Monica Banks had it all—beauty, fame, and a rising career as one of the industry's top lingerie models. Her distinctive curves and magnetic presence made her a favorite on every runway and billboard. But at the peak of her success, she gave it all up. Not for herself, but for her father—agreeing to marry Liam McKenzie, a cold and calculating business tycoon, in exchange for a crucial deal that would save her family’s company. The McKenzie family loathed her profession. To them, modeling lingerie was shameful. They gave her a choice: her career or the marriage. Monica chose Liam, foolishly hoping her sacrifice would earn his love. She terminated her contract—despite her agency’s desperate pleas—and stepped away from everything she had built. For three long years, she played the role of the perfect wife and obedient daughter-in-law. And when Liam finally touched her like a husband should, she believed—naively—that she had finally won a place in his heart. That illusion shattered when she returned home early and found him in their bed with another woman. Her sister. Brie Banks. Liam didn’t deny it. He didn’t even apologize. Instead, he coldly revealed that their marriage was nothing more than a favor to his mother. Broken. Betrayed. Humiliated. But Monica had enough . When Spencer McKenzie—Liam’s estranged half-brother, the black sheep of the family blamed for a fire that killed their grandfather—returned to the country, he made her an offer. One that promised revenge. A scandalous one, She accepted. --- “Are you insane, Spencer? You’re stirring up a scandal with my wife!” Liam’s voice thundered through the room, his eyes blazing. His lips twitch"No you stay away from her, she's mine now."
もっと見るMonica clutched the sheets tightly as Liam opened the cabinet. She held her breath, afraid to move, afraid to break the moment.
It had been three years. Three silent, distant years—and now, finally, he had touched her. She watched him as he searched through the cabinet, her eyes tracing the lines of his bare back. His body still made her breath catch. He shut the cabinet and turned. Their eyes met. Her heart skipped. Monica froze when she saw the small foil packet in his hand. A condom. Her heart thudded. They were married. Why would he need that? Doesn’t he want to have a child with me? The thought stung. She laid there, quiet, holding the sheets tighter around her. Why does this feel like a hookup? she wondered. Why not like a wife? All these thoughts raced through her head as she watched Liam tear the packet open, calm and focused, like it was just another routine. Was this even love-making, or just sex? It wasn’t how she had pictured their first time. But as Liam climbed into bed and pulled her close, the air rushed out of her lungs. He looked so good—his fingers moving to his belt, his lips brushing her neck. When he gently parted her legs, she didn’t resist. She gave in. It was fine. It had to be. At least now, she told herself, she was one step closer to winning his heart. The Next Day Hours later, Monica stood in the checkout line, her basket filled with Liam’s favorite things—ingredients for that cheesy garlic pasta he loved, the sparkling water he always kept in the fridge, even the chocolate-covered almonds he claimed he didn’t like but always ate. She smiled. He liked her cooking. Monica held the grocery bag close as she got into the cab, her heart still floating from last night. She stepped into the mansion, greeted by the smell of polish and silence. Rose, the maid, hurried over. “I’ll cook tonight,” Monica said, handing her the groceries. “Yes, Ma,” Rose replied, already heading to the kitchen. Monica climbed the stairs slowly, touching the railing like it might steady her racing thoughts. Liam had finally touched her. Three years of waiting, hoping, pretending not to care—and now, something had changed. He made love to her. He kissed her. He held her close. But her smile faded. She remembered the condom in his hand. Why? They were married. Her fingers brushed her stomach as a quiet ache settled in her chest. Didn’t he want a baby with her? Was she still just someone to share the house with? No. She wouldn’t ruin this moment. He was trying. That had to mean something. She always knew Liam hadn’t married her for love. Not at first. But he’d never had a girlfriend before, so she kept hoping. Maybe, one day, he’d feel something for her too. Last night had felt like the start of that. Liam had been her magazine crush long before he became her husband. As a model, Monica had seen her fair share of good-looking men—but Liam was different. Ocean-blue eyes, a sharp jaw, and a smile that looked like it belonged on a billboard. He was the kind of man everyone wanted. The man she had fallen for the moment she saw his photo years ago. She hurried up the stairs, hope bubbling inside her. Maybe things were finally changing. Maybe she should change into something pretty, surprise him. But then she stopped. Right at the top of the stairs—clothes. Not hers. A lace bra. A silky blouse. One red high heel tipped on its side like it had been kicked off in a rush. Monica’s breath caught. Her