Diamond's POV

My heart sank, and I felt a surge of panic. The moment I heard my dad, I knew I had to get home as soon as possible. I quickly put on my clothes, not bothering to look back at the stranger. "You're leaving without getting paid?" he called out. 

I ignored him. I had to get out of there, and fast. "Is something wrong?" He asked, his voice full of concern. "Yes, something happened to my dad, and I need to get home right now," I replied, trying to stay calm. The stranger hesitated, then said, "I can give you a ride, if you like." 

Getting a cab might be hard right now, I thought, and I needed to get home quickly, so I reluctantly agreed. We rushed downstairs to the parking garage, where his car was parked. But as we got to the car, he suddenly stopped and started patting down his pockets. 

"What's wrong?" I asked. "I can't find my keys I think I left them upstairs," he said. "You're joking, right?" I could feel my anger rising. He shook his head, looking sheepish. I didn't wait for him to respond. I turned and left him there, stopping for a taxi. 

As I got in, I heard him call out, "Can I at least get your number or your name?" But I ignored him and told the driver to hurry. I kept praying in my mind that nothing bad happens to my dad; he's the only one I've got.

Getting home, I noticed the house was unusually quiet and Lily wasn't in the living room. "Ma!! Crystal!!" I called out to my stepmother and stepsister. But no one answered. The house was too quiet, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something was actually wrong. 

Then I decided to call Lily but was surprised when I heard her ringing tone from upstairs, so I figured she would probably be in my room. Reaching the top of the stairs, I saw the most shocking thing in my life. I saw a dark pool of liquid, and I couldn't tell what it was, but I just knew it wasn't good. 

So I took a few steps forward, and when I saw it, I couldn't believe my eyes; it was blood coming out of my father's room. Closing my eyes tight I moved closer to the door and pushed it open, only to see Lily, my best friend lying lifeless on the floor covered in her own blood. 

And when I looked up, I saw my stepmother holding a knife covered in blood, and her hands were trembling. I rushed to Lily's body, holding her tight and crying. "What had she done that made you kill her?" I cried. The sight of my best friend's lifeless body burned into my mind. 

I looked up at my stepmother, filled with rage and fear. "What made you kill her??" I screamed, but my stepmother just stood there, saying nothing with a grin on her lips. I looked over at Crystal, my stepsister, who just sat there unbothered. 

The silence was deafening, and my heart was pounding in my chest. I couldn't believe my own eyes. My best friend was dead, and they seemed to have nothing to say about it. "Why are you smiling, Crystal?" I yelled, my voice trembling. But my question was met with more silence. 

I held Lily in my hands as I continued to cry profusely. I didn't know what my best friend might have done to deserve this cruelty. But as I cried, something else caught my eye. I looked over to the bed and noticed my father wasn't moving. 

I had totally forgotten about him. So I left Lily and rushed over to my dad, shaking him to wake up, but he didn't answer. When I checked his pulse, I realised he was gone too. "No, no, no, this can't be happening to me." I fell on his body, crying hard because he was the only family I had left. 

"Dad, please wake up!!" My heart sank as I realised that not only was my best friend gone, but my father was gone too. I was overcome with grief and anger, and I felt like the world was spinning out of control. I laid on his body, sobbing uncontrollably. 

I had lost everything, and I didn't know what to do next. The silence in the room was broken only by the sound of my own sobs. All I wanted was to wake up from this nightmare. I worked so hard as a stripper even when I didn't like it because some men would want to go the extra mile to take advantage of me. 

With all the risks involved, I did it regardless so my dad wouldn't end up like this, but they killed him. Adlyne's voice broke the silence as she laughed out loud, dropping the knife she was holding. 

When I noticed she had dropped the knife, with a swift movement, I pushed Adlyne down to the ground, holding her neck. "Why the hell did you kill my father?" I yelled at her. "Get off me, you bastard," she said, trying to push me off. But I wasn't going to let her get away from me. 

"You murderer, I'll kill you today; you've always made my life a living hell," I said. Suddenly I heard a sound and turned to look, but I was met with the terrifying sight of Crystal holding a bat. Before I could even react, I felt a sharp pain in my shoulders, making me fall to the ground. 

