Novels by Beth

ZOE’S POVI hadn’t expected him to run to me like that."Mummy!" Jamie shouted with so much joy like a child who had found his world again. His little arms wrapped around my waist so tight, so trusting like he had been waiting for this moment too.Everything froze. The room blurred. All I saw—all I felt—was my son. My baby. Right there in front of me. Calling me the one word I ached to hear from him again.I wasn’t aware of the glass breaking until Austin’s voice cut through the moment.“Zoe!” he shouted and ran to her.I glanced up.Chloe stood frozen in the archway, wine glasses shattered around her feet. But just as quickly, she masked it, pasting on that polished, perfect smile she always wore when she was lying.“Oh! Sorry. I… Jamie startled me. I thought he was calling out to me.” she said, laughing a little too loudly.I could see the panic still flickering in her eyes. She was unraveling, bit by bit.One of the staff hurried to sweep the glass, and Chloe stepped back, smoothin

ZOE’S POV The office was already buzzing when we arrived, the kind of organized chaos that came with launching something bold and new. Owen had built this place from scratch, I had only joined him in the completion, a couple of weeks ago. After all the late-night meetings and planning. Every inch of it now reflected power—and soon, it would reflect justice.Around 3:15, Owen’s receptionist spoke over the intercom.“Mr. Perkins is here to see you.”“Perfect. Send him in.”I remained in my office for now, letting Owen take the lead. I needed the moment to be perfect.I watched through the glass wall between our offices, as Austin walked in—tall, composed, polished as ever. The son of a billionaire, who has also worked hard for his own success. Charming. Respected. Oblivious.They exchanged pleasantries, Owen offering him a drink before diving into the details of the proposed collaboration. From what I could hear, Austin was intrigued, nodding along, asking the right questions. Then cam

CHLOE'S POV I sat at the dining table barely eating my breakfast. My mind was consumed with the shocking events of the previous night. Seeing Zoe alive, doing well and standing beside Owen Pratt as his business partner was something I never saw coming. I was unable to sleep since last night. I tossed in bed as my head was spinning with questions. What was Zoe planning? Was she here for revenge? Did she intend to expose everything and take Jamie away from me? She didn't look angry, but that couldn’t be real, not after everything I did to her.The clinking of silverware and the sound of Jamie’s innocent humming felt far away, like background noise to the storm in my head. I was conpletely lost in thought. I didn’t even realize Jamie had called me. “Mummy?”I didn't answer. I just stared at my untouched food.“Zoe?” Austin’s voice cut through the haze, snapping me back.My eyes snapped up to find both Austin and Jamie looking at me with concern. My heart pounded. Have I said something?

ZOE’S POVWhen I opened my eyes after struggling for few seconds to open them, what I felt first was pain. A pounding pain at the side of my head which spread through my entire head. I could not see well at first, it looked like the room was turning around. It smelled like medicine and disinfectant and I could hear the soft beeping from a heartbeat machine.When I could see clearly, I looked at the white wall, the needle I had in my arm, and the bed I was lying in. I was confused. What I remembered last was meeting Chloe at my hotel room. And then—I felt a sharp pain. A sickening crack.Chloe.I stopped breathing for a second, I grabbed my head, touching the bandages. I struggled to sit up, I was getting scared. What happened? Where exactly am I?Someone knocked. A man came in, he was neatly dressed in a nice gray suit. But he was looking worried. He looked relieved when he saw me. “I'm glad to see you're awake. Are you feeling better? How's your head?”I looked at him, trying to re

Chapter 5CHLOE'S POVI sat facing Austin in a softly lit restaurant, my fingers playing with the long part of my wine glass. A soft classical music was playing in the background. The setting was romantic–low lights, people were talking softly, and waiters moved quietly, attending to guests. I still can’t believe this was happening, even as I drank my wine.Austin actually asked me out on a date. I did not see that coming. We have been married for months and our relationship had been nothing more than an arrangement. He was carrying out his duty as a father, and I was playing my role as his wife. There has been no affection between us, and we didn't make any effort to be anything more than two people living under the same roof for the sake of Jamie. But now?Now, we were sitting facing each other, looking at each other secretly, exchange a few words, and even trying to hold hands over the table. It still felt a little weird, it didn't feel natural, but we were trying.And for me, t

Chapter 4AUSTIN’S POVThe park was full of sounds of children laughing and leaves moving softly. You could also hear dogs barking here and there. I sat on one of the benches, looking at Jamie as he ran to the playground, his little legs moving very fast. He talks about the park all day at home, whenever he comes here.He was full of life and energy. My boy.I'm Austin Perkins, the only son of the Perkins and the director of Perkins Group. I was raised to be perfect, focused on business and growing the company. I didn't have time for women, I see them as distraction. But I once made a mistake of having a one-night with my secretary on a business trip. But we both went on acting like it never happened before she suddenly quit after few months. I had no idea why until she showed up after five years and told me I have a son.It felt like a dream to me. One day, I was a career-driven man, always busy going to meetings and travelling. My life was all about work and building the company. An