*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 POVThe hallway echoed under my heels as I made my way toward the library. I wasn’t looking for a book—at least not the kind you read. I needed silence, a place to think. But more than that, I needed space from him.Raymond.Ever since the dinner, he’d been acting differently, not cold—but careful. Like he was watching me and not just with his eyes. With his mind.I pushed the door open and stepped in.The smell of leather and old pages wrapped around me, dust motes floated in golden slivers of light. Everything about this place screamed power and legacy, Darlington legacy.Not mine.I traced my fingers over the spine of a book I didn’t bother reading and stared out the window. Somewhere down that winding driveway, the world moved. But up here, time felt like it held its breath.And then—“I didn’t peg you for the reading type.”The voice. I didn’t need to turn to know who it was.Alexander.He strolled in, hands in his pockets, wearing that smug, unreadable expression he was
Naomi's POV The morning sun spilled golden across the kitchen and shined on the ingredients that were being placed on the table in the kitchen."Pancake day!" Miranda shouted, flinging herself over the counter where the apron was tied around her.I was laughing, feeling light-hearted, I turned to face her and said “what do we need to do first?”“First we need to wash our hands”, she said as she moved towards the sink and started singing a particular nursery rhyme–”wash your hands du-du-du,” as she washed her small little hands.Raymond was at the stovetop attempting to flip a very wobbly pancake while muttering under his breath."You're burning it," I teased, resting against the counter.He gave me a look over his shoulder, pretending to be offended. "I am a multi-talented fellow. Pancake flipping isn't just one of my skills."Miranda giggled wildly and kicked her small feet. "Daddy needs lessons!"He sneered. "Indeed, I'd learn from youShe nodded seriously and then snatched up a s
Naomi's POV The days were more calm now.No alarm.No secret messages were left under our door.No hints of trouble lurking around the corner.Nothing but sunlight spilling through open windows, the smell of pancakes from the kitchen, and the laughter of Miranda echoing through the corridors.It was, for the first time in a long while, normal.And somehow it was even scarier than all we had suffered.……….I was barefooted, standing amidst the dewy lawn of the garden, as I saw Miranda running with a yellow kite. I heard her laughter carry into the warm atmosphere, a high clear note. Raymond stepped up close to me, his arms wrapped around my waist, his chest a solid, heat-filled wall against mine.She's happy," he muttered into my hair.I sat up straight, letting the brutal truth of that statement seep deep into my marrow.She deserves it, I murmured.So do you.I rolled over against the curve of his chest, looking for his face. He stared at me as he always did—LIKE I was the beginnin
Naomi's POV The house was silent, except for the soft tick of the clock and the gentle hum of Miranda's steady breaths while sleeping. The world has finally, finally, came to a standstill for us.I sat by the window, I was only wearing a robe, arms folded across my chest, watching moonlight stream across the garden.I heard his footsteps, slow and steady, behind me.RaymondMy anchor, my storm.We had not had a moment by ourselves like this in what seemed like forever.No enemy lying in hiding.No experiments waiting to take our daughter away from us.Just us.And then suddenly, I couldn't breathe.……..His strong, warm hands wrapped around my waist from behind. He placed his chin on my shoulder and just like that I could feel his breath on my body and my body immediately responded to it. All the hairs on my body stood and I just rested my head in his."You are tensed," he whispered.I closed my eyes, leaning back into him. "It’s hard to stop looking over my shoulder.""You don’t have
Naomi’s POVThe sun rose differently now.It wasn’t the same pale, uncertain light that crept over battlefields and broken dreams. It was now richer—warmer—pouring into our home like it had been waiting for us to be ready and I'm glad we are happy.I stood at the kitchen window, my hands wrapped around a coffee mug, watching Miranda chase butterflies in the garden. Her laughter lifted into the morning air like a song. Now my daughter is now a child once more. Raymond sat on the porch steps, pretending to read but smiling every time she shrieked with joy, what a lovely sight to behold.We were breathing again.Not fighting.Not hiding.Just living.And for the first time in what felt like forever, that was enough.Being with my family, most especially my daughter, was enough for me.---One Month After Project Eve EndedThe world never found out about the Eve project and we feel it's better that way.Beatrice’s connections helped us erase the final traces, ensuring the children could g
