< MILEY'S POV>

My entire body ached, and my mind was foggy. I had no idea what had happened last night, attempting to remember only intensified the throbbing in my head.

Looking around in confusion, the room was foreign to me. "Did Julian bring me here?" Flashes of betrayal from the man who until yesterday, was my boyfriend assaulted me. But he did not bring me here. I entered this room seeking refuge from him, forcing myself to stand despite the pain and exhaustion weighing me down.

It was only then that I realized that I was naked. As if that wasn’t enough, a dreadful chill raced through me, coupled with fear when I saw the person Lying naked beside me.

It was Logan Pierce.

A tall and handsome man unlike any other, every girl’s dream and some men too, upon seeing even a mere photograph. And he was the nightmare of anyone who dared approach him. His very presence was intimidating, and his temperament made him the most feared man. Moreover, he was the uncle of my now ex-boyfriend.

The night’s events crashed back to me. Tears escaped as I donned a shirt— I knew it wasn't mine, but I needed it to escape this place without waking the man beside me. otherwise, I would be dead before I could even make an attempt to defend myself. but my luck was cursed...

Flung to the ground, a hand closed around my neck. He woke up and, as feared, this man wanted to kill me.

"Who the hell paid you to do this? Speak before I do something drastic to you", He shouted angrily like he was going to tear apart— He wanted me to speak, but his grip on my neck was so tight I could barely breathe. There was no salvation for me; I was a victim, yet I would die like a criminal.

When I thought my end was near, the door burst open, and to my astonishment, the last traitors I could imagine were there.

Julian, who pretended to be my boyfriend for a bet to satisfy his ego, glared at me with fury. Wasn't he supposed to be the first?

Gasping, I struggled to catch my breath before this person contemplated killing me again.

"But what did you do, Miley? I told you to stop. Think of what will happen to our family when they find out you attacked Mr.Pierce." And yes, that voice condemning me was Audrey's, Julian's lover, and my elder sister. I looked up only to meet Mr. Pierce's furious gaze.

"Stop lying it was you two! I heard you in the hallway last night".

"Mr Pierce, Julian, and I have been looking for my sister all night. She drank too much and was ranting about avenging the humiliation done to our family ". Audrey said so innocently you could believe she would never hurt a fly

"Get out!" Logan commanded— I am going to die, and I don't even have the strength to leave this place. Is it worth saying anything anymore?

Julian remained silent, obviously supporting her. I was so foolish to still hope he would defend me.

"Uncle, father, and the other Gilbert family members are here already, Audrey told them about what she planned to do." I heard Julian say.

I wasn't even given the chance to finish dressing before being dragged out. There was my mother, my grandparents, my uncles—all looking at me as if I were the lowest of the low.

"Mom, I swear I did nothing. It was Audrey and Julian. They are lovers; they planned everything".— And as expected I was struck.

"How dare you tarnish your sister's reputation? Have you no Shame? My mother did not believe me. No one did.

" Just admit it once and for all and stop blaming others for your actions". Audrey kept on bugging me to admit to something I didn't do.

" I will not admit to something I didn't do nor had an idea of! I am the victim here, not you or this man. I was the one..."

"Enough! Mr Pierce, the Gilbert family begs your forgiveness and has decided what to do with her". Those were my uncle's words, the man I had admired and seen as a father figure all my life, and no one opposed his decision.

" I won't dirty my hands with trash like this..." Logan paused before continuing— the pain in my chest was indescribable, more agonizing than the pains racking my body or the rejection from my family. I felt my life ebbing away.

" You have two hours to get out of my city. If I see you again, I will kill you myself". Logan ordered and He left, and I wished to stop him but I couldn't. The pain in my chest was sapping my strength, and I couldn't speak.

I was thrown out of the mansion and into the street like a beggar. The cold air hit my skin like daggers and the reality of my situation crashed down on me. This man... Logan was exceedingly cruel, and my heart ached with despair.

As I lay on the pavement, staring up at the night sky, I realized the depth of my isolation. Betrayed by those I loved and threatened by the very man who should have been my protector, I was utterly alone. How had it come to this? I raced as I grappled with the implications of the betrayal. I had no one to turn to, no one to believe my truth. All I could do was pull myself up from the ground, my body trembling as I faced an uncertain future. l had to find a way to survive, to fight back against the forces conspiring against me.

At that moment, I promised myself that I wouldn't let them win. I would find a way to reclaim my life, even if it meant standing against the very one whom I thought was my family

Night of the incident

Miley's POV

I'm feeling unwell; I knew I should not have trusted her so-called peace offering, even if she's my sister; I've always known that woman never cared for me. Moreover, I need to get out of here.

