Adriel's fingers traced gentle circles on Emma's bare skin, his touch sending shivers down her spine. They lay together in bed, the soft morning light filtering through the curtains, casting a warm glow on their relaxed faces. Emma's eyes fluttered open, her gaze meeting Adriel's, and she smiled lazily. "Good morning," she whispered, her voice husky from sleep. Adriel's lips curved into a tender smile. "Good morning, my love." Emma's hand drifted up to his cheek, her fingers tracing the sharp jawline. Adriel's eyes closed, his face tilting into her touch. They