MasukISABEL'S POV Whatever happens now, it’s basically because she was too stubborn to hear a single warning of mine. I gave her enough chances, enough silent signals to back off, but she chose to ignore all of them. She was too engulfed in the attention she was receiving from both my parents, soaking it all in like she had earned it, like she deserved every single ounce of love they were pouring on her. With the several plans I was about to put into action, Anna would regret ever stepping foot into this family. They think she’s perfect just because she’s their biological daughter, and I’m not. As if blood alone suddenly erases years of upbringing, loyalty, and presence. As if being born into something automatically makes you worthy of it. But I’m going to show them that no one is perfect. I’m going to peel back that innocent image they’ve wrapped her in and expose how evil and conniving their so-called biological daughter really is. Now obviously, I can’t just sit back and wait for An
ISABEL'S POV “Ms.Isabel, a very good day to you.” A man’s voice suddenly interrupted my thoughts as he walked up to the table where I sat at the café, my fingers lazily flipping through my phone while I waited for my guest. I paused and slowly lifted my head, my brows knitting together in confusion. Ms. Isabel I looked around over my shoulders first, instinctively checking to see if he had mistaken me for someone else sitting nearby. The café wasn’t crowded, but there were still a few tables occupied, and for a brief second, I honestly thought he had to be addressing someone behind me. But no. When I turned back, his gaze was still fixed on me. “Do I know you?” I asked, my eyes scanning him from head to toe without any attempt to hide my scrutiny. He looked ordinary. The kind of man I would never notice twice on the street, not to talk of knowing personally. “No you don’t,” he replied calmly, unfazed by my stare, “but I certainly know you, and I’m glad that you decided.” D
JAMES’ POV“Why are you celebrating?”Her voice cut me out of the little celebration I was having in my head. It came sharp and sudden, making me pause mid-thought. I cleared my throat quickly and forced my expression back into something calm, something composed, like I hadn’t just been riding a wave of excitement.“I know some people might see probation as a bad thing,” I said, taking a step closer to her, careful not to push my luck, “but personally, I think anything is better than a no. Including probation.”It was true. More than true. When Mom forced me to come here today, I had been against it. I’d argued that it was better to approach Anna at public events — galas, ceremonies, business launches, places where she couldn’t easily dismiss me. I never imagined I’d end up standing at the gates of her family estate, watching her record me while I knelt on the ground.And yet… here I was.Not thrown out.Not rejected outright.On probation.That alone felt like a victory.I never imag
ANNA'S POV I turned around and walked back to where I stood, my slides crunching lightly against the gravel beneath my feet. Just as I thought — if he truly needed me, if he was really desperate, then he would do anything to beg me. Men like James always folded when their backs were pressed against the wall. And I was more than ready to take advantage of that. It was a good thing I brought my phone with me. Anything and everything he did now would become a weapon in my hands later. Every word, every movement, every ounce of humiliation he subjected himself to would be a huge downfall for him in the near future, right when I finally decided to attack. He thought this moment was about apology and forgiveness, but for me, it was about leverage. “Last chance,” I said, my voice cold and controlled as I folded my arms. “Are you serious about begging, or are you just here to make mouth?” He swallowed hard, the sound almost audible even through the thick iron bars separating us. He let o
ANNA'S POV “I’m sorry for everything I did to you Anna, I was wrong to do such things, I shouldn’t have pushed you away that night and I regret it now.” James said. I stood there listening to him, my arms folded tightly across my chest as his words hung in the air between us. I stopped myself from letting out a small scoff and rolling my eyes. Now he’s sorry. Now, after all these years, after everything that had happened, he stood in front of my gate talking about regret like it was something he had just discovered. He thinks saying sorry would just take away all the pain and everything that had happened. Like a few words could erase years of damage. Or does he believe that telling me sorry would bring back my child? Or wipe away all the embarrassment and tears of that day? I took a slow breath, forcing my expression to remain calm even though my insides were boiling. “Tell me something,” I said, my voice steady, controlled. “What’s your real goal in doing all this? I mean I ca
ANNA'S POV “James Reed? Isn’t he your ex?” Dan said, turning fully toward me now. His brows were drawn together, his expression sharp with disbelief. “What the hell would he be doing parked outside?” he added, his tone carrying clear irritation. “I am just as shocked as you are,” I replied calmly, my voice steady as I kept my gaze on him. That was a lie — at least partly. I wasn’t shocked that James was here. The moment he found out I was part of the Quinn family, the moment he realized I wasn’t some nobody he could dismiss anymore, it was only a matter of time before he came looking for me. James had always been like that. He never knew how to let go of anything he thought he once owned. What surprised me was the speed. I hadn’t expected him to show up this soon, not to talk of making a bold move to come directly to my house, I thought he would wait, think things through, maybe test the waters first. But desperation had a way of speeding people up, and James was clearly desperate







