MasukKARLINE’S POINT OF VIEW He didn’t ask me where I wanted to sit. He just carried me straight through the glass doors, out onto the terrace, where the noise of the party faded into something distant and dull. Cool night air brushed against my skin, sharp and grounding. The city lights below shimmered like they had nothing to do with us. Reid lowered me onto the outdoor sofa carefully, like I might shatter if he moved too fast. I immediately crossed my arms. “Oh, don’t look so heroic,” I snapped. “You’d think you just rescued a kitten from a tree.” He ignored the comment. Which irritated me more than if he’d snapped back. “You’re rolling your ankle,” he said, kneeling in front of me. “Don’t move.” I rolled my eyes so hard it hurt. “I said I’m fine.” He didn’t reply. He just turned and walked away. “For God’s sake,” I muttered. “Unbelievable.” I tried to stand. The second my foot touched the ground, white-hot pain shot up my leg and I sucked in a breath, clutching the sofa.
KARLINE'S POINNT OF VIEWHer face plunged into the cake.Cream exploded everywhere. White frosting smeared across her cheeks, her nose, her lips. The knife clattered loudly onto the table.At the same time, I lost my footing completely and crashed hard into the right side of the table, my hip slamming painfully against the edge as I stumbled down, hiting the floor.Silence.Pure, stunned silence.The floor was colder than I expected.That was my first thought as my body hit it, sharp pain ripping through my ankle like someone had snapped a wire inside me. I clenched my teeth hard enough that my jaw hurt, refusing to give the room the satisfaction of a scream.Then everything exploded.Then,“Oh my God!”“What just happened?”“Did she fall?”“Is that cake on her face?”Cameras went wild.Natalie lifted her head slowly.Her hair was ruined. Frosting dripped from her lashes. The front of her dress was soaked in cream and crumbs. Her mouth opened in shock before twisting into a horrified
KARLINE'S POINT OF VIEW The music swelled slowly, like the hall itself was inhaling before a performance. Glasses chimed, heels clicked, laughter floated in polished bursts that sounded rehearsed rather than real.That’s when I saw him.Reid.He was walking in with James beside him, tall as ever, shoulders straight, suit perfectly tailored, black, expensive, effortless. The kind of man who belonged in rooms like this. The kind of man who had once belonged to me.My chest tightened before I could stop it.His eyes found me almost immediately.They always did.His expression softened, just a little, and then he smiled. Not the corporate smile. Not the one he gave investors or reporters. The one he used to give me when he wanted to check if I was okay without making it obvious.He stopped in front of me.“How’s Ethan?” he asked gently.For half a second, I almost forgot where we were.“He’s doing good,” I replied. My voice came out even. Controlled. “Doctor allowed him to stay home for
THIRD PERSON POINT OF VIEWKarline paid the taxi driver and stepped out into the cold evening air, the Imperial Hall rising before her like something carved out of arrogance and wealth. Marble steps gleamed under golden lights, and the entrance shimmered with crystal chandeliers that could probably feed a family for a year if sold.She adjusted her coat, squared her shoulders, and walked forward.At the entrance, a uniformed guard lifted his hand.“Invitation, ma’am.”Karline didn’t flinch. She reached into her bag and pulled out her company ID, holding it out calmly.“I’m with Carter Enterprises,” she said evenly.The guard examined it, then glanced at her face, recognition flickering in his eyes. After a brief nod, he stepped aside.“Please proceed.”The metal detector beeped softly as she passed through security. Another guard waved her on, and just like that, she crossed the threshold.The moment she stepped inside, her breath caught.The hall was… overwhelming.Golden drapes casc
THIRD PERSON POINT OF VIEWMorning arrived quietly.Not the rushed, sterile kind that lived inside hospital corridors, but a soft, domestic morning that crept in through half-open curtains and settled gently inside the apartment. Sunlight spilled across the kitchen tiles, warming the edges of the wooden table, touching everything like a promise.Ethan sat on the chair with his legs swinging freely, feet never quite touching the floor. He wore his favorite soft pajamas, the ones with faded cartoon dinosaurs printed across the fabric. His hair was still a mess from sleep, sticking up at the back no matter how many times it was smoothed down.In front of him was a bowl of cereal, floating happily in warm milk.He wasn’t feeding himself.Small fingers were lazy this morning.Instead, his grandmother sat close beside him, spoon in hand, scooping gently and lifting it toward his mouth with patient care.“Open,” she said softly.Ethan opened his mouth obediently, eyes half-lidded as the spoo
THIRD PERSON POINT OF VIEWAFTER SOME WEEKS. AT MARGARET CARTER'S APARTMENTThe room was dressed in quiet luxury.Cream-colored walls, high ceilings edged with gold detailing, heavy curtains drawn just enough to let the afternoon light spill across the polished marble floor. Everything smelled faintly of roses and expensive perfume.Natalie sat on the edge of the velvet sofa, legs crossed, hands folded neatly in her lap. She looked perfect. Too perfect. Hair styled without a strand out of place, makeup flawless, smile soft and practiced.Margaret stood near the window, her back straight, posture sharp as ever. She held a porcelain teacup between her fingers, barely sipping, eyes thoughtful as she looked out at the city below.Natalie broke the silence first.“Mrs. Carter,” she said sweetly, tilting her head, “I truly don’t know how to thank you.”Margaret turned slowly, one eyebrow lifting. “For what, dear?”“For the party,” Natalie said, her voice warm with admiration. “An imperial h







