ZOE’S POV “Hello sister. Miss me?” My fingers were trembling as I held the phone to my ear. I recognised that voice too well. It was hers.My knees went weak. “Chloe?” I whispered, saying her name like it was a taboo.She laughed quietly. “Still sound like myself don't I?”I stayed silent. There was too much to put into words.I gritted my teeth. “What do you want?”“You mean, what do I want this time? Isn’t that how you always think of me?” Her voice dipped with mock hurt. “Relax, I’m not here to kidnap anyone this time. Though I hear weddings can be… eventful.”My chest tightened. “You know about the wedding.”“Oh, come on, Zoe. You didn’t think I'd miss that, did you?” she said, all sugar and poison. “I just find it fascinating. You and Austin. You think marrying him is going to fix everything? Start fresh?”I swallowed. “That’s none of your business.”“Oh but it is,” Chloe said lightly. “You see, I find it curious how quick you are to forgive the wrong people. Tell me something,
ZOE'S POV‘Is Chloe really back? Or maybe she never left?’I was at my desk pretending to work but my mind was elsewhere. I couldn’t stop thinking of image of the woman I saw that day with Austin. The figure in the cap. The way she turned just enough for me to glimpse her jawline, her mouth.I know my sister.That was Chloe.And what scared me even more was the thought of her being around all along.What did she want now?Just the thought of about it makes me feel uneasy. Chloe was always scheming and if she came out of hiding now it was more than just scaring me. No. She wanted something. Maybe she had unfinished business. Maybe she was watching me and Austin. She could've found out about the wedding.I breathed deeply and leaned back trying to relax. How could I focus on wedding plans when I was always on edge?Alexis was gone, but Chloe... Chloe was worse. Chloe knew me better than anyone. She knew how to shake me without ever laying a hand. She ruined my fragile peace with her re
AUSTIN’S POVI sighed in relief once I got into my car after meeting with Zoe. The conversation had gone mostly the way I wanted it to.But when she said she saw someone that looked like Chloe… everything inside me froze.I smiled, reassured her, told her it was impossible. Lied smoothly—like I’d been doing for weeks now. But deep down, I knew she was right. It was Chloe. I had no doubt.Chloe showing herself now… it wasn’t random. It was intentional. She wanted Zoe to see her. She wanted me rattled. And damn it, it was working.I couldn’t breathe properly until I was back in my office with the door locked behind me. I pulled out my phone immediately, dialing the guy I’d tasked to trace the money transfer. My fingers tapped anxiously on the desk as it rang.“Please tell me you’ve got something,” I said the moment he answered.“We traced the funds,” he replied. “But the account was a dead end. Opened under a fake name with false documentation. Most likely a burner account, wiped clean
CHLOE'S POVThe moment I saw the bank notification, a crooked smile curled across my lips.He sent the money.Of course he did. He had no choice. I had him hooked. Austin thought he was in control but I had him right where I wanted him.It wasn't lost on me. They thought they could get rid of me. Like I was just a bad memory they could bury and forget. But here I am. Breathing. Watching. Planning.He was sure he’d cleaned up well, covered his tracks perfectly. A calculated escape plan for Alexis, so smooth and silent. But I was the surprise waiting. I’d been watching—hiding, yes—but not disappearing. I’ve lived in the corners of their perfect little lives ever since I barely escaped the police that day at the warehouse. Every headline, every whisper, every smirk between them—I saw it all.And I waited.Because Chloe Packer doesn’t just vanish.Blackmailing Austin? That was easy. Almost too easy. He was shaking already—scared of what a single photo could do. A photo that could tear dow
AUSTIN’S POV “I wished I could've captured Owen’s face today and have it framed.” I said to myself, smiling broadly. I was driving back to my office after the conference meeting, drumming my fingers on the wheel feeling excited. I had destroyed Owen’s last chance and taken away his dreams of a life with Zoe. I was bursting with excitement and pride after seeing the look on Owen’s face when I told him I was marrying Zoe. His face showed pure shock and hurt. It was satisfying to see. Like I had landed a huge victory. I'd won. I had Jamie. Zoe said yes. I had the life I wanted within arm’s reach. All I had to do was move fast and seal it soon. A quiet wedding. No unnecessary guests. Just a celebration of the life I was finally building. For me. For Jamie.But one thing was holding me back. Chloe.I held the wheel firmly. Chloe. Of all people. I had completely forgotten about her. Why now of all times?She was the only crack in my perfect reflection. I never thought she’d be at a lo
OWEN'S POVIt was one of those mornings where the weight in my chest felt heavier than usual. Sleep hadn’t come easily the night before, not that it had in the past one week since Alexis disappeared. I couldn’t stop thinking about possibilities, dead ends and regrets. I was trying hard to find her, to prove her father was involved and help Zoe feel safe again. I was still holding on but each day away from Zoe felt like I was losing her more.The business conference at the Harbour Convention Centre had been on my calendar for weeks. I wasn’t up for it but my assistant said I had to attend. I had to put on a good face when I felt like I was breaking down.The hall was getting packed when I entered. People networked with fake grins and champagne. I smiled at people I knew, made small talk with strangers but I wasn’t paying attention. That was until I saw him—Austin.He spotted me too."Owen" he said, walking up to me with confidence. He had a big grin."Austin" I nodded firmly. "I wasn’t