Sarah POV"Why? What happened, Sarah? Did he say something to you?" Lauren asks, moving closer, her eyes filled with worry. Her brow is furrowed, and she clutches my hand, her touch surprisingly strong."It's been nearly two months since Adrian and I got married, but we've both realized that we can't be happy together," I say, the words feeling strangely hollow even to my own ears. It’s a sanitized version of the truth, a carefully constructed sentence that omits the pain, the humiliation, the sheer waste of it all."Sarah, I know the circumstances under which you got married," Lauren begins, her voice laced with a familiar, frustrating blend of sympathy and disapproval. "But divorce isn't the solution. Adrian won't find a better life partner than you." The ‘better’ feels like a barb. Better for whom? For the company? For his social standing? Certainly not for his heart."Sarah, I know my son," James says, his tone serious, his gaze piercing. He always has been able to see through my
Sarah POVAfter what feels like an eternity of trying on clothes, we’re finally ready. My blue spaghetti strap crisscross bodycon dress hugs my curves in all the right places, a subtle shimmer catching the light. Ester, never one to shy away from a bold look, rocks a red strappy mini dress that accentuates her perfectly toned physique. She looks like she could set the dance floor on fire."We look hot!" Ester exclaims, striking a pose in front of the full-length mirror. I chuckle, smoothing down my hair one last time. We’re both too lazy to do anything elaborate, just letting our hair cascade down our backs. A touch of mascara, a swipe of lip gloss, and our favorite heels complete the look. Linking arms, we step out into the night, the anticipation buzzing in the air.Despite it being a weeknight, the club is throbbing with life. The bass vibrates through the floor, the lights flash in a dizzying array of colors, and the air crackles with a frenetic energy. We navigate through the cro
Sarah P.O.VI opened my eyes, a blinding ray of sunlight piercing through the curtains and landing directly on my face. It took a nanosecond for my brain to reboot and register my surroundings. I was in bed. My bed. Relief washed over me in a warm wave as I scanned the familiar posters on the wall, the haphazardly stacked books on my nightstand. I was home.A throbbing headache, like a tiny construction crew was having a party inside my skull, made itself known. I groaned, pushing myself up slowly, my body protesting the sudden movement. I ran my fingers through my tangled hair, trying to smooth it down, a futile effort.Then, the missing pieces of the night before started to flicker back, like a faulty neon sign. The club, the music, Alessandro…and then…nothing. A dark, gaping hole in my memory. Panic started to bubble up inside me. I pushed the duvet off my body, and the blood drained from my face. I was only in my bra and thong.“What happened last night?” I whispered, my voice ras
Sarah POVI unlocked the door and swung it open, only to be confronted by the last person I wanted to see at this hour – Adrian. He stood there, his face a mask of barely suppressed anger. Without waiting for an invitation, or even a greeting, he shoved me aside, his shoulder bumping mine roughly, and strode into the house."Why did you visit my parents yesterday?" he demanded, his voice sharp, the question hanging in the air like a toxic cloud. He stood in the middle of my living room, his posture rigid, radiating hostility."I needed to inform them about our divorce," I replied, meeting his gaze steadily. "They should know before we take any further steps. It’s the right thing to do.” I walked towards him, trying to maintain a semblance of calm, though my insides were churning."Don't give me that trash, Sarah," he sneered, his lip curling. "I know you're up to something again, trying to ruin my relationship with Jessica. Because of your little visit, Dad and Mom are questioning me,
Sarah POVIt didn’t take me another second to realize what Adrian was insinuating. His eyes burned with anger, his jaw clenched tightly as if he were barely holding himself together.“It’s not what you think, Adrian,” I said firmly, refusing to let his accusations unsettle me. “And anyway, this shouldn’t concern you.”He took a step closer, his voice laced with venom. “Don’t you dare lie to me, Sarah. Fck these papers, you’re coming with me. I can’t risk my reputation by leaving you here while you whre yourself out to random men.”I felt my stomach twist at his cruel words, but I refused to let him see my hurt. I met his glare head-on, refusing to back down. “Adrian, don’t create a scene here. I am not sleeping with anyone. Even if I were, you have no right to question me. Just sign the damn papers and be done with it.”For a moment, he didn’t respond. He just stared at me, his grey eyes stormy with unspoken emotions. Then, with a bitter laugh, he snatched the papers off the table. “Y
