Sarah POVThe cab soon pulled up in front of Amario Enterprises. I stepped out, adjusted my blouse, and walked into the towering building. The elevator ride to the conference floor felt longer than usual as I nervously smoothed down my skirt, making sure I looked presentable.As soon as I stepped off the elevator and made my way toward the conference room, I heard my name being called—no, yelled—from behind."SARAH!"The voice was loud, furious, and unmistakably Ester’s.I turned around, already knowing what was coming. "Shhh, lower your voice, woman. We’re still inside the office," I whispered, trying to calm her down before she made a scene."I wouldn’t be so loud if you had told me about your doctor’s appointment today! I would have accompanied you, Sarah," she said, her arms crossed, looking absolutely livid.I sighed, rubbing my temple. "Ester, it was just a routine check-up. No need to be pissed about it. There are still a lot more appointments to go; you can come along next tim
Sarah POVWhile Adrian's personal assistant discussed a few points from Parker's side, I could hardly process any of his words. The constant tickling sensation on my skin made it nearly impossible to focus. Adrian's fingers traced slow, deliberate patterns along my thigh, sending unwanted shivers up my spine.No one could see what was happening under the table. Adrian and I were the only ones seated on this side, away from prying eyes. I tried to keep my movements to a minimum, terrified that any shift in position would expose more than I intended. My skirt had already ridden up dangerously high, and I knew that one wrong move could give Adrian a perfect view of my lingerie.The torture seemed to last forever. Every second beside him was suffocating. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the meeting concluded. I exhaled in relief as the event details were finalized, and people began gathering their things to leave the room.I remained seated, bidding farewell to everyone as they
Sarah POVHeat flared in my cheeks as I scrambled to pull my skirt down, but his hand shot out, covering mine before I could.“What the hell happened to your thigh?” he asked, his voice laced with concern. He lifted the hem slightly, revealing the faint, discolored mark.“It’s nothing you should be worrying about,” I said curtly, snatching my skirt back into place.His jaw tightened. His eyes burned with an emotion I couldn’t quite decipher.“Did… Did it happen because of me?” His voice was hoarse now, almost fragile. “I mean… did I hurt you that night?”I froze. My throat felt dry, my hands clammy. My body screamed at me to look away, but I forced myself to meet his gaze.“Whatever happened to me shouldn’t be your concern, Parker. And for your information, this mark was not given by you that night when you ra—”“The night when I raped you,” he finished, his voice hollow. “The night I took you forcefully, without listening to you or your pleas.”I sucked in a sharp breath. This was th
Sarah P.O.VToday was the day when everything was finally going to be over. The suffering, the endless nights of discomfort, the suffocating weight of a marriage that had been nothing but a prison—it would all come to an end. A part of me had been waiting for this day for so long that it almost felt unreal. The Resort’s grand opening marked the final milestone of the project I had dedicated myself to for months. Once tonight was over, once the last guest had left, and the doors officially opened for business, I would be free—free from Adrian, free from this marriage, free to file for divorce and finally move on with my life.What the future held for me was still uncertain, and if I were being completely honest, that scared me more than I wanted to admit. But for now, my priority was my baby. My precious child, the one anchor in my life that kept me grounded amidst all the chaos. Everything I had endured, every sacrifice I had made, had been for my baby. And soon, I would be able to gi
Sarah POVAs I munched on my food, my thoughts drifted to tonight’s event. This was it. The final act. After tonight, I would be one step closer to reclaiming my life. I finished my meal quickly and headed upstairs to my room.The moment I stepped inside, my eyes fell on the three dresses laid out on my bed. Each one was elegant, perfect for an evening like this, but I needed to pick the one that best suited the occasion. I held up each dress in front of the mirror, scrutinizing my reflection carefully. After a few moments of indecision, I finally settled on the white mermaid gown. It was breathtaking—delicate black floral embroidery adorned the sparkling tulle fabric, creating an enchanting contrast. The lace material hugged my figure perfectly, accentuating my curves in all the right places. The low-cut back added a touch of allure, leaving just enough to the imagination.Satisfied with my choice, I set the dress aside and headed into the bathroom for a quick shower. As the warm wat
Sarah POVOnce I was inside the car, I texted Ester, informing her that I was on my way to the venue.After 25 minutes, I was still inside the moving car. The Resort was situated on the outskirts of New York, making it the perfect retreat—a serene and luxurious escape from the city’s chaos, yet still accessible.A few minutes later, the car pulled up in front of a grand gate. The entire property was bathed in a warm glow, with fairy lights draped over the trees and delicate floral arrangements lining the pathways. The sight was breathtaking.As the driver slowed to a stop at the entrance porch, I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts. The enormity of the night hit me. The opening of The Resort signified more than just professional success; it marked the beginning of my freedom.Carefully, I stepped out of the car. The melody of soft classical music echoed in the background. I straightened my dress, ensuring the train was in place, and made my way towards the main entrance. The gua
