INICIAR SESIÓNCHAPTER ONE HUNDRED FOUR: WHAT COMES AFTER CLIMAXZOEYONE YEAR LATERI stood in front of the tall mirror in my dressing room while three stylists buzzed around me like busy bees. Their hands moved, adjusting the rich, deep burgundy velvet dress that hugged my curves perfectly, draping elegantly to the floor. “You look incredible, Miss Zoey. You’re going to outshine every single star on the red carpet today.” One of the stylists said, stepping back to admire their work.I offered a small smile, but it didn’t reach my eyes.Tiny sparkling glitter dusted my collarbones and shoulders, giving me an ethereal glow under the bright lights. The dress I was wearing was slit high on one thigh, elegant and daring at the same time. I barely recognized the woman staring back at me.A movie star.It still felt surreal.As they pinned the final strands of my hair into a sleek updo, my mind drifted back to everything that had happened in just one year. The arrests, the trials, the media storm. The
CHAPTER ONE-HUNDRED-THREE: THE IMPOSTER FALLSCHUCK (MARC)The police truck had barely driven off when my mother dropped to the floor like a fucking actress in a bad movie. She screamed dramatically, clutching her head and crying as if Daisy had actually murdered her.“Ow! My hair! That crazy bitch nearly scalped me!” She wailed.I ignored the sharp pain in my hand where Daisy had bitten me and knelt beside her. I helped her sit up, keeping my face concerned even though irritation boiled inside me.Why the hell is she whining like a pathetic bitch? It’s just hair. Not like the crazy whore actually killed her.“It’s okay, Mom. She’s gone now.” I said, trying to sound soothing.But my mother shoved my hand away, her face twisting with anger. “This is a big deal, Chuck! A very big deal!” She snapped. “This is exactly what I’ve been warning you about. Your terrible taste in women keeps bringing nothing but problems into our lives. Every single one of them!”She glared at me, eyes blazin
CHAPTER ONE-HUNDRED-TWO: CRUSHED PLANSDAISYTWO DAYS LATERAs I zipped up my last suitcase, I let out a satisfied breath. Grabbing my phone from the bed, I typed a message to Zoey and hit send:ME: ON MY WAY NOW. SEE YOU SOON. A small smirk crept across my face as I stood in front of the mirror, fixing my hair one last time. I looked damn good, and even better knowing what I was about to do.I was finally going to destroy Chuck and that bitch Scarlett. I’ll spill every fucking secret of theirs to Zoey. I had contacted her yesterday, asking to meet up and that I had something important to tell her.To my surprise, she’d accepted without much back and forth like I initially expected.Chuck and that sick mother of his thought they could use me like some disposable pawn? No fucking way. I’ll expose every filthy secret they have and watch as their perfect little world crumbles.And then, I’ll disappear and none of them will ever see me again. I’ve premeditated my plan since my altercatio
CHAPTER ONE-HUNDRED-ONE: CHUCK’S REAL EYESZOEY“Cut!” The director called out as Angela’s fingers brushed my face in a fake slap. “And that’s a wrap for today! Great work, everyone!”The crew erupted into applause and rushed over with towels and cold bottles of water.I took a long gulp, relief washing over me. I was exhausted as fuck and starving. All I wanted right now was a good meal and my bed.“You did amazing today, honey,” Angela said warmly, patting my back. “Well done.”“I couldn’t have done it without you. You’re the best, Mrs. Simpson.”She waved off the compliment with a smile and headed back toward the building to change.That was when I noticed a familiar car pulling up in the distance. Christian stepped out, looking as handsome as ever in a simple shirt and jeans. He carried a lunch box in his hands and gave me that soft smile that always made my heart skip as he walked toward me.My stomach growled loudly the moment the delicious smell hit me.“Hi, love. How was your
CHAPTER ONE-HUNDRED: THE COMA THIEFCHRISTIAN As I stepped into the bar that used to be me and Chuck’s favorite spot, I immediately checked my wristwatch.Exactly 8pm.I had stared at my phone all day, dreading this moment. I hadn’t slept a fucking wink the night before, and I was sure I looked like shit despite my efforts to appear calm in a simple jeans and t-shirt.My eyes scanned the dimly lit room as I walked in. It didn’t take long to spot him.Chuck sat in our old spot at the bar, back turned to me, slowly nursing his drink.I dragged in a deep breath that did almost nothing to steady my nerves, then walked over. The moment I got close, he turned his head. A small, welcoming smile curved his lips as he pulled out the stool beside him.“Punctual as always, aren’t you?” He teased.I sat down. He signaled the bartender for two shots of my favorite drink.My chest squeezes as he did that. He still remembered.At this point, I couldn’t hold the question that has been biting me all
CHAPTER NINETY-NINE: NOT YOUR FAULTCAMILLE “You know, when Camille was twelve, she brought her first ‘boyfriend’ home for dinner,” Mom said, making air quotes with her fingers. “It was the most awkward dinner we’ll never forget. That boy practically became part of the family until they broke up after only three months of their ‘relationship’.”Alex and Dad laughed warmly. Mom continued, smiling at Alex. “You remind me of him. You’re the only other boy we’ve met like this, as a family.”“It’s a pleasure.” Alex replied with a genuine laugh while I sat there in silence, forcing a small polite smile while I pushed food around my plate. Mom’s cooking had always been delicious, but today everything tasted like ash. Beneath the laughter and easy conversation, a heavy tension radiated between all of us. I could feel it in my veins.“Uhm… I need to use the restroom.” I said suddenly, dabbing my mouth with a napkin. I needed a fucking breathe air. Mom studied me for a moment, concern flic
CHAPTER EIGHTY-FOUR: SCHEMES UPON SCHEMESZOEY———Outside the operating room, Christian and I sat on the bench with our fingers threaded together. My head rested on his shoulder and I could hear the steady, anxious thump of his heartbeat against my ear. The fluorescent lights hummed and time seeme
CHAPTER EIGHTY-THREE: KITCHEN PROMISESCAMILLE———When my eyes finally fluttered open the next morning, I was wrapped in a pair of strong, muscular arms. Warm, firm and possessive.For a second, my foggy brain scrambled back to last night. To the stranger from the bar. The one who’d tried to force
CHAPTER EIGHTY-TWO: A COSTLY DRUNKEN MISTAKECHRISTIAN———“Alex?” I breathed, disbelief clawing through my chest. None of it made sense. When had he even taken a compatibility test? How had I not known? What the hell was going on?He turned to face me, and the look in his eyes said everything. The
CHAPTER SEVENTY-NINE: A MOTHER’S LOVE 2ZOEY———Once we stepped out of the ER, Christian grabbed my hand and stopped me right there in the hallway.His sharp eyes locked onto mine, searching. As though he could dig the truth straight out of my soul.“Were you serious about what you said back there







