Clara's POVThe banquet is just two days away, and I've started my preparations. I talked to the house assistants, and I felt a great sense of relief knowing they were eager to help me out.I also requested that they correct me if I made any mistakes, as this was my first time organizing an event like this. Since Iris Morgan is taking care of the invitation, my only task is to get the house ready and prepare food for her guests. "Ma'am, have you decided about the food yet? I'm here to assist you with your order. I have a suggestion of some restaurant that the Morgan family relies on." Sarah said.She’s one of the house assistants, and she’s been helping me since this morning. She listened patiently to all my worries and ramblings, even the pointless ones all at once."Seriously? That's awesome. I'll reach out to them later; could you share their contact information with me?""Sure, ma'am.""But..." I looked around the kitchen. I sense that something is lacking if I don't take a hands
Clara's POVI tried to get Zoe out of the kitchen. She's a terrible actor pretending to be helpful. Even though she claimed she had been cooking since she got married, I could tell she was not being truthful by the way she gripped the mixer and how she always recoiled at the thought of cracking an egg."What are we going to create?" She strolled over and inquired, leaving behind the blended flour and eggs."Blini. It's a classic Russian pancake. But I'm gonna add some creation."She looks confused for a while but then her face lights up with excitement. "Awesome! I’ve been making such a thing since I was eleven! This isn't hard at all."I smiled. Whatever she said."Then could you please gather the necessary ingredients while I grab the other tools?" Zoe's expression shifted immediately. I noticed she was looking for a reason.She clicked her tongue, "Ah Clara, it's already a very long time since the last time I made such a thing. I can't remember what ingredients I need to make it."
Clara's POV"Yeah, I know." He's correct, and now I can't shake this feeling of guilt. I should have been more cautious; now I'm slowing down the work.Keith guided me to a chair and called over one of the maids to fetch a first aid kit. He treated my wound and then applied some red medicine. I winced, trying to suppress the pain despite his gentle touch."Is it hurt?" I shook my head. He offered a faint smile. Keith helped me put a bandage on my hurt finger. "You can sit here. I'll finish your work." He said.But I got up quickly "No, that's not necessary. I can still get it done.""Clara, you just cut your finger. What if you end up losing it later?" I frowned at his words. The thought of it sent a chill down my spine, and I reflexively nudged him with my elbow. "That's awful." Keith laughed, "I told you. Just allow me to take care of it. It's just a simple task. Do you think I can't manage it?"It's not that I don't trust him, it's just that I don't want to bother anyone. And t
Clara's POVAt last, the banquet night has arrived. I’ve been preparing since the evening. Even though I wanted to do my makeup myself, Keith was adamant that I should have a professional makeup artist and hairstylist take care of my appearance. Now I feel just like someone stepping onto a runway instead of attending a banquet."Let me know if the model isn't to your liking. I'll make the change." The hairstylist said to me. "Is it done?""Yes ma'am. Please take a look at the mirror."I got up and walked over to the dressing table to see how I looked. As I stood before the mirror, a stranger's reflection met my gaze.Her makeup is somewhat bold, not overly flashy, yet not as natural as her usual look. Her auburn hair is elegantly styled in an updo, with a few strands softly framing her face. Her beauty looks unreal and elegant, and what's truly surprising is that the woman in the mirror is me. "What do you think?" The hairstylist asks me. "Do you like it?""Yeah. I like it so much. T
James' POVClara looks stunning tonight. I have to be honest, even if it's hard to say. She had never applied heavy makeup to her face before. And though she is always lovely, she often looks bland.Tonight, she donned a gown that wealthy women heading to an extravagant banquet would wear. Why has she never dressed like this before? It looks good on her.I was completely captivated by her while she spoke with Mrs. Sofia Martinez, a close friend of my mother who was coming over at her invitation. Zoe stood next to me, her eyes fixed on them as well.I hadn't noticed my wife until it struck me that she seemed unwell."What's wrong? Are you okay?" I placed my hand on my wife's shoulder, feeling a bit concerned as I noticed her looking somewhat troubled.Zoe just shook her head and offered a faint smile. "I'm good."Still, I knew she wasn't being honest. Then I realized what was making her look a bit cloudy like this.Mrs. Martinez praised Clara but entirely ignored Zoe during their earli
Clara's POV"Where are you taking me? Just leave me alone!" I yelled as James pulled me to the corner by the wrist as if I were just some animal.I politely asked him to let me go, but he ignored me. So now I didn't care anymore if anyone heard my screams.When James finally released me, my wrist was bruised and aching from what he had done. I held it tightly with my other hand. I shot him a look full of anger, but he met it with a completely unrepentant face. Yesterday, I believed he had changed from the terrible man I once knew, but today he proved me wrong. "What do you want?" I snapped."First things first, go ahead and change your clothes and wash that makeup off your face," James said.That instantly triggered my anger. Who does he think he is to give me orders like this? He really crossed the line this time. "No." I was on the verge of leaving when James stopped me and held me in place. I glanced around. Where's his wife who looked so upset with me before? I searched everywhe
