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Chapter 1

Abigail’s POV

The Secret Behind Closed Doors

My friend’s wedding was everything I had ever dreamed of for her. The ceremony, the laughter, the vows, it all felt like a movie scene. Watching Clarissa walk down the aisle in that dazzling white gown with Professor Damien by her side was overwhelming.

I had been her best friend ever since I entered the university for my bachelor’s degree in law, and to see her standing there, holding the hand of the man who had always shared that undeniable memories and love with her, filled me with happiness.

Clarissa wasn’t just a friend. She was my soul sister, she’s everything needed for vibing…playful, kind, and supportive, the one who always lifted me when life pulled me down.

Seeing her so genuinely happy, starting a new chapter of her life, made me believe again that true love was real no matter where it came from.

When they exchanged vows and kissed in the alter, I clapped so hard and I couldn’t believe I cried for her, I didn’t even know that I was crying I cried not because I was sad, but because I was proud of her. Clarissa deserved every ounce of happiness in this world.

We continued our studies, and five years later, we both graduated. Life, however, had different paths for us. She remained in touch and we see each other sometimes, but our lives naturally drifted apart.

She became a wife, then a mother to the most beautiful twin girls—two identical little angels with the same sparkling eyes as their father. Every time I saw them in photos or during our rare video calls, I just smiled. God had blessed her richly.

But my story… my story wasn’t like hers, THIS IS MY STORY:

I am Abigail, twenty-four years old, and if you think my life has been smooth, then you’re absolutely wrong about that.

Mine is the kind of tragic story you see in movies and shed tears, the kind that makes your chest heavy and your eyes blur with tears. Yes! That’s my story.

My father battled kidney failure for years. He was a strong man, and a mechanic who, despite our humble living, worked endlessly to give me an education.

He paid for my university fees, supported my dreams, and was the foundation of our family. But just after my graduation, he died.

Everything broke after that. My life and world torn apart!

I was left with my mother. She used to be warm and loving, but my father’s death changed her completely. She became moody, short-tempered, snapping at me over the littlest things. I didn’t blame her, though. She was in pain, and still drowning in grief. Just like me.

Life was no longer easy. We weren’t rich, but when my father was alive, we could at least manage. Without him, we crumbled. My mother tried to hold us together by selling milkshakes on the streets, but it wasn’t enough.

Going out to sell every morning and coming back home with little or nothing weighed her down, her usual bright smile faded. She smokes and drinks alcohol.

Then she made a choice—one I didn’t fully agree with, but I couldn’t stop it.

She married Mr. Ronaldo.

The wealthiest man in Los Angeles. Owner of the biggest company in town. He is Powerful, respected, and feared. And for some reason, he loved my so much mother, he is also a single daddy.

He gave her luxury, dressed her in fine clothes, and enrolled me in a new university for my master’s degree.

It was supposed to be a blessing. But there was one thing my mom told me that haunted me: Ronaldo had a son. I didn’t care to ask about him, and honestly, I didn’t want to. My life was complicated enough.

“Abigail, you better hurry up. We need to go meet your stepfather today. We are going home. We’re leaving this slum of a house, so you better hurry up because he will leave for his office soon.”

That was my mom’s voice, sharp and commanding, but filled with excitement.

I was already dressed for school. We were waiting in front of the building. My mother stood there in her new luxury clothes, shining with wealth she wasn’t used to. She had her own driver now, and also has a shiny black car sent by my stepfather to pick us up.

“Yes, Mom, please hold on. This is the last registration. I need one of the professors to sign my paper. After that, we’ll go.” I climbed the stairs quickly as I said it.

“OK, hurry up!” she shouted from below.

That’s how she had been lately, always nagging, shouting, commanding, and always in a rush. I had grown used to it.

I entered the building and walked straight to Professor Kendra’s office. She was the last professor I needed to see to finalize my registration. My hand was on the door handle when I froze.

I heard voices inside her office, more like a lady moaning and admits discussions…. I left the door knob immediately.

The door wasn’t completely shut—it was slightly open. And curiosity got the better of me. I drew closer to it, peeking in through the small gap.

What I saw nearly knocked the air out of me.

There was a student inside. A very handsome student, though his looks were the last thing I cared about in that moment. He was holding his grade paper, his expression was hard, and arrogant.

“Professor Kendra,” he said, his voice calm but laced with authority, “why don’t you change my grade to an A? You know how my father reacts when it comes to grades, If he sees this, he’ll be furious. You should change it. I need an A not an F. And don’t worry—I’ll satisfy you the way I always do.”

My stomach dropped. My chest tightened as I covered my hands on my mouth.

What?

Before I could even process, he stood up, closing the distance between them. And then, God help me…he kissed her.

Professor Kendra. My professor!

His hands slid over her body, as he shamelessly fondled her breasts like it was routine. She didn’t resist. Instead, she drew closer into it, she slowly shut her eyes and moaned.

I could hear him whisper into her ear, low, and taunting:

“No one has to know. We’ve been doing this for a long time, and no one has found out. We’re alone here, remember?”

My breath caught in my throat.

I couldn’t move, my body was shaking vigorously. And my hands trembled as I clutched my book tighter against my chest. This… this was corruption at its peak. This was disgusting. This was the university my stepfather had paid for?

No. No, this couldn’t be happening. Students sex their way to higher grades!

But fate betrayed me…

The book I was holding slipped from my trembling hands and crashed to the floor. The sound sliced through the room like a knife.

Both their eyes snapped to the door.

Mine widened in horror, and ran out in fear, racing through the hallway.

I ran down the stairs, my was heart pounding so hard I thought it would burst through my ribs. My lungs burned, but fear fueled me up. I couldn’t be caught. I had to get out.

But I wasn’t fast enough.

A strong hand caught my arm from behind and yanked me back with such force that I slammed against the wall. The impact knocked the breath out of me.

Before I could scream, his body pressed against mine, trapping me. His face was so close I could feel his breath against my cheek. His eyes….sea green eyes, piercing, and was dangerously locked onto mine with a chilling intensity.

“Shhh,” he hissed, his finger pressing to my lips. His other hand pinned me firmly against the wall.

I struggled to let go, fear tearing at me, but his grip was so strong and I couldn’t fight back.

“You don’t talk about anything you saw today,” he whispered, his tone low and threatening. His lips curled into a cold smirk as he leaned even closer, so close his words brushed against my ear.

“Zip it.”

He raised his hand again, the motion deliberate, a silent warning. His finger pressed against his lips once more.

“Be quiet!”