★★★★"Is she telling the truth? Is this you in the video?" Pete asked, his voice trembling with a mix of disbelief and desperation, as though clinging to the faintest hope that Rebecca might deny it.Rebecca’s breath hitched, her eyes momentarily darting to the screen before meeting Pete’s gaze. She bit her lower lip, guilt flooding her features. She could see the pain etched across his face, the weight of betrayal hanging in the air.“Yes,” she finally admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. The word felt heavy, final.Pete took a step back as though the admission had struck him physically. “Why?” he asked, his voice cracking. “You could’ve just told me. Why let me believe—” He stopped, running a hand through his hair as his emotions boiled over.Rebecca looked down, unable to meet his gaze anymore. “And I didn’t know how to say it...”Veronica’s smirk deepened, her arms crossed as she revelled in the chaos she had orchestrated. “See? I told you, Pete. This is what she does. It’s
★★★★Edward’s sharp gaze landed on the audience before it came to a halt on Pete, silencing the room with a single look. His stride was deliberate as he climbed the steps to the stage, exuding a controlled fury that made the air feel heavy. Veronica, for a second, felt lightning strike her brain because he was supposed to be in a business meeting with her father. Then how come he appeared here? "Who permitted you to step into my studio? This is my show and my place and you are not welcome here!" Pete shouted, his anger dripping from his voice. “Your place?” Edward repeated, his voice deceptively calm, yet each word carried the weight of a storm brewing. His eyes flicked to Pete, then to Veronica, who stood frozen, clutching the microphone like a lifeline. “Your show? Funny how quickly you claim ownership of things you can barely control.”Pete squared his shoulders, trying to mask his unease. “You’re trespassing. You have no right to be here—”“I have every right,” Edward cut him o
★★★★★Later that day, Rebecca sat in the passenger seat, staring out of the window in silence as Edward guided the car through the city streets. She didn’t ask where they were headed, nor did she care to. The tension in the air between them was palpable, yet neither spoke. When Edward finally pulled up to a sleek hotel, one he owned, she raised an eyebrow but remained quiet.He led her to the penthouse in silence, the grand space unfolding with its high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and an unobstructed view of the glittering city skyline. The air was crisp and still, free from the prying eyes and ears they had escaped.Rebecca stepped in, her heels clicking on the marble floor, and surveyed the space with a detached air. She didn’t bother questioning why they were there. Instead, she pivoted toward Edward, her voice sharp but not unkind. “Where are the liquors?”At the same time, her fingers reached behind her neck, unclasping the extravagant diamond necklace she had worn all ev
★★★★"Yes," Edward admitted, his voice barely above a whisper, the weight of the confession heavy on his chest. "She told me not to marry you." His breath fell into the silence between them, hanging in the empty space like an unresolved chord.Rebecca’s eyes narrowed, a mixture of confusion and disbelief flickering across her face. She took a small step closer, her voice sharp and demanding. "Then why did you marry me?" she asked, her tone rising slightly. "You broke off the engagement—fulfilled her request, didn’t you? So why now, Edward? Why come back into my life, dragging all this with you?"Her questioning gaze pierced through him, the strong frown etched on her forehead a stark reminder of her growing frustration.Edward leaned back against the couch, his head tipping slightly as he exhaled. "Because..." he started, his words faltering. His eyes found hers again, softer this time, yet filled with a quiet torment. "Because I wanted to get a hold of you," Edward said, his voice f
★★★★★"Get up. We have to go to the hospital," Edward said urgently, his voice sharp with concern as he ended the call. Rebecca, however, remained on the floor, her body frozen, her mind trapped in the spiralling chaos of the devastating news."Rebecca!" Edward knelt in front of her, his eyes scanning her pale face. Seeing no response, his panic deepened. Without hesitation, he grabbed her arms and pulled her to her feet. She was limp in his grasp, her knees barely holding her weight."Rebecca, listen to me." He cupped her face, patting her cheeks gently but firmly to bring her back. "We have to go to the hospital now. Do you hear me?"It was only then that Rebecca's glazed eyes flickered with recognition, her emotions flooding back in an overwhelming wave. Her lips parted as if to speak, but no words came out. Instead, a heart-wrenching sob escaped her throat, and her tears began to fall uncontrollably.Edward tightened his hold, his voice softening but no less urgent. "I know, I kno
★★★★★The waiting area had quieted down as the hospital settled into the stillness of the late night. Rebecca sat stiffly, her gaze fixed on the floor as her mother dozed off in the chair beside her. Trevor, standing awkwardly nearby, cleared his throat.“Rebecca,” he began cautiously, his voice gentle but insistent. “Edward asked me to look after you while he’s away. You’ve been here all day. Why don’t you head home for a while? Rest. I’ll stay here and update you the moment anything happens.”Rebecca’s head snapped up, her eyes flashing with irritation. “Trevor, do I look like someone who can just rest while my father is in surgery? Fighting for his life?”Trevor opened his mouth to respond, but Rebecca cut him off, rising to her feet with an edge of fury. “I don’t care what Edward told you to do. You can stand here all night playing the loyal watchdog, but don’t you dare come to me with a request like that again. It’s insulting.”Trevor held up his hands in a placating gesture
