Chapter: EpilogueDarla's POVI watched everything unfold from a distance, quietly observing the chaos and the resolutions that followed. Richard had shocked everyone by marrying Mandy. Melanin had begged, cried, and tried everything to sway him, but he had pushed her away without a second glance, choosing Mandy and making it clear that there was no turning back. It stunned everyone,friends, family, even those who thought they knew him well. His calm, decisive choice left no room for second-guessing, and in a way, it felt like the closing of a painful chapter for everyone involved.Melanin, on the other hand, was a broken figure amidst the wreckage of her own making. She had gone back to Sam, thinking that perhaps he could be a refuge, someone to cling to for comfort or validation, but Sam’s response was colder than she had expected. He rejected her bluntly, stating that there was nothing left in her that he could respect, love, or even tolerate. That rejection hit her harder than any scandal or
最終更新日: 2025-12-30
Chapter: My DecisionRichard's POVThe hotel was quiet, discreet, exactly the kind of place no one would look twice at. I checked in, got the key, and went up to the room. Once inside, I loosened my tie and sat on the edge of the bed, my elbows resting on my knees.Everything felt like it was closing in.Too many names. Too many lies.I hadn’t even finished processing my conversation with Xavier when Mandy’s name lit up my screen again.I’m here.Less than a minute later, there was a soft knock on the door.I opened it to find Mandy standing there, dressed simply, her expression serious. No seductive smile. No playful glint in her eyes. Whatever she had come to say wasn’t about pleasure.I stepped aside to let her in.As soon as the door closed, I asked, “What’s happening?”She didn’t sit immediately. She paced once, then stopped and looked at me. “Darla knows.”I stiffened slightly. “Knows what?”“That Melanie is sleeping with Sam.”I let out a slow breath. “I figured.”She blinked. “You did?”“Xavier
最終更新日: 2025-12-30
Chapter: New PlanRichard’s POVThe glass was cold against my palm, the amber liquid inside barely moving as Vincent talked. We were seated at his private lounge, the lights dim, the kind of place where secrets felt lighter once alcohol got involved.“So,” Vincent said casually, swirling his drink. “How’s Mandy?”I didn’t answer immediately. I took a slow sip instead, letting the burn trail down my throat. My mind flashed, skin, heat, the quiet danger of her presence under my roof while Melanie slept upstairs.“To be honest?” I finally said.Vincent smirked. “I wouldn’t ask otherwise.”“She’s… great,” I admitted. “On the bed.”He raised an eyebrow. “Better than Melanie?”I laughed under my breath, shaking my head slightly. “Much better.”Vincent let out a low whistle. “Damn.”“She’s uncomplicated,” I continued, staring into my glass. “No pretending. No emotional chess. Just… release.”“And Melanie?” he asked.I clenched my jaw. “Melanie is… history I haven’t finished closing yet.”Vincent leaned back
最終更新日: 2025-12-30
Chapter: My Worse FearsMelanie’s POVI stood there long after Darla walked out, staring at the door like it might open again and tell me this was all some twisted joke.Sleeping with Sam.The words echoed in my head, sharp and poisonous.My heart was racing so hard it felt like it was trying to escape my chest. I lifted a hand to my throat, swallowing, forcing myself to breathe. I had laughed it off in front of her. I had acted calm, amused, superior.But inside?Inside, panic was clawing its way up my spine.“How did she know?” I whispered to myself.I turned sharply. “Everyone out.”The room went quiet.One of the guys frowned. “What?”“The party is over,” I snapped. “Now.”They didn’t argue. One by one, they grabbed their things, murmured awkward goodbyes, and filtered out of the house. In less than five minutes, the space felt too big, too empty.Too loud with my thoughts.I slammed the door shut and leaned against it, chest heaving.Mandy was still there, standing awkwardly by the couch, her brows dra
最終更新日: 2025-12-30
Chapter: Clap-BackDarla’s POVThe house Mandy sent me the address to was nothing like what I expected.It wasn’t loud. No blasting music. No drunken chaos spilling into the street. Just a quiet, well-furnished duplex tucked away in a gated area, the kind of place people used when they didn’t want to be noticed.Interesting.I parked, took a steadying breath, and stepped out of the car.By the time I knocked, the door opened almost immediately. Mandy stood there, glass in hand, surprise flickering briefly across her face before she masked it with a smile.“You’re early,” she said.“I said within an hour,” I replied lightly. “This counts.”She stepped aside to let me in.Inside, there were a few people scattered around, two men on the couch talking quietly, a woman leaning against the counter scrolling through her phone. Laughter drifted from somewhere deeper in the house. The atmosphere felt… contained. Controlled. Like everyone here knew discretion was part of the deal.And then I saw her. Melanie.
