LOGINThat night, after Shenina’s birthday party ended, the Vexler residence finally grew quiet again.
The guests had left, and the maids were busy cleaning up the remaining balloons, plates, and colorful ribbons scattered around the backyard. Sarah stayed until the very end of the event. She smiled, thanked each guest who said goodbye, and pretended not to see every time Mia walked beside Ronan, chatting warmly with the rest of the Vexler family. Inside Sarah's chest, the pain tightened, but she held it in. She had caused enough trouble earlier that day, and she didn’t want to make things worse by showing her sadness in front of everyone. All day long, Sarah tried to appear strong. She even helped the younger maids gather the presents, tidy up the cake table, and make sure all the children went home with their goodie bags. But every time her gaze accidentally met Mia’s, who was laughing softly in the living room with Madam Vexler and Miranda, Sarah’s chest grew heavier. In six years of marriage, Sarah had never once felt accepted by the Vexler family. To them, she was nothing but a fallen noble’s daughter. They saw her as someone who didn’t know how to live like a socialite—too simple, too out of place in her husband’s glittering world. *** When everything was done, Sarah tucked Shenina into bed. She gently brushed her daughter’s hair and looked at her small, sleeping face after such an emotional day. The tears she had held back finally fell, sliding slowly down her cheeks. But as she walked back to her own room, she froze at the doorway. The lights were on. On the bed sat someone she didn’t expect to see waiting for her that night—Ronan. He was wearing only a towel. His broad chest was visible under the warm light. Sarah stiffened, her fingers gripping the doorframe unconsciously. Ronan looked at her blankly. “Close the door.” His tone left no room for refusal. Sarah swallowed hard and stepped inside. When the door shut, Ronan leaned back against the headboard and said in a low voice, “Take off your clothes. We’re starting tonight.” “You’ve been taking the vitamins the doctor gave you, haven’t you?” he added coldly. “They’ll help boost your hormones to have a baby boy.” Sarah’s body tensed. “Ronan, not tonight. I’m tired. I—” Before she could finish, Ronan stood up and stepped closer. His gaze was cold, devoid of any tenderness. His large hand reached for her shoulder, trying to pull down her strap. Sarah instantly pushed him away, stepping back. “Stop!” her voice trembled. “Do you even know what you’re doing?” Ronan stared at her. “I’m doing what needs to be done. We need a son.” Those words made Sarah’s blood boil. All the emotions she had held in since the party burst out at once. Her eyes burned with tears, but this time it wasn’t from sadness—it was from anger. “You bastard!” she shouted. “After calling me a bad mother in front of everyone, inviting your mistress to our daughter’s birthday, and now coming to my room just to force me for sex!?” “You bastard, Ronan!” Ronan said nothing. His stare remained sharp, but there was a flicker of surprise—as if he didn’t expect Sarah to fight back. “If I’m no longer accepted by the Vexler family, and if you as my husband never respect me as your wife,” she said hoarsely, “then let’s get a divorce!” The words echoed through the quiet room. Ronan stared at her for a long moment, expressionless. Then suddenly his voice exploded, cold and loud. “NO!”Sarah woke up the next morning with a heavy heart. The threatening video of Shenina playing in the school garden still haunted her. She immediately increased security around her daughter and informed the school principal about the situation. Alex was already coordinating with their private investigation team to trace the video’s origin.She refused to let fear paralyze her. Instead, Sarah channeled everything into her work. Lumina Designs was gaining serious momentum. The collaboration with Elena Voss had opened doors to high-profile clients. Two European luxury retailers had just signed major contracts, and a famous Hollywood actress had worn one of her gowns to a premiere, sparking even more buzz.Every small victory was a quiet slap to Ronan’s face.That afternoon, Sarah attended a high-society charity luncheon as a featured designer. She wore a custom cream-colored dress from her latest collection—elegant, powerful, and understated. Alex accompanied her, looking every bit the succ