I was lying on the ground in pain as Adlyne and Crystal stood over me. I had no idea what would happen to me next, and I could only pray that I would survive this nightmare. "Mum, are you okay?" I heard Crystal ask Adlyne as she looked at her body, checking for any injuries. 

"You want to know the truth, huh? Your father has been useless ever since he lost his company; we've been living in poverty for years now. What do you expect? That I continue with this life," Adlyne said as she laughed hard. 

"We killed him because he had one last property that was meant for you only; how about my daughter Crystal, huh? What did he keep for her?" "No, no, no," I thought as I tried to stand up. But I couldn't move and could only listen in horror as my stepmother and stepsister continued their cold-hearted conversation. 

"We killed them because we needed the money, Diamond," Adlyne said. "Your father was weak and useless, and we're better off without him. We had to get rid of your bestie too, because she was so stupid to get into our business. 

She saw us kill him and couldn't shut her mouth, she still went ahead to call you." Crystal nodded in agreement. "Once we get our hands on the property, we'll be set for life," Adlyne said, her voice filled with greed. 

"And you know what? He already signed the documents in my name." So they killed my father because of the property he left for me?" I held my shoulder as tears slipped out of my eyes. My heart broke as I listened to their cruel laughter. I couldn't believe that they would kill my father just for money. 

I felt betrayed and devastated, and I couldn't understand how they could be so heartless. My whole body ached as I tried to move. "And since you've gotten in our way, I'm afraid we're going to destroy you too," Adlyne said. I knew I couldn't just lay there and allow them to kill me. 

Luckily, the knife was close to me, so I grabbed it and stood up to my feet, shaking. I pointed the knife towards them, making them move back. "Don't come close to me, or else I'll kill you." 

"Please, don't hurt us," Adlyne begged in a mocking tone. "We're sorry; we didn't mean to do this. We were just desperate." I just couldn't believe how they could make silly jokes after killing my dad and bestfriend in one day. I held the knife tighter, my hand trembling with rage. 

Tears streamed down my eyes as I looked at my father and best friend one last time. Looking at them, I knew what I had to do. "I'm going to call the police right now," I said, grabbing my phone from my pocket. But Crystal said something that made me freeze. 

"What do you think we meant by saying we were going to destroy you, Diamond? Because I'm certain you have no idea." 

"The thing is, we already called the cops," Crystal said with an evil smile. "And why would you do that, knowing you killed my father and Lily?" I fired back. "No, Diamond, you killed them," Adlyne replied. 

"No, no, no, it wasn't me! You're the ones who did this!" I cried, my voice cracking. "I'm innocent!" Just then Crystal and Adlyne fell to the ground, holding Lily, and said, "You killed her, Diamond. Why did you kill them?" I became really confused by their act. 

"Have you guys gone crazy??" I yelled. 

Before I could say anything else, the door was pushed wide open, and in came the police while I was still holding the knife covered in blood, pointing at them. When they saw me, they pointed their guns at me. "Drop the knife now!" one of the officers shouted.

Diamond's POV

"I didn't do it!" I pleaded, but the officers weren't listening as they handcuffed me. I looked over at Adlyne and Crystal as they continued their fake act, and when the policemen weren't looking, they smiled at me mischievously, and that was when it clicked. 

They had it all planned. "Please, I didn't kill them. You have to believe me, officer." I cried and struggled with them, but my plea fell on deaf ears. As I struggled against the police officers, my mind reeled with the realisation that I had been set up. 

My stepmother and stepsister had planned this, and I had fallen right into their trap. I felt like a fool, and I couldn't understand how I hadn't seen it coming. Now, I was going to pay the price. I sobbed uncontrollably as I was dragged out of the house, my vision blurred by tears. 

The police officers showed no mercy, shoving me forward roughly as I stumbled and tried to catch my footing. I felt weak and defeated, my body trembling with fear and despair. I had been framed for murder, and I couldn't do anything to change that. 

The day of my trial came, and all evidence pointed to me. Then I heard the most shocking words of my life as I stood there. "Diamond Ronald, you're hereby sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Max Ronald and Lily Davin." The judge said:.

I felt my world collapse as the judge's words reverberated in my ears. Life imprisonment? For a crime I didn't commit? It wasn't fair; it couldn't be true. But there I stood, in handcuffs and an orange jumpsuit, being led out of the courtroom by the police.  

