Emily's POV.I woke up feeling restless.Not that I had slept much.The clock on the wall read 9:43 AM, but I had been up for hours, lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, my thoughts refusing to settle. The weight of last night still clung to me, pressing against my chest.I had said too much.I had gone too far.I knew it the second the words left my mouth, but I didn’t stop. I didn’t hold back. I had wanted to hurt him, and I had.Now, Cole was nowhere to be found.I sat at the kitchen counter, my fingers wrapped around a mug of coffee I had barely touched. The rich scent filled the air, but it did nothing to calm me. The silence in the house was deafening, and every time I glanced at the front door, a strange, uneasy feeling settled in my stomach.Where had he gone?I wasn’t going to ask.I had no right to.After everything I said to him last night, I should be glad he left. I should be relieved. He deserved better than to be constantly pulled into whatever mess was in my head.But
Emily's POV.Sunday was worse.If I thought yesterday had been bad, today was a whole new level of miserable.I woke up feeling like shit.Not physically…no, physically, I was fine. But my mind wouldn’t shut up. My chest felt tight, my stomach was weirdly unsettled, and the silence in the house was suffocating.Cole was still nowhere to be seen, and I had no idea what he was doing. No clue where he had gone.And I shouldn’t care.I shouldn’t want to know.But I did.The more I tried to push him out of my head, the more present he became. Every room I walked into reminded me of him. Every single thing I did felt empty, dull, pointless.I needed to get out.I needed a distraction.So I went to the gym.And that was my first mistake.I stepped inside, barely paying attention to the people around me. The sound of weights dropping, sneakers squeaking against the floor, and the occasional grunt of effort filled the space, but I wasn’t really listening.I just wanted to move.I was halfway a
Emily's POV.The ropes dug into my wrists, rough and unrelenting, but I didn’t flinch. The blindfold pressed against my eyes, blocking everything, leaving me with only the sensation of movement as the car sped down a road I couldn’t see. The gag in my mouth made it impossible to speak, not that I had anything to say.I had let them take me.Not a single struggle, not a single scream.I had just stood there, staring down the barrel of the gun, waiting. And when they grabbed me, when they yanked me away, I only looked back once…at the little boy, still frozen where I’d left him, his big, terrified eyes locked on mine.I had waved. Just a small, lazy wave. Nothing dramatic.Then they shoved me into the car, blindfolded me, tied me up, and now here I was.The drive was long. Longer than I expected.The engine rumbled, the tires hummed against the asphalt, but inside the car, it was silent. The men didn’t speak, didn’t joke, didn’t even breathe too loudly. It was all business.Whoever sent
Cole’s POVIt was past 11 PM, and Emily still hadn’t returned.I wasn’t supposed to care.She had made it clear…so damn clear…that she wanted nothing to do with me. That she hated me. That whatever we were, whatever could have been, was impossible. She didn’t love me. She didn’t even like me.So, I did what she wanted. I started avoiding her.At first, it was torture. Every time I saw her, it was like something sharp lodged itself in my chest, making it hard to breathe. But I forced myself to look away, to act like I didn’t notice the way she hesitated whenever she saw me. Like I didn’t see the way she would part her lips like she had something to say, only to shut them and walk away instead.I told myself it was for the best.She had made her choice. I was just respecting it.And then there was tonight.She had been in the gym, standing by the weights, looking like she was ready to lose herself in another exhausting workout. But then she saw me.And she stopped.She just stood there,
The Desperate SearchCole's POV.My wife was missing.I grabbed my phone and started calling people, but I still got the same response, no one knew where she was.I even called a few high-end hotels, assuming she might have booked a suite under an alias. Still, nothing.“Are you sure? Check again,” I snapped at the receptionist on the other end of the line, my patience wearing dangerously thin.“I’m sorry, sir. There’s no booking under that name,” she repeated.I hung up, jaw clenched so tightly it ached.Emily wasn’t the kind of woman who got lost. She didn’t make mistakes. If she wasn’t here, it was because she didn’t want to be found.Or worse…because something had happened to her.By noon, I was sitting in the police station, gripping the edge of the counter as I glared at the officer in front of me.“She’s been missing for less than twenty-four hours,” the officer said, barely looking up from his computer. “She’s an adult, sir. Maybe she just needed some space.”I slammed my hand
Cole's POV.It didn’t take long before the media got hold of the story.By morning, Emily’s disappearance was everywhere.News channels ran the story on repeat, flashing photos of Emily across the screen…pictures from charity events, business galas, even candid shots from the rare occasions we’d been photographed together. Every outlet had their own spin on it, but the core message was the same.“Billionaire’s Wife Mysteriously Vanishes—Foul Play Suspected.”“Where is Emily Greyson? Heiress and Philanthropist Missing for Over 24 Hours.”“Cole Greyson’s Wife Reported Missing—Abduction or Voluntary Disappearance?”Talk show panels debated every possibility. Some believed Emily had run away. Others speculated it was a kidnapping for ransom. A few even suggested I had something to do with it…fueling their theories with clips of us in public, moments where we weren’t smiling, weren’t touching. As if that meant something.Social media erupted with wild theories. Hashtags trended worldwide.
