LIZ(VICTORIA) POV.“No! I’m not doing it!” I yelled, standing in the mansion’s sitting room, angrily. “You can’t make me!”Hazel didn’t flinch. She crossed her arms, her voice low yet sharp. “You have no choice, Sis. You wanna starve? How else are you gonna feed?”“I don’t care! I’m not cleaning toilets, washing dirty dishes, or scrubbing floors!” My voice cracked.Hazel stepped closer, her eyes narrowing. “Now hear yourself clearly, Liz. What’s your next plan then, huh? You gonna run away? Again?”“Maybe I will!” I snapped, tossing the maid uniform back to her. “Don’t follow me!” I said firmly. I stormed past her, my direction clear. My steps, firm and intentional—each a rebellion against the life being forced upon me. “Liz! Stop right there!” Hazel’s voice rang out behind me, but I didn’t turn back. My eyes fixed on the gate. “Stop following me!” I shouted, quickening up my pace. “Leave me alone!”Hazel caught up, grabbing my arm and spinning me around—I almost tripped. “You have
LIZ POV. Then I saw him. He stood right in front of me, shirtless. The faint glow of light from the hallway caught on the water dripping from his skin. A towel was wrapped loosely around his waist, making it obvious to me that he had just stepped out of the shower. I couldn’t stop my gaze. I started from his feet, moving slowly up. Drops of water slid lazily down his chiseled abs, making the air around me feel heavier. His body looked like it was sculpted gently into perfection. I swallowed hard as my eyes went upward to his face, but his piercing eyes burned into mine with a force that made my heart skip. He had a mask on, but those eyes were sharp. I wanted to look away, but it was hard. A force—an invisible pull—urged me forward. My hands trembled as they moved forward to feel if what I was seeing was real. Before I could, he grabbed my wrist.“Don’t,” he growled. His deep voice sent shivers down my spine. His hands went to my face, his touch—tender. My breath hitched as his
JAKE POV.The water poured over me relentlessly as I stood under the shower, but it wasn’t enough to cool the storm inside me. It had been over a week since I locked myself in my room like a monster. Not a single day passed without regrets. I shouldn’t have gone that night. My fingers tightened into fists. The thought sent a fresh wave of rage through me, causing my fist to slam into the tiled wall. It ached, but it was nothing compared to the fire I still felt on my left face. My fingers grazed the scarred flesh, tracing the rough skin that was once smooth. Once admired. My eyes squeezed shut as tears poured, mingling with the water washing over me. I had risked everything for her, but in the end, I lost everything. I’ll make them all pay. Victoria…Just then, I heard it—a sound. I was certain someone was creeping around in my room. Quickly, I grabbed my towel and my mask, anger burning within me. Slowly, I stepped forward. My gaze over my dimly lit room, then it landed on her
LIZ POV. After our morning duties, it was finally time to eat. We all lined up in the staff’s kitchen, holding a tray. The scent of eggs and toast bread filled the air, but my stomach felt tight. It wasn’t hunger—it was the way the maids kept glancing at me after what had happened earlier. Worst was that Hazel refused to talk to me after everything. She stood few feet away with her arms crossed, acting like I didn’t exist anymore. My heart ached, seeing my own sister ignore me. Suddenly, some maid spoke to me.“Hey, newbie!” A voice rang out. “How the hell did you do it? She asked, tilting her head. I had not been there for long, but I managed to learn their names. Her name was Maya. Before now she’d been ignoring me, but now all of a sudden, she was talking to me.Amber— her friend, spoke next. “Yeah, Liz. How exactly did you pull that off?” I frowned. “Pull what off?” Maya let out a short laugh, exchanging glances with the others. “Oh, come on. Don’t play dumb.” “You went int
