Vote!
★★★★★Imara watched Rebecca carefully, expecting a reaction that never came. But rather than press further, she simply smiled and added, “You know, he and my dad used to talk about you quite a bit.”Rebecca’s expression remained unreadable, as though the mention of Edward stirred no emotions at all. Instead, she said, “I have a friend coming over for a casual dinner tonight. Why don’t you join us? Unless, of course, you’d rather avoid strangers.” Her tone was light, her demeanour calm as if Edward’s name had long ceased to hold any significance in her life."I would love to... But I do not know where you live. Is it close to Edward’s house?" Imara asked, her tone was genuine."No, actually, I am staying for a couple of days at Edward's house. So the dinner is going to happen there," said Rebecca. Suddenly the corner of her eyes watching her father standing at the entrance. He had probably come out of the building to look for her since she was taking time to reach Pete's office.Notici
★★★★★ "OUCH!" Rebecca whispered, paying attention to her palm that was holding the car key. "What happened?" Pete asked, drawing close to help. His eyes were worried. But before he could hold her hand Rebecca took her hand back to her lap, saying, "Nothing, Mr. Pete. I felt something in my palm. It’s nothing." And she tossed the car key in her purse, adding, "Mr Pete, please sit. You don't have to worry that much." Reluctantly, Pete placed the flower down on the table and moved over to his seat. His caring eyes did not leave Rebecca's face. "Here, drink this!" Peter offered the glass of water to Rebecca, believing she was a little nervous and that was why she was feeling things that she could not explain. "No, I am fine, Mr.Pete," Rebecca said, looking back at the car key, pondering what was wrong with the car key or if it was just her hallucinations. Because she still could feel the tingling sensation in her palm. She put her hand in her bag and held it in front of her palm. Th
★★★★★Hearing Trevor, the violence in Edward’s eyes reduced as his shoulders relaxed, but he did not know why the thought of seeing her away was not settling down. Him going over to Pete's place not only because he wanted to give that old piece of shit some brain but also to take her back and never allow her to go.Edward turned around and looked at his desk, thinking how it had started- the relationship. He still remembered the day he and Rebecca walked together in the marriage Bureau, hating her presence and all he was intending how to bring trouble for her. But standing at present, he could tell the torture was happening not around her but rather upon him."You know well what you exactly want, Boss," Trevor said with a calm tone as a sigh left his mouth. He had been noticing Edward for a while and noted every minor indication. Edward did not turn around right away, but asked, "You can see that too.""For a while! And I was hopeful you would get to know this eventually," said Trevo
★★★★★ “I was talking about the event—your debut as a model,” Ella clarified, raising an eyebrow at Rebecca’s startled reaction. “Why do you look like I just asked if you’re planning to rob a bank tomorrow?” Her tone was light, but the teasing lilt in her voice was unmistakable. Ella’s curious gaze lingered on Rebecca, amused by the bewildered expression that had crossed her face. “Oh, haha!” Rebecca laughed awkwardly, shifting in her seat as though trying to shake off her unease. “Honestly, I still don’t fully understand what I’m supposed to do tomorrow. The whole thing feels surreal.” Imara, munching on a chip, leaned forward. “Well, let me just remind you that Veronica Black will be there. And where Veronica goes, competition follows. The crowd goes absolutely wild for her.” She paused, her tone carrying a note of caution. “I trust you’ve prepared yourself for that.” Noticing the sudden tension her words might have caused, Imara burst into laughter. “Don’t mind me. I once attend
★★★★★"Stop doing this," Rebecca hissed through gritted teeth, her voice low enough for only Edward to hear. The light flush on her cheeks deepened, though it was more from frustration than anything else. His sweet talk, laced with deliberate teasing, wasn’t charming anymore—it was embarrassing her in front of her friends.Edward’s smirk remained firmly in place, unshaken by her protest. "Care to explain what I’m doing?" he replied, his tone dripping with amusement. His voice was just as quiet, almost conspiratorial, and the proximity between them only added to the tension.Neither of them moved an inch, as though the idea of creating distance hadn’t even crossed their minds. Their breaths mingled in the small space, charged with unspoken words and something far deeper than mere irritation."Rebecca, I need to use the bathroom too. What a coincidence!" Ella announced, springing to her feet in an almost theatrical manner. The exaggerated brightness in her voice made Rebecca glance at h
★★★★★"There’s nothing to see other than some mere walks by models," Rebecca said, her voice tinged with hesitation. Her gaze flickered with reluctance, betraying her unease at the thought of Edward attending the event.Her words seemed to amuse Edward, a low chuckle escaping his lips. He leaned back, his eyes gleaming with a mix of mischief and sincerity. "If I’m seen there, it’ll only be because of you," he said, his voice smooth yet deliberate. "I’d like to see my wife as a model walking the ramp."Rebecca froze, the glare on her face dissolving into sheer horror. Her breath hitched, and her eyes locked onto his with an intensity that bordered on desperation. She searched his expression, looking for the usual teasing glint, but what she saw instead felt alarmingly genuine.His words lingered in the air like an unspoken vow, wrapping around her like a tether she couldn’t break. Was he serious? Did he truly mean to accept her as his wife?"Your words are neither funny nor genuine," R
★★★★★Rebecca was slightly taken aback by Imara’s words, not because she hesitated to let Ella stay, but because of how awkwardly over-caring Imara sounded. It was unusual, especially considering she had only just met Ella a few minutes ago.“No, I’m fine,” Ella replied nonchalantly, waving off the concern as she adjusted her position in the chair. “I have medicine that can take care of this. As long as nothing’s broken, I don’t need anyone fussing over me.”But even as the words left her mouth, a flicker of suspicion crossed Ella’s mind. Imara’s behaviour struck her as odd, almost too considerate, as if there was something more beneath the surface. She couldn’t shake the feeling that the girl was up to something.“No… Imara is right,” Rebecca insisted, her voice soft but firm with concern. “I think you should stay back. You don’t have anyone at home to look after you. What if you need help, even for something as simple as going to the washroom?”Ella looked up at Rebecca, her smile w
★★★★★ After sending both girls to their houses, Rebecca lay in bed, tossing and turning. Sleep eluded her, no matter how desperately she tried to close her eyes. She knew how crucial rest was for her heart and mind, yet the unease gnawed at her relentlessly. Perhaps it was the anxiety of being in the spotlight tomorrow, the weight of so many eyes on her. Frustrated, Rebecca sat up abruptly and began pacing the length of her room, her thoughts colliding in her mind, refusing to settle. Tomorrow, Pete would propose to her in front of countless cameras, a grand spectacle she had no control over. Meanwhile, her father was likely busy decorating his castle, elated at the prospect of his long-cherished dream coming true. The image of it all made her stomach churn. “Damn it!” she burst out, her frustration boiling over. “Why can’t I have a simple, quiet life for just one day? Urgh!” Her voice echoed in the stillness, but it did little to calm the storm raging inside her. Rebecca walked t
★★★★★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