heart raced. She didn’t move. Couldn’t. Her eyes stayed locked on the mess by their bedroom door. Then, slowly, dread pushed her forward. Her steps were quiet. She stepped over the scattered clothes, each one feeling like a slap. Her hand shook as she reached for the doorknob. And then—she opened the door. From the other side of the door came a voice—soft, familiar, and sweet. “Why don’t you divorce Monica? I’ve waited long enough, Liam.” Monica froze. That voice. She knew it. Every word felt like a knife. Brie. Her sister. The one person she had loved with her whole heart. Then Liam spoke, his voice calm. “You know how much my grandma loves Monica. She has to mess up first before I can divorce her.” Monica’s hand flew to her mouth as a sob escaped. Tears rushed to her eyes, blurring everything. No, this couldn’t be real. But it was. She didn’t need to see more. Her husband. Her sister. In her bed. Tears filled Monica’s eyes as she stepped back, her legs shaky. “But I’m tired of hiding,” Brie said. “Sneaking around is too much. I feel sad all the time.” Monica’s stomach hurt. Sneaking around? So this wasn’t the first time. “Just a little more time, love,” Liam said. Love. He had never called Monica that. She couldn’t breathe. Her throat felt tight. She tried to stay quiet, but a small cough slipped out. Liam and Brie turned fast. Their eyes went wide. They grabbed the sheets, trying to cover up. But it was too late. Monica had seen everything. “Monica!” Liam shouted, jumping out of bed. His face went pale. “How long have you been there?” Brie grabbed the blanket, covering herself. Her voice shook. “I’m sorry, sister. I love Liam. I didn’t mean to hurt you.” Monica just stared at them. Her chest hurt. Her own sister. Her husband. “You don’t need to say sorry,” Liam said fast. “It’s not your fault.” Monica let out a dry laugh. “How long?” she asked. “How long have you been doing this?” Brie looked down. Liam didn’t say anything. “How long?” Monica shouted. Brie whispered, “Three years. We love each other. We want to get married.” Monica’s world stopped. “Three years?” she whispered. “You’ve been cheating since the start?” She stepped back, shaking. “I gave up everything for you. My dreams. My life. For this?” “This marriage was never a choice,” Liam said coldly. “It was just a favor to my mother.” The words hit her like a slap. Monica blinked, her voice shaking. “So all those late nights… the lipstick on your shirt… the dents on your car… You were with Brie? You were with my sister?” More tears spilled, but she didn’t bother wiping them. Brie let out a shaky breath. “Look, sister… I didn’t mean for it to happen like this.” Monica turned to her, her face pale. “You didn’t mean to? All those nights I tried to get close to my own husband—he was already giving himself to you.” Her voice broke as she whispered, “I waited for him… I stayed loyal… I loved him.” Liam’s eyes narrowed. “Stop whining like a baby.” Her tears poured as she grabbed a photo frame and threw it. “You’re both shameless!” Brie covered her belly. “Stop! You’ll hurt the baby!” Monica froze. “Baby?” Her voice was small. “You’re pregnant?” Liam rushed over and grabbed Monica’s arm, pushing her away from Brie. She fell. “You pushed me…” she whispered. “You were going to hurt my child,” Liam said, his voice cold. Monica laughed, but it sounded broken. “Your child? With my sister?” Monica's voice shook as the truth sank in. "Oh... I get it now." She took a shaky breath, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Last night... you used protection because it wasn’t love. It was just... a hookup. In our marriage." Brie’s voice was soft, but it cut deep. “I’m sorry, Monica, but Liam and I are meant to be. You’ve been so obsessed with him, you never saw that he wasn’t happy with you.” Monica nodded slowly, the pain settling in her chest. “You’ve always taken what’s mine… ever since we were kids.” Liam’s eyes were empty. “I was never yours.” Brie stood next to him, her voice almost sweet. “He loves me now. You two were just arranged.” Monica’s heart broke, and her voice cracked. “What about last night? Was it all fake?” Liam didn’t even look at her. “I felt bad for you. That’s all.” Monica’s throat tightened. She couldn’t speak. Her world felt like it was shattering. Without another word, she turned and ran.“But we need to talk about Anthony,” Max said gently, voice dipping low as his eyes searched Lake’s face.“I don’t want to.” Lake stepped back, trying to shake off the weight in his chest—and Max’s touch.Max didn’t let go so easily.He grabbed Lake’s wrists and pinned them softly but firmly above his head, stepping into his space. “You don’t want to?” Max murmured, leaning in.His lips brushed Lake’s neck—warm, hungry. He pressed wet, open-mouthed kisses along the sensitive curve, dragging his tongue down to the hollow of Lake’s collarbone.Lake let out a breathy moan, twisting slightly beneath his grip. “Max…”“Are you turned on?” Max teased, lips brushing over the quickening beat in Lake’s throat.Lake’s mouth parted, but instead of words, he lunged forward, desperate for another kiss. Max pulled back just an inch—just enough to deny him.He grinned.“That’s all for now,” he said, voice low and wicked. “You want more…” His thumb skimmed Lake’s bottom lip. “Then talk to me.”“Bastar