LIZ POV.“Liz, wake up!” A voice called out, but I buried my face deeper into my pillow. “I said wake up!” A sharp tap landed on my shoulder. I shot up so fast I almost fell off the bed. “I didn’t go in this time, I swear!” Hazel’s brows pulled together. “Huh?” My heart dropped immediately—shit. Hazel sighed. “You’ve forgotten? The Blackwell family will be returning today! You’re sleeping too much, Liz.”My eyes widened. “Oh my God! Why didn’t you wake me up? And how long have I been asleep?”Hazel shrugged. “I don’t know. Don’t forget—I wake up early before anyone else. Been helping Madam Olivia with some arrangements.” I groaned, swinging my legs off the bed. “How do I face Madam Olivia now? I don’t wanna scrub toilets for waking up late again!” Hazel chuckled, arms crossed. “Well…” she dragged, smirking. “If you hurry and get down there on time, you might make it there before she notices. And maybe—just maybe—I won’t tell on you for being late.” I gasped. “You wouldn’t dar
LIZ POV.“What’s wrong? Want me to help you take it off?” Audrina crouched down, her smirk widening. Anger burned in my veins. I clenched my fist so hard, and for a moment, I wanted to smack that look off her face. “I’ll do it myself,” I said in a low tone. “Oh! Be fast then. You’re wasting time.” She snapped. I glanced at Hazel. She shook her head gently, but enough for me to understand the warning in her eyes. It made me wonder what she was really scared of, and why she looked tense. My hands went to my mask, and I was ready to remove it. Suddenly, the maids and security lowered their heads. What’s going on?“Good evening, Sir.” They greeted in unison. I barely had time to process before Audrina’s excited voice screamed. “Brother!” She practically launched forward, sprinting like a little kid. My eyes snapped towards the new arrival, and the moment I saw who it was, my breath hitched. Even with his mask on, the aura, his broad shoulder, the way he carried himself—Gawwd. H
JAKE POV.The long dining table stretched before me, covered in an extravagant spread. On the table were different kinds of meals—roasted chicken, lobster, caviar, creamy mashed potatoes, ruffled pasta, expensive wine bottles, and so on. Maids stood around us in silence, ready to take orders. While others poured wine into the delicate crystal glasses on the table. This used to feel special. Sitting here and sharing meals with my family. Now, it felt forced—like I wasn’t supposed to be here. I gripped my knife, my fist clenching hard onto the handle as my gaze landed on the man sitting across me—my father. My jaw clenched, along with my fist, but then a flash of cold fingers against mine made me soften. I thought of her again, that maid… Liz. No doubt she had a spell on me, and I couldn’t shake it off. I could still feel the way she trembled under Audrina’s torment—helpless. I was glad I got there just on time to save her from sister’s torment—I couldn’t watch that.A sharp throa
JAKE POV.My body was unsteady as I ran towards her, my legs unstable. The alcohol made my movement sluggish but I didn’t stop. My vision flickered between blurry and clear. She shielded herself with her hands, trying to say something—but I didn’t care, I couldn’t even hear anything. I was driven by an uncontrollable rage. As soon as I got to her, I wrapped my fingers around her throat. “Die, you bitch!” I snarled. She struggled, her nails clawing at my wrist. “S—stop!” Her voice choked desperately, but it only fueled my rage. “You have to die!” I said, squeezing harder. She struggled, trying to save herself but she was too weak compared to me. “Nobody can save you now,” I growled. “I saved you before. You owe me your life, and I’m finally here to take it back.” In a blind rage, I pushed her into the pool. She stumbled back, her fingers holding onto my shirt. Before I could react, she pulled me in with her. The water hit me like a slap on my face—cold. It shocked my system, a
