—SAMANTHA— By the time I reached the city hospital, the pain was unbearable. Every movement sent a sharp sting through my face and hands, but I pushed forward, ignoring the concerned glances from the public and hospital staff. A nurse guided me to a small examination room, where a doctor, a middle-aged doctor with kind grey eyes, carefully examined my burns. He applied a cool ointment over the affected areas, offering a reassuring smile. “You’re lucky,” he said gently. “The burns aren’t severe. This ointment will help with the healing, and it shouldn’t leave any scars.” I let out a shaky breath, nodding. “Thank you, doctor.” He handed me the ointment. “Just be careful next time.” Careful next time? I bit my inner cheek. There was no “next time.” This wasn’t an accident. Georgia had thrown that tea at me on purpose, and everyone knew it. I left the ward, cradling the ointment in my palm. My mind was a mess, clouded with pain, exhaustion, and the humiliation I had endure
—SAMANTHA—Maryjane.She was marching toward us, her face twisted in a glare so fierce I thought she might actually lunge at Zeke.I quickly stepped in front of her, blocking her path. "Maryjane, stop," I whispered urgently.She halted, her eyes scanning me, and the second she noticed my bruised eye, the bandage on my cheek, and my burned hand—her entire expression shifted. Shock. Rage."What the hell happened to you? You look like a mummy!” She hissed, her fists clenching.I shook my head awkwardly, feeling discomfort, as I grabbed her arms before she could do anything reckless. "Maryjane, please—""Step aside, Samantha!” She growled, her voice low and dangerous. "I’m going to beat the living shit out of him!” "No!” I tightened my grip, my hands trembling as I held her back. "Not here. Not now!” Zeke let out a scoff, folding his arms across his chest. "Look at this. Samantha, you brought your little street dog to fight your battles now?"Maryjane's entire body tensed. "You prick!"
—SAMANTHA— While Maryjane drove, I scrolled through the comments online, my fingers trembling slightly. The netizens were already deep in discussion, dissecting every detail of the scandal.Some mocked my poor background, while others fawned over Ophelia, praising her success as a designer abroad. A debate had sparked between those supporting the "mistress" and those sympathizing with the "legal wife."@FashionQueen23: "Ugh, why is everyone blaming Ophelia? She’s a successful designer abroad, and this country bumpkin Samantha is just leeching off the Frost name. Zeke deserves better!"@AlphaMale99: "Mistress or legal wife? Who's really the victim here? Honestly, if Zeke loves Ophelia, shouldn’t he be with her?"@SpillTheTea: "Forget the love triangle. The REAL scandal is Mrs. Frost’s past. Didn’t she sleep with a gigolo on her wedding night and get pregnant?!"I swallowed hard, my grip tightening on the phone.@TruthSeeker88: "That’s just a rumor. Zeke claimed the kid as his, so obv
—SAMANTHA— After spending some time with Grandma, I finally left the Frost Villa. As soon as I walked outside, Maryjane rushed toward me, her face full of anticipation."How did it go?" she asked, searching my face for answers.I let out a tired sigh. "I told you, nothing ever changes in that house." Then, I briefly explained what had happened and how Ophelia stole the spotlight as usual. By the time I finished, my voice drained of energy. Weakly, I said. "Just take me home, Mary."Maryjane hissed, rolling her eyes. "Ugh, those Frosts, especially that witch, Ophelia! I swear, if you just give me the word, I’ll—"I shook my head, cutting her off. And this made her angry, and she resorted to cursing. I let her. I knew this was just her way of venting since I wouldn’t let her do anything reckless.We got into the car, and I leaned my head against the seat, closing my eyes to escape reality for a little while.The next thing I felt was someone shaking me gently."Samantha, wake up."B
—SAMANTHA— The next day, I spent most of my time indoors, sitting by Amore’s bedside, unwilling to leave her side. But I noticed the atmosphere in the mansion has changed. It was chaotic, as the servants scurried around, their hushed whispers filling the corridors. I knew what was happening. They were preparing for Ophelia’s birthday.I wished I could stay with Amore, who had caught a cold and couldn’t go to school. I wanted nothing more than to keep her company, to shield her from the chaos of the mansion. But deep down, I knew I couldn’t avoid the party, especially since the old Mr Frost had ordered for this. This was an opportunity to divert the netizens' attention. The last thing I wanted was to give them more reason to gossip, and even more reason to give them the chance to come near Amore. The hours seemed to drag as I stayed indoors, tending to Amore’s every need. The doctor had visited earlier, diagnosing her with the flu and advising plenty of rest. As worried as I was, h
—SAMANTHA—I chuckled, leaning in close to his handsome face, my breath brushing against his skin as I whispered back, "Then get your hands off me, Zeke. You make me uncomfortable."For a brief moment, he froze, the smirk on his face faltering. But it came back quickly, sharper this time."You're shameless," he sneered. "I know you're playing hard to get so I’ll fall for you, but it won’t work. It's Ophelia I want, not you! Sooner or later, I’ll divorce you!"Our faces were so close, I could feel the heat from his skin, but no one knew what we were actually saying. They only saw the facade, the perfect little couple putting on a show. But I could hear the whispers, people commenting on how good we looked together, how in love we seemed.Suddenly, there was a loud gasp. I turned my head and saw Ophelia shrinking back, a drink splashing across her dress. Zeke was instantly at her side, his hand on her shoulder as if he were some kind of knight."What happened?" He asked, his voice tin
