I love you all
RACHEL'S POVIt turns out my whole life has been a lie. I thought the worst was behind me after losing Dad, but then when I discovered the unimaginable—Leo is the one responsible. Little did i know more was to come. And the worst part? I still didn’t know why. What reason could he have had? Every memory, every moment we had shared, felt tainted now. The betrayal was suffocating, and I couldn’t escape it.Just when I thought I had reached the bottom of this nightmare, reality hit me harder. I was delusional to think it was over. As if the truth about Leo wasn’t enough, one of my dad’s old friends reached out. What he told me shook me to my core—Dad had discovered that Mom was having an affair. On the day of the accident, Dad had gone to confront her about it.I stood frozen, trying to process it all. It wasn’t just the accident. My dad had been living a lie, too, right up until the end. Everything I thought I knew about my family, about the people I trusted, was crumbling right in fro
RACHEL'S POVThe anger bubbled up inside me, mixing with sorrow and confusion.I felt like I was losing control. Every time I thought about my father, every memory flooded back with a new sense of betrayal. I couldn’t let this go. If the police wouldn’t do their job, then I would have to take matters into my own hands. I made the decision then—I would find a way to send Leo to jail myself.I was determined to trick Leo, to play the long game and pretend I had forgiven him. My plan was simple: once we got to the seminar, I would lure him into revealing all kinds of evidence about what had happened. I needed to expose him, and I thought I could do it without raising any suspicion. But everything took a turn I didn’t expect. The day after I showed him the video, he ignored me completely.I watched in disbelief as he approached our instructor, a deep frown etched on his face.“The project you want us to work on, I’m backing out. I have so many things lined up on my schedule” he said, frust
LEO'S POVNow it’s time to show Rachel that she can never beat me. She has no idea what she's up against. How dare she accuse me of running over someone just because of some blurry CCTV footage?The audacity to assume I was behind it, without any real evidence—she’ll regret it. If it weren’t for my mother begging me to drop the case, Rachel would already be in a prison cell.I kept my composure after that intense argument during the seminar earlier, but inside, I was simmering. This is far from over, and when the time comes, she’ll know exactly who she’s dealing with.Later that evening, Mark and the others suggested an evening picnic—probably to cool off from the tension that had been building up all day. I agreed, even though my mind was still buzzing with thoughts of Rachel. As we made our way to the picnic spot, Mark pulled me aside.Mark and I were both engrossed in our phones while Carlos and Bianca sat close, quietly cuddling by the fire. The night was calm, but I could sense t
RACHEL'S POV"‘Someone wrote it for me, thinking it was the best way to sabotage your company,’ Leo said, his voice steady, yet tinged with a hint of regret. ‘But I’m taking responsibility for it since it came from my company.’I stood there, speechless, my heart sinking as his words echoed in my mind. It was exactly what had happened in my case. A wave of guilt washed over me, heavy and unexpected.My assistant had released those damaging articles, trying to take down Leo's company in retaliation. My mind suddenly went back to memories again.Although I had suspected for a few years now that Leo might not have been involved in my father’s death—the timing and location of the incident didn’t line up with when he left my house—there was still a nagging doubt. The way he swept the case under the rug left me questioning everything, fueling my suspicion. It made him seem guilty, and his shift in attitude after I confronted him with the CCTV footage only ignited my anger further. Maybe, jus
LEO'S POVAs I stood next to my car after answering a call from one of my assistants, I couldn’t shake the memory of the kiss we had shared. The way her lips felt against mine lingered in my mind, igniting a mix of emotions I hadn’t expected.Did it mean something to Rachel? I found myself wondering, my thoughts spiraling in a direction I wasn’t sure I was ready to go.What is happening to me?I thought, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. I had always prided myself on being in control, but now I felt like I was grappling with a tempest of feelings that threatened to overwhelm me.As I leaned against the car, trying to clear my mind, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I fished it out and saw Miss Red’s name flash on the screen. She rarely called unless there was something urgent.“Leo,” she said as soon as I answered, her tone laced with urgency. “We’ve got a situation here.”“What’s going on?” I asked, my heart racing slightly.“There’s someone in the office—an unfamiliar face. He j
A Personal Message to My Dedicated Readers:Hello lovely readers,How has your reading journey been so far? I hope is going great and if not, then I am here to assist you.As I sit down to write this note, I am filled with a mix of emotions - gratitude, humility, and a hint of embarrassment. After pouring my heart and soul into crafting a narrative that resonates with you, I am dismayed to discover that some issues have led to duplicated chapters, disrupting the flow of the story. I can only imagine the frustration and disappointment this must have caused for those of you who have invested your time and emotions in following my work. I want to start by saying thank you. Thank you for your unwavering support, your enthusiasm, and your loyalty. Your encouragement has been the driving force behind my creativity, and I am honored to have such a dedicated community of readers. Your engagement with my work has made every moment of writing worthwhile.Now, I'd like to address the issues at h
