Chapter 12: The Wild Card in Play Celeste's POV I ran my manicured nails along the rim of my wine glass, my dark red lips curling into a smirk. Something was off with Ethan. i have known him long enough to sense when he was troubled. The man was a bastard, arrogant and entitled—but he was also predictable. Lately, though, he had been on edge. Distracted. i watched him at our usual rendezvous at the penthouse suite he kept for our affairs. Normally, he would spend the entire night indulging in his vices—whiskey, power, and me. But now? He barely touched his drink. His phone never left his side, and the moments i caught him staring into space with that pensive scowl only confirmed one thing. Sera was up to something. I despised Ethan’s wife—not just for being his legal partner, but because Sera had something she wanted. The power of being Mrs. Ethan Carter. The prestige. The security. i had played my part well, staying in the shadows, waiting for the moment Ethan would finally toss
Chapter 13: Possession and PaybackSera’s POVI lay tangled in Raven’s sheets, my body aching from the fire they had ignited hours ago. The room smelled of sex and sin, the air thick with heat and lingering desire. i should leave. i should slip out before Raven woke up, before i got sucked into another round of passion that would make me forget why I was really here.But as i turned to sit up, a firm hand wrapped around my wrist.“Where do you think you’re going?” Raven’s husky voice sent a shiver down my spine.i swallowed, my resolve weakening as I met Raven’s piercing gaze. The woman was irresistible, all sharp edges and dangerous temptation. Her dark hair was tousled from sleep, and the possessive glint in her eyes made me clench.“I have to go,” I murmured, even as my body screamed at me to stay.Raven’s grip tightened slightly, not enough to hurt, but enough to make it clear she wasn’t letting go. “Back to him?”I sighed. “It’s not about him.”Raven sat up, dragging her fingers
Chapter 14: A Trap Set in FireEthan’s POVI had always known Sera was hiding something.For weeks, she had been different. More confident. More distant. It wasn’t like her to push back when I threw Celeste in her face, wasn’t like her to move around the house with such quiet defiance.She wasn’t submissive anymore.It was subtle at first—small changes, tiny cracks in the foundation of my control. But I wasn’t a fool. I saw them. I felt them.And tonight, I was going to find out exactly what the hell she was up to.From the shadows of our bedroom, i watched as Sera tiptoed across the room, clutching her coat. She paused, glancing at the bed where i pretended to sleep, and for a moment, i thought she would hesitate.But she didn’t.She crept toward the door, slipped outside, and disappeared.My lips curled into a slow, dangerous smirk.Got you.I waited exactly five minutes before moving. Rising from the bed, I grabbed my car keys and followed.---Sera’s POVMy heart pounded as I drov
Chapter 15: His Move, Her HellSera’s POVThe morning light crept through the curtains as i stirred, my body still tangled in the sheets of Raven’s bed. The scent of whiskey and spice lingered on my skin—Raven’s scent.For a brief moment, I let myself exist in this bubble of stolen pleasure. But then, reality slammed into me like a crashing wave.The way my gut twisted told me everything—i wasn’t safe anymore.I pushed myself up, rubbing a hand over my face as Raven stirred beside me."Leaving so soon?" Raven’s voice was husky, lazy, but there was something sharp in her gaze."I have to," i whispered.Raven sat up, her dark eyes locking onto mine. "You’re scared."I didn’t deny it. I had every reason to be.Ethan Carter was a cruel man. And she don't want to give him any ultimate reason to destroy her.---Ethan’s POVI sat in my office, staring at the untouched glass of scotch in front of me. My jaw ached from clenching it too hard.Sera thought she could humiliate him?That she coul
Chapter 16: The War Has BegunSera’s POVI sat in the dimly lit corner of my bedroom, my hands trembling as i rubbed the red marks Ethan had left on my wrist. His grip had been unforgiving, his anger barely restrained."Did you really think I wouldn't find out, Sera?"His voice still echoed in my mind, dark and venomous.I had barely managed to escape his fury when his phone rang, distracting him just enough for me to lock herself in the bathroom. It wasn’t the first time Ethan had lost control, but this time was different. This time, he knew.My secret was out.My body ached, my mind spiraling into chaos as i tried to think of a next move. Ethan wasn’t the kind of man who simply walked away. He would make me pay.My phone vibrated, the soft hum slicing through the thick silence of the room.Raven.I hesitated, my pulse racing. I had told myself I wouldn't go back to her, not tonight. Not after everything that had happened.But I needed to breathe. I needed to be free—even if it was j
Chapter 17: Dangerous MovesSera povI stood in front of the mirror, watching my reflection as i traced the faint bruises on my wrist from Ethan’s grip the night before. My stomach twisted in rage, but beneath that, there was something sharper—a burning need for control.Ethan thought i was weak. That i would always be his caged, obedient wife. But he had underestimated her.My phone vibrated. A message from Raven."Are you ready to destroy him?"I smirked."More than ever."Tonight, I would play the perfect wife one last time before setting everything in motion.---Ethan PovThe Seduction of a MonsterI sat in my study, swirling a glass of whiskey, deep in thought. I had noticed the shift in Sera—her defiance, the way her eyes held secrets she refused to share. Something had changed, and it made me uneasy.When she entered the room, my grip tightened around my glass.She was wearing a silk nightgown, deep red, the fabric molding to her body like a second skin. The color of temptation
