Sarah’s P.O.V.The next few days passed in a blur of responsibilities and avoidance. I buried myself in work, leaving the mansion early each morning to manage the company and returning late in the evening to retreat into my room, ensuring minimal interaction with Adrian. Despite the unspoken tension between us, I continued to prepare meals for him, and though he never openly acknowledged my efforts, he ate every dish without complaint. It was an unspoken routine we had fallen into, neither of us willing to break the fragile balance of our strange marriage.On Friday night, as I sat cross-legged on my bed reviewing a stack of documents, a sharp knock echoed through the room. Startled, I set aside the papers and rose to answer the door, my heart already anticipating another clash. I pulled the door open to find Adrian standing before me, his usual expression of irritation firmly in place. His deep brown eyes held a flicker of something unreadable, but I was too exhausted to try decipher
Sarah POVThe clinking of silverware against porcelain echoed through the opulent dining room, a stark contrast to the tension that crackled beneath the surface. By the time I returned, the elaborate mahogany table was surrounded by my family, their faces illuminated by the soft glow of the chandelier. Jessica, her blonde hair cascading over her shoulder, was nestled beside Adrian, her laughter tinkling like wind chimes. A pang of something I couldn't quite name resonated within me. I forced a smile and slid into the remaining seat, wedging myself between my father and Adrian.The meal commenced, a parade of exquisitely prepared dishes that I barely tasted. My father’s chatter about some business deal faded into background noise. My attention was laser-focused on Justin, whose eyes, dark and intense, were glued to me. It wasn’t a casual glance; it was a persistent, unnerving stare that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Each time I met his gaze, a flicker of something
Sarah POVThe soft glow of a Sunday morning filtered through the curtains, painting the room in a warm, inviting light. I lay nestled in the plush comfort of the bed, relishing the rare feeling of utter relaxation. The events of the previous day – the tense confrontation with my father, the unexpected comfort from Adrian – felt like a distant, unsettling dream. My phone buzzed insistently on the bedside table, shattering the peaceful quiet. Groaning, I reached for it, squinting at the bright screen. Ester's name flashed, a beacon of energy I wasn't quite ready for."Good morning, Sunshine!" her voice, a burst of pure enthusiasm, practically exploded through the speaker. Even at this ungodly hour, she was a force of nature."Morning, Ester," I mumbled, pushing myself up against the headboard. Sleep still clung to me, a warm, comforting weight."Get ready! I'm picking you up in 20 minutes. We're going shopping!" she declared, the background noise suggesting she was already in motion, pr
Adrian POVThe aroma of roasted meat and savory spices hung heavy in the air as I entered the kitchen. It was nearly seven, and the pangs of hunger were beginning to make themselves known. Sarah sat at the dining table, a half-eaten plate in front of her. Her brow was furrowed slightly, as if she were contemplating some complex equation. She looked up as I entered, a flicker of surprise crossing her features before she quickly masked it with a neutral expression."Take a seat," she said, her voice even and polite. "I'll get your food." She rose and disappeared into the kitchen, returning moments later with a steaming plate of steak, mashed potatoes, and what looked to be perfectly roasted vegetables. She placed it in front of me, the clinking of the ceramic a stark contrast to the quiet hum of the refrigerator. Then, she resumed her own meal, her movements precise and economical.It had been almost a month since our…arrangement. Our forced marriage. And this was the first time we had
Sarah POVThe week leading up to the Annual Gala had been a whirlwind of deadlines, meetings, and overflowing inboxes. I barely had time to breathe, let alone think about the event itself. Thankfully, Ester, ever the organized whirlwind, had taken charge of the logistics. She had coordinated with Adrian’s assistant regarding our outfits, ensuring that we would arrive at the venue simultaneously, a strategic move to maintain the illusion of marital harmony. Since I was finishing work late, I would get ready at the office, a plan that saved precious time.My last meeting of the day finally wrapped up, leaving me exhausted but relieved. I dismissed my team, promising them a less hectic week ahead, and retreated to my cabin. The door clicked shut behind me, and I sank onto the plush cushion of my chair, kicking off my heels with a sigh of pure bliss. While they certainly added a touch of sophistication, heels were instruments of torture after a long day. I propped my tired feet up on the t
Sarah POVA tap on my shoulder pulled me from my thoughts. I turned to see Noah, smiling warmly at me. He took the empty seat beside me."Why are you sitting here all alone?" he asked."These parties aren't really my scene," I admitted. "But being married to Adrian, I guess I have to attend these things now.""Perhaps a dance will make the evening more bearable?" he suggested, extending his hand.I hesitated for a moment. A dance might be a welcome distraction. I placed my hand in his, and he led me to the dance floor. He wrapped his arms around my waist, and I placed mine on his shoulders as we swayed slowly to the music."I've heard a lot about you from Jessica and Adrian," Noah said, his voice casual."Oh, I'd love to hear those stories," I replied, a touch of irony in my voice. "It's always interesting to learn new things about oneself.""Haha, I can only imagine how challenging it must be to be with Adrian," he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement."It's definitely a challenge