最終更新日: 2025-12-30
Chapter: UnbelievableDarla's POV“So all this time,” I said, more to myself than to him, “she was hiding behind Richard… judging everyone else.”“I didn’t want to tell you like this,” Xavier said. “But you deserved to know. Especially since Sam’s name keeps coming up around you.”I closed my eyes briefly. The irony was bitter. I had been fighting to prove I was innocent of something that had never existed, while the real affair was happening right under everyone’s nose.“I didn’t expect this,” I admitted. “Not at all.”“I know,” he said softly.There was a moment of silence between us, different from the tense silence in the car earlier. This one felt heavy, thoughtful.“So now you know,” he continued. “That’s the full story.”I let out a slow breath. “Thank you for telling me.”“I’m not saying this to win an argument,” he said quickly. “Or to justify what I did. I know I went about it the wrong way.”I didn’t answer immediately. My emotions were too tangled for quick responses.“I need time,” I said fin
最終更新日: 2025-12-30
Chapter: The Real DevilsMaya's POV"What do you mean?" I whispered.He hesitated. "Regan, he got arrested."I was stunned. "What? Why?""I don't know," he stuttered, shivering. "They just showed up, handcuffed him, and drove away. I asked them what they were doing, but they weren't telling me anything. Maya, I really have to go. My flight is an hour. I just wanted you to know."I was going to question her when the line disconnected.I stood there with my phone, panting. My head spun so quickly that it hurt.Theresa's voice broke in. "Maya, what's wrong?"I spoke to her, my trembling hands. "Regan's been arrested."She gasped, her hand in front of her mouth. "What? Why?""I don't know," I whispered, shaking my head. "Andrew said nothing. He had to go."We just looked at one another, stunned. We couldn't even consider it at all.We have to know what is going on," I blurted out.Theresa agreed. "Let's go to the station."I ran to my closet and grabbed the first things that lay within reach, my fingers fumbling
最終更新日: 2025-10-17
Chapter: ButterfliesMaya's POVMy cheeks grew hot with embarrassment, and I tried to play dumb. "It was… fine.""Fine?" She mocked me with laughter. "No, no, no. You're not going to give me one-word answer. Something did happen. I noticed the way you and Andrew were making eyes at each other before Andrew's phone cut you short. Spill the beans, Maya."I pressed my lips together, considering whether to dodge or just confess. But the excitement in her eyes left me with little alternative.Finally, I sighed and drew breath, "We're… officially dating."Theresa's jaw fell wide open, then a scream so high I had to shush her before Mom would burst in. "Are you kidding me?!"I nodded, a goofy smile splitting my lips. "Yes. He asked me this morning, and… I said yes."She clapped her hands over her face, still shrieking through them. "Oh my God, oh my God! I knew it! I knew something was going on. You've been glowing all day.""I have not," I protested weakly, though my cheeks betrayed me with their warmth."Yes,
最終更新日: 2025-10-17
Chapter: FarewellMaya's POVAndrew nodded gravely. "She could, yeah. If she thinks you're still recovering."Theresa rolled her eyes theatrically. "Don't tell me you're going over to his side now."I shrugged, not wanting to grin. "I just don't think it's the worst idea."Regan grinned smugly, clearly happy. "Finally. Someone makes sense."Theresa tossed a pillow at him, which he expertly caught. "Don't get too big for your britches. I still say beach.""Let's make a list," Andrew said, trying to remain the voice of reason. "Beach, camping, or something else altogether. We'll decide tonight."I breathed slowly out, my heart still pounding quicker than it should be. "As long as we're together, I don't care. I just want us to go do something we'll remember."Andrew's expression softened. "Then that's what we'll do."We brainstormed the next half hour spewing out other ideas, movies, amusement parks, even karaoke night, but none of them stayed like the first two.Theresa would not sleep in the dirt, and
最終更新日: 2025-10-07
