HENRY'S POVI stood by the window of my office, staring out at the city below. I shouldāve 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. Heād 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 wasnāt capable of love, and certainly not with a maid.My hands clenched into fists, my nails digging into my palms. It wasnāt 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, Iād 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 Iād had the luxury to do thisāsince my mother had fallen ill, Iād 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 elseāalmost.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 Iād 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 wasnāt used to this kind of lifeāalways in the spotlight, constantly scrutinized. The wedding, though just a contract on paper, felt too real sometimes. It wasnāt 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 hadnāt 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.āJoan, 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 artistās 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 comingātonight was a public event, and Iād 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 didnāt hesitate to capture every second, their cameras snapping away furiously as Derrick wrapped an arm around my waist, drawing me closer. His grip was firmāpossessive almostāand I couldnāt 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 didnāt stop the warmth that rushed through me at his touch.āYou alright?ā he asked in a low tone as he leane
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 Iād 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 offerāa 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 Derrickās relationship. Sir Henry had been specific in his instructionsāhe didnāt just want rumors or speculation; he needed proof that their so-called ārelationshipā 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 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 fiancĆ© kept himself as distant as a stranger. But that was the role Iād signed up for, wasnāt it? Pretend to be the girlfriend of Americaās most eligible billionaire and make it look convincing.Only, Derrick didnāt make it easy. Not in the slightest.Today had been an exhausting whirl of decisions. Dresses, flowers, venuesāit 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 Derrickās frosty demeanor had left me feeling colder than I
DERRICKāS POVThe car was filled with an unbearable tension. I could feel it pressing down on me, suffocating me. Joan sat beside me in the backseat. She didnāt look bothered about me at all. Instead, her eyes were fixed on the darkened city outside the window.She acted like everything was normal, like she didnāt just stand up to or subtly threaten a mafia boss. I knew Antonio wouldnāt take it lightly. Still, it was fun to watch. I didnāt know she had that kind of fire inside her.The streetlights highlighted her face. She looked even more beautiful at night. The lights sharpened the soft contours of her cheekbones, the curve of her lips. But what kept me staring at her wasnāt her beautyāit was the fire she had inside. A fire I had totally underestimated. Hell, I didnāt even know it existed.I never thought she had it in her. Not Joan. Not the meek quiet maid who barely spoke when I was in the room. She couldnāt even look me in the eye most times. But tonight⦠tonight she had proven
DERRICKāS POVThe moment I stepped off the ballroom floor, I could still feel the ghost of Joanās touch on my skin. Her warmth, her softnessāit lingered, and I hated it. I clenched my fists, shoving past the crowd as I stormed out of the ballroom.The air outside was cool, but it did nothing to stop the fire burning inside me. I needed to get away from her, from the way she made me feelālike I was on the edge of losing control.Damn it.I leaned against a pillar in the hallway, inhaling sharply. This wasnāt supposed to happen. I wasnāt supposed to feel anything. I had vowed to never let another woman under my skin again. Love was a liability, a weakness I couldn't afford. Not in my world. Not as a mafia boss. If my enemies caught even a whiff of somethingāof someoneāI cared about, theyād exploit it. Theyād use her against me. And Joan... Joan was already too close.Besides, a woman had hurt me before and Iād be damned if I let it happen again.Women. They were all the same. Theyād act
DERRICKSā POVI stood near the balcony, holding a cigar in my hands. I needed it to calm me down.I took a long drag, inhaling deep, letting the nicotine burn its way through my chest. It was the only thing keeping my nerves in check. Antonio had made his threat clearāhe would stand against me at the table, and that was not something I could afford. He had a name that carried weight. His father had once been one of the godfathers. That legacy alone made the old men at the table listen to him, respect him. And now, with my seat hanging by a thread, I could not let him turn them against me.I exhaled, watching the smoke curl into the night air. Losing my place wasnāt an option. It was my fatherās legacy, something I had bled for, killed for. Everything I had worked for would be undone if the godfathers saw me as weak, as incompetent. I would never get the chance to be the next Don. And Henry, my bastard of a stepbrother, was already waiting like a vulture, ready to take what was mine.W
