I DON'T WANT YOU, MR BILLIONAIRE

I stared at my parents, my mind reeling in shock. The opulent dining room, once filled with warmth and laughter, now felt suffocating. The crystal chandelier above the table cast an eerie glow, illuminating the desperation etched on my parents' faces."An arranged marriage?" I repeated, my voice trembling. "You can't be serious."My mother's eyes pleaded for understanding, her hands clasped together in a desperate prayer. "Lisa, we have no choice. Father's scandal has left us financially ruined. Richard Sparks' offer is our only salvation."The memory of my father's downfall flashed before me – the news headlines, the whispered conversations, the shame. Our family's reputation lay in tatters. The once-respected business magnate now faced financial ruin and social ostracism."But Damian Sparks?" I protested, a shiver running down my spine. "I know him."My father's expression turned grim, his jaw clenched. "That's precisely why this will work. Richard wants to merge our families, and D

The grand ballroom's crystal chandeliers refracted colours across the polished marble floor, casting a glow of hues. But none of it impressed me."I do," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the pounding of my heart.My eyes locked onto Damian's, his gaze burning with intensity. His smile faltered for a moment, as if he saw something in my eyes - a flicker of doubt, a spark of resentment.Damian's eyes seemed to gleam with triumph, his smile smug. He thought he'd won.The reception was a whirlwind of laughter and tears, of champagne toasts and forced smiles. Damian's hand on my waist felt suffocating, his fingers brushing against mine like a branding iron.His touch sent shivers down my spine, but not the kind he intended.As the night drew to a close, Damian led me to our luxurious suite. Soft candlelight danced across the room, casting shadows on the walls. The king-size bed seemed to loom over us, a constant reminder of the expectations.But I wouldn't submit."Tonight changes

The email read: "Congratulations, Lisa. Saw the news online."Brief, yet laced with undertones. I quickly picked up my phone, dialling Sophie's number, my heart racing with anticipation. The phone rang several times, each passing moment amplifying my anxiety.Sophie finally picked up, her voice neutral."Hello?""Hey, Sophie," I replied, trying to sound calm."Lisa." Her tone was polite, but a hint of reserve lingered."I wanted to talk to you..," I said, hesitating."I saw the news," Sophie said, her voice measured."Can we meet at the coffee shop on 5th Street?" I asked.Pause."Okay.""4 PM today?" I pressed."Okay," Sophie repeated.I sensed a subtle tension beneath her calm demeanour."Thanks, Sophie. I appreciate it.""See you then."The line went dead.I stood there, phone still pressed to my ear..I arrived at the coffee shop early, nervously fidgeting with my cup. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, but my stomach was too knotted to appreciate it.At 4 PM sharp

Sunday afternoon cast a golden glow over the city as I arrived at the designated meeting spot, a discreet café on the outskirts of town. The scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, mingling with the hum of hushed conversations. Freedman already sat, nursing a cup of black coffee, his expression grave."Freedman," I said, taking a seat across from him."Damian," he replied, his voice laced with a hint of urgency.The cafe's muted atmosphere provided a stark contrast to the darkness we were about to uncover.Freedman pulled out a small laptop, his eyes locked on mine. "I've got something you need to see."I nodded, anticipation coursing through my veins like a slow-burning fire.With a few swift keystrokes, the laptop screen flickered to life, displaying a grainy video clip. The footage revealed a deserted alleyway, the only sound the distant hum of passing cars."This is from Luke's murder scene, five years ago," Freedman said, his voice barely above a whisper.My heart

Making a new friend Sophie's pov I sat on the wooden chair in my room, surrounded by darkness that seemed to swallow me whole. My eyes were fixed on some invisible point in front of me, but my mind was elsewhere. It was consumed by the image of Damian and Lisa together. My best friend. The person I trusted with my deepest secrets. The person who was now with the one person I hated most in this world. A shiver ran down my spine as I thought about it. I was angry. I was hurt. I felt betrayed. How could Lisa do this to me? How could she stab me in the back like this? We were supposed to be friends. We were supposed to be sisters. But I guess that meant nothing to her. I thought back to all the times we had shared together. The laughter, the tears, the secrets. It all seemed like a lie now. I wondered if she had been pretending to be my friend all along. If she had been waiting for the perfect moment to strike. My mind was a jumble of emotions. Anger, hurt, betrayal. They