The servants moved like shadows, their footsteps silent as they placed dish after dish of delicacies before the family. Suzanne Smith sat quietly, her hands folded in her lap, her heart heavy with an all-too-familiar tension.Her mother-in-law, Beatrice Landford, perched at the head of the table like a queen, her hawk-like eyes scanning Suzanne with barely concealed disdain. Beatrice’s perfectly coiffed hair and pristine pearl necklace only added to her air of superiority.“And how long has it been now?” Beatrice’s voice cut through the air like a blade, her tone dripping with judgment. She didn’t bother to look directly at Suzanne, instead slicing into her roast lamb with clinical precision.Suzanne stiffened, her stomach churning. She knew exactly where this conversation was headed. “Three years,” she said softly, her voice steady despite the storm brewing inside her.“Three years,” Beatrice repeated, her lips curling into a smirk. She set her knife and fork down, folding her hands e
Suzanne’s heart raced as she felt a wave of cold panic surge through her. Her body trembled, but her mind was in a haze. The weight of the situation pressed down on her like a suffocating blanket.Charles’s eyes locked onto hers, the malicious glint in them clear. He approached her with slow, deliberate steps, and Suzanne’s body instinctively recoiled, but she had nowhere to retreat. The bedframe pressed into her back, the coldness of the sheets beneath her offering no comfort."Do you think you can defy me?" he asked, his voice low, menacing. "You’ve forgotten your place, Suzanne. Let me remind you."She opened her mouth to speak, to fight back with whatever strength she had left, but her words caught in her throat. His hand was already at her back, pulling the fabric of her dress down, exposing her skin.“No, please,” she whispered, her voice cracking. The plea hung in the air, weak and desperate, but Charles didn’t listen. With a swift movement, he raised his belt, the leather cold
Suzanne adjusted her black gown, carefully pulling it down to cover every inch of her bruised skin. The fabric hugged her form, but it felt like a suffocating reminder of her helplessness. She had made sure to wear long sleeves and a high neckline to hide the marks Charles had left, praying no one would notice. Her reflection in the mirror seemed distant, like she was looking at a woman she barely recognized anymore. Her face, though made up, still betrayed the exhaustion in her eyes. She could feel the weight of the day pressing down on her, the exhaustion from last night, the humiliation from this morning, and now the looming dread of the event."Get down here, Suzanne!" Beatrice's voice sliced through the air, demanding, harsh. Suzanne could already feel her mother-in-law's eyes boring into her, judging her every move.Suzanne grabbed her handbag, clutching it tightly as if it might give her the strength she so desperately needed. She hurried down the stairs, her mind racing. But as
Suzanne Smith—no, Mrs. Langford—had once had it all. Wealth, status, a future laid out for her like a red carpet leading straight to an empire. Three years ago, she had walked away from all of it, convinced that love was worth more than power.She had been so sure. So certain that she didn’t need her father’s fortune, not as long as she had Charles. He was supposed to be her prince charming, the man who would love her, protect her, and prove her father wrong. She had imagined a beautiful life by his side, filled with laughter and stolen kisses, a home that felt safe in ways her cold, gilded upbringing never had.But fairytales were just that—stories. And hers had unraveled into a nightmare.The man she once adored had become a stranger, then a monster. Behind closed doors, Charles mocked her, belittled her, crushed her under the weight of his disdain. His words cut deeper than knives, sharp-edged insults that carved away at her self-worth until there was barely anything left of the gir
The nurse turned toward Suzanne, noticing the abrupt shift in her demeanor. "Is everything alright, Mrs. Langford?" she asked, her voice soft.Suzanne blinked, startled, realizing she had been holding her breath. Now that it was back, it came in uneven, shallow gasps. "Dr. Carter..." she repeated, her voice trembling slightly as she fought to keep her composure. "He’s the one treating me?"The nurse nodded, oblivious to the turmoil brewing in Suzanne's chest. "Yes, that's right. He’s one of our top specialists. He should be here shortly." She smiled, too cheery for the moment, then added, "If you need anything in the meantime, just let me know."But Suzanne barely registered her words. Her mind was racing, spiraling through memories of a time long past—Liam's warm brown eyes, his infectious laugh, how he always seemed to know what she needed before she even said it. She had buried those memories, locked them away in a box she never wanted to open again. But now, with the mention of his
The air in the room thickened the moment Beatrice Langford stepped inside.For a second, Suzanne saw the flicker of calculation in the older woman’s sharp eyes, the brief assessment of the situation before she adjusted her expression. In a matter of seconds, Beatrice’s usual cold exterior melted into a mask of exaggerated concern, her lips curving into a practiced smile as she stepped toward the bed."Suzanne, darling, you look pale," she cooed, reaching out to place a perfectly manicured hand on Suzanne’s arm. The touch was light, almost gentle—if Suzanne didn’t know better, she would have thought it sincere. But she did know better. "You should be resting, not exerting yourself with unnecessary stress."Suzanne barely blinked, her body stiff under the contact. She had long since learned to tolerate Beatrice’s little acts of performance, the way she played the doting mother-in-law when it suited her. This wasn’t concern—it was an interrogation masked as affection.Before Suzanne could
