REBECCA’S POVMy fingertips tugged against my palm, my chest tightened as my eyes locked on the three who walked in. Honestly, I didn’t know why it bothered me since it was such a regular sight these days.My husband, Felix Cross, strolled in casually with his sister-in-law, Anna.Will, our Five-year-old son, tagged along against Anna's side, their fingers intertwined. The sound of their laughter was like a taunt to my ears.Seeing me in the dining room, Will rushed up towards me. I gave a smile,my arms were still stretched towards him, frozen in midair, but will had already twirled back to Anna's side. The warmth I expected in my embrace never came. "Mommy, look what Aunty Anna bought me! It looks good on me, right?" He twirled even more, and that was when I noticed the new shirt he was wearing. "Isn’t it lovely? Miss Anna even bought one for Daddy. Isn’t she the perfect mommy?"Ironic isn't it? The child I nearly died bringing into this world now clung to another woman like she w
REBECCA'S POV"Felix, I hope you don't regret this action," I snorted, rubbing my injury slightly as I took a deep breath.Felix took a step forward, but Anna clung to his arm. "Please, I don't want you and Rebecca to fight because of me.""Enjoy the meal I made. The sight of you makes me nauseous," I retorted calmly, and Anna bit her lip inwardly."Rebecca, you've gone too far—"I rolled my eyes at Felix’s words. With a spin, I turned on my heels. I had nothing left to say to him or anyone in the room. Tears threatened to spill as I pressed my lips together. As I walked towards the stairs, I heard their hushed whispers, accompanied by laughter. It stabbed deeper than any knife.Just as I reached the stairs, I heard Felix murmur to Anna, "Don't mind her. She just gets emotional over small things."*******The next morning, I was greeted by silence—just as it had been for a while. At least since Anna showed up.I flickered my eyes toward the other side of the bed, expecting to see Feli
REBECCA'S POVI could hear the soft murmurs around us as everyone stared in shock. The tension between us was palpable; neither of us spoke, but the way our eyes locked in a fierce battle made it obvious that something was off.Finally, Felix snatched my hand, but instinctively, I flung his grip off my wrist.It wasn’t just because I was mad—it was because his touch, which once gave me comfort, now repelled me.“We need to talk. Rebecca, don’t you dare cause a scene and ruin things for Anna. Do you know how much she worked for this project?”Even in this moment, the only person on his mind was still Anna.I let out a slow, humorless laugh. Then, I stepped forward, my heels clicking against the floor. “Anna, Anna, Anna,” I snorted, poking his chest with each word that rolled off my tongue, not caring that everyone was watching.I was done.“Is she the only person you think about?”Anna clutch Felix arm tighter, her voice soft, almost trembling."Rebecca, I swear, I would never take y
Chapter 4REBECCA'S POVWith a click, the call ended, and then my phone buzzed in my palm.My eyes lit up with a hint of excitement when I saw the message:"The divorce agreement is ready. You can come pick it up."I tucked my phone inside my purse and sighed. It's about time anyway.My eyes flickered to the card carefully tucked inside my bag. Instinctively, I squinted as I tilted it from side to side, realizing it was a business card.It was probably dropped off by that man—the one who somehow knew my identity. One I had tried my best to keep hidden, yet he knew.Deciding not to dwell too much on my past, I tucked the card back with the intention of checking it later.Sliding into my car, I turned on the engine, and in what felt like the speed of lightning, I was already at Langford Courthouse.The moment I swung the door open, Jessica jumped on me, wrapping her arms around my neck."God, I can’t even imagine what you must have been going through," she said softly.Her hands caresse
Chapter 5REBECCA’S POVFelix's hand trembled as he picked up the divorce papers, his knuckles turning white."You're lying," he said through gritted teeth. "You're bluffing, Rebecca."I tilted my head, my expression calm."Why would I bluff?"Anna's hand tightened around Felix’s arm, her fake innocence slipping for just a second.She was scared.She knew that if I walked away, she’d be left with nothing but a man who was as useless as he was heartless.My smirk grew even wider as I stepped closer to him. "All these years, the reason Sterling Fashion House has thrived is because of my inheritance. Felix Sterling, you are nothing without me."Crack.The force sent me stumbling back. A sharp sting exploded across my cheek.My ears rang. The room spun.I tasted blood.Did he just slap me?Slowly, I turned back to him. Felix’s chest heaved, his eyes dark with rage.But behind it, there was something else.Fear.He was losing control. And he knew it.My lips curled. And before he could say
REBECCA'S POV"Why do I have such unease whenever you have that death stare?" Jessica cocked her brow as she stared at me through the mirror just above her head."It suits her," Kendrick's voice came on. I flickered my gaze over to his side, but his face was locked on whatever thing he was doing on his phone.I decided to ignore his remark, letting my body relax against the chair as the car sped through the street. I took a deep breath, turning my face to look outside the window as my hand draped the coat closer.His exquisite perfume twirled across my nostrils and my jaws hardened.Why was his scent so comforting?"So where do you want to go?" Jessica asked. Her hands were fixed on the wheel, but her eyes were locked on the mirror, watching me with concern on her face."Sterling Manor," I groaned, the words tasting bitter against my tongue.Jessica hovered her gaze towards me and I tilted my head. "Is there a problem?"She cleared her throat and then turned back to the road. "Isn't
