Gina's POV I clenched my fists under the table, my nails digging into my palms as Elena's voice echoed in my head. **“You’ll employ Lily in one of your companies. No objections, Gina.”** My lips had parted to protest, but Elena’s narrowed gaze cut me off. She tilted her head, her tone dripping with false patience. **“If you don’t, I’ll deal with Alex.”** My heart had stopped at those words. “Don’t you dare involve Alex in your blackmailing scheme,” I’d hissed, my voice trembling with suppressed rage. Elena only smirked, taking slow, deliberate steps toward me. “Then do as I say.” She turned, walking away with her henchmen, her expensive heels clicking against the marble floor. “You have a day to think about it.” And just like that, she was gone, leaving me standing alone in the empty building. I felt sick. I had fought Elena’s control for as long as I could, but she was relentless. She knew exactly where to strike to break me down. And now, she was using Alex. My husban
Gina's POV The next morning, I arrived at my office feeling drained. I hadn’t slept well, my mind running in endless circles around Elena’s threats, Alex’s suspicions, and now, the nightmare of having to employ Lily. I wasn’t ready for another battle, but it seemed fate had other plans. As soon as I stepped into my office, my secretary, Jenna, was already on her feet, her expression uneasy. “Mrs. Moretti, Mr. Thompson has requested to see you,” she said, her voice hesitant. I exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of my nose. Of course. Mr. Thompson was the chairman of the board of directors, and I already knew why he wanted to see me. The partnership with Julian’s company had stirred more backlash than I’d anticipated. I wasn’t in the mood for another lecture, but delaying the conversation wouldn’t help either. “Let him in,” I said, forcing my voice to remain neutral. Jenna nodded and left. Seconds later, the office door opened, and Mr. Thompson stepped inside. The mom
Alex’s POVSitting in my office, I drummed my fingers against the polished mahogany desk, staring at the empty glass in front of me. The faint scent of whiskey still lingered, but I hadn’t taken a sip in over an hour. My mind was too occupied to indulge in its burn. Gina had been acting differently. That much was clear. It wasn’t just the secrecy, the way she shut me out, or the late-night calls she never cared to explain. It was the reckless decisions—the kind of choices she never would’ve made before. Gina was strategic, always three steps ahead, always careful. But lately, she had been erratic, unpredictable. And worst of all, she was making decisions without consulting me. Without consulting *anyone*. That wasn’t Gina. I leaned back in my chair, exhaling through my nose, trying to piece together the puzzle. I knew she was hiding something. The problem was, I didn’t know what. Before I could drown in my thoughts any further, my phone buzzed. I glanced at the screen. *Mr.
Alex's POV The floor creaked beneath my feet as I paced back and forth, frustration settling in my bones like a sickness. Something was off with Gina, and I was done ignoring it. She had been more secretive than usual, whispering into her phone when she thought I wasn’t around, locking her study door, and coming home at odd hours with an expression that was both triumphant and guarded. I had tried asking her directly, but Gina was nothing if not calculated. She never gave away more than she wanted to. If I was going to get to the bottom of whatever she was up to, I had to take another route. That was why I had called for Lana, Gina’s personal maid. If anyone knew what was going on, it would be her. A knock sounded at the door. “Come in,” I called, my voice even despite the tension in my chest. Lana stepped inside cautiously, her hands clasped in front of her. She was a slim woman in her early forties, sharp-eyed but always nervous when it came to situations like this. She k
Gina's POV The night air was thick with tension as I drove home, my fingers drumming against the steering wheel in thought. Jenna had given me just enough information to confirm what I already suspected—Gina was up to something, and it wasn’t good. But I needed more than vague hints and half-truths. I needed the full story, and Gina has refused vehemently to say a word about it, no matter how long I pressed.Well, Gina refused to talk willingly, I’d have to make her talk another way. Then an idea struck me.Alcohol had always been Gina’s weakness. She wasn’t a heavy drinker, but when she did indulge, her lips loosened. If I could get her drunk enough, she’d slip up, and I’d finally hear the truth from her own mouth. The problem was finding the right drink at this hour. It was well past midnight, and most places were closed. As I drove through the dimly lit streets, my eyes darted between buildings, searching for any open shops. A few blocks later, I spotted a convenience store w
Alex's POV “Gina, what do you mean? Julian divorced you, why would you be meeting him?” I asked.My question was followed by a long, annoying silence. Gina was beginning to drift off to sleep, I can't allow her to sleep when I've not gotten the answers I need.“Gina! Talk to me.” I tapped her knee with urgency which made her shudder.“Mhmmm…It's Elena. You…can't…must not understand.” she stuttered “Elena?” I asked, coming closer because her voice was beginning to drop.“Elena…blackmailed me…threatened.” She said, muttering some incoherent words.“But Elena was just an ordinary housemaid, she left yo take care of her sick mother, right?” I asked.Gina scoffed at my statement,”She's not ordinary, you know nothing. Just…stay…awayyyy.” She stammered before her eyes closed shut.Gina’s head slumped to the side, her breath slowing into the steady rhythm of deep sleep. My jaw clenched as I stared at her, frustration clawing at me. She had finally given me something—Elena. I had been rack
