Sky Chandler, a powerful CEO, first captured Jules Parker's heart in high school with kindness and charisma. Jules idolizes Sky, but when their paths cross again years later in the unforgiving corporate world, the hero of Jules' past becomes a guard...
At the family palace, a servant handed a parcel to Grandma. She untied it methodically, her movements slow and deliberate. As she lifted the lid, a cascade of photos spilled onto the table- snapshots of Sky and Jules smiling, their happiness captured in moments of intimacy.
Grandma's face remained inscrutable as she sifted through the pictures. Her eyes narrowed, calculating. "Are you the same as Selena?" she murmured under her breath, her voice devoid of warmth.
The room filled with the chilling swell of ominous music as she threw the photographs onto the table with force. Her expression darkened, her features a mask of mystery and suppressed anger. The day passed in eerie silence, her mood shifting unpredictably, like a storm brewing in secret.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the windows as Sky adjusted his tie, looking every bit as dashing as always. Jules stood beside him, a soft pout tugging at her lips.
"I said you don't have to see me off," Sky said gently, his tone affectionate as he looked at her.
"But I wanted to, my darling," Jules replied, disappointment evident in her voice. "It's just... these awful cramps. I'm sorry I can't make it to the office today."
Sky's expression softened, and he tapped her head lightly with his fingertips. "Don't worry about it. Take the pill and rest, okay?" He leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss on her forehead before leaving.
Hours later, the shrill chime of the doorbell jolted Jules awake. The sound was relentless, ringing again and again until she forced herself out of bed. Her mind groggy, she muttered, "Did he forget something?" as she stumbled toward the door.
As she descended the stairs, her steps faltered. Her breath caught in her throat. Seated rigidly on the couch, her presence radiating authority, was Sky's grandmother.
Jules froze, her stomach twisting into knots. Between the pain of her cramps and the fear clenching her chest, she forced herself to move. Her hand gripped the railing tightly as she walked down, her eyes fixed on the formidable figure.
"Good morning," Jules greeted respectfully, her voice trembling ever so slightly.
Grandma responded with nothing more than a sharp nod, her eyes piercing through Jules like cold steel. "So, you must be the Mon kid," she said, her tone laced with disdain.
Jules swallowed hard, the weight of the old woman's gaze pressing down on her like a heavy stormcloud.
"Yes, ma'am," Jules answered timidly, her voice trembling as she avoided meeting Lady Arina's piercing gaze. The judgment in the older woman's eyes was palpable, cutting through the air like a blade.
Jules carefully placed the steaming cup of tea in front of her, then took a hesitant seat.
"You have a cute face," Lady Arina said, her tone devoid of warmth. "You must be Sky's lover."
Jules glanced up briefly, trying to gauge the older woman's demeanor. "Yes, Grandma," she replied softly, her voice shaking under the weight of the moment.
Lady Arina's lips curled into a faint smirk, but her eyes remained cold. "You sure dare, don't you? Greet me with my proper title," she snapped.
Jules's heart sank, and she quickly lowered her gaze, bowing slightly. "Forgive me, Lady Arina," she murmured, her voice barely audible.
Lady Arina leaned back, her sharp gaze never leaving Jules. "I've heard about you. You're the daughter of Sky's teacher... and your new father." Her words dripped with contempt.
"That's correct," Jules said, her hands clenched tightly in her lap. She could feel the storm brewing in the woman's words and braced herself for the onslaught.
"You were quite the diligent student. You even went to the same university as Sky. Everything about you seems to be a... coincidence, doesn't it?" Lady Arina's tone was laced with sarcasm and an undercurrent of threat.
Jules swallowed hard, unable to meet her gaze. Her silence only emboldened Lady Arina, who leaned forward slightly. "Or perhaps... everything was carefully planned?"
Jules's lips parted, but no words came. Her chest felt tight, and her vision blurred with unshed tears.
"What about your relationship with Sky?" Lady Arina continued, her voice sharp. "Did you plan this as well?"
The accusation landed like a slap. Jules turned her face away, tears slipping silently down her cheeks as she felt the crushing weight of the older woman's words. Trapped and defenseless, she struggled to find her voice.
"I heard that before you became Sky's lover, you had a boyfriend... Noah, wasn't it?" Lady Arina pressed, her tone dangerously smooth.
Jules's head snapped up, her voice trembling but resolute. "Noah was never my boyfriend, Your Highness. He's my childhood friend."
Lady Arina raised an eyebrow, a cruel smile tugging at her lips. "Just like Mia? She went from being a childhood friend to a lover. And now, she's an outsider because Sky replaced her... with you." She let the words hang in the air, each one a dagger aimed at Jules's heart.
Jules's breath hitched, her tears flowing freely now.
"Yet I hear you're still on good terms with Mia. How kind of her to befriend you," Lady Arina said mockingly.
"Yes, Your Highness. Miss Mia is very kind to me," Jules admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Then why repay her kindness with this betrayal? Is it love? Do you love Sky?" Lady Arina's voice rose, echoing through the room like a thunderclap.
Jules flinched, her body trembling. For a moment, she was silent, her mind racing for an answer. Finally, through her sobs, she confessed, "Yes, I love him, Lady Arina. I love Sky."
Lady Arina's eyes narrowed, her anger simmering beneath her poised demeanor. "What is love to you?" she demanded, her voice cutting like glass. "This relationship between you and Sky, is it truly love?"
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Jules opened her mouth to respond, but no sound came. She sat frozen, her spirit battered under Lady Arina's relentless scrutiny.
Hours later, back at the palace, Lady Arina addressed Mia with an air of finality. "I've already dealt with that girl. Now it's your turn, Mia. Get everything at the company in order."
Mia hesitated, her brows furrowing. "But Grandma.."
"Don't argue with me," Lady Arina interrupted, her tone brooking no dissent. "Do as I say. Don't let your soft heart get in the way. Just... get it over with quickly."
Mia's shoulders slumped, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. "Yes, Grandma," she replied, her voice barely concealing her turmoil.
Lady Arina stood tall, her expression imperious as she placed a hand on Mia's shoulder. "I've chosen you, Mia. Don't disappoint me." Her words were heavy with expectation, leaving Mia feeling suffocated and powerless.
As Lady Arina exited the room, her footsteps echoing ominously in the quiet corridor, Mia stared at the ground, her face etched with despair.
