Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 1 - Chapitre 10

Chapter 1

After I won my case and got back home, I spotted a popular social media post as I scrolled through my phone.[Is it wrong to fall in love with someone who already belongs to another?]The answer with the most likes was from someone named 'Camila'.[Being in love isn't the same as being married. If you can steal the heart of someone taken, you deserve to keep it. If they don't love their partner enough to stay loyal, their partner is the real outsider in the relationship. I'm the perfect example!]I checked out her profile, and it was all pictures of diamond rings, big houses, and private jets.She wrote all about how she stole a broke student's boyfriend. She described making them misunderstand each other, breaking up their relationship, and finally taking her place.[He was actually the only son of a super-rich guy. He was hiding it because he wanted to see what life was like for normal people.][Now, he's the CEO of a big company. We're married and really happy together! His e

Chapter 2

My phone lit up with a message from a client: [Ms. Porter, are you sure you can make my husband leave without a penny after he cheated on me?]I could not sleep after replying, so I started working on some files.The client had paid me a lot. The figure had so many zeros it was hard to believe it was real.Who would have thought that not long ago, I had to make a single sandwich last for two meals?Back then, every second was expensive because of Mom's medical bills.I was working to support the three of us."Why are you still with that boyfriend?" My friend kept asking me, "Is it just because he's handsome? You can't eat good looks!"I just smiled.They did not get it. If I did not come home to a warm hug every day, I might have fallen apart a long time ago.Back then, I thought Alexander was the best.He was quiet, cute, and kept to himself. He was not like my dad, who brought home all sorts of trouble.I was his whole world, and only I could see how great he was. Since I

Chapter 3

I was swamped with my thesis, studying for the bar exam, and interning. My days were a whirlwind of activity.Visits to Alexander's studio grew rare, and I barely had time to brush my hair.Whispers started to spread around campus."Alexander and her? They're an odd match. It looks like she snagged a male model.""Totally. He looks way better next to that freshman."However, if Alexander ever caught wind of the rumors, he would shut them down with a stern look.Whenever she saw me, Camila would sweetly talk to me and often try to gift me fancy skincare products."No, really, you shouldn't." I declined the cream she offered for the third time. "I'm not used to these things.""Alice!" she said with a playful pout, latching onto my arm. "Take it, please. I felt like you were a sister to me from the moment we met."Slowly, I started to drop my guard.Once we became friends, she even volunteered to help me keep an eye on Alexander."Alice, you should focus on your work!" she said

Chapter 4

I looked at Alexander's teary eyes, my head spinning.He looked annoyed and seemed to realize he had said too much."I'm sorry. You should rest. I'll go get your favorite food."I did not wait for him to come back. I got dressed and went straight to school to work on my paper.After that day, things changed. My friends started giving me weird looks, and even my favorite professor seemed frosty. Walking by, I would catch bits of their hushed gossip."She's so annoying. She's just jealous because the younger girl is prettier.""Wow! She's mean, always competing with other girls."Camila stopped pretending to be nice and told everyone how mean I was to her, playing the innocent victim.I felt left out at school, and even Alexander started to act distant.He did not know that I had to start taking medication for the stress from money and school matters. This put me in a depressive state.At the graduation dance, I did not even try to dress up. Standing next to Alexander in his fa

Chapter 5

On our way to get her passport, my daughter could not stop talking about Pigeon Square in Fiorenza."Mommy, can I feed a whole bunch of pigeons? Will you come with me?""Of course! I'll be right there with you for whatever you want," I said, smiling and stroking her hair.Too bad I had to start my new job at the Blake Group today and could not spend more time with her.I quickly led my daughter past the line and into the VIP lounge to wait for our turn."Hello, I'll be helping you with... Alice?! "I spun around, and there was Camila, in her crisp uniform. She glared at me.Was it really her?I did not want to waste words, so I grabbed my daughter's hand, ready to walk away.However, Camila stepped in front of us, eyeing our plain dresses."It is you, isn't it? How did you manage to get into the VIP room? This is only for clients who make more than ten million a year!"Oh, I get it. You must've ridden some rich guy's coattails to get in, huh? What, did he dump you? You look

