Julian lounged on the couch in the living room, the soft glow of his phone illuminating his face. He stared at the photos his hired man had sent—Selena sitting at a dinner table with her family. His lips curled into a faint smirk as he scrolled through them. "So, that's it? A family dinner," he muttered to himself. "Here I thought she was off having some scandalous affair." He tossed his phone onto the coffee table and leaned back, rubbing his temple. The relief was unexpected. For reasons he couldn’t quite put into words, the thought of her meeting someone secretly had left a sour taste in his mouth. When the door opened, Julian's eyes flicked up to see Selena walking in. She looked tired, pulling off her hat and sunglasses as she kicked off her shoes at the entrance. She stopped mid-step when her gaze met his, her body tensing like a deer caught in headlights. “What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice hesitant. Julian raised a brow and crossed his arms. "This is my h
Monday - Julian sat at his desk, the weight of the morning’s workload spread out before him. His pen moved swiftly across the paper, signing document after document. The room was silent save for the faint scratching of his pen and the soft hum of the air conditioning. Clara entered quietly, clutching a folder tightly to her chest. Her usually composed demeanor was tinged with unease, and Julian immediately noticed.“Speak,” Julian said without looking up, his voice sharp yet calm.Clara cleared her throat. “Sir, I wanted to report something... about Selena.”Julian’s pen froze mid-signature. He glanced up at Clara, his sharp gaze immediately making her hesitate.“She’s been doing well,” Clara continued quickly, her tone betraying her nervousness. “She’s catching on to her tasks fast, and she hasn’t caused any major issues since you assigned me to oversee her work.”Julian raised a brow, leaning back in his chair. “And yet, you’re here. You wouldn’t bother me with a simple progress r
Julian paced back and forth in his office, the heavy sound of his leather shoes echoing through the room. Over the past few weeks, he had intentionally assigned Selena the most tedious and unpleasant tasks, expecting her to snap under the pressure or come crying to him for help. Instead, to his growing frustration—and perhaps begrudging admiration—she completed each assignment with unwavering determination.Not once did she complain, misuse her position as his wife, or attempt to dodge her responsibilities. In fact, she often exceeded expectations, leaving even some of the senior employees impressed.“She’s not just a spoiled princess after all,” Julian muttered to himself, a slight smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “Interesting.”Curiosity got the better of him, and he decided to summon Selena to his office. He pressed the intercom button and instructed Clara to send Selena in. As he waited, he walked to the window overlooking the office floor. His sharp eyes scanned the room
Selena sat in the back garden, her fingers absentmindedly pulling at the blades of grass beneath her. Julian’s words replayed in her mind like a haunting melody: “A failed actress.” She clenched her jaw, trying to hold back tears. She had been called many things in her career—arrogant, difficult, even cold—but this label stung the most because, deep down, she feared it was true. Her once-bright career was now a distant memory. She thought of the flashing lights, the red carpets, and the adoring fans. It all felt like a lifetime ago. Now, she was stuck here, playing house in a marriage that wasn’t real and doing menial tasks in a company where people saw her as nothing more than a charity case or a punching bag. "Am I really just a failure now?" she whispered to herself. Her chest tightened, the ache of her insecurities clawing at her. She had sacrificed so much for her career, yet it had crumbled in an instant. Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t notice Cassandra approaching until
Julian was sitting in his study, the faint glow of his desk lamp illuminating the stack of documents he was reviewing. He had just started making some progress when his phone buzzed on the desk. He glanced at the screen, recognizing the name instantly: Ethan. Ethan was one of his oldest friends, someone he had managed to stay in touch with despite his busy life. But Ethan wasn’t the type to call for small talk. Julian sighed and picked up the phone. “What do you want, Ethan?” “Julian! Is that any way to greet an old friend?” Ethan’s voice boomed through the line, full of energy and excitement. Julian pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m busy. Get to the point.” “Well, Mr. Busy CEO, I’m back in the country!” Ethan declared. Julian raised an eyebrow. “You’re back? What happened to that extended stay in Europe?” “Got bored. Anyway, everyone’s meeting at the usual spot tonight—the bar. You’re coming.” Julian leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temple. “I don’t have time
“Oh, please,” Ethan jumped in, grinning like a Cheshire cat. “You’ve got the charm of a brick wall. Tell me you’ve at least gone on a date this decade.” Julian leaned back in his seat, unamused. “I’ve been busy running a company. Some of us don’t have the luxury of endless vacations and pointless parties.” “Translation: he has no game,” Liam interjected, earning a round of chuckles. Matt leaned forward. “You know what they say about guys like you? All power and no romance. You’re going to end up dying alone in a penthouse full of spreadsheets.” Julian rolled his eyes, swirling his drink lazily. “And you’ll end up broke, trying to fund your next bad idea.” “Deflection,” Ethan declared dramatically, pointing at Julian. “Classic move from someone with no love life to speak of. Come on, man, just admit it. When’s the last time you even looked at a woman?” Julian’s jaw tightened, but his smirk didn’t waver. “Unlike you lot, I don’t feel the need to broadcast my personal li
