Chapter: CHAPTER SEVENTEEN Lauren stood at the passage of Alex’s house, her travel bag slung over her shoulder, the weight of her grief heavier than the load itself. The modern glass-and-steel facade loomed before her, cold and unwelcoming, a stark contrast to the warmth of her mother’s small apartment. Her chest ached so painfully she urged to clutch them in her hand, her eyes still raw from tears that wouldn’t stop. The threatening text from the unknown number burned in her mind—Stop, or you’ll end up like your mother—but it was her mother’s still face that haunted her the most. Who would want to hurt a woman like that? She wanted to believe it was all a dream, but everyday, it hot more realer than the last Coming here, to Alex’s, felt like surrender, but she had no choice.The door opened quietly before she could knock, and Alex was there, his wheelchair framed in the doorway, his face unreadable, as usual. “You made it,” he said, his voice softer than she had expected.“Don’t make a mountain out of it,” s
Last Updated: 2025-04-19
Chapter: CHAPTER SIXTEEN The hospital waiting room was a blur of blinding whites and hushed voices, the fluorescent lights humming above Lauren’s head. She sat still, her hands clenched in her lap, and eyes sore from her constant crying and sleepless night. Her clothes now rumpled from the two days that she had continuously worn it—clung to her like a second skin and her mother’s still, pale face haunted her every thought. Dr. Patel’s previous words from the other night before echoed relentlessly, haunting her every minute: tampered medication. Someone had stolen her mother's life from her, and the weight of that truth pressed heavily against her chest, sharp and unyielding.She glanced at the wall clock mounted on the wall—8:05 a.m. Dr. Patel had promised to update her on the toxicology test result, and every second shevwaited for him, she felt the overwhelming sense of betrayal from her mother's memory. Her legs continued to bounce, her nails digging painfully into her skin. She needed answers instantly,
Last Updated: 2025-04-19
Chapter: CHAPTER FIFTEEN Lauren's sob filled the hospital room that was once a tomb of silence. She knelt beside her mother's bed, her hands holding her mother's cold ones. This hands that had once stroked her hair softly, wiped her tears as she sang beautiful melodies in her ears, until Lauren could fall asleep..The white sheets were now pulled back a smidge revealing a still pale face that once glowed with a lively colour. She was too peaceful, too peaceful that Lauren wanted to bawl her eyes out and weep on the cold tiles, till someone opened the door and told her it was all a prank.But no one was jumping into the room and laughing anytime soon, because unlike her shitty life, this one where her mother was no longer moving was the realest and most painful experience.But she didn't want to be in this part. “I'm sorry mum. I'm so sorry,” she sobbed into her mother's hand. “I should have been here sooner. I was a bad child even to your last breath.”“I was not hardworking enough to raise your surgery mone
Last Updated: 2025-04-15
Chapter: CHAPTER FOURTEEN Her father's word__”she might not make it through the night” kept haunting her. Tears streamed down her face, Alex's hesitation __” I‘d__” burning like acid on her skin. Everything seemed to be going wrong at the same time. It was all so overwhelming.“Lauren! Open the damn door, now!” Alex growled at the other side of the door, banging it crazily.“You can't lock yourself inside there forever, let me in.”Lauren quickly grabbed her phone off the door before she went ahead to open the door. Alex quickly wheeled in, grabbing her hand before she could escape again.“What's wrong? Tell me,” he says softly, his eyes holding a deep concern. Lauren wanted to believe that the look in his eyes was honest and he truly cared about her. But his actions that night had left a deep doubt in her mind. Alex was not the kind of man to care for someone so quickly. His acts was all just a pretense, nothing more.But what was the need? She was already leaving, why does he need to pretend?“My mum…she's
Last Updated: 2025-02-02
Chapter: CHAPTER THIRTEENLauren stumbled into the mansion, her heart still twisting painfully from his earlier words. How did they get here?Why did Melissa have to ruin everything?The words kept flowing in her head.Tears streamed down her face as she walked pass the sitting room, heading towards the room that she had come to love since she got to Alex’s mansion.‘wretched wh*re!’ ‘you’re just a contract.’ Their words made her let out a shaky breath. She grabbed her box and flung the wardrobe open, grabbing the dress that caught her eyes first.“He still loves her. He didn't fight her, so he's still so much in love with her,” she muttered, as she sobbed quietly.Her door creaked opened, as Alex came in, a deep scowl on his face.“Lauren,” he called.But she didn't respond. She continued to grab her clothes from the dresser, throwing them into her small box.“Lauren, look at me,” he said again, but she still didn't look at him. It was like she was totally deaf, and the only things she could hear at that m
Last Updated: 2025-02-02
Chapter: CHAPTER TWELVE The ballroom hummed with chatter, but it all faded when Melissa glided forward, her black gown slicing through the crowd like a blade. Lauren’s arm trembled in Alex’s, her grip faltering as Melissa’s sly smile locked onto them, venom dripping from her lips.“Well. Well. Well,” Melissa said, her voice loud, cutting. “If it isn’t the golden boy and his favourite little shadow.”Lauren shrank back, her breath catching, eyes darting to the floor. Alex tensed beside her, his hands gripping his chair.Melissa’s gaze raked over Lauren, slow and cruel, lingering on her dress, her ring. “Interesting,” she sneered, louder now, drawing stares. “You just can’t stop picking up my scraps, can you, Lauren? Always the sad little stray begging for what I don’t want.”Lauren flinched, her voice barely a whisper. “Melissa, please, don't do this here.”“Please?” Melissa mocked, stepping closer, her laugh sharp. “Oh, look at you…pathetic! What, did you think dressing up in that cheap silk makes you somebod
Last Updated: 2025-02-02