Max guided Lake carefully toward the car, one arm wrapped securely around his waist. He reached out and pulled the passenger door open with one hand, the other steadying Lake."Slowly, Lake," Max mumbled, voice low with concern.Lake didn’t respond, but the way his body leaned heavier told Max he wasn’t doing as fine as he claimed. Once seated, Lake let out a shaky breath and immediately closed his eyes, head resting back against the seat. Max watched him for a beat longer, worry pinching the corners of his brows, then gently shut the door.As Max rounded the front of the car, his eyes landed on Leo, who stood by the curb with his hands in his pockets and an unreadable look on his face."You can find your way back, right?" Max asked, his tone cool and unconcerned.Leo scoffed, one brow rising. “You can actually ask that like you mean it, you know.”Max didn’t offer a response. He had already turned away, sliding into the driver’s seat without another word."Jerk," Leo muttered under h
“Sir, you need to step out and allow the patient to rest,” a female nurse said gently as she stepped into the room, clipboard in hand and concern in her eyes.Max didn’t move immediately. He was seated at the edge of the hospital bed, holding Lake’s mother’s hand, his brows drawn tight with worry. Her breathing was uneven, her eyes glassy with exhaustion, but she still held onto him like a lifeline.“Please,” she whispered, gripping his wrist, her voice hoarse with emotion. “Protect Lake. He might come off as cold… he acts like he doesn’t need anyone, but that’s just him trying not to get hurt again. Anthony—he abused him. I didn’t see it early enough. I didn’t stop it in time.”Max's heart clenched. His jaw tightened as the weight of her words sank in.The nurse approached, her tone firmer now but still kind. “Sir, I understand. But please, don’t stimulate the patient any further. She needs rest. We’ve already adjusted her IV and blood pressure medication. Please…”Max nodded slowly,
Monica blinked against the pale morning light filtering through the curtains. Her arm stretched across the bed instinctively—but all she found was cold sheets. She sat up slowly, pushing her hair out of her face with a sigh. Gone. Of course. She glanced around, her eyes narrowing slightly—until they landed on the tray near the nightstand. A plate of toast, fruit, and a cup of coffee sat neatly arranged. She rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the small tug at the corner of her lips. Next to the coffee was a folded note. She picked it up, unfolded it without ceremony. “Didn’t want to wake you. You looked like you hadn’t slept in weeks.” “Went to the company—Diane’s on the verge of mutiny.” “Eat something. Don’t starve yourself out of spite.” “I’ll be back.” —Spencer. Monica stared at the note for a beat, then scoffed under her breath. “Of course he signed it like a damn villain.” But her chest clenched in that familiar, annoying way it always did with him. She dr
The door slammed open with a bang that echoed through the house. Spencer jolted awake, arm instinctively tightening around Monica, who lay curled beside him, asleep and unaware. Bootsteps thundered down the hall. Spencer didn’t need to guess—it could only be one person. He sat up quickly, pulling the sheet around Monica protectively. “Dad,” he said sharply as Charles appeared in the doorway, eyes blazing. “Keep your voice down. You’ll wake her.” Charles stopped short, frozen in the threshold like the sight had knocked the wind from him. His gaze swept over them—his youngest son half-naked in bed, tangled with Monica, his other son’s wife. “You…” Charles’s voice shook with restrained rage. “You’ve lost your goddamn mind.” “Lower your voice,” Spencer warned again, eyes steady. “She’s sleeping.” “Sleeping?!” Charles hissed, fists clenched. “You’re in bed with your brother’s wife, and you want me to whisper?” “She’s not his wife anymore,” Spencer said coolly, slipping out
The hospital lights dimmed to their nighttime setting. Monica hadn’t moved from the chair. Her arms were folded tightly around herself, her back stiff, her heart heavy. Liam hadn’t stirred. Nurses had come and gone, adjusting tubes and IVs. Still nothing. But Monica stayed. She didn’t cry anymore. She just sat, silent, eyes occasionally drifting to his face. What would he say when he woke up and learned the truth? That the man he called father had walked out. That the woman who raised him had lied. That the only one left in the room was the woman he’d betrayed. She should’ve left. But she hadn’t. A blanket had been draped over her by one of the nurses who had gently whispered, “You’ve been here a while, miss.” She hadn’t responded. Just stared at the pale rise and fall of Liam’s chest, her own breathing shallow. And she stayed. Spencer stood by his car, parked across the street under the dim glow of a streetlamp. The window was halfway rolled down. He’d been there for hours.
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