Morgan's point of view I forced my legs to move, each step feeling heavier than the last. My hands trembled at my sides, but I refused to let them clench into my fists, no matter how badly I wanted to hit something—or someone. The hardest part, though, was holding my tongue, keeping all the venomous words racing in my mind, locked behind my teeth. I could not afford to lose control. Not yet. Not here.Farrow stopped a few steps ahead, sensing my presence. She turned to face me, her lips curving into that sly, seducing smile she always wore when she thought she was in control. Her eyes danced with the confidence of someone who believed she had already won.“What’s your next plan now, Morgan?” she asked, her tone as casual as if we were discussing the weather. “What do you mean?” I replied evenly. “Going on with the wedding, of course.”Her expression twisted, disbelief spreading across her face. “What? You are still going to marry that whore?” she spat the word like poison, her voic
Marrissa's point of view I watched Morgan walk away, his shoulders so stiff , his face tense and I just could not hold back my tears anymore. They flowed freely now, no longer restrained by the false composure I had worn all day. But it was not just the fact that he was leaving me behind that broke me—it was how he left. Even when he was beside me, he felt distant. His voice when saying the vows had been so strained, like he was forcing the words iut of his mouth, the words were so cold. The way his eyes had looked at me when he lifted my veil—it was so full of disgust, and calling me a shameless whore broke me into many pieces.If only he would listen. Just listen to my explanation. But Morgan Thornhill was definitely not the kind of man who entertained explanations.“Well, Marissa,” you need to make him hear you,” my inner voice whispered.I swallowed hard and nodded to myself. Yes, I needed to find a way. No matter how impossible it seemed, I had to get through to him. “Mad
Marrissa's point of view A thought suddenly crossed my mind, and I hurried downstairs, my heart beating with urgency.I could not afford to waste any time, though the dimly lit corridors of the house seemed to conspire against me. Twice, I ended up in the wrong hallway, frustration bubbling up with every wrong turn. “Where is it?” I whispered under my breath, turning another corner only to see the same ornate painting for the third time. “What the hell?” I almost screamed loudly.“Madam?” I turned to see Clara, the head maid, standing a few feet away. Her stern but kind face softened as she saw my frustrated look. “Thank God,” I sighed, walking up to her. “Clara, I need your help.” “With what?” she asked, her brows knitting together. “Should you not be resting, Madam?” “I can not rest right now,” I said quickly. “I have a plan. Something important.” I hesitated for a moment, then said, “I want to cook dinner for Morgan.” Her eyes widened. “Cook dinner?” she repeated, as
Farrow’s point of view “Oh, what a day!” I exclaimed, stretching lazily on the soft, luxurious couch in my bedroom. It was so comfortable that I almost sank into it completely, feeling its warmth against my skin. I deserved this moment—this peace after such a fulfilling day.“Will you be careful?” I snapped suddenly, glaring down at the maid massaging my feet. Without thinking twice, I shoved her back. She gasped, recoiling in fright, her hands trembling as though she had been burned.I watched her cower, her small frame practically folding into itself, and I felt a twinge of satisfaction. She had done nothing wrong—she had been as careful and precise as always. But I enjoyed the sight of people cowering before me, their faces tightening with fear. I chuckled, a dark, wicked sound that echoed around the room like a bell tolling doom.But it was not the maid that had me in such a good mood. No, my laughter was for something far sweeter: Marrissa’s face. The memory of it lit up my mind
Morgan's point of view “Morgan, this… this is not exactly what happened,” Marrissa stammered, her voice shaking as she watched the video on my phone.She looked at me, searching for some hint of understanding, some way to reach me.I leaned back on my table, crossing my arms. “Really?” I said, my tone sharp. “Then why don’t you enlighten me, Marrissa? Tell me how it happened.” My voice was cold, filled with disgust. She could see it in my face, feel it.“For one,” she started, her voice trembling, “Farrow hit me first. I diid not do anything to her. She… she was saying all these horrible things about me. She said I was trying to seduce you for your wealth, Morgan! I could.not take it. I—”I did not care what she said. Her excuses, her desperate attempt to turn the truth—it all fell on deaf ears. Her voice became background noise. I was not interested in her lies. I sat there, letting her words wash over me, unbothered, unmoved.When she finally stopped talking, her chest rising and fa
Marrissa's point of view The cold sunk deep into my skin, making me shiver as I leaned back against the rough stone wall of the estate. My hands were trembling, though I was not sure if it was from the cold or the whirlwind of emotions that had been churning inside me since Morgan shoved me out like I was nothing. Like I was a nobody. The night had been unkind, leaving me restless on the cold, hard ground. Sleep had practically ran away from me, no matter how tightly I wrapped my arms around myself in a desperate attempt to find some warmth, the cold enveloped me like a blanket.God , how I hate this man, I suddenly missed by small apartment and most of all my wornout bed. It was must better than this.“Good morning, madam,” a voice greeted.Startled, I turned to see a young maid standing a few feet away, her head bowed respectfully. “Good morning,” I replied hoarsely, straightening myself. “How are you doing?” “I’m fine, madam” she said, her voice timid. Her eyes remained fixe
