Chapter: Book 1: Chapter 9Sloane had been a shadow of herself lately, her eyes haunted, her spirit restless. She spent her days clutching Ellis, staring blankly in the back garden, lost in a fog of despair. Leigh, consumed with wedding preparations, hadn't spared a moment to comfort her in days.I couldn't help but smile. In my past life, their love had burned fierce and unyielding. Now, it was unraveling into chaos.Leigh, stripped of his heirship for Sloane's sake, was now scrambling to secure influence through his new wife's family.Meanwhile, my husband, Callen, was thriving. His recent projects were smashing successes, earning him glowing praise from the board.My father told me the chairman had publicly lauded Callen as a rising star, predicting he'd elevate the Holt family to new heights when he took the helm.This only deepened Hugo and Elowen's approval of us. In stark contrast, Leigh and Sloane's messy affair was a constant thorn in their side.Elowen even handed me the family heirloom jewelry, origi
Last Updated: 2026-09-30
Chapter: Book 1: Chapter 8Sylvia didn't hold back. She slapped Leigh hard across the face, her voice dripping with disgust. "You're repulsive! You're not even married yet, and you've already got a mistress and a bastard child. Now you're propping her up to humiliate your future wife? You're letting your mistress wear a wedding gown right in front of me—an open challenge to the Valerius family!"This wedding is off!" With that, she turned on her heel and stormed out, no hesitation in her stride.The clash between Sloane and Sylvia over a wedding dress at the boutique spread like wildfire.Sylvia returned home in a fury, crying and raging, adamant about calling off the engagement.Elowen was livid when she heard the news.The moment Sloane and Leigh stepped through the door, Elowen unleashed her wrath on Sloane. "You shameless woman, get over here!"You're nothing but Leigh's mistress, and you dare compete with his fiancée for a wedding dress? Who gave you the nerve?"Sloane hung her head, not daring to utter a
Last Updated: 2026-09-30
Chapter: Book 1: Chapter 7Sloane, having missed out on a baby shower, was thrilled when Leigh decided to throw a lavish sip-and-see party for their son, Ellis. He insisted on combining it with a grand wedding banquet for Sloane. Fresh from her postpartum recovery, Sloane dove into preparations with gusto, bustling about with servants to procure party supplies.At an upscale bridal boutique, Sloane crossed paths with Sylvia.Sloane lounged in the VIP room, sipping coffee, while her assistant barked orders with haughty confidence. "Mrs. Holt demands the finest wedding gown. Bring out your best pieces for us to choose from! Price is no object—just make sure it's stunning!"The staff, sensing a big spender, scurried to fetch the gowns.I happened to be there, helping Sylvia select her wedding dress. With her wedding date fast approaching, she needed something off the rack.Sylvia had just chosen a gown and wanted to try it on, but the clerk informed her that a VIP client had already claimed it.Sylvia's fiery temp
Last Updated: 2026-09-30
Chapter: Book 1: Chapter 6Elowen slammed her hand on the table, putting an end to the farce. "Leigh, for the sake of the child she bore you, I'll allow you to keep her as a mistress on the side. But we will never permit you to marry her or bring her into this family! It would disgrace us all. Don't even think about it!"And when you marry a proper wife, that woman's child will be brought into our family to be raised."Sloane's tears spilled over, her voice breaking. "Madam Holt, you can't do this! Ellis is my only child—I can't let someone else raise him!"Leigh shot back, his tone defiant. "Mother, whom I marry is my choice. Are you saying I don't even have control over my own marriage?"Elowen's eyes blazed with disappointment. "As long as you're a Holt, you don't. If you're so set on making your own choices, you can renounce your inheritance and leave the family. If you're no longer one of us, you can marry whoever you want. But while you're part of this house, your marriage won't be a reckless whim. My eld
Last Updated: 2026-09-30
Chapter: Book 1: Chapter 5The announcement rang out, sharp and final. "Due to Mr. Leigh Holt's deplorable conduct, which has severely tarnished the family's reputation, the Council has voted to strip him of his heirship. Mr. Callen Holt will assume the role of heir. Mrs. Lira Holt, as the new heir's spouse, will join the board of directors. We trust you both will lead the family to new heights." The room erupted in applause, sealing the decision. Leigh stood frozen, his face a mask of disbelief. Only when the secretary stepped away did reality crash over him. He crumpled to the floor, his voice raw with desperation. "Why? I'm the rightful heir! How can you take that from me?"His eyes, red and wild, locked onto mine. "I never pegged you for such a fickle woman, Lira. We were engaged, bound by a promise. And just because I went to save Sloane, you turned around and married someone else?"His audacity sparked a bitter laugh from my lips. "Leigh, yesterday's wedding was a sacred pact between our families, but you
Last Updated: 2026-09-30
Chapter: Book 1: Chapter 4Callen stepped forward, his stride steady and sure. Hugo clapped a hand on his shoulder. "The family's future rests with you now, Callen. Leigh has shamed us all, chasing his own whims over the family interests. Let him have his freedom. The Holt heirship is no longer his." Callen's gaze met mine, deep and searching. "Ms. Voss, I'm a practical man. I don't have a head for romance, and I won't be taking you shopping or sipping coffee in fancy parlors. But I swear this: if you marry me, I'll protect you with my life, always. Will you have me?"A smile broke across my face, warm and genuine. "I will."Under the swelling strains of the wedding march, I slipped my veil back on and exchanged rings with Callen, sealing our vows as husband and wife.Relief flooded through me, a weight lifting from my shoulders.This time, I'd broken free of Leigh's shadow. And I'd taken his birthright with me.I wondered, after losing everything for Sloane, would Leigh finally regret it?Leigh's scandalous ex
Last Updated: 2026-09-30
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