Chapter 3 The Choice That Changed Everything

A War on Two Fronts

Lucas Ford had spent years in control. In the industry, in his personal life-he called the shots.

But now?

Now, he was trapped.

Beatrice had played her card, leaving him cornered. And Amy-sweet, devoted Amy-was still fighting for him, oblivious to the depth of the storm brewing around her.

The moment he stepped into his penthouse, he knew Amy was waiting for him. The lights were dimmed, the scent of vanilla lingering in the air. She stood in the center of the room, holding a magazine in her trembling hands.

She turned, eyes sharp despite the tears pooling in them.

"Is it true?" Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Lucas's stomach dropped.

He didn't need to ask what she meant.

Amy stepped forward, shoving the glossy pages against his chest. The headline screamed at him.

"LUCAS FORD: A SECRET HEIR ON THE WAY?"

His blood ran cold.

Damn it, Beatrice.

Amy's Breaking Point

Amy had been prepared for a lot. The distance. The rumors. Even the cold, distracted way Lucas had been treating her.

But this?

This was betrayal at a level she couldn't stomach.

Lucas ran a hand down his face. "Amy, listen-"

"No." She took a step back, shaking her head. "I want the truth."

She didn't want his rehearsed excuses. His carefully calculated lies.

She wanted him-the man she had loved for years.

Lucas swallowed hard.

There was no way to spin this. No way to smooth it over.

"It's true."

The words left his mouth, and Amy's breath hitched.

"With her?" Her voice cracked. "Beatrice?"

He hesitated. That hesitation was her answer.

Amy let out a shaky laugh, wiping at her eyes. "You love her, don't you?"

Lucas opened his mouth-then closed it.

Amy clenched her fists. "Say it, Lucas."

Silence.

That was all she needed.

Amy Carter had lost.

And Beatrice Sinclair had won.

But she wasn't going to go down without a fight.

Beatrice's Endgame

Beatrice sat in her penthouse, watching the city lights as she swirled a glass of water in her hand.

Her lips curled into a slow smile as her phone buzzed.

Amy's downfall had begun.

She knew Lucas had told her the truth. He had no choice.

She had forced his hand.

One move closer to victory.

Her plan had been executed with precision. First, she made the pregnancy public. Then, she let Amy crumble under the weight of the truth.

And now?

Now, it was time to take everything.

She pressed a single button on her phone, dialing the number of her most trusted contact in the media.

"Release the next headline," she said smoothly.

Because tomorrow's news wouldn't just be about her pregnancy.

It would be about her marriage.

The flash wedding was happening.

And Lucas Ford?

He had no way out.

Lucas's Cage Tightens

Lucas's hands clenched into fists as he stared at the message from Beatrice:

"The wedding announcement goes live in the morning. Prepare yourself, husband."

His jaw tightened. Damn her.

She was ruthless. Calculated. A woman who didn't just play the game-she controlled the entire board.

He threw his phone onto the couch and ran both hands through his hair. A marriage. A forced, public display of unity that would bind him to Beatrice permanently.

Amy was gone. Beatrice had made sure of that.

And now?

Lucas Ford belonged to her.

His gut twisted. He had spent his entire life carefully controlling his image, ensuring his power in the industry remained untouchable. Now, he was being played.

No, he wouldn't let it happen.

He would fight.

Amy's Revenge Begins

Amy wiped at her swollen eyes, her fingers trembling as she scrolled through the incoming headlines.

"HOLLYWOOD'S GOLDEN BOY LUCAS FORD SET TO WED BEATRICE SINCLAIR-A BABY ON THE WAY!"

Her stomach lurched.

It was true.

He wasn't just betraying her-he was marrying her.

Amy's entire body shook with rage. Beatrice had taken everything from her.

Lucas. Their future. Her dignity.

But if Beatrice thought she had won, she was wrong.

Amy had spent years perfecting her sweet, innocent persona. The adoring girlfriend, the industry darling, the woman the media loved.

Now, she was going to use that power against them both.

She picked up her phone and made a call.

"Leak it," she whispered.

If Lucas and Beatrice thought they were going to walk into their perfect little marriage without consequences, they were about to learn just how dangerous Amy Carter could be.

Beatrice's Victory... Or So She Thinks

Beatrice stood in front of her floor-length mirror, smoothing down the silk robe against her body.

She should have felt triumphant.

She was winning.

Lucas was hers. Amy was out of the picture. And soon, the world would watch as she walked down the aisle, claiming everything she deserved.

But something gnawed at her.

She had expected Lucas to resist. To fight back. To beg for another way out.

Instead, he had gone silent.

Too silent.

Her fingers tightened around her phone as she typed a message.

"Don't disappoint me, Lucas. The world is watching."

She smirked, but her heart pounded against her ribs.

Why did this feel too easy?

The game wasn't over.

Not yet.

And something told her that Lucas had one more move left to play.

Lucas paced his penthouse, staring out at the city that once felt like it belonged to him. Now, he was nothing more than a pawn.

Beatrice thought she had won. Amy was plotting in the shadows. And he? He was trapped between them.

His phone buzzed.

Beatrice: "Don't disappoint me, Lucas. The world is watching."

His jaw tightened. She wanted control. A puppet husband to stand beside her, to complete the perfect power couple image she was crafting.

But Lucas Ford was no one's puppet.

He grabbed his keys and left. He needed answers. A way to break free from the chains Beatrice had wrapped around him.

The problem?

She had played her hand too well.

Beatrice didn't just secure their marriage through media pressure-she had leverage. If he walked away, she would ruin him, using every connection, every whisper of scandal to crush his career and credibility.

He had built an empire, but Beatrice Sinclair owned the foundation.

Unless he destroyed her first.

A slow, dangerous smirk crossed his lips.

Beatrice thought she had won?

She had no idea what was coming next.