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’s POVThe room blurred around me, fading into murmurs and whispers. For onlookers, the scene that had just unfolded might have appeared as an intimate display of affection between a husband and wife, a passionate moment under the dim glow of chandeliers. But in reality, it was far from that.I hated him.Every nerve in my body burned with the desire to slap Adrian across the face, to make him feel even a fraction of the anger and humiliation that boiled inside me. But I knew I couldn’t—not here, not in front of these people who thrived on gossip and scandal. I had already sacrificed too much for the sake of appearances, and I refused to give them more ammunition to tarnish my name.The pressure of his hands had finally lessened, just enough for me to tear myself from his grasp. My heart pounded against my ribs as I spun on my heel and stormed off the dance floor, my breaths shallow and uneven.As I moved, I caught sight of Ester out of the corner of my eye. Her expression was a m
Sarah POVSarah P.O.V"I see you have already sorted your broken marriage with your husband." A familiar deep voice sliced through the air, making my entire body tense.I froze in my spot, my breath hitching as the voice registered in my mind. Slowly, I lifted my eyes, and even in the dim lighting, I could make out the figure standing a few feet away from me. My heart clenched at the sight of the last person I expected to be here tonight."Alessandro..." I whispered, my voice barely audible over the muffled sounds of music and chatter echoing from the ballroom.Because of the low lighting in the hallway, I couldn’t see his expression clearly, but the rigid way he held himself told me everything I needed to know—he wasn’t in a good mood. His sharp jaw was clenched, his lips pressed into a tight line, and the usual warmth in his hazel eyes had been replaced by a cold, unforgiving glare.Why is he mad now?Did he see what happened on the dance floor?I took a hesitant step forward, the he
Sarah POVWiping the tears from my eyes, I composed myself as I walked towards the Presidential Suite, where I would be staying for the next two days. My heart felt heavy, and every step I took seemed to echo the turmoil inside me.The corridors felt endless, the dim lighting making the path ahead seem longer than it was. My heels clicked against the polished floor, the sound swallowed by the silence of the empty hallway. I held my gown gingerly, my fingers trembling slightly. The pit of uncertainty in my stomach grew deeper, and the painful tug in my heart made me stumble more than once on my way."Sarah! Wait!"I heard Alessandro’s voice call out from behind me, his tone edged with desperation. His footsteps echoed as he hurried toward me, but I refused to turn around.Ignoring his voice, I quickened my pace. My mind screamed at me to keep walking, to put distance between us before my emotions betrayed me again. He had hurt me, accused me, doubted me—why should I listen to him now?
Sarah POVI let out a shaky breath, crossing my arms over my chest as I tried to process his words. His apology sounded genuine, but my mind couldn’t erase what had happened just moments ago. The accusation. The disbelief. The way he had chosen to assume the worst of me rather than trust me."You think saying sorry will erase what you said?" I asked bitterly, my voice quieter now but no less sharp. "That it will take away the way you looked at me like I was just some woman playing games between two men?"Alessandro flinched at my words, and for a brief moment, I saw regret flicker in his eyes. He exhaled, his hands curling into fists before he unclenched them, his voice steady but laced with remorse."No," he admitted. "It won’t. And I don’t expect you to forgive me that easily. But please, Sarah… I need you to know that I didn’t mean what I said. I was jealous. I was hurt. And instead of handling it like a man, I lashed out at you. That was my mistake."I stared at him, my chest risi
Sarah POVWiping my eyes, I composed myself as I walked toward the Presidential Suite, where I would be staying for the next two days. My steps felt heavier with each passing second, as if the weight of the night’s events was pressing down on me, making it harder to move forward.I carefully walked through the corridors, trying my best to keep my steps steady, but the pit of uncertainty in my stomach and the painful tugging in my heart made me stumble frequently. I felt the walls closing in on me, my breath growing uneven."Sarah! Wait!" Alessandro’s voice called out from behind me, his tone carrying desperation.I stiffened but continued walking, pretending not to hear him. I clutched the fabric of my gown, holding it up slightly as I quickened my pace. The last thing I needed right now was another confrontation.As I reached the door of the suite, I fumbled in my clutch for the keycard, my fingers shaking slightly. Just as I swiped the card, ready to push the door open, a strong han