Chapter 18: The Beginning of His DownfallSera’s POVThe city skyline stretched before me, a sea of glittering lights, but I only saw my reflection in the glass. The woman staring back was a stranger—her lips curled in a smirk, her eyes alight with something dark and dangerous.Power.I had never felt it before. Not in this way.I swirled the deep red wine in my glass, savoring its rich taste, its warmth spreading through my veins. The sound of Ethan’s enraged voice echoed from his office, his anger a symphony to my ears.He was unraveling.And I was the one pulling the threads.My phone vibrated on the table, breaking my trance. I reached for it, my pulse quickening at the name flashing on the screen.Dante: We’ve successfully linked him to two shell accounts. His company is now under federal review. Soon, they'll be knocking on his door.A slow, satisfied smile spread across my lips.It was happening.I set the phone down just as the door to Ethan’s office burst open, slamming again
Chapter 19: The Perfect TrapSera’s POVThe plan was in motion.Every move Ethan made, every word he spoke, was a step closer to his downfall. He just didn’t know it yet.I smoothed my dress in the mirror, ensuring every detail was perfect—soft curls cascading over my shoulders, deep red lipstick painting my smirk, and a neckline that dipped just enough to distract. Ethan was weak when it came to appearances. He liked his trophies polished, his possessions gleaming.Tonight, I would be exactly what he wanted me to be.And I would destroy him with it.My phone vibrated, and I grabbed it without looking, already knowing who it was.Raven: Dante is ready. Just get him to talk.Me: Consider it done.Sliding the phone into my clutch, I turned back to my reflection.Showtime.---Ethan’s POVThe moment Sera walked into the private lounge, I knew something was different.She was stunning—no, dangerous.There was something in her eyes, something I couldn't place. A confidence, a hunger that h
Chapter 13 – Just ReleaseLEON'S POVThe silence in the penthouse was deceptive. Calm, even. But my instincts had sharpened over the years, and I could sense her presence before I heard her heels.I stepped out of the shower, steam clinging to my skin, water dripping down my chest. I didn’t bother grabbing a towel. This was my space. My kingdom. If she wandered in, then she would have to face me as I was.And she did.Sera—no, Arianna—stood at the door, wearing a fitted black dress that left too little to the imagination. Her eyes, sharp and dark, trailed over my bare body with open hunger. She didn’t flinch. Didn’t blush.Instead, she licked her bottom lip.“Enjoying the view?” I asked dryly, hand running through my wet hair.“I was hoping for a distraction,” she murmured, stepping inside without permission. “And you look… delicious.”I reached for a towel, but she stopped me with a look. A wicked look.“I’m horny, Leon,” she said plainly, her voice calm, devoid of shame. “I need to
Chapter 12: Mind Games and Melted SteelSERA'S POVEverything about Raven screamed control—flawless smiles, pristine heels, that constant click of confidence whenever she walked into a room. But even queens could crumble. And tonight, I wanted to see her crack.I started small. An anonymous gift box on her desk—a perfume she once gifted me. A faint trace of jasmine that lingered in the air like a ghost. Then, the note:"You smell like regret."No name. No signature.I watched from a distance, sipping wine behind tinted glass as Raven tore open the box and paled. Her fingers trembled, and for a moment, the facade cracked. She clutched the note as if it might bite her.Phase one: complete.I began planting more signs. A lipstick she couldn’t find in months suddenly reappeared on her dressing table. A song i loved playing echoed at an art gallery Raven frequented. My favorite move? Having her receive a bouquet of black lilies—My favorite flower—the exact ones Raven had banned after the f
Chapter 11 – Masks Beneath MoonlightSERA’S POVAnother gala. Another opportunity to strike.Raven's name had grown in socialite circles ever since Ethan started grooming her to be the new face of his expanding empire. I smirked as I walked past the velvet ropes, my heels clicking like a countdown on the marble floor. Every step was practiced, precise. The red gown I wore shimmered under the light—an open back, slit high, neckline deep, daring. Temptation sewn into silk.I was no longer the girl who cried in the dark. I was Arianna Vale. And tonight, I was a weapon.Raven’s gala was opulence dressed in champagne. Celebrities mingled with politicians. Billionaires toasted to corruption. And Ethan Carter stood at the center of it all, smiling like he hadn’t built his empire on blood.He hadn’t noticed me yet. But he would. And that was the point.ETHAN’S POVI was trying to focus on Raven’s voice as she discussed the charity donations and upcoming projects, but my eyes kept drifting tow