I felt numb, unable to process what was happening. It was as if I was watching it all happen to someone else, not me. As we walked out of the courtroom, I met Lily's mother crying. 

"You will rot in jail, Diamond, for killing my child," she spat in my face before the police took her away. My heart broke as I heard the words of Lily's mother. I knew she was right; there was no way to make up for the terrible things that had happened. 

She had lost everything, and now I was going to spend the rest of my life in prison. I felt hopeless as I was escorted to a police car and taken away. It was a fate worse than death, and I couldn't imagine how I would survive it. 

<<< >>> 

It's been months of living in hell, crying every single day without talking to anyone, and praying that one day I get out of here. Then I closed my eyes, imagining a life outside these walls, but the sound of kisses interrupted me again. 

This has been happening for quite a while now. I guess they're a couple or something. The ladies beside me kissed each other, their bodies pressing close as they touched themselves. I was uncomfortable, but I couldn't escape the sound of their whispers and moans. 

"Hmmm, right there, baby," I heard one of them say. "Baby, don't stop, please," she moaned. 

I had no choice but to endure because it wasn't my personal space. Just then I heard a fire alarm, but I wasn't moved by it because some inmates would always touch the fire alarm to make everyone scared, so I knew it was fake. 

But this time the alarm didn't stop, and then I heard those words that made me freeze. "Everyone, get out of your rooms; the whole building is on fire." One of the female cops shouted. My heart pounded in my chest as I heard her words.

Just then, an idea struck my mind like a bolt of lightning. I could use this fire as a distraction, a way to escape this hell. So I took off my cell uniform and quickly pulled in my hoodie, concealing my face, and rushed towards the door. I held my breath and ran through the hallway.

The smoke was stinging my eyes as I made my way to the ground floor. When we all got outside, so many vans were already standing by, waiting to carry us all. So we had to form a line as everyone quickly entered the vans, but the police were on standby with their guns, making it difficult to escape.

I didn't want to give up either. Before I could think of anything, I saw the ladies who were making out in the room earlier running. I joined them without thinking twice. We ran for our lives without looking back, and as we ran, more women joined.

"Stop running!" the policewoman kept shouting. My heart pounded in my chest, but I kept running. Then, I heard gunshots, and fear gripped me instantly. I looked around and saw some of the women who had been running with me falling to the ground. I knew I couldn't stop.

I ran until I was off their tracks. Suddenly, a car drove past me with speed, almost hitting me. I turned to see that the car had stopped, and a lady came down. "I'm so sorry for that. Can I give you a ride to where you're going? It looks like you're in a haste. She asked. 

I was surprised when the lady stopped and offered me a ride. "Yeah, some bad guys are chasing me," I lied. "Oh, please enter the car now so you won't get caught." I knew it could be dangerous to accept a ride from a stranger, but I was desperate and had no other options. 

As I entered the passenger seat, the lady smiled at me, trying to put me at ease. "I'm so sorry," she said. "Where are you headed?" "Erm, mmm, to any nearby hotel," I stammered, trying to sound cool. 

"Oh, okay, are you sure you'd be safe there?" She asked. I just nodded. At least for now, that's the only place I could hide until I figured something out. The lady signalled her driver to take us to a nearby hotel. 

"I'm finally out of hell," I whispered to myself as I let out a sigh of relief. I felt bad for those other ladies who were shot; I wish they had succeeded the way I did. "I'm Debra, by the way," she said, stretching her hands for a handshake. 

"I'm Diamond," I replied, shaking her. The drive wasn't silent and awkward; as she said things that made me laugh, I guess she was trying to put me at ease even though she didn't know me. "Nice ring, though," I said as I looked at the flashy diamond ring she was wearing. 

"Thank you," she replied. One thing led to another and  she opened up to me that she was being forced to marry someone she didn't love. I felt sorry for her and didn't know what to say, but I knew I had to say something. 

"My opinion doesn't matter anyway, but I think you shouldn't go on with the marriage if you don't want to." I said this as Debra suddenly interrupted me with her screams. 

"Watch out!!!!" She yelled at the driver as the car veered out of control, crashing into a truck. And boom, everything went dark.