★★★★★Rebecca stumbled into the dimly lit corridor of the hospital floor, her chest heaving as if every breath was a battle. The weight of what she’d overheard pressed down on her, suffocating and relentless. Her vision swam with worry, the bundle of thoughts in her head threatening to choke her entirely.When her gaze fell on the empty chair where her mother had been sitting earlier, panic gripped her."Mom?" Rebecca's voice was barely above a whisper, cracking under the strain of her emotions. Her pulse quickened as her eyes darted around the waiting area. The blanket that had been draped over her mother’s shoulders now lay crumpled on the chair.Rebecca clutched the back of the chair for support, her nails digging into the worn fabric. Where could she have gone?Rebecca's legs felt like lead as she sprinted toward the emergency ward, her heart pounding in her chest. The sound of her mother’s wailing pierced the air, a raw, unrelenting cry that sent chills down her spine. When
After a passionate, steamy night, Rebecca felt the man beside her rise from the bed and enter the bathroom. She lay motionless, utterly drained and unable to move. The sound of water flowing could be heard coming from the bathroom. Rebecca forced her eyes open and glanced at the clothes scattered all around the floor. The fresh memory of the night’s activities surfaced in her mind, and she instinctively clutched the blanket as her cheeks blushed crimson. She and Edward.... Since they were young, both of them had been betrothed to each other by their respective families. But over the last few months, Edward’s behaviour had changed. He grew distant, treating her with cold indifference as if she had upset him somehow. Yet, no matter how many times she asked, he never gave an explanation. After his car accident, during which she stayed by his side for three months, nursing him back to health, that was when his attitude toward her had changed a little. Now that they had consummate
★★★★★Rebecca stumbled into the dimly lit corridor of the hospital floor, her chest heaving as if every breath was a battle. The weight of what she’d overheard pressed down on her, suffocating and relentless. Her vision swam with worry, the bundle of thoughts in her head threatening to choke her entirely.When her gaze fell on the empty chair where her mother had been sitting earlier, panic gripped her."Mom?" Rebecca's voice was barely above a whisper, cracking under the strain of her emotions. Her pulse quickened as her eyes darted around the waiting area. The blanket that had been draped over her mother’s shoulders now lay crumpled on the chair.Rebecca clutched the back of the chair for support, her nails digging into the worn fabric. Where could she have gone?Rebecca's legs felt like lead as she sprinted toward the emergency ward, her heart pounding in her chest. The sound of her mother’s wailing pierced the air, a raw, unrelenting cry that sent chills down her spine. When
★★★★★The waiting area had quieted down as the hospital settled into the stillness of the late night. Rebecca sat stiffly, her gaze fixed on the floor as her mother dozed off in the chair beside her. Trevor, standing awkwardly nearby, cleared his throat.“Rebecca,” he began cautiously, his voice gentle but insistent. “Edward asked me to look after you while he’s away. You’ve been here all day. Why don’t you head home for a while? Rest. I’ll stay here and update you the moment anything happens.”Rebecca’s head snapped up, her eyes flashing with irritation. “Trevor, do I look like someone who can just rest while my father is in surgery? Fighting for his life?”Trevor opened his mouth to respond, but Rebecca cut him off, rising to her feet with an edge of fury. “I don’t care what Edward told you to do. You can stand here all night playing the loyal watchdog, but don’t you dare come to me with a request like that again. It’s insulting.”Trevor held up his hands in a placating gesture
★★★★★"Get up. We have to go to the hospital," Edward said urgently, his voice sharp with concern as he ended the call. Rebecca, however, remained on the floor, her body frozen, her mind trapped in the spiralling chaos of the devastating news."Rebecca!" Edward knelt in front of her, his eyes scanning her pale face. Seeing no response, his panic deepened. Without hesitation, he grabbed her arms and pulled her to her feet. She was limp in his grasp, her knees barely holding her weight."Rebecca, listen to me." He cupped her face, patting her cheeks gently but firmly to bring her back. "We have to go to the hospital now. Do you hear me?"It was only then that Rebecca's glazed eyes flickered with recognition, her emotions flooding back in an overwhelming wave. Her lips parted as if to speak, but no words came out. Instead, a heart-wrenching sob escaped her throat, and her tears began to fall uncontrollably.Edward tightened his hold, his voice softening but no less urgent. "I know, I kno