Naomi’s POVThe words echoed down the hall loudly: “LINK ACTIVATED. ALL EVE SUBJECTS RESPONDING.” My breath caught in my throat as the metal walls around us vibrated, It was as if the building itself were coming alive, humming with that low, electric pulse that pulsed through my bones.I held Miranda’s hand, her small fingers warm and real in mine. Behind us, the glass chamber housing six of the Eve girls glowed an eerie blue. In just a single heartbeat, they snapped upright, moving in perfect synchrony—eyes glowing, heart monitors spiking, A hum filled the air.“Raymond yelled something behind me, but I couldn’t hear him. Couldn’t move.Because Miranda… was glowing too.Her eyes, her fingertips, even the edges of her hair shimmered with the same unnatural light.She blinked, not Once but Twice.Then whispered, “Mama… I feel them all.”Raymond’s POVI shoved past the guards, gun raised, shouting for the team to secure the server room. Victor stood calmly behind the master console, a
Naomi’s POVThe new girl in the west wing didn’t speak.She didn’t run.She didn’t knock.She just appeared—like she was always supposed to be here, and she acted like she was being controlled.Security hadn’t seen her enter, she just appeared like a ghost from nowhere.None of the staff had let her through.She stood barefoot on the marble, curls identical to Miranda’s, wearing a pale gray dress that clung to her thin frame like it had been sewn on. My goodness, the sight wasn't anything I could say, she was too young for all this happening.I moved slowly towards her even though my legs were numb, I just needed to go.When I approached, she said only one word.“Three.”Three?Then she turned and walked into the shadows, disappearing like a ghost.And somehow, deep down… I knew exactly what she meant.…….That night, I entered Miranda's room and I noticed she couldn’t sleep.She sat in bed, holding her wolf, eyes wide and unblinking, looking all scared.“They’re louder now,” she whi
The Gathering StormNaomi’s POV“Can I invite them over?”The words floated in the doorway like a smoke, Innocent, Soft.But they hit me like a punch.Miranda’s curls were damp with mist, her pajamas sleeves too long, the edges dragging across her tiny fingers as she clutched her stuffed wolf. She looked like any child asking for a playdate, that was my Miranda.But the girls she wanted to invite weren’t ordinary.They were Eve children, they were more exposed than she was. They had seen more of the world than she has.And one drawing—tucked safely in my robe pocket—said Miranda was supposed to rule them all and they were meant to follow her lead.Raymond stood beside me, stone silent. I could tell he was sick and tired of everything happening but he wanted to remain strong for his family. We locked eyes for one heartbeat too long. He knew what I was thinking even without uttering a word.“Sweetheart,” I said gently, crouching to her level, trying not to show weakness, “what do you m
Naomi’s POVOnly one can rule.The words on Eve’s drawing burned into my vision like they’d been carved there.Seventeen children. One crowned.And in the center—Miranda.My daughter.My hands trembled as I folded the drawing and slipped it into the inside pocket of my robe before I used my tears to damp the paper. I sat beside the bed, staring at both girls—sleeping peacefully. I used my hand to play with their hair and pecked them goodnighy. They were unaware of the war being waged around their very existence.I brought out my phone to dial Raymond's number because as usual, he was my safe haven. “Raymond,” I whispered into my phone. “We need to talk. Now please.”Ten minutes later, we sat in his office. I handed him the drawing. He didn’t speak for a long time.Then finally he said something, “They’ve chosen her.”I nodded. “Or programmed so that the others follow her.”He dropped the paper onto his desk. “Victor’s not just building children, He’s building a future.”“A future wit
Naomi’s POVShe’d drawn twelve of them.Twelve shadowy figures.All with Miranda’s face.I sat on the nursery floor with her sketchbook open in my lap, heart racing as I traced each crayon outline with shaky hands. They weren’t all identical—some had shorter hair, others wore different clothes. But the eyes… the eyes were definitely mine.And that’s what terrified me most, it was scary to get answers to them.“Sweetheart,” I whispered as Miranda played with blocks nearby, trying to keep my emotions in check, “who are these?”She looked up, smiled innocently. “My sisters.”I tried to keep my voice calm, Your sisters? “Where did you see them?”“In my dream,” she said simply. “They were waiting.”---Raymond found me ten minutes later, sitting in the dark nursery, shaking. I cried my eyes out already, I was really hurting and shattered. Raymond knelt before me and just stared into my soul, he didn't say anything but I could feel the comfort. He pulled me in for a hug and I just felt safe