All Chapters of THE SECRET HEIRESS : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

MAX'S POVHidden behind the slightly ajar restroom door, I stood motionless, my breath held as I listened to the conversation unfolding just a few feet away. Tamara’s voice, soft but laced with a bitterness I recognized, carried through the air."I only said yes to this engagement because of him," she said, her tone wavering. “Because of the way my ex-husband treated me. I just… I couldn’t let myself stay stuck in the past anymore, Richard.”Her words hit me like a ton of bricks. She wasn’t marrying Richard out of love. She was doing this to spite me, to punish me for my mistakes. For a brief moment, I felt a little of hope ... .if she cared enough to punish me, maybe she still cared at all.“Tamara,” Richard replied after a pause, his voice heavy with sadness. “You don’t need to explain. I already knew… I could feel it. You don’t love me.”“Richard, I’m sorry,” Tamara said, almost whispering. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. I… I thought I could learn to love you.”I couldn’t see his face

MAX POVTime slowed down, and everything around me blurred into the background.Then, without thinking, I shouted at the top of my lungs."NOOO!"My voice boomed through the night, cutting through the heated argument between the brothers. Kenneth and Jacob turned sharply toward me, their faces a mix of confusion and alarm.The sniper had already made their move by pulling the trigger and when he got his shot, he quickly packed up his things and flew away in order not to be caught , his aim was direct to Mr kenneth as he reacted to the sudden noise and bullet.For a moment, everything hung in suspense…the brothers staring at me, the sniper hesitating, and my chest heaving from the adrenaline coursing through me.What have I done?The scream I let out reverberated through the still air, and Kenneth's head snapped around to look at me. He frowned, clearly confused and annoyed, but before he could say a word, a loud crack pierced the night.The sniper had fired.I watched in slow motion a

RICHARD POVAs we stepped inside, the quiet hum of the machines greeted us. Kenneth was lying on the hospital bed, an oxygen mask covering his face. His chest rose and fell weakly, but the fact that he was breathing at all was a miracle.Mrs. Johnson immediately covered her mouth with her hand, stifling a sob. Tamara followed suit, tears streaming down her face as she tried to compose herself.“It’s okay, Mama,” Tamara whispered, holding her mother’s arm. But even as she spoke, her voice cracked, betraying her own emotions.I stood by the door, giving them their moment. Seeing Kenneth like this…hooked up to machines, his life hanging by a thread…felt surreal. This was a man I respected, a man I hoped would soon become family.The weight of everything…the attack, the betrayal, the fear…pressed heavily on my chest. I needed air. Quietly, I slipped out of the room.The hallway felt endless as I pulled out my phone and dialed a number. As the line connected, I couldn’t shake the feeling t

NADIA’S POVThe faint hum of the hospital lights and the soft shuffle of hurried footsteps around me didn’t matter. My thoughts kept pulling me back to the ball party. The images played in my mind like a vivid film I couldn’t turn off.I remembered how I had been searching for Richard that night, my heart thundering with both hope and apprehension.I had worn the crimson gown he once said was his favorite on me, and I’d spent the entire evening looking for him among the sea of glittering dresses and tuxedos.When I finally saw him, my excitement was quickly replaced by a sinking feeling. He was standing in the middle of the ballroom, his arm casually wrapped around Tamara, his fiancée.He looked so confident, flaunting her in front of everyone as if he didn’t even know me. As if I didn’t matter.I couldn’t believe it. I stood frozen, watching him laugh, toast, and engage with his new circle of people as though I had never been a part of his life.My heart ached, but I couldn’t look aw

MR. JACOB'S POVThe sight of the police officers in the theatre room sent a chill down my spine. Why were they here? Had they brought news about Kenneth’s condition, or was it something else?My thoughts raced as I exchanged glances with everyone in the room. I noticed Mrs. Johnson sitting up straighter in her chair, her expression tense. Clearly, I wasn’t the only one unnerved by their sudden arrival.Richard’s voice broke the silence. “I was the one who called the police,” he announced.Every head turned in his direction, including mine. His calm demeanor contrasted sharply with the panic rising in my chest. Why would he call the police? My mind screamed for answers. Could he know something? Had someone discovered the truth?The lead officer stepped forward, his gaze fixed on me. “Mr. Jacob, we need your attention at the station.”The words hit me like a blow. My throat went dry, and my heart pounded violently. “Why… why would my attention be needed?” I asked, my voice barely steady