JAKE POV. I’d barely let Charles’ body heat fade from his chair when Audrina finally stood up. She’d been silent the whole time, perched at the far end of the boardroom table. Her hands were folded neatly on the glossy surface, back straight, posture perfect. But I saw through it. She wasn’t here. She felt distant. She cleared her throat, soft but deliberate, commanding just enough attention to shift every eye in the room her way. When she spoke, her voice was crisp, measured, every word sharp and professional as she spoke.“Ladies and gentlemen, it is with great honor that I formally welcome back the man who built Shark Hotels into a global luxury powerhouse. The man who set the gold standard across all our New York branches and beyond…”Her eyes flicked to mine.“…Jake Blackwell has officially resumed his position as General Manager for all Shark Hotel branches across New York City and all associated regions across the country.”She paused for a while, then she smiled. “Welcome b
JAKE POV. The second I stepped into the hotel lobby, everything froze. Conversations cut off mid-sentence. Phones slipped. A pen fell to the floor somewhere near the reception desk. Dozens of eyes snapped toward me, wide and startled—like they’d just seen a ghost.I didn’t stop walking. My steps were calm and measured. Silence stretched a few more seconds before I cleared my throat.“Is that how you welcome your general manager back?” I asked, voice sharp enough to slice through the tension in the air.Everyone scrambled to stand. “G-Good morning, sir!” they echoed, their voices shaky.I didn’t respond. A commotion at the far end of the reception desk caught my attention. A man, who seemed to be around his forties, stood with one of the receptionists, slamming his hand on her desk like he commanded the hotel.“No, I’m not taking this! That room’s always mine! Give it to me!” he shouted.“Please, sir,” the receptionist said, her voice steady. “Someone else already checked in earlier.
JAKE POV. That morning? I woke up with a whole new feeling. There was this weird feeling in my chest. Nerves? Maybe. But I also felt alive. I had a long hot shower, stepped out and picked my best suit—it was a navy-blue suit. I hadn’t worn it since the whole tragic incident. I slid into it, buttoning it up while staring at my reflection in my mirror. Then I heard a knock on my door. I grabbed my mask from the table and put it on immediately. It had already become a habit. As soon as I opened the door to see who it was, I froze. Liz stood there in her maid uniform, head bowed, holding a food tray. My heart kicked hard. I didn’t understand why that happened. “Good morning, sir,” she said in a low tone, her voice calm. “Do you mind if I come in for just a few seconds, sir? I have something to say.” Her voice cracked near the end. She sounded scared. Not of me, exactly… just uncertain. Like she’d been rehearsing those words all morning. I stepped aside. “Sure. Come in.” She walked
JAKE POVI left the living room in rage, my hands clenched into fists as I fought back tears in my eyes. But no matter how much I tried, a few drops of tears still spilled. Thankfully, my mask hid them from anyone who might be watching.Each time the realization struck me that no one—not even my own mother gave a damn about me, it pierced my heart like needles. They used me all this while. I was nothing but a tool to build their hotel up for them. I hurried my steps as soon as I got to the hallway; I was headed to my room when suddenly, I heard footsteps from behind me. “Stop right there, son.” My body stiffened at the sound of her voice. I didn’t have to turn around to know it was her. I exhaled sharply, controlling my tone. “I already said I’m not doing it, Mom. What else do you want from me?”“Jake, try to understand. The company’s ranking has dropped. Soon, it won’t even be in the top five in New York anymore. I scoffed, shaking my head. “I don’t care! Jesus, why aren’t you g
LIZ POV. Jake shot up from his seat, his hand stretched toward our direction as if to stop her. “Mom, no. She’s not the one.”Mrs. Blackwell’s brows furrowed, and she blinked twice. “Oh, dear lord.” She let out a heavy sigh, placing a hand on her chest. “Then who the hell is she, and why is she here?” Jake exhaled. “She just has a slight resemblance to her. That’s all. She’s not who you think.” A slight resemblance? My stomach twisted as I stared at them. Who the hell was this person they kept talking about?Mrs. Blackwell scoffed, taking a step closer. “This ain’t no slight resemblance.” Her cold stare sent shivers down my spine. “Why did you choose to work here in the first place?”I opened my mouth, but before I could speak, Jake interrupted.“Mom—”“No!” She turned on him angrily. “I won’t have this! I don’t want a damn resemblance of an enemy in this house.” Enemy? The word struck me like lightning. “I—I don’t understand,” I stammered. My voice felt small, weak. “You don’t