Gina's POV My head throbbed as I sat up in bed, groaning at the sharp pain shooting through my skull. The morning light was too bright, making my nausea worse. I rubbed my temples, trying to piece together the events of last night. I remembered Alex walking into my room, inviting me to drink with him. At first, it had seemed like a simple offer, a way to unwind, but now, I wasn’t so sure. I swallowed hard, my throat dry and scratchy. Something about last night felt off. The way Alex had looked at me. The way he had steered our conversation. My stomach twisted as realization dawned—he had gotten me drunk on purpose. He had wanted me to talk. My breath hitched. What exactly had I told him? Panic surged through me as I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood, dizziness making me stagger. I had to find him. Now. I checked his room first, my heart pounding as I pushed open the door. Empty. The bed was neatly made, as if he hadn’t even slept there. My pulse quickened. Alex
Gina's POV The moment Alex left, the weight of everything crashed down on me. My legs gave out, and I sank to the floor, my chest heaving as sobs wracked my body. The strong, composed Gina—the one who always had a plan, always had control—was gone. In her place was someone broken, desperate, and drowning in her own mistakes. Tears spilled freely down my cheeks as my mind replayed everything that had led me here. Julian's betrayal.It had all started with that. Then Elena's blackmail She had cornered me, forced my hand, threatened to expose secrets that could ruin me. And in my desperation to keep her silent, I had dug myself deeper and deeper into a pit I couldn’t escape. I had been so consumed with protecting myself, so blinded by my need for control, that I hadn’t realized just how much I was losing. And now, Alex—my husband, my only true ally—was slipping through my fingers too. I wrapped my arms around myself, rocking slightly as my sobs quieted into soft gasps. I ha
Five years later, the estate is no longer just a retreat. It’s a sanctuary—a living, breathing testament to the resilience of love, family, and legacy. As I stand by the grand oak tree in the heart of Seraphina’s Garden, I can hear the laughter of children echoing through the estate. My daughter is among them, her golden curls bouncing with every step as she runs around with her friends, her infectious giggle carrying on the breeze.Seraphina. The little girl who was born during a storm and who now, in the light of day, flourishes as a beacon of joy and hope. She’s everything I ever dreamed of and more. Every day, she reminds me of the strength I had when I thought I had none. And every day, she teaches me that the future is always worth fighting for.I watch as Alex kneels on the grass, helping her with the butterfly she’s carefully cupping in her hands, showing her how to let it go, how to trust the world outside. His love for her is something more than I ever imagined. A father’s l
Gina's POV There’s something sacred about peace—not just the absence of chaos, but the quiet fullness of a life hard-earned. I used to wonder if I would ever know such a feeling. Now, sitting in the sun-drenched solarium with my daughter giggling in my lap and Alex stretched beside us on the chaise, I know I’ve found it.I’ve found home.And it didn’t come wrapped in the perfect package or with a roadmap. It came in storms and secrets, in compromise and conflict, in tear-streaked nights and breathtaking mornings. It came in the arms of a man I never expected to love. And in the eyes of a child who showed me how to live without fear again.That’s why I decided to write it all down.My story.Our story.At first, it started as therapy. I needed a way to untangle the knots left behind by everything that had happened—the contract marriage, Victor’s threats, the courtroom battles, Evelyn’s truth, and the secrets buried deep within the Saxton legacy. But the more I wrote, the more I realiz
Gina's POV We named her Seraphina.The moment I held her in my arms, I knew there was no other name that could ever fit. She was born from fire and softness, from struggle and grace. And as she blinked up at me with those curious hazel eyes, so much like mine yet startlingly like Alex’s, I felt my heart permanently tether to hers.“Seraphina,” I whispered against her soft cheek, brushing a kiss there. “You’re going to change everything.”****Weeks passed in a blur of midnight feedings, lullabies hummed through tired lips, and soft coos that echoed down the estate’s halls. Alex and I were exhausted, but blissfully so. Our world had narrowed to a singular, perfect focus—her.The estate, once a symbol of looming uncertainty and painful inheritance, had become our sanctuary. But I didn’t want it to be just ours. My grandfather’s name had been dragged through courtrooms and sullied by lies. I wanted something different—a legacy rooted in healing, not conflict.That’s how the idea for the