Chapter 10 - A Beautiful WeaponSERA'S POVThe low hum of jazz filtered through the penthouse suite. My heels clicked against the polished floor as I poured wine into two glasses, wearing a silk robe that clung to every curve. Across from me sat Damien Kerrick, one of Ethan’s most trusted financial advisors. A man with weak principles, expensive tastes, and a predictable weakness for beautiful women.I was all of those things tonight.He smiled like he’d already won, like he had any idea what game he was playing. I slid the glass across the table, leaned forward just enough to show a glimpse of the black lace beneath the robe, and watched him swallow hard."To secrets," I said, raising my glass.He chuckled. "And to the women who keep them well."Idiot.Ten minutes later, he was in my bed, drunk on my body and lust. He didn’t notice when I slipped out of his arms, didn’t stir as I padded across the room and opened his briefcase.Passwords were no match for me. I had memorized the sequ
Chapter 9: Dangerous Intrusions and Sweet TemptationsSERA'S POVBreaking into William Harlow’s estate was child’s play. Ethan’s investor was a paranoid man with a taste for young women and Cuban cigars—distractions that left his guards sloppy. I’d slipped through the side gate wearing a cleaner’s uniform, a feather duster in hand and knives hidden in the folds of my coat. I didn’t need Leon’s permission. I didn’t need his damn guidance. I was Sera Carter—no, Arianna Vale now—and I knew how to destroy men like Harlow without anyone’s help.The office was dark, curtains drawn. I moved with calculated ease, searching for the files—documents that would confirm his laundering activities for Ethan. The plan was simple: grab evidence, plant a bug, vanish before anyone noticed.But nothing ever stayed simple for long.I heard them before I saw them. Heavy boots. Muffled shouts. Too many for me to fight alone.I tried the window. Locked.Shit.I darted behind the velvet drapes, heart steady,
Chapter 8 – Whispers in the ShadowsSERA’S POVPower doesn’t come from noise. It grows in silence—in secrets, whispers, glances that say too much and hands that shake for the wrong reasons.I didn’t need an army. I needed leverage. And leverage, in Ethan’s world, was everywhere.My first pawn was a junior executive at his shipping subsidiary—nervous, underpaid, and drowning in gambling debt. He had a pretty wife and a mistress who didn’t know how to keep her mouth shut. It took me exactly two days to find him, one dinner to break him, and one whisper in his ear to make him mine.By the end of the week, I had three more—an accounts manager, a security analyst, and a secretary who heard everything and was tired of being invisible.I didn’t threaten them. I offered them something Ethan never could: protection, power, and the satisfaction of watching the great man unravel.I sat in my penthouse, staring out the window as the city moved like veins under glass. Leon stood near the bar, watc
Chapter 7 – Unmasked Eyes and TemptationSERA’S POVThe gala was everything I expected—opulent, filled with power-drunk men and women desperate to prove their worth. The dress I wore hugged my body in all the right places, deep black silk with a slit that climbed too high and a neckline that promised things I would never give. I didn’t come here for pleasure. I came here for war.Under Leon’s guidance, I had slipped into the role of Arianna Vale with unsettling ease. People didn’t look past the surface when you looked like a fantasy. They saw curves, confidence, allure—never the blade underneath.I walked through the marble lobby of the hotel, chin high, eyes sharp. The ballroom glimmered ahead, voices rising in lazy arrogance. I scanned the room for potential targets, men and women associated with Ethan’s empire. They were all here. And soon, they would be mine.But then I felt it.A stare.Cold. Sharp. Too familiar.I turned slowly, keeping my composure. And there he was—Detective H
Chapter 6 - Scarlet Games and Shadowed EyesSera's (Arianna )POVThe mirror reflected a different woman now—no longer the broken prisoner named Sera Carter, but Arianna Vale, a calculated siren draped in red. The silk clung to her body like temptation, cut low in the front, high at the slit, every movement designed to draw the eye and disarm the mind.Tonight, her prey was Matthew Virelli—a rival businessman of Ethan’s and a potential key to dismantling a piece of Ethan’s crumbling empire. He was arrogant, greedy, and weak where it mattered most.Arianna walked into the private lounge like smoke—silent, seductive, and deadly.“Miss Vale,” Matthew said, eyeing her with a wolfish grin. “You make this room look sinfully small.”She smiled coyly, placing a hand on his chest. “Then let’s make it feel bigger, Mr. Virelli.”The wine flowed. The words were weapons. Every laugh was rehearsed, every glance choreographed. And when they ended up in the penthouse suite above the lounge, she had al
Chapter 5: Fire and FleshPOV: Arianna (Sera)The smell of gunpowder and blood has long since stopped making me flinch.I watch from behind tinted glasses as one of Ethan’s former clients signs over their loyalty to a new boss—Leon Valenci. I’m the reason why. A black dress. A little smile. A whisper in the ear. A deal sealed with a touch. I walk away, my heels echoing like a war drum. Every step is a win. Every glance in the mirror reminds me: I’m not Sera Carter anymore. Sera died. I buried her with the name Ethan once moaned in bed.Now, I’m Arianna Vale.And I am becoming something they never saw coming.Flashback: Leon, Eight Years AgoThe warehouse smelled of burnt rubber and desperation. Leon crouched behind crates, a bullet wound tearing into his shoulder. His enemies thought he was cornered. They were wrong.A single grenade, a timed distraction, and a whispered promise to the corpse of his mentor: I’ll burn the world before I beg for mercy.That night, he emerged from the fi