Hey there, amazing readers! 🌟 I hope you’re as captivated by Mago and Arlene’s story as I am while writing it. Their journey is just beginning, and I’d love to hear what you think! Your thoughts, theories, and reactions mean the world to me and really help fuel the story. If you enjoyed this chapter, please take a moment to leave a comment. Hearing from you keeps me motivated, and I love knowing what parts resonated with you the most! Also, don’t keep Mago and Arlene’s story to yourself—share it with friends who love drama, passion, and a bit of mystery! Your support in spreading the word helps this story grow. Thank you so much for reading, and stay tuned for the next twist! Happy reading and much love! ❤️
*Arlene’s POV*Janine and Marco had invited us to their wedding anniversary party, but Mago went ahead, leaving me to catch a taxi alone. It was yet another reminder of how things stood between us—how he wanted to make sure I felt like a stranger in his life. When we did speak, his words dripped with sarcasm and thinly veiled insults, as if he enjoyed seeing how deeply he could wound me without breaking the skin.There were only a few guests milling about when I arrived, but I scanned the room, searching for him, my stomach twisting with nerves.“Looking for Mago?” Janine’s voice cut through my thoughts, a touch of anger in her tone.“Is he here?” I asked, hoping he hadn’t disappeared already.“You’re wasting your time, Arlene.” She glanced over her shoulder, face tight. “That manwhore is upstairs in the guest room—hooking up with our florist.”
*Mago’s POV*The cold water hit my skin, grounding me as I tried to wash her image from my mind. But the memory of her—her eyes filled with pain and longing—stayed, twisting inside me. I hated that she still made me feel... anything.But love? No. Whatever I’d once felt was buried too deeply beneath years of bitterness and scars that ran too deep for her to understand. The darkness inside me was beyond anything her love could fix. I couldn’t forgive—not her, not her family. The damage ran too deep.*Flashback*“Mago, you can come out now,” Nana’s voice coaxed gently, pulling me from the cabinet where I’d hidden, trembling.“Nana,” I whispered, “Dad’s drunk again…”Her hand found mine in the darkness. “I know, sweetheart. But you can’t stay in here forever. Come on.”I held back, clinging
*Arlene’s POV*Mago’s warning had struck me like a thunderclap, shaking the foundation of my resolve, but it wasn’t enough to make me give up. No matter how much people mocked me, calling me foolish or masochistic, I clung to a stubborn hope—a fragile belief that I could change Mago’s heart, that I could make him see love as something more than a cruel game.That evening, Mago returned with a woman on his arm. The sight of them together was a knife twisting in my chest. My breathing quickened as I rushed to the door, intercepting them before they could step inside. I felt the weight of my decision settle heavily on me. Call me a martyr, but I refused to share my husband with anyone else. He could wound me, tear me apart with his callousness, but I would not allow another woman to take him away.The woman’s eyes swept over me with disdain, her lips curling into a smug smile. “Who is she?” she asked, her voice dripping with mockery.“She’s just my jealous stepsister,” Mago said dismissi
*Mago’s POV*I only intended to push her, to see how far she would go for me. I wanted to test her resolve, to watch her limits bend and break under my control. But when she knelt before me, trembling yet determined, and pulled down my boxers, I froze. The way her hands moved over me—tentative yet resolute—shattered the image I had clung to. She wasn’t the innocent, untouchable Arlene I used to know. The girl who once smiled at me with unfiltered sweetness was now staring up at me, offering herself in ways I never thought she would.And yet, as much as I wanted to revel in my supposed victory, something inside me shifted. It wasn’t anger or lust—it was something darker, sharper. Shame. A suffocating wave of it crashed over me. What kind of man had I become to drive her to this? To make her kneel, to strip her of her dignity, just to satisfy some twisted notion of revenge? She had once looked at me with love, with purity. And now, she was lowering herself to the punishment I had cruell
* Arlene’s POV *I woke up with the weight of last night’s humiliation pressing down on me. My heart ached, but I knew I couldn’t let it break me. Staying away from Mago wasn’t an option—not now, not ever. If I didn’t fight for this marriage, who would? The thought terrified me, but I also knew the truth: love wasn’t always soft and tender. Sometimes, love was a battlefield, and I had to be willing to endure the pain if there was any chance of saving us.I made my way to the bar earlier than usual, determined to step into my role as Mago’s co-manager. If I wanted him to remember that we were married, I had to be present, persistent, and unshakable. But as I entered, I saw him sitting at the counter, a half-empty glass in his hand, the faint scent of whiskey lingering in the air.It wasn’t just the alcohol that caught my attention—it was his eyes. Red, pained, and distant. He looked like a man carrying a weight too heavy for one person to bear. My heart clenched. ‘Why do you keep pushin