Today is my 19th birthday, my boyfriend and I had other plans, but my sister suggested that I attend this event hosted the Pierce family, one of the most powerful families we deal with, and also the family of Julian, my boyfriend.

I'm now trying in vain to leave this room full of people, I've got an inkling of Audrey's ploy. She handed me a drink with more liquor than she claimed, knowing that I couldn't handle it well, expecting me to cause a scene for her and her friend's amusement — that's always been her way.

The only thing I could think of was heading to the courtyard, but it turned out to be the worst decision.

"Why are you still with that idiot? You lost the bet! My parents do nothing but say that you two will soon get engaged," that is Audrey's voice; she sounded really upset; I thought about going over there and confronting her, but...

"Darling, Calm down even if I lost the bet, I still want to have fun with that fool! And didn't you say you wanted to see her humiliated? What better opportunity than this?" That's Julian, my boyfriend—are he and my sister lovers? The liquor is playing tricks on me.

" So you swear you don't like her? Swear that you will follow through with the plan, use her, and then throw her away, swear it".

This was their plan all along, for me to fall for him?...they have been mocking me!

"I swear it's just another bet; this week will be epic; we'll get payback on my bastard uncle, and by this time tomorrow, which so happens to be our anniversary, Miley is going to suffer the ultimate disappointment — their triumphal laughter fills me with rage.

"you filthy rat, Julian Pierce" — they both start, likely not anticipating getting caught.

Logan: " Miley what are you doing here?"

" What am I doing here? Finding out what kind of scum you two are." He tried to touch me, claiming confusion— does he really think I'm that dimwitted? I kicked him where it hurts most, I've never trusted guys, and I never should have believed in him.

"Go to hell, you damn liar, the both of you go to hell!"— I left there immediately, my head was bursting, and now I feel even worse, all because of that treacherous pair.

"Audrey and I are not really siblings; I'm just her cousin; my aunt and uncle took pity on my mother and me when my father left us, that's all.

I don't want to stay a second longer, but I can't seem to find the exit; lots of thoughts come flooding my mind, and I end up throwing up in the corner.

"Hey, are you okay? what's wrong with you?"— I can't make out who's speaking to me now, let alone see their face; my head pounds desperately; I need rest.

"Oh dear, you must have drunk a lot, come lie down in one of the bedrooms",— I tried to break free from this person, to tell them I would go home, but I couldn't stop them from dragging me along what seems to be one of the long corridors of this enormous mansion.

I managed to break free and enter the first room I found; I can't trust anyone now; it's possible that they are in league with that pair.

I collapsed onto the floor; my head was about to explode, my hands trembling, and I felt the room becoming increasingly stifling for me, I hastily loosened the zipper of my dress a bit, not removing it, just needing to breathe.

I wiped away the tears starting to form, trash like that doesn't deserve anything.

" I hate you, you wretched bastard!".

Logan's POV

I'm trying to sleep after some tart threw herself at me by the door. I'm fed up with these types of women and men who don't get that I just want to be left alone.

I'll kill anyone who dares to bother me again, they disgust me. I'm so furious, and the worst part is that I can't think straight; I'm still itching to strangle that wretch. I loathe these easy and opportunistic ladies, trying to use any excuse to get what they want.

What is this damned unease? My body feels strange as if it's not my own; this reaction is uncommon, similar to when...

impossible! Has someone dared to drug me? But when? At this party, I touched nothing, only drank water from my room.

If I factor in the body's troubles with the scent engulfing the room, damn it!

" I hate you, you wretched bastard!" Whose voice is that? I turn in bed and what a surprise — there's someone here, a lady? How dare she, the audacity!

She must be responsible for drugging me, saying she hates me? I'll show her her place, I'll kill her with my own hands.

l get up with the intent of snapping her neck.

She seemed shocked to see me rise—did she think she could knock me out with something like that?

"S... Sir Pierce!" her voice shaky and nervous, apparently this whore is in my employ

Miley's POV

seeing this man here snaps me back to reality, is this room prepared for Julian's uncle, Mr Logan Pierce? I need to leave.

This man is the most fearsome and terrifying CEO I've ever seen. To offend him is a death sentence, and if by some fluke you survive, you will never show your face in society again.

I tried to leave but failed, his grip on my wrist was too strong.

"How dare you try to drug me and provoke me with a filthy mindset?"— what is he talking about? he's been drugged and he thinks it's me? what filthy intentions? he's furious, I can see it. he's going to kill me.

it's ... it's a misunderstanding...sir, I didn't do anything...I didn't drug you"— I can barely speak, as he attempts to strangle me.