Chapter: Failed PlanMaya's POVI let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding, my hand reflexively clenching the blanket wrapped around my waist. "I'm better too. A bit exhausted, but nothing like yesterday."He tilted his head to the side, eyes flashing with something cunning. "Your body's healing quick. Strong. I knew you weren't as fragile as you attempted to lead me to believe."I rolled my eyes, though the heat that crept up my neck betrayed me. “Don’t make it sound weird. I’m still recovering, remember?”He chuckled, low and smooth. “I remember. Doesn’t stop me from noticing you.”Before I could even formulate a response, a loud knock came at the door. I jumped involuntarily, my stomach churning. Regan stood up immediately, his eyes roaming in the direction of the door as though he hadn't expected anyone so early.There was another knock, and it was followed by Theresa's familiar voice. "Maya? Awake?"I exchanged a hurried glance with Regan before answering, "Yeah!The door creaked open and The
最終更新日: 2025-10-07
Chapter: Confessed AffectionMaya's POVI hesitated, my heart thudding in my chest. My mouth parted, but the words stuck in my throat, shivering under the weight of all they meant.Regan's gaze held mine, steady, holding back. He wasn't forcing me, but the intensity of his stare left no room to sidestep the truth any longer.Finally, I exhaled and barely managed a whisper, "I… I can be yours."The relief that moved across his face was immediate.A creeping smile inched across his lips, lighting up his face in a manner that made my stomach turn.He leaned in close, the heat of his breath on my skin, and before I could even register it, his lips were on mine.The kiss was hesitant at first, tender, inquiry-like, as if he required assurance that I would not send him away.I didn't. I moved closer and let myself melt into his lips.The tenderness soon gave way to something more demanding, more forceful.His hand came to the back of my neck, pulling me towards him, and with every kiss of his lips on mine, the fire in
最終更新日: 2025-10-07
Chapter: Alone With HimMaya's POVI adjusted my shoulders a bit square, gritting determination into my voice. "I'm fine. The problem is, my mom. I don't think she'll let me go if she's not absolutely sure I'm all right. But don't worry, I'll figure out how to get around her."Andrew sighed and glanced down at his phone. "My friend isn't answering my call. I'm going over there so I can tell him about the yacht in person.""I'll go with you," Regan offered on impulse."I want to go too," Theresa said, then paused, looking at me. "But Maya can't stay home alone."Regan shook his head again. "Then I'll stay with Maya if you do plan to leave."Andrew smiled reassuringly at me. "I'll be right back, okay?"Theresa touched my shoulder lightly, her tone teasing but restrained. "Take care of my best friend when I'm not around," she said to Regan.Regan nodded, his gaze for an instant met hers. "Don't worry. I'll take care of her."And that was it, Theresa and Andrew were both gone, with only the two of us- me and Reg
最終更新日: 2025-09-04
Chapter: Holding the LineMikhail’s POVWhen I stepped through the doors leading to the coference room, a massive wave of light hit me like a tidal wave.It almost knocked me back physically, but I managed to hold myself.I took in a deep breath, the slowly, I walked l behind the podium, my fingers resting lightly against the wood.Then, I let my gaze sweep across the sea of cameras and eyes.The room was packed. Every major outlet was here and present.And yet…The only thing I could see was the empty chair beside me.Adeline’s chair.She has to be here. I couldn’t do this myself.They wanted her, not the best friend of her father…I could feel the tension bubbling in the room. It felt like it could explode any second now.I slipped one hand into my pocket, pulling out my phone just enough to glance at the screen.‘Where are you??’ I typed and sent it quickly…Not deliveredWhat?! Where the hell eas she?My jaw tightened almost imperceptibly.That wasn’t like her.Adeline was reckless at times, emotional even
最終更新日: 2026-04-03
Chapter: Locked In Adeline’s POVThe knife began to shake violently in Isaac’s hand.I didn’t know much when it comes to murder, but, I knew that.. it wasn’t the grip of someone who truly wanted to kill himself.It was fear.“Don’t come any closer!” he barked again, pressing the blade harder against his neck.But the thing with fear, it had a funny way of making people do what they don't want to…Jovial froze beside me.“Isaac… please…” her voice broke, fragile and desperate. “It’s me. Just—just look at me, okay? You don’t have to do this.”But he wasn’t looking at her.His eyes were darting everywhere around the room, from the walls, door, corners—as if expecting something… or someone… to jump out at any second.He was unraveling.And time was slipping through my fingers.I stepped forward.“Adeline—” Jovial whispered sharply, trying to stop me.“I’ve got this,” I said quietly, not taking my eyes off him.Isaac noticed the movement instantly, then he pressed the knife deeper.“I said don’t move!” he s