—SAMANTHA— The sharp sting burned across my cheek, forcing my head to the side. For a moment, I stood there in shock, my skin pulsing where Ophelia struck me. But before I could say anything, she let out a loud, exaggerated gasp of her own and clutched her cheek as if she had been the one hurt.Then she started crying.“Why… why did you slap me, Samantha?!” She wailed, tears threatening to spill from her eyes, but I could see the malicious gleam behind them.I froze, caught off guard. My eyes widened in disbelief and anger. Just then, footsteps sounded from behind, and I turned to see Lillian standing at the end of the stairs. She took one look at Ophelia’s tear-streaked face, and her eyes immediately locked on me with an accusing glare.Lillian’s face darkened. “Did you just hit her?”“No!” I shook my head quickly. “I didn't! She—” "Don’t even try to deny it," my sister in law snapped at me. "I saw you hit her!"My hands trembled at my sides. "I said I didn’t touch her!" Ophelia
—SAMANTHA— Lillian looked on coldly, as if she didn’t care at all. Ophelia, too, seemed unaffected. All I could see was my daughter lying there, so vulnerable, and it was as if my whole world had shattered.A sudden rumble cracked outside, and the sky opened up. Rain poured rebelliously, hammering down on the roof as if the heavens themselves were angry. The thunder that followed was so loud, it rattled the walls of the mansion. The storm matched the chaos inside. I sat on the cold floor, cradling Amore in my arms. Her small body was unnervingly still, her face pale as a ghost, her eyes closed. The cold from her skin seeped into me, and I could feel my entire body trembling. Tears blurred my vision as I rocked her, calling her name over and over, but she didn’t stir.Then I heard footsteps.Zeke rushed into the room with my mother-in-law close behind him. I guess the birthday party was over since it was raining. They froze when they saw me, my arms wrapped tightly around Amore. H
—SAMANTHA— Suddenly the sound of Amore’s laughter outside the car shattered the moment like fragile glass. “Jesus Christ! Amore is here!” I panicked and jerked back, my pulse roaring in my ears as Dalton finally let me go. He muttered a curse under his breath. His expression was unreadable, but his fingers flexed slightly, as if already missing the contact. I scrambled to fix my hair, my cheeks burning. What the hell was that?! When the car door swung open, Amore’s bright voice filled the silence. "Mom! Dad! Grandma let me bake cookies—" She froze, her big eyes darting between us. "Why are you guys just sitting here?" Dalton cleared his throat, shifting effortlessly into the role of the easygoing father. "Just talking, kiddo. Cookies, huh? Save any for us?" Amore giggled, oblivious to the tension still crackling in the air. "Maybe if you’re lucky!" I forced a smile, but my hands trembled and unbuckled my seatbelt. Dalton’s touch still burned against my skin, his words echoing
—SAMANTHA— I forced myself to breathe. "Why are you doing this, Veronica?” Veronica stepped closer, her lips curling with a menacing grim. “I am only asking for money as your mother, what's wrong with that?" "You were never my mother!" I spat, my fingers tightening around the fabric of my gown. "A mother doesn't beat her child and throw her out in the rain for not doing the laundry. A mother doesn't—" "Oh spare me the dramatics," Veronica cut me off with a wave of her hand. "We both know I saved you from far worse." Her cold eyes raked over my dress. "Though I never imagined you'd repay me by whoring yourself to a billionaire." The slap came before I could stop myself. The sound echoed through the boutique like a gunshot. Veronica's head snapped to the side, her perfectly coiffed hair coming undone. For a heartbeat, no one moved. Then Penelope shrieked. "You bitch! How dare you slap my mother?!" She lunged at me, her manicured nails aimed at my face. I caught her wrists
—SAMANTHA— Jessica's voice was like poison in my ears. She stepped closer, wearing a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. It was evil. Cold. And it sent chills down my spine. I didn’t move. I stood my ground, refusing to let her see how uneasy I felt.She leaned close, her perfume stinging my nose. “I’m warning you. Stay away from Dalton, Samantha. You’re not in his league. You’re just… temporary. A toy. Something new and shiny he’ll soon throw away!" Her words were ruthless, like ice crawling down my back. But I didn’t move. I didn’t step away. I kept my eyes on her, even though I wanted to stagger. My hands were tight fists at my sides. My nails dug into my palms, but I didn’t care. I just needed to stay strong in front of her. I knew what she was trying to do: break me down, scare me. But I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction.She studied me for a long, suffocating moment before her lips twisted. "Enjoy your borrowed time because it wont last," she finally murmured, so low only I co