Rebecca's POV"Father, you are finally here!" Evelyn sneered.My jaw hardened as the couples made way, revealing Felix’s grandfather in his usual plain shirt with a cardigan draped over his legs.His personal nurse, Mrs. Eva, pushed his wheelchair toward us."Thank you, Eva. Please, you can leave," he mumbled softly, tilting his head in the direction of where Eva stood."I guess it is time for a family discussion."Then he turned back to me. His smile was hollow—looked really harmless—but something in me always pricked my heart, that there may be more to this frail, sickly old man."Okay, sir. I will be back tomorrow to check your vitals."Felix’s grandfather gave a subtle nod. "God bless you, Eva."I rolled my eyes. Even though he was a deacon in church, he somehow raised trash as children. What a joke."I heard the noise from my room. What is going on?"Evelyn rushed to meet Felix’s grandfather, her knees crouching down as she tugged against his sleeve.“Dad, your favorite granddaug
REBECCA'S POVI used to love parties. But now, the idea of dressing up makes my stomach twist with so many emotions I could not explain.But since all the Elite would be there then so will be my treacherous Ex husband."So you will be coming, right?" Jessica's brows arched as she leaned in closer, breaking me from my thoughts.Her eyes searched mine so closely, like I was going to disappear if she blinked even for a moment."Can you just inch back a little?" I wrinkled my nose, slowly setting the card on the bed. "You're starting to suffocate me with your perfume."Jessica raised an eyebrow as she craned her neck to sniff her fabric."Come on, you know I smell good."I gave a small headshake, trying to fight back a smile. I couldn’t help but tease my best friend. "I know, but I can't help but think maybe you smell too good."Jessica let out a small laugh, then tugged on my shirt.My brows furrowed as she pouted. I had a feeling she was going to ask something from me.Whenever she wante
REBECCA'S POV"Shut up," Felix groans as his face twisted, his hands rambling over the papers as he tore it into shreds."Don't worry. Grandfather will be here any minute to deliver the real papers." I flickered my gaze toward the paper that was already laying on the floor."It's good you shredded them because that was only the photocopy."Felix fumed. He took a step forward, almost like he was about to grab my hand, but the moment he remembered what happened the last time he did, he recoiled with a snarl."Get out of my company! And who do you think you are, commanding my grandfather to run your errands...."Anna eyed me up and down again. "You are so shameless," she hissed.I took a deep breath, and then I lifted my hand and with a click, I snapped my fingers. In less than a second, the men grabbed Felix and yanked Anna to the side.They held them down as they continued to struggle."Rebecca, you witch! What do you want from us?! After running off to sleep around with men, you're he
REBECCA'S POVI always knew there was a part of me that was off—maybe nuts, if we're being honest. But I never thought I'd live to see the day I'd have to drag out my inner psycho... as a defense mechanism."Get the heck out of my company, you crazy freak. I'm so ashamed to even call you my ex-wife." Felix glared at me like an object he wanted to get rid of in the next minute. But unfortunately for him, we were both stuck in the game.The only way to end it? Oh well, there's no end until I'm no longer on the face of this earth."Trust me, the feeling is mutual." I let out a hiss, tilting my face away from his. "How did I ever marry such a lying, selfish, and ungrateful bastard?"Anna's mouth fell wide open with the collective gasp from everyone that was present."When I let you pitch my designs for free without claiming ownership of my work, you didn't think I was a freak."Felix flinched again, his eyes sliding off Anna, then back, eyeing me sharply when he heard the whispers from ev
REBECCA'S POV"She's..." The receptionist gulped, her lips quivered against my gaze as we stared at each other.My hands against her collar tightened, tugging her forward, and her nails squeaked against the table.I arched a brow, nodding once—slow, expectant—urging her to continue, even as the last threads of patience slipped from my grasp."Mr. Felix is in the conference room. He's having a meeting with all the shareholders and the stakeholders..." she rambled.My eyes wandered away from her desk toward the elevator as my hands loosened their grip on her shirt.The receptionist scrambled to her feet, her hands brushing against her shirt as she tugged it straight, and then she cleared her throat."Please, you can't tell... you can't tell Mr. Felix I told you or else he'll fire me."I grinned, my elbows pressed against the table, letting my gaze trail back toward the receptionist.She stiffened, her eyes locked straight against mine, and her throat bulged again."Sweetheart, you don't
