JOAN'S POVI shivered in the back seat of the limo, staring out at the blur of streetlights through my tears. My fingers trembled in my lap, and I could still feel the cameras flashing in my face, the shouts of the paparazzi hurling questions at me. I never imagined it would feel like this, being thrown into the public eye. The pressure, the eyes always watching, the fear of slipping up. It felt suffocating.The worst part? I just begun. This was just my first outing. Is this how it's going to be for the next few years? “Stop shaking. You’re acting like a child,” Sir Derrick scoffed. I snapped my head towards him. My eyes stung from the tears I’d been trying so hard to hold back. "How?" I asked him. His words made something inside me snap. "You're whining. You need to grow up" he muttered. "Acting like a child? I just got ambushed by a mob of reporters, Derrick. What do you expect me to do?" I whispered. He barely glanced at me. His hands gripped his phone tightly "This is you
JONAS' POV (A NEW CHARACTER) I stared at the crumbling ceiling of our small apartment. The sound of my wife sobbing quietly from the bedroom pierced through the thin walls. My chest ached with a lot of emotions. The pressure of it all pressed down on me like a thousand bricks. Debt was suffocating us, and I could barely breathe under the pressure. Every day, I tried to convince myself that what I was doing—the pursuit of truth—was worth the struggle, but the bills didn’t care about integrity. Neither did the landlord.I heard her soft footsteps approaching, her sobs barely under control. Emily stood in the doorway, her hand resting on her growing belly. Her eyes were puffy, red from crying again, and it twisted something deep inside me. I hated seeing her like this, hated knowing that I was the cause."Jonas," she whispered "I need money for the doctor’s appointment next week. And the medicine... you know it’s not safe for the baby if I don’t get the vitamins they prescribed. I know
HENRY'S POVI stood by the window of my office, staring out at the city below. I should’ve felt satisfaction. After all, I was filthy rich, and I had built an empire most men would kill for. But the satisfaction never came. It never did when I thought about Derrick.Derrick.The name alone made my blood boil. He’d always been a step ahead, always managed to take what I wanted. And now, he was about to become the Mafia Don for the district. Not because he deserved it, but because he was marrying that maid, Joan. The arrangement was fake, I knew it. It had to be. Derrick wasn’t capable of love, and certainly not with a maid.My hands clenched into fists, my nails digging into my palms. It wasn’t about the money for me. No, I had more than enough of that. It was about power, and the respect that came with it. All my life, I’d been second to Derrick. No matter what I achieved, no matter how high I climbed, it was never enough to escape his shadow. I was always known as the Mafia Don's ba
JOAN'S POVThe sound of the needle piercing through fabric was soothing to me. It was a soft, calming noise that filled my room. A lot of people couldn't hear it but I could. I noticed the small things. I could hear how the needle went through the clothes, forming something out of nothing. I sat by the window, looking outside as I knitted. I had always loved to sew.the quiet work of knitting or stitching allowed my thoughts to wander and unravel, just like the fabric I held in my hands. But it had been a long time since I’d had the luxury to do this—since my mother had fallen ill, I’d been forced to stop, to focus on finding work, on making enough money to care for her. The small sewing business I once had was gone, and with it, a piece of myself went as well. Still, sitting here now, knitting a simple top, I felt a small sensation of that old happiness. I allowed my hands to move, each stitch soothing me. I could almost forget everything else—almost.But my thoughts were not so ea
JOAN'S POVThe next morning, I was cuddled in the warmth of my blankets, half-asleep, when I heard a knock on my door. I groaned, pulling the covers over my face, willing the world away for just a few more moments."It's Sarah. Sir Derrick wishes to see you in his office," her voice sounded through the door. At the mention of his name, my body betrayed me. My heart quickened and a faint thrill coursed through my veins as I forced myself to sit up. Derrick. Of course, it had to be him."Do you know why?" I asked, trying to mask the curiosity in my voice."I'm not sure, but I think it has something to do with the wedding preparations. None of my business, anyway."Wedding preparations. The words felt cold as they settled into my mind. I quickly threw off the covers, getting out of ned I glanced at myself in the mirror with a flood of thoughts racing through my head. I looked like a mess. I wanted to look good for him, though I’d never admit that to anyone, least of all myself.After
JOAN'S POVThe day went by fast. It was filled with wedding preparations. If I saw one more wedding brochure, I just might scream. I barely had time to breathe these days, let alone think. I wasn’t used to this kind of life—always in the spotlight, constantly scrutinized. The wedding, though just a contract on paper, felt too real sometimes. It wasn’t love that brought Derrick and me together, but necessity. And yet, here I was, preparing for a wedding that felt more like a spectacle than anything else.By the afternoon, I decided I needed a break. I hadn’t seen Miss Sullivan, Emily, or Sarah in a while. I missed them. They were the people I bonded with when I started working here as a maid, and in many ways, they still felt like my family.I headed down to the kitchen, hoping to find a bit of peace away from the madness. The second I walked in, the smell of baked bread and herbs hit me. Ms Sullivan looked up from kneading dough. Her face lit up when she saw me.“Joan, there you are!