—SAMANTHA— I left Shirley’s office with the jewelry box held tightly in my hand. My heart wouldn’t stop pounding. I couldn’t even think straight. That necklace—it was too much. Too beautiful. Too expensive. Too… personal.Why would Dalton give something like that to me?My fingers tightened around the velvet case as I marched down the sleek hallway of Apex Corporation, my heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. Employees whispered as I passed, their eyes darting between my face and the box I carried like it was a ticking bomb. I ignored them. Right now, only one person had the answers I needed. "Dalton," I muttered under my breath, picking up my pace. But just as I reached his office door, Adam appeared in front of me, stepping smoothly into my path. I frowned. “Excuse me. I need to talk to Dalton.”Adam gave a polite smile, but his tone was firm. “Mr. Montclair is currently in a meeting. He left instructions for me to take you to the dress store. Your appointment is a
—SAMANTHA— The moment after Adam walked out and the door clicked shut, her demeanor completely changed. She circled me like an artist studying a muse, her gaze lingering on my still-red cheek. The same spot Jessica had slapped."So…" she mused, "you’re the woman who made Dalton Montclair kick his fianceé out." My breath caught. "That’s not—""Relax, my darling," she chuckled, waving one hand airily as she walked back to her desk. "I’ve been waiting years for someone to put Jessica in her place."I blinked. "H-huh?"Was this a trick?Her stiletto heels clicked softly against the glossy floor as she moved behind her desk. Her hands, delicate and elegant, moved over a row of small velvet boxes laid out like treasure. She touched each one lightly, like she was deciding on picking the best treasure among them. She picked up a black velvet box and walked back over to me, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips."Dalton’s instructions were very specific," she said, handing me the
—SAMANTHA POV— My heart stuttered when Dalton's command sliced through the silence. "Come here." Two simple words that sent my pulse skittering. I hadn't realized I'd been frozen in place. Maybe for two minutes... maybe longer. I didn’t know until his voice snapped me out of it, my feet suddenly heavy as lead. "I won't repeat myself, Samantha." he said, his voice lower this time... almost dangerous.Swallowing the knot in my throat, the warning in his tone had me moving before I could think better of it. Each step felt stiff, awkward, like I was walking straight into the lion’s den. My fingers twisted together as I crossed the office, each step measured, too aware of his gaze tracking my every movement like a predator watching prey. Did he want to scold me? Did he want to hit me after all I slapped his fianceé? Finally, when I reached Dalton’s Massive desk, my toes curled in my shoes. I lifted my eyes slowly, feeling painfully aware of the silence in the office.Dalton’s han
—SAMANTHA— Jessica slammed the office door shut with enough force to make the glass walls tremble. The Valentino heels stabbed into the marble floor like talons as she advanced towards me. The diamond bracelet on her wrist caught the light as she pointed at me. "You." Her voice could have flash-frozen the Hudson River. "Get out of my fiancé's chair!" My fingers tightened around the armrests of the sofa. Every instinct screamed to stand my ground, but I didn’t want any trouble either. So without saying anything, I quietly stood up and moved aside.Jessica Jessica's crimson lips curled in triumph as she swept past me, her heavily perfumed presence filled my lungs, making me nauseous. Flipping her hair, she walked to the sofa like she owned the place. Then she sat down with so much arrogance, crossing her legs elegantly over each the other, acting like a queen.I felt uncomfortable standing there with her, so I turned to leave.But before I could take a step, her annoying voice sto
—SAMANTHA POV— Dalton and I sat at the back seat of the Maybach while James drove us to God knows where.I rested my head against the window, watching the city roll by. Tall buildings, busy streets, people rushing about their lives. It all felt like a different world compared to the quiet bubble I was trapped in with Dalton.Before I knew it, the sleek car slowed to a stop. My brows pulled up at the massive skyscraper in front of us.Wait. What?Dalton’s company?The building was huge, towering proudly into the sky.Its glass walls glittered under the sunlight like a mountain made of diamonds. Through the transparent sides, I could even catch glimpses of workers moving professionally inside.People in suits were walking in and out of the entrance, carrying briefcases, while some were standing talking into earpieces looking important.Dalton got out and opened my door without a word."Let's go in," he said simply.I quickly obeyed, and before I could adjust my skirt properly, he had
—SAMANTHA POV— Sunlight spilled through the curtains, painting golden rays across the bed. I stirred, yawning lazily, stretching my arms above my head… only to freeze.Something heavy… something warm… definitely male was draped across my waist.My heart jumped to my throat.Someone was beside me?A man?!Panic jolted through my veins, and I twisted vigorously, ready to fight. But the moment I turned and my eyes landed on him, I went completely still.Dalton.My mouth fell open in shock, and I forgot how to breathe.His face was few inches away from mine, his messy, curly black hair tousled against the pillow, his thick brows resting beautifully on his cheeks, and his lips—God, those full lips slightly parted as he slept. He looked… he looked like a Greek God lying there.Strong. Beautiful. Untouchable.Seconds bled into minutes, and I just kept staring, utterly enthralled."Are you done undressing me with your eyes?" Dalton’s deep voice rumbled low, still lazy with sleep.I jumped,