The Contracted Ever After (Cordelia and Ronan) novel Chapter 535

Alana was hellbent on constructing her own commercial empire, as much as she was intent on relinquishing her maidenhood. In the UK, she watched as August's interest in her waned day by day. She believed his growing disinterest was due to her refusal to sleep with him, misinterpreting his intentions.

From the get-go, Thomas harbored a crush on the movie star Alana. She, in turn, was impressed by Thomas' business acumen. Their mutual attraction led to an affair. Thomas aided Alana in establishing her film production company and also became her first lover. Having gained both prestige and pleasure, Alana coldly discarded Thomas and returned to the UK to seek out August, only to find that he had vanished from his home, leaving behind only Judy.

Furious and humiliated, Alana ascended to the attic to lash out at her sister. In her eyes, it was all her sister's fault that August had abandoned her.

Alana laid into her sister with punches and kicks, sparing only her sister's unborn child. She wanted to wait until the child was born to make her sister's life a living hell...

Alana didn't bother to look for August. To her, men were mere playthings, dispensable in her quest for solitude.

She set about building her empire, adhering to the belief that money was the only reliable ally, the strongest support. Yet, no matter how much wealth she amassed, it could never match the fortune her ancestors had accumulated over ten generations. The secret to that wealth remained with her father, who had never disclosed it to her, which was the sole reason she spared his life.

When October arrived, the real Alana gave birth to a daughter, a delicate and beautiful baby girl, who became the only solace for her confined sister. For a time, Alana seemed kinder and even improved her sister's meals. But this was only temporary; her true aim was to drive her sister to madness.

As her sister grew plumper and the baby more cherubic, she deluded herself into thinking Alana had developed a conscience and wanted to treat her better.

But who could fathom the thoughts of a devil?