Novel-novel oleh Destiny Williams

Kiara's povThree Months LaterWe went to a park. Sophia had already spotted the swings before we even reached the playground."Mummy, hurry up!"I laughed as she took off ahead of me.Around us, a few parents watched their children from nearby benches while others pushed strollers along the walking path. The park wasn't crowded, but it was alive and peaceful.For once, nobody was following us.No security alarms. No reporters. No fear.Just an ordinary afternoon with my daughter. For so long, my life has been chaotic.But now, I spent most mornings answering emails, meeting clients, and arguing with Sophia about random things.That felt like peace.Sophia reached the swings first and immediately turned around."Mummy!""I'm coming."She grinned triumphantly. "You lost.""I wasn't racing you.""That's because you knew I'd win."I rolled my eyes. The confidence in this child should honestly be studied.I helped her onto the swing before stepping back."Ready?""Push me high!""Not too

Leo's povThe church was empty. The flowers used for decoration were still there.The candles still burned softly near the altar.The guests were gone. Even the priest had disappeared.But I was still standing at the altar alone. Exactly where she left me.I stared at the church doors.The same doors Kiara had walked through less than an hour ago.The same doors I had imagined us walking through together as husband and wife.The same doors she passed through while leaving me at the altar to face shame.My chest felt broken and empty.Like something had finally been ripped out of me.I can't even blame her. I brought this upon myself. Every action has consequences.I looked down at the wedding ring still sitting in my palm.The ring I never got to place on her finger.A bitter laugh escaped me.Footsteps suddenly approached from behind.I turned around and it was Alex.He stopped beside me. Neither of us spoke immediately.For a long moment we simply stood there, looking at nothing in

Kiara's povThe moment the car door slammed shut behind me, I broke down, crying.Not the dignified tears I had somehow managed to hold together inside the church. This is the kind that makes breathing feels impossible.I pressed both hands against my face as tears kept flowing down my cheeks. Outside, reporters were still shouting.I could hear them through the tinted windows."Kiara!""What happened inside?""Did you leave Leo Williams at the altar?""Are you ending the relationship?"Camera flashes exploded endlessly outside. Security struggled to keep them back.But none of it sounded real anymore. Everything felt distant, like I was underwater.The wedding dress, the veil, the makeup and even the flowers, all of it suddenly felt too heavy on me.I felt sick.The driver quietly closed the privacy divider without saying a word. Giving me space and dignity to fall apart.And I was really falling apart.Because the worst part wasn't leaving Leo.The worst part was that I still loved

Kiara’s povThe entire church went completely silent.Like the entire room stopped breathing at once.Leo stared at me across the altar, still holding my hand loosely.Confusion slowly replaced the softness in his face.“Kiara…”My chest hurt so badly I thought I might actually collapse right there.Tears blurred my vision completely now.I could hear my heartbeat pounding hard inside my ears. Could feel hundreds of eyes watching us. Waiting.But none of that compared to the look on Leo’s face. Because he genuinely didn’t understand what was happening yet.“I can’t do this,” I whispered again, weaker this time.Leo blinked slowly. “Baby…”His grip tightened slightly around my hand.“You can’t do what exactly?”The way he said it. Soft,careful. Already panicking underneath. My throat tightened painfully.“This,” I whispered brokenly.His brows pulled together instantly.The church remained frozen around us.Somebody in the audience gasped quietly. Someone else whispered: “Oh my God…”A

Kiara’s povThe music echoed softly through the church as the doors slowly opened in front of me.And suddenly, every single person stood.My breath caught instantly.Candles flickered across the massive room. White roses lined the aisle beautifully beneath the golden lights hanging from above. Everything looked too beautiful. Too perfect.Sophia walked carefully ahead of me in her flower-girl dress, tiny hands holding the basket while she sprinkled white petals across the aisle.The entire congregation melted watching her.I could hear soft laughter. Sniffles. Whispers.But I barely focused on any of it. Because my eyes found Leo immediately, standing at the altar beside Alex. Waiting for me.My chest tightened painfully.He looked breathtaking in black. But it wasn’t even the suit. It was his face.The way he looked at me like nothing else inside the church existed. Like after everything… I was still the center of his entire world.Emotion burned hard inside my throat.And suddenly

Kiara’s pov“Stop moving.”“I’m trying.”“No you’re not.”“I literally am.”The makeup artist sighed dramatically while fixing something near my eyeliner again.Around me, the bridal suite buzzed with movement.Sophia sat cross-legged on the floor recording everything on her phone like a tiny documentary filmmaker.“Mummy keeps blinking aggressively,” she narrated seriously.“I can hear you.”“That’s okay. Transparency matters.”I stared at my daughter in disbelief.“How are you eight years old and already exhausting?”“Natural talent.”The room burst into laughter. Including me.But it faded quickly. Because every few seconds reality came rushing back again.I was getting married today. Like actually married to Leo today.The thought still felt unreal no matter how many times I repeated it inside my head.The makeup artist finally stepped back.“Done.”Everybody immediately turned toward me.“Oh my God,” one of the stylists whispered.Sophia gasped dramatically loud enough for the en