Sarah POV“Are you okay?” Alessandro asked, turning to me. His voice was softer now, filled with concern.I nodded numbly, unable to form words. He reached out and took my hand, his touch grounding me as he guided me toward the bedroom.As we reached the door, Alessandro turned back to Adrian, his eyes cold and unrelenting. “Get out, Parker. Now. Or I’m calling the cops.”Adrian glared at him but didn’t argue. He wiped the blood from his nose and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.Alessandro shut the door and turned to face me. I stood there, still processing everything that had just happened. My mind was a whirlwind of emotions—fear, anger, relief, and confusion.Why was Alessandro Dante defending me so fiercely when he barely knew me? And why did his presence, his protection, feel like the safest thing I’d experienced in years?On one hand, I was relieved—thrilled, even—that someone had finally stood up for me. But on the other, my instincts refused to let me fully trust thi
Sarah POVI couldn't hold myself back. So I asked you out for dinner, hoping to know you better.When you declined my invitation without a second thought, I found myself unable to stop thinking about you. My curiosity only deepened, so I started observing you again. Soon, I discovered the truth—that you were already married to Adrian Parker. But it didn’t take me long to see through the facade of your marriage.Alessandro’s voice was calm yet firm, his gaze unwavering as he spoke. He reached into the pocket of his dark coat and pulled out his phone, unlocking it with a swift movement of his thumb before turning the screen toward me.My breath hitched as my eyes landed on the pictures displayed before me. A cold, sinking sensation spread through my chest. There were several images—Adrian and Jessica at a restaurant, their heads leaned in close as if engaged in an intimate conversation. Another photo captured them at a shopping mall, walking side by side, Jessica’s hand lightly brushing
For some strange reason, I didn’t push him away when he did so. His touch didn’t make me feel threatened; instead, it felt warm, grounding—the kind of warmth that wraps around you on a chilly night and makes you forget the cold biting at your skin. My breath caught in my throat, but my body remained still, unwilling to step back. And yet, my mind screamed at me, urging me to put distance between us, to not fall for the same kind of game I had promised myself I’d never play again.My eyes traced his features, searching for any sign of deception, any glimmer of manipulation behind that practiced charm. Alessandro’s jaw was tense, his lips pressed into a firm line as though he were holding back words he couldn’t say aloud. His gaze was soft yet unyielding, brimming with something raw—sincerity, perhaps. The depth of it shook me to my core.No, Sarah. These men are all the same. You still can't trust him. What if he’s just using me and all this is a facade?The thought clung to my mind li
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 POVAlessandro exhaled sharply but nodded. He took out his phone and made a call. A few minutes later, his driver informed him the car was ready.As I walked past him, he grabbed me one last time, his forehead pressing against mine. “Please,” he whispered, “don’t shut me out completely.”I pulled away, forcing myself not to look back.I stepped outside, sliding into the waiting car. As we drove away, I caught one last glimpse of Alessandro standing in the doorway, his gaze locked onto mine until I disappeared from his sight.I turned away, staring out into the dark streets.I didn’t know what hurt more—the betrayal, or the fact that despite it all, a part of me still loved him.______________________________________________________________________________"Your reports seem pretty good compared to your last visit, Mrs. Parker," Dr. Annita said while scribbling something on her notepad."Thank you, doctor. I hope my baby is healthy and fine?" I asked, placing my hands protectivel
Sarah P.O.VHe stood there, casually leaning against the wall as if he hadn’t just drugged me and brought me to this godforsaken place against my will. His dark eyes held an unreadable expression, but I didn’t care. My rage burned away any hesitation.“Where the hell am I?” I snapped, ignoring the nausea clawing at my stomach.Alessandro sighed as if I were the one being unreasonable. “Relax, Sarah. You’re safe here. We’re at my mansion.”Safe? The audacity.“How dare you bring me here without my permission?” I shot back, venom lacing every word. “Being anywhere near you is the last thing I want.”His expression hardened. “You’ve been avoiding me for three days, Sarah. You blocked every possible way for me to reach you. This was the only way to make you listen.”The sheer arrogance of this man.“There is nothing to talk about,” I hissed. “I saw everything I needed to. You betrayed me, Alessandro. You betrayed us.”I turned, determined to put as much distance between us as possible. Bu
Sarah P.O.VThe pounding in my head continued a relentless, unforgiving rhythm that made every thought feel sluggish and distant. My eyelids felt like they weighed a ton as I forced them open slightly. The dim light in the room barely illuminated my surroundings, but even in my disoriented state, I knew something was wrong.I tried to move, but a sharp, searing pain shot through my body, rendering my limbs weak and useless. My breath hitched, panic spreading through me like wildfire. I was still in my work clothes, the fabric wrinkled and slightly damp from sweat. That detail alone should have reassured me, but it didn’t.Because this wasn’t my room.My heart pounded against my ribs, and my fingers clenched the sheets beneath me. The walls dark, almost suffocating stood in stark contrast to my usual bright, open spaces. I scanned the unfamiliar surroundings, my breath coming in short, panicked gasps. My mind reeled as a sense of utter wrongness settled into my bones.Where the hell wa
