Emelia's POVA week had passed since everything with Mason happened. Even though I should've gone back to work and done everything I could to take my mind off of it all, I couldn't even muster up the energy to get out of bed.But that was probably because I barely had any energy… I'd wake up in the middle of every night in a cold sweat from nightmares; ones that became more horrifying and violent than what they actually were—or what they could've been had grandpa Antonio not revealed everything to Mason when he did.My mind often wandered to him when I couldn't go back to sleep, while a dull ache would replace the spot in my heart that he had once occupied. Even though grandpa hadn't chosen to pursue charges in the end, I couldn't imagine that the military task force had let him get off…Or maybe, Mason had found a way to evade them. After all, the mafia had more resources than even us billionaires could dare to imagine. It wouldn't surprise me if that had been the case.I still found
Lily's POVHeat rose in my chest and expanded it until it felt like it was about to explode. Shame reddened my face as I stared in disbelief at a photo of Emelia and Victor together on the cruise ship.I couldn't even bring myself to listen to the story unfold on national television. If anything, the only thing I could make out was how it started as nothing more than an inconspicuous business trip for all of the CEOs and business associates to gather and make connections.Yet, all I could think about was how Victor and Emelia were on that ship together. It was clear to me how much he was still in love with her, and I didn't trust the dumb bitch no matter how much she said she was over him.So, what if he had cheated on me? His goal now more than ever was to get back together with her; especially now that he was divorcing me!"It seems that this husband of yours is only good for his money!" My mom scoffed. "On an island with his ex-wife? Especially with what you told me about her, it wo
Victor's POV"Please, Victor!" Lily fell to her knees and grabbed at my legs. Tears streamed down her face; her eyes were red and puffy, and voice hoarse from trying to plead with me nonstop about her innocence. "Let me explain! This isn't what it looks like!"I kept my arms crossed and watched as Esmerelda had thrown out one trash bag at a time on our lawn—all filled to the brim with Lily's belongings. From the clothes, shoes, and jewelry that *I* bought her.There wasn't a single thing that didn't come from money she earned on her own, so technically it all belonged to me. Yet, I wasn't a complete monster. I wasn't going to kick her out with nothing but the clothes on her back.Even though I thought it was more than what she deserved."Explain to me, soon-to-be-ex-wife," I let the venom drip off each word, "what does it look like to you? Because it looks like, at least to *me*, that you and your mother were attempting to steal my things and run off with MY money that was in MY safe!"
Victor's POVEven after a week had passed, the nightmares of everything that happened never truly went away. But locking myself away in one of the penthouse suites of a random hotel I didn't bother to remember the name of wasn't something I could keep doing.Life was going to move forward, and I needed to do the same.After I'd taken a shower and packed my belongings, I finally found the will to return home. The place was just as I left it, and while I wasn't exactly eager to run into my wife, I was eager to see the little girl.Violet.I wonder if she missed my presence. If so, then I knew I had to figure out a way to make it up to her.When I entered the house, it was dark and quiet. I looked down to see that Lily's shoes were still here, but there was no sign of Violet's or Esmerelda's.Truth be told, I'd nearly forgotten about my marital problems. They seemed to pale in comparison to recent events. But, now it was time to face this new problem head on: my impending divorce from Lil
Emelia's POVI didn't even fully register that it was Alexis until I saw her running right for me. It was like seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. My nerves relaxed as I fell apart in Alexis's arms when she reached me.We both watched as all of the soldiers swarmed in on Mason's thugs that were the clear aggressors in this situation. Every single of them laid their weapons down and they dropped onto their stomachs with their hands over their heads.Relief washed over me and relaxed my nerves once I felt Alexis's arms wrap around me. "I can't believe you're here…""I'm so happy to see you, Emmy!" Alexis tried not to break down herself. "God, are you okay? What happened?""It's… a lot.""I know, I know…" Her soft voice trailed. "We can talk about that at another time." Then her eyes locked in on Mason. "But you! Give me a good reason why I shouldn't just have these soldiers KILL you!""He needs to face some kind of justice…" Victor spoke as he limped towards me. "Death won't cut i
Emelia's POV My eyes swept over the beach as I looked at all the lives that were on the line today. Victor and grandpa. The DeMarco Business Association, and all the other CEOs. They didn't deserve to have their lives cut short because of some petty revenge built on lies.It truly did feel like all of this was my fault. Had I not trusted Mason so easily, he wouldn't have had the means to lay the foundations of his trap to carry out his schemes.I still couldn't believe that he was capable of this… He was so kind, sweet, and genuine…It made me blind to the monster he truly was."Emelia!" Grandpa's shaky voice broke through the fog in my mind. "Please, my sweet granddaughter! Your life is worth more than all the wealth in the world combined! If anyone needs to live, it needs to be you!""If you die, what makes you think Mason still won't kill us afterwards?" Victor yelled out. "I know you just want the best outcome, but this isn't it! Come back to us, please!"I lowered the gun in a mo