<<< >>>

I couldn't feel or hear anything. I had no idea how long I was unconscious, but when I woke up, I was in a hospital bed. My head was pounding, and my body ached all over. I couldn't remember what had happened, but I knew it had been bad. 

I turned to look at the calendar beside me, and that was when I noticed I had been out for 5 days. As I tried to recall what had happened to me, a beautiful lady in her late 40s walked in. "O my God," she gasped, and she immediately ran out of the room. 

The doctor came in with her and rushed over to me to check on me. "She's stable now," he said while the beautiful lady kept crying. I still couldn't understand what was going on until the woman hugged me so tight.

"Debra, my little baby, I'm glad you're finally awake." I was shocked because my name wasn't Debra, and I couldn't push her away because she seemed like she was so happy to see me, like I had gone missing before. 

The doctor brought a mirror and handed it over to me. I felt a sense of dread. I knew something was wrong. "During the accident, Debra, you were the only survivor with a destroyed face, and thank goodness your car was recognised," he said. 

"I'm sorry your driver didn't make it either," he continued, and that was when everything came flushing back. I remembered the accident, and when I raised up the mirror to look at my face, I screamed.

Diamond's POV

I saw a face I didn't recognise. I stared in shock, unable to comprehend what I was seeing. I screamed again in horror, unable to believe that this was my reflection. I looked back at the doctor, my eyes wide with terror. I couldn't believe it. 

I didn't look like my old self anymore, but I looked like Debra, the girl who offered me a lift. "Calm down, Debra. We called your parents when the police saw your belongings from the accident, so they gave us a picture to enable us to restructure your face," the doctor said. 

Tears streamed down my face as I knew my real identity was gone forever and I was now someone else entirely. The doctor tried to reassure me, but I couldn't hear him over the sound of my own thoughts. "Can you remember anything?" the doctor asked. 

I knew I had to start pretending or I'd get caught. So I shook my head. "She might have gotten amnesia due to the accident, and it will take quite a while for her to remember," he said to the lady. "Well, this is Mrs. Juan, your mother," the doctor said as Mrs. Juan moved forward to hold my hand. 

And just then the news came up on the TV in the room: "Some deadly ladies escaped from prison five days ago, and they are yet to be seen," the headline said. My face and the faces of the ladies who also escaped were shown on TV. 

"I pray they get caught soon; otherwise, they'd do worse things," Mrs. Juan said, and the doctor nodded in agreement. When I saw my face on the screen, I cried again. I was happy that I was off the police tracks, but sad that Debra had to die for me to be free again for life. 

After a thorough checkup, I was discharged the next day and taken home by Mrs. Juan. I was safe, at least for the moment. But I couldn't shake the feeling of guilt that gnawed at my conscience. We got to the house, and as I entered the house, I was surprised to see how big it was. 

It wasn't a mansion, but it was something like a fairy tale. Huge chandeliers, golden doors, and staircases. But as I looked in awe, I heard someone open the door in a rush, and when I turned to look, it was a man in his 50s. He rushed to me and gave me a tight hug. 

"Debra, my little princess I'm glad you're okay. I'm sorry I wasn't around, but I'm here now," he said, hugging me again. I stood in stunned silence, not knowing what to say. 

This man was Debra's father. Part of me wanted to hug him back, to soak up the comfort and love he offered. But another part of me was wary, unsure of what to do. "Welcome back, Miss Debra," the maids chorused in unison as they smiled. 

"Food is ready, maam," one of the maids said to Mrs. Juan. "I know you must be starving, Debra. Let's go eat something," she said, holding my hands and taking me to the dining table. 

<<< >>> 

I've been pretending to be Debra for weeks now and not talking too much. I was always in my room after breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I spend time reading Debra's diary, learning more about her. I noticed that even after the accident, Mrs. Juan and Mr. Desmond were not always around. 

They were the kind of parents who leave their kids in the hands of maids and Nannie's. It was for the better anyway, as I didn't have to pretend too much. I got up from bed and entered the bathroom to shower. After that, I got out and put on a simple dress. Then I heard a knock on the door. 

"Yes, who's it?" I asked. "It's Clara the maid, ma. Your mom said you should put on a nice outfit because they have a surprise for you downstairs," Clara said. I wondered what it might be. "Was it Debra's birthday? I asked myself. 

