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
Adrian P.O.VIt’s been six days since Sarah left the mansion. Even though I now have everything I ever wished for, it feels as if something is still missing. Today, I have Jessica with me, and soon I will be a father. Sarah has chosen to leave my life, but still, I’m not happy. Her absence is affecting me more than I expected.You're missing her, Adrian.Accept that.I know I never truly wanted Sarah. Our marriage was a business arrangement, a decision I made for the sake of my company. And when she was here, I didn’t waste any opportunity to humiliate or belittle her. I wanted her to feel the same pain I endured being separated from Jessica. I made her life miserable, hoping it would bring me satisfaction. But when she finally left, I thought I’d reclaim my happiness with Jessica and start the family I always dreamed of. Yet, why am I not satisfied? Why does my heart feel so empty?Why is Sarah on my mind 24/7?Why do I see Sarah’s face whenever I close my eyes?Why do I hear her voi
Adrian POVShe can't know you're here for her."Where's Sarah?" I blurted out before I could stop myself. I saw Miss Caswell about to say something, but Noah interrupted."Oh, she went to the restroom a while ago."I nodded and downed my drink, trying to calm the storm brewing inside me. The alcohol burned down my throat, but it did nothing to extinguish the jealousy igniting my veins. Just then, my phone rang. I glanced at the caller ID and felt a smile tug at my lips despite my foul mood."Hey, love. When are you coming home?" Jessica's sweet voice came through the line."Hey, sweetheart. I'm just at the club with Noah. I'll be home in an hour or two," I replied, raising my voice to be heard over the thumping bass."Alright, I'll be waiting. See you soon." She sounded content."Bye, love," I said before disconnecting the call. As I turned back, my eyes landed on a familiar figure on the dance floor.Sarah.My breath hitched as I saw her, dressed in a stunning blue dress that clung t
Adrian POVIt was early morning, and the golden hues of dawn filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the bedroom. I stood by the wardrobe, adjusting my tie, my gaze drifting to Jessica. She lay sprawled across the bed, her golden hair tousled on the pillow, breathing softly in her peaceful sleep. I felt a pang of guilt mixed with affection. She looked so serene, completely unaware of the turmoil brewing within me.I leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss on her forehead. She stirred slightly but didn’t wake. "I'll see you later, love," I whispered before straightening up and heading downstairs.The aroma of freshly brewed coffee greeted me as I stepped into the kitchen. Memories hit me unexpectedly—memories of Sarah bustling around this very kitchen, her hair tied up messily, a faint smile on her lips as she prepared breakfast. No matter how strained things had been between us, she had never missed a morning meal. Her pancakes were unparalleled, and even now, my taste
Adrian POVHalf an hour later, I pulled up in front of Sarah's house, killing the engine with a frustrated flick of my wrist. The morning sun bathed the quaint home in soft light, but my mood remained stormy. I strode up the stone pathway, each step fueled by simmering irritation.The bell echoed sharply as I pressed it, the sound cutting through the stillness. I folded my arms, tapping my foot impatiently as I waited. When the door finally creaked open, Sarah stood there, framed by the doorway.Damn. Even in the morning, with barely a touch of makeup and her hair in loose waves, she looked effortlessly stunning.Focus, Adrian. You're not here to admire her looks. You're here to confront her.Her brows lifted slightly in surprise, though she said nothing. That calm, composed demeanor she always wore made my frustration spike. Without waiting for her to invite me in, I brushed past her, the faint scent of jasmine trailing after her as I entered the house. My shoes thudded against the p
Adrian POVShe looked down at the shirt, her expression carefully neutral. I couldn't tell what she was thinking, and that only made my thoughts spiral further. My mind raced, grasping at every possible explanation for why she was wearing it.Maybe she just likes wearing men's shirts.Or perhaps it’s some new fashion trend I’m unaware of.But none of those possibilities made sense to me. Not with Sarah. Not with the past we shared.Her voice broke through my chaotic thoughts, soft yet firm, carrying an undertone of finality. "Adrian, just sign the papers and leave."There was a weariness in her words, almost as if she were pleading to avoid another conflict. For a fleeting moment, I considered doing just that signing the damn papers, walking away, and freeing both of us from this endless tug-of-war.It shouldn't matter to me anymore. Her personal life was no longer my concern.I picked up the pen, ready to scrawl my signature and be done with it when I caught movement from the corner
Adrian POV"She's still my wife. Not his. I have a right to her."The thought gnawed at me, relentless and savage. Behind that closed door, anything could be happening. The image of Sarah willingly choosing him, letting him into the spaces that were once mine, made my blood boil. My fists clenched at my sides as jealousy twisted into a dark, bitter knot in my chest.But I reminded myself of the cold, inescapable truth — she wasn't my concern anymore. I had signed the divorce papers. Soon enough, in a matter of months, I would be free to build a life with Jessica and our child.I repeated this fact in my head like a desperate mantra, trying to dull the ache that gnawed at my pride. Sarah's choices shouldn't matter to me anymore. They wouldn't.Taking a steadying breath, I straightened my clothes and forced my emotions back into their cage. With every ounce of strength I had left, I turned on my heel, pushed aside the searing pain, and walked out of her house without looking back. As I
Adrian P.O.V.It had been an hour since Baldwin left my office, but I was still staring at the evidence laid out before me. The documents seemed to mock my foolishness, each detail a bitter reminder of how far I had let my doubts and ego drive me.A wave of guilt hit me hard, knocking the air out of my lungs as I thought about all the terrible things I had done to her.What have I done to her?I punished Sarah for things she never did.She had pleaded with me, insisted on her innocence time and time again, but I hadn't listened. I had been blinded by jealousy and my insecurities. Instead of protecting her, I had been the one to cause her the most pain.My chest tightened as I recalled the way I had ignored her tears, dismissed her desperate cries for understanding, and, worst of all, forced myself into her life in ways that were beyond unforgivable. I clenched my fists, the memory of my cruelty making my skin crawl.I pulled at my hair in frustration, the weight of my actions pressing
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.