Ayishetu

In a world of wealth, power, and whispered betrayals, Jade Sinclair is an outsider. When she marries **Alexander Middleton**, heir to a powerful and ruthless family, she knows the life she’s stepping into is one of scrutiny and silent warfare. But what no one knows is that Jade didn’t just marry into this world for love—she has her own secrets, her own motives.  

At every turn, she faces resistance. **Victoria Middleton**, Alexander’s calculating mother, sees her as nothing more than an inconvenience, an unworthy intruder in their empire. And then there’s **Liliana Carter**, Alexander’s ex and the woman society expected him to marry, who is determined to reclaim her place by his side.  

But Jade is no naive socialite. She knows that in a world like this, survival isn’t about playing by the rules—it’s about rewriting them.  

When **Lady Eleanor Middleton**, the true matriarch of the family, summons Jade for a private meeting, everything changes. The old woman sees more than Jade expected, sensing the deeper game at play. As the stakes rise, Jade is forced to confront not just the enemies in plain sight but the ones lurking in the shadows—secrets buried within the Middleton family that could destroy them all.  

As deception weaves through every relationship and trust becomes the most dangerous currency, Jade must decide:Is love worth the price of power? And in a game where masks are everything, who will survive when the veil is finally lifted

the veil of deception

Chapter Thirty-Five: A Battle on Two Fronts

Jade sat in the quiet of her office, her mind spinning. Damien's return wasn't just a distraction—it was a threat. He had seen her at her weakest, long before she built the empire she now fought to protect. And if he had come back to unsettle her, he was doing a damn good job.

A knock at the door made her heart jump. She already knew who it was.

"Come in, Damien," she said, her voice composed.

He stepped inside, his dark eyes scanning the room before locking onto her. "You always did have a way of knowing when I was near."

Jade leaned back in her chair, feigning indifference. "What do you want?"

Damien exhaled, dragging a chair closer but not sitting. "I want you to be careful."

She narrowed her eyes. "Careful of what?"

He hesitated, but then he said, "Victoria Middleton."

Jade stiffened at the name. She had always known Victoria was dangerous, but hearing it from Damien—someone who had nothing to gain by warning her—made it worse.

"She's playing a long game," Damien continued. "And she's not going to stop until she destroys you."

Jade folded her arms. "And you care because…?"

His jaw tightened. "Because I know what it's like to be the target of powerful people who think they can decide your fate."

A flicker of something passed between them—memories neither wanted to bring up.

Jade shook her head, forcing herself to stay detached. "If you're trying to scare me, you're wasting your time."

"I'm not," Damien said, finally sitting. "I'm trying to warn you. And to remind you that I know you, Jade. I know what you're capable of."

Something about the way he said it sent a shiver through her.

"Stay out of my way, Damien," she said, her voice softer than she intended.

His lips quirked into something between a smirk and a grimace. "You know I won't."

Alexander: Caught Between Two Women

Alexander stood at the window of his penthouse, watching the city lights blur together. He had left his mother's estate feeling like he had been punched in the gut. Victoria had always been ruthless, but this was different. She had moved against him, against his company, and worst of all—against Jade.

A glass of whiskey sat untouched in his hand when his phone buzzed. He almost ignored it, but when he saw Jade's name, he answered immediately.

"I know about your mother," Jade said, skipping any pretense of a greeting.

His grip on the glass tightened. "I was going to tell you."

"Were you?" There was no anger in her voice—just exhaustion. "Or were you going to handle it on your own like you always do?"

Alexander sighed, rubbing his temple. "Jade, I—"

"She's not just coming for me, Alexander," she interrupted. "She's coming for us. And I won't stand by and wait to be destroyed."

The steel in her voice sent a chill through him.

"I know," he said, softer this time. "But I'm not letting her win."

Alexander set his drink down. "Jade—"

But the line had already gone dead.

He closed his eyes for a long moment. He knew Jade was strong, but Victoria played by her own rules. And now, Damien had inserted himself into the game.

And the woman he loved was standing in the center of it.

A Battle On Two Fronts