So I took off the dress I had already worn and picked out another from the wardrobe. I picked a simple yet stunning outfit. It was a sky blue short dress that hugged and brought out my shape properly. For some reason, Debra and I had the same body size, and all her clothes fit. 

I struggled to zip the dress as I noticed I had gained some weight over the week. I stood in front of the mirror, critically appraising my reflection. The dress fit perfectly, highlighting my curves in a way that was both flattering and subtly seductive. I combed my hair, letting it fall in soft waves around my shoulders. 

I left the room and headed downstairs. But as I walked down the stairs, something caught my eye. There was a man pacing around the room, like he was anticipating something. "She's here," I heard Mrs. Juan say, and when he turned to face me, my breath seized, and I felt my heart stop. 

I couldn't believe who I was seeing in front of me. It was the same man I had a one-night stand with at the club where I worked months ago. "Don Nicholas is here to see you," Mrs. Juan said. He was the CEO of the largest wine company in Los Angeles. And not just any man, but one of the richest men in the city.

He was still the most handsome man I had ever seen, with piercing blue eyes and a chiselled jawline. He still had that confident air about him. I felt my heart pounding in my chest as I tried to keep my composure. I couldn't let him see how much he affected me. 

I had to play it cool, no matter how difficult it was. He rushed towards me and gave me a tight hug. "I missed you so much, and I'm glad you're okay now, Debra," he whispered in my ears, sending shivers down my spine before giving me a kiss on my cheek. 

And then it clicked: he was Debra's fiance, the one she talked about weeks ago, whom they forced her to marry. So I had a one-night stand with Debra's fiancé? He held my hand and turned to face Mrs. Juan and Mr. Desmond. "I would like to go on with the wedding," he said, making me freeze. 

I tried not to say anything that would make them figure out I wasn't Debra; there's a possibility that Debra had already agreed to this arrangement. "Well, Debra is doing much better now," Mrs. Juan said, with a smile on her face. "So I think it's time for us to move forward with the wedding." 

Nicholas nodded, his gaze never leaving my face. "I want something small. Just family and close friends. No crowds or publicity." 

"Of course, Nicholas. We'll make sure it's how you want it." "Thank you," Nicholas said, his voice soft. "I really appreciate it." I couldn't take my eyes off of Nicholas. I had seen him before, but this time, something felt different. I felt a pull towards him-a connection I couldn't explain. 

I knew I shouldn't feel this way knowing that he was Debra's fiance, but I couldn't help myself. And seeing that I was already falling for him, I didn't want to miss this opportunity to marry him. 

The day of the wedding came, and it was a small but nice one with just family members, and after that, I was finally taken to Nicholas's home. I was in awe as I entered his home. It was a grand, sprawling mansion, with gleaming gold chandeliers and sweeping staircases that added to the opulence of the decor. 

I couldn't stop looking, but my exhaustion was beginning to catch up with me. Nicholas must have noticed me yawn, because he signalled to one of the maids. "Take her to our room," he said, and the maid nodded. Just hearing the word "our room" made me blush. 

Getting to the room, I couldn't help but move around as I took in the luxurious surroundings, from the soft, satin sheets on the bed to the sparkling chandelier overhead. I was surprised to see that the wardrobe was already filled with new clothes. 

I blushed again as I imagined what would happen tonight. I took a quick bath, and I picked the most pretty nightwear, which was red in color. I was about to go to bed when the door opened and Nicholas walked in. He stopped when he saw me, a soft smile spreading across his face. 

He walked over to me and gently brushed a strand of hair away from my face, his fingertips touching my cheek. A shiver ran down her spine at his touch. "What a sight to come home to," he said, his voice low and intimate.

Before I could say anything, he leaned in and kissed me. The kiss was soft and sweet, and I felt myself melt into it. But then he pulled away, breaking the kiss. I didn't know why he stopped, but I felt a rush of disappointment, and before I could say anything, he spoke. 

"I have something else for you," he said, standing up and walking over to the table. He picked up a file and handed it to me. When I opened it, my eyes widened as I read the words on the page. "A contract marriage?" I asked, a note of confusion in my voice. 

"What's this for?"

"Let me make this clear," Nicholas said, and I could sense that he was about to drop a bombshell. 

"This marriage means nothing to me."