*Naomi's POV*
Today is the happiest day of my life and obviously Tomorrow will be even better.
"Aren't I the lucky one?" I asked my designer as she adjusted the fabric of my dashing wedding dress.
"Yes, you are, ma'am. Not everyone gets to be with the love of their life," she replied and smiled.
"Well, I guess I am," I murmured, running my fingers over the fancy, delicate dress. The dress was elegant, and had nice designs and gosh—it was perfect Just like my love for Alexander.
I sighed, the only thing missing was my cousin, Rachel.
"I just wish Rachel was here. At least she would have helped me get fitted, we'd have had fun fitting this dress. She always does all the hyping and all.”
"Don't worry, ma'am," my designer reassured me. "She said she'll be back later for your bachelorette party. No need to worry."
I forced a smile. "Yes I know. Alright, I'll leave you to continue your work."
"You should rest, ma'am. Tomorrow is such a big day. You need enough rest, so you can have strength."
"Thank you ma'am, I'll rest once I get home."
As I left her store, I felt strange, and I couldn't say why exactly. I brought out my phone to call Alexander, I wanted to hear his voice.
The phone rang twice before he answered.
"Hi, hi, darling husband-to-be."
"Oh, Naomi, my lovely wife to be" he said, his voice warm. "How are you doing? I can’t wait to see you tomorrow."
"Yeah, me too," I said, feeling a rush of love. "So, what's your plan?"
"Plan? For what?"
"For tomorrow, silly. Our wedding."
He chuckled. "It’s a surprise, Naomi."
I started blushing, all my face turned red. "Wow, that’s so romantic, I can't wait to see all of it. So, are you home or out with your friends?"
"No, I’m home alone, preparing for you, my darling wife."
Home alone. I bit my lip, a naughty idea crossed my mind.
"Okay," I said, grabbing my coat. "See you tomorrow."
But tomorrow felt too far away. I wanted to see him now, I wanted to surprise him.
The ride to his house was quick, my heart was filled with excitement. I was already imagining the look on his face when he sees me. Would he scoop me into his arms and kiss me? Whisper how much he loved me?
The thought made me giggle like a child as I got to his entrance. I was about to knock when I noticed it was slightly open.
That was strange.
I was reluctant at first but curiosity got the better of me. I stepped in, quiet as a whisper. And then the next thing I heard sent shivers down my spine.
"Ah, yes, harder," came a very familiar feminine voice from his room.
I froze.
Rachel?
I moved forward, every step making my stomach twist.
"Oh, yeah, baby, don't stop, oh… I wish I could steal you from that wretched girl, Naomi," Rachel said while moaning.
I was shocked.
"Oh baby, don't ruin the fun," Alexander responded.
No. No, no, no.
"I wish I could have you all to myself and not Naomi, but you know she's the key to the inheritance."
That instant, it was as if the ground should open and swallow me. I couldn't breath, it was as if all the air in me had been taken out. I felt suffocated.
I kept shaking my head, I wished it was a dream, a hallucination. But then the moans and their bodies on each other, reality hit me like a slap.
Their tangled bodies, The sheets, the way he held her, whispered to ears—the way he touched her like he once touched me, the way her nails dugged into his skin.
I almost fell,
I couldn’t breathe.
I couldn’t think.
I turned and ran.
It was late already, so I turned to leave. I had no idea where I was headed, I just knew I found myself at the one place I had sworn never to return to.
The bar. I used to love coming here, especially Friday night, T.G.I.F. After a stressful week at work, I'd just come to the bar to chill and relax. But Alexander doesn't like that, I wanted to be a better person for him, so I stopped.
The smell of alcohol and regret wrapped around me as I pushed through the doors.
"This is your sixth bottle, ma'am," the bartender said, snatching the seventh before I could grab it.
"Killjoy," I said mumbling.
The world tilted, My mind was in chaos. But the more I drank, the heavier the betrayal sat in my chest.
"Another," I said in my drunken state.
"No."
I glared at him. "Aren’t you just interested in the money?"
"I am," he admitted, "but not with your safety on the line. I don’t want the cops asking me questions after your death."
I laughed bitterly. Death. Wouldn’t that be nice?
I stood up from the stool, my legs wobbling, I was seeing double. The walls seemed to breathe, the lights too bright, the floor too unsteady.
I needed more, maybe somewhere else.
Anywhere but here.
As I tried walking out, my head started spinning, I was seeing stars. My legs twisted. And then—
I bumped into someone.
"Whoa!" A Strong arm caught me before I fell to the ground.