Sarah P.O.VEster shifted uncomfortably, hesitating before she spoke. "Sarah... the woman he was kissing she wasn’t just anyone.""What do you mean?" I asked, my stomach twisting."She was your step-sister, Chloe."Her words hit me like a ton of bricks. My mind reeled as I tried to process what she had just said."No," I whispered. "You must be mistaken.""I saw her, Sarah. When we were leaving the restaurant, I caught a glimpse of her face. It was Chloe."I shook my head, feeling my breath hitch. "Why? Why would Alessandro be with her? Are they having an affair?""I don’t know," Ester admitted. "But I think you deserve to find out the truth."I felt numb. My mind was racing with a thousand thoughts, none of them making sense.Ester gently rubbed my back. "Whatever you decide to do, I’ll support you."I nodded absentmindedly, offering her a weak smile in gratitude. We sat there for a few more minutes before finally deciding to leave.We walked together to the parking lot. Unlocking th
Sarah POVHe stood at the doorway, his face a mixture of desperation and regret. His usually composed demeanour was gone, replaced by something I had never seen before something that almost made me falter.Almost.I clenched my jaw, gripping the edge of my desk to steady myself.“What the hell are you doing here?” I asked coldly, my voice betraying none of the turmoil inside me.“I just want to talk,” he said softly, stepping inside despite the icy glare I sent his way.“There’s nothing left to talk about,” I snapped. “I told security not to let you in. How did you ”“I had to see you,” he interrupted, his voice filled with urgency. “Please, just hear me out.”I let out a bitter laugh. “Hear you out? After what I saw? After what you did?”“Sarah, it’s not what you think ”“Don’t,” I cut him off sharply, standing up. My hands trembled, but I refused to let him see my weakness. “Don’t insult me by pretending there’s some ridiculous explanation that could justify what you did.”“Just giv
Sarah' P.O.VI don’t think a single word exists that could encompass the emotions swirling within me right now. The pain, the anger, the heartbreak—it all felt too overwhelming, too suffocating. My mind was a battlefield, my heart a shattered mess, and no matter how hard I tried to suppress my thoughts, they kept resurfacing, tormenting me relentlessly.What I witnessed two days ago still haunted me, replaying in my head like a cruel joke. It was as if life had decided to mock me, to remind me of my foolishness, of my gullibility. How could I have been so blind? How could I have been so naive to believe that Alessandro was different?I had truly thought he was. He had made me believe it with his gentle words, his reassuring smiles, and his promises. But in the end, he proved me wrong just like everyone else had.I had allowed myself to trust him, to let my walls down, and what did I get in return? Betrayal. Deception. Heartbreak.Ever since I had stormed out of that restaurant with Es
Sarah POVThe city lights blurred into streaks as the car sped through the quiet streets. My hands clenched into fists on my lap, nails digging into my palms. I couldn’t feel the pain. Numbness had taken over, spreading like poison through my veins.Alessandro’s confession echoed in my mind, a relentless torment I couldn’t escape. Every word had been a dagger, cutting deeper than I thought possible. He was supposed to seduce me. Trick me. He had fallen for me, but it didn’t change the fact that I had been nothing more than a pawn in a game orchestrated by my father and his.I let out a bitter laugh, startling the driver.“You okay, Miss?” he asked, glancing at me through the rearview mirror.“Just drive,” I muttered, pressing my forehead against the cool glass of the window.My chest felt tight, as if someone was squeezing the air out of my lungs. I had loved Alessandro. God, I still did. But love wasn’t enough. Not when betrayal stood between us like an unmovable wall.The car pulled
Sarah's P.O.VThe relentless pounding in my head throbbed like a war drum, each beat echoing through my skull. My body felt weighted, as though unseen chains bound my limbs. I forced my eyes open, but even the dim light felt blinding. A shuddering breath left my lips as I shifted slightly, wincing at the sharp pain radiating through my body.Something wasn’t right.I struggled to sit up, my muscles screaming in protest. The air was thick with an unfamiliar scent—clean yet cold, lacking the warmth of home. My fingers instinctively travelled to my clothes, still the same ones I had worn to work. Relief flared briefly before an overwhelming wave of panic crashed over me.This wasn’t my room.My breath caught in my throat as I scanned my surroundings, my heart slamming against my ribs like a caged animal. The walls were dark, painted in a shade far too deep for my taste. The atmosphere was suffocating, unrecognizable.Then, the memories came flooding back like a violent tide.Alessandro.