Clara's POVTheir disdainful glances, the way they make me feel like I'm less than human, it's all just too much to bear. I just couldn't keep it in any longer. I spun on my heel and hurried away. I didn't pay attention to the hall buzzing with guests and servants moving about.I didn't see when a servant walked in my direction with a tray full of drinks. We collided and the drinks splashed onto my dress before I had a chance to prevent it."I'm so sorry ma'am. I wasn't focused" The servant said, swiftly assisting me in getting to my feet."It's alright." She offered to help me, but I declined and quickly made my way to the bathroom.Looking into the mirror, I see that my dress is stained all over. This stain isn't going to budge, no matter how hard I try to clean it. So I went upstairs to my room to completely change my clothes.I put on my other gown, which is still new and clean. Checking my reflection in the mirror before heading downstairs.I wasn't really in the mood to return t
Clara's POVThe following morning, my head is pounding with pain. I opened my eyes and got out of bed to grab a glass of water from the nightstand. The pain in my head clouded my vision and threw me off balance; rather than grabbing the glass, I inadvertently bumped it, causing it to shatter on the floor. It fell apart right away."Shit,"Just as I was about to pick up the shards of glass strewn across the floor, the door to my bedroom suddenly swung open. Sarah and Layla rushed into my room."Mommy?" My daughter shouted and rushed to my side. She noticed the broken glass and glanced at me with concern. "Mommy you okay?""Just leave it, ma'am, let me clean it up." Sarah made me go, and then she gathered the pieces. "Did all the guests leave already, Sarah?" I asked. I needed to check that the house was clear before stepping out of my bedroom.I'm feeling dizzy and just can't deal with anyone else today. I needed a moment to clear my head."Yes ma'am," Sarah answered."Mr. James and h
Keith's POVHave you ever felt that moment when you finally get what you want, yet it leaves you with an emptiness? The satisfaction, happiness, and sense of victory that should have accompanied it, seem to just vanish into thin air.I feel completely empty, lacking any sense of fulfillment even after finally being able to breathe the fresh air outside the damned cell. This should be the moment for me to go ahead and carry out my plan. Without Clara by my side, the spark of life within me has... faded away.What did I do wrong?What did I do to deserve her hatred?Maybe, I have gone too far. But believe me, I did this solely because I wanted her to return to me, as she was meant to. Clara belongs to me.Back in those times when my brother treated her more like a disgrace than a wife, I was always there by her side. I knew that her life had been never easy, so I ensured that in our fake and cold social sphere, she had at least one person she could truly call a friend.This feeling tha
Clara's POVI finally met up with Lily on the same day. But not at the penthouse where her friend took her; instead, it was at one of the cafes. Lily said that her friend is somewhat shy and doesn't like to meet new people. I don't mind about the meeting location, as long as I can finally see her and make sure she's okay."Clara," Lily got to her feet as soon as I got to her table. I was silent, completely at a loss for words. What left me utterly speechless wasn't her, but rather her 'friend.' So this is the man she has been calling friend all along? I needed to raise my gaze when he finally got up. I'm not sure of his exact height, but it's pretty obvious that he's around 6,7 feet tall. He's so handsome, but not in the typical way that most looks. I have no idea where Lily even met him. "Hey, you must be Clara. Great to meet you." He said, reaching out his hand. I accepted his handshake even though the way he was looking at me made me feel a shiver down my spine. It feels like
Clara's POV"We’ve located the address. It's still in New York." James said. I quickly got up and made my way over to him and his subordinates who assisted us in locating Lily. Since I didn't have much information about her actual location, we just tracked her using the number she called me. I have no idea whose number it was. James shared with me the outcome of Lily's whereabouts. And sure enough, it's still in New York City. I narrowed my eyes, spotting the spot where the phone number was located. The area felt somewhat familiar.I realized it's due to its spot in the city center; the location is pretty upscale. But Lily mentioned that she was kidnapped. I never even thought about this place before. The person who kidnapped her definitely wasn't poor; they could afford to live in that neighborhood. "Do you happen to know anyone who lives there, Miss? Could it be her friend?"I just shook my head. Unfortunately, I don't know who Lily's friends are around here. I don't have their