"Please... let go."

< Logan's POV >

Does She think I'm a fool? I can recognize a whore when I see one!

Damn it, I thought I could fight this off, but I've hit breaking point; I can't believe I, Logan Pierce, am being dragged down like this.

My eyes started wandering over her body and abdomen without realizing it, the sharp rises and falls off her chest as she struggled to breathe, her eyes glistening and her mouth slightly open.

Hearing her last plea, my hands draw back from her neck. She coughs a couple of times, and in a swift movement, I tear off her annoying dress — it's just the drugs but this lady is incredibly sexy.

<Miley's POV>

I was released, but he wrecked my dress. I had to get out of there, but I didn't make it— I was pushed hard against the door, and my back ached, but what confused me next was his kiss. it felt like being engulfed, consumed by all his savageness. I fought as hard as I could, rapidly losing strength; at this rate, the drugs were at work.

I begged Him to let me go, his hands roaming my body. I didn't want my first experience to be this way, but he was resolute in his disregard. He tossed me onto the bed.

No matter how much I struggled or pleaded he didn't listen. my whole body ached; I couldn't stop crying or move beneath him. I gave up trying to escape or ask for release— it meant nothing to him, even if he ended up killing me in his pursuit of pleasure. I can't remember the moment I lost consciousness, only that upon waking up, my hell began a new.

Present Day

Miley POV

I awoke in a hospital room, a man seated before me the same man that had picked me up from the alleyway.

" How do you feel?" his voice was Kind, yet I couldn't even respond to his question before I had to sit up and vomit.

He patted my back while calling for the doctors.

" considering her situation, we can say she's progressing quite well. However, in her condition, both her physical and mental state are quite poor." I don't grasp what the doctor is talking about; I don't feel any different than a few moments ago.

" what do you suggest, doctor? surely something can be done." I don't understand why this person cares so much for me; he doesn't even know me.

" My advice is an abortion. that way the young lady might survive. otherwise both she and her baby risk dying."

" what did he just say? I'm pregnant? but it was only a few hours ago when..." I felt a pat on my shoulder.

" It's been almost a month since I found you in the alley, and you are almost a month pregnant. it's tough for a woman without a husband or any form of support to withstand a pregnancy, but the choice is yours, do you want to abort?" All I could do was burst into tears as the man embraced me, listening without a word.

I hadn't wanted any of this; I'm sure I didn't deserve it. they took everything from me, my dreams, ambitions, my will to live. what point was there in continuing this wretched life? there was nothing left for me.

And now it's my decision to make another life? Why is life so cruel to me? what did do to deserve this?

" if you choose to live and abort, you have my support, and these doctors will ensure that you lead a trouble-free life. if you decide to keep it, I'll find the best specialists to ensure no harm comes to you both."

" Who are you? What do you want from me?".

" I want nothing more than for you to be able to live."

" you're right, I'll be frank. I'm doing this because it's what I couldn't do for my own daughter. like you, she was a young lady who lost her husband and died of grief without me being able to do anything. it's been four years, and I still can't get over it. you remind me very much of her.

"I'm just reopening the same wounds in your heart. I can't be saved."

" You're wrong. Everyone can be saved. you have something my daughter did not."

" And what's that?"

" A reason to live. Do I truly have one? And if so what? Should I feel happy expecting the child of a bastard who raped me and left me to die?".

" Think about it. perhaps life isn't taking everything from you. But Tell me, what do you think?"

" Miley, my name is Miley." I whispered

" It's a pleasure, Miley. I'm Jasper Hales." that name rings a bell but I can't remember where from.

"You don't have to answer now. Take some time to think about it." Mr Jasper assured me

" No, I have made my decision, but I have to ask you for a favor."

"whatever you need." Mr.Jasper said looking at me intently

" Help me, get far away from here, I promise that..."

"You don't need to promise anything. I told you, just living is reward enough." Jasper said while looking at with me all the care In the world as she patted my hair

" Thank you."

"I will the doctor."

...

Several years later

Miley sat reviewing documents on her laptop, her life having taken a turn for the better. Now named Miley Hales, Jasper had no issues giving her his surname, treating her just like his two other children, who also cherished her as a sister.

Every so often, Miley would glance away from her work and smile at a pair of beautiful children with black hair and gray eyes playing in the playground Jasper had set up in his garden for them.

The lovely little girl approached, bearing a rose for her mother.

" Mummy, take this." It was a custom of little Kiara's every day to gift her mother three roses, one for each surprise of the day, her way of saying thanks.

" Thank you, my princess. I have a gift for you too."