LIZ POV. The next morning, I woke up to an empty room. I shot up realizing that I was late. Why didn’t they wake me up? I wondered as I made my way to my room. Before I could open the door, thoughts of Hazel still being mad at me crossed my mind. But knowing her, she’d probably be drowning in chores by now. I hurried inside, took my fastest shower, and wore my uniform quickly. My stomach was already crying from hunger by the time I was done, so I headed straight to the kitchen. As soon as I got to the kitchen, the smell of delicious food made me salivate. The chef’s focus was on the food, so he didn’t notice my presence.“Good morning,” I greeted, walking in.The chef turned from the stove, arching a brow. “You’re late.”“I know,” I muttered.“You’ve gotta be careful around here now that the whole family’s back,” he warned, flipping something on the pan. I nodded absently. My thoughts were on food. I was about to grab a clean plate when suddenly, he stopped me.“Dishes first,” he
LIZ POV.“I can explain!”Hazel’s jaw tightened and her fist clenched tight. “Start explaining!” I opened my mouth, but no words came out. No excuse, not even a lie could form in my head. Before I could react, Hazel grabbed a fistful of my hair and pulled hard. “You stubborn little thing. You're going to get us in trouble again.” She snapped. “Wait, wait! Hazel…” I gasped, gripping her fist but she wouldn’t let go. Then an idea struck my mind. I stopped struggling. My body went limp, slumping forward in her grasp like life had left me. Hazel froze. “Liz?”I stayed still, my breathing slow and shallow. Her fingers loosened slightly. “You better not be playing games with me now, Liz.” I still didn’t move. My acting skills were perfect. I needed enough time for her to get distracted so I could run. I could see her hesitation shift to panic. Then she exhaled sharply, tapping my cheek. When I didn’t react, she began to panic. “My God! Liz, get up please.” Her voice cracked. “Water,
LIZ POV. I should be terrified. I was terrified. This same man had tried to kill me, not once—twice! But this—this felt different. I felt his breath on my neck, and I shivered. It wasn’t from fear but something deeper, something I wasn’t ready to name. At that moment, I felt something hard. It pressed right against my stomach causing my breath to hitch. My legs clenched and a low heat curled inside me. What was that?I swallowed hard. I could tell—I could tell he was already hard and it was making me wet too. His hesitation made me restless. I closed my eyes, feeling a strange pull—like déjà vu. I leaned in before I could stop myself, pressing against him. What are you doing, Liz? My head screamed at me to run, but my body betrayed me—it wanted his touch even more. A moan slipped from my lips. “Jake…” Do it! My mind urged. Kiss me!“Fuck it,” he growled. He gripped my neck gently, tilting my head back. His lips hovering just above mine. Every nerve on my body was on fire. His
JAKE POV.My body was unsteady as I ran towards her, my legs unstable. The alcohol made my movement sluggish but I didn’t stop. My vision flickered between blurry and clear. She shielded herself with her hands, trying to say something—but I didn’t care, I couldn’t even hear anything. I was driven by an uncontrollable rage. As soon as I got to her, I wrapped my fingers around her throat. “Die, you bitch!” I snarled. She struggled, her nails clawing at my wrist. “S—stop!” Her voice choked desperately, but it only fueled my rage. “You have to die!” I said, squeezing harder. She struggled, trying to save herself but she was too weak compared to me. “Nobody can save you now,” I growled. “I saved you before. You owe me your life, and I’m finally here to take it back.” In a blind rage, I pushed her into the pool. She stumbled back, her fingers holding onto my shirt. Before I could react, she pulled me in with her. The water hit me like a slap on my face—cold. It shocked my system, a