The hum of the car engine barely registered as Julian’s grip on the steering wheel tightened, his knuckles white. His mind was a whirlwind of frustration, confusion, and an emotion he refused to name. Why hadn’t Selena told him about the accident? Why did she keep hiding things? And Ethan—the so-called lovesick fool carrying around her earring—was now at the center of this tangled mess. Julian’s phone buzzed, pulling him from his spiraling thoughts. He glanced at the screen and saw a message from his private investigator. Opening it, he was met with a series of photos. The first showed Selena walking down a quiet street, wearing her hat, sunglasses, and mask. The second captured the exact moment she collided with a bike. A man wearing a helmet was caught mid-action, reaching out to steady her. The third showed her walking away, while the man stared after her, something shiny in his hand. Julian’s jaw clenched as his eyes darted between the photos. His mind pieced the story t
Selena woke up to the gentle sound of birds chirping and the faint rustling of servants outside her door. The sun filtered in through the curtains, casting a warm glow across her room.Despite the beautiful morning, her mood was far from sunny. Memories of Julian’s taunts, his arrogance, and his infuriating smirk from yesterday lingered in her mind. She groaned, tossing off the blanket as she got ready for breakfast. When she entered the dining room, she was greeted by the sight of Julian already seated at the head of the table. He looked every bit the composed CEO—crisp suit, perfectly styled hair, and an iPad in hand as he scanned his schedule. The servants were bustling around, refilling his coffee and placing her breakfast in front of her. Selena, still sticking to her silent treatment, quietly sat down and began eating. Julian didn’t seem to notice her lack of conversation—or perhaps he didn’t care. He remained engrossed in his work, his eyes never leaving the screen as he si
Selena’s hands trembled as she folded the last piece of clothing into her suitcase. The divorce papers lay abandoned on the bed, the inked words blurring in her tear-filled vision. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, but the tears kept coming. This was really happening. Julian was releasing her. She had lost him. Not that she ever truly had him in the first place. Dragging her suitcase behind her, she stepped out of the room that had once been theirs. The hallways of Julian’s mansion felt colder, emptier than ever before. Every step away from this place felt like a dagger twisting deeper into her chest. She had thought she had found love. But all she had found was pain. The servants looked away, some whispering amongst themselves. No one stopped her. No one said a word. It was as if she had never belonged here. Julian had made sure of that. Outside, the driver stood waiting. His gaze was somber, but he didn’t question why she was leaving with nothing but
Selena sat on the cold floor of Julian’s study, her entire body trembling as silent sobs wracked her frame. The weight of his words still echoed in her mind, suffocating her. "Did you really think I fell in love with you? That I wanted you for anything other than revenge?" The man she had loved, the man she had foolishly given her heart to, had never once seen her as anything other than a target. A means to an end. Her chest ached, a deep, unbearable pain that wouldn’t go away. She wanted to tell him the truth. She wanted to scream that she wasn’t the one who had killed his parents. But she couldn’t. Because if she did, then Samantha— Her phone suddenly rang, the sharp sound cutting through the suffocating silence. With shaky hands, she reached for it, barely able to see the screen through her tear-filled eyes. Samantha. For a moment, Selena hesitated before answering. "S-Sam…" Her voice was broken, barely above a whisper. "Did you tell him?" Samantha’s voice c
Julian noticed something was off the moment Selena stepped into his study.Her face was pale, her hands trembled slightly as she clenched the fabric of her dress. She looked like she had seen a ghost.His brows furrowed."What’s wrong?" His voice was softer than usual, concern flickering in his dark eyes.Selena opened her mouth, but no words came out. Her throat was too dry.Julian stood up from his chair and slowly walked toward her. He placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch surprisingly gentle."Selena, say something." His concern deepened.Selena gulped, gathering her courage. I have to do this… for Samantha."I… I need to tell you something," she finally whispered.“Okay,” Julian’s gaze sharpened, sensing the weight of her words. "What is it?"She hesitated, her lips trembling. "It's about the accident," she forced out. "The accident of your parents."The air in the room changed instantly.Julian’s expression hardened, his grip on her shoulder tightening unconsciously."Go on,"
