—SAMANTHA— I saw it.His shoulders went tight, and his smile disappeared for a second. He didn’t hug her. He didn’t lean in. He just stood there, still holding Amore, his face unreadable.Jessica didn’t seem to notice—or maybe she didn’t care. She just kept smiling and turned her head toward the crowd, lifting her head proudly at the crowd. I looked at Dalton. My fingers clenched subconsciously, I didn’t say anything.He turned his head slightly, and our eyes met. There was something in his gaze… something I didn’t understand.But I held it. I didn’t look away.Even when it hurt, I didn’t look away.The air around us grew tense. Silence fills the air. People were watching us, others were stealing glances at me. It was quiet for a moment—too quiet. The music still played in background, but no one moved.Then Henrietta rushed in with too much excitement in her voice.“Grandma is finally here!” she announced loudly.Her words broke the stillness like a rock through glass.Everyone q
—SAMANTHA— The car pulled up to Serenity Villa, and I could hear the party before I even stepped out. Music, laughter, glasses clinking. There were so many people outside. I saw the huge yard filled with people. Important people. The richest families in Skyline City stood everywhere, dressed in expensive clothes. I even spotted some foreign guests in the crowd. Some people were dancing to the music, some were drinking champagne and talking in small groups, and others just walked around, shaking hands and smiling, probably trying to make new friends or build business ties.Montclair servants moved through the crowd with trays of food and drinks. Classical music played in the background. The whole place felt alive with energy. My heart started to race. Just as we got out of the car, we heard a man’s voice. "Dalton! You're here!" A man pushed through the crowd toward us and was jogging towards the parking lot. Tall, with messy brown hair and a bright smile. “Hey, Logan,” Da
—SAMANTHA— The morning light crept through the curtains, but it didn’t feel warm or comforting. I woke up feeling tired… and completely drained. My whole body felt heavy, like I had not rested at all. Probably because I hadn’t.Truly, I had spent the entire night thinking. Thinking about what happened between me and Dalton.I lay there, staring at the ceiling, my heart aching, my head racing.My mind had been restless, replaying every word, every look, every breath from the moment with Dalton.Every time I close my eyes, I saw him. His hands on me. His mouth claiming mine. Then they way he'd whispered about that night—that damned night that wasn't even mine to remember. “Shit,” a shaky breath escaped me as I pressed my palms to my eyes. Jesus.How was I supposed to face him after that?Frustrated, I rolled out of my bed and dragged myself to the shower. Inside, I turned the water as hot as I could stand. It didn't help. Nothing could scrub away the memory of Dalton's touch,
—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