Novel-novel oleh Destiny Williams

The chandeliers of the mansion were bright and starlike, splashing golden light upon varnished floors, Bunches of flowers scented the atmosphere as one heard the sound of reverberating laughter and music across the halls and jingling sounds that waiters made around the crowds with flutes of fine champagnes and hors d'oeuvres on their trays."Is everything ready for the toast?" Rafael demanded from one of the serving people. Authority was in his voice while his eyes played around the room."Yes, sir. Champagne is ready and so are the musicians," he said with a slight bow and scurried away.Rafael turned his eyes on Bernice, standing near the middle of the room in her glittering emerald gown. She covers it quite well, yet he manages to see right through it, to the scared smile below. Rafael moved to her, threaded an arm reassuringly around the nape of her lower back."You look lovely tonight," he whispered softly, clear into her ear."Thanks," she whispered, looking into the hall. "I ju

Sheets of rain lashed outside a small café across Liam's apartment complex as Alexander sat nursing coffee that was already cold, which he had not touched. His gaze turned out the door expecting Liam to walk in. Hoping he got his text. The anchoring weight on this day further depressed his body. The sound of defeat played out in his head until the door finally swung open, and Liam came in with drips coming off his umbrella."Alexander," he said, shock mingling with the sudden sobering of his tone. "Never thought I'd be coming in here to find you of all people waiting. What's up?"Alexander motioned to the empty chair opposite him. "Sit down. I need someone to talk to, and you're the perfect person at the moment.”Liam raised one eyebrow but did as instructed, tugging his coat off and hooking it over the back of the chair. "This does sound serious. Let me take a guess, it's about Bernice."Alexander exhaled with a heavy sigh, and the strain in his voice betrayed him. "It is always ab

"Two daddies?" Luca echoed, his voice full of wonder. "Does that mean we get two birthday parties too?"In the naivety of the question, a small, bitter laugh was dragged from Bernice. "Oh, sweetheart…", she started, but her words caught in her throat as tension pulled thick in the air.Rafael hunched down beside him, his features soft but strained. "It means you'll always have more people who love you. But I'm your father, Luca. You and Mia…you're my everything.”Luca looked up at him and furrowed his little brow as the meaning of Rafael's words digested. "But Uncle Alex takes care of us. Is he not our daddy too?"Mia stared at them, clutching her stuffed animal tightly. "Uncle Alex is fun…is he still our daddy?"Alexander had been leaning quietly against the wall until now; he stepped forward, his face composed, an edge laced in his voice. "I'll always be here for you, just like I always have been. But…," he paused, his eyes flicking to Bernice before he finished, "…your real father

The shrill ringtone of Rafael’s phone broke through the tense silence. Bernice flinched, startled from her thoughts as Rafael answered. His expression, initially sharp, softened slightly as he listened.“She’s awake?” His voice carried a mix of relief and urgency. “We’re on our way.”Bernice’s heart leaped at his words. “Mia?”Rafael nodded, snapping his phone shut. “The hospital called. She’s asking for you.”Without waiting for another word, Rafael pulled Bernice to his car, started the engine and pressed the gas pedal, speeding toward the hospital. Alexander’s car followed close behind, his headlights glaring in the rearview mirror like unspoken accusations.“I’ll need to explain things to her and Luca” Bernice murmured, her voice trembling as she twisted her hands in her lap."You will get the chance," Rafael replied tightly, his eyes fixed on the road. "But it is no longer just about you. It's time the kids knew the truth."Bernice's chest tightened; she wanted to argue but knew

"Gate 27B. Last call for flight 489 to São Paulo," the calm, automated voice echoed over the airport intercom.Detective Marcus was concealed behind a pillar, his striking eyes scouring the busy terminal. So excited, he could hardly contain his accelerating heartbeat. He then glanced at his watch-just at this time, Olivia's got to pop up. Every single lead, each and every crumb-into which he had looked-intimidated him before it all boiled down into this. Marcus reached for his radio."All units, Gate 27B. This one's not going to make it," ordered Marcus.Across the terminal, Olivia sashayed confidently through the crowd, arm linked with a man whose face bore a cruel smirk—Sebastian Reyes, the man who had framed Bernice three years ago. They looked relaxed, like a couple off on a romantic getaway. Olivia's sunglasses shielded her eyes, but her smile was bold, too bold. She believed she had won.“They really thought they could stop us?" Sebastian whispered, his hand tightly squeezing

"Run the footage again," Rafael ordered sharply, voice as keen as a razor. Fingers clasping the edge of his desk, white-knuckled. His assistant Gabriel blinked and then replayed the security footage on Rafael's big office screen.Rafael's eyes narrowed as the figure coming into view was one he could never mistake: his nephew, Ethan. Wearing a sharp suit, Ethan navigated the restricted areas within the company with confidence. It wasn't just access to the right places that remained an outstanding thing but what he was doing with it."There," Rafael pointed. "Pause it.Gabriel froze the footage; Ethan slipped a small USB drive into the server room. "We thought it was a cyber-attack," Rafael whispered, his quiet tone boiling with anger beneath. "It was him all along."Gabriel nodded grimly. "It matches perfectly with the timeline of events. Every major breach happened after he had entered the server room.Rafael leaned back, running a hand over his face. His heart pounded with a mixture