MICHEAL'S POVI sank deeper into my armchair, the soft leather cradling me as I replayed the audio file for the third time. Each replay felt like a knife twisting in my gut, the betrayal seeping through my veins like the rich red wine I poured myself. With every sip, my mind swirled, grappling with disbelief and anger.“How could you?” I whispered to myself, staring at the wall, my thoughts spiraling.“I thought you loved Mom.” I poured another glass, the sound of the wine filling the silence, echoing my turmoil.Hours slipped by, and the weight of the wine took its toll. The room dimmed, shadows dancing on the walls, the audio still playing softly in the background. It was haunting, the sound of the conversation that shattered everything I thought I knew.Morning light crept through the curtains, stirring me from my troubled dreams. I blinked against the brightness, a headache pounding in my temples. Groaning, I sat up, the memory of last night flooding back. My heart raced at the tho
MICHEAL'S POVAfter dropping Cecilia off, I made my way to the company, my mind still replaying the almost-kiss in the elevator. The warm glow from our time together lingered, making me feel lighter, and more hopeful. Just as I turned onto the main road, my phone buzzed in the cup holder. I glanced down to see a text from an unknown number: “Meet me at The Olive Tree restaurant. I have important information.”Curiosity piqued, I decided to go. The Olive Tree was a quaint little place with a cozy ambiance, and I hoped whatever this was about wouldn’t take long. As I stepped inside, the familiar scents of herbs and garlic enveloped me, instantly making me feel at ease.I scanned the room, searching for the person who sent the message. My heart raced as I spotted a woman sitting at a table in the corner. Her back was to me, but there was something about her posture that felt unsettlingly familiar. I approached cautiously, unsure of what to expect.As I got closer, she turned to face me, a
RACHEL'S POVI got a call from Bug saying the rival company’s CEO wanted to see me.Honestly, I couldn’t care less.Cecilia left about an hour ago, and since then, I’ve been sitting here, staring at nothing, feeling completely drained. The room is quiet, but not in a peaceful way—it’s the kind of quiet that presses on your chest, making it hard to breathe. I’ve been thinking about walking away from all of this, leaving the show behind. The idea keeps circling in my mind, louder than anything Bug said on the phone.I don’t even know why I’m here again. At first, I had a clear purpose—to join this variety show, uncover Leo’s weakness, and crush him in the game. Winning would’ve secured my company a top spot in Las Vegas, solidifying our reputation. But now? That goal feels like a distant memory, shattered into pieces. Everything I planned for seems pointless, and I can’t help but wonder if it was ever worth it in the first place.Nothing has been going right since I got here. If anyth
Michael's POV As I walked around the company, an unsettling quietness hung in the air. It wasn’t the usual hum of activity I was used to. Something was off. Perhaps a visitor had arrived, or maybe I was wrong. My suspicions were confirmed—or rather, shattered—when I entered my office and saw him. My so-called father. “That explains it,” I muttered under my breath, the words laced with a mix of irritation and resignation. The atmosphere was heavy, almost suffocating. My steps slowed as I approached my desk, every nerve in my body on high alert. His presence alone was enough to change the air, filling it with tension and unspoken words. As I moved to sit down, his eyes locked onto mine, following my every motion with an intensity that made my skin crawl. His gaze wasn’t just observing—it was probing, dissecting, searching for cracks in my armor. My jaw tightened, and I fought to keep my face neutral, refusing to let him see how his unexpected arrival unnerved me."Oh, I thought you
Rachel’s POV "Now we have to plan for this stupid wedding," I said out loud, my voice laced with frustration. Cecilia said she is coming to check up on me. I heard the doorbell, and I knew it was her. “Oh, sweetie,” she said while hugging me tightly, her arms wrapping around me like a warm blanket. I could feel the comfort in her embrace, her familiar floral scent filling the air as I let out a shaky breath. Her voice was soft, yet filled with concern, and her touch made my guarded emotions threaten to spill over. “Oh, how are you?” I asked as we went to settle down on the couch. I could sense something off in her energy, but I chose to ignore it for now. “I’m angry with you, but I just chose to come,” she said, her voice steady yet tinged with a hint of hurt. She tried to mask her expression, but the slight crease in her brow and the way her eyes avoided mine gave her away. I sighed, bracing myself for whatever was coming. “What… why?” I asked, even though I knew exactly why sh
