Bella watched the news, tears sliding down her cheeks. Amanda had called her earlier that morning, letting her know about the court session. Now, she saw Blake being dragged to prison, where he’d spend the next forty years of his life. Dora didn’t understand why Bella was so affected by a man being sentenced for murdering his uncle and framing someone for assault years ago. “Do you feel sorry for him?” Dora asked. Bella shook her head. She wasn’t about to explain what had happened three years ago—not now. “I’m just… fascinated by how good the laws are,” Bella lied, dabbing at her eyes. “We can live a free life if there are no more criminals around.” Dora shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips. “You’re so funny, Bella. Was that why you were crying?” “Yeah… I get too emotional lately.” “Have you sorted things out with Cole? About your major?” Dora asked, setting up her camera for a live session with her fans. “He hasn’t called since yesterday. But I thought about it a

Amanda stared at him, confused. She understood the words, but not the logic. “Why would you go back to prison? You’re not doing anything wrong. You’re not hurting anybody by pointing the ring at your mom. I don’t see the ‘crime.’” Cole exhaled and turned away. “Follow me.” She followed him to the garage. The ring was still in her hand. He didn’t take it back. Instead, he moved behind her and gently raised her hand, aiming the ring toward the parked car. At first, nothing. Then the car trembled. Shifted. And suddenly lunged with violent force. It slammed into the gate, metal twisting, glass shattering onto the floor. Amanda screamed and shut her eyes as the car roared back toward them—full speed—straight into their bodies. She felt the impact. Heard the crash. Expected pain. Expected to die. But when she opened her eyes… Everything was normal. The car was back in its place, untouched. The gate was intact. Not a scratch on either of them. Amanda’s heart hammered agains

At the reception, Tiffany turned her back to them. As soon as they walked past, she pivoted, her eyes hidden behind sunglasses, trying to get a better look without being noticed.“He has to be a secret billionaire,” whispered the friend she’d brought along.“Are you sure?” Tiffany asked, her tone a mix of disbelief and intrigue.“Will I lie to you? I saw his account balance. I was just at a restaurant with my boyfriend when I walked past his table.”“Who was the girl he went there with?” Tiffany asked.“That I don’t know. But she was stunning. Maybe a one-time thing. And if you saw what they ordered… two days ago? You’d be shocked. And I’m sure he was the one who dolled her up. She looked far too expensive for her age.”Tiffany bit her lower lip. Could Cole really be secretly rich? But she knew no family by that surname that was wealthy. Did he change his name? Her mind spun.“If you’re thinking of shooting your shot, do it now,” her friend urged. “Before it’s too late. We both know h

Amanda's hands trembled as she scraped together whatever confidence she still had. She forced a smile onto her face, stepped toward the table, and set the files down.“I’m pregnant, grandma,” she said shakily. “This is the opportunity we need to secure that international collaboration Tyler mentioned.”Her hands wouldn’t stop trembling.The matriarch’s lips twisted in a cruel, delighted smirk. “Of course. I knew you were waiting for the perfect moment to announce the bastard you’re carrying. Tell me — how many months is it?”“It’s… it’s… it’s not a bastard,” she stuttered.The matriarch stared at Amanda with a look so filthy it felt like a slap.And just like that— everything she and Cole planned evaporated.She was the one who suggested the entire fake pregnancy plan, yet her mind suddenly went blank. Empty. Hollow.She truly thought she had earned a place—maybe not the matriarch’s love, not the way she doted on Tyler—but at least a little bit of respect. A small corner of acceptance

They had been on the road for over ten minutes.Cole wasn’t speeding. In fact, he was driving slow enough to frustrate anyone.He wasn’t doing it for safety.He was giving her time. Time to open her mouth and explain what the hell she had just done.His jaw flexed every few seconds.He wasn’t shouting. But the silence was louder than any scream.Amanda felt it.The coldness in the car wasn’t the AC — it was him.She could feel it in her bones.Her fingers twisted in her lap. She swallowed.She finally forced something out, even if it sounded ridiculous.“That was… bad,” she muttered with a small laugh that didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m not even interested again.”Cole said nothing.Amanda glanced at him from the corner of her eye.His expression was unreadable — which was worse.Way worse.“Actually, I wasn’t scared of her,” she rushed. “I just had another plan and— but it didn’t work…”<