly was.But as I stood there, watching him crumble, a strange, unexpected emotion flickered within me. It wasn’t pity, not exactly. It was more like… a hollow ache, a recognition of a shared humanity I’d long forgotten.The hallway was empty, the usual bustle of nurses and visitors absent in this quiet corner, the only sound Nathan's ragged breaths and the faint hum of the vending machine down the hall.I walked towards him, my footsteps echoing on the floor. He didn't look up, his body curled in on itself, a picture of defeat. I remembered a different Nathan, the arrogant, cocky kid who'd ruled the hallways of our prep school, the charismatic
Nathan POV:I burst through the door of Camille’s hospital room, sweat dripping down my face, my chest heaving. The sterile smell of the place, usually a calming scent, only fueled the rage that was burning inside me.“Nathan? What… what are you doing here?” Camille’s voice was a mix of surprise and… was that disgust?“What the hell do you think I’m doing here?” I snarled, the words exploding out of me. “Our daughter was just born, and you… you just walk out, leaving me with nothing but a stupid note?”I was a mess. My hair was a mess, my clothes were wrinkled, and my face probably looked like I’d been through hell. But I didn’t care. I was furious. Camille had left me, announced to the world she was raising our kid alone, and I’d almost missed the birth of my own daughter because of it.“You look awful, Nathan,” Camille said, her voice flat, cold. She looked me up and down, her lip curling in a sneer.“Thanks,” I muttered, the anger turning inward, leaving a bitter taste in my m
Charles POV:I watched Agatha across the hospital cafeteria, my chest tightening at the sight of her slumped figure, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs. It should have been a moment of victory, a confirmation that my plan to break Nathan and Agatha was working. But a strange ache pulsed in my chest, a feeling that had nothing to do with winning and everything to do with… her pain.Damn it, Agatha. Why do you have to make this so complicated?I knew what had happened. Overheard Nathan’s assistant gushing on the phone about the birth of his child.“The Richards family is officially cursed!” she'd whispered, barely able to contain her glee. “The poor thing was born with some… problems. It’s really sad, but the grandparents are already talking about disowning her. You know how they are about the Richards’ bloodline.”She'd cleared her throat then, her voice back to its usual professional tone, completely oblivious to my presence.It was a cruel twist of fate, a tragedy for a child
Agatha POV:The hospital air felt heavy, thick with the smell of antiseptic and a quiet kind of panic. Every beep of a machine, every muffled cry from somewhere down the hall, every hurried whisper from the nurses, made the fear inside me grow stronger.Dad was still unconscious. The only sign he was alive was the steady rhythm of the ventilator. His face, usually so full of life, looked pale and weak. The worry lines were etched deep into his skin.I had been praying that he’d wake up. I clung to the hope that his strong will, his fighting spirit, would pull him through. But the doctor’s words, even though he tried to be gentle, kept echoing in my mind: "Critical condition." It was a constant reminder that Dad was hanging on by a thread.I was exhausted. My eyelids feel heavy, my head dizzy. I needed coffee, something to keep me going, to keep the darkness away.As I walked down the long hallway towards the cafeteria, I saw him. Charles.He was arguing with the receptionist, hi
Charles POV:“It’s been a whole day, Jasmine! Not a single call, not a text. Nothing!” I paced my office like a caged lion, my phone clutched in my hand. “Something’s definitely off.”Jasmine sighed on the other end of the line, that long-suffering sound I’d gotten used to over the years. It always made me smile, even when I was irritated.“Charles, you’re acting like a lovesick teenager,” she said, her voice a mix of amusement and exasperation.“It’s been one day. One very stressful day, I might add. Her dad is in the hospital! She probably has other things on her mind besides your… performance.”“But we were… intimate.” I lowered my voice, a smug grin spreading across my face even though I knew she couldn't see it. “Last night. After… you know, the whole Richards mess.”“You slept with her?” Jasmine’s voice was sharp, like she’d just tasted something sour. “Charles, are you serious? The woman’s father is practically dying, and you thought that was the right time to jump her bon