Novels by Tumininu

ELENA'S POV.If this keeps going on, it's only a matter of time before he finds out. I needed to do something. "Your family is well-off. Why didn't you go back home?" he said again, his gaze unrelenting.I hesitated, forcing myself to meet his eyes. "I grew up with a stepmother, sir. An evil one," I said, letting a hint of bitterness edge my voice. "Going back isn’t an option."His brows furrowed, and for a moment, I thought I’d found a crack in his armour. He had his own history with stepmothers, after all. Surely, he’d understand. But instead of dropping it, he leaned back, arms crossed, his expression calculating."And the father?"The question caught me off guard. What father? My father? What did he have to do with any of this?Before I could respond, Justin’s lips curled into something resembling a smirk. "The father of your child. You could have gone to him."The words hit me like a slap, sharp and unexpected. My chest tightened, and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe.My composu

ELENA’S POVI stepped out of the car and adjusted my bag on my shoulder, my eyes sweeping over the towering structure in front of me. The building was massive, a testament to power and ambition, its glass facade reflecting the morning sun. Justin’s secretary had sent me a message earlier: “Report to Mr Justin’s office immediately.” What could possibly be wrong?Josh, Noah’s driver, gave me a curt nod before pulling away, leaving me standing there with my thoughts swirling like a storm. I entered the building. Inside, it was a symphony of movement—workers rushing past, their faces a blur of purpose, phones ringing in a constant rhythm, and the faint hum of machinery in the background. The air smelled of coffee and polished wood, mingled with the faint tang of disinfectant.Pulling out my phone, I double-checked the message before heading to the elevator. My reflection in the polished doors caught my eye—poised and ready.The ride was agonizingly slow, each floor bringing a fresh wave

ELENA'S POVThe ride to Noah’s school felt endless. Silence wrapped around me like a suffocating blanket, my thoughts louder than the hum of the car engine. Justin had said he would be dropping Noah off himself, so I rode in another car with the other maids.My gaze stayed fixed out the window, the passing scenery a blur. "It is just a tattoo, Elena. Anyone could have it. A thousand people might bear the same mark." I told myself, clinging to the thought like a lifeline. But the reassurance rang hollow. My mind would not stop racing, piecing together fragments of a puzzle I didn’t know I was solving. That gnawing sense of familiarity—so persistent since the very first day—suddenly sharpened into focus. This morning had brought clarity, yet it left behind an unsettling residue.And then there was Morris. The driver.He worked for Justin now, yes. But five years ago… My chest tightened as the memory resurfaced, vivid and raw. That night, after my stepmother cast me out like I was noth

ELENA'S POV. The moment I entered the living room, the weight of their stares hit me like a brick wall. Every eye in the room turned my way, some sharp with judgment, others indifferent but no less intrusive. The knots in my stomach tightened.Why were they all staring at me? After years in the mental hospital, I’d grown used to being invisible. This sudden attention felt suffocating, every glance like a spotlight I hadn’t asked for.“Good morning…” I said softly, bowing slightly in an attempt to ease the tension.“I can’t figure out why you were hired,” Hailey—Justin’s mother—spoke without preamble, her tone cold and cutting. Her sharp, piercing eyes met mine, brimming with unspoken disdain. “But let me make one thing clear. If you fail to take proper care of my grandson, not only will you be fired, but I’ll make sure you go to jail for it.”Her words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating, like a guillotine suspended above my head. I swallowed hard, unsure if I could trust my voice

ELENA'S POV The hours stretched endlessly as I sat on the edge of my bed, my phone resting on the table like a ticking time bomb. My eyes flitted to it every few seconds, my stomach twisting into tighter knots. Justin had said they’d let me know by the end of the day, but the waiting was unbearable. I needed this job. Desperately. When the notification sound finally rang out, my heart nearly leapt out of my chest. My hand shot forward, snatching the phone so fast I almost knocked it over. My fingers trembled as I unlocked the screen, my eyes scanning the message that had just arrived. "Hi Miss Elena, we hope this message finds you well…” I skimmed the pleasantries, my breath hitching. Then I found it: “You have been employed… but on probation.” Probation. The word barely registered. All that mattered was the first part: I was employed. “Finally,” I whispered, relief flooding through me. A smile broke across my face as I tossed the phone onto the bed and began throwing clothes in

ELENA'S POV Justin’s stare didn’t waver, a silent question lingering in the air between us. Then, just as suddenly as it began, he broke the connection, turning his attention back to Noah, his expression unreadable.Before I could process what had just happened, the guards surrounded me. His mother and several others had gathered near Justin, their hushed words blending with the cool afternoon air."Your identification?" one of the guards demanded, his tone brisk.I fumbled with my bag, producing the necessary documents while swallowing down the knot in my throat. The interrogation felt endless, their scepticism gnawing at my nerves. By the time they were satisfied, I was exhausted and ready to leave.The estate was sprawling, practically a small city with its maze of towering buildings and manicured lawns. As I walked toward the gate, unease crept over me like a shadow. Something about the Hunts’ home tugged at the edges of my memory, a vague familiarity I couldn’t place.Where had