"Hey, miss," a deep voice said. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," I muttered, swaying. "I'm fine."
"You reek of alcohol."
"And you don't," I smiled at him.
"Where do you leave?" The handsome guy asked, "Cause you are in no driving state," he continued.
I giggled, poking his face. "Why should I tell you where I live?"
"My mom warned me about strangers." I smirked tightening my grip around his neck.
He sighed. "Maybe because this stranger is your only way of getting home safely tonight?"
I didn’t know where or how I got the boldness, but I leaned in, my voice dropping into a sultry whisper.
"Can I have a feel of you inside me tonight?"
His grip on my waist tightened, his jaw clenching.
For a moment, the air between us crackled.
Then, he exhaled sharply. "You’re drunk."
I pouted. "So?"
"So, I don’t take advantage of drunk women."
His words sliced through me.
I stared at him—at the sharp lines of his face, the storm in his eyes. Something about him felt… safe. Even as my world spun, even as my heart shattered, he was steady.
"Come on," he said, slipping an arm around my waist. "Let’s get you out of here."
And for the first time that night, I let someone hold me without breaking me.
*Naomi’s POV* I woke up with a hangover, my mouth was dry, my head reeling, and my entire body ached in ways I couldn't explain. "What happened?" I asked myself as I held my head trying to recall.The sheets that was wrapped around me were softer than mine. The scent lingering in the air was different—rich, masculine, intoxicating. I stood up and watched as the covers slipped off my body. My naked body. What the hell? My hands trembled as I did a quick check—no clothes, no memory of putting them back on. Just bare skin and the faint traces of last night’s madness tingling all over me, just thinking about it was already giving me goosebumps.Suddenly, my mood changed as I remembered all the drama from yesterday. Alexander and Rachel, the betrayal, the bar, and the stranger.A stranger who kissed me like I was his last breath, Who whispered sweet nothing to my ear and everything against my skin, Who worshipped my body like he had spent lifetimes searching for it. I started smil
*Raymond’s POV*I woke up very early in the morning, the room was lightly lit, and there she was, the most beautiful woman I had ever laid my eyes on. She was sleeping so peacefully, the pleasing smell of her perfume filled the air —floral, intoxicating, and already fading. I started smiling as I ran a hand through my hair, forcing myself to remember everything. She had walked into my life last night like a storm, her eyes looked sad, her voice unsteady, yet her resolve was clear. "All I want is for you to make me feel good," she had pleaded.I didn't have the intention of touching her. She was clearly heartbroken, drowning in whatever betrayal had shattered her. But the moment I kissed her, I was gone.Last night was magic. The way she moved her body, the way she responded to my touch, she wasn't desperate, I could tell it was something deeper, something raw. She had trusted me with her body. And damn, I was glad I said yes, because that was the best night of my life. I s
*Noami's POV*There was only a second of silence in the room; then, it was as if the enemy dropped a bomb."You cannot do this, Naomi," Aunt said with disbelief, her face contorted by the stress. "This wedding is beyond your power to walk away from!"I rose and took my suitcase, which was held up with my hand tightly, I gripped on the handle as though my knuckles turned white due to holding it that tight.Yes, I did.My tongue gave me a flawless intonation filled with coldness.Aunt Mildred was burning with rage. She was trembling and pointed fingers at me. "If you do this, then I will take your father’s inheritance as the first thing."I knew she was threatening me not to go Well, but I was determined not to allow all that to get to me.Aunt Mildred had been my guardian since I was fourteen, ever since the accident that took my parents away and left me alone with nothing but memories of a vanished life.For nine years, she had been the one to rule over and the decisions regarding my
*Raymond's POV* Five years had passed, but I still couldn’t erase the memory of that beautiful woman. The stranger from the bar. I had spent countless nights trying to recall her face, but all I ever remembered were her deep, sorrowful eyes and the way her body melted into mine that night. She was wild, desperate, and breathtaking. And just like a storm, she had disappeared by morning. I sent out men after her, using the little information I had, but no one could find her, there was no name, no identity. Just a ghost of a woman who had burned herself into my soul. But I guess fate had its own plans. Five years had passed, and everything had changed. Alexander had moved on and married Rachel. Our father was proud, boasting to everyone about how his "perfect son" had settled down. He even gave Alexander time off from work to enjoy his marriage, while I was left behind to shoulder the entire weight of the company. I didn’t mind at first, Hard work was all I knew.Until my
