130
\### Miranda's POV
Don’t think for a second that I’m foolish for accepting his proposal. I know exactly what I’m doing, and every step of this game is meticulously calculated. Accepting him as my husband is not about love or trust. It’s about strategy. How else will I get close enough to uncover his true motives? To see the depths of his betrayal? Desmond may think he’s playing me, but he has no idea that I’m pulling the strings.
I will uncover every scheme, every secret he’s keeping with Brenda. And as for my father’s property? He will never lay a hand on it. Not without me standing in his way. I agreed to his proposal because it’s the perfect cover. With him thinking I’ve fallen for his trap, I can observe his every move. The world may see me as a scorned woman accepting love again, but I see myself as a hunter stalking her prey.
When I said, “Yes, I’ll marry you,” his face lit up with such joy that it almost made me laugh. Desmond’s arms wrapped around me tightly, and he murmured promises of a grand wedding, one that the whole world would attend. I didn’t care about his promises. His excitement was nothing more than a distraction to me. Deep down, I felt a cold determination settle in my chest. This wasn’t about a wedding—it was about revenge.
\---
The next day, I made my way to a coffee shop, knowing exactly who I would find there—Brenda. She was seated at a corner table, her fingers wrapped around a steaming cup of coffee. When her eyes met mine, her expression shifted from shock to thinly veiled hostility. She didn’t expect me to approach her.
I walked up to her table, my heels clicking against the tiled floor, and took a seat without waiting for her invitation.
“Still playing the mistress role, Brenda?” I said coolly, leaning back in my chair. “It suits you. After all, you’re not wife material. Just a... convenient distraction for men.”
Her hand trembled slightly as she set her coffee cup down, but she masked it quickly with a smirk. “Don’t get too comfortable, Lila. Whatever little charade you think you’re playing, it won’t last. Desmond will be mine,” she hissed.
I chuckled, raising my hand to show off the diamond ring glinting on my finger. “Oh, you mean this Desmond? The one who proposed to me? Promised me a grand wedding? Poor Brenda. Always second best.”
Her face drained of color, and for a moment, she looked like she might throw the coffee in my face. “No... That’s impossible. You’re lying!” she exclaimed, her voice louder than she intended.
I leaned forward, lowering my voice to a near-whisper, dripping with mockery. “Oh, it’s very possible. You see, while you were busy playing his little toy, I was securing my place at the top. Enjoy being a footnote in his life, Brenda.”
Her jaw clenched, and her eyes brimmed with unshed tears. “You won’t win,” she said, but her voice lacked conviction.
I stood up, smoothing the fabric of my blazer. “We’ll see, won’t we?” Without giving her another glance, I walked out of the coffee shop, satisfaction blooming in my chest.
\---
\### Desmond's POV
When Lila accepted my proposal, I felt like I had conquered the world. She said yes. She’s going to be my wife. The plan is falling into place perfectly. Once we’re married, her father’s company will be mine. And after that? Divorce. Maybe even worse—she’s expendable once her usefulness runs out.
Brenda, though... She’s becoming a liability. I told her not to come to my office, but there she was, sauntering in like she owned the place.
“Brenda, what the hell are you doing here?” I snapped, slamming my laptop shut. “I told you not to come unless it was important. Do you want someone to see us?”
She perched herself on the edge of my desk, her dress riding up as she leaned forward. Her lips curled into a smirk. “What’s wrong, Desmond? Afraid your little fiancée will find out about us?”
I stood up, grabbing her arm and yanking her to her feet. “Don’t test me, Brenda. This wedding is crucial to my plans. If anyone finds out about us, everything will fall apart.”
Her eyes searched mine, a flicker of doubt crossing her face. “Are you sure about this? Are you really still using her? Or have you started to fall for her?”
I scoffed, releasing her arm. “Fall for her? Don’t be ridiculous. Lila is just a means to an end. Once I have her father’s company, she’s out of the picture.”
Brenda’s lips trembled, but she quickly masked it with anger. “And what about me? You promised me, Desmond. You said we’d be together. Are you going to throw me away too?”
I pinched the bridge of my nose, exhaling sharply. “How do you think I’ll get the company without marrying her? Use your head, Brenda. This is all part of the plan.”
Her voice cracked as she said, “You said the same thing when you married Miranda. You promised me back then too, and look where that got me! I helped you destroy her, Desmond. I helped you kill her, and now you’re doing the same thing with Lila. How can I trust you won’t betray me again?”
Her words stung, not because of guilt, but because of her audacity to question me. I slapped her across the face, the sound echoing in the room.
“You will do as I say, Brenda!” I shouted, my voice venomous. “You’re nothing but a mistress. Do not forget your place.”
She clutched her cheek, tears streaming down her face, but she didn’t leave. Instead, she whispered, “One day, Desmond, you’ll regret this. You’ll regret everything.”
I didn’t respond. I didn’t care about her threats. All that mattered was the plan.