ログインAlex's POV I didn’t think. I wasn’t even sure I was breathing when I jumped into my car and sped out of the compound.All I wanted was Rosa.Nothing else mattered. Not the headlines. Not the accusations flying around. If she had not told me, then it was not true.I tightened my grip on the steering wheel as I drove toward Palisades Parkway, where the caller had mentioned as the scene of the accident.I could not imagine what would make her leave Manhattan like that.Then the caller’s words came back to me.No body was found.I refused to believe she was missing. I pressed harder on the gas, my heart racing, my knuckles turning white.When I arrived at the park, I saw the flashing police lights and barricade ahead. My breath stuttered. I stopped the car and rushed out.“I’m here,” I said, pushing forward. “She’s my fiancée.”Her car was there, smashed beyond recognition.My stomach dropped as I tried to imagine what could have happened.A cop stepped in front of me.“Let me through,”
Rosa's POV It was the smell that woke me. Blood. I knew that sharp, metallic scent. For a moment, I wondered why I could smell it so strongly. Then I opened my eyes and realized I was lying on the ground, a small pool of blood formed beside me. My blood. A scream tore out of my throat, echoing into the darkness around me. It was night, dark and quiet. And I could barely make out anything beyond the bushes and the ground beneath me. My hand moved forward, searching, trying to find where the blood was coming from. The moment I lifted my head, pain exploded through my skull. I gasped and fell back, my hand flying to my head where it hurt. Then I realized it was wet. That was where it was coming from. I tried to think. What happened? How did I get here? But nothing came. My mind was empty as the surrounding around me. I looked around again, my breathing uneven. I could not stay here. It was too dark, quiet and dangerous. Then I saw it. Far ahead, faint but steady was light
Alex's POV I was looking forward to tonight.Three days away from Rosa had felt like three years. The moment the plane touched down, I texted her and waited for a reply. But none came.Knowing her, she would be planning something dramatic for my return.But all I wanted tonight was her.I stopped on the way to get her favorite flowers and chocolates before stepping into the car. As we drove off, I kept glancing at my phone, waiting for her reply..I smiled to myself. She was probably too busy setting up whatever surprise she had in mind that she hadn't seen my text message.Well, I couldn't wait to surprise her with my arrival too.When the car finally pulled into the compound, someone stepped out of the house.It was Evelyn and not Rosa.She rushed toward the car before I even stepped out. But her face wasn't excited. She looked worried. “It’s Rosa,” she said quickly as I stepped out of the car. “Something’s wrong.”My chest tightened instantly. Only Rosa had that kind of effect on
Rosa's POV I shut the door and somehow found my way to the bed. I was no longer looking forward to Alex’s return. Not with the truth spilling out before I could tell him myself.I reached for my phone. The moment I got online, everything hit me at once.I was trending.Every platform talked about me and every headline carried my namePatra had taken the 1.5 million, and still went live. She called me a spy for Baker Tech. She exposed my past with Charles. And she showed proof I did not even know existed. Then, she called me a con artist.My heart pounded so hard I could barely hear anything else as I stared at the screen. It felt like a nightmare —the kind you would wish was a nightmare and you'd wake up from. But there was no waking up from this.Nightmares didn't feel this way.My stomach twisted and it suddenly felt horrible to be me. I hated my own skin…because somehow, I thought Patra was right to call me a con artist. Who wouldn't after hearing the story she had narrated about
Rosa's POV I heard clapping.“You know why I was drawn to you, Rosa,” Charles said. “Because you’re smart. Very smart. Now tell me, what do you want?”I steadied my voice, even though my heart was racing. This was the moment I took control back. Once I was done with him, I could finally breathe. I could finally feel like I deserved the life I had now.“You always wanted me to be a secret,” I said. “It didn’t matter how much I did for you. The designs, the effort to look perfect —everything. But I was never good enough for you. You kept me in the background.” I paused. “That’s exactly where I want to stay now.”I stopped to catch my breath.“I want nothing to do with you, Charles,” I continued, my voice tighter. “No one should ever know we had a past. We were never even married. And this baby is not yours. Stay away from me, and I’ll do the same.”I tightened my grip on the phone.“As for Taylor, she’s gone. I’ve fired her. And I’ll find every other person you planted in my company. I
Rosa's POV The next two days passed in a blur. I was not myself. Because the betrayal still lingered, sharp and unbearable in my chest.I woke up the morning after discovering who Patra truly was, feeling sick and unable to get out of bed. At some point, I drifted back to sleep. When I woke up again, it was midday, and my phone was ringing. I peeked at my phone on the nightstand and saw it was a call from Alex.He was calling to remind me to eat.If only he knew I had not even had breakfast.I forced myself to eat something small, but the disgust I felt toward myself made everything difficult to swallow. I could not even bring myself to shower until evening, when I could no longer stand the way I felt in my own skin.The rest of the day passed with me lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, the pristine walls, and the chandelier. I kept asking myself the same question.Was I even worthy of any of this?Sleep eventually claimed me again until a knock on my door woke me sometime in the e
Rosa’s POV“I’m Cat,” the lady was saying, a smirk dancing on her lips, when Alex rushed to my side. He didn’t say a word. He simply pulled me away, his grip firm, and led me back to our room. Once the door closed, he squeezed my hand tightly, like he was scared I might slip through his fingers.
Rosa’s POVI couldn’t stop thinking about what Alex had told me. My mind was racing so wildly that sitting still felt impossible. Earlier, while I was asleep, he had gone to the hospital where my grandfather had been rushed when he was discovered dead. He had requested his file.“Your grandfathe
Rosa’s POVThe ride to the ranch felt hauntingly familiar, even though it had been years and the roads were no longer the same. I remember clearly how I had boarded a bus back then, clutching my small bag, and never looking back. Now, I was heading back home, my heart oddly hopeful.I found myself
Rosa’s POVIt was Saturday, and like a ritual, I was on my way to Patra’s house. We had done this for as long as I could remember. But as I headed toward her apartment today, the familiar excitement of having a good time with Patra was gone. In its place was a restless knot in my chest. Too many







