Sarah POVThe warm water, laced with lavender and sea salt, had finally begun to soothe the tremors that had wracked my body. My tears, a bitter salt solution that mirrored the bathwater, had long since subsided. I traced the slick porcelain with my fingertips, a silent goodbye to the swirling emotions I had just released. Stepping out of the tub, a chilled shiver ran down my spine, a stark contrast to the steamy cocoon I had just left. Water beaded on my skin, reflecting the soft light of the bathroom, a canvas of tiny, glistening diamonds. I reached for my oversized, cotton shirt, the one I used as a shield, a comfortable cocoon, but my gaze snagged on my reflection in the mirror.The woman staring back wasn’t the girl who used to cower beneath the weight of her father’s harsh words and Lisa and Chloe's physical assaults. My shoulders were broader now, my posture straighter, a testament to the disciplined workouts I had adopted. My arms, once thin and perpetually bruised, held a quie
Sarah’s P.O.V.The next few days passed in a blur of responsibilities and avoidance. I buried myself in work, leaving the mansion early each morning to manage the company and returning late in the evening to retreat into my room, ensuring minimal interaction with Adrian. Despite the unspoken tension between us, I continued to prepare meals for him, and though he never openly acknowledged my efforts, he ate every dish without complaint. It was an unspoken routine we had fallen into, neither of us willing to break the fragile balance of our strange marriage.On Friday night, as I sat cross-legged on my bed reviewing a stack of documents, a sharp knock echoed through the room. Startled, I set aside the papers and rose to answer the door, my heart already anticipating another clash. I pulled the door open to find Adrian standing before me, his usual expression of irritation firmly in place. His deep brown eyes held a flicker of something unreadable, but I was too exhausted to try decipher
Sarah POVThe clinking of silverware against porcelain echoed through the opulent dining room, a stark contrast to the tension that crackled beneath the surface. By the time I returned, the elaborate mahogany table was surrounded by my family, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of the chandelier. Jessica, her blonde hair cascading over her shoulder, was nestled beside Adrian, her laughter tinkling like wind chimes. A pang of something I couldn't quite name resonated within me. I forced a smile and slid into the remaining seat, wedging myself between my father and Adrian.The meal commenced, a parade of exquisitely prepared dishes that I barely tasted. My father’s chatter about some business deal faded into background noise. My attention was laser-focused on Justin, whose eyes, dark and intense, were glued to me. It wasn’t a casual glance; it was a persistent, unnerving stare that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Each time I met his gaze, a flicker of something
Sarah POVThe soft glow of a Sunday morning filtered through the curtains, painting the room in a warm, inviting light. I lay nestled in the plush comfort of the bed, relishing the rare feeling of utter relaxation. The events of the previous day – the tense confrontation with my father, the unexpected comfort from Adrian – felt like a distant, unsettling dream. My phone buzzed insistently on the bedside table, shattering the peaceful quiet. Groaning, I reached for it, squinting at the bright screen. Ester's name flashed, a beacon of energy I wasn't quite ready for."Good morning, Sunshine!" her voice, a burst of pure enthusiasm, practically exploded through the speaker. Even at this ungodly hour, she was a force of nature."Morning, Ester," I mumbled, pushing myself up against the headboard. Sleep still clung to me, a warm, comforting weight."Get ready! I'm picking you up in 20 minutes. We're going shopping!" she declared, the background noise suggesting she was already in motion, pr
Adrian POVThe aroma of roasted meat and savory spices hung heavy in the air as I entered the kitchen. It was nearly seven, and the pangs of hunger were beginning to make themselves known. Sarah sat at the dining table, a half-eaten plate in front of her. Her brow was furrowed slightly, as if she were contemplating some complex equation. She looked up as I entered, a flicker of surprise crossing her features before she quickly masked it with a neutral expression."Take a seat," she said, her voice even and polite. "I'll get your food." She rose and disappeared into the kitchen, returning moments later with a steaming plate of steak, mashed potatoes, and what looked to be perfectly roasted vegetables. She placed it in front of me, the clinking of the ceramic a stark contrast to the quiet hum of the refrigerator. Then, she resumed her own meal, her movements precise and economical.It had been almost a month since our…arrangement. Our forced marriage. And this was the first time we had
Sarah POVThe week leading up to the Annual Gala had been a whirlwind of deadlines, meetings, and overflowing inboxes. I barely had time to breathe, let alone think about the event itself. Thankfully, Ester, ever the organized whirlwind, had taken charge of the logistics. She had coordinated with Adrian’s assistant regarding our outfits, ensuring that we would arrive at the venue simultaneously, a strategic move to maintain the illusion of marital harmony. Since I was finishing work late, I would get ready at the office, a plan that saved precious time.My last meeting of the day finally wrapped up, leaving me exhausted but relieved. I dismissed my team, promising them a less hectic week ahead, and retreated to my cabin. The door clicked shut behind me, and I sank onto the plush cushion of my chair, kicking off my heels with a sigh of pure bliss. While they certainly added a touch of sophistication, heels were instruments of torture after a long day. I propped my tired feet up on the t