Sarah POVI searched his face, looking for any signs of dishonesty, but all I found was sincerity. His guilt was raw, his regret painfully clear."I trust you, Alessandro," I finally said, my voice steady. "I trust your words, your intentions. But I don’t want our relationship to be affected by our past by Adrian, by my father, by Chloe. From today, I want us to focus on what’s ahead, not what’s behind us."Alessandro looked at me with a mix of disbelief and hope. "You’re sure? Sarah, I "I cut him off. "I am choosing you, Alessandro. Because I love you. And because I believe that we have something worth fighting for. I know we’ve both made mistakes, but I refuse to let those mistakes define us. I want to build something real with you."A slow, almost disbelieving smile spread across his lips. He reached out, brushing his fingers gently under my chin, lifting my face toward his. His touch was rough yet warm, familiar yet electrifying."Thank you for believing in me," he murmured, his
Sarah POVThe air was thick with the scent of hay and late summer. One of those nights where the heat doesn’t break, even after sunset—just lingers like something unfinished. The porch boards were warm under my feet, and everything around me felt heavy and still. Except my chest. That felt tight. Like I was forgetting how to breathe.Gabriel had finally settled for the night. His soft, steady breaths crackled through the baby monitor next to me, a small sound in the silence, but somehow it grounded me. Inside, I could hear the soft murmur of water running in the pipes—someone showering or maybe filling the sink. Alessandro’s voice floated in from the backyard, low and calm, probably smoothing over a late business call. That’s just who he was—steady, composed. Always showing up for the hard parts, no fuss.I just wanted a moment. One quiet breath in the dark.But of course, he found me.“You look tired,” Adrian said. Like he didn’t already know exactly why.I didn’t turn around. “Don’t
Adrian’s POV The next morning I barely slept. The bed felt colder than it should have—too big, too quiet, too… wrong. Eva stirred beside me a few times, reaching for something I wasn’t willing to give. My mind never left that damn pool. Never left the image of Sarah in Alessandro’s arms, her skin glowing in the moonlight, her laughter echoing inside my skull like a haunting. But I wasn’t done. Not even close. By the time sunlight bled through the farmhouse windows, I was already downstairs, pacing the kitchen in silence, coffee in hand and plans tightening in my mind like knots. They’d think it was just another slow morning on the farm. But I had a different kind of day in mind. I turned on music—something loud, something upbeat—and set out breakfast like I was hosting a holiday brunch. Fruit, pancakes, freshly ground beans. I made sure the smell filled every corner of the house. Let them come down happy. Let them think they’ve won. Then I’d remind Sarah of everything she w
Sarah POVI followed him barefoot across the creaky floorboards and out into the night. The old farmhouse pool shimmered like liquid glass under the stars, surrounded by wild grass and the scent of lavender that always grew too fast near the fence.He dove in first, smooth and silent, and surfaced with a grin. I hesitated only a second before slipping out of my oversized tee and sliding in after him, the water instantly wrapping around my skin like silk.We drifted toward each other. The quiet buzz of summer insects hummed around us, the moonlight catching on the ripples between our bodies.“You okay?” he asked, treading gently beside me.I nodded. “Yeah… More than okay.”His hand found my waist under the water. I didn’t resist.There was something so real about this. Honest. There were no games in Alessandro’s touch, no veiled intentions. Just quiet understanding and the gentle burn of something I hadn’t felt in a long time—safety. Desire. Love, maybe. The kind that didn’t demand. It
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
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 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 thro
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 POV Alessandro kept his eyes on me, looking for reluctance in my deep brown eyes. I sensed the weight of his feelings—uncertainty, yearning, and fear—pressing between us. He seemed to be holding back things he wasn't sure he was ready to express because of the tightness in his jaw. "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. I told him we needed space because of this. The only person I want to be with is you, and I want you to know that." With his posture still guarded, he crossed his arms across his chest and breathed gently. The conflict between the part of him that still harbored the hurt from the past and the part that wanted to believe me was almost visible to me as it played out in his head. "And Adrian?" he asked finally, his voice softer now but firm. "What