Adrian POVI was circulating among the various businessmen, engaging in polite conversation, when I heard Sarah’s voice. I turned and was momentarily speechless. Her dress…it was exquisite. It fit her perfectly, accentuating her curves in a way that was both elegant and provocative. Her hair, cascading down her shoulders, framed her face, making her look incredibly desirable. I noticed every male gaze in the room lingering on her, their eyes filled with admiration, and something possessive stirred within me. I pulled her closer, wrapping my arm around her waist, a silent declaration that she was mine.As I spoke with Mr. Groff, I saw Sarah excuse herself and head towards the bar. I watched her take a seat, a slight frown on her face. Just as I was about to make my way over to her, Jessica appeared at my side, her hand slipping possessively onto my arm."You look beautiful, love," I whispered to Jessica, offering her a small smile. She blushed, clearly pleased by the compliment.Jessic
Sarah POVThe car screeched to a halt in front of the imposing gates of the mansion. I flinched as Adrian’s hand, which had been gripping mine tightly throughout the ride, loosened. I quickly pulled my hand away, the lingering pressure a reminder of his barely controlled fury. I stepped out of the car, the cool night air a stark contrast to the simmering tension within me. My heart pounded in my chest as I walked towards my room, a sense of unease settling in my stomach. I was confused, troubled. Adrian’s outburst had been so sudden, so disproportionate to what I perceived as a harmless interaction with Justin. To me, the hug had been nothing more than a friendly farewell, a gesture of closure. But Adrian had twisted it into something ugly, something malicious. His unpredictable moods were a constant source of anxiety, and I knew that confronting him in his current state would be futile. It was best to avoid him, to give him time to cool down, before attempting to understand the root
Sarah's POVThree days had already passed since Alessandro requested space, and every hour seemed like an eternity.I made an effort to keep myself occupied. I plunged myself in work as the sole thing keeping me grounded in reality—emails, meetings, tasks that I used to outsource once occupied my focus. None of them filled the void in my chest. None of them filled the hollowness in my chest.Because when nighttime came, when the world outside hushed and vanished, when the babe finally slept in his crib, Alessandro's words rang louder than anything else:"I believe that we should take a pause."He hadn't given an explanation. He didn't have to, not after what I'd witnessed that night—him, dashing out of the building, with Mira. No explanation, no defense, just silence and that bomb he'd dropped in three in the morning, as I sat waiting on the couch for the candles to burn down.I'd not heard from him since.He hadn't even inquired after Gabriel.And that… that's the bit that used to ke
Sarah’s POVI didn’t sleep.Not even close.I sat curled up on the couch for hours, the meal Marta had purchased crumpled beside me like an abandoned dream.Every sound outside—the wind striking the windows, a distant siren, the quiet buzz of passing cars—made my heart race with eagerness.I kept thinking I’d imagined it. Mira. The way he left. The way my name never seemed to matter in that moment.I had tried not to check the time.But by 2:57 a.m., it was impossible not to notice the cold space beside me on the couch.I hadn’t moved from that spot. Didn’t bother to change. Then I heard the sound.The front door creaked open with the quiet care of someone attempting not to be heard. Footsteps followed, slow and deliberate, as if he were entering a chamber full of ghosts.I stood up before I even thought about it.And there he was.Alessandro.He looked exhausted eyes hollow, jaw tight, the jacket he’d rushed out in now draped over one shoulder. The top two buttons of his shirt were
Sarah’s POV I sat in the office long after Chloe had gone, staring at the open closet, the dress I’d pulled out earlier still hanging limply from the hook.I hated that she got to me. I hated that her words had slithered into my thoughts, muddying everything Alessandro and I had built.But I hated even more how uncertain I felt. How easily the doubt crept in, no matter how hard I tried to shove it away.Still, Alessandro’s message echoed louder than Chloe’s venom.“No expectations. Just you, me, and a little honesty.”Honesty. That was what I wanted more than anything else. If there was truth left between us, I wanted to see it in his eyes, not through whispered accusations or cryptic proofs.I got up to return home, I quickly packed up my things and called the driver. The driver pulled up outside our building just as the streetlights began to glow amber in the dusk. My fingers fidgeted in my lap. I imagined him lighting the candles, smoothing his hair, maybe even practising what he
