Prologue

She awoke in a strange, frigid environment. Every breath she took sent waves of discomfort through her body, making it a struggle to even pry open her eyes. The overhead lights were blinding, casting a harsh glow that pierced through her closed eyelids. Faint sounds echoed in the distance, their origins shrouded in mystery. Seeking solace, she shut her eyes momentarily, only to be greeted by the gentle waft of a familiar fragrance that tickled her senses. Lavender scent… Where am I?As the haze lifted from her eyes, her gaze swept across the room. Heavy window curtains, a tiled floor, get-well lavender flowers on the side table, and IV bags are all she sees. “O-Ouch.” She flinched in an attempt to sit on the bed. The needle that pierced through her veins made it difficult to put force in her hand, causing her to fall back.She had no recollection of how or when she was transferred to the hospital; the last thing she remembered was being inside the bathroom before her vision went bla

Last Updated : 2024-01-16

Chapter 1

"Looks like they're here," John murmured, his elbow lightly brushing against hers. She carefully placed the vodka glass on the table, her attention shifting to the venue's entrance. A figure stepped out from the dimness, his posture striking a chord of recognition in her. He paused, extending his arm for his soon-to-be wife, his lips curling into a smile that Vlada knew was as beguiling as it was insincere. As the couple, freshly bonded by engagement, made their entrance, a wave of applause washed over them. Her heart pounded in her chest, her years of evading his presence suddenly collapsing under the weight of this moment. Her knuckles whitened as she tightened her hold on the glass-cleaning cloth, her gaze tracking their progress through the sea of well-wishers.“He’s Lazare Ibañez, the son of Lionel Ibañez, the late race car driver. He’s a one lucky useless spoiled brat, living off his parents’ money and the things they owned. All this jerk has to do is keep everything.”I know.

Last Updated : 2024-01-26

Chapter 2

Her heart pounded in her chest, the echo of despair whispering that escape from Lazare was impossible. But then, a miracle—the shrill ring of Lazare’s phone pierced the tense silence. As his attention shifted, his hand diving into his pocket to get his phone, she seized the moment. Each step she took was a relief, putting distance between them. The air filled her lungs, sweet and liberating, a stark contrast to the stifling fear that had gripped her moments ago.“Yeah? I'll return shortly,” Lazare’s voice echoed into the garden, his gaze locked onto her, unyielding. The cigarette hanging loosely from his lips found its end on the ground, extinguished under the weight of his boot. It did not take long enough and the conversation concluded, but the intensity in his eyes remained as he slid his phone back to his pocket.Her words danced in the air, a playful taunt, “Your fiancée seemed to miss you already.”A smirk played on Lazare’s lips, his left hand casually disappearing into his po

Last Updated : 2024-02-19

Chapter 3

“Business tycoon Lazare Ibañez, son of the late race driver Lionel Ibañez, is now in the eye of a storm. A photograph from his engagement party last night has surfaced, showing him in a compromising position with an unidentified woman, who is not his fiancée, the acclaimed actress Nicole Asuncion. Efforts are underway to reach Mr. Ibañez for his statement on the matter. Stay tuned for further updates—”Vlada turned off the television and she put the remote on the table. She reached for her phone and dialed Michael’s number. “Michael!” she screamed in excitement. He chuckled on the other line. “Yeah, you’re very much welcome, Vlada.”“No, I really want to thank you for helping me. It means a lot.”“Silly girl. You don’t have to thank me. I should be thanking you for actually helping me secure my position in our company. This news reached a lot of people. This is the biggest controversy, to be honest.”“Will they be able to know who I am?” she asked. “Maybe yes but they wouldn’t focu

Last Updated : 2024-05-09

Chapter 4

Vlada sat alone at the table, spooning the last bit of bacon from her bowl. The silence was a small mercy—no eyes on her hands, no quiet tension pushing her to eat faster, straighter, quieter.Her chair scraped softly against the marble as she stood, the sound oddly satisfying. The terrace door gave under her palms with a familiar heaviness, the glass cool even in the morning sun. She paused at the threshold, letting her eyes fall shut. A breath in. The faint scent of jasmine. The soft brush of wind curling around her ankles.She stepped out.Everything was exactly where it had always been—the iron chairs, the pale stone railing, even the crack in the third tile over. She stared at it, her chest tight with the kind of ache that doesn’t belong to the present.So many evenings she’d stood here, watching the light drain from the sky while waiting for Lazare to come home. And still, part of her waited.“It’s… amazing,” she whispered. The word didn’t feel quite right, but it was the best s

Last Updated : 2025-07-09

Chapter 5

“F-ck,” Lazare breathed, his voice tight, barely audible.His muscles coiled like a spring, fingers braced hard against the wall on either side of her. His breath came hot and shallow. The air between them thinned. Vlada’s back met the cold surface, and his frame closed in around her, leaving no space, no escape.She could feel the tension pulsing off him—restrained, electric.And she knew then: he was cornered, and so was she.She could almost feel the heat rolling off him, not from fear, but frustration—the kind that only surfaced when she got involved. His mother. The one woman who knew exactly where to twist the knife.“Lazare Ibañez!” The voice came shrill and sharp, echoing through the grand corridor like a gavel. “Who is that girl you're hiding?! This is outrageous! You're engaged! What would Lazarus say if he knew about this filth?!”Lazare’s jaw clenched. His eyes shut tight as though bracing for impact. Every muscle in his face went still—too still.Fear clawed at the edges

Last Updated : 2025-07-15