Mag-log inChapter 26: The Divorce Tonight was the coronation of my second life.The grand ballroom of the Tessa Crown Hotel gleamed in gold and marble. Guests from the city's highest elite mingled in twos and threes, crystalline laughter bouncing off the chandeliers.In the private dressing suite off the hall, I stood before the mirror, smoothing down the emerald silk of my evening gown. Three years ago, I was a dying woman on a bathroom floor, stripped of my wealth, my body, and my life by a man I trusted. Tonight, I was the sole owner of the most lucrative real estate development in the city.The door opened, clicking softly shut.Through the mirror, I watched Julian step into the room. He wore a designer tuxedo paid for with the final remnants of his dwindling capital, his smile radiating the manufactured warmth he had used to weaponize against me for years. He walked over, his eyes glazed with a heavy obsession.He leaned down and pressed a kiss to my cheek. "You look breathtaking, Tessa,"
Chapter 26I waited until the house went quiet. Midnight. Lila’s car was still in the driveway—I’d checked twice. She was home, probably curled up in her room pretending to be the innocent cousin again. Perfect.I slipped out of my bedroom in a silk slip that barely reached mid-thigh, hair loose, barefoot. No hesitation. I moved down the hall like I owned every shadow in this house. Because I did.The bedroom door was ajar. I pushed it open without knocking.He sat on the edge of the bed in sweatpants, scrolling his phone. His head snapped up. “Tessa?”I closed the door behind me, leaned against it, and let the slip ride up as I crossed my arms. “You said you’re fighting for this marriage. Prove it.”His eyes darkened instantly. He stood, phone forgotten. “What are you doing?”I walked straight to him, grabbed the waistband of his pants, and pulled him against me. “I want you to fuck me. Right now. Hard. And I want you to be loud as hell.”Julian’s breath caught. “Tessa—”“Say yes.” I
Chapter 25That morning, I sat at my desk and forwarded the encrypted files to Tony. The footage from last night played in the background, Julian and Lila tangled together as i sent it to Tony.“More cameras if needed,” I typed. “Deep dives on their financial trails. Every account, every transfer. No questions.”Tony replied instantly. “On it. Pay bump appreciated. I’ll have preliminary reports by noon.”Good. He never asked why. That’s why I kept him close.I headed downstairs. Julian sat at the breakfast table, playing the concerned husband perfectly. Lila hovered, pouring coffee with that fake domestic smile plastered on her face.“Tessa, you look exhausted,” Julian said, reaching for my hand across the table. I let him hold it for two seconds, then pulled away. “I know its the hotel, Lila says she can help you with the hotel if you need it.”Lila set the mug down in front of me, all innocent eyes. “I’d love to, Tessa. I’m great with schedules and vendor calls. Whatever you need.”
Chapter 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 FOURI couldn’t see well. The door was blocking my view. The door only allowed me to see Lila. As I was about to nudge the door open to see the man, Lila’s face jerked upright and she saw me. She quickly pulled off the man and tossed him further into the room, out of my sight entirely. Her
CHAPTER THREEJulian’s words still hurt me deeply, so I hadn't told him about my terminal illness yet. Although he begged me to forgive him all through the night, he woke me up with breakfast in bed, a pancake with “I'm sorry” written with jam on it. Finally, I told him that it was fine and pushed
CHAPTER TWOJulian stepped out, turned around, and wrapped Lila in a hug one last time before making his way towards the stairs, to our bedroom. Fortunately, they didn't see me as I was hidden by the dark. Confusion flooded my thoughts. What could possibly make Julian come out at 1 a.m. in the nigh
CHAPTER ONE I have brain cancer and three weeks to live. I still recall the sound of the bells ringing in my ears when the doctor announced it to me. It made little sense. Just six months ago, I went for tests as the symptoms of migraine, memory loss, partial blindness, and bleeding through the no







