Trap set

Kay had made up her mind the moment she saw David's profile—and his wealth. But she wasn't foolish enough to leap like a desperate woman. She played the long game. Her greed was wrapped in silk, her lies laced with perfume. Every move she made was rehearsed, measured, and masked by a facade of delicate suffering.

She was ready to say yes—but she hid her excitement like a chess player hiding a checkmate. All she ever wanted was money. And David? He wasn't just rich—he was vulnerable. Lonely. The perfect target.

What no one knew—what she made sure no one would ever know—was that Kay already had a child. A boy. Her son. Born from a forced, loveless marriage to her cousin. A marriage she cried about to Miss Dora, pretending to be the helpless victim. But the truth was darker.

Kay never wanted that child. When her husband divorced her and took custody, she didn't fight. She didn't even look back. The boy now lived with his father in another city, far away from her schemes. He had no connection with her. Not a phone call, not a birthday card, not a picture on the wall. And that's just how she wanted it.

In Kay's world, motherhood was a burden—one she'd long discarded in pursuit of status, attention, and gold-lined security.

Miss Dora, bless her heart, had no clue. The older woman had fallen right into the web, charmed by Kay's crocodile tears and dramatic stories of survival. The woman's softness made her easy to manipulate—and Kay knew how to mold sympathy into opportunity.

But David? He was going to be trickier.

So she stalked him—quietly, strategically. Her research led her to his Saturday routine. After work, he'd take little Harry to a quiet park near his office. A perfect place for a "coincidental" meeting.

Saturday arrived like a curtain rising on a play.

David sat under a tree, rolling a small football back and forth with Harry. The boy was laughing, full of life, while David wore the face of a man doing his best to stay afloat. He smiled for his son, but his eyes were tired, distant.

Kay spotted them from a bench nearby. She adjusted her sunglasses, fluffed her hair, and walked toward them. She wore fitted blue jeans, a tucked-in white shirt, and a pink ribbon tied around her wrist like a teenager pretending to be pure.

"Hello," she said brightly.

David didn't even glance at her.

"I said hello, sir," she repeated, slightly louder.

Still nothing.

Growing bolder, she reached out and gently tapped his arm. "Excuse me… sir?"

He turned slowly, brows slightly furrowed. "Yes?"

"Heyyy," she said, flashing her most harmless smile. "I'm Kay."

"Do I… know you?" he asked, clearly annoyed.

"No," she said quickly, "but I noticed you playing with your son. Is he yours?"

David relaxed a bit. "Yeah. He's mine."

"He's adorable," she said, crouching slightly. "Can I play with him?"

David shrugged. "Sure."

"You're so kind," Kay gushed.

She tried to lift Harry into her lap, but the child immediately began crying, pushing her away.

"Oh—sorry," she said, smiling awkwardly.

David gently picked Harry up. "He doesn't really like strangers."

"It's okay," she replied sweetly, but her eyes narrowed just for a second—sharp, venomous. She hated kids, especially ones who cried. But she quickly masked her disgust with a pleasant expression. "Some children just take time to warm up."

David nodded. "Maybe."

"I'm actually Kay," she added, straightening. "The girl your mom selected for marriage."

David stiffened slightly.

"We met at the café last week," she continued. "She told me everything about you, and I told her all about myself—where I'm from, what I do, what I've been through."

"Oh," David said flatly. "I see."

"I just thought I'd meet you before saying yes or no. I mean… marriage is a big step."

He motioned to a bench. "Please. Sit."

They sat quietly for a moment, the distant sound of children playing filling the air.

"I wanted to ask," she began, "why do you want to marry again?"

David looked straight ahead. "I don't."

She blinked.

"I'm only doing this for my mother," he said. "And for Harry. Not for myself."

Kay paused, biting the inside of her cheek. Wrong answer. But she pushed through it with a nod.

"I understand," she said softly.

David turned to face her. "But if I do get married, I'll do my duty. I'll never mistreat my wife. I just won't… love her the way I loved Maylie."

"But… why?" she asked, tilting her head.

"Because Maylie wasn't just my wife. She was everything to me. My best friend. My peace. My pain. I still love her. And I always will."

Kay blinked away her irritation and nodded sweetly. "That's so… touching. Your loyalty is admirable."

He didn't reply.

"I admire your character," she added, leaning forward. "The way you speak… your honesty, your care for your son. It's rare."

David gave a small smile. "Thanks."

"What do you think about me?" she asked suddenly.

"About you?"

"Yes. Now that we've met… any thoughts?"

David hesitated. "I… don't know much about you."

She faked a pout. "You don't like me?"

"No, no. You're… pretty."

Her smile sharpened.

"Well, then…" she said, standing up. "It's a yes."

She turned, flashed a triumphant smirk over her shoulder, and walked away with slow, calculated grace.

The wind picked up slightly—cool and sharp, like something was shifting in the air.

David returned home with Harry, his mind still wrapped around Kay's sudden appearance. He sat beside Harry's crib, watching the boy sleep.

"She's… not a bad option," he murmured to himself. "At least for Harry's sake."

Across the city, Kay stepped into her bedroom, shut the door, and walked directly to her mirror. Her reflection greeted her with cold approval.

She threw her hair back and whispered, "So… so… so finally… you trapped him."

She leaned in closer. "Of course, who can escape this beauty?"

Then, slowly, her lips curled into a wicked grin.

"Time for the next step," she muttered, dropping onto her bed like a queen on her throne.

She never once thought about the child she abandoned—the boy who now called someone else "Mama."

He had no place in this new life she was planning.

And David… well, he had no idea the devil was wearing ribbons.

Miss Dora and Lara remained in the dark. Days passed with no response from Kay, and Miss Dora grew anxious.

"I'm worried," she confessed one night. "What if she says no?"

But the truth was—Kay had already said yes.

Not to the man.

Not to the family.

Only to the money.

And soon, the game would turn even darker.