Sarah’s hands trembled as she stared at the disconnected call. Lena’s terrified voice still echoed in her ears. “Ronan… he’s planning something big…”Alex stood beside her, tablet in hand, his face tense as the breaking news alert flashed across the screen. The police sirens outside grew louder, stopping right in front of the studio building.“They’re here for protection,” Alex said quickly, pulling her close. “I called them the moment the news broke. The leak about the Vexler family trust has gone public. Someone beat us to it.”Sarah nodded, heart racing. She forwarded Lena’s last call recording to the police and her lawyer. Within minutes, officers swarmed the studio and their apartment building, securing the area. Shenina was safely asleep upstairs with Hanosa and extra guards.That night passed in chaos. Sarah gave another statement while Alex coordinated with private security. By morning, the world was watching the Vexler empire crumble in real time.Major financial outlets ran
Sarah’s breath caught in her throat. The scent of accelerant burned her nostrils as Mia stood there like a beautiful demon, lighter flickering dangerously close to the rack of finished “Reborn” dresses — the heart of her upcoming Paris collection.“You’re insane,” Sarah whispered, slowly backing away while keeping her eyes locked on Mia. Her hand gripped the burner phone tightly behind her back, fingers pressing the emergency button Alex had installed.Mia smiled sweetly, tilting her head. “Insane? No, darling. I’m just taking back what should have been mine from the start. You were never worthy of the Vexler name. And now look at you….playing dress-up like some pathetic Cinderella. Ronan and I will make sure this little fairy tale ends tonight.”Mia took a step forward. The flame danced closer to the silk fabric.Sarah’s mind raced. She couldn’t let these dresses burn. They represented everything she had fought for her freedom, her talent, her future.“You won’t get away with this,”
Sarah stared at the glowing screen of her phone. The anonymous message still haunted her: “They won’t stop until they take everything. Watch your back. — A friend” She had received three more messages since that night. Each one contained small, precise warnings—details only someone close to Ronan’s circle would know. A cancelled supplier contract before she was officially notified. A suspicious payment Ronan made to a private investigator. The anonymous sender clearly had inside access. Two days later, Sarah decided she couldn’t wait any longer. She arranged a secret meeting through the burner phone Alex had given her. The reply came quickly: “Café behind the old train station. 10 PM. Come alone. I’ll find you.” Alex strongly opposed it, but Sarah insisted. “This person knows things that could help us stop Ronan for good. I have to take the risk.” That night, Sarah slipped out after Shenina was asleep. Hanosa promised to stay alert. The café was nearly empty, lit by dim yellow lig
Sarah’s blood ran cold as Ronan stepped into the dim light of the park. The mysterious woman beside her backed away, face pale with terror. Ronan’s men formed a loose circle, blocking any easy escape route. “Ronan,” Sarah said, forcing her voice to stay steady. “What is this?” Ronan smiled, the same cold smile that once controlled her life. “You really are predictable, Sarah. I knew dangling information about Shenina would pull you out here alone. No Alex. No security. Just you.” The woman tried to slip away but one of Ronan’s men grabbed her arm. “She works for my investigator,” Ronan explained casually. “I planted her to test you. And you failed. Meeting strangers at midnight? Not exactly the picture of a stable mother, is it?” Sarah’s mind raced. She clutched her phone in her coat pocket, thumb hovering over the emergency button Alex had installed. “This is illegal. Kidnapping. Intimidation.” Ronan laughed softly. “Who said anything about kidnapping? We’re just having a conver
Ronan Vexler was not a man who accepted defeat easily. A year after the divorce, when Lumina Designs began appearing in magazines and Sarah’s name was whispered in fashion circles with respect instead of pity, his resentment turned into calculated fury. He could tolerate her small success for now. What he could not tolerate was losing Shenina.One crisp autumn morning, Sarah received a thick envelope from Ronan’s lawyers. She opened it in her small studio office above the boutique, Shenina’s laughter echoing from the play area Hanosa had set up nearby. The letter was clear and cold. Ronan was filing for full custody. He claimed Sarah’s growing business left her unable to provide a stable home. He argued that Mia, now his fiancée, offered the perfect mother figure in the Vexler mansion. Shenina, he said, deserved the luxury and security only he could give.Sarah’s hands trembled as she read the documents. Attached were photos of her old bruises, twisted to suggest she was unstable, and