JOAN'S POVI sat in front of the vanity mirror. The bright lights made the room feel warmer than it actually was. The makeup artist’s hands moved expertly across my face, dabbing foundation, brushing my cheeks with blush, and carefully lining my eyes. I could see the reflection of the glam team bustling around me, working on my hair and choosing the perfect jewelry. A strange knot of excitement formed in my stomach, tightening with each passing minute. I knew what was coming—tonight was a public event, and I’d be accompanying Derrick. Both of us would be attending a charity gala tonight. It would be the perfect soft launch for our relationship.Derrick. Just the thought of him made my heart race with a mix of butterflies and nerves that I could never quite shake. Every time I thought I understood him, he would do something to throw me off balance. But there was no denying the pull between us. Even now, as I sat in this chair, my thoughts kept wandering back to him.The door creaked
JOAN'S POVAs the limo pulled up to the entrance of the gala, my heart raced. The moment the door opened and Derrick stepped out, the blinding flashes of cameras made my pulse quicken. He turned back toward me, offering his hand. His dark, commanding presence seemed to make everything around him fade, as if he alone controlled the scene. I hesitated for a second, not used to this kind of attention, but then I took his hand and stepped out into the madness of flashing lights and voices calling out his name.The photographers didn’t hesitate to capture every second, their cameras snapping away furiously as Derrick wrapped an arm around my waist, drawing me closer. His grip was firm—possessive almost—and I couldn’t help but feel the electricity between us. I knew this was all for show, a public display for the paparazzi and the high-profile guests that awaited us inside. But that didn’t stop the warmth that rushed through me at his touch.“You alright?” he asked in a low tone as he leane
JOAN'S POVIt was well past midnight when I slipped downstairs to the kitchen. I couldn't sleep so I decided to get a glass of milk to calm myself down. Just as I got the milk I needed, the muffled sound of voices caught my attention. I could hear a low argument coming from down the hallway. Curiosity got the better of me as it always did and I found myself walking closer. I stayed behind a pillar, straining my ears to catch every word.It was Derrick and Henry. They were both arguing about something. "You're hiding something, Derrick." Henry said "How long do you think you can keep it a secret?"Derrick’s response was calm "You have no idea what you're talking about, Henry. Stay out of my affairs, or you’ll regret it."I held my breath as I pieced together what little I could from their exchange. It was clear there was a rift between them. Just then, the sound of footsteps approaching shocked me. I ran back to the staircase, making my way up as silently as possible. Once I was in
JOAN’S POVIrene and I planned to spend the day getting our hair and nails done. I wasn’t the type to do this often. Hell, before I got engaged to Derrick, I couldn’t remember the last time I got my hair done. I usually did it myself. But Irene kept pleading for us to have a girl’s day out together. And how on earth could I say no to Irene?As soon as I stepped through the doors of the salon with Irene, my jaw nearly dropped. I’d never seen anything like this place before. The walls gleamed with soft pink wallpapers and crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Everything here screamed luxury, from the fluffy chairs, to the bright vanity mirrors, the marble counters and even the stylists. Women walked around wearing robes with glasses of champagnes in their hands. They talked quietly as they were pampered by the workers. Irene noticed my awestruck expression and grinned. “I told you, Joan, this place is worth the hype. Nothing but the best for us.”“I can see that”“Don’t be too su
JOAN'S POVOne night, I accompanied Derrick to a dinner with the governor. The governor’s mansion was breathtaking. Everything here was sophisticated - the paintings, the chandeliers, the high ceilings, the wide hallway and the house itself. As we stepped through the entrance, the chandeliers sparkled above us on the marble floors. I tried not to gape but it was hard not to. I was in awe of thewhole place. It looked like something straight out a movie. Beside me, Derrick walked with confidence. His posture was straight and his expression was unreadable as always. He hadn’t spoken much on the drive over. Not like he ever spoke to me anyway. But now, as we walked through the crowd of high-profile guests, he seemed even colder. The dining room was already half-full by the time we reached our seats. As I took a look around, I couldn’t help but notice the familiar faces scattered around the room. The governor, several senators, and even the President of the United States who was seated
