SARAHI paced around my room, the frustration boiling in my chest like a kettle about to scream. “I can’t do this anymore, Tony,” I said, my voice sharp and shaking as I turned to face him. He leaned against the dresser, arms crossed, his expression calm but wary. “I’m done snooping. We have enough. More than enough. She’s not slipping through this time.”Tony raised a brow, his jaw tightening. “You’re sure? What if we’re wrong? What if she’s got more dirt we don’t know about? Isabella’s crafty—she doesn’t make stupid mistakes.”“Crafty?” I scoffed, throwing my hands in the air. “That’s a polite way of saying she’s manipulative and dangerous, Tony. You’ve seen the files, the emails, the fake documents. Hell, you’ve seen the way she slithers around Marco, poisoning everything she touches. What more do you need?”“I’m just saying,” he said, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “If we act too soon, she might wiggle out of this. She’s good at covering her tracks, Sarah. We can’t risk l
SARAHI sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the wall in front of me, a small smile playing on my lips. Finally. After all the waiting, all the stress, and all the games, I was about to get the upper hand. Isabella thought she could slither her way into our lives, into Marco’s life, and get away with it. But she was wrong. Dead wrong.I couldn’t stop replaying the plan Tony and I had devised. Every detail, every angle—it was perfect. We had covered everything. And soon, her lies, her manipulations, and her smug little smirk would come crashing down. I could already taste the victory, and it was sweet.“She doesn’t even see it coming,” I muttered to myself, the thought giving me a jolt of satisfaction.I stretched, letting out a sigh. For now, I needed to keep up appearances. Pretend like nothing had changed. No suspicion, no slip-ups. The last thing I wanted was to tip her off.I got up, grabbed my laundry basket, and headed for the door. As I reached the hallway, I gave myself a qui
SARAHThe cab rolled to a stop in front of my house, and I hesitated for a moment before climbing in. I slid into the back seat, pulling the door shut behind me, and gave the driver the address Tony had sent me. The café wasn’t far, but the drive felt like an eternity as I sat there, staring out the window, my mind spinning.This was happening. It was all in motion now. There was no turning back.The driver didn’t say much, which I appreciated. The last thing I needed was idle chatter. My thoughts were loud enough. As the city blurred past the window, I tried to focus, to steady my breathing, to keep my hands from trembling. I needed to be calm, collected, ready for whatever came next.I glanced at my phone, the screen lighting up with the address again. The weight of what I was about to do pressed down on me, but it wasn’t fear. No, it was something else. Determination. Resolve. The knowledge that this was the only way to end it.The driver finally spoke, breaking the silence. “We’re
SARAHAs I sipped my coffee, I tried to calm my thoughts, reminding myself of everything at stake. Marco. My marriage. My dignity. I wasn’t just doing this for myself; I was doing it to protect what we had built before Isabella decided to slither into our lives.“Stay calm, Sarah,” I whispered to myself. “You’ve got this.”I practiced steadying my breathing, rehearsing the conversation in my head. Isabella was going to walk in here, cocky and overconfident, convinced that she had already won. My job was to play the part—defeated, vulnerable, and willing to give up.But I wouldn’t give up. Not until she admitted everything.I didn’t have to wait long. Isabella arrived right on time, sauntering through the door like she owned the place. She was dressed to kill, as usual—a tailored blazer, high heels, and just enough makeup to make her look effortless. She spotted me almost immediately, and a smirk curled on her lips.I held my ground, keeping my expression neutral as she approached. Ins
SARAHI signaled the waiter for another cup of coffee, trying to steady my nerves. As I waited, I leaned back in my chair, letting the warmth of the café seep into my skin. Isabella’s smug face was still etched in my mind. She had strutted out of here as if she’d won the lottery, completely oblivious to the trap she had just walked into.The waiter approached, a young man with a polite smile. “Another coffee for you, ma’am?”“Yes, please,” I replied, offering him a quick smile. “Make it strong.”He nodded and walked off to the counter, leaving me alone with my thoughts. My fingers drummed on the table as I tried to process what had just happened. Isabella was so proud, so loud with her lies, it was almost laughable.She really thinks she’s won. I shook my head, a quiet chuckle escaping my lips. That arrogance of hers—how she gloated, how she leaned back in her chair like she was untouchable. She has no idea.The waiter returned with my coffee, setting it down gently in front of me. “H
ISABELLA The crisp afternoon air greeted me as I stepped out of the café, my heels clicking confidently against the pavement. I felt invincible. Sarah’s defeated expression was seared into my memory, fueling the satisfaction coursing through me. “Too easy,” I muttered to myself, a smirk tugging at the corner of my lips. The sun was warm on my skin, and everything seemed brighter, as if the universe itself was congratulating me. Sarah was finally stepping aside, and soon, Marco would be all mine—just as it should have been from the start. I hailed a cab, deciding on a whim that I deserved something better than my usual routine. Somewhere upscale, somewhere that matched the victorious glow I carried. I gave the driver the name of a ritzy hotel bar I’d been to once before, a place where the drinks were overpriced and the atmosphere exuded exclusivity. As we weaved through the streets, I allowed myself a moment to revel in my triumph. Marco would be waiting for me, clueless as eve