Selena sat curled up on the couch, her knees drawn tightly to her chest, as if the physical act of folding herself into a smaller shape could somehow shield her from the storm raging inside her. The morning light filtered through the blinds, casting long, jagged shadows across the room, but Selena barely noticed. Her mind was a whirlwind of fear, doubt, and betrayal, each thought colliding with the next until she felt like she might drown in the chaos.When her phone rang, the sound was like a gunshot in the silence. She flinched, her heart lurching painfully in her chest. The name on the screen—Samantha—sent a fresh wave of dread crashing over her. She hesitated, her finger hovering over the answer button, as if by ignoring the call she could somehow delay the inevitable. But she couldn’t. She never could.“Samantha?” Her voice was barely above a whisper, but it was enough to unleash the torrent on the other end of the line."Selena! Help me!" Samantha’s voice was raw, desperate, and
The moment she stepped inside, her face lit up with a practiced, dazzling smile.“Julian!” she exclaimed, her voice dripping with warmth.Before Selena could even greet her, Samantha had already thrown herself at Julian, wrapping her arms around his neck in a hug that lingered far too long to be considered appropriate.Julian stiffened instantly.His sharp gaze flickered with irritation as he felt Samantha pressing against him just a little too closely. He didn't return the hug, instead letting his arms hang by his sides, cold and unwelcoming.Selena, however, was used to her sister’s affectionate nature—or at least, that was what she had always believed.“Samantha,” Selena said gently, her voice laced with affection, “you didn’t tell me you were coming today.”Only then did Samantha finally acknowledge her. She turned and offered Selena a small, innocent smile, her eyes blinking as if she hadn’t just ignored her completely.“Oh, Selena! You know how much I missed you,” she cooed swee
The phone cracked against the wall, its shattered pieces scattered across the floor like her broken plans. Samantha Frost stood frozen in her penthouse, breathing heavily as she stared at the news article glaring back at her from the TV screen. ''"Julian Mathers, CEO of Grand Entertainment Inc., Publicly Announces His Marriage to Selena Frost."'' Her fingers curled into fists, her nails digging into her palms so hard they nearly drew blood. 'Married?' Julian Mathers—the ruthless, unattainable billionaire. The man every woman in the country wanted. And her perfect, golden sister had gotten him. Samantha let out a bitter, humorless laugh, but there was no amusement in her expression. Her eyes burned with pure rage. '"Again. Again, she takes everything from me."' Selena, the golden child. Selena, the perfect daughter. Selena, the one who had stolen their father’s love. And now, she had stolen Julian too. Samantha’s mind spun back to the past, to the years she spent locked a
The sound of keys jingling at the front door signaled Julian’s return from work. Selena glanced up from where she was setting the table, her hands still slightly wet from washing the last dish. She saw his tall frame enter the house, his sharp eyes scanning the room until they landed on an unexpected sight—Grandma, sitting at the dining table with a satisfied smile on her face.Julian arched a brow. “Grandma, what are you doing here?”Grandma scoffed. “What kind of greeting is that? Do I need a reason to visit my grandson?”Selena stifled a smile at the way Grandma always managed to put Julian in his place. He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, before walking over to kiss Grandma’s cheek.“You’re always welcome here,” he said, before his gaze flickered to Selena. “But I didn’t expect you to cook.”Selena shrugged, feeling a bit self-conscious. “Grandma helped.”Grandma beamed proudly. “We made your favorite. Sit down, eat, and don’t complain.”Julian smirked, taking a seat at the h
The warm aroma of freshly brewed tea filled the air as Selena set the tray down on the coffee table. She smiled, feeling a rare moment of peace as she poured the tea into delicate porcelain cups. Across from her, Julian’s grandmother sat comfortably on the plush couch, her wrinkled hands resting on her lap as she observed Selena with warm, knowing eyes. Grandma had come specifically to visit her today, and Selena couldn't deny how happy that made her. She had always liked Grandma—her presence was soothing, her words wise, and despite the sharpness she sometimes directed at Julian, it was clear she loved him deeply. Selena settled down next to her, offering her a cup. “I’m so glad you came, Grandma. It’s been a while since we last saw you.” Grandma accepted the tea with a gentle nod. “Of course, dear. I had to see how you were doing.” She took a sip, her sharp gaze flicking over Selena’s face before she leaned in slightly, lowering her voice. “Now, tell me honestly, are you pregn
Selena’s face burned with heat as she pushed Julian’s chest, attempting to create some space between them. Her heart was pounding too fast, her breath uneven. 'What am I doing?' she thought, panic and desire warring within her. 'This is too much. Too fast. I need to go.' “I need to go,” she muttered, trying to rise from the couch.But Julian was quicker.Before she could escape, his strong arm snaked around her waist, pulling her back against him. Selena gasped as her back met the firm wall of his chest. 'Why does he have to feel so good?' she wondered, her mind spinning. 'Why does his touch make me forget every reason I should leave?'“Where do you think you’re going?” His voice was low, deep, teasing—but laced with something darker, something that made her pulse quicken. 'That tone. It’s like he knows exactly what he’s doing to me,' she thought, her resolve wavering.Selena turned her head slightly, intending to glare at him, but when she met his gaze, she faltered. His eyes burned