JONAS' POVI adjusted the tiny camera in the button of my shirt. I angled it just right before I slipped back into the dining room. Derrick and Joan were already seated. The silence between them was so thick I could practically feel it from across the room. They sat on opposite ends of the long table, hardly looking at each other while they ate. They didn't behave like a real couple. So far, there was no hint of affection, no evidence of warmth that might prove Henry wrong. Maybe he was right. Maybe this whole marriage was just a carefully constructed facade.I kept my eyes down, trying to busy myself with minor tasks as I positioned myself discreetly nearby, hoping to catch a clear shot of any interaction. Derrick buttered his toast in silence. Joan, on the other hand, stirred her tea absentmindedly. Her eyes were distant as if she was lost in thought. She looked fragile, almost vulnerable. Just as I thought I’d finally have a few minutes to observe, Ms. Sullivan appeared out of now
JOAN'S POVI sat on my bed, taking a look around my room. It was funny how much my life had changed in a few months. It's funny how things can change in the blink of an eye. The room was lavish, yet suffocating, and I often found myself feeling lost within its walls. Especially when the man I was supposed to call my fiancé kept himself as distant as a stranger. But that was the role I’d signed up for, wasn’t it? Pretend to be the girlfriend of America’s most eligible billionaire and make it look convincing.Only, Derrick didn’t make it easy. Not in the slightest.Today had been an exhausting whirl of decisions. Dresses, flowers, venues—it has taken me the whole day. I'd met up with the finest wedding dress designers and the best florists in the country. Irene had been by my side. She had been supportive as always. Her cheerful attitude helped to keep me grounded. She was good at calming my nerves, and I needed that because Derrick’s frosty demeanor had left me feeling colder than I
HENRY'S POVI sat back in my new apartment, the leather of the couch squeaking as I shifted to get more comfortable. A week ago, I never thought I’d be here, living in a space twice the size of my old rat-infested dump, but there I was. And it was all thanks to Sir Henry. I ran a hand through my hair, letting out a slow breath as I watched the rain trickle down the windowpane. It had been a whirlwind since Sir Henry Stonewood approached me with his offer—a life-changing deal that pulled me out of a sinking ship and straight into this luxurious high-rise.The terms were clear: find the truth about Joan and Derrick’s relationship. Sir Henry had been specific in his instructions—he didn’t just want rumors or speculation; he needed proof that their so-called “relationship” was nothing but a sham. The first few days were quiet, but now, things were picking up. I'd noticed that Joan and Derrick were a lot more careful in public. It seemed real enough. It was more than enough to convince an
JOAN'S POVAs the limo pulled up to the entrance of the gala, my heart raced. The moment the door opened and Derrick stepped out, the blinding flashes of cameras made my pulse quicken. He turned back toward me, offering his hand. His dark, commanding presence seemed to make everything around him fade, as if he alone controlled the scene. I hesitated for a second, not used to this kind of attention, but then I took his hand and stepped out into the madness of flashing lights and voices calling out his name.The photographers didn’t hesitate to capture every second, their cameras snapping away furiously as Derrick wrapped an arm around my waist, drawing me closer. His grip was firm—possessive almost—and I couldn’t help but feel the electricity between us. I knew this was all for show, a public display for the paparazzi and the high-profile guests that awaited us inside. But that didn’t stop the warmth that rushed through me at his touch.“You alright?” he asked in a low tone as he leane
JOAN'S POVI sat in front of the vanity mirror. The bright lights made the room feel warmer than it actually was. The makeup artist’s hands moved expertly across my face, dabbing foundation, brushing my cheeks with blush, and carefully lining my eyes. I could see the reflection of the glam team bustling around me, working on my hair and choosing the perfect jewelry. A strange knot of excitement formed in my stomach, tightening with each passing minute. I knew what was coming—tonight was a public event, and I’d be accompanying Derrick. Both of us would be attending a charity gala tonight. It would be the perfect soft launch for our relationship.Derrick. Just the thought of him made my heart race with a mix of butterflies and nerves that I could never quite shake. Every time I thought I understood him, he would do something to throw me off balance. But there was no denying the pull between us. Even now, as I sat in this chair, my thoughts kept wandering back to him.The door creaked
JOAN'S POVThe day went by fast. It was filled with wedding preparations. If I saw one more wedding brochure, I just might scream. I barely had time to breathe these days, let alone think. I wasn’t used to this kind of life—always in the spotlight, constantly scrutinized. The wedding, though just a contract on paper, felt too real sometimes. It wasn’t love that brought Derrick and me together, but necessity. And yet, here I was, preparing for a wedding that felt more like a spectacle than anything else.By the afternoon, I decided I needed a break. I hadn’t seen Miss Sullivan, Emily, or Sarah in a while. I missed them. They were the people I bonded with when I started working here as a maid, and in many ways, they still felt like my family.I headed down to the kitchen, hoping to find a bit of peace away from the madness. The second I walked in, the smell of baked bread and herbs hit me. Ms Sullivan looked up from kneading dough. Her face lit up when she saw me.“Joan, there you are!