As Beatrice was escorted out, Sarah and Charles stood in the hallway, the tension between them thickening.“You said you wouldn’t sleep with her, Charles,” Sarah hissed, her anger barely contained. “But here we are, with you making babies with her.”Charles's jaw tightened, frustration evident in his eyes. "It happened the day I came back drunk, Sarah. It meant nothing."Sarah’s face flushed with rage. “If you don’t fix this, Charles, I swear I’ll leave. I’m not going to keep playing these games.”She turned to walk away, but Charles grabbed her wrist, halting her. His grip was firm, and when he spoke again, his voice was low but commanding.“I found something about Suzanne,” he said, his words sharp.Her curiosity piqued, Sarah stopped, narrowing her eyes. “What do you mean, something about Suzanne?”Charles leaned in closer, his gaze cold. “She’s hiding a lot more than just her pregnancy."---The next day came faster than Suzanne expected. She was still trying to process everything
The car rolled to a stop in the long, grand driveway. Suzanne stared out the window, her fingers tightening around the seatbelt as she took in the sight before her.A line of maids stood at attention, their faces glowing with excitement. The moment they spotted her, they erupted into cheerful shouts.“Welcome back, ma’am!”Her gaze darted to the house, now decorated with bright balloons and flowing ribbons—festive, almost surreal. The air smelled faintly of fresh roses, a scent she hadn’t associated with this place in years.She swallowed. Why does this feel so… off?“Is this real?” she murmured, half to herself.Beside her, Charles opened his mouth to answer, but another voice beat him to it."Of course, it’s real, dear."Beatrice.Suzanne turned to find her mother-in-law stepping forward, her expression the perfect blend of warmth and authority. She reached out, taking Suzanne’s hands in hers, her grip firm.“You deserve nothing less than the best.”Her voice was gentle—too gentle. T
Liam stepped out of the surgery room, peeling off his gloves as the bright hospital lights bore down on him. It had been a long, grueling procedure, but as soon as he saw the relieved faces of the patient’s family, he knew it had been worth it.“Dr. Carter!” A woman rushed toward him, eyes glistening with tears. “Is he okay?”Liam offered a reassuring smile. “The surgery was a success. He’s stable now. You can see him once he’s fully awake and resting.”The family broke down in tears, sobbing and clutching each other. “Thank you, doctor! Thank you so much! We thought we’d lose him!”“You saved his life,” another person chimed in, voice trembling with gratitude. “God bless you.”Liam gave them a small nod before walking away, exhaling deeply. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, dialing William’s number.“What’s the update?” Liam asked, his voice low but urgent.William’s tone was steady. “Everything is under control. No movement from Finn’s side yet.”Liam nodded, rubb
Suzanne stepped into the house, exhaustion weighing her down—only to stop in her tracks. The rich aroma of something delicious filled the air, mingling with the faint scent of roses.Her brows furrowed as she kicked off her heels. "Liam?""In here," his voice called from the living room.Curious, she walked in—and her lips parted in surprise.A small, intimate dinner setup greeted her. A two-person table, elegantly arranged in the middle of the room, with candles casting a golden glow. Rose petals were scattered across the floor, leading up to the table, and soft instrumental music hummed in the background.Liam stood beside the table, sleeves rolled up, looking smug. “Surprise.”She raised an eyebrow, fighting back a smile. "Is this your way of apologizing for this morning?"He smirked. "You could say that."A chuckle escaped her lips. “Wow. You really went all out.”He walked over and pulled out a chair for her. “Well, I had to make up for being an ass, didn’t I?”She shook her head
Liam woke up to the scent of something warm and delicious. His eyelids fluttered open, and for a second, he thought he was dreaming. But no, there she was—Suzanne—standing beside the bed, a tray in her hands, looking like she had just stepped out of one of his best fantasies.“Good morning, sleepyhead,” she teased, setting the tray down on the bed.Liam rubbed his eyes and sat up, eyeing the plate of eggs, toast, and coffee with mild suspicion. “Did you… make this?”Suzanne rolled her eyes. “Wow. No faith in me at all?”He smirked, picking up the fork. “It’s just… I never got to eat your cooking before. Not in high school.”She shrugged, watching him as he took a bite. “First time for everything.”Liam chewed, his expression thoughtful. “Not bad. Actually—” He took another bite, pretending to be shocked. “Damn. Suzy, are you secretly a chef? Were you hiding this from me too?”She laughed, smacking his arm playfully. “Oh, shut up and eat.”For a while, they enjoyed the quiet. But the s
