Nicholas stared at Olivia, his eyes burning with a mix of anger and hurt. “I can’t ignore the doubts anymore, Olivia. Something doesn’t feel right,” he said, his voice trembling with emotion. Olivia scoffed, her eyes flashing with indignation. “How dare you accuse me of cheating? I’ve never been unfaithful to you,” she retorted, her voice laced with venom. Nicholas ran a hand through his hair, his frustration mounting. “It’s not just about infidelity, Olivia. It’s about the way you’ve been neglecting our son, leaving him stranded at school today. This isn’t the first time you’ve dropped the ball, and it’s tearing our family apart.” Olivia’s face contorted with anger, her voice rising. “Oh, please! You’re the one to talk? You’re always so obsessed with Reyna, secretly staring at her picture when you think I’m not looking. Maybe you’re the one who’s been unfaithful!” Nicholas felt a pang of guilt at the mention of Reyna’s name. Yes, he had been captivated by her, drawn to her in a wa
Reyna took a deep breath as she stared at her reflection in the mirror. Today was the day she would become Mrs. William Parker. Her heart pounded with anxiety and apprehension. She had gone over every detail again and again, weighing the pros and cons. Ultimately, her ambitions and desire to succeed had won out over any doubts or fears. As she put the final touches on her makeup, her mind wandered to William. They had only met briefly when he proposed the unusual arrangement, but there was an undeniable magnetism about him that both thrilled and intimidated her. She wondered if there could ever be anything real between them, or if this would be a cold business transaction. A soft knock at the door pulled Reyna from her thoughts. “Come in,” she said, her voice tinged with nervousness. The door creaked open and Aunt Mildred entered, her eyes filled with concern. “Reyna, are you absolutely sure about this?” she asked gently. “You know you don’t have to go through with it if you’ve ch
After dinner, Reyna pulled William aside, an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. “Can I speak with you privately for a moment?” she asked. William raised an eyebrow but followed her out to the hallway. As soon as they were out of earshot, Reyna whirled around, anger flashing in her eyes. “What was that stunt you pulled during dinner?” she demanded, keeping her voice low. “Mia looked terrified. Irritation crossed William’s face. “I told you from the beginning not to expect me to play father to your daughter,” he said coldly. “I provided full financial support to you as we agreed. But parenting is not part of the arrangement.” “That doesn’t mean you need to scare her!” Reyna shot back, struggling to keep her voice down. “She’s just a little girl, William. There was no call for you to try to intimidate me in front of a six-year-old.” William’s eyes narrowed dangerously and he took a step towards Reyna, his tall frame looming over her. She fought the urge to step back, standing
William stared after her fleeing form, the fire dying from his eyes. As the haze of anger and alcohol faded, horror flooded through him at his own actions. “Reyna, wait!” he called hoarsely, taking a stumbling step after her. What had he done? He hadn’t laid hands on a woman in violence since… But Reyna was already gone, her footsteps receding rapidly up the stairs. William ran an agitated hand through his disheveled hair, cursing himself violently. He hadn’t lost control like that in years. And to take it out on Reyna of all people… “Reyna!” he tried again, moving unsteadily toward the stairs. But there was only silence. As he reached the top landing, he thought he heard muffled sobs from behind her bedroom door. William approached slowly, shame and self-loathing threatening to choke him. He raised one hand hesitantly. “Reyna,” he rasped, his voice cracking. “I…I don’t know what came over me. I’m so sorry. Please…” He trailed off helplessly. But his only answer was the resoundin
William sighed in frustration as he went to greet his mother at the front door. "What are you doing here?" Eleanor turned, looking her son up and down with pursed lips. "Well don't you look a mess, William. I see you haven't changed your playboy ways." William ran a hand through his tousled hair self-consciously. "Actually, Mother, things are different now." He put an arm around Reyna's waist. "This is my wife, Reyna." Eleanor's pencil-thin eyebrows shot up in surprise. Her gaze traveled from Reyna's flushed face to William's crooked shirt collar. A judgmental glint flashed in her eyes. "Your wife?" she said dubiously. "I wasn't aware you were even dating anyone. How long has this been going on behind my back?" "Uh, well..." William faltered, exchanging a nervous glance with Reyna. Thinking on his feet, he fibbed, "We met a while ago through, uh, mutual friends. Been secretly together for months." He faked an adoring smile at Reyna. "You know how I like to avoid publicity, Mo
Reyna looked at herself in the mirror as the maid finished zipping up the back of her evening gown. It was a sleek red number that hugged her curves delicately. She knew William had specifically chosen this gown for the charity gala they were attending that evening, wanting his "wife" to look the part. As she applied the final touches of lipstick, her thoughts drifted to Mia. Her daughter was asleep in one of the many guest rooms of the lavish mansion, being cared for by their usual nanny. Reyna hated leaving her, even for a few hours, but these public appearances were important for maintaining her and William's fabricated relationship. A few days after the emotional ordeal with William's father, Reyna and William found themselves preparing for their next public appearance as a married couple. A big charity gala was being held by one of William's philanthropic foundations, and as the public faces, they had to put on a happy front. Reyna quickly got ready, slipping into a glittering
The next morning, Reyna awoke with a pounding headache, both physically and emotionally drained from the previous night's events. She dragged herself out of bed and got ready for the day, dreading what was to come. When she came downstairs for breakfast, William was already there nursing a cup of black coffee. He barely glanced in her direction as she sat down, remaining stoically silent. An agonizing tension hung heavy in the air between them.Reyna cautiously broke the silence. "William, about last night...""I'd rather not discuss it," he interrupted brusquely, not meeting her eyes. Finishing his coffee in one gulp, he stood up. "We have business at your winery today. Be ready to leave in 30 minutes."With that, William exited, leaving Reyna staring helplessly after him. She tried to push down the rising hurt and disappointment swelling in her chest; this cold shoulder treatment was to be expected, she supposed, after everything that had transpired. Quickly finishing her own coff
William hesitated, conflict warring in his eyes. Reyna lay breathless beneath him, the heady desire of moments ago dissipating into uneasy tension. He closed his eyes briefly and took a deep breath. “Reyna…I think this was a mistake. We shouldn’t have…” Her face fell, and her chest clenched painfully. “Why? What changed?” “I just…” William sighed and pulled away, swiftly redressing in tense silence. Reyna sat up slowly, clutching the tattered remains of her dress to her bare chest. “Please talk to me, William. What did I do wrong?” He turned to face her, his expression unreadable in the shadows. “You still have feelings for Nicholas.” Reyna froze. How could she reply to that without hurting him further? “The past can’t be erased so easily. But I want to move forward, with you.” William ran a hand through his hair wearily. “I saw the way you looked at him. It’s clear there’s still…something there.” “Maybe once, but not anymore. You’re the one I choose.” Reyna reached for h