Sarah POVA tap on my shoulder pulled me from my thoughts. I turned to see Noah, smiling warmly at me. He took the empty seat beside me."Why are you sitting here all alone?" he asked."These parties aren't really my scene," I admitted. "But being married to Adrian, I guess I have to attend these things now.""Perhaps a dance will make the evening more bearable?" he suggested, extending his hand.I hesitated for a moment. A dance might be a welcome distraction. I placed my hand in his, and he led me to the dance floor. He wrapped his arms around my waist, and I placed mine on his shoulders as we swayed slowly to the music."I've heard a lot about you from Jessica and Adrian," Noah said, his voice casual."Oh, I'd love to hear those stories," I replied, a touch of irony in my voice. "It's always interesting to learn new things about oneself.""Haha, I can only imagine how challenging it must be to be with Adrian," he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement."It's definitely a challenge
Adrian POVI was circulating among the various businessmen, engaging in polite conversation, when I heard Sarah’s voice. I turned and was momentarily speechless. Her dress…it was exquisite. It fit her perfectly, accentuating her curves in a way that was both elegant and provocative. Her hair, cascading down her shoulders, framed her face, making her look incredibly desirable. I noticed every male gaze in the room lingering on her, their eyes filled with admiration, and something possessive stirred within me. I pulled her closer, wrapping my arm around her waist, a silent declaration that she was mine.As I spoke with Mr. Groff, I saw Sarah excuse herself and head towards the bar. I watched her take a seat, a slight frown on her face. Just as I was about to make my way over to her, Jessica appeared at my side, her hand slipping possessively onto my arm."You look beautiful, love," I whispered to Jessica, offering her a small smile. She blushed, clearly pleased by the compliment.Jessic
Sarah POVI gazed at my reflection in the mirror, wrapped in my robe, with Alessandro's text shining like a ray of hope in my hand."I understand we've had a rough patch. But if you can spare one night, I'd like to attempt to fix things.No expectations. Just you, me, and a little honesty. I’ll be waiting.”My heart ached. The sincerity in those words hit something raw inside me. I missed him, missed us. Missed the warmth of our mornings, the soft laughter that once filled our home. But pain changes things. Doubt makes strangers of the people you love most.Just then, there was a knock.“Come in,” I called, not looking up.I recognised the perfume before the door fully opened. Chanel No. 5. Chloe's signature. Of course.She stepped inside like a queen visiting a kingdom she meant to burn down.Silk robe fastened with precision, wine glass clutched like a villain in a sad drama. She always loved to put on a show."Going out tonight?" she inquired, her eyes sparkling as they darted to th
Alessandro’s POVIt had been ten days since we returned from the farmhouse. Ten days since everything unraveled.I sensed Sarah drifting further away from me, bit by bit, like sand slipping through an hourglass.She hadn’t raised her voice. She hadn’t lashed out. But her silence said more than any screaming match could. The way she avoided eye contact. The way her footsteps always trailed toward the guest room instead of ours. The way she smiled politely, but not warmly, when I handed her coffee in the mornings.I’d made a mistake. A big one.Not because of Mira, not entirely. That chapter of my life had been over years ago. And Mira’s accusations had never made sense to begin with. But I should’ve told Sarah everything the moment we got serious. I should’ve trusted her with my truth before someone like Adrian could twist it.God, Adrian.Even now, the thought of his smug face as he dropped that bomb still made my jaw clench. He’d timed it perfectly right when we were finding peace. W
Adrian’s POVThe city still felt cold, but the chill in my bones had shifted not from warmth, but from purpose. I finally had a plan.I sat at my desk, eyes fixed on Alessandro’s digital trail. His online presence lit up like a roadmap—threads of the past just waiting to be pulled. But I knew better now. Whispers and half-truths wouldn’t be enough. If I wanted to break them, I needed more than suspicion. I needed leverage. Misdirection.And I needed someone on the inside.That’s when it clicked.Chloe.Sarah’s perfect little world had always been cracked at the edges, and Chloe was one of those cracks. They were step-sisters in name, but anyone who spent five minutes with them knew there was no love lost. I remembered the subtle digs Chloe made at family dinners, the way Sarah would force a smile and pretend not to hear. But I heard them. I felt the tension.Chloe didn’t just dislike Sarah, she resented her.That kind of bitterness? It could be moulded. Turned into something useful.I
Sarah’s POVNew York City’s noise had always been oddly comforting, the honking cabs, distant sirens, and hurried footsteps on pavement. But today, it felt too loud, too sharp, like it was echoing the storm still raging inside me.It had been a week since we’d returned from the farmhouse.Seven days of strained silences, clipped conversations, and the kind of emotional distance I never thought I’d feel between Alessandro and me. I still hadn’t fully processed everything. I’d barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the look on his face when I walked away.But how was I supposed to just pretend like it hadn’t happened?He had kept something huge from me. Not just about Mira, but about how little he must have trusted me—to think I couldn’t handle the truth, to let someone like Adrian be the one to reveal it. After everything we’d fought for, the secrets still found a way to wedge themselves between us.And it hurt.Today was my first day back at the office since Gabriel’s birth.
