로그인ALIRA'S POV There is something beautiful about cooking for someone who has no idea they are walking into a trap.The kitchen smelled warm and inviting. Spices, butter, roasted garlic as soft music played in the background.I moved slowly, carefully, tasting the sauce, adjusting the salt, making everything perfect.Not because I loved Alec but because presentation matters.Liam’s anger yesterday did not shake me.His shouting, his refusal, his dramatic exit… all of it was expected. Liam was emotional and Alec was calculative and men like Alec were easier to control.I set the table with candles. I even wore the soft cream dress he once said made me look “harmless.”Harmless….I almost laughed.When the doorbell rang, I didn’t rush. I checked my reflection once more, softened my expression, then walked to open the door.Alec stood there, looking sharp as always. He stepped in slowly.The moment he saw the table, he stopped.“What is going on?” he asked as I smiled sweetly.“Can I n
ALIRA’S POVPeople often think revenge begins with anger…they are wrong.Revenge begins with planning.After what happened with Iris’s ex, I learned a simple truth… danger does not always come with warning. Sometimes it walks into your house casually.That was why I installed the cameras. Not because I was afraid, but because I refused to ever be caught unaware again.Every corner of my house saw what I saw.So when Betsy arrived that afternoon without calling, I already knew.I was in the bathroom, water running, steam filling the air, my phone resting on the sink with the camera feed open. I knew the minute she opened my door with a key I had no idea how she got…that she came with trouble.Betsy stood in my living room, looking around like she had permission to be there. Her eyes moved quickly, scanning and searching.She was hunting as I smiled.Slowly, calmly, I dried my hands and picked up the envelope from the hospital.The white paper which contained my pregnancy result was
BETSY'S POVI didn’t plan to go to Alira’s house that day.It just… happened or maybe that was a lie I told myself so I wouldn’t have to admit the truth that I was restless or uneasy.Ever since the kidnapping, ever since that humiliation, something had been crawling under my skin.Alira was too calm and too composed and knowing that bitch, I knew she could be up to anything.She was too untouched by everything that should have broken her.That alone made me suspicious.So I drove to her house without calling, without announcing myself like I had always done.I still had a key.The house was quiet when I walked in…too quiet.I shut the door softly behind me and glanced around, half-expecting to see her sitting calmly with that unreadable look on her face.But she wasn’t there.I heard water running.The bathroom.I rolled my eyes…typical Alira..always acting like she had time for peace.I walked further in, my heels clicking lightly on the floor, my gaze drifting around the living roo
ALIRA’S POVThe laughter refused to stop.When I got pregnant in my previous life, it was Alec's and I can't forget that he took the right of me being a mother away from me.The laughter bubbled out of me like madness, sharp and breathless, until my chest started to hurt and my friend stared at me like she was afraid I had finally lost my mind.“Alira…” she whispered. “Why are you laughing?”I wiped the tears from my eyes and forced myself to breathe.If only she knew…If only anyone knew.A child and that too Liam’s child growing inside me like a ticking clock.The doctor frowned slightly. “This is serious news Miss Alira…Stress is not good for you or the baby.”The baby….that word still sounds surreal.I nodded slowly, pretending to calm down.“I’m fine,” I said. “I’m just… overwhelmed…. that's all.”My friend squeezed my hand. “Can I ask a question, Alira??” she asked."Yes of course." “Were you pressured by Alec to have a child??" “What, no." I said as I chuckled.This partic
ALIRA'S POV I stared at Betsy for a long moment after her words settled into the room.Alec planned it.If she thought those words would shock me, break me, or make me crumble, then she clearly didn’t know me at all.Because I could see it clearly now….this wasn’t guilt. This was survival…Betsy was cornered, and like the coward she was, she was pushing the blame away from herself.So I did what I had learned to do best.I pretended.“What?” I whispered, my voice shaking just enough. “What do you mean… he planned it?”Betsy’s eyes widened slightly. She hadn’t expected that question. She shifted on the couch, pulling the blanket tighter around herself like a shield.“I heard him arguing on the phone,” she said quickly. “He was shouting at someone about money and plans going wrong..I didn’t understand it at first, but after the kidnapping… it made sense.”I pressed a hand to my chest as if I was struggling to breathe….I had never seen anyone as stupid and dense as my Betsy before.
ALIRA'S POV The room went completely silent after Betsy’s words.“If you know what’s best for you, Alec, you better not tell Alira the reason I was at your house.”I didn’t move.I didn’t speak.I simply stared at Alec.His face drained of every last bit of color. His lips trembled slightly, his injured eye twitching as if it was reacting to his fear instead of pain.On the phone, Betsy was breathing hard, clearly unaware that she had just sealed her own fate.I tilted my head slowly, my fingers tightening around the edge of the table.“Reason?” I repeated softly.Alec swallowed. “Alira, she didn’t mean it like that…”I raised a hand, stopping him instantly.“Shhh,” I said calmly. “Let her talk.”I leaned closer to the phone and spoke sweetly, almost gently.“Betsy,” I said. “I’m right here.”There was a pause.Then silence.And then….panic.“Alira?” she said slowly. “You… you’re with him?”“Yes,” I replied. “I am.”A sharp inhale came through the speaker.“You’re… you’re at Ale