Sarah POVI gazed at my reflection in the mirror, wrapped in my robe, with Alessandro's text shining like a ray of hope in my hand."I understand we've had a rough patch. But if you can spare one night, I'd like to attempt to fix things.No expectations. Just you, me, and a little honesty. I’ll be waiting.”My heart ached. The sincerity in those words hit something raw inside me. I missed him, missed us. Missed the warmth of our mornings, the soft laughter that once filled our home. But pain changes things. Doubt makes strangers of the people you love most.Just then, there was a knock.“Come in,” I called, not looking up.I recognised the perfume before the door fully opened. Chanel No. 5. Chloe's signature. Of course.She stepped inside like a queen visiting a kingdom she meant to burn down.Silk robe fastened with precision, wine glass clutched like a villain in a sad drama. She always loved to put on a show."Going out tonight?" she inquired, her eyes sparkling as they darted to th
Alessandro’s POVIt had been ten days since we returned from the farmhouse. Ten days since everything unraveled.I sensed Sarah drifting further away from me, bit by bit, like sand slipping through an hourglass.She hadn’t raised her voice. She hadn’t lashed out. But her silence said more than any screaming match could. The way she avoided eye contact. The way her footsteps always trailed toward the guest room instead of ours. The way she smiled politely, but not warmly, when I handed her coffee in the mornings.I’d made a mistake. A big one.Not because of Mira, not entirely. That chapter of my life had been over years ago. And Mira’s accusations had never made sense to begin with. But I should’ve told Sarah everything the moment we got serious. I should’ve trusted her with my truth before someone like Adrian could twist it.God, Adrian.Even now, the thought of his smug face as he dropped that bomb still made my jaw clench. He’d timed it perfectly right when we were finding peace. W
Adrian’s POVThe city still felt cold, but the chill in my bones had shifted not from warmth, but from purpose. I finally had a plan.I sat at my desk, eyes fixed on Alessandro’s digital trail. His online presence lit up like a roadmap—threads of the past just waiting to be pulled. But I knew better now. Whispers and half-truths wouldn’t be enough. If I wanted to break them, I needed more than suspicion. I needed leverage. Misdirection.And I needed someone on the inside.That’s when it clicked.Chloe.Sarah’s perfect little world had always been cracked at the edges, and Chloe was one of those cracks. They were step-sisters in name, but anyone who spent five minutes with them knew there was no love lost. I remembered the subtle digs Chloe made at family dinners, the way Sarah would force a smile and pretend not to hear. But I heard them. I felt the tension.Chloe didn’t just dislike Sarah, she resented her.That kind of bitterness? It could be moulded. Turned into something useful.I
Sarah’s POV New York City’s noise had always been oddly comforting, the honking cabs, distant sirens, and hurried footsteps on pavement. But today, it felt too loud, too sharp, like it was echoing the storm still raging inside me. It had been a week since we’d returned from the farmhouse. Seven days of strained silences, clipped conversations, and the kind of emotional distance I never thought I’d feel between Alessandro and me. I still hadn’t fully processed everything. I had hardly gotten any sleep. Whenever I shut my eyes, I envisioned the expression on his face as I turned to leave.But how was I meant to simply act as if it never occurred? He had kept something huge from me. Not just about Mira, but about how little he must have trusted me—to think I couldn’t handle the truth, to let someone like Adrian be the one to reveal it. After everything we’d fought for, the secrets still found a way to wedge themselves between us. And it hurt. Today marked my return to the office aft
Alessandro’s POVI stood there, watching the woman I loved crumble in front of me, her eyes scanning that godforsaken document Adrian had handed her like it was a grenade. AAnd maybe it was due to my awareness of the explosion the moment her face shifted from confusion to disbelief to something that scared me more than any anger. Proximity. Although she was merely a few feet distant, it felt as if she stood across a canyon, unreachable. God, I wanted to fix it. But how do you fix something you didn’t even know was still broken?In the past, I thought I’d buried it. That nightmare with Mira... it had happened years ago, in a life that felt a million miles away from who I am now. I had been young, foolish, and too trusting. I never touched her. I never crossed any line. But when things ended, Mira spiralled. I tried to reason with her, but she twisted everything. She wanted revenge. And she got it in the worst way.I never expected it to follow me here, to this life. This future I’d bee
Sarah POVA few steps back, I noticed a captain whose face was completely devoid of colour. Words seemed to want to escape from his lips, but they were nowhere to be found.His still figure, rigid and motionless, also changed his hands into fists, which revealed the stress he was holding.This was simply too much to handle. My thoughts were fragmented, unable to reach a coherent conclusion. “Do tell me this isn’t the case,” I spoke in my flat voice. “Please tell me this is some unexpected blunder that someone made. That this… this woman is lying. Alessandro took a slow step toward me, but stopped when he saw me flinch not in fear, but in raw emotional recoil. That hurt in a way I couldn’t describe.The reflection of his features contorted with agony. "Sarah," a soft admission escaped as his throat felt like it was choked with raw feelings. “That's not the case.”We were close once, back in college. Yes, we dated for a few months, but when things didn’t work out, she didn’t take