REBECCA'S POV"Shut up. You have no right to bargain," the leader grunted, his body swaying from side to side.His hands were still fixed on his crotch, and I could see his teeth dragging against his bottom lip.The feral glare in his eyes was a clear revelation that if given the opportunity, he was going to eat me alive."Down, boy. I'm discussing business," I forced a smile.From my bound wrists, I could see the ticking of the clock. Every moment was a dreadful reminder that time was running out. If I stayed here any longer, I might miss my chance.I could not let Felix get what he wanted—especially today of all days."You've heard of Belmont, right?" I tilted my head toward the remaining two who were still watching me with interest.My senses were dulling due to the crusted robe that was tied around my stomach, fixing me to the chair.Every breath was painful, and it squeezed my lungs, but there was no way I could show them any weakness."Belmont?" they repeated in hushed whispers,
REBECCA’S POVRing! Ring! Ring!The alarm clock buzzed like a drill against my skull, and I slammed my hand down on it without a second thought.My eyes snapped open. “Monday. Finally.” The word slipped past my lips in a quiet breath.This wasn’t just Felix’s big day. It was mine too. A day I had been waiting for—plotting, planning, perfecting every move. And now it was here.The weekend had blurred by faster than I’d liked. Jessica was probably buried back in work already. As for Kendrick… I hadn’t seen or heard from him since the orphanage.Not that it mattered. Why should I care where he went?I slid open my wardrobe, fingers grazing past fabrics until they landed on the suit. Red. My color. Power. Fire. Control.The blazer shimmered faintly with gold embroidery that kissed the cuffs and collar. I paired it with sleek silver heels that could break bones if stepped on wrong. A matching bag. Gold-trimmed.Royalty. Precision. Unshakable presence.I clipped on a pair of earrings just a
REBECCA’S POV“Still don’t want my help?” Kendrick’s voice coiled into my ears like smoke, thick and unnecessary. I snapped my head toward him, the sting of irritation sharpening my face.He was being insufferable—like a five-year-old denied his favorite toy. Or worse, like my son Will when he didn’t get dessert. Just my luck. Babysitting the Reyes siblings on a supposed day off.Maybe this was a mistake. No, scratch that. This was a mistake. I should’ve been in my room, piecing together Felix’s downfall like the goddamn tactician I am, not playing chauffeur games with Mr. Ego and Miss Cuteness.The car door flew open and Jessica stormed out, her heels clacking hard against the pavement.“Kendrick! Why are you so evil?” she shrieked as she rushed toward me.I was still on the ground, wincing at the ache blooming in my butt.Jessica pulled me up with a huff, brushing imaginary dust off me like I was some porcelain doll she accidentally cracked.“I only did what she asked,” Kendrick m
REBECCA'S POVJessica stood in front of the mirror, spinning slowly in her short, candy-pink dress, a hopeful grin plastered across her face."So how do I look?" she asked, batting her lashes like she hadn’t asked me that three times already.I barely glanced up from my phone, lifting a lazy thumb in her direction. "It’s perfect, Jess. Can we go now? Your list is a mile long and we haven’t even made it past the door."She huffed and swatted at the air like I’d just insulted her entire bloodline. "Oh please, don’t be a killjoy."But the moment she turned back to the mirror, I saw it—her smile faltered, her fingers fidgeted at the hem of her dress, and that familiar look of insecurity crept onto her face."I think this dress is making me look fat," she murmured, inspecting herself with a scrunched nose. "I should change."I groaned and flopped back onto the bed, arms wide. "There she goes again." I waved a hand in surrender as she made a beeline for my side of the closet. Not hers—mine.
REBECCA'S POV"Hey, wake up, sleepyhead." Jessica's voice was way too cheerful for this hour as her hands jostled me lightly.I groaned and cracked one eye open, finding her face just inches from mine. She was hovering over me like a mother hen, her long hair falling like a curtain around her face.God. I could never get used to how clingy she’d gotten lately.It was kind of adorable… but also lowkey disturbing. Like she was trying to glue herself to my side."Hey," I mumbled, struggling to keep my eyes open. The dizziness clung to me like a second blanket, dragging me back toward unconsciousness.Jessica plopped herself beside me, legs folded like a curious little kid. “So... how was your night yesterday?” she asked, grinning way too wide.I rolled my eyes and sat up slowly, elbows supporting my weight. “You mean after you ditched me with your brother? You do know he’s kind of a handful, right?”Jessica snorted and waved a dismissive hand. “Oh, please. He has his moments, but come on
REBECCA POVKendrick stepped closer, his gaze never leaving mine. His proximity made it harder to breathe, harder to think straight. Each step he took seemed deliberate, l he was closing the distance, not just physically, but mentally, emotionally. I was starting to feel cornered by his presence, the cool detachment in his eyes all too aware, like he knew exactly what he was doing.Of course he knew what he was doing. "Let's have dinner and don't worry I don't bite." He says in a husky tone. For a man who claims to not be interested in women he sure knew how to flirt shamelessly. I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came. Instead, I found myself rooted to the spot, unable to tear my gaze away from his. His eyes—damn those eyes.They were dark and calculating, and in that moment. "Alright let's eat." I frowned, pushing past his shoulders on pushin, aa I nudge him out of the way. I matched over to the table and droppee unto my seat, the scent made my mouth began to water