Lucy’s POVTwo days.That was all it took for my sleep to vanish and my sketch pad to overflow with new ideas. My fingers ached from hours of sketching, erasing, and stitching dreams into fabric. My next fashion showcase was only a few days away, and I wanted every thread, every fold, every silhouette to speak about something unique.The backstage area was alive with energy– fabrics rustling, zippers snapping, the scent of hairspray and perfume mixing with adrenaline. Susan was beside me, as always, pinning a loose strap on one of the models while barking directions at the makeup team.“Jenna, be careful with that gown!” she warned, pointing sharply. “If that sequined thread breaks, I’ll personally make you sew it back in the dark!”I couldn’t help but laugh softly, adjusting the hem of a flowing ivory dress. “Easy, Sussy. You’ll scare them before they hit the runway.”“They should be scared,” she said, tossing me a grin. “We’re representing Lucy Couture. We don’t do average here.”I

Richard’s POVShe was no longer the timid girl who was chubby, thick lens glasses and red hair. The ugly duckling as we all call her.She has transformed into a new person within these five years. Her confidence, radiant, good body and utterly in control.When I saw her standing under those golden lights tonight, accepting her award in that crimson gown that hugged every inch of her confidence, I almost forgot to breathe.I watched the girl I once shattered rise higher than I could ever imagine.I still remember the night we shared back in college like it's yesterday. But I allowed my pride to cloud me.I was supposed to defend her but rather, humiliated her in front of everyone and watched her get bullied.When she stepped off the stage, I followed her discreetly toward the exit, ignoring the few acquaintances who tried to stop me for a handshake.“I know she acted like she didn’t know me,” I muttered to myself, loosening my tie as I waited near the doors, “but I’ll make her remember

Five years laterLucy’s POVThe flash of cameras nearly blinded me as I stepped out of my black SUV.“Miss castle! Over here, please!”“Lucy castle! One smile for Vogue!”I turned slightly, offering them a small, practiced smile. Every step I took was poised and composed. The once timid, nerd girl now stood before flashing lights in a tailored crimson gown that flowed like silk fire. Which happens to be one of my designs. My name echoed in the air like music, and for the first time, I didn’t flinch.They no longer whispered ugly duckling.Now, they whispered Lucy castle… the designer of Lucy Couture.My heels clicked softly against the marble floor as I walked into the hall. The chandeliers sparkled above, and the scent of luxury filled the air — champagne and expensive perfume. Tonight was the International Fashion Excellence event, the biggest event of the year, and my brand had just been nominated for Designer of the Year.“Breathe,” susan whispered beside me, clutching her small s

Lucy's povThe sunlight cutting through the curtains was blinding. I groaned and turned over, my eyes opened slowly, the golden boy of the school was lying right next to me and it was so real to be true. In between my legs aches, reminding me of my decision last night.He opened his eyes and it widened in shock. “What the fuck!” He exclaimed. Jumped out of the bed and started putting on his clothes that were scattered all over the room.‘'Who the hell are you?” he asked, looking at me like dirt.“You..we…” I stammered. My voice trembled.“Look, you see this?” His hand moved between us. “This was a mistake. I was drunk last night and…”He was cut half way when he saw the blood stains on the bed. It now dawned on him that he deflowered me.“Like I was saying, “ he continued. “Last night never happened, and if you say a word.. just one word to anybody, I will make your life a living hell. Do you understand!” I nodded, trembling.He covered his nose with a mask and pulled a cap over his

Lucy's povEverybody was talking about the prom party that will hold tonight. I could hear the four sassy queens' conversation loud and clear. “Girls, we are going shopping after school! One announced.“Yes girl! I totally agree with you. We need to show up hot, like very hot!” The other girl said and they gave each other a high five.“We're gonna turn heads tonight and rock them boys” the other said, whining her waist in demonstration.I was just focused on the book I was reading, pretending not to hear them. “Hey ugly,” one of them called out. “Hope you are not planning to show up tonight.”I pushed back my glasses that were falling off my nose and continued reading.One of them walked to my desk, grabbed my book and dropped it to the floor. “You don't ignore beauty like us.” She said, titling her head smugly. She continued “have you gotten a prom date? Oops, I forgot. Nobody will want an ugly duckling like you to be their date.”They all laughed chorally. Just then my best fri

