CHAPTER 73 – Zara’s POV The party was a success but then I felt something weird. I didn't know if it was just me, or I was just being paranoid. A woman's intuition was really something else when it kicked in, and I wasn't wrong when I saw that shameless woman. The daughter of our local mayor, who clung to my husband as if her life depended on it, and now she even dared to kiss my husband. As I watched her and Lucas together, it felt like I was punched with anger and jealousy in my heart. I remained calm, just observing the situation, but deep inside I wondered if Lucas would ever change for the better. We just got reunited, and there’s another woman already who was vying for his attention! “What the fuck, Nadine!” my husband exclaimed angrily, wiping his lips after the woman kissed him. They hadn't noticed me watching them yet. Nadine, that was the name of this shameless woman! Damn! “Lucas, I've loved you since then! I am willing to be your mistress, just keep me close to your he
CHAPTER 74 – Zara’s POV The night weighed heavily upon us as we slept, carrying with it unresolved grievances. No greetings were exchanged, no apologies offered, and our stubbornness held us captive. The emotional distance between Lucas and me mirrored the separation of our children into separate rooms. The air grew cold, and doubts crept into my heart, leaving me feeling insecure and unimportant in his eyes. The warmth of our marriage seemed to wane, and tears streamed down my face throughout the night, burdened by the fear that his love for me had vanished. How had we come to this? I believed Lucas and I were destined to endure together until the very end. Yet here we were, estranged and adrift. His heart had seemingly changed with alarming swiftness, and I questioned why. Was it just me? Why had he distanced himself so abruptly? The weight of my emotions consumed me, and tears flowed ceaselessly. I cried out all the pain and anguish burdening my heart, emptying myself of the sor
CHAPTER 75 – Zara’s POV Fifteen years have passed since Lucas and I exchanged our vows, a journey filled with ups and downs, tears and smiles. We have faced countless challenges, nearly losing hope at times, but our determination has kept us fighting. Has it been an easy road for us? No, there's no such thing as a perfect relationship. We, like any couple, have experienced moments of doubt and contemplation. But we have also found reasons to hold on tightly, to weather the storms together. We understand that true happiness and a healthy relationship require effort and commitment. They say that when you're truly happy, time flies by unnoticed. And indeed, the time has flown. It feels like just yesterday when my children were young, and now they tower over me, grown into remarkable individuals. Enrique, our eldest, was already twenty-five years old. He has blossomed into a handsome, intelligent young man, dedicated to his studies and still possessing a gentle sweetness. He would be
PROLOGUE – Zara’s POV Antoinette and I found ourselves perched on stools in a dimly lit bar, the lively hum of music and clinking glasses filling the air. It was the ideal spot to unwind and let go of the day's stress. As we sipped our drinks, Antoinette began chatting about men. The more the alcohol warmed my insides, the easier laughter came, and my concerns seemed to dissolve like winter frost under the spring sun. We were thoroughly enjoying our night out, but then something—or rather, someone—caught my eye. Lucas Blackwood, the man I'd been crushing on since college, had just walked in. My heart fluttered wildly as I watched him stride in, his brooding eyes scanning the room. He looked worn out and, more noticeably, unhappy. I'd never seen him so downcast before, and I couldn't help but wonder what had happened. “Zara, are you okay?” Antoinette's voice was a faint echo, drowned out by the rapid pounding of my heart. “Y-yes, I'm fine,” I managed to stutter out, though my voice
CHAPTER 1- Zara’s POV The morning sun spilled through the drapes, rousing me from my slumber. As I stirred, the memories of the previous night with Lucas came flooding back. However, a wave of regret washed over me. I had allowed myself to be carried away by the heat of the moment, and now, in the harsh light of day, the reality of my actions was sinking in. Tears welled up in my eyes as I realized the gravity of my mistake. I had given myself to Lucas, not just physically, but emotionally as well. I closed my eyes, taking deep breaths in an attempt to calm my racing heart. I wished I could turn back time, erase that fateful night, but life didn't offer such conveniences. Instead, I was left to face the consequences of my actions. How had I ended up in bed with my famous college batch mate, Lucas Blackwood? Why him? There were countless other men who were more attractive, but why Lucas? Why had I surrendered myself to him? “Zara Delafontaine! Come here right now!” a voice called ou
CHAPTER 2 – Zara’s POV When I found out I was pregnant, I was very scared. Lucas Blackwood's family was powerful and owned many businesses in Claybourne City. I was confused and didn't know what to do, especially because Lucas had threatened to ruin my life after we spent the night together. I wanted to keep my situation a secret, but my family found out. Even though I tried to hide who the father was, my grandfather got the truth out of me. The idea of raising a baby by myself was scary, but knowing that Lucas Blackwood was involved made it even worse. He had threatened me the day he came to see me. I wanted to keep everything a secret because I thought having Lucas involved would be a disaster. I was desperate and tried to act like everything was normal. I didn't know if I should hide or tell the truth about who the baby's father was. But my grandfather didn't let me keep the secret forever. Even though I tried to hide who the father was, the truth came out. My secret was out an
CHAPTER 3 – Zara’s POV He continued to blame me for everything. I felt bad for my family because of how Lucas ignored them. I also felt bad for myself because when we got home, Lucas threw a maid's uniform at me! As he kept blaming me, I started to believe that it was my fault. I blamed myself for getting drunk that night, for letting him have me. I had been paying for that mistake for six years. Every day, he blamed me. It had been six years since our secret wedding. After enduring our unhappy marriage, I wanted to free myself. He couldn't keep me as his secret forever! How could he keep me but not love me properly? I felt bad for our son who never felt love from his father. It had been six years, but I still remembered how harsh he was on our wedding night. He knew I was pregnant, but he claimed my body again and again. He didn't let me sleep that night. Since then, he treated me terribly. For six years, he was always cruel. He constantly blamed me for ruining his life, and he
CHAPTER 4 – Zara’s POV Antoinette and I shared a love for coffee, so I suggested we grab a cup at the coffee shop nearest to the school. She went to order our usual favorites while I found a free table. “Are you still with that jerk, Zara?” she asked bluntly as soon as she returned with our drinks. I let out a sigh before responding, “Yes, I'm still with Lucas Blackwood.” Antoinette gave a sarcastic round of applause, then examined my face. I knew she was worried; she was the first one to know about the way Lucas treated me and our son. “Tell me honestly, Zara. Are you trying to be a martyr? It's been six years since that damned wedding. I thought you'd have realized by now that living with that man is like living in hell. I feel guilty every day for what you're going through. It's my fault,” Antoinette confessed. “Don't blame yourself, Antoinette. It was never your fault. You didn't force me into his bed that night. I was willing,” I admitted, attempting to ease my friend's guil