Vanessa’s POVThe news was everywhere.Every channel. Every social media platform. Every gossip site.Emily Greyson was missing.I scrolled through my phone, my lips curling into a slow, satisfied smirk as I read the headlines.Billionaire Heiress Emily Greyson Kidnapped!Cole Greyson Desperate to Find His Wife!No Ransom Demand…Where Is She?My heart swelled with satisfaction.I had expected the kidnapping to cause a stir, but this? This was beyond my wildest dreams. The media had latched onto the story like vultures, dissecting every possible theory, speculating endlessly, analyzing every angle.They had camera crews stationed outside Cole’s mansion, desperate to catch a glimpse of his anguish. Reporters had their microphones shoved in the faces of security guards, family members, business associates…anyone who might have a clue about where poor, innocent Emily had disappeared to.And the best part?No one had a single idea.I locked my phone and tossed it onto the plush couch besid
Emily’s POVThe stench in the air was unbearable.It was a disgusting mix of sweat, rust, and something damp, like rotting wood and mold. The place was worse than the last. Smaller. Hotter. Dirtier. The air felt thick, suffocating, heavy with the weight of unwashed bodies and old cigarette smoke.Rats scurried somewhere in the dark corners, their tiny claws scratching against the concrete floor. The only light came from a low, fluctuating bulb swinging overhead, showing strange, distorted shadows on the walls. It buzzed every few seconds, like it was on the verge of dying, struggling to stay alive in this miserable place.And me?I was still tied to this damn chair.Still in the same clothes I had been wearing when they grabbed me. The once-clean outfit now clung to me, sticky with sweat and grime. My hair was a tangled mess, strands plastered against my face and neck. My body ached in ways I had never felt before…every muscle sore, every bone screaming in protest.Two days.Two whole
Smith’s POVThe Hart Enterprise 50th Anniversary Gala was perfect.Every inch of the ballroom screamed success. The walls, lined with art and gold accents, reflected the soft shimmer of crystal chandeliers. The air smelled faintly of expensive perfume and fresh flowers, the latter arranged in massive, white-topped vases at every corner. I surveyed it all…took it in from the balcony before stepping down to join the crowd below.It was a night that I had meticulously planned. Years of hard work, of seeing opportunities and risks like no one else, and now, it all led here. Every seat in the room was occupied. Every person invited was a mover, a shaker, an influencer. The type of people who understood what it meant to be at the top.I adjusted the cuffs of my black tuxedo…custom-made, obviously. Not a thread out of place. My watch gleamed under the soft lighting as I looked out at the sea of faces below. The night was unfolding as I had imagined. Every detail was perfect. Every piece in p
Stevie-Lou’s POVThree days.It had been three days since we lowered my father into the ground.Three days since I stood beside his casket, dressed in black, staring down at the man who raised me…silent and still beneath a polished wooden lid. Three days of hearing strangers murmur things like “He was a good man” and “So sorry for your loss,” as if their condolences could glue together the splintered mess inside my chest.They couldn’t. Nothing could.The grief was a living thing. It clung to me like a second skin, heavy and suffocating, curling around my lungs every time I tried to breathe. I sat curled up on the sagging couch in my apartment, wrapped in my father’s old flannel shirt, my knees tucked under me like a scared little girl. A single candle burned on the coffee table. Sandalwood…his favorite scent. The flame danced, throwing shadows against the walls, soft and flickering. It was the only light I could stand. The overhead bulbs were too harsh, too alive.Jeremy, my boyfrien
Smith's POV.I leaned back in my chair slowly, the leather squeaking. I didn’t speak. Just stared at James.His hands were twitchy. Fidgety. Like he didn’t know what to do with them."Is that all?" I finally asked.He blinked. Like he expected me to say something else. Anything else."Yes, sir. I just thought... you should know."I scoffed. "Why?"He flinched. "Well, he worked here since before you were born.""Exactly," I said, cutting him off. "Which means he had years to prepare. Retirement fund. Family. Friends. A damn GoFundMe if he wanted."James didn’t speak."You think it was my job to save him?" I asked, eyes narrowing.He shook his head quickly. "No, sir. Of course not.""Good. Because it wasn’t. This isn’t a charity."The silence in the room tightened. James looked at the floor."He was desperate," he mumbled.I stood up slowly. Walked around the desk until I was a few steps from him."Let me ask you something, James. If I give 1.3 million to a dying man with a bad heart, h
Smith POV.I was 27. Young. Cold. Successful. Ruthless.CEO of the Hart Enterprise.People feared me. And that was fine. Fear keeps people in check. I didn’t have time for emotions or second chances. Not in this world. Not in business. One mistake could bring it all crashing down.I sat behind my office desk…black, clean…just like everything else in my life. The skyline of New York stood outside my glass window. Everyone out there had a dream. I was already living mine. But it didn’t come easy.I wasn’t even supposed to be here. I wasn’t meant to exist.My father, Richard Hart, never wanted me. He wasn’t married when he met my mother, Lena. His first wife…Emily’s mother…had already left him. Walked away. No cheating involved. That chapter had ended.Eight years later, he met my mother. It was just a one-night stand. Nothing more. A stupid decision. When she found out she was pregnant and told him, he turned into a monster.He tortured her. Pressured her. Told her to get rid of me.But