Marrissa's point of view The cab moved gently, the city lights flickering through the window as I wiped yet another tear from my cheek. My throat was raw from crying, but I could not stop. The weight of everything felt suffocating, like a slow, strong tide pulling me under. My hands trembled in my lap, clutching my bag tightly, as if holding onto it could somehow hold me together. I was on my way to Molly's apartment. She was the only one I could think of—the only person who could make sense of the mess my life had become. I did not even know if shw would be home, but I had no one else. The cab came to a stop, and I stared at Molly’s house for a moment, trying to summon the strength to get out. My legs felt like jelly as I stepped onto the pavement and walked to her door. My fingers moved over the wood for a second before I knocked, each knock on the door carrying the last bit of strength I had. The door opened, Molly came out, looking confused and worried. "Marrissa? What ar
Marrissa's point of view My head was pounding with a severe headache, my body heavy and my mouth dry as sandpaper. I looked around, trying to figure out where I was, the room was still dark, very unfamiliar, and strangely quiet. Panic set in as I blinked against the dull light, trying to make sense of my surroundings. I pushed myself upright, the bed creaking slightly beneath me. My stomach turned with nausea, and the faint scent of lavender in the air only added to the disorientation.My clothes. Where were my clothes? I looked around, my heart pounding faster. The last thing I remembered was being at the bar with Molly. Molly! God, where was she? I swung my legs over the side of the bed, my bare feet meeting the cold floor as I frantically scanned the room for my phone. Nothing. No phone, no clothes—nothing of mine seemed to be here.My heart raced as I froze, suddenly hearing the sound of footsteps approaching from somewhere down the hall. I sat perfectly still, barely breathi
Marrissa's point of view I stood outside the shimmering glass doors of the executive conference room with my heart pounding in my chest like it was trying to escape. Behind those doors was a panel of investors, each one a name I had memorized from the dossier Mr. Adrian handed me just yesterday. The Echelon Project. A multi-million-dollar initiative that could reshape tech-integrated education.“You’ve got this,” Samira whispered beside me, nudging my arm. She had tagged along under the pretense of delivering tea, but I knew she was really there to support me. My ride-or-die bestie.I took one deep breath. Then I walked in.Thirty-seven minutes later, I came out looking like I had fought a war and somehow survived. My hands trembled, but my voice had not cracked once. I answered every question, deflected the skepticism, and even got to make them laugh.“How did it go?” Samira asked, practically vibrating with excitement.“I think…” I exhaled, blinking. “I think I killed it.”“YES!”
Marrissa's point of view After my meeting with Mr. Adrian, something inside me shifted.I was not going to cry in the bathrooms anymore. I was not going to let Bianca or anyone run me out.If they wanted a show? I would give them the best damn performance they had ever seen.Samira found me later in the break room, still gripping my coffee cup like a weapon."You look like you are about to commit a felony," she said brightly."Felony?" I echoed, smiling thinly. "More like... a strategic takedown."She slid into the seat across from me, her eyebrows raised."God, I love it when you get scary," she said, laughing. "Tell me everything."And I did.I told her how I would start saving backup files on a separate drive in a hidden folder labeled Birthday Party Clowns. No one would ever check that one. I told her how I would place subtle marks on my original documents. I would use things only I would recognize and if they were tampered with, I would realize immediately.I explained how
Marrissa's point of view Daniel told me to continue working on the Echelon project even thoughno results had come about who would really lead the project.“There's no harm in being prepared,” he said and I agreed.He agreed to assist me in the best way he could and today we were supposed to have a meeting.Well, yes iIt was supposed to be a quick meeting.Just me and Daniel. We were supposed to finalize a section of the Echelon project before the weekend.Instead, it turned into three hours of gisting and snacking. There were two pizza boxes, and one playlist full of 90s hits blasting through the empty office.At some point, I realized we were laughing more than working."I swear," Daniel said between bites of cold pizza, "half of all the good architect are just surviving the ridiculous clients.""Oh, you mean the lady who wanted her lobby made entirely out of glass? Including the floor?" I asked, grinning.Daniel shuddered dramatically. "I tell you."We both laughed.And then — Th