SARAHI lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling, a small, satisfied smile tugging at my lips. Tomorrow was the day—finally. The day I’d show everyone, including Marco, the truth about Isabella. No more lies, no more manipulation. Her smugness, her arrogance, her calculated schemes—they were all about to crumble. And I would be the one to light the match.The thought kept me awake, my mind running wild with anticipation. I replayed the steps over and over, imagining her face when the truth came crashing down. She wouldn’t see it coming. The mighty Isabella, so proud and untouchable in her delusions, was about to fall.It was a satisfying thought—so satisfying, in fact, that I didn’t notice how long I lay there. When sleep finally crept in, it felt like the sweet calm before a storm I had waited too long to unleash.The next morning, sunlight filtered softly through my curtains, bathing my room in a warm glow. I stretched, the tension in my body melting away as a rush of energy surged thr
SARAHMarco’s gaze held mine, steady and unyielding, as he stood by the kitchen door. For a moment, the world around me seemed to fade. The clinking of utensils, the hum of the stove—it all melted into the background.He tilted his head slightly, motioning for me to follow him out. His presence filled the space, leaving no room for hesitation.I nodded at Martha, who gave me a look that was equal parts curiosity and encouragement. “I’ll be back,” I told her softly, setting down the knife.I followed Marco out into the hallway. My heart raced, the weight of everything I wanted to say pressing down on me. This was it—the moment I’d decided I wasn’t going to hold back anymore. No more avoiding the truth. No more brushing past the lies.When we reached the living room, he stopped and turned to face me. His expression was unreadable, his jaw tight.“Sarah,” he started, his voice low and careful, like he was trying to pick the right words.Before he could continue, I blurted out, “Marco, I
AISHAMarco took a seat beside me, stretching his arms across the back of the barstool, looking way too relaxed for someone who had just thrown a man out of his own party. His eyes flickered toward me, then to his drink, then back to me again.“You okay?” His voice was low, steady, but there was something else beneath it. Something unreadable.I exhaled through my nose, picking up my glass and taking a slow sip. “I’m fine.”Marco hummed, not entirely convinced. “Bastard’s lucky I didn’t break his nose.”I let out a small laugh. “What, one punch wasn’t enough?”He smirked. “You think he deserved more?”“I think men like that deserve worse.” I took another sip before setting my glass down. “But he’s not worth it.”Marco nodded slightly, rubbing his jaw as he glanced toward the bartender. “What are you drinking?”“Whiskey.”His brows lifted slightly. “Didn’t take you for a whiskey person.”“I’m full of surprises.”Marco chuckled under his breath, then signaled for the bartender. “I’ll ta
AISHAMarco took a seat beside me, stretching his arms across the back of the barstool, looking way too relaxed for someone who had just thrown a man out of his own party. His eyes flickered toward me, then to his drink, then back to me again.“You okay?” His voice was low, steady, but there was something else beneath it. Something unreadable.I exhaled through my nose, picking up my glass and taking a slow sip. “I’m fine.”Marco hummed, not entirely convinced. “Bastard’s lucky I didn’t break his nose.”I let out a small laugh. “What, one punch wasn’t enough?”He smirked. “You think he deserved more?”“I think men like that deserve worse.” I took another sip before setting my glass down. “But he’s not worth it.”Marco nodded slightly, rubbing his jaw as he glanced toward the bartender. “What are you drinking?”“Whiskey.”His brows lifted slightly. “Didn’t take you for a whiskey person.”“I’m full of surprises.”Marco chuckled under his breath, then signaled for the bartender. “I’ll ta
AISHASarah doesn’t like me. That much was obvious.I could see it in her eyes—the way she shook my hand, the way her fingers tensed just slightly, the way her lips curled into a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. She was polite, controlled, but I wasn’t stupid.She didn’t trust me.Not that I blamed her.Women like Sarah had instincts. And mine was telling me that hers were screaming at her that I was a problem.Which, of course, I was. But she couldn’t know that. At least, not yet.I needed to be careful. I needed to move slowly, smartly, if I wanted to get close to Marco without raising too many alarms. If she thought I was just a secretary, an employee who happened to be a little friendly, she might let her guard down.I could work with that.I sighed, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear as I made my way toward the bar, my heels clicking against the polished floor. The party was elegant, the music low and sophisticated, the lighting dim and warm. Everything about the atmos