DERRICKāS POVThe gala was in full swing. Laughter and the clinking of champagne glasses filled the air, but I barely noticed. My attention was elsewhereāon the delicate hand entwined with my own. Joanās fingers were smaller than mine, softer. Her touch sent heat racing through my veins.Damn it.I tried to ignore it, to dismiss the sensation as insignificant, but my body betrayed me. My pulse quickened, and my grip involuntarily tightened around hers for the briefest second before I forced myself to relax. This wasnāt supposed to happen. I wasnāt supposed to feel anything. Not after what my ex had done to me. I had vowed never to let another woman past my defenses again.But Joanā¦She was different, wasnāt she?āDid you hear me?ā Joanās voice cut through my thoughts.I blinked and turned my head slightly, meeting her warm brown eyes. I adjusted my features into their usual neutral mask. āWhat?āShe smiled. Her genuine expression made something in my chest twist painfully. āI said yo
DERRICKāS POVI stood in my office. My fingers curled around the stress ball Joan had given me.Another shipment gone wrong. Another goddamn failure.Someone was sabotaging me from the inside.My jaw clenched, and I rolled the ball in my palm, squeezing it so tightly my knuckles turned white. This had happened too many times to be a coincidence. I thought I had gotten rid of the mole, but it seemed like there was another rat scurrying in my team.A hundred million. Gone. The godfathers would be furious. Theyād question my competence, whisper among themselves that I was slipping. And if they decided I was no longer fit to lead, theyād strip me of my power and hand it over to Henry, that snake, who had been eyeing my position for years.I couldnāt let that happen.Behind me, Santi and Ace stood stiffly. They knew what this meant, how deep this betrayal cut. But I wasnāt in the mood to hear their excuses.āWho the fuck is it?ā My voice was filled with annoyance āWho the fuck keeps doing
JOANāS POVThe sun shone through the windows of the kitchen. I was standing near the stove, overseeing the staff, just as I always did. The morning routine was the same as every other, but the air felt thick today. I could hear it. everyone could. Whispers, too quiet to catch, but loud enough to make the staffās movements hesitant, almost self-conscious. There was an interrogation ongoing. Because of the incident last night, saff members were being questioned and everyone was scared. The weight of it all was heavy on my shoulders, and I couldnāt help but feel that I was at the center of it all, the reason for all this chaos. If it werenāt for the attack on me, none of this would be happening. I hated that it had all come down to this.Emilyās voice broke through my thoughts.āThey're letting a lot of people go,ā she muttered, her eyes scanning the kitchen āCanāt say they didnāt deserve it, butā¦āI finished for her with a sigh āItās because of me, isnāt it?āShe nodded, biting her lip.
JOANāS POVThe incident with the masked man left me shaken. No matter how much I tried to push it from my mind, the memory clung to me. Every creak of the floorboards, every flicker of movement in my peripheral vision, made my heart hammer in my chest. I found myself growing paranoid, constantly looking over my shoulder as if the masked man would come out from the darkness at any moment.Later that night, as I sat curled up on my bed, hugging my knees, my bedroom door creaked open. My pulse spiked, and I held my breath until I saw Derrick step into the room. His presence filled the space, commanding as always, but tonight, something else lingered in his gazeāconcern."Are you okay?" he asked. His voice was softer and lower than usual, as if he was afraid heād startle me.I nodded, forcing a small smile, even though my hands trembled slightly against my arms. "I'm fine. And⦠thank you. For saving me."He studied me carefully. His blue eyes scanned my face as though searching for a lie.
JOANāS POVThe evening was busy but I didnāt mind. I wanted everything to be perfect. After everything Derrick did for me, I wanted to do something for him too.I stood in the kitchen as I supervised the activities around me. Pans sizzled, knives chopped and I ticked all the boxes of everything we need.āItās going well, isnāt it?ā Ms Sullivan asked with a smile as she walked out of the kitchen.āSure isā I called after her. Tonightās dinner had to be perfect, and I was determined to make it so.āCareful with the sauce, Emily,ā I said, pointing at the simmering pot on the stove. āIt needs to thicken just a little more.āEmily nodded as she stirred. The chef gave me a quick thumbs-up as he continued cooking. I laughed. When everything was finally prepared, I helped Emily and Sarah set the long dining table in the dining room. I made sure everything looked alluring to the eye. I even decorated the table with flowers.āThank you, everyone,ā I said with a grateful smile once the table w
JOANāS POVI had spent the last few days sewing in my sewing room. My mind was focused only on the fabrics and my designs. I had never felt happier.I was sewing again! I was actually sewing again. And this time, I had everything I ever needed and even more. Designing again was a breath of fresh air for me. It was the one place where I felt in control.But that morning, as I adjusted a piece of fabric, Emily entered the room with a smile."Joan," she said "Sir Derrick has called for you."I froze, the needle halting mid-stitch. Derrick? It had been days since I last saw him. I hadnāt seen him since the engagement. Irene told me he had gone on a business trip."Really?" I blinked, trying to hide the excitement I felt. "Iāof course. Iāll go right away."Emily smiled at me, and I could see the curiosity in her eyes. "Heās in his study. And, Joan... Iāve been meaning to tell youāyour pieces, theyāre incredible. You have such a talent."I looked at the mannequins that were now clothed in t