Bianca's point of view I saw everything and I was not only irritated,I was angry.Who the fuck does she think she is. She came in as a freaking newbie and now,she was leading a project I had been working my ass to lead.What the hell did she do to Mr Adrian?I saw the easy smile he always gave her.The way even Daniel lingered by the doorway after her presentation, scribbling notes furiously, his gaze locked on Marrissa like she was some kind of prodigy.It made my stomach twist.Everything about her annoyed me . Her wide eyes and modest outfits and fake humility. She walks about like she had no idea she had just snagged the biggest project in the company. The Echelon Account. My project. At least, it was supposed to be mine.And now, she was everyone's favorite.Including Mr Rodes actually came to the company just to say “Marrissa’s proposal was refreshing. I’m excited to have her work here."Excited?She barely knew which floor the printers were on.After everything I had done, aft
Marrissa's point of view Later that afternoon, my badge beeped me into the sleek, glass-walled conference room. The long table was already packed with managers, strategists, and consultants. And, of course, Bianca was sitting, looking at me like a hawk, her legs were crossed and she was tapping a pen against her notepad with surgical precision.I gulped. Samira gave me a thumbs-up from behind a frosted partition.At exactly one o'clock, Mr. Adrian, Mr Allen and Mrs Spencer walked in. They were all calm and composed,but the room snapped to attention like they carried gravity in their pockets."Ladies and gentlemen," he said, "this is Marrissa and I picked her as the lead on Echelon. We will be hearing her make a presentation as well as Bianca and at the end, we will decide who will really lead the project."There were murmurs in the room . Some looked at me with raised eyebrows and someone even coughed.I opened my folder with trembling hands and began explaining my initial idea
Marrissa's point of view I barely made it home before my phone buzzed again.Samira:> Emergency. > Celebration required. > Meet us at ‘The Olive Lounge by 7:30 sharp. > Dress cute but comfy. Boss Babe orders.I didn’t even bother arguing. Samira had basically dragged me into their circle at full speed with no brakes and honestly, I like it.I threw on a pair of skinny jeans, a soft rose-pink blouse, and some ankle boots that made me feel vaguely fashionable, and by 7:20, Samira was honking outside like a maniac."You are ate!" she yelled as I climbed into the car."You are early!" I shot back.Liana and Tasha were already seated at the backseat, waving like overexcited puppies."You look so CUTE!" Liana squealed."She understood the assignment," Tasha said approvingly, high-fiving me.Samira drove away from the curb like she was auditioning for ‘Fast and Furious: The Suburban Edition’."We have ONE mission tonight," she declared with shining eyes."Survive your driving?" I s
Marrissa's point of view I did say I was on fire yesterday right. Well, there was nothing hot in me right now as I stood in front of Me Adria, trying not to crumble to the ground."Miss Marrissa, I had not been hundred percent truthful to you and I think I should now."My stomach twisted.“What is he about to say?” I thought to myself."I didn't give you the entire information because I didn't want you scared or overwhelmed."My legs began to shake, suddenly too weak to carry the weight of my body."May I sit please?” I asked weakly."Oh please, do take your seat, “ he said, gesturing to a chair across from him.I sat down and placed my shaky hands on my lap.I didn't know why,but I was worried he wanted to say something bad. His nt facial expression didn't even make it any better.He wasn't smiling."First, I want to commend you again for your work so far, you have been incredibly good, but…. I'm afraid there is more to do"."You will be attending a meeting this afternoon with top e
Marrissa's point of view I spent Sunday indoors, preparing mentally and physically for tomorrow's work activities.Monday came and I dressed smartly for work. Today, I will attend my first core planning meeting.The Core Planning Team meeting was held on the thirty-fifth floor — the floor with actual glass walls, leather chairs, and a skyline view that made you feel both inspired and slightly nauseous at the same time.I held my new badge so tightly it nearly left an imprint on my palm.Samira had tried to coach me on the elevator ride up:"Okay, listen," she said in a hushed voice. You are brilliant, but you are also new to this. Some of those people there have been here for years. They are not going to throw you a party, Marrissa. Just... smile. Be polite. And don’t let Karen corner you."I frowned. " Who is Karen?"Samira widened her eyes. "You will know when you see her."Great. Cryptic warnings and mystery enemies. “This was fine,” I whispered.The elevator dinged, and w
Marrissa's point of view I woke up the next day with sunlight streaming through the curtains, casting a warm glow across my room. The noise of the city outside was a comforting reminder that I was in a new place.It was Saturday. A day to relax.I stretched lazily on the bed, feeling the softness of the sheets against my skin. The air smelled faintly of lavender from the diffuser I had set up the night before.Deciding to make the most of the day, I slipped into comfortable clothes and tied my hair up. I put on some upbeat music—something with a rhythm that made cleaning feel less like a chore and more like a party. As the melodies filled the apartment, I moved from room to room, dusting, organizing, and tidying up.An hour into my cleaning spree, my phone buzzed with a notification. I wiped my hands on a towel and picked it up.It was a message from a hidden number: “How are you faring?”I stared at the screen, puzzled.“Who could this be?” Could it be Molly or Andre? But why use