CALI
"So… how was yesterday's party?" Bethel asked casually.
I dabbed my skin with the smaller towel, avoiding her eyes. The memory still felt too close—too loud. I smiled, light and careful, as if nothing lingered beneath it.
"Wait—don't tell me," she said suddenly, her voice tightening. She knew. Somehow, she always did.
"Oh? What am I missing?" she pressed.
I giggled, the sound betraying me. Heat rushed to my face as I covered it with my hand. I hadn't realized how easy it had become to let my guard down around her.
"Don't worry," she said gently. "You can explain later. Oh—and Mr. Smith says his mum won't be coming today."
My smile slipped.
"Hey," she added quickly, misunderstanding my reaction. "You'll see your in-law soon enough. No need to rush."
If only she knew how relieved I felt. I nodded anyway, swallowing the truth—how desperately I needed more time. More practice. More distance.
"Promise you'll give me the full gist later," she teased.
I nodded.
She left with a laugh, but my thoughts drifted immediately—to Thomas.
When did he return? I was certain he'd left the country. I hoped—silently—that he wouldn't bring trouble with him.
Then there was Bryan.
The look on his face last night haunted me. He had seen everything. I knew he would ask. I wished he wouldn't.
I skipped breakfast and lay down instead, exhaustion pressing heavily on me. The sudden change in plans felt wrong—but I was too tired to question it.
Despite worrying about my brother's health, sleep claimed me quickly.
For the first time in days, I felt peaceful.
Too peaceful.
HALLY
I am Hally Jackson—no man's pawn.
If Smith Bryan thinks he can play games like his father did, he's mistaken. This time, I'm the one holding the pieces.
The news of his fiancée almost made me laugh. A joke, surely. Or a desperate move to secure the contract.
Either way, I wouldn't allow it.
Emily stormed in moments later, rage blazing across her face. The rumor had spread fast.
"Dad! What is this about Bryan having a fiancée?" she demanded.
"Calm down, princess," I said smoothly. "Bryan Smith is still yours. I have everything under control."
Her anger softened into hurt.
"He didn't even look at me last night," she whispered bitterly. "He was all over that girl."
"No one ruins my plans," I said calmly. "That girl can't give him what he truly wants—power, legacy, control. And you can."
Her face brightened.
"He'll come running to you soon," I promised.
"How?" she asked eagerly.
I chuckled. "Leave that to me. Now go—give me the smile of a future Mrs. Smith."
When she left, I exhaled slowly.
Bryan Smith wasn't just a young tycoon—he was dangerous. Far too sharp for his age. The Smiths had always been like that.
They took what they wanted.
Including women.
Ronald Smith took mine and left me broken.
Now, it was my turn to win.
Time to prepare a surprise the Smith family would never forget.