ough the puffiness. "Maddie, get me some ice," he requested, his voice shaking with pain and vulnerability. Maddie hastened to comply, her concern for Lucas's well-being evident in

Piper found herself stripped of everything. He had methodically taken control of their joint assets, leaving her with nothing but the clothes on her back. The four years she had dedicated to their marriage, working tirelessly alongside him, seemed to mean nothing. Lucas's intentions were clear: he wanted to break her spirit, to force her into a desperate situation where she would have no choice but to beg for his mercy and crawl back to him. But Piper knew she wouldn't give in that easily. Fate, it seemed, had other plans for her. When Caleb offered her a place to stay at his mansion, she didn't hesitate. The alternative was returning to the small, humble hut she had stayed in briefly, but that was a prospect she couldn't bear. The thought of enduring the cold, harsh conditions and struggling to survive on her own was unappealing, to say the least. Caleb's offer was a lifeline, a chance to start anew and rebuild her life. Piper wasn't about to turn down the opportunity to live in luxury and comfort, especially not when she had been left with nothing. She knew that staying at the mansion would give her the chance to regroup, recharge, and figure out her next move. And so, with a sense of gratitude and hope, she accepted Caleb's offer and stepped into a new chapter of her life. As Piper drove inside, she was greeted by the grandeur of Caleb's mansion. The sprawling estate was breathtaking, with towering trees, vibrant flowers, and serene waterfalls that seemed to dance in the sunlight. The mansion itself was a masterpiece of architecture, with sleek lines, expansive windows, and a façade that shimmered in the light. Piper's eyes widened as she took in the sheer scale of the property. The driveway was lined with luxury cars, each one more stunning than the last. She felt like she had entered a different world, one that was far removed from the house she had lived in. "Welcome to my home," Caleb said, smiling warmly as he opened the car door for her. His guard stood nearby, but Caleb had insisted on playing the gentleman himself. Piper smiled back at him, feeling a sense of gratitude. "Thank you," she said, breathing in the fresh air scented with blooming flowers. She couldn't help but be amazed at the beauty surrounding her. The mansion dwarfed her ex-husband's estate, and she felt like she was experiencing a whole new level of luxury. As she gazed around, Piper felt like a small-town girl in awe of the grandeur before her. She had never seen anything like it, and she couldn't help but wonder what other wonders the estate held. Caleb's smile grew wider as he watched her reaction, clearly pleased to share his world with her. As they ventured deeper into the mansion, Pipe