Suzanne’s breath hitched as Liam approached, his gaze dark with hunger. Her heart pounded, her body reacting to him before she could think. She bit her lip, caught between a smile and shyness.“Liam,” she whispered. “You should have knocked.”A slow grin spread across his face. “I should have,” he murmured, his voice low and rough. “But then I wouldn’t get to see you like this.”A ghost of a smile touched her lips, as if she wanted to challenge him, but nervous anticipation flickered in her gaze. She had always been so composed, so guarded. But here, now, standing half-naked before him, her vulnerability only made her more intoxicating.Liam reached out, his knuckles brushing along the curve of her jaw. His fingers trailed down, skimming her shoulder, feather-light, until they found the delicate strap of her bra. He hooked his finger beneath it, tugging it down just slightly, teasing her.Suzanne exhaled a shaky breath, her body leaning into his touch."I shouldn’t be here," he murmur
Finn Carter’s OfficeFinn Carter stepped into his office, his sharp gaze immediately landing on Dr. Chris Murphy, who sat across from another man—Dr. Victor Langston, the physician overseeing his father’s declining health.He barely spared them a glance as he turned to his assistant. “Leave us.”The door clicked shut behind him. With an air of practiced ease, Finn strolled to his chair and sank into it, propping his legs up on the desk and crossing them lazily. His piercing eyes shifted to Chris, curiosity laced with boredom.“To what do I owe this visit, Dr. Murphy?”Chris exchanged a hesitant glance with Langston before clearing his throat. “Dr. Langston has an update on your father’s health.”Finn exhaled, shaking his head as if the topic exhausted him. “Mm.” Then, with a smirk, he arched a brow. “Is he dead yet?”Langston hesitated for a brief second before shaking his head. “No.”Finn’s smirk faded into an unimpressed stare. “Then what’s the problem?”Chris and Langston exchanged
Dr. Liam Carter walked beside Dr. Frank Calloway, the hospital director, as they navigated the wide corridors of Carter Specialist Hospital.Frank was a man in his late fifties, well-respected and sharp-eyed, with an air of authority that came naturally. As they walked, he glanced at Liam with a knowing smile.“I’ve heard a lot about your work in Los Angeles,” Frank said. “Your reputation precedes you.”Liam smirked, adjusting his coat. “I hope it’s all good things.”Frank chuckled. “Good? That’s an understatement. The board was hesitant at first, but once they reviewed your cases—especially that complex triple bypass you performed last year—they were sold. Not to mention your research on minimally invasive heart surgeries. It’s impressive.”Liam nodded. “I appreciate that, Dr. Calloway. Though, I’ll admit, I never planned on coming here.”Frank gave him a sideways glance. “Yet, here you are.”Liam exhaled, a wry smile playing on his lips. “Yet, here I am.”Frank didn’t push for more.
The Carter Specialist Hospital assembly hall was packed. Rows of white coats filled the seats, and the air buzzed with tension. Every doctor in attendance was waiting for one man.Dr. Liam Carter.And he was late.Murmurs rippled through the crowd, impatience growing with every ticking second.“He’s rude,” one doctor muttered under his breath.A woman beside him scoffed. “What do you expect? He’s the chairman’s son. They own this hospital.”“So that gives him the right to keep us all waiting?” another snapped. The older doctors at the front cleared their throats in annoyance, subtly agreeing but unwilling to voice it.Further back, among the younger-ranked doctors, a different conversation was brewing.“I heard he’s a genius.” A young male doctor leaned forward. “Graduated at the top of his class, turned down job offers from the best hospitals in the world—Harvard Medical, John Hopkins—just to do his own thing.”“Not just that,” another chimed in. “He performed his first major surgery
Liam pushed open the door to his room, rubbing a hand down his face as exhaustion settled in. But sleep was the last thing on his mind. He strode to the window, staring out at the darkened estate before pulling out his phone.With a swift swipe, he dialed a number. The call barely rang twice before a gruff voice answered.“Do you ever let me sleep?”Liam scoffed. “I’m paying you exclusively for your job, William.”A long sigh came through the line, and Liam could practically hear the man rolling his eyes."Okay, you win," William muttered. "This better be worth it."Liam exhaled, his jaw tightening. “Finn wants to marry Suzanne Smith.”There was a beat of silence before William let out a sharp scoff. “He’s gone mad.”Liam shook his head, staring at his reflection in the glass. “I know. That’s why I’m calling. Suzanne would never agree to it, but Finn is so damn sure about it.”"When’s the wedding?" William asked, his tone shifting to something more serious.“In three days.”The silenc
Charles sped toward the Smith estate, silently praying the party hadn’t ended yet. His heart pounded as he pulled into the front lawn, but just as he was about to step out, his phone buzzed.His mother. Again.And Sarah, too.He rolled his eyes, “What do you want, Mother?” he snapped.Laughter rang through the other end, rich with amusement.“You did well, my son.”His brows furrowed. “What?”“You went to bring back my daughter-in-law? Good boy. I’m proud of you.” Her voice dripped with satisfaction.Charles ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. “How the hell do you already know?”“It’s everywhere. The news.”Of course.He pinched the bridge of his nose. “It’s not as easy as you think, Mother. You do remember what we did to her, right?”His mother scoffed. “Don’t worry. If convincing her gets too tough, I’ll come myself.” The confidence in her tone was unsettling.Charles sighed. “I have to go.”“Keep me updated, son.”The line went dead.He barely had a moment to breathe bef