Chapter 1

Olivia sat in the dimly lit study of Brown Manor, her eyes fixed on the flickering flames of the fireplace, a stark contrast to the coldness that had crept into her marriage. She sighed, feeling the weight of her loneliness despite sharing this grand home with her husband, Robert. Over the years, their once passionate love had withered, leaving them as mere strangers under the same roof. Their conversations had become as stale as week-old bread, reduced to meaningless pleasantries and superficial exchanges.

Olivia knew deep down that she couldn’t entirely blame Robert for the state of their marriage. After all, she had been the one to stray, her insecurities driving her into the arms of another man. It was a mistake she regretted every day, a moment of weakness that had shattered their trust. She had begged for forgiveness, pleading with Robert, explaining how her affair was a result of her own self-doubt and the fear of not being enough for him. But Robert’s heart had turned to stone, his once warm eyes now cold and distant.

Olivia understood her husband’s pride, the same pride that had drawn her to him the first time. He was a man of principles, and his refusal to file for divorce was a silent testament to the love he once held for her. It was a glimmer of hope that kept Olivia from completely giving up, a faint whisper that perhaps one day, they could rekindle the flames of their passion. Olivia’s heart skipped a beat as the doorbell rang, interrupting her melancholy thoughts. She rose from her seat, steeling herself for the conversation that lay ahead. As she opened the door, her eyes met with those of her children, Jake and Lily, their faces a mix of curiosity and concern.

“Come in, you two,” Olivia said, her voice wavering slightly. “Let’s sit in the living room. We need to talk.”

They settled on the plush couches, the tension palpable in the air. Olivia took a deep breath, her hands clasped tightly in her lap.

“I wanted to discuss something very important with you both,” she began, her voice steady with concern. “Something that’s been weighing on my mind for far too long.”

Lily, always the more outspoken one, blurted out, “Are you divorcing Dad? Is that why you called us here?”

“Oh, god, no, never!” Olivia exclaimed, her voice filled with emotion. “Your father and I ... we’ve had our issues, but I could never leave him. What made you think that?”

“Well, you’re still seeing Uncle Ben,” Lily said, her eyes narrowing. “I thought maybe you’ve decided to leave Dad and marry him.”

Olivia sighed, a wave of guilt washing over her. “Kids, I want you to listen carefully. I did have an affair with Ben, and it was a mistake. It only lasted a few weeks, but I knew it was wrong from the start. Your father found out, and it broke his heart. That was six years ago. Ben and I, we’re just friends now, nothing more.”

Jake, his eyes gleaming with a mix of anger and greed, spoke up. “I think you should be with Uncle Ben, Mom. He’s a good guy”. Jake knows that his father will never allow him to touch his money, so if Ben becomes his step-dad he might get a chance to be rewarded for being his stepson.

“Ben can’t hold a candle to your father, Lily. I will never leave your dad, not in a million years.” Olivia’s eyes flashed with determination as she responded.

“But Mom, then why did you cheat on him? I’ve always wondered why you did that,” Lily persisted, her curiosity burning bright.

Olivia sighed, knowing it was time to reveal the truth that had been hidden for so long. “I know I’ve never shared this with you kids, but before your father married me, he was deeply in love with a girl named Eliza. Your grandfather disapproved of their relationship because she wasn’t from a wealthy background. He forced your dad to marry me, and in the early days of our marriage, all he needed was time to heal from the heartbreak of losing his first love.”

“Your father and I, we fell madly in love. But over the years, I let insecurities creep in. I started taking him for granted, thinking I could have anyone I wanted, including Ben. That affair was a mistake, the worst sex of my life, but I kept going back, like a fool. It’s been seven long years since your father and I have been intimate. I want him back, Lily. I was so desperate that I even hired high-class escorts to seduce him, hoping he’d get even with me and we could move on. But your father, he’s a man of honour. As long as that wedding ring stays on his finger, he won’t break his vows. And if I divorce him, he’ll be gone forever.”

Lily scoffed, “Mom, you are right about Dad being stubborn, but don’t bullshit me, telling about your one-time affair. I know you’re fucking at least one intern in our office right now.” Olivia was shocked for a moment.

“Don’t be shocked, Mom. I slept with him, and that’s when he bragged about your torrid affair with him.”

Olivia knew she had been caught as Lily continued. “So stop this bullshit about missing Dad. You just want him to fuck you like he used to,” Olivia knew she had been caught.

“Fine, I admit it! Your father was an amazing lover, and I miss the way he made me feel. Even the biggest dick I’ve had couldn’t satisfy me like he did. And Lily, I know you tried to seduce him?”. Jake looked at his sister in shock, while Lily looked away in shame, knowing it was true. She once tried to seduce Robert that is when he threw her out of the house.

“If you shit-heads were like your father, I could have used you guys as leverage to get back with your father. But you two turned out to be assholes just like me,” Olivia’s voice was filled with anger.

“Mom,” Jake shouted in protest.

“What? Don’t think you’re better than your sister. I know you’re even worse”. Olivia accused Jake, Lily protested her voice filled with disdain. “If we’re so bad, then why did you call us here?”

Lily’s voice rose in protest. “If we’re so terrible, why did you even call us here?”

Suddenly there was a change in Olivia’s demeanour, her eyes filled with determination.”I want you two to move back home,”

“But Dad won’t allow us to move back,” Lily edged her concern.

