LOGINChapter 24The cool evening air brushed against my skin as I stepped out of the car, the small black bag in my hand steady. Tony had delivered exactly what I needed: a tiny camera, wireless, high-res, and a few tools that made planting it child’s play. I slipped inside the house like I don't belong there anymore. Julian claimed he was at a business dinner. I knew better. Lila’s door sat slightly ajar, soft lamp light spilling out like bait.Perfect.I moved fast.I secured the camera, adjusted the tilt once, twice. Pulled out my phone and tested the feed.“Crystal clear,” I muttered, voice low. The app linked straight to Tony’s secure cloud. No traces. Memories tried to push in—Lila riding Julian deliciously on our old couch while i hid behind the kitchen, withering away from cancer. This wasn’t about pain anymore. This was ownership. I needed evidence on why I will get away from him.I finished in under four minutes and ghosted back out. Back at my hotel site, I dropped into the of
Chapter 23I stood frozen by the cracked door, cupcakes still in my hand. Lila’s voice carried out clear and eager.“Daddy, you have to meet him properly. Julian treats me so well. He got me a condo last month, bought me those designer dresses I wanted, and even housed me with his cousin, Tessa Averton. She’s family now. He’s thoughtful like that.”Dr. Felix’s tone stayed even. “Does he? And you swear he treats you well?”“I swear,” Lila said quickly. “He listens. He provides. He makes me feel secure.”Felix paused. “Then you should set a date. Lock it in.”“I’ll tell him when we’re both ready,” Lila replied, bright. “No rush, but it’s coming. You’ll see how good we are together.”Chairs scraped. I backed fast, slipping around the corner just as the door opened wider. Lila stepped out, chin high, a genuine smile lighting her face. She looked happy—truly happy—like the future she wanted was already hers. She sauntered down the hall without glancing my way.I didn’t follow her. I didn’t
Chapter 22I sat at my desk, flipping through the latest supplier bids for the hotel’s lighting fixtures, when Tony’s number lit up my phone. I answered immediately.“Tony. What do you have for me?”“Confirmed,” he said, voice crisp. “Dr. Felix Vaughan is Lila Vaughan’s father. Founder and owner of Vanguard Hospital. The man’s a billionaire, Tessa. Divorced, runs half the medical real estate in the city. Records are airtight.”I leaned back in my chair, tapping my pen against the desk. “You’re absolutely sure?”“Cross-checked company filings, hospital ownership docs, and family registries myself. No gaps. Shocking coincidence for your situation, but damn useful if you play it right.”A slow smile curved my lips. “Beautiful coincidence, actually. Julian and Lila have been chasing his approval like starving dogs. Now I’m already inside his world. Anything else I should know about the family dynamics?”“Felix is protective but distant with Lila. She pushes hard for his backing on everyth
Chapter 21I leaned over the blueprints spread across my office table, pointing at the east wing layout. "This section needs better flow for guest circulation. Move the lounge here and widen the corridor by two meters. I want it done before next month’s inspection."The architect, Mr. Hale, nodded and adjusted his glasses. "Understood, Ms. Averton. The structural team can—"The door slammed open. Julian stormed in, shoulders rigid, eyes locked on me like I was the only thing in the room. He didn’t even glance at Hale."Tessa. We need to talk. Now."I straightened slowly, keeping my voice even. "I’m in a meeting, Julian. You just barged into my hotel site office without knocking. That’s rude."Hale shifted uncomfortably, gathering some papers.Julian ignored him completely. "This can’t wait. You’re coming with me.""I have a visitor," I said, gesturing to Hale. "Finish what you were saying, Mr. Hale. We’re almost done here."Julian stepped closer, voice dropping into that familiar comm
Chapter 20I washed up quickly upstairs, scrubbing the day away. The signed contract felt like solid ground under my feet. I changed into a simple dress and went down for dinner.I had barely taken two bites when footsteps thundered behind me. Julian barged into the dining room and slapped a photo down hard beside my plate.“Who the fuck is this man, Tessa?” he snarled.I glanced at the image—me and Felix hugging outside the interior company building. I set my fork down calmly. “You had someone tailing me? That’s pathetic, Julian.”He slammed both hands on the table, leaning in close. “Answer the damn question! Who is he? Why the hell were you in his arms?”I met his glare head-on. “So now you’re spying on me? Paying people to watch my every move like I’m your property? That’s how low you’ve sunk?”“Don’t turn this around on me!” His voice rose. “You think you can just parade around with some rich prick and I won’t find out? Tell me who he is right now!”I stood slowly, pushing my cha
Chapter 19Francesca pushed open the office door, her heels clicking fast against the bare floor. “I just saw security dragging some suit out like yesterday’s trash. Who the hell was that?”I didn’t look up from the invoice I was initialing. “Julian’s father. Nothing important.”She raised an eyebrow. “Looked important enough to get tossed.”“He laid hands on me. I laid down the law. End of story.” I set the pen down and met her eyes. “Did you set up the meeting with the interior firm like I asked?”Francesca smiled, sharp and efficient. “Done. They’re expecting us in forty minutes. CEO himself is sitting in.”“Good. Let’s go.”We drove across town in my car. Francesca flipped through her tablet in the passenger seat, rattling off bullet points. “They specialize in high-end hospitality. Tight timelines, flexible on custom work. Their last three projects all came in under budget.”“Perfect. We need that for phase one.” I kept my eyes on the road. “Any pushback when you called?”“None.
CHAPTER TWELVEI left the house with nowhere else to go. I couldn't return to the hospital and face Julian and Lila again.My phone buzzed, vibrating with an incoming call. It was Julian. I picked it up.“Hey, love. Where are you? I'm at the hospital and you're not here. The nurse says she saw you
CHAPTER ELEVENA few days later, my condition had worsened drastically. My vision faded more each day. Sometimes I could barely see shapes or make out words. My head hurt more. My nose bled more. My mouth bled more.Yet I forced myself to continue. With a weak hand, I picked up my phone to dial Jul
CHAPTER NINEThe next morning, I decided I needed actual proof, not speculations. Proof.Julian sat by my bedside, peeling an apple neatly for me, just the way I liked it. He cut a piece and put it into my mouth.“You should go to work,” I tell him as I chewed on the apple, although I didn't swallo
CHAPTER EIGHTMy eyes opened to white ceiling and pain. For a second, I could not move. Then the headache hit harder.I swallowed and groaned. My hand lifted to my head, and my fingers met bandage.“Don’t move too fast.”I turned my head slowly.A doctor stood beside my bed with a clipboard. “You h