Kiara’s POVI hasten my steps, heading towards my office. Miriam was already in her office. “Good morning Kiara” she greeted, with a knowing smile.My mind raced faster to what she might have done but I managed to fake a smile, “good morning Miriam.’I opened my office door and slammed it shut, rushing straight to my drawers, opening them one by one. Just by the first glance, I could see that my files were intact. I flipped through each document, checking for missing pages or misplaced papers. But everything seemed untouched.If everything is complete,then I guess I'm safe. But I doubt if Miriam sneaked in here for nothing.I pulled out my chair and turned on my laptop. As the screen lit up, I immediately sensed something was off. The trackpad was slightly smudged, as though someone else had touched it.A strange feeling twisted in my gut.Could it be Leo? He was the last person in my office before I left last night. But why would he go through my things?My heart pounded as I navigat

Alex povI leaned against the driver's seat, tapping my fingers on the steering wheel and constantly shifting my gaze between the dashboard clock and the entrance of Kiara's office building.She had asked me to pick her up after work, but the typical Kiara I know, she would still be probably busy drowning herself in work or a meeting. Always engrossed in work and always pushing herself to be better. I love that about her though.I had arrived earlier than the time she told me to come, so I figured I could get some work done while waiting. I took out my phone, ready to go through some mail I got while leaving my office when I saw a movement at the side entrance of the building. At first, I thought it was one of the employees, but something about this one seemed... unusual.This individual was dressed in dark clothing and had the hoodie cap drawn low over their face and a nose mask as if purposely trying to hide from being recognized. Its steps were quite quick and yet hesitant, lik

Kiara’s POVI got back home so tired. I quickly showered and changed into my fine silk nightwear. As I lay on my bed, I exhaled heavily, my thoughts still racing from earlier. “I will make sure such doesn't happen again and I will protect my baby with everything in me. It doesn't matter if Leo has seen her” I muttered to myself.I quickly reached for my phone and dialed Alex’s number."You wouldn’t believe what happened today?" I blurted out the moment he picked up.Alex’s tone sharpened with concern. "What? Tell me."My hand landed on my forehead as I bit my lips. "Sophia came to my office today.""What?! How did her nanny allow that?""Long story," I sighed, rubbing my temple, "Amelia explained to me everything, and I get her reasons, but that's not the main issue here. Guess what happened next?”There was a beat of silence. Then Alex's voice dropped. "Leo saw her.""Exactly!" I exhaled sharply, pacing the room. "That was my biggest fear all this time. I didn’t want him to see her,

Leo’s POVI walked out of Kiara’s office, gripping the file in my hand, but my mind was already far from the damn paperwork.My thoughts were filled with Sophia, her smile, and most especially, her eyes. Those eyes appeared to be so familiar that they sent some indescribable current through me. Her long, dark hair framed her small face and when she blinked up at me I felt an odd recognition that I could not explain. I walked back to my office, feeling my grip tighten on the file.I slammed the door behind me as I cursed under my breath upon entering my office. The noise echoed throughout the room, doing nothing to calm the storm that raged within me.I threw the file onto my desk and yanked my tie, loosening the suffocating knot around my throat. Frustration pulsed through my veins.I did a quick calculation in my head…”I'm sure she's not more than four or five” I murmured.The time I took a closer look at her, I felt this connection between us.The way her nose scrunched slightly wh

Kiara’s POVMy heartbeat was beating so fast, after what had just happened earlier between me and Leo.My lips tingle from where his finger had brushed against them; my mind was a mess of frustration. “Why did I even allow him to get hold of me like that?” I muttered to myself.I shook my head, running a hand through my hair. Damn him!Leo had always been good at getting under my skin, but I wouldn’t let him win this time. I wouldn’t fall for his charm again. I inhaled a deep breath, putting my focus back to work, when suddenly, my office door swung open.“Mummy!”On looking out, Sophia already flew into my legs, wrapping her small arms around me.I froze. My eyes widened in shock.“What… Sophia?” My voice came out in disbelief.I quickly glanced up and saw her nanny, Amelia, standing at the door, looking apologetic.“Ma, please don’t be offended,” Amelia said breathlessly. “She was crying so badly and wouldn’t stop saying she needed to see you.”I was still in shock. Sophia had never

Kiara's povI was preparing a cup of coffee for myself in the kitchen, my mind already thinking about the long day ahead. I decided to go sit at the dining table, when I turned, I saw Alex leaning against the door frame. I almost threw my cup of coffee. I didn't know he spent the night at my place after the incident yesterday, so I wasn't expecting anybody. "Jezzz! you scared me.""Sorry,I didn't mean to." he said, stepping aside.I walked past him and sat at the dining table.He came and sat next to me,there was a silent tension between us."About yesterday—" he finally said, breaking the silence.I raised an eyebrow, sipping my coffee. "What about it?"He cast his gaze downward and raised it up almost immediately."I didn't expect Sandra to show up like that, I was just as surprised as you were, and I'm sorry if I didn't handle the situation well." "It's fine. You couldn't have done anything more than what you did and it's not your fault she behaved like a mad dog.” I let out a dry