“That you guys leave it to me. I am entitled to half of this house, so don’t worry about that”, Lily could sense determination in her mother’s voice. “Mom, what’s going on? I know you’re planning something,”

Olivia leaned forward, her voice dropping to a whisper. “You know about your father’s golf accident, right? The doctor said he needs months of rest. Jake, I want you to marry the girl I choose and move in here with your new wife.”

“What the hell, Mom? I’m dating Olivia, and I love her! I’m not marrying some stranger!” Jake exclaimed, his face turning red.

“Not Olivia, you fool! I have someone else in mind. Someone who will secure our future. Marry her, and I’ll give you 10 million dollars, cash.”

Jake’s eyes widened, and he licked his lips, his greed overcoming his shock. “What’s the catch, Mom?”

“You’ll sign a prenup and divorce her after a year. I’ll pay you five million upfront and the rest later. It’s a small price to pay to win back your father, and you’ll be set for life.”

Lily and Jake exchanged glances, their minds spinning with the possibilities. They knew their mother was up to something, but the promise of money and their own desires clouded their judgement

“Mom, what’s the real plan here?” Lily asked, her voice laced with suspicion.

Olivia’s smile widened, her eyes gleaming with determination. “Don’t worry, my darlings. If everything goes according to plan, your father will be back in my arms in no time, and Lily, you might just get your wish. This is our chance to get what we want.”

Lily’s eyes sparkled with lust, and she couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like to finally have her father. Jake, despite his initial reluctance, couldn’t deny the allure of the money and the chance to get back at his father.

Robert lay in the darkness of his bedroom, his piercing blue eyes fixed on the ceiling, haunted by memories of what once was. The image of Olivia, his wife, flashed before him. Her betrayal, his shattered heart, and their marriage that had become a charade, a mere pretence of love. Robert’s heart ached with the pain of abandonment, not just from Olivia’s infidelity, but also from the guilt he carried for leaving his first love, Eliza. Now, he found himself in a situation, trapped in a relationship devoid of love and passion. He ignored Olivia’s attempts at care, her feigned concern only fueling his anger. He had considered ending their marriage countless times, but something held him back, a strange mixture of guilt and the fear of being alone. He had become a stranger to his own family. His work and golf had become his only companions, until the accident that had left him bedridden for months. Brown Manor, once a sanctuary, now felt like a cold, unwelcoming fortress. As he lay there, lost in his thoughts, a soft knock on the door interrupted his solitude.

Olivia entered, her delicate features illuminated by the dim light. Robert’s eyes narrowed, his gaze filled with contempt. “What is it now, Olivia? I’ve told you, I don’t need your help. I can manage on my own,” he growled, his voice laced with restrained rage.

Olivia’s slender fingers fidgeted with her dress, her eyes downcast. “I know, Robert. I’m not here to help. I need to talk to you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Robert’s mind raced with possibilities. Could she finally be ready to end this charade of a marriage? Was she about to offer him the freedom he secretly craved? His heart quickened at the thought, a mix of anticipation and fear.

“What is it, Olivia?” he asked, his tone laced with impatience.

“Jake is getting married,” she announced, a small smile playing on her lips.

Robert’s eyes narrowed further, his lips curling into a mocking smirk. “So, the golden boy has found himself a sugar mama, huh? Someone to milk dry?” he sneered, his words dripping with sarcasm.

Olivia shook her head, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “No, Robert. It’s not like that. Jake has changed, and he’s not marrying some rich heiress. He’s chosen a girl from a poor family, just like...” Her voice trailed off, the unspoken name hanging in the air.

Robert’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. Jake, their son, had always been obsessed with wealth and status. What could have caused such a drastic shift in his priorities?

“He’s getting married in court, and he refused my offer to pay for the wedding,” Olivia continued, her voice trembling. “Something is different about him, Robert. I can feel it.”

Robert scoffed, his contempt for his son evident. “I don’t believe it. That boy is a lost cause. He’s probably just found a new way to scam someone.”

Olivia’s gaze intensified, her eyes locking with his. “And I want them to move in, Robert. Jake, his wife, and Lily. I know you don’t approve, but I can’t bear the thought of being alone.”

Robert’s eyes widened in shock. Olivia was up to something, he could sense it. His children were conspiring with her, but for what purpose?

“Robert, please,” Olivia pleaded, her voice softening. “I know you hate me, but give them a chance. Give Jake’s wife a chance. She deserves it.”

With that, she turned and left the room, leaving Robert alone with his swirling thoughts and a growing sense of foreboding. The flickering lamp cast eerie shadows on the walls, mirroring the darkness in Robert’s mind. He knew something sinister was afoot, but he couldn’t quite grasp the full extent of their plan. Was it a ploy for money? Or was there a deeper, more twisted motive at play?

Cindy awoke to the gentle caress of the morning sun, its rays dancing across her face like a warm embrace. She blinked, her emerald eyes adjusting to the soft golden light flooding her attic bedroom. Today was different; it was her eighteenth birthday, a milestone she had long anticipated. But as she lay there, the reality of her situation hit her—there would be no birthday cake, no presents, and certainly no joyous celebration with her family. Yet, she refused to let their indifference dampen her spirits on this special day. With a quiet determination, she smiled to herself, whispering, “Happy birthday, Cindy.”

Her gaze swept across the familiar confines of her room—the peeling paint on the walls, the dusty floorboards that creaked with every step, and her beloved collection of well-worn books, each a portal to far-off lands and adventures. She glanced at her closet, filled with hand-me-down clothes that hung loosely on her slender frame, a stark contrast to the vibrant, passionate woman she was becoming. Today, everything felt different, as if the world was finally ready to welcome her into its fold.