Chapter One: The Betrayal

Zara's POV "Five thousand dollars," the auctioneer called, his voice booming across the opulent hall. A woman in black sleek gown raised her paddle. ""Ten thousand dollars."Then another bidder quickly followed, her voice cutting through the silence. "Twenty thousand dollars." The crowd hushed, holding their breath as the auctioneer glance around . "Do I hear anymore.? Two thousand dollars for the exquisite Icy Lovers. Going once. Going twice. He let the silence hang, a master of suspense. Then, with finality. "Icy Lovers, Sold for twenty thousand dollars."A round of applause rippled through the room. The Icy Lovers displayed proudly on the towering screen behind him.In the shadows, my trembling hands clutch so tightly to a champagne flute. I had no intention of drinking it- my hands needed something to anchor them, to steady the storm brewing inside me.The paintings on display were mine-every stroke -every details bore the imprint of my soul but the name imprinted beneath, t

Last Updated : 2024-12-21

Chapter Two: Second Chance

Zara's POV My throat tightened, as the word settled in. "Divorce agreement?" I echoed, barely recognizing my own voice."Yes," he said, his voice cold and his expression as unmoving as a stone."But.....I thought we had something special going on," I said, my voice trembling at the weight of disbelief. "I thought.... our marriage was going well." Tears streamed down my cheeks, each one carrying a piece of my hope."I don't love you. I never did," he said firmly, his gaze unflinching. "I merely pitied you."“Pity?” The word felt foreign to my ears, slicing through me like a blade.“Yes.” He sighed, his tone laced with finality. “Whenever I look at you, I see myself—a desperate struggle for love, acknowledgment, and acceptance from society and family. But I can’t do it anymore.”Without waiting for response, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving me standing there, shattered. My legs felt like lead as I forced myself to move, stumbling out to the pathway.Voice broke thr

Last Updated : 2024-12-22

Chapter Three: The Contract

Zara's POV The silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating like a storm waiting to break. Disbelief overshadowed his features, and suddenly he burst into laughter-sharp, mocking and utterly cruel."S....orry," he said sputtering, his laughter cutting through my words, drowning out any feeble defense I must have mustered. But as quickly as it came, it subsided, leaving his face unreadable. "You joke too much, Zara."The sting of embarrassment surged through me but I refused to back down. My gaze locking on his. "I'm not joking," I said, my voice steady, betraying none of my tumor" I'm serious."The amusement on his face vanished, replaced by something colder-shock perhaps. He leaned forward slightly, studying me like an unreadable puzzle. "You're serious?"I nodded, keeping my chin high."Why should l?" He shot back, his words cutting. "Why should I settle for the adopted daughter when the real daughter is already within my reach," he said.The words landed like blows l

Last Updated : 2024-12-22

Chapter Four: The Marriage Proposal

Evander’s POVThe weight of Zara’s proposal still lingered in my thoughts as I sat in the dimly lit hotel room. Her revelation about seeking revenge against her family had caught me off guard, but instead of disdain, I found myself drawn to her. In the past, whenever Cassandra spoke about her elder sister’s pitiful existence, I’d wondered why Zara tried so hard to gain acceptance. Yet now, seeing her defiance and determination, I couldn’t help but admire her.That night, sleep evaded me. Zara lay motionless on the bed, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. But even in her rest, the lines of pain etched into her features were unmistakable. My heart clenched, unbidden, and an unfamiliar resolve began to stir. I wasn’t sure what I felt for her yet, but I knew I wanted to protect her—to ease her burdens, no matter what it took.Her insights about the future intrigued me. Were they coincidences, or did she genuinely know something others didn’t? I didn’t have answers, but I c

Last Updated : 2024-12-23

CHAPTER FIVE: THE ANNOUNCEMENT

Zara’s POVThe gentle warmth of Evander’s embrace lingered even as the cold reality of our situation settled in. I stared at the makeshift sunflower ring on my finger, my heart pounding. It was ridiculous—childish, even—but for the first time in years, something in me flickered with hope. But I couldn’t afford hope. Not yet. Evander’s deep voice pulled me back to the present. “We should leave.” I nodded, still shaken. My mind whirled, replaying Grace’s threats and Cassandra’s venomous glare. They wouldn’t let this go. I knew them too well. The ride to Evander’s penthouse was silent, filled only with the low hum of the car’s engine. My fingers tightened around the edge of my dress as I stared out the window, the city lights blurring together. I should have felt victorious—after all, I had gotten what I wanted. I was engaged to Evander Blackwood, the one man Cassandra wanted more than anything.But deep down, a sliver of doubt twisted inside me.Had I made a mistake?

Last Updated : 2025-02-07

Chapter Six: The engagement party

Zara’s POV The engagement was official. The headlines screamed it, the images were everywhere—Evander, effortlessly composed and dominant, standing beside me, his hand placed firmly on my waist as if I belonged to him. And me, the perfect counterpart, a dazzling smile on my lips, playing my part with the kind of grace and poise the media loved. It looked so real except that it wasn’t .The ring on my finger was heavier than I expected—not just in weight, but in significance. Every time I looked at it, I was reminded of the game I had chosen to play. But as I stood in Evander Blackwood’s penthouse the next day, staring at my own reflection, I couldn’t ignore the creeping feeling inside me. Had I just signed away my soul? I tightened my grip on the bathroom sink, forcing myself to breathe. This is what you wanted. This is what you fought for. A sharp knock on the door shattered my thoughts. “Zara.” Evander’s voice was calm, controlled. Always controlled. I opened the

Last Updated : 2025-03-09