Married To The Billionaire I Hate Part 2Synopsis:Stevie-Lou Parker’s world shattered the day her father, a loyal employee of Smith Hart, died after being denied a loan for his treatment. Smith Hart, the ruthless billionaire, refused to help, and her father paid the price. Consumed with rage, Stevie-Lou swore revenge on the man who caused her family’s downfall.To get close to him, Stevie-Lou went undercover, hiding her true identity. She lied about her name and used a disguise so Smith would never suspect she was the daughter of the man whose death he had caused. Using her beauty and talent as a skilled dancer, Stevie-Lou captivated Smith with a performance that left him wanting more. He fell in love, believing she was just another woman to add to his collection.But for Stevie-Lou, this was never about love…it was about revenge. She married him, planning to strip him of everything he held dear: his wealth, his power, his empire. What Smith didn’t know was that Stevie-Lou wasn’t alo
Emily's POV.Six years later.I couldn't believe how much everything had changedm..and how much I had changed. I used to be a woman who could take on anything with a smile, fighting tooth and nail for what I wanted, getting my way, keeping my guard up. Now, I was a wife, a mother to two wild kids who were way too much like me for comfort, and I was somehow still trying to find the balance. Cole and I had two little monsters. I meant that in the most loving way, of course. A five-year-old girl who thought she knew everything, and a three-year-old boy who was already calm enough to be mistaken for a mini version of his father.I looked over at Mia, our daughter, as she flipped through her book on the couch, muttering to herself. “Mom, you know you can’t just say things like that. The truth is like…” She paused, squinting up at me, “...it’s like a key. It opens doors. And if you don’t have the key, well, you’re locked out. Simple logic. Honestly.”I blinked, my fork halfway to my mouth
Emily's POV.I could feel the tightness in my chest as I walked into the hospital room. The usual weird smell of the hospital hit me instantly, but it didn’t matter. My feet were heavy, like each step took more out of me than it should. I didn’t know what I expected walking in here, but seeing him like this…injured, bruised, bandaged…was almost too much.Cole was sitting upright in the bed, his broad shoulders hunched slightly as he adjusted the position of the IV that was attached to his arm. His face, though familiar, looked a little different. His skin was pale, almost sickly, and his hair was messy, falling loosely across his forehead. His eyes…those eyes that could melt anyone with a single glance…were narrowed at the screen in front of him. His left hand was holding a small tablet, and I saw the footage of the trial. It was the video of what happened in court …Vanessa, shackled, dragged in like she was nothing. I saw the shot of her standing in the courtroom, struggling to keep
Vanessa's POV.They brought me in through the back. Shackled. Dressed in orange. I could feel every damn eye in that courtroom the moment the doors opened.Phones were out. Cameras. People whispering. Judging. Hating.I used to walk through halls with power in my step, people hanging onto my words, afraid to cross me. Now, the guards shoved me forward like I was nothing. Like I wasn’t the Vanessa Monroe.The courtroom was colder than I remembered. The lights too bright. Too many people. Too many eyes. My throat was dry, and not a soul here gave a damn.The judge didn’t look up as I was led to the defendant’s table. He was flipping through a file…my file…thicker than a Bible.I sat. Hands cuffed. Ankles chained. Heart racing. Face burning.And then I saw her.Emily.Sitting there in the front row like she owned the damn place. Like she wasn’t two months pregnant with the child I tried to erase along with her.Her head was high. Shoulders back. Lips painted blood red. Her arms crossed l
Emily's POV.Hours passed. Again.The ICU lights didn’t dim. Nurses kept coming in and out. Adjusting tubes. Checking monitors. Writing things down without saying a word to me. One of them offered me a blanket. Another brought me water I didn’t touch. I couldn’t drink. Couldn’t eat. My stomach was twisted into a hundred knots.Cole hadn’t moved.Not even a twitch.I kept waiting for something. A flick of his fingers. A twitch of an eyelid. A miracle.But the machines kept beeping the same way. Monotonous. Cold. Consistent.My fingers stayed laced with his. Even though he couldn’t squeeze back.The door creaked open again.Footsteps. Not rushed. Not hesitant. Just... steady.I turned, and there she was.Lena.Smith's mom.She looked like she’d driven straight from hell to get here. Hair in a bun that had long since given up. Dark circles under her eyes. Clothes wrinkled, boots dusty. Her eyes locked on me, then flicked to Cole. Her jaw clenched."Is he…?" she didn’t finish the question