SARAHI watched them.My grip on my glass was tight, my fingers curling around the delicate stem as if it was the only thing keeping me tethered. The cool condensation seeped against my skin, but I barely registered it. My eyes were locked on them—Marco and that woman.She was too close. Too comfortable.Her laugh was light, airy, laced with familiarity. Every few seconds, she touched his arm, her manicured fingers gliding over the fabric of his suit like she had every right. A brush of her hand against his shoulder. A playful tap against his chest. And Marco—he wasn’t pulling away.My jaw tightened.The murmurs around me weren’t helping.“Who is she?”“She looks like she knows him well.”“She’s stunning. No wonder she walked in like she owned the place.”I exhaled sharply through my nose, willing myself to stay composed. I knew exactly what they were thinking because I was thinking it too. And I hated it.My husband, standing there with some woman draped all over him like she had eve
SARAHI stood next to Marco, my fingers curled lightly around my glass as my eyes kept drifting toward his mother. No matter how much I tried to focus on the party, my mind kept looping back to our conversation, the weight of her words pressing down on me. I remembered the way Marco had spoken about her, the tension in his voice, the unspoken things hanging between them. I inhaled deeply, steeling myself.This wasn’t the time to get lost in thoughts.Marco’s hand rested at the small of my back, grounding me as we moved through the party. The atmosphere was loud and lively, the clinking of glasses mixing with laughter and music. The expensive liquor was flowing freely, and the guests—some familiar, some new—were clearly enjoying themselves.Marco introduced me to one of his business associates, a sharply dressed man with salt-and-pepper hair and an easy grin. “Sarah, this is Alessandro Moretti,” Marco said. “We’ve been doing business for years.”Moretti extended his hand, smiling. “So,
AISHAI stood in front of the mirror, my heart hammering against my ribs. My hands hovered over the rack of dresses I had laid out, my fingers brushing over each fabric as I tried to decide. This had to be perfect—tonight had to be perfect. Or at least, it had to look perfect.I swallowed hard, exhaling shakily as I reached for a sleek black dress. It was tight, hugging every curve, the neckline plunging just enough to be enticing but not desperate. I needed Marco to look at me. I needed him to want me—just enough for the camera to capture it.I tugged the dress on, smoothing it over my hips, my stomach twisting in knots. Could I even pull this off? Could I really do this?You have to.I grabbed my makeup brush, dusting powder across my face as I stared at my own reflection. My eyes looked too wide, my lips too tight. I needed to calm down. But how could I? This wasn’t just some party—I was setting a trap.A dangerous one.I reached for my lipstick, twisting it up with shaky fingers.
SARAHGot it! Writing now—give me a few minutes.Here’s your scene:Marco’s hand tightened around mine as we stepped forward, his grip steady, reassuring. “You ready?” he murmured, his voice low, just for me.No. Not even close.But I nodded anyway.My heart pounded as we approached his parents. This wasn’t just any introduction—this was Alessandro and Vittoria De Luca. People whose names carried weight, respect, and fear in equal measure. They weren’t just influential; they were legends in their own right.And I was about to meet them.Marco’s father, Alessandro, stood tall with an air of effortless power. He didn’t need to command attention—it just happened. He had that presence, the kind that made you straighten your posture without realizing it. His silver-streaked dark hair was neatly combed back, his sharp features unreadable.Beside him, Vittoria De Luca was just as intimidating in her own way. Elegant, poised, with piercing dark eyes that assessed me the moment we came into vi
SARAHI jolted awake, my heart skipping a beat as I blinked against the dim light of my room.A headache pulsed lightly at my temples, and I groaned, rubbing my forehead. I had no idea when or how I even fell asleep. The last thing I remembered was Marco telling me to get some rest—Marco.The party.I shot up, eyes darting to the clock on the nightstand. 7:45 PM.Shit.I had a little over an hour before the party started at nine. That was fine—I still had time. But it wasn’t just any party. It was a night that meant more than just music, drinks, and fancy outfits. It was a new beginning.A fresh start. For me and Marco.With a deep breath, I pushed off the bed and headed straight to the bathroom, shedding my clothes as I turned on the warm water. Stepping under the shower, I let the heat sink into my skin, easing the slight tension in my shoulders.But my mind wasn’t at ease.Marco’s parents were coming.I leaned my forehead against the cool tiles, inhaling deeply. Marco had just tol
SARAHI moved across the grand hall, scanning every detail with sharp focus. The last of the decorations were being placed, the final lights adjusted, and the catering team was already setting up at the far end. Everything was falling into place, yet I couldn’t stop myself from double-checking every little thing.“The candles on the main tables,” I said, turning to one of the event planners. “Make sure they’re all the same height. I don’t want any odd ones sticking out.”The woman nodded quickly and gestured to her assistant. “I’ll have them fixed right away.”I exhaled, rubbing my temple as I looked around. The gold accents gleamed under the soft lighting, and the deep red floral arrangements tied everything together perfectly. It was exactly how I envisioned it. Yet, I still felt like something was missing.“Miss Sarah, I think you should sit for a moment,” one of the younger planners, a guy with curly hair, said hesitantly. “You’ve been pacing for hours.”“I’m fine,” I dismissed, w