Chapter 6

Alexander stood rooted to the spot, his phone still glued to his ear."H-how is it you?" he stammered. "Ivy... Alice?"Ever since I got my license, I went by Ivy. I had never lost a case, and my fees started at a million an hour.Alexander could not connect the dots. Back then, Alice did not even get her diploma."Mr. Blake, you really had no idea? Oh, that's my bad," I said, dragging out my words. "Of course, you've been too busy taking over the family business and flirting with pretty college girls to bother checking up on an ex-girlfriend."Alexander's face went white as a sheet. He had so much to say but could not find the words to start.Camila, seizing the moment, screamed and charged at me. "No way! How can someone like you be doing so well?""Be quiet!" Alexander yanked Camila back so hard she tumbled to the ground.However, he did not even look at her. His eyes were fixed on me."We need to talk about the last few years.""There's nothing to talk about," I said, pick

Chapter 7

"Is Alexander out of his mind?" I asked Danial. "Does he even realize what he's doing?""I'm perfectly aware." Alexander stepped in, his eyes filled with mixed emotions as he looked at me."I just want to make things right," he said softly. "I used to think you left because I was broke. It took me a while to find out about your mom."I let out an icy laugh. "What's the point of talking about this now?""There isn't one," he admitted openly. "All I can do is give you something real."He had discovered that my daughter was adopted and that life had not been easy for me. The will he was offering was his way of trying to make up for the past.I did not say yes, but I did not say no either. I just took the papers and left.While I was in Fiorenza with my daughter for two months, I forgot all about it.Back home, a mountain of work was waiting for me. My first appointment was with a mysterious high-society lady. I got to the fancy club on time, but when I opened the private room door

Chapter 8

Alexander looked powerful, his handsome face stern.Camila stood up quickly, trying to breathe quietly.He looked at me with heavy eyes. "Everything you said before was true.""You never checked?" I raised an eyebrow. "You gave my daughter so much money without checking?""The money was to make up for your tough years." He looked away. "It wasn't to make up for the wrongs you faced. If I had known what happened back then..."He stopped, glaring at Camila with such anger that she shook with fear.It was too late now, way too late.I tried to push past him. "Move."However, he grabbed my wrist and kissed it gently. When he looked up, his eyes were filled with a fierce need that I knew all too well.It was a look of possession, longing, and wild madness."Alice, please, the mix-up's been sorted out. Give me another chance..."Slap!I cut him off with a sharp slap."You two can deal with it. Leave me out of it."I was so fed up with this mess that I did not want to work anymo

Chapter 9

Alexander's hand froze in the air, the imprint of my fingers stark against his cheek."Why did you hit me again?" he yelled, his eyes brimming with anger and hurt. "I'm here to help you!"I calmly pushed him away.Honestly, I had wanted to slap him for the longest time.The man on the ground was trying to stand up, hurling insults. "You little brat! How dare you hit me! I'm your dad! And what gives you the right to hit me, Mr. Fancy Pants? It's my right to discipline my daughter!"Daughter?That word set fire to all my rage.I grabbed a sedative from the emergency kit a nurse had left behind and charged at him, pressing it to his neck."Daughter? When I was desperate and called you for help, begging you to care for Mom as her husband and as my father, where were you?"Busy with your lovers, I bet!"Mom's been in this bed for years. Have you even looked at her once?"Now that your girlfriends have dumped you, you come crawling to me for money?"Why should I give you any?"H

Chapter 10

Alexander understood, and his eyes shook with fear.I smiled sadly."The day you wanted me to promise my love to you, I got held back a year at school, lost my chance to get my certificate, and the law office let me go. The hospital wanted two thousand dollars, or they'd kick my mother out."What else was I supposed to do?" I asked."When I took those pills, Alice was gone, and only Ivy was left."Alexander swallowed hard and said with a rough voice, "Alice..."I stood up, shaky, and pushed away his hand that tried to help me."It's too difficult to live without love."At first, I had my parents' love. Then, I thought your love would be enough for me."I was wrong. Trusting you cost me so much."Don't come looking for me, Alexander. It's all over between us."The only sound left in the room was the steady ticking of the machines.I turned away and carefully put the irises into the vase by Mom's bed.He stood up slowly, quietly."Remember to put ointment on your knee when

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