*Mago’s POV*My mind was set on using her for my revenge, to hurt her as a proxy for the ones who destroyed me when I was at my weakest. But whenever she was near, my resolve began to unravel. The anger that had fueled me for so long seemed to flicker, its sharp edges softened by her presence. She had this inexplicable pull over me, like a siren calling me to shores I vowed never to visit again. My rules, my carefully crafted armor, felt like brittle glass in her gaze, and I hated how powerless I became.And then it happened. I had no intention of kissing her—none at all. But my body betrayed me. My feet moved as if they knew the truth my heart refused to admit. When I kissed her, it wasn’t for love or tenderness. It was supposed to be punishment. My lips sought to brand her, to make her feel the pain I carried inside me. But the moment our lips met, everything changed. Her warmth melted through the icy walls I’d built, and I was drowning in a wave of emotions I couldn’t control. Desi
*Arlene’s POV*I can’t forget the kiss we shared—it felt surreal, like something out of a romance movie where the fireworks exploded just right. Only, in my case, those fireworks seemed to have gone off inside my chest, leaving me dazed. Mago probably didn’t even give it a second thought. Still, I couldn’t help but smile, thinking about the deal we struck. Sure, I didn’t know if I could win, but at least it gave me time. Time to unravel the layers of his grumpy, brooding exterior. Mago is a broken man, and I’ve decided to be the temptress who puts him back together—whether he likes it or not.I went for a casual look: faded jeans, a white tank top, and a messy bun that I perfected after a dozen attempts. A touch of lip and cheek tint and a quick swipe of powder completed the look. Not too much—I didn’t want Mago thinking I was trying too hard. Subtlety was key in this game, though it felt ironic since my heart was basically doing cartwheels at the thought of seeing him again.When I en
*Mago’s POV*I’ve been trying—really trying—to keep myself together. But Arlene? She makes it damn near impossible. She moves through life with this unintentional grace, doing the most mundane things in a way that somehow feels provocative. It’s maddening. It’s infuriating. And it’s everything I try not to think about.Take this moment, for instance. She stood by the table, running her fingers lightly along its edge. A simple action, completely innocent—at least in her mind. But in my eyes, it was something else entirely. Her fingers moved with a lazy, unhurried rhythm, tracing the grain of the wood as if she were memorizing its texture. The way her nails lightly grazed the surface made my imagination spiral into places it shouldn’t go.And then there was her face. Her head tilted slightly, lips softly parted as she inspected the table, utterly unaware of the chaos she was causing. She didn’t even realize she was biting her bottom lip, just a little. It was enough to send a fresh wave
*Mago’s POV*The bar was packed, the air electric with anticipation as the first-ever gender battle began. The crowd buzzed with excitement, their cheers and whistles echoing against the walls. Arlene and I stood on opposite sides of the stage, both ready, both determined. I could see the fire in her eyes—a challenge, a promise that she wasn’t going down without a fight.I signaled to Dessa to start the music. As the first beats of the energetic track boomed through the speakers, I began my flairing routine. Bottles twirled and spun in my hands, catching the lights in dazzling flashes. The crowd roared with approval, egging me on as I tossed the shaker high into the air, caught it behind my back, and poured a perfect shot. I finished my first round with a dramatic slam of the shaker onto the bar, my signature smirk firmly in place.Then it was Arlene’s turn.She stepped forward with a coy smile, her moves smooth, c
Mago’s POVFor three days, I went to work and came home alone. Arlene had been busy redesigning the house, pouring her heart and soul into it. I couldn’t help but smile at the thought. She was so into it, and honestly, I didn’t mind. It was our house. She was my wife. And I loved the idea of her leaving her touch everywhere—it made the house feel alive, like a home.But tonight was different. It was past midnight when I got home, and the house was dark and eerily quiet. I didn’t bother turning on the lights in the living room as I made my way upstairs. Passing by Arlene’s room, I paused for a second. The door was closed, but I could feel her presence behind it. I’d been fighting the urge to touch her for nights now, and the battle was getting harder. I knew I still loved her. But that love wasn’t strong enough to erase the pain her father had caused me.Shaking my head, I pushed o
*Arlene’s POV*Mago sat behind his desk, massaging his temple as he read through the financial report I handed him. The tightness in his jaw told me all I needed to know before he even spoke. The numbers were bad, worse than I expected. The newly opened bar across town had stolen not only our regulars but also our spotlight.“Our regulars are barely showing up,” I said, trying to gauge his mood. “And when they do, it’s just for a quick drink before hopping over to the new place.”Mago leaned back, letting out a frustrated sigh. “We need something more interesting than just serving drinks,” he muttered, his voice carrying the weight of his thoughts.“That’s exactly what I was thinking,” I said, trying to keep my tone professional despite the nerves twisting in my stomach. I had been preparing for this moment, waiting for him to ask for my input. “And it’s not jus