Gina's POV The nursery smelled like fresh paint and baby powder, soft sunlight streaming through the white lace curtains that fluttered slightly in the breeze. I sat on the rocking chair near the window, my hand resting over my growing belly, which had become more prominent with each passing week. I was just seven months along, and though I felt constantly tired and achy, I also felt an overwhelming sense of love swelling inside me—more than I thought was humanly possible.Alex had just left for a quick meeting with our lawyer to finalize some estate documents. Evelyn was downstairs preparing her herbal tea mix that she claimed would "bring me peace of mind and smooth sleep," and Lana was folding tiny baby clothes in the corner of the room. It was a quiet morning. Too quiet.I shifted in my seat, rubbing my belly as a sharp ache shot up my spine. I winced but brushed it off. Pregnancy was full of strange sensations—this had to be just one of them. But a few minutes later, the ache r
Gina's POV The courtroom was colder than I remembered, its marble walls echoing the low murmurs of conversation, the clicking of heels, the scratching of pens. I wasn’t physically there—I was still confined to my bed—but through the live stream set up on my bedside table, I watched everything unfold.Alex sat at the front beside our lawyer, composed and confident in his tailored navy suit. Beside him, Evelyn, dignified in a modest beige dress, clutched a worn leather folder tightly in her lap. Her hands trembled slightly, but her eyes held the strength of someone ready to face the ghosts of her past.I pulled the blanket tighter around me, my heart pounding. This was it.“Court is now in session,” the bailiff announced.I gripped the edge of my blanket. This wasn’t just about reclaiming the estate anymore. It was about reclaiming the truth—our family’s truth. It was about protecting our baby’s future from a man who had threatened everything we held dear.Victor sat across the room, a
Gina's POV The room was silent except for the steady ticking of the antique grandfather clock that stood tall near the window. I lay in bed, propped up with an array of soft pillows, my hands gently resting on my growing belly. The sun had barely risen, but I hadn’t slept. My mind buzzed with anxiety, thoughts turning in endless circles.Alex had been pacing the hallway since dawn, talking to lawyers and strategists, his voice hushed but urgent. I could feel the weight of our reality pressing down harder with each passing day. The threat Victor posed wasn’t just legal anymore—it was dangerous, personal. And with each letter from Evelyn, each scrap of evidence we uncovered, the stakes only grew.I had never imagined a world where my family’s legacy could turn into a battlefield, or where protecting my unborn child would mean playing dangerous games of deception and strategy.When Alex finally stepped into the bedroom, his face was pale but determined. His suit was pressed, his tie per
Gina’s POV The morning sunlight filtered gently through the gauzy curtains, wrapping the living room in a soft golden glow. The sound of waves crashing against the distant shoreline was like a lullaby to my anxious heart, and for the first time in days, I allowed myself to relax. I stretched slightly on the couch, my swollen belly cradled by pillows, and let my eyes drift lazily across the pages of the book I was reading.Lana sat just behind me, carefully running a wide-tooth comb through my tangled hair. She was gentle—always had been. Her hands worked through the knots in slow, practiced strokes, humming quietly as she did so. It reminded me of childhood days, when my mother would brush my hair and talk softly about her dreams and regrets. It brought a strange sense of comfort, even amidst the chaos of recent events.“Lana,” I murmured, closing my book and glancing over my shoulder, “would you mind getting me a glass of water?”“Of course,” she replied warmly, setting the comb dow
Alex's POV The courthouse smelled of polished wood, nerves, and freshly brewed coffee. A place where truth was supposed to hold weight—but truth, I’ve learned, is fragile in the face of men like Victor Wells.The judge’s voice echoed in the courtroom as the proceedings began, stern and unwavering. I sat at the front bench beside our attorney, Mr. Langdon, a seasoned man with sharp eyes and a mind like steel. Beside Victor, his legal team looked smug—too smug for someone who hadn’t even seen the real documentation yet.Gina should’ve been here with me. She would’ve sat tall and poised, even in fear. But the doctor’s orders had been clear: strict bed rest. No exceptions. Not when her life and our baby’s were on the line.Just the thought of her curled up at home in bed while this circus played out made my jaw tighten. I was here not just as a husband—but as her voice, her shield, her sword.Victor looked every bit the conman he was, wrapped in a tailored gray suit and arrogance. He sat
Gina's POV “He claims to be Martin’s son,” Evelyn said. “My grandson. Your cousin, Gina.”The room tilted slightly.“Claims? You're not sure?” Alex asked, cutting in.“That’s why he’s claiming the estate,” I said slowly. “Because he believes it’s rightfully his.”“Yes. But he doesn’t know the full truth. He doesn’t know what Wilson planned. And he certainly doesn’t know that I kept every letter. Every piece of proof.”“And yes, I'm not sure”, Evelyn continued, throwing us into further confusion.My son, Martin, never told me about his son. I know he had a child some years back but I never met him. Surprisingly, this Victor Wells, has the resemblance of Martin. I suggest you carry out a DNA test to be sure if he's from our lineage. That will give you all the answers that you need, because if he isn't, a court case wouldn't be necessary.’She slid a box across the table toward me. “It’s all here. Letters, photographs, even legal documents Wilson sent me but never filed. They’ll be enou