Alessandro’s POV I stood there, watching the woman I loved crumble in front of me, her eyes scanning that godforsaken document Adrian had handed her like it was a grenade. And maybe it was because I felt the explosion the second her expression shifted from confusion to disbelief… and then to something that scared me more than anger ever could. Distance. It was like she was standing across a canyon, unreachable, even though she was just a few feet away. Her voice cracked when she asked me if it was true, and that alone shattered something inside me. God, I wanted to fix it. But how do you fix something you didn’t even know was still broken? In the past, I thought I’d buried it. That nightmare with Mira... it had happened years ago, in a life that felt a million miles away from who I am now. I had been young, foolish, and too trusting. I never touched her. I never crossed any line. But when things ended, Mira spiralled. I tried to reason with her, but she twisted everything. S
Sarah POVA few steps back, I noticed a captain whose face was completely devoid of colour. Words seemed to want to escape from his lips, but they were nowhere to be found.His still figure, rigid and motionless, also changed his hands into fists, which revealed the stress he was holding.This was simply too much to handle. My thoughts were fragmented, unable to reach a coherent conclusion. “Do tell me this isn’t the case,” I spoke in my flat voice. “Please tell me this is some unexpected blunder that someone made. That this… this woman is lying. Alessandro took a slow step toward me, but stopped when he saw me flinch not in fear, but in raw emotional recoil. That hurt in a way I couldn’t describe.The reflection of his features contorted with agony. "Sarah," a soft admission escaped as his throat felt like it was choked with raw feelings. “That's not the case.”We were close once, back in college. Yes, we dated for a few months, but when things didn’t work out, she didn’t take
Sarah’s POV I stood still, the document quivering slightly in my grip, as if the words on the page were too heavy for me to bear. My breath seemed to have gotten trapped somewhere between my lungs and my throat, in a region where incredulity and betrayal met. I read it again, slowly this time, each word punching a little deeper. Mira Solanki. Sexual harassment complaint. Alessandro’s name… linked with it. I looked up at him, the man I had let into my heart, into my life, into Gabriel’s life. The man who had been my anchor through the storm was Adrian. The man I trusted with my son, my dreams, my healing. He stood a few feet away, his face pale, lips parted as though he had something to say but hadn’t quite figured out how to say it yet. His hands were by his sides, stiff, clenched into fists that betrayed the tension under his otherwise still frame. I couldn’t process it. My mind refused to connect the dots. “Tell me this isn’t true,” I said finally, my voice hollow. “
Sarah’s POVThe late afternoon sun spilled soft light into the room as I folded the last of Gabriel’s little sweaters into his duffel bag. The scent of lavender from the fresh laundry clung to the fabric, and it made me smile. He’d had such a beautiful time here. We all had. For the first time in weeks, things had felt… steady. Like the ground beneath my feet wasn’t constantly shifting.I glanced over my shoulder at Alessandro and Gabriel outside. Alessandro had Gabriel perched on his shoulders, and they were walking around the garden one last time before we left the farmhouse. Gabriel’s laughter echoed through the air, pure and infectious. My heart swelled at the sight.I didn’t know when exactly it had started feeling this way, but watching the two of them together felt like a glimpse into the kind of life I had always wanted—peaceful, warm, and real. Gabriel adored him. And Alessandro, for all his quiet strength, adored him right back. That bond, though unexpected, had grown into s
Adrian’s POVThe sun had begun its descent, casting a golden hue across the farm, soft and warm, like a lull before the storm. I stood behind the half-drawn curtain of the guest room, watching them through the glass. Sarah, Alessandro, and Gabriel were in the garden, enjoying their last evening here. To anyone else, it looked idyllic—like a postcard of the perfect little family.But to me, it was unbearable.Gabriel was laughing, loud and free, as Alessandro chased him around the patch of wildflowers. Then, in one smooth movement, he scooped him up into his arms and tossed him into the air, catching him with ease. Gabriel’s squeals of joy rang through the air, piercing right through me. And then I saw it—the way Gabriel looked at Alessandro. Eyes wide with trust, with adoration. As if he were the safest place in the world.As if he were the father.Not me.I felt something sharp twist in my chest, a pain that was part jealousy, part rage, part heartbreak. Gabriel was my blood. My son.