*Mago’s POV*I didn’t expect her to get up on that stage.Arlene—the woman I told myself I no longer cared about, the woman I convinced myself was nothing more than a tool for revenge—was up there, singing her heart out. She wasn’t the same sweet, innocent girl I’d known before. No, this version of Arlene was bold, confident, and utterly captivating.And I hated it.I hated the way the spotlight caught her, the way her voice softened the crowd, the way her movements seemed so effortless. But most of all, I hated that I noticed it.When the drunk fool climbed onto the stage and started dancing with her, my chest tightened with something I refused to name. I wanted to rip him off that stage, throw him out of my bar, and make it clear to everyone who she really belonged to. But I didn’t.Why would I?She clearly liked the attention. She smiled, played along—flirting effortlessly, like she was just another woman who wante
I started moving to the rhythm, letting the beat take me. I moved in sync with the drunk man, encouraging him, letting him believe I was into it. He spun around, laughing, and his hands reached for mine. At first, it felt like a harmless game. I was in control. Or so I thought.The crowd cheered, egging us on, and I felt my confidence rising. But then, the man’s grip tightened. His hands started moving in places I hadn’t invited him to, his touch no longer playful, but aggressive. His body pressed too close to mine, and for a moment, I felt trapped.Panic creeped up my spine. I glanced at Mago again, hoping—no, needing—him to step in. But he was still caught up in his own world, his attention divided between the women and his drink.The customer’s hands were all over me now, his breath hot on my neck as he leaned in closer, too close. I jerked away, but he only followed, grinning like he’d just won some sort of prize. I could feel the heat of his body pressing in, his hands now danger
*Arlene's POV*It was only 11 PM, but the bar was already a chaotic mess. The students, high on the thrill of a long weekend and the relief of finishing their exams, were letting loose, their laughter and cheers mixing with the pulsing bass of the music. The air was thick with the scent of alcohol, sweat, and the sharp tang of spilled beer.Quinn darted from one table to another, his tray barely staying balanced as he delivered drink orders. Dessa hustled behind the bar, her brow furrowed as she juggled glass after glass. But me? I was standing near the entrance, trying to ignore the sharp pang of frustration gnawing at me.Mago—my husband, though it felt more like he was a stranger—was surrounded by a small group of women, laughing too loudly, tossing their hair, and touching his arm like they were already in some private world. He didn’t notice me watching. He never did.I clenched my jaw, watching him flirt effortlessly while I held everything together. ‘It’s just a job. Just a job
*Mago’s POV*Dessa met us at the entrance of the bar, her expression more tense than usual. “Boss Mago, I heard there’s a new bar opening nearby,” she said, her voice laced with concern. “It could be trouble for us. If it’s anything like the rumors, they’ll be taking our regulars.”Arlene frowned, glancing over at me. “When’s the opening?”“This Saturday,” Dessa replied, shaking her head. “I’m worried that the competition will pull people away from our place. It’s a risk—if we don’t do something, we might lose our crowd.”I felt the weight of her words, and Arlene’s expression mirrored the same tension. This wasn’t just a friendly opening—it was a direct challenge.“In that case, we need to make this weekend count,” I said, my voice steady but sharp with intent. “We’ll need to create an event that not only keeps our regulars coming back but also draws new faces to our bar.”Dessa looked at me, her gaze still uneasy but trusting. “What do you have in mind?”“We’ll need to make our drink
*Arlene's POV*“Where are you going?” Mago’s voice broke the silence as he saw me standing on the sidewalk, waiting for a taxi.“I’m meeting Janine and Patricia at Blue Plate,” I replied, glancing at him before adding with a casual shrug, “You can go ahead. I’ll follow you to the bar.”Mago frowned, his gaze lingering on me for a moment before he responded, “Get in the car. I’ll take you to Blue Plate.”His tone was firm, but there was something different—an unease, like he didn’t quite like the idea of me going somewhere alone.I raised an eyebrow, “You’re acting like I can’t go on my own. It’s just some girl talk, Mago. Janine and Patricia probably wouldn’t appreciate having you around for that anyway.”“Who said I was coming with you?” Mago’s eyes sparkled with a playful glint, though his tone was defensive. “I need to see Stuart at his office. Since it’s on the same street, I thought I’d drop you off first.”A slight blush crept up my neck, realizing I had misread the situation. W
*Mago’s POV*I’ve been trying—really trying—to keep myself together. But Arlene? She makes it damn near impossible. She moves through life with this unintentional grace, doing the most mundane things in a way that somehow feels provocative. It’s maddening. It’s infuriating. And it’s everything I try not to think about.Take this moment, for instance. She stood by the table, running her fingers lightly along its edge. A simple action, completely innocent—at least in her mind. But in my eyes, it was something else entirely. Her fingers moved with a lazy, unhurried rhythm, tracing the grain of the wood as if she were memorizing its texture. The way her nails lightly grazed the surface made my imagination spiral into places it shouldn’t go.And then there was her face. Her head tilted slightly, lips softly parted as she inspected the table, utterly unaware of the chaos she was causing. She didn’t even realize she was biting her bottom lip, just a little. It was enough to send a fresh wave