Naomi’s POV"What's the best way to get to your enemy? By being close to them."That was the first plan that ran through my mind as soon as I set foot back in New York. It had been five long years since I left—years filled with pain, heartbreak, loneliness, and emptiness. But now I was back, and everything outside this city was in my past. Those years had built the new me, the me that was ready to take back what was mine. I wasn’t returning as Naomi anymore. I was coming back as Erica Smith—a new identity that would help me get revenge on Alexander. Yes, Alexander. The one person I had trusted completely, the one I loved since childhood. He’d done everything to win me over, and I even changed my life for him. I quit drinking and stopped going to my favorite bar just to impress him. But just a day before our wedding, he went and humiliated me by sleeping with my cousin, Rachel. And believe me, Rachel wasn’t going to be left out of my plan for payback. She always acted like
Naomi’s POVI turned sharply,my heart racing.And there he was.Raymond Montego.The man who had just changed my fate.He leaned casually against the doorframe,his piercing gaze meeting mine. He was tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in a fitted black shirt with the top buttons open, and carried an aura of effortless domiminance. He looked every bit the man who wields power–and now, over my life.I swallowed , forcing my voice to remain in composure.” I didn't expect you to be here.”A smirk spread across the corner of his lips.”And yet, here I am.” The air between us grew heavier as he stepped into the room.“ I assume you read through the contract?”Glancing at the untouched papers in my hands. “Not entirely.” He chuckled. “Then let me make things clear, Mrs. Raymond. This arrangement is purely business. You get to play the devoted wife in public, and in return, You get my protection and access to the Montego name.”With crossed arms. “And what do you get?”His expression darkened slig
Naomi’s POVI was just beginning to adjust into the reality of my new life as Mrs. Raymond, If I was going to be a pretend wife, it would be much easier if I would be bathed in this luxury. Raymond had spoiled me with a mountain of designer clothes, bags, purses, jewelry, and shoes. I couldn’t help but run my fingers over the soft fabrics and admire the sparkling gemstones. Every piece made me feel more special.As I stood there, trying to decide what to wear, my mind was full of thoughts about my goals for that evening. I needed an outfit that was stunning enough to impress my “in-laws” and sexy enough to make Raymond fall for me. After looking through everything, I finally settled on a sleek blue dinner gown. It hugged my curves just right—simple, yet powerful. Wearing it, I felt confident and beautiful. My hair was brushed into a simple bun,almost like I had styled this morning but this time, accessories. A diamond necklace sat on my neck. Was it too much for dinner? Certainly
Naomi’s POVI was just beginning to adjust into the reality of my new life as Mrs. Raymond, If I was going to be a pretend wife, it would be much easier if I would be bathed in this luxury. Raymond had spoiled me with a mountain of designer clothes, bags, purses, jewelry, and shoes. I couldn’t help but run my fingers over the soft fabrics and admire the sparkling gemstones. Every piece made me feel more special.As I stood there, trying to decide what to wear, my mind was full of thoughts about my goals for that evening. I needed an outfit that was stunning enough to impress my “in-laws” and sexy enough to make Raymond fall for me. After looking through everything, I finally settled on a sleek blue dinner gown. It hugged my curves just right—simple, yet powerful. Wearing it, I felt confident and beautiful. My hair was brushed into a simple bun,almost like I had styled this morning but this time, accessories. A diamond necklace sat on my neck. Was it too much for dinner? Certainly
Naomi’s POVI turned sharply,my heart racing.And there he was.Raymond Montego.The man who had just changed my fate.He leaned casually against the doorframe,his piercing gaze meeting mine. He was tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in a fitted black shirt with the top buttons open, and carried an aura of effortless domiminance. He looked every bit the man who wields power–and now, over my life.I swallowed , forcing my voice to remain in composure.” I didn't expect you to be here.”A smirk spread across the corner of his lips.”And yet, here I am.” The air between us grew heavier as he stepped into the room.“ I assume you read through the contract?”Glancing at the untouched papers in my hands. “Not entirely.” He chuckled. “Then let me make things clear, Mrs. Raymond. This arrangement is purely business. You get to play the devoted wife in public, and in return, You get my protection and access to the Montego name.”With crossed arms. “And what do you get?”His expression darkened slig
Naomi’s POV"What's the best way to get to your enemy? By being close to them."That was the first plan that ran through my mind as soon as I set foot back in New York. It had been five long years since I left—years filled with pain, heartbreak, loneliness, and emptiness. But now I was back, and everything outside this city was in my past. Those years had built the new me, the me that was ready to take back what was mine. I wasn’t returning as Naomi anymore. I was coming back as Erica Smith—a new identity that would help me get revenge on Alexander. Yes, Alexander. The one person I had trusted completely, the one I loved since childhood. He’d done everything to win me over, and I even changed my life for him. I quit drinking and stopped going to my favorite bar just to impress him. But just a day before our wedding, he went and humiliated me by sleeping with my cousin, Rachel. And believe me, Rachel wasn’t going to be left out of my plan for payback. She always acted like
