In this captivating tale, Emma's life takes an unexpected turn when a one-night stand with the cruel and ruthless and psychopathic billionaire playboy, Alexander Sinclair , thrusts her into a world of manipulation and power. As secrets unravel and darkness consumes, Emma must navigate a treacherous path to protect herself and her daughter from Alexander's malevolent grip. In a world where redemption seems out of reach, Emma must look for ways to outmaneuver a man fueled by sadistic desires. As the question looms: Can she ever truly break free from Alexander's grasp? "
CHAPTER ONE
EMMA'S POV
I rushed towards the counter, giving the orders to the chef as he arranged something for me to take back. It was two p.m. in the afternoon, the rushing hour of restaurants, and the shop was so full today. Unfortunately, we didn't have enough servers and it made the job so stressful and clumsy.
Taking the orders back to the table who had ordered them, I could hear several other people calling my name and hissing terribly from not taking their orders. The crowd alone made me dizzy as I stared at them in worry.
It was four p.m. now and everyone had gone, we had only a few customers and I could finally breathe. "I thought I was going to faint with that amount of customers," I said with a chuckle to Ken; the chef. "Guess who almost lost his arms while cooking," he said, making me laugh. I am sure you will be wondering why I am still working here, which leads me to introduce myself.
My name is Emma Hartfield, I recently graduated from college. Struggling to get a top-tier job, I decided to start this menial job just to help my family who were financially unstable. My father had died some years back, leaving me and my mother to face the wicked world alone. Unfortunately, my mother couldn't take the news well and had suffered from an illness shortly after, leaving her physically and mentally unstable.
Here I was, dealing with the trauma from everything, and even had to carry the financial burden of the family! I had five jobs and I had done only three today, it was exhausting but I had to do this to fend for the family. "Can I go now? There aren't any customers and my shift begins at four twenty p.m. at my workplace," I pleaded with Ken, giving him my puppy eyes. I used it whenever I wanted to ask for a favor from someone.
"Don't worry, I got you!" Ken said, laughing at my puppy eyes. "Thank you, Ken!" I said before running out of the shop. Jogging to my other place of work, I arrived there and started my shift. It was a supermarket, and my shift ended at eight p.m. We always had lots of customers and the counting and calculating was never-ending. I received tips at times, especially when I was being extra nice and it helped me a lot.
My shift ended at the supermarket and I rushed to the club. I was also a bar attendant, I changed into the club uniform and started my job. Receiving taps and smirks from drunk customers. I despised this job but the pay was very good and customers dropped tips almost every time. It was after eleven p.m when I got home, I threw my shoes away before collapsing on the chair. I could barely undress myself as I walked into the shower, no matter how tired I was my shower was paramount.
"Good evening Mom," I greeted my mother who just sat there staring at the wall. She couldn't utter a word or even lift a finger, only her eyes moved from time to time. I was emotionally drained, and I wished Mom was here to support me. The daily torment was beginning to take a toll on me and I was slowly losing my mind.
I managed to eat chips that I had gotten from a store before collapsing on the bed. Sleep engulfed me as I was very exhausted.
Rushing to do my routine this morning, I was already late. Thinking about my employer, I knew she was going to kill me. I ran past everyone, colliding with a few people before getting to the store. This was my first shift and I worked here as a salesperson. It was a cosmetic shop that people of the higher society visited.
My best friend and I worked in the store and it was very fun criticizing the people who walked in silently. The people of the higher society think so highly of themselves, that it is rare for you to come across humble ones.
"Hey B," I greeted. "You were late!" Anita said, already scolding me. "I know, I woke up very late and had to run a marathon race," I whisper-yelled, making her chuckle. "I am just so exhausted from working so endlessly these days," I complained. "There is a job though. It is just a one-night thing but the pay is very good." Anita said as we answered the customer's request.
"You know I am always up when it comes to a job with good pay, tell me more about it," I muttered. "A gala is being hosted a few nights from now, they need a night gift server. The job is not stressful and the pay is very good. I will give you the address to apply for the job, the requirements aren't outrageous." Anita explained to me. I beamed at her before enveloping her in an embrace.
"Can't breathe!" Anita managed to say as I squeezed the hell out of her. I laughed at her making her frown at my gesture. I looked forward to this job mainly because I had Anita to keep me company, she was very funny and playful and was also my best friend.
My shift ended and I still had enough time before my next shift started so I made my way to the address which Anita had given me. Surprisingly, there weren't many who had come to apply for the job. I was asked a few questions which I answered, a few minutes later they called me back and said I was accepted to work for them. I was given a uniform and a tag before walking away.
Happy that I had gotten a job, I jogged out. Just as I was going, I hit the shoulder of a broad man, he was so broad that I had to look at him. I turned to face him but he immediately scurried away. "Who was that?" I thought internally.
For ten years, Daniela showered her ex-husband with unwavering devotion, only to discover she was just his biggest joke. Feeling humiliated yet determined, she finally divorced him. Three months later, Daniela returned in grand style. She was now the hidden CEO of a leading brand, a sought-after designer, and a wealthy mining mogul—her success unveiled at her triumphant comeback. Her ex-husband’s entire family rushed over, desperate to beg for forgiveness and plead for another chance. Yet Daniela, now cherished by the famed Mr. Phillips, regarded them with icy disdain. "I’m out of your league."
Rachel used to think that her devotion would win Brian over one day, but she was proven wrong when his true love returned. Rachel had endured it all—from standing alone at the altar to dragging herself to the hospital for an emergency treatment. Everyone thought she was crazy to give up so much of herself for someone who didn’t return her feelings. But when Brian received news of Rachel’s terminal illness and realized she didn’t have long to live, he completely broke down. "I forbid you to die!" Rachel just smiled. She no longer needed him. "I will finally be free."
Julia and Evan were the perfect couple-or so she thought. But everything changed when Evan abruptly ended their relationship, leaving her heartbroken and unable to tell him she was carrying his child. Years later, Julia has built a life for herself and her son, Andy, while Evan has risen to unimaginable wealth and success. Their paths cross again at a chance meeting, but Julia soon discovers Evan has moved on with someone else. Julia is done with the pain. She's fought battles alone, raising a son who deserves the truth about his father, even if Evan doesn't deserve her forgiveness. When Julia told Evan years ago she had something to say, he didn't listen. Now, it's time for him to listen. But is it too late to reclaim what he lost? "We should break up," he'd said, the words cutting through her like glass. The pregnancy test in her pocket stayed hidden, just like the child they would never share. Now, it's Evan's turn to hear the truth-and to face his deepest regret.
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
She was a world-renowned divine doctor, the CEO of a publicly traded company, the most formidable female mercenary, and a top-tier tech genius. Marissa, a titan with a plethora of secret identities, had hidden her true stature to marry a seemingly impoverished young man. However, on the eve of their wedding, her fiance, who was actually the lost heir to a wealthy dynasty, called off the engagement and subjected her to degradation and mockery. Upon the revelation of her concealed identities, her ex-fiance was left stunned and desperately pleaded for her forgiveness. Standing protectively before Marissa, an incredibly influential and fearsome magnate declared, "This is my wife. Who would dare try to claim her?"
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.