Five years ago, Lucy Henrique was betrayed, drugged, and forced into a loveless marriage with Bill Thomas. After a one-night stand gone wrong, she became pregnant but was abandoned. Humiliated and cast aside, she left-carrying a secret pregnancy that no one knew about. Now, she has returned as a powerful businesswoman, no longer the naive woman she once was. But when Bill discovers their children, he fights for a second chance. However, he's not the only one interested-powerful men from her past and present are after her, each determined to win her love. As old enemies resurface and secrets come to light, Lucy must decide: Will she forgive the man who once destroyed her, or choose a new path where she holds all the power?" Let the game begin.
(Lucy's POV)
The soft light from the chandelier glittered on the golden bubbles in Lucy's champagne glass. Despite the lively music and contagious laughing, there was something odd about the celebration.
"My dear, have a drink! Maria cooed, her scarlet lips curving into a knowing smile as she clinked her glass against Lucy's. Her words, "Tonight is all about you,"
Tilting the flute to her lips, Lucy laughed. "You didn't have to throw me a party, Maria."
With a look of feline contentment in her eyes, Maria purred. "It's absurd. The best is what my closest buddy deserves.
Lucy could still taste the harsh undertone in the cool, sweet champagne. One gulp became another. The boundaries of the room were blurry. Her eyesight tunneled, and her limbs felt heated.
Her heart pounded.
"Maria... I don't feel well."
Maria's eyes glinted with something unreadable as her smile grew. "Calm down, my love. Enjoy the evening, please.
Lucy's tongue felt heavy as she opened her mouth. She was pulled beneath by an odd dizziness that wrapped around her.
The last thing she noticed was Maria's arrogant look.
Then it got dark.
Lucy's exposed flesh was touched by warm silk sheets. Like a suffocating prison, the smell of musk and pricey fragrance surrounded her.
Her body had an odd feeling. exposed.
She opened her eyes. The globe whirled.
She twisted her head and panicked.
One of the men beside her stirred.
The arm around her waist grew tighter.
Breathe deeply. A change in the darkness.
Then-
Thomas, Bill.
Her former fiancé.
She let out a choked breath. She pulled the blanket to her chest, her heart hammering against her ribs.
No. No, no. It's not real.
Bill blinked himself awake, his brows wrinkled. His cheeks flashed with confusion. Then comprehension.
"Lucy?" Sleep had thickened his voice, making it hoarse.
She almost tripped over the covers as she staggered back. "What-what happened?" Her voice faltered.
Bill raked a hand through his tangled hair and sat up. "What do you mean?"
She breathed in short gasps. "Why am I here?!"
Bill observed her, his eyes growing gloomy. "You don't remember?"
"I-" The gathering. Maria. The beverage.
A horrible insight tore at her chest.
She had been set up.
Bill let out a long sigh. "Lucy... we spent the night together."
Her belly rumbled. "No. That isn't feasible.
He clenched his jaw. "This is what you wanted, Lucy. You were all over me.
"You're lying."
"Why would I?"
Her eyes were scorched by tears. She wasn't like this. She wasn't like this.
She drops her garments, pulling her clothes over her head with shaking fingers. She had to get out. Right now.
Unreadable, Bill watched. "Do you regret it?"
She spun around him. "I don't even remember it!"
His azure eyes became icy. "Then maybe you should."
The restless calmness was broken by a loud knock.
"Rise and shine, lovebirds!"
Maria.
Lucy stopped.
Before she could speak, the door opened wide open.
Maria was standing there with a crafty smile on her lips, wearing a tight black gown, with her silver hair falling over her shoulders.
Lucy you're awake "Oh, that's. she thought entering the room as though she have full access to it.
Lucy's fists clenched. "What did you do to me?"
False innocence glistened in Maria's eyes. "What do you mean?" She glanced at Bill and then back at Lucy's unkempt appearance. "Did we have fun last night?"
Lucy was enraged. "You drugged me!"
Maria laughed a little too loudly. "My dear, don't be so emotional. A couple drinks were too much for you. You were so... eager. She gave Bill a wink.
Lucy's fingernails penetrated her hands. "You set me up!"
Maria grinned more broadly. "Assist you? Darling, I just given you what you've always desired."
Bill scowled. "Maria, what the hell is going on?"
Maria rolled her eyes and sighed. "Oh, Bill, don't act foolish. That was precisely the plan.
Lucy gasped for air. "What plan?"
Maria took a folded document out of her purse and threw it on the bed. "Lovebirds, congratulations. You're married.
Lucy's entire world shifted.
Bill grabbed the paper and looked at the text, his face growing serious.
Lucy tore it out of his grasp. She glanced over the text-
The marriage certificate
Her name. The name of Bill.
She twitched her fingers. "No. This isn't true. This must be a hoax.
Maria took a step closer and laughed. "Oh, my dear. Last night, you had a private ceremony. Delivered, sealed, and signed.
Lucy gave a fierce shake of her head. "No! I have no recollection."
With a whisper of poison in her voice, Maria drew closer. "Isn't that the best part?"
Lucy's world fell apart all around her, and her hands trembled.
Bill spoke in a tight, controlled rage. "What the hell did you do, Maria?"
Maria shook her head wildly. "I simply ensured Lucy got the wealth, power, and the husband she always dreamed of." Her smile was piercing as she turned to face Lucy. "You should be thanking me."
Lucy felt something break inside her.
Her hand slammed against Maria's cheek-hard. before she could think.
The arrogance disappeared. A spooky hush descended, and Maria's head snapped to one side, her teeth clenched.
Then, slowly, with wicked enjoyment shining in her eyes, she turned back.
"Oh, Lucy," she whispered, her voice full of promise. "You're going to regret that."
Lucy's breath was empty and her pulse was blooming. "No, Maria. You will.
With a crafty smile, Maria moved back and ran a hand over her hair. "Enjoy your honeymoon, sweetheart." She looks at Bill. "Try not to be too dull."
She disappeared down the hallway with a click of her court shoes.
Like a dense cloud, silence descended.
Lucy's fingers gripped the marriage certificate like a death sentence as she stood motionless.
Bill let out a deep exhale and scratched his jaw. "This isn't authentic. We'll make it right."
Lucy turned to face him, her eyes burning. "Repair it? Do you believe we can simply reverse this?
Unreadable, his blue eyes met hers. "Lucy, I didn't plan this."
She chuckled bitterly. However, you desired it. Did you not?
Bill opened his mouth, but remained silent.
Lucy crumpled the paper in her fists as her grip intensified.
She was stuck.
Married.
And there was no way out.
Lucy's breath catches as she looks more closely at the marriage certificate just when she believes the worst has happened.
The fine print has a clause. One that forces her to accept a degrading condition that she never consented to.
Bill's face darkens as he reads the paper and takes it out of her hands. He becomes a dangerous whisperer.
"Maria... Why in the world did you do that?"
Maria merely grins. "Oh, you'll find out soon enough."
Chapter 1 The Night of Betrayal
22/07/2025
Chapter 2 The Forced Marriage
22/07/2025
Chapter 3 A Loveless Union
22/07/2025
Chapter 4 Public Humiliation
22/07/2025
Chapter 5 Lucy's Silent Suffering
22/07/2025
Chapter 6 The Final Betrayal
22/07/2025
Chapter 7 The Shocking Discovery
22/07/2025
Chapter 8 Escape and Survival
22/07/2025
Chapter 9 Building a new Life
22/07/2025
Chapter 10 A return in Style
22/07/2025
Chapter 11 The Eyes of the Past
22/07/2025
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