The chandeliers of the mansion were bright and starlike, splashing golden light upon varnished floors, Bunches of flowers scented the atmosphere as one heard the sound of reverberating laughter and music across the halls and jingling sounds that waiters made around the crowds with flutes of fine champagnes and hors d'oeuvres on their trays."Is everything ready for the toast?" Rafael demanded from one of the serving people. Authority was in his voice while his eyes played around the room."Yes, sir. Champagne is ready and so are the musicians," he said with a slight bow and scurried away.Rafael turned his eyes on Bernice, standing near the middle of the room in her glittering emerald gown. She covers it quite well, yet he manages to see right through it, to the scared smile below. Rafael moved to her, threaded an arm reassuringly around the nape of her lower back."You look lovely tonight," he whispered softly, clear into her ear."Thanks," she whispered, looking into the hall. "I ju

Sheets of rain lashed outside a small café across Liam's apartment complex as Alexander sat nursing coffee that was already cold, which he had not touched. His gaze turned out the door expecting Liam to walk in. Hoping he got his text. The anchoring weight on this day further depressed his body. The sound of defeat played out in his head until the door finally swung open, and Liam came in with drips coming off his umbrella."Alexander," he said, shock mingling with the sudden sobering of his tone. "Never thought I'd be coming in here to find you of all people waiting. What's up?"Alexander motioned to the empty chair opposite him. "Sit down. I need someone to talk to, and you're the perfect person at the moment.”Liam raised one eyebrow but did as instructed, tugging his coat off and hooking it over the back of the chair. "This does sound serious. Let me take a guess, it's about Bernice."Alexander exhaled with a heavy sigh, and the strain in his voice betrayed him. "It is always ab

"Two daddies?" Luca echoed, his voice full of wonder. "Does that mean we get two birthday parties too?"In the naivety of the question, a small, bitter laugh was dragged from Bernice. "Oh, sweetheart…", she started, but her words caught in her throat as tension pulled thick in the air.Rafael hunched down beside him, his features soft but strained. "It means you'll always have more people who love you. But I'm your father, Luca. You and Mia…you're my everything.”Luca looked up at him and furrowed his little brow as the meaning of Rafael's words digested. "But Uncle Alex takes care of us. Is he not our daddy too?"Mia stared at them, clutching her stuffed animal tightly. "Uncle Alex is fun…is he still our daddy?"Alexander had been leaning quietly against the wall until now; he stepped forward, his face composed, an edge laced in his voice. "I'll always be here for you, just like I always have been. But…," he paused, his eyes flicking to Bernice before he finished, "…your real father

The shrill ringtone of Rafael’s phone broke through the tense silence. Bernice flinched, startled from her thoughts as Rafael answered. His expression, initially sharp, softened slightly as he listened.“She’s awake?” His voice carried a mix of relief and urgency. “We’re on our way.”Bernice’s heart leaped at his words. “Mia?”Rafael nodded, snapping his phone shut. “The hospital called. She’s asking for you.”Without waiting for another word, Rafael pulled Bernice to his car, started the engine and pressed the gas pedal, speeding toward the hospital. Alexander’s car followed close behind, his headlights glaring in the rearview mirror like unspoken accusations.“I’ll need to explain things to her and Luca” Bernice murmured, her voice trembling as she twisted her hands in her lap."You will get the chance," Rafael replied tightly, his eyes fixed on the road. "But it is no longer just about you. It's time the kids knew the truth."Bernice's chest tightened; she wanted to argue but knew

"Gate 27B. Last call for flight 489 to São Paulo," the calm, automated voice echoed over the airport intercom.Detective Marcus was concealed behind a pillar, his striking eyes scouring the busy terminal. So excited, he could hardly contain his accelerating heartbeat. He then glanced at his watch-just at this time, Olivia's got to pop up. Every single lead, each and every crumb-into which he had looked-intimidated him before it all boiled down into this. Marcus reached for his radio."All units, Gate 27B. This one's not going to make it," ordered Marcus.Across the terminal, Olivia sashayed confidently through the crowd, arm linked with a man whose face bore a cruel smirk—Sebastian Reyes, the man who had framed Bernice three years ago. They looked relaxed, like a couple off on a romantic getaway. Olivia's sunglasses shielded her eyes, but her smile was bold, too bold. She believed she had won.“They really thought they could stop us?" Sebastian whispered, his hand tightly squeezing

"Run the footage again," Rafael ordered sharply, voice as keen as a razor. Fingers clasping the edge of his desk, white-knuckled. His assistant Gabriel blinked and then replayed the security footage on Rafael's big office screen.Rafael's eyes narrowed as the figure coming into view was one he could never mistake: his nephew, Ethan. Wearing a sharp suit, Ethan navigated the restricted areas within the company with confidence. It wasn't just access to the right places that remained an outstanding thing but what he was doing with it."There," Rafael pointed. "Pause it.Gabriel froze the footage; Ethan slipped a small USB drive into the server room. "We thought it was a cyber-attack," Rafael whispered, his quiet tone boiling with anger beneath. "It was him all along."Gabriel nodded grimly. "It matches perfectly with the timeline of events. Every major breach happened after he had entered the server room.Rafael leaned back, running a hand over his face. His heart pounded with a mixture