最終更新日: 2026-04-02
Chapter: Running Out of TimeChapter 34: Running Out of TimeAdeline POVThe address had already been punched into the driver’s GPS before we even got into the car.Now the black SUV tore through the streets, it’s engine roaring as it sped between lanes, security vehicles following close behind us.I stared out the window, but I barely saw the city passing by.All I could see was the clock in my mind.Tick.Tick.Tick.Every second that passed was another second Conrad had to twist the narrative, and another second reporters waited without answers.One thing I’ve learned over the years is that when reporters don’t get answers they tend to make their own.My leg bounced restlessly.I checked my watch again.And a minute later, I did again.Beside me, Jovial sat rigidly in her seat, both hands gripping her seat tightly.Her eyes were red.She hadn’t stopped trying Isaac’s number since we left, but each ime the call went unanswered.I turned toward her.“Just in case we have to,” I said calmly, “I don’t mind ambushi
最終更新日: 2026-04-02
Chapter: One Option LeftAdeline POV“He left this morning… but he never came back.”For a second, the words didn’t make sense in my head.They stayed in the air like something my mind refused to process.Then the meaning hit me.“What?”The word came out sharper than I intended.Jovial looked shaken, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she tried to steady herself.“He..he said he was coming here,” she continued. “But he never—”“Call him.”My voice cut across hers.She blinked in surprise.“What?”“Call him,” I repeated, stepping closer. “Right now.”Her hands trembled as she reached for her phone.“I already tried—”“Try again.” I snapped.My heart was pounding so loudly I could barely hear anything else.“He can’t just disappear,” I said, my voice rising. “He knows how important today is.”Jovial stared down at her phone as she dialed the number.The room went silent except for the ringing sound coming from her phone speaker.It rang once…Twice…Thrice…Then the call dropped.“He’s not answering.”“Ca
最終更新日: 2026-04-02
Chapter: Before the StormAdeline POVThe room was so quiet it almost felt unreal.I sat at the edge of the couch, staring down at my hands as they twisted together in my lap. My fingers wouldn’t stop moving, like they were trying to shake off something invisible.Shame.Humiliation.Fear.Outside the window, the world carried on as if nothing had happened.People, cars, life itself moved on…But inside this room, time felt like it had frozen.The thought alone made me sick.The thought that somewhere out there, my body was being watched by strangers.I swallowed and forced myself to speak.“Is it everywhere?”My voice sounded thin, fragile.Across the room, Mikhail stood near the wall with his arms crossed over his chest. He had barely moved since we came in here.His expression was hard, unreadable, but his eyes hadn’t left me.He didn’t answer right away.And that silence told me everything.“Yes,” he said finally.The word landed heavily in the air.“It’s circulating on every platform.”I let out a small,
最終更新日: 2026-03-08
Chapter: I know his plans Adeline's POVMy phone rang countless times, staring at the callers I felt ashamed,Dad: 9 missed calls.Mikhail: 6 missed calls.Tasha: 16 missed calls.Br.Jamal: 2 missed calls.How will they see me now?. Would they judge me like the public did? Dad would be disappointed in me again, Mikhail would not want to see me ever.My anxiety kicked in as I couldn't help feeling anxious when they called my phone.Dad sent a text “darling please don't go out for now, I'll be coming back in three days.”Natasha also sent a text. “Girl answer your phone, where are you now?”I felt a little relieved knowing that I have my family that loves me and genuinely cares about me, but my heart skipped a beat when I saw Mikhail's text. “Stay where you are, I'm coming.”My heart was pounding fast, my Brian was making all possible reactions he would have.Soon I could hear steps on the stairs, walking up to my room, then the doors opened. A chilly breeze blew in, the room temperature reduced to an extent I
最終更新日: 2026-03-07
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