LEO’S POV“But why now?” Rachel asked, her voice edged with frustration and confusion. “I mean, it’s been so long since he was arrested. Why is he attacking us now?” She paced back and forth in the sitting room, her steps quick and restless. Her arms were crossed tightly over her chest, and I could see the worry etched into her face. I watched her for a moment, trying to make sense of it myself. This wasn’t just a random move—it felt calculated, deliberate. But what triggered it now? After all this time? “I don’t know, Rachel,” I finally said, my tone low and serious. “But whatever it is, he clearly hasn’t let go of his grudge.” She stopped pacing and turned to face me, her eyes searching mine for answers I didn’t have."That won’t do him any good. He needed time to prepare, but eight years ago is way too long,” I said, running my hand through my hair as I tried to piece together every possible clue, every potential motive. “Or... what if he wasn’t planning anything at all?” she
VILLAIN'S POVI’ve been watching them for a long time now. Every time I see them together, it burns me inside. The way they laugh, the way they look at each other—it makes me sick. They don’t even know I exist, not when it comes to the two of them. But that’s fine. They don’t need to know, because as long as I’m alive, I’ll make sure they’re never together. I stand on the balcony, staring out into the quiet night with a glass of wine in my hand. The air is cold, biting against my skin, but I don’t care. The street below is almost empty, just a few cars passing by, their headlights cutting through the dark. The moon is high in the sky, its pale light spilling through the window and making everything look lifeless. It matches how I feel—cold and restless. My left hand grip the railing tightly, my knuckles turning white. I should have been done with this by now. Rachel wasn’t supposed to still be a problem. But the idiot I sent to take care of her is sitting in a police cell, and now
RACHEL’S POVI was stunned, frozen in place as Lily’s words echoed in my mind. She knows Someone pushed me? Why is she just telling me now?“What?!” I gasped, my voice sharper than I intended, cutting through the tense silence in the room. Lily’s eyes darted toward the door, her hand quickly gesturing for me to lower my voice. “Tell me,” I demanded, gripping her shoulders, my voice now a trembling whisper. “Who is it?” Her hesitation hung thick in the air. “It’s…” Just as she opened her mouth to reveal the truth, a sudden knock shattered the fragile moment, sending my heart racing. The atmosphere shifted instantly, tension rippling through the room like an electric charge. I felt my grip tighten on Lily’s shoulders as dread crept into my chest. Who was at the door? And did they already know what Lily was about to tell me? "Tell me… who is it?" I insisted, my voice trembling with urgency, completely ignoring the knock. Lily hesitated, her lips parting as if to final
RACHEL'S POVI insisted the hospital discharge me because I had to go to the police station. First, someone pushed me into the pool, and then I was kidnapped. Now, I can't shake the feeling that something even worse is about to happen. A sense of dread lingers, the air thick with the weight of impending danger. The tension inside me grows as I try to make sense of the chaotic events, my heart racing with fear and uncertainty.As I entered the station, my mind replayed all the horrifying moments I had endured in his place, each memory like a fresh wound reopening.“Oh, you're here to see me too?” he asked, his voice carrying a hint of surprise.“Also? Was someone else here too?” I asked, a sense of confusion creeping into my voice. He chuckled softly, the sound sending an unsettling chill through the air.“I guess you're unaware. He didn’t inform you? The person who caused your kidnapping?” he said, smiling, but there was something in his expression that made me freeze. He wasn’t joking
MICHEAL’ S POV“Cecilia… listen! Just listen,” I urged, trying to soothe her, but she was far too wound up, pacing back and forth like a storm about to break.“Don’t tell me to calm down! I need to deal with Leo. How dare he treat his younger brother like this? Why is he being so cruel to you?” Her voice was sharp with anger, each word carrying the weight of her frustration.A strange warmth filled me, knowing someone was this fiercely on my side. Perhaps I should have held onto her years ago, made her mine when I had the chance.“Cecilia, please… calm down,” I said gently, hoping to steady her.“Don’t tell me to calm down!” she snapped, grabbing her jacket, preparing to storm out. But before she could take another step, I wrapped my arms around her from behind, pulling her close.She froze, her breath hitching as I held her tight. I leaned down, my lips close to her ear, my voice a soft murmur. “I’m okay. I promise,” I whispered, letting each word linger. “And besides, time heals ever
LEO’S POV“What do you mean I’m the cause of everything?” I asked, my voice tense. He grinned mischievously.“You think I’d just tell you? No, that’s a puzzle for you to figure out,” he replied, leaning back with a smug look.I could tell he was playing mind games, trying to throw me off balance. But if I played my cards right, there was a good chance I could get him on my side.“Alright, listen,” I said, keeping my tone steady. “I have an offer for you. Tell me who hired you and the price he promised. I’ll give you triple whatever he’s offering.”He smirked, his expression unreadable.“I’m sorry, but you can’t give me what I want.”He replied, and I chuckled, matching his mischievous grin. “You sure about that? Money? I’ve got plenty. Connections? I have those too. And power? You know well enough that I’m number one on the list of Las Vegas’ most powerful bachelors. As far as I’m concerned, there’s a limit to what your employer can do for you—but his limits are like infinity compa