Lily's POVAshley snatched the phone from my hand just as I was about to wrap up my conversation with Clara. Shit! “You said you were only going to order food? Who did you just ring up?" She asked, her voice raised. "I-" For a moment, I found myself hesitant, too anxious to answer after just being caught red-handed. But suddenly, it dawned on me that I really shouldn't have. Cause there's no chance I'm sticking around here forever, right? Iits my right if I tried to find a way to escape this place.I don’t need to be scared. Especially since Dominic's actions went against my wishes. I can't just accept this and remain quiet. I have to stand my ground. "Answer me." "Yes!. I just called the cops!" I responded with just as much intensity. Ashley was mistaken if she thought I would feel intimidated simply due to my status as a captive. She just confronted Lily Russel. She had no idea how headstrong I could be. “Cops?”"Yes! Soon they'll come and arrest your master. Does he believ
Clara's POVWhen I woke up, my body was aching. I spent a few minutes stretching before getting up to check on Layla. She was still asleep, so I went to the kitchen to get a drink and then headed to the living room. I settled into the couch, my gaze locked on the door.I was kind of hoping it would open and that Lily would appear. She really should have come back to let me know that she was okay. Instead of just vanishing without any trace.Lily already mentioned she wouldn't be staying in my apartment forever, but she hasn't said when she's planning to move out. I didn't expect that she would move out this quickly, especially without giving me a heads-up. Opening my phone, I tried to dial her number. "Can you please answer it, Lily?" I began to feel that anxiety creeping back in.Once more, an automated voice picked up the call. I didn't have the number for her friend to reach out to and I had no idea where to find her. She really shouldn't have just vanished like this.Her careles
Lily's POVMy head hurt, I blinked a few times, trying to lift myself. I reached out for anything nearby to steady myself."Ouch, what just happened to me?" I rubbed my temples. It feels just like that moment when I dozed off at three in the afternoon and woke up all confused. I can't even tell if it's day or night. I can't even tell where I am right now.I shifted my gaze to the unfamiliar room around me. This isn't Clara's place. I didn't even like the apartment I checked out to live in. This feels like it’s straight out of a penthouse, something I could never dream of affording. How did I end up here in the first place?I tried to remember what was happening before I lost consciousness and the memory slowly came back into my mind. Oh, god....Keith Morgan came to Clara's apartment. He claimed that he wanted to see me. And then...That dick! He drugged me! He applied something to that cloth that caused me to pass out. Before he did, I recall him mentioning that someone wanted to m
Lily's POVA week later.I got back to Clara's apartment in NYC three days ago. Clara, James, Layla, and I are heading back to New York today. I had to leave before them because of some things I needed to take care of. I just finished my shower and answered a call from my mother, she asked how everything was going. Before I left LA, I told them that besides meeting Clara, I was going to look for a job here. It wasn't a lie, I want the opportunity to work in this city.My phone buzzed with another incoming call. “What’s up, Josh?” I nervously bit my tongue, waiting for his response. Why did he call me? Is it related to that man again? "Are you still in Italy?" "No. I'm back here again. What is it?" “Sounds good, let’s meet up. I have so much I want to share with you."“Yeah, of course.”I'll head to the airport to pick up Clara in the evening and I don't have anything planned for today beside it. It's still early, and rather than sitting here feeling bored, why not take Josh up on
Selena's POVAs soon as I received a call from Mrs. Iris Morgan, I grabbed my purse and headed downstairs right away. I hopped in a taxi to her penthouse and told the driver to speed like the wind. Keith is free.Can you even believe that? At last, he's out of prison. I'm not sure what finally clicked for James Morgan and made him see things differently. I'm glad he finally understood that his actions towards Keith were unacceptable. How could he possibly lock up his brother just for that woman?As soon as I got there, I settled up with the driver and made my way to Iris's floor. As I reached the door, I pushed it open just like she instructed and stepped into the main room. Seeing Keith there made my heart burst with joy. I held back the impulse to shout with happiness and strolled over to him."Keith!" I exclaimed, "Oh thank God! You are finally free! You finally made it out of that awful place! At last, James had a change of heart and let you go!" I couldn't hold back my joy, s
Clara's POVThe dinner was great. I have no regrets about accepting James' invitation. He's sticking to his word about just wanting to have dinner together and nothing more. And now, we’re strolling through the vast green fields that stretch out on either side of us. Pine trees standing tall, white cobblestone path under our feet."What does Layla think of this trip so far? Is she feeling happy?" James asked. As I glanced over at him, I noticed a worry etched on his face. “She is.” He probably noticed it on his own. Layla hasn't stopped smiling since we got here. I'm thankful that I agreed with James when he decided to invite her on this trip. Took a break from my hectic daily routine and flew to this gorgeous place made me feel like I didn't want to go back. Why can't I just stay here forever? I took out my phone to snap some pictures of the stunning scenery when I heard James ask. "How about you?""Sorry, what did you just say?" I wasn't quite catching what he was asking abou