Morgan's point of view I sensed trouble the moment I saw Farrow walk into the hall. It was not just the way she carried herself, all poised and confident, as if she had just won some grand victory, it was the look in her eyes. A dangerous glow in her eyes told me she was up to no good.But nothing could have prepared me for the utter nonsense she spewed out next. "Pregnant," she had said, smiling like she just made a happy announcement. And just like that, everyone in the hall became confused. As for me, I almost laughed. No, I actually did laugh. A bitter, humorless sound that barely made it past my lips before anger flooded in. I would never father a child with Farrow Hudson. The very idea was disgusting. Unthinkable. Especially not now that everything is fine with me and Marrissa.But the scary thing is, even as my mind screamed that it was not possible, a whisper of doubt crawled its way into my thoughts. What if—just what if—she was telling the truth? I shook my head v
Farrow's point of view The night air felt colder than usual, or maybe it was just me. I stood a few steps away from the gates of Morgan’s mansion, wrapping my arms around my body.After Morgan threw me out of the mansion, his guards had stationed themselves at the gate, making sure I had no way of getting in, but I smiled, if only they knew who they were dealing with.Morgan must have thought his words and actions would break me. He thought I would run away, hide from shame and humiliation.But he didn’t know me at all.I am not the kind of woman who gave up. I am Farrow. And I am going to get everything I want, everything I deserve. Especially the Thornhill name. That name isnt just a symbol; it was name that brings security, power, and a life of luxury. A life I am meant to have.I rested a hand on my flat stomach, it is flat for now, but it would not be forever. How I intend to go about it is still a mystery to me but hat part didn’t matter yet. What mattered was that tonight, I
Marrissa's point of view The party has finally come to an end, and all of the guests are gone. The house suddenly felt quiet, too quiet for my liking. Morgan and I stood at the front door, watching as his father’s car disappeared down the long driveway. Mr. Thornhill had been the last to leave after the birthday party, and although the air still held the faint echo of music and laughter, the celebration was over.It had been a success, more than a success, really. It had been a perfect night.Well… almost perfect.Farrow’s little stunt had come close to ruining everything, but thankfully, it did not. I refused to let her ruin Morgan's day.I turned back into the house and saw the maids moving through the banquet hall like shadows, they were working slowly, obviously exhausted. Everyone of them had been busy with one thing or the other throughout the day.Some of them were clearing out glasses, some wiping down tables, and the others gathering stray decorations. It didn’t take a geni
Marrissa's point of view I stepped inside the room, but kept one hand on the door handle, leaving it slightly opened. Trusting her this soon would be a mistake. A grave one.Farrow stood there with that same pitiful expression plastered on her face, she folded her arms across her chest as though she was bracing for something big. "I'm listening," I said, keeping my voice low but my expression unreadable.She hesitated, her lips trembling as if she was about to cry. That same pathetic look she always put on when she wanted sympathy. I sighed, feeling exhausted."Come on, I know you and I have not really been friends, but I can not bear to see you like this," I said, softening just a little. "So please, don't cry anymore."A tear slipped down her cheek, and before I could stop myself, I reached out and wiped it away.Farrow breathed in and out, in shaky sobs . "I'm… I'm really sorry for everything," she stammered.Sorry? I almost scoffed out. Farrow Hudson, apologizing? Wow, that's ne
Marrissa's point of view The afternoon sun poured through the nursery windows, casting a soft, golden glow across the room. The walls of the nursery had been freshly painted by a professional. He used a beautiful shade of lavender, a color Morgan and I had agreed was neutral enough for either a boy or a girl. It was a small but beautiful space, waiting to be filled with laughter, tiny clothes, and the soft coos of the life we were preparing to welcome. Morgan stood in the center of the room, he had just rolled his sleeves up, and he had a screwdriver in his hand, he was about assembling the baby crib. I looked at him and smiled. His usually sleek hair was slightly tousled, and the smile of happiness on his face made my day. His concentration was intense as if he was handling some difficult business proposal, but there was this gentleness in the way he moved, a silent promise of the father he was about to become. “Are you sure you are doing that right?” I teased, my voice fil
Morgan's point of view Today was supposed to be a happy day, and the nursery was supposed to be a place of peace, a space where Marrissa and I could dream about the life we were building together. Instead, it ended up being the exact opposite.I stomped out of the room, my heart pounding harder than it should have. My head hurts and I could not control my anger. I could still hear Marrissa’s voice of pain, the sharp sound kept ringing in my ears. I really did not mean to yell at her. I made a promise to myself never to shout at her again, but goddamn it, the woman made me scared and angry all at the same time. Marrissa is stubborn, so stubborn it made me want to shake some sense into her. She did too much, always pushing herself like she was not carrying our child, like she was not risking her health with every careless step. And what for? To prove what point exactly? To show me she did not need help from anyone, or to prove that she is an independent woman? I ran a hand through
Marrissa's point of view My hand stretched out to the door handle, and for some reason I did not understand,I became apprehensive, something in me told me not to open the door."Morgan," I called softly, hesitating for a split second before pushing the door open. Before my fingers could move, the door opened wide from the inside. Every muscle in my body tensed up as my eyes met the person standing in front of me.Farrow stood there, leaning against the door like she owned the place. She wore red lingerie, and the way her body was exposed and the way she smiled told me there was more to what meets the eyes.She did not look surprised. If anything, she looked amused. "Hey, Marrissa. You are back." She said in a joyful tone,like there was something we were celebrating.I didn’t respond, I couldn't because I didn’t even know what to say. My eyes moved past her, looking toward the study. The air was thick with the scent of her perfume, the kind that lingered long after someone had
Morgan's point of viewI knew everything was wrong the moment I opened my eyes.First, I noticed I was half-naked, and I did not remember removing my clothes at any time.Second, the scent in the room felt odd. It was not mine. It was not Marrissa’s, either. No. This was a scent I recognized but never wanted near me. It was Farrow's.I sat up quickly. I didn't mind the pain in my head, what bothered me was why Farrow's scent was all over me.I knew when she came into my study.She had knocked softly, stepping inside before I even acknowledged her. I had been too lost in my thoughts. My mind was replaying the look in Marrissa’s eyes when she walked away from me earlier that day. "Is everything alright? I heard Marrissa's voice earlier and she didn't sound happy and then I saw her walk out angrily," she had said. "Is everything okay between you two? Is there something I can do to help?"I did not even look at her before yelling at her to Get out.The audacity of her to show up, acting
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