MasukA YEAR LATEREMILY'S POV“Mom, why do we have to wear black today? Is it a special party?” Nina asked, tilting her head as I carefully buttoned the front of her dark wool coat.“It’s a memorial service, sweetheart,” I said softly, smoothing down her collar and kissing her forehead.“What’s a memorial service?”“It’s a quiet gathering we hold for someone who has passed away,” I explained, keeping the language simple enough for her nine-year-old mind to process. “It’s a way for the people who are still here to show that they haven't forgotten them. It means their memory stays safe with us.”The bedroom door clicked open, and Cade stepped into the suite. He was dressed in a tailored black suit, his expression quiet and contemplative. He walked over, leaning down to press a soft kiss against Nina’s hair.“Is it time to head to the chapel?” I asked, standing up.“Not just yet,” Cade murmured, checking his watch. “You and I need to make a specific stop first. The nanny will stay with Nina un
CADE'S POVI sat inside the police van, eyes fixed on the small screen showing Emily’s movements through the hidden camera attached to her. My heart hammered in my chest.“Will this really work?” I asked the lead officer for what felt like the tenth time.“It will,” he replied calmly. “In a few more minutes we’ll move in and arrest that bastard.”I nodded, trying to stay patient, but the moment I saw David pull Emily into a kiss, rage exploded inside me. I couldn’t sit there any longer.Without warning anyone, I slipped out of the van and headed straight for the warehouse.I still couldn’t believe the creep was alive—until I saw him with my own eyes. And the arrogant bastard even had the nerve to look proud about it.“You bastard!” I shouted the second I stepped inside. “You should have died in that fire. You made a mistake by staying alive.”David smirked. “What? Are you going to be the one to kill me now?”“I came here to kill you myself,” I growled.He raised his gun and aimed it a
EMILY'S POVI sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the clock. It was already past midnight, and Cade still hadn’t come to bed.Just where could he be?I had to admit — I was wrong. I didn’t even try to trust him. I let my jealousy and anger take over, and that was what hurt him the most. I should have listened to him instead of jumping to conclusions.What would I have done if I had walked in and seen him in bed with another woman? The thought alone made my stomach twist.I got up and started pacing the room, my mind spinning.A soft knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts. Thinking it was Cade, I rushed to open it — only to feel disappointed when I saw my mother standing there.“Is Cade here?” she asked.“No, Mom. What’s wrong?”“The study light is still on. I saw it when I went downstairs.”“Haven’t you two made up yet?”I sighed and sat down. “It turns out Cade was innocent. Paulina drugged him and staged everything. I should have trusted him.”My mother gave me a gentle b
EMILY'S POVI sat on the edge of the bed, waiting for Cade. It was already past midnight, and he still hadn’t come to bed.Just where could he be?I had to admit — I was wrong. I didn’t even try to trust him. I jumped straight to conclusions, and that was what hurt him the most. I let my anger and jealousy speak instead of listening to him.What would I have done if I had walked in and seen him in bed with another woman? The thought alone made my chest tighten.I got up and started pacing the room, my mind racing.A soft knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts. Thinking it was Cade, I rushed to open it — only to feel disappointed when I saw my mother standing there.“Is Cade here?” she asked.“No, Mom. What’s wrong?”“The study light is still on. I saw it when I went downstairs to get some water.”“Haven’t you two made up yet?”I sighed. “It turns out Cade was innocent. Paulina drugged him and took him to her room. She staged everything.”My mother gave me a knowing look. “See?
EMILY'S POVI stood by the window, watching the sky slowly brighten as I waited for them to wake up.It was about time.Just then, I heard Cade’s voice from the bedroom. He had woken up first.I walked over to the light switch and turned it on, making my presence known.Cade blinked in confusion, then turned his head and saw Paulina lying beside him. His eyes widened in horror.“Emily, I—”“Shhh,” I cut him off coldly. “My parents are downstairs. No one else knows what’s happening in here yet. So keep your mouth shut.”I turned to Paulina, who was staring at me without a single trace of guilt.“You have five minutes,” I said. “Five minutes to pack your things and get out of this house.”“But… I still have to look after Nina and—”“Your services are no longer needed,” I snapped. “Nina can manage without you now. Get out while I’m still in control of myself.”Paulina quickly grabbed the bedsheet to cover herself and rushed out of the room.Cade sat up. “Emily, please… it’s not what you
CADE'S POVI woke up to the sound of loud voices coming from outside the room.I reached for Emily, but her side of the bed was empty. The yelling continued. What was going on?I got up and followed the noise.When I stepped into the hallway, I saw Emily and Paulina standing face to face, arguing.Paulina spotted me first. She quickly ran over and grabbed my hand.“Your wife is saying the most ridiculous things, Cade,” she said, looking distressed. “She’s accusing me of things I didn’t do. Please talk to her and tell her to stop.”“You liar!” Emily shouted. “I heard you clearly! You were telling Nina that I’m a witch and that I would hurt her if she got close to me. You also told her that I’m not her real mother — that Laura is — and that she shouldn’t believe anything I say!”She took a step toward Paulina, but I held her back.“I’ve been wondering why Nina still hasn’t accepted us,” Emily continued angrily. “It’s because of you! You’ve been feeding her lies!”“That’s not true!” Paul
Cade POV“You can’t sleep either?” I was startled when Stephanie came up behind me on the balcony.I had been so lost in my thoughts that I hadn’t heard her approach.“I can’t. You can’t sleep either?” I asked.“No. John called me,” she said.“Your latest boyfriend?” I asked.“Yes. He’s asking me t
Emily POV“Tell me! What dream were you having?” Cade persisted, refusing to drop the subject.“It’s not that important. I don’t remember it myself,” I said quickly, avoiding his gaze.“So you calling my name in your dream means nothing?” he asked, a flicker of hurt crossing his face.I was about t
Cade POV“I think it’s Emily — and she’s hurt!” Stephanie yelled as David rushed in carrying Emily’s unconscious body.I ran downstairs immediately. David tried to move past me with her, but I stepped in front of him.“What happened to her?” Stephanie asked, her voice shaky.“We don’t have time for
A Week LaterEmily POVI stood beside Cade, his parents, and the workers, staring at the newly renovated resort. A month of hard work had truly paid off. The once old and shackled building now looked vibrant and alive. With the right management, it would become a perfect resort once again.“I can’t