Sarah POVWe shared a laugh before she hesitated, her tone turning serious. "Listen, before you get mad—I need to tell you something. Since Noah is here, he’s staying with me for the weekend."I tilted my head. "So, you won’t be staying in my suite?"She winced. "I will if you want me to, but… I figured sharing a room with Adrian might be difficult for you."I waved a dismissive hand. "Don’t worry about it. You and Noah deserve some time together. The suite has two separate bedrooms, so I’ll be fine.""Are you sure?" she asked, doubt evident in her voice. "You don’t have to pretend to be his wife anymore, Sarah. The project is done.""We can’t just drop this bomb right now, Ester," I muttered. "Not tonight."She sighed but didn’t argue further. Just then, Noah appeared behind her. "Ladies," he greeted, kissing Ester’s cheek. They looked adorable together."The Resort looks fantastic, Sarah," he said enthusiastically. "I can’t wait to explore more.""I’m glad you like it," I replied, n
Sarah POVAs I was almost done talking to dozens of people, I felt exhausted and thirsty. The constant mingling and keeping up appearances had drained me. Deciding I needed a break, I made my way to the bar and ordered a soft drink. As much as I would have loved to take a sip of something stronger to calm my nerves, I knew I couldn’t afford to get drunk here. Not only did I need to ensure that this entire event went smoothly, but my condition also forbade me from consuming alcohol.I swirled the ice in my glass absentmindedly while my eyes wandered around the grand hall. The orchestra had shifted to a softer, more sensual tune, and a few couples had already begun swaying on the dance floor. The lights had dimmed slightly, adding to the intimate ambiance of the evening. The sight of elegantly dressed guests twirling gracefully to the music was mesmerizing. For a moment, I allowed myself to admire the scene, momentarily forgetting the chaotic thoughts running through my mind.“May I hav
Sarah POVLater that night, when Gabriel was finally asleep and Alessandro stepped into the kitchen to grab some water, Adrian caught me in the hallway.“Nice night, huh?” he said casually.I crossed my arms. “You didn’t have to go through all this.”He tilted his head, smiling like he didn’t know what I meant. “Go through what?”I gave him a look. “Bringing her. The whole… show.”" continue the story line over here Sarah controls her emotions and get away from Adrian's manipulation and plan. Later, when Gabriel is asleep she and Alessandro have fun in the night in the pool. They both have an intimate moment, and Adrian watches them from the window and gets jealousHe stepped closer, his voice lowering. “You think it’s a show?”“Isn’t it?” I asked. “Because if this is you trying to make me jealous, Adrian, it’s not going to work.”He didn’t blink. “Is it not?”And there it was again, that same insufferable confidence. That needs to get under my skin. I wanted to walk away, but I couldn
Adrian POVEvery time I closed my eyes, I saw her. Sarah. Always Sarah. I saw her brushing a strand of hair behind her ear the way she always used to. I saw her smiling up at Alessandro like he was the center of her universe. I imagined them holding hands, walking side by side, whispering secrets, and building a future. A perfect couple—My dream, playing out with someone else. It was torture. A persistent, gnawing pain that never dulled, no matter how hard I tried to distract myself, no matter how many therapy sessions I endured.I couldn’t accept it. I refused to accept it. In my head, I kept replaying every conversation we’d had before things turned cold. Her voice, her expressions, the pauses between her words. I dissected them, twisted them, reinterpreted them. Looking—hoping—for something. A sign. A single word that might prove she still cared. That she might not be as sure about Alessandro as she claimed to be.And the more I fed that hope, the more it consumed me. It burned thr
Sarah’s POVThe moment we pulled into the driveway, a strange weight settled over me. The gravel crunched beneath the tires as Alessandro parked near the old porch, and Gabriel stirred in his car seat with a soft, sleepy sound.It was beautiful here, I couldn’t deny that. The farmhouse looked exactly the same as it had when Adrian and I visited once after our wedding—the same whitewashed walls, the wildflowers growing like they didn’t care about rules, the air thick with the scent of pine and sun-warmed earth. I hadn’t expected the memories to hit me so hard.Alessandro stepped out first, stretching and lifting Gabriel carefully from the backseat. “You okay?” he asked, offering me his usual quiet, steady look.I nodded, brushing my hair behind my ear. “Yeah… Just tired.”That was only half the truth.We hadn't even made it up the steps when I heard Adrian’s voice—too cheerful, too rehearsed.“There they are! You made it.”And then I saw her.Long legs, glossy dark hair, a laugh that s
