Marilyn lounged on the couch, legs crossed, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. Her eyes were calm, almost too calm, like a storm gathering in silence. “Vincent,” she began coolly, “you’ve always had more book smarts than me. I used to think I wasn’t good enough for you. But now? I think you’re not good enough for me. So I’m calling off the engagement.”The words hit Vincent like a punch to the gut.He’d always been proud of his degree from NYU, often tossing it into conversations like a trophy. Meanwhile, Marilyn had graduated from a less prestigious college—nothing flashy, just solid. In his mind, that had always put him a step above her. And yet here she was, dismissing him like he wasn’t even worth the conversation.He didn’t take a moment to reflect on his own cheating. Instead, his lips twisted into a sneer. “So that’s it? Found someone better already, Marilyn? Never figured you for that kind of woman.”Classic deflection—when guilty, accuse the other party first.But Marilyn fel
Whitney nearly dropped her phone.Her heart slammed in her chest as she stared at the message on her screen. Just five minutes ago, she had been trashing this exact person using a burner account—and now Serena was messaging her directly?Did she know? Could Serena somehow have figured out it was her behind those nasty posts?No... no way. That would be impossible.Then she looked again.Serena:Whitney, hey. I'm here to invite you to sign with E.A. Corporation.Whitney exhaled in pure relief. So it wasn't about the gossip. They were trying to poach her.Instantly, her panic gave way to smug satisfaction, and she slid into full diva mode.Whitney: Sorry, I’m currently the lead in a major TV drama. My schedule’s packed. Plus, my performance’s pretty phenomenal—maybe even award-worthy. I probably won’t have time to meet.She hit send and leaned back, smiling like a cat who just knocked something off a shelf. Sure, she said she was too busy—but her message practically screamed come chase
Cornelius let out a cold, derisive laugh. “So this is how it ends? I boasted to Serena about how outstanding you were, and what did it amount to? She still turned you down.”His words were sharp, each one slicing through Alexander’s composure like a blade. Alexander’s jaw tightened, a flicker of pain crossing his features. He forced himself to remain calm.“Grandpa,” he said slowly, “don’t you want Serena to be your granddaughter-in-law too?”Cornelius let out a scoff, this one harsher than the last. “I’m not the one forcing her. If you can’t win her back, then don’t waste my time—and don’t interrupt my meal.”The dismissal was absolute. No affection, no encouragement—just cold finality.Alexander stood, his posture rigid. He picked up the painting he had personally arranged to be delivered as a gift, ready to leave with it. But before he could step out the door, Cornelius slammed the floor with his cane.The sharp crack echoed through the room.Alexander paused, then silently set the
"Marilyn!" Serena rushed forward, catching her just as she stumbled. Mikhail was right behind, steadying her other side with a firm hand.Marilyn’s mind was a blur—static noise, white-hot and blinding. She couldn’t think, couldn’t breathe, couldn’t feel anything beyond the numbness sinking deep into her bones.They managed to get her into a hospital room. A nurse handed her a small bottle of sweet glucose water, and Serena gently helped tip it to her lips. Colors swirled around her field of vision like a kaleidoscope—too bright, too fast.The doctor stood at the bedside, clipboard in hand. “Her blood sugar dipped a bit, likely brought on by emotional shock. Nothing serious. What she needs now is rest, both physically and mentally.”Serena nodded silently, her gaze fixed on Marilyn, who sat pale and quiet against the starched white sheets. Her usually bright eyes were flat now, drained of their usual sparkle.Seven years.Seven years of love, trust, and promises—shattered in a heartbea
Alexander moved first, disappearing around the corner with a flick of his eyes—quick, calculated. His gaze lingered just long enough to catch Serena behind him.She didn’t follow.Instead, she said something softly to Simon and gave him a small, discreet wave to go ahead. No dramatics, no hesitation.Simon nodded, adjusted the cuff of his blazer, and turned the opposite way with her.As they walked off, Alexander’s jaw tightened. A muscle in his cheek twitched, betraying his restraint. He stood still, lips pressed thin, eyes locked on the empty hallway until their footsteps faded.Outside, Serena and Simon stepped into the crisp night air, leaving the heady din of Broadway Bar behind them. The city buzzed around them—horns in the distance, neon lights bouncing off wet pavement. They walked in silence for a bit before ducking into a quiet, artsy café tucked between a used bookstore and a flower shop.The café had an old-soul charm—warm amber lighting, mismatched wooden chairs, and the s
Whatever. I’ll win her back sooner or later, Alexander thought with arrogant certainty, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.He flicked his gaze toward the stack of documents on his desk, his voice sharp and commanding. “From now on, don’t even think about contacting her.”Liam stood there awkwardly, lips parted as if to speak, but no words came. The weight of Alexander’s tone pinned him in place. A beat later, he gave a stiff nod and backed out of the office, the door clicking shut behind him.Alone now, Alexander leaned back in his leather chair, his expression darkening as his thoughts unraveled.Alexei. Richard. And that damn actor—Austin.His jaw clenched.Why the hell are there so many men around her?The more he thought about it, the more the rage simmered beneath his skin. Not long ago, he had been her husband—her only man. Now, it felt like he had to queue up just to earn a sliver of her attention. The indignity of it grated at him.And Alexei—Alexander was convinced tha