Chapter: CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FIVEThalia's POV EPILOGUE: SEVEN YEARS LATER The estate buzzed with life, Thanksgiving brunch was already underway, the air smelled of pumpkin spice and cinnamon, and the hum of conversation mingled with the occasional squeals of children running through the halls. Sunlight poured into the garden through the tall windows, casting warm and golden streaks over everything, making the moment feel as heavenly as it was. I stood on the patio, holding a steaming mug of tea, my eyes scanning the lively scene before me.Theo and Elise, now four, were chasing each other around the fountain, their giggles echoing. Theo, the notorious mischief-maker, grabbed a handful of fallen leaves and tossed them into the air, pretending it was snow."Elise, look it's snowing!" "That's not snow, Theo!" she scolded, her little hands on her hips, but she was smiling, her dimples making an appearance just like Alexander's when he was amused."They're at it again" Alexander said, stepping up beside me with a plate
Last Updated: 2025-02-01
Chapter: CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOURThalia's POV We stayed at the manor for two more days before heading back to Alexander's house, where Lorraine greeted us with another warm welcome. It wasn't anything extravagant, just a thoughtful display that felt genuine, I told her about my visit to Mom and Dad, and she listened intently, then suggested we go together next time, I agreed without hesitation. Later that evening, Cassie told me to get dressed, saying we were going somewhere, after some deliberation, I chose a silky whitedress with a Queen Anne neckline, pairing it with a touch of red lipstick, the look was simple but striking, just the way I liked it. As I descended the stairs, the soft fabric of my dress trailing behind me, I caught sight of Alexander standing by the doorway. Alexander was waiting, looking devastatingly handsome in a crisp shirt and tailored pants, his hair was styled as usual, effortlessly tousled yet somehow flawless. But tonight, it wasn't just his looks, it was the way his eyes found mine,
Last Updated: 2025-02-01
Chapter: CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-THREEThalia's POV As much as I wanted to stay curled up in bed with Alexander all day, to enjoy the warmth of his arms and the peace he brought me, today wasn't a day for indulgence.Lilith, Tobias, and I had agreed to visit Mom and Dad at the cemetery this morning, it was something we had never done together and while it was never easy, it felt like the right thing to do. The drive to the cemetery was quiet, the kind of silence filled with unspoken words and shared memories. When we arrived, I pulled the folded picnic mat from the trunk and laid it out on the grass in front of their graves, the air was crisp but gentle, and the morning sun filtered through the trees, casting soft light over the headstones. Lilith knelt first, her movements slow and deliberate as she placed the basket of pastries Gladys had prepared for us on the mat. "Good morning Mom" she said, her voice soft but steady. Tobias and I echoed her, our voices overlapping in a quiet chorus.“Good morning Mom". We all chu
Last Updated: 2025-02-01
Chapter: CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-TWOThalia's POV Dinner had been a perfect end to an emotional day, laughter echoed through the house. But now, the night had deepened, and the warmth of family faded into a quieter kind of comfort. After we'd all gathered in the living room to watch an old childhood favorite, I found myself seeking something more than nostalgia. Something…Someone… Alexander. The house was silent by the time we made our way upstairs. I held his hand, guiding him toward my room, the soft creak of the floorboards beneath us the only sound. Despite the hour, exhaustion hadn't settled in yet. I wasn't tired, not in the way sleep could fix, at least. What I needed wasn't rest but him. We stepped into my room, and he paused just inside the doorway, his gaze sweeping across the space. His smile was soft but curious."Your room is lovely” he said, his voice warm and laced with amusement. I couldn't help the laugh that escaped me."Thanks. I picked the one closest to the library" He arched a brow at me, his
Last Updated: 2025-02-01
Chapter: CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-ONEThalia's POV Justin staggered back, denial painted across his face, his panic concrete."It can't be. You were both dead!" he yelled, his voice cracking under the weight of his terror as his eyes darted between Tobias and Lilith. Tobias stood unyielding, his expression void of anything but icy contempt.“Guess you're not as precise a murderer as you thought you were," he said, his voice chillingly even, his cold gaze drilling into Justin. Justin's wild eyes shifted to Eugene, his desperation taking over."You! You set us up!" Justin roared, lunging forward. Eugene didn't flinch. He pushed Justin back with a force that sent him stumbling."Lay another finger on me” Eugene warned, his voice sharp “and I'll personally make sure you wind up on death row”. Brandon stepped forward, his fury burning hotter than Justin's desperation.“He's not winding up anywhere” Brandon seethed "You're right, Brandon. You both are” Tobias's voice broke the tension, and just as the weight of his words set
Last Updated: 2025-02-01
Chapter: ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY Thalia's POV Justin and Brandon thought Eugene was hiding out here, in this dingy downtown house-turned-office. Eugene, put on his acting mask and pretended to be frantic, packing like he had every intention of disappearing off the grid. The moment Justin and Brandon stormed in, my breath hitched because there he was. Justin. A man who'd ruined countless lives with his schemes. Just seeing him sent a surge of anger through me. I felt Alexander's hand squeeze mine firmly beside me, grounding me, to my left, Lilith stood tall, her sharp eyes fixed on the screens. Kirill was beside her, silent and unreadable as always. Tobias was leaning casually against the wall behind us, his posture deceptively relaxed, though I could see the alertness in his gaze, Katherine was beside him. Across the room, the tech team sat huddled near their equipment, four of them with headphones on, monitoring the live feed, they were oblivious to the drama unfolding before us, focused entirely on ensuring th
Last Updated: 2025-02-01
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