" what is it today, Mummy?" Each day she had a sweet surprise for her little ones, knowing how much they loved them. she would wrap the treats herself, saving them to give later.

Her daughter's smile upon receiving the gift filled her heart with joy.

“And you, Jaden, do you have something for me?”

Her son had been observing quietly. Unlike Kiara, Jaden was more reserved—serious in demeanor, though deeply protective and indulgent with his sister. He was the one who cut a rose for her every day, making sure Kiara never got hurt.

“Nothing,” Jaden said flatly.

“Not even a hug?” Miley teased her little one.

“Only one.” He gave his mother a firm embrace, which she happily returned.

“One more.”

“You always say that,” he protested, though he still leaned in and gave her another hug.

“I want one too!” Kiara suddenly blurted.

“Come here, my dear.” Miley gathered both her babies in her arms, holding them close.

“May I join as well?”

“Uncle Aiden!” Kiara squealed, running straight into his arms.

Aiden crouched to catch her, then looked over at Jaden. “Aren’t you going to greet me, Jaden?”

The boy hesitated, glancing at his mother. Only after Miley gave him a small nod did he step forward to greet his uncle.

“How big you’ve grown!” Aiden ruffled the boy’s hair with a smile. “Go on now, play with your sister. I need to talk to your mummy.”

Before leaving, Jaden paused. “Why hasn’t Grandpa come?”

The two adults exchanged a heavy look.

“Your grandfather Jasper is busy,” Miley said softly. “But he’ll surely come.”

The children ran off, leaving the air heavy with silence.

“Your return isn’t a good sign,” Miley whispered, turning to her brother. “Is Dad’s situation serious?”

Aiden’s eyes softened with grief. “Miley… Dad passed away this morning.”

Her world stopped. “That can’t be true! He said he was fine, just tired… Why so sudden?”

“Calm down,” Aiden urged gently. “I know it’s hard, but the kids are here. You must be strong for them.”

She pressed a trembling hand to her chest. He was right, but it was unbearable. That man had been more than a father to her, he had supported and cared for her like no one else ever had. How could she accept he was gone?

“When is the funeral?” she asked, her voice breaking.

“Tomorrow. Breaking the news to Kiara and Jaden will be hard, so I’ll be here for you.”

“Thank you… We’ll leave today. I want to attend the wake as well.”

“As you wish. Nathan is handling everything.”

Revealing the truth to her children was the hardest thing she’d ever faced. How could they possibly understand death?

“So… Grandpa’s not coming back?” Jaden asked quietly.

Miley forced herself to meet his gaze. “No, sweetheart. He can’t come back to us.”

“But he promised he would,” Kiara said tearfully. “And you said promises should never be broken!”

Aiden knelt down, his voice soft but firm. “Sometimes, circumstances force us to break promises. But I assure you that your grandfather will always be with you, here.” He touched his chest.

The next day, seeing Jasper in his casket broke Miley’s heart. Only days ago, he had been laughing with her and the children. She had thought she would have many more years with him. If only she had known time was short.

Approaching his still body, she kissed his forehead. “I know I didn’t say it enough, but thank you… Thank you for giving me hope and a home when I had lost the will to live. You were, and will always be, my angel. Thank you, Dad.”

“Mummy, why doesn’t Grandpa get up?” Kiara asked innocently, tugging her sleeve. “Isn’t he tired? You said too much sleep isn’t good.”

“He can’t get up, my love,” Miley whispered.

“Why not? Is he sick?”

Jaden spoke with grim certainty. “He’s dead, right, Mummy?”

Her son’s blunt words left her shaken.

“What does it mean to be dead, Mummy?” Kiara asked softly.

“It means he’s gone to heaven, princess.”

“Can we go see him?”

“We can’t, can we, Mummy?” Jaden added.

“No, son,” she said gently, tears burning her eyes.

“I didn’t want Grandpa to leave,” Kiara cried. “I loved him so much.”

“We all did,” Miley said, pulling them close. “But sometimes… it’s unavoidable.”

Aiden placed a hand on her shoulder. “Miley, come. Mr. Pierce and his two sons are here to offer condolences. Nathan is with them now.”

Miley lifted her head and froze. Across the room, she spotted Logan speaking with her brother—her former father-in-law, flanked by his two sons. Panic seized her. Quickly, she gathered her children and stood.

“Where are you going?” Aiden asked.

“I’m sorry… I’m not feeling well" I can’t let that man see me or my children.

She hurried to her room, grateful that those people did not attend the funeral the next day. She wanted nothing to do with them. Jasper had always shielded her from those dealings, but now that he was gone, she knew… everything was about to change.