Semua Bab A Whole New World: Bab 81 - Bab 90

ESSENCE “You did what?” Sky gasped, nearly dropping her mimosa. I shrugged like a woman who definitely hadn’t just signed up for a week-long nightmare. “I let her stay. Just for one week. That’s what Lucian said.” “Essence!” Hailey groaned, walking toward me like she was about to stage an intervention. “No, no, no. Tell me you’re joking. Tell me Lucian drugged you and forged your consent. You can’t be serious.” I stared down at my untouched croissant and muttered, “Dead serious.” Sky plopped down beside me, eyes wide. “You let Brittany stay in your house. Brittany. As in the same Brittany who—let’s review—tried to gaslight you at that party, suggested Lucian was playing you, and later, tried using Danny's existence to pit you against Lucian like this was some Lifetime drama. That Brittany?” “Unfortunately, the very one,” I muttered. “You’re too calm for someone letting a snake sleep under her roof,” Hailey said, folding her arms. “I would’ve set the guest bed on fire.”

YVONNE As Essence walked away like some kind of classy queen in a drama series, I couldn’t stop the slow smile that curled on my lips. "I have you exactly where I want you." She thought she was in control. That recording I handed her? A mere appetizer. She thinks she's walking into the lion’s den with a sword. She doesn’t realize the lion invited her in, handed her the blade, and asked her to aim for the wrong target. She was too blinded by “trust” and “wifely grace” to see it. But she would. Soon. My mind flashed back to last night—the real beginning of this sweet little game. I had knocked on Brittany’s bedroom door like a peace-offering cousin. She took her time answering, of course, acting like some First Lady. Arms folded, chin up. “What do you want?” she had snapped. I stepped in without waiting. “Relax. I’m not here to fight you. I’m here to work with you—against Essence.” Her eyes narrowed. “And what’s that supposed to mean?” I didn’t blink. “I mean I’ve ha

CAROLINE A Few Hours Earlier I stared at Alex, annoyance flickering across my eyes. "Why the hell didn't you think it important to notify me that you and Essence have gotten divorced? Alex sighed, like the victim he always pretends to be. “It didn't occur to me, okay? Things have just been so chaotic since what happened with Vesper. My mind hasn’t exactly been clear. Besides... I don’t believe my relationship with Essence is really over. This is just temporary. A misunderstanding.” I blinked. “She’s married to someone else, Alex.” He actually had the nerve to smile a little. “Yeah. It seems that way. But trust me, it’s not what you think.” And as if on cue, out waltzed Remi Vanguard from his room like a bad decision in heels. She didn’t even look at me. Just tossed her hair, told Alex she was heading out, and left. I snorted. “You’ve got to be kidding. She’s still here? You’re still letting that.....” I stopped myself. “You know what? Maybe I should be happy for you. You

LUCIAN The moment those microphones were shoved in my face, the noise of the party became a dull thud in the background. My throat clenched. The cameras were flashing, reporters yelling over each other—asking about Essence, asking about Brittany, asking about a damn wedding that would never happen. I stood frozen, my face tight with a polite smile, but inside, I was screaming. My chest tightened as the weight of their words pressed into my ears like sharp needles. Essence. Her name alone made my heart ache. That woman had walked through hell and back, and still she chose to stand beside me—chose to smile, to love again. She left Alex not just because he cheated, but because he humiliated her. Repeatedly. And here I was, on the verge of doing the same thing. The crowd around me began to lean in. Even Brittany’s father stepped forward, expectant. And across the room, Brittany was standing with her palms flat against her chest, mouthing those same words again. 'Please, Luci

ESSENCE You know that feeling when you’ve spent days preparing to fight a war, only to realize the enemy packed their bags and fled before the first blow? That was me—standing there like a clown with an invisible sword, while Lucian, my beautiful husband, tossed Brittany out like yesterday’s burnt rice. No back and forth, no begging. Just one sharp, clean sweep. And I just stood there, watching, wondering why on earth I’d ever doubted this man. Seriously, I’d stressed myself over whether or not I should confess, whether or not I’d need to play that voice recording, or bring out the holy scrolls of evidence I had tucked away like a backup Bible verse. But in the end, it was just my word. And he believed it. Completely. That moment? It humbled me in the most beautiful way. Because here I was, thinking I needed to work extra hard to protect my place in his life. But to Lucian, there was never anyone else. Just me. Always me. He held my hand—gently but firmly—and walked me back i