*Raymond's POV* Five years had passed, but I still couldn’t erase the memory of that beautiful woman. The stranger from the bar. I had spent countless nights trying to recall her face, but all I ever remembered were her deep, sorrowful eyes and the way her body melted into mine that night. She was wild, desperate, and breathtaking. And just like a storm, she had disappeared by morning. I sent out men after her, using the little information I had, but no one could find her, there was no name, no identity. Just a ghost of a woman who had burned herself into my soul. But I guess fate had its own plans. Five years had passed, and everything had changed. Alexander had moved on and married Rachel. Our father was proud, boasting to everyone about how his "perfect son" had settled down. He even gave Alexander time off from work to enjoy his marriage, while I was left behind to shoulder the entire weight of the company. I didn’t mind at first, Hard work was all I knew.Until my
*Noami's POV*There was only a second of silence in the room; then, it was as if the enemy dropped a bomb."You cannot do this, Naomi," Aunt said with disbelief, her face contorted by the stress. "This wedding is beyond your power to walk away from!"I rose and took my suitcase, which was held up with my hand tightly, I gripped on the handle as though my knuckles turned white due to holding it that tight.Yes, I did.My tongue gave me a flawless intonation filled with coldness.Aunt Mildred was burning with rage. She was trembling and pointed fingers at me. "If you do this, then I will take your father’s inheritance as the first thing."I knew she was threatening me not to go Well, but I was determined not to allow all that to get to me.Aunt Mildred had been my guardian since I was fourteen, ever since the accident that took my parents away and left me alone with nothing but memories of a vanished life.For nine years, she had been the one to rule over and the decisions regarding my
*Raymond’s POV*I woke up very early in the morning, the room was lightly lit, and there she was, the most beautiful woman I had ever laid my eyes on. She was sleeping so peacefully, the pleasing smell of her perfume filled the air —floral, intoxicating, and already fading. I started smiling as I ran a hand through my hair, forcing myself to remember everything. She had walked into my life last night like a storm, her eyes looked sad, her voice unsteady, yet her resolve was clear. "All I want is for you to make me feel good," she had pleaded.I didn't have the intention of touching her. She was clearly heartbroken, drowning in whatever betrayal had shattered her. But the moment I kissed her, I was gone.Last night was magic. The way she moved her body, the way she responded to my touch, she wasn't desperate, I could tell it was something deeper, something raw. She had trusted me with her body. And damn, I was glad I said yes, because that was the best night of my life. I s
*Naomi’s POV* I woke up with a hangover, my mouth was dry, my head reeling, and my entire body ached in ways I couldn't explain. "What happened?" I asked myself as I held my head trying to recall.The sheets that was wrapped around me were softer than mine. The scent lingering in the air was different—rich, masculine, intoxicating. I stood up and watched as the covers slipped off my body. My naked body. What the hell? My hands trembled as I did a quick check—no clothes, no memory of putting them back on. Just bare skin and the faint traces of last night’s madness tingling all over me, just thinking about it was already giving me goosebumps.Suddenly, my mood changed as I remembered all the drama from yesterday. Alexander and Rachel, the betrayal, the bar, and the stranger.A stranger who kissed me like I was his last breath, Who whispered sweet nothing to my ear and everything against my skin, Who worshipped my body like he had spent lifetimes searching for it. I started smil
*Naomi's POV* Today is the happiest day of my life and obviously Tomorrow will be even better. "Aren't I the lucky one?" I asked my designer as she adjusted the fabric of my dashing wedding dress. "Yes, you are, ma'am. Not everyone gets to be with the love of their life," she replied and smiled."Well, I guess I am," I murmured, running my fingers over the fancy, delicate dress. The dress was elegant, and had nice designs and gosh—it was perfect Just like my love for Alexander. I sighed, the only thing missing was my cousin, Rachel. "I just wish Rachel was here. At least she would have helped me get fitted, we'd have had fun fitting this dress. She always does all the hyping and all.”"Don't worry, ma'am," my designer reassured me. "She said she'll be back later for your bachelorette party. No need to worry." I forced a smile. "Yes I know. Alright, I'll leave you to continue your work." "You should rest, ma'am. Tomorrow is such a big day. You need enough rest, so you can