Adrian POVTherapy was supposed to help.That’s what everyone kept telling me. My friends, my family, even Sarah—back when she still spoke to me like she cared. “Just try it,” they said. “It’ll help you work through your feelings. You’ll feel better once you understand what’s really going on.” And so, after months of resisting, I finally gave in. I made the call, sat through the awkward first session, and kept showing up every week like clockwork, expecting—hoping—for something to shift.But if I was being honest, every session seemed to peel my skin back and leave my nerves exposed. I didn’t feel better. I didn’t feel healed. I didn’t even feel understood. Instead, I left each appointment feeling more confused, more frustrated, and more convinced that Sarah was slipping through my fingers like sand—and that no matter what I did, no matter how hard I tried, I was utterly powerless to stop it.Therapy had become just another part of my routine. Like brushing my teeth or checking the me
Sarah POVI knew that if I wanted to truly move forward with Alessandro, I had to draw a line—one that Adrian couldn’t cross.Taking a deep breath, I typed out a message.Message to Adrian:Adrian, I need to be clear with you. I've chosen to be with Alessandro, and that means we need to set boundaries. I care about you as you are involved with my son, but I can't have you interfering in my relationship.Please respect that.My thumb hovered over the send button. A part of me feared how he would react—if he would lash out, try to manipulate me, or make me doubt my decision. But another part of me felt a quiet sense of relief. This was necessary. This was the right thing to do.I hit send.Seconds felt like hours as I waited, my stomach twisting in knots. I half-expected him to ignore the message or respond with something cryptic, something that would make me second-guess everything.But his response came quicker than I anticipated.Message from Adrian:I understand, Sarah. I don't want
Sarah POVAlessandro’s gaze lingered on me, his deep brown eyes searching mine for any sign of hesitation. I could feel the weight of his emotions pressing between us uncertainty, longing, fear. His jaw was tense, as if he was holding back words he wasn’t sure he was ready to say."Alessandro, you're right to ask," I said, my voice steady, though my heart was pounding. "I don't care about Adrian, I care about you. What happened to him... it was a moment of confusion, a mistake. I've realized that my heart has always been with you. That's why I told him we needed distance. I want you to know that you're the only one I want to be with."He exhaled slowly, crossing his arms over his chest, his posture still guarded. I could almost see the battle playing out in his mind—the part of him that wanted to believe me and the part that still held onto the pain of the past."And Adrian?" he asked finally, his voice softer now but firm. "What happens if he doesn't stay away?"I shook my head, step
Sarah POVA lump formed in my throat at the tenderness in his tone. I rested my head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.“Me too,” I whispered back. “I’m so glad we’ve been able to work through everything. I’m committed to us, Alessandro. I want you to know that.”His hold on me tightened slightly, and he pressed a lingering kiss to the top of my head.“I know,” he said. “And I’m committed to us too. Whatever comes our way, we’ll face it together.”As exhaustion pulled me into sleep, I felt a rare sense of peace settle over me. The doubts that had once gnawed at the edges of my mind were beginning to fade, replaced by the quiet certainty that Alessandro and I were on the right path.But even as I embraced that sense of calm, a small part of me couldn’t ignore the lingering weight of Adrian’s last message. His words echoed in my thoughts more often than I wanted to admit. There was something unresolved there, something that refused to fade into the backg
Sarah POVHis words carried an unmistakable edge of jealousy, laced with something deeper frustration, maybe even desperation. I could hear it in the way Adrian spoke, the way he hesitated just a fraction of a second before choosing his words. He wasn’t ready to let go, that much was obvious. But I had already made my decision.I wasn’t going to let the past interfere with the fragile, beautiful thing Alessandro and I were rebuilding.Instead of answering Adrian right away, I chose to ignore the message, setting my phone aside with a steadying breath. The temptation to respond, to offer him some kind of closure, gnawed at me, but I resisted. The best thing I could do for myself for my relationship was to keep my distance. Even if it hurt.So I threw myself into work that day, immersing myself in tasks, focusing on anything that kept my mind from drifting back to Adrian’s lingering words. But even as I busied myself with emails and meetings, I felt the weight of the unresolved tension
Sarah POVHis words settled deep within me, reassuring me in a way I hadn’t realized I needed. But there was still one more thing I had to say, a truth that needed to be voiced.“I wanted to let you know that I spoke to Adrian,” I admitted, watching his face carefully. “I told him we needed some space. I want you to know that you’re my priority, and I won’t let anything or anyone come between us.”For a moment, Alessandro didn’t say anything. His expression was unreadable, but then his shoulders dropped slightly, and he exhaled a breath he had probably been holding for too long. When he finally spoke, his voice was steady, appreciative. “Thank you for that, Sarah. I appreciate it. I’ve been worried about how much he’s been around, but I didn’t want to pressure you.”I gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. “I understand,” I murmured. “But you don’t need to worry. I’m committed to making this work. We’ve come too far to let anything get in the way now.”His thumb brushed over my knuckles,