★★★★"Yes," Edward admitted, his voice barely above a whisper, the weight of the confession heavy on his chest. "She told me not to marry you." His breath fell into the silence between them, hanging in the empty space like an unresolved chord.Rebecca’s eyes narrowed, a mixture of confusion and disbelief flickering across her face. She took a small step closer, her voice sharp and demanding. "Then why did you marry me?" she asked, her tone rising slightly. "You broke off the engagement—fulfilled her request, didn’t you? So why now, Edward? Why come back into my life, dragging all this with you?"Her questioning gaze pierced through him, the strong frown etched on her forehead a stark reminder of her growing frustration.Edward leaned back against the couch, his head tipping slightly as he exhaled. "Because..." he started, his words faltering. His eyes found hers again, softer this time, yet filled with a quiet torment. "Because I wanted to get a hold of you," Edward said, his voice f
★★★★★Later that day, Rebecca sat in the passenger seat, staring out of the window in silence as Edward guided the car through the city streets. She didn’t ask where they were headed, nor did she care to. The tension in the air between them was palpable, yet neither spoke. When Edward finally pulled up to a sleek hotel, one he owned, she raised an eyebrow but remained quiet.He led her to the penthouse in silence, the grand space unfolding with its high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and an unobstructed view of the glittering city skyline. The air was crisp and still, free from the prying eyes and ears they had escaped.Rebecca stepped in, her heels clicking on the marble floor, and surveyed the space with a detached air. She didn’t bother questioning why they were there. Instead, she pivoted toward Edward, her voice sharp but not unkind. “Where are the liquors?”At the same time, her fingers reached behind her neck, unclasping the extravagant diamond necklace she had worn all ev
★★★★Edward’s sharp gaze landed on the audience before it came to a halt on Pete, silencing the room with a single look. His stride was deliberate as he climbed the steps to the stage, exuding a controlled fury that made the air feel heavy. Veronica, for a second, felt lightning strike her brain because he was supposed to be in a business meeting with her father. Then how come he appeared here? "Who permitted you to step into my studio? This is my show and my place and you are not welcome here!" Pete shouted, his anger dripping from his voice. “Your place?” Edward repeated, his voice deceptively calm, yet each word carried the weight of a storm brewing. His eyes flicked to Pete, then to Veronica, who stood frozen, clutching the microphone like a lifeline. “Your show? Funny how quickly you claim ownership of things you can barely control.”Pete squared his shoulders, trying to mask his unease. “You’re trespassing. You have no right to be here—”“I have every right,” Edward cut him o
★★★★"Is she telling the truth? Is this you in the video?" Pete asked, his voice trembling with a mix of disbelief and desperation, as though clinging to the faintest hope that Rebecca might deny it.Rebecca’s breath hitched, her eyes momentarily darting to the screen before meeting Pete’s gaze. She bit her lower lip, guilt flooding her features. She could see the pain etched across his face, the weight of betrayal hanging in the air.“Yes,” she finally admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. The word felt heavy, final.Pete took a step back as though the admission had struck him physically. “Why?” he asked, his voice cracking. “You could’ve just told me. Why let me believe—” He stopped, running a hand through his hair as his emotions boiled over.Rebecca looked down, unable to meet his gaze anymore. “And I didn’t know how to say it...”Veronica’s smirk deepened, her arms crossed as she revelled in the chaos she had orchestrated. “See? I told you, Pete. This is what she does. It’s
★★★★★Pete turned his head toward Rebecca, his gaze sharp and deliberate, a gleam of purpose in his eyes. He took a measured step toward her, ignoring her subtle attempt to retreat into the shadows. Before she could react, his hand shot out, grasping hers firmly. Her fingers balled into a fist and trembled under his grip, betraying her inner turmoil."This," Pete began, his voice echoing through the room as he pulled Rebecca to the front of the stage, "is someone I would like everyone to know."Rebecca stumbled slightly, her composure momentarily slipping as she found herself under the full glare of the spotlight. The murmurs in the audience swelled, curious eyes flitting between Pete and Rebecca. Her heart thundered in her chest, her mind racing with thoughts of how to escape the moment.Pete’s grip on Rebecca’s hand tightened, his voice steady yet filled with emotion. "She is someone I’ve lost my heart to," he said, his gaze locking with Rebecca’s wide, shocked eyes. "I’ve been plan
★★★★Soon, it was Rebecca’s turn. Her heart raced as the stage manager gestured for her to step forward. Her hand instinctively reached for the necklace resting against her collarbone—a simple yet grounding gesture. The cool metal seemed to calm her nerves, if only slightly.The announcement echoed through the room. "Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Rebecca, showcasing our exclusive signature collection!"Rebecca took a deep breath, her fingers briefly tightening around the necklace before she let it drop. A lingering worry clung to her chest, but she pushed it down. This moment was hers, and she wasn’t about to let it slip through her fingers.As she stepped onto the stage, the bright lights enveloped her, momentarily blinding her to the crowd. Her steps were measured and deliberate, the soft rustle of her gown echoing in the stillness. With each stride, she reminded herself: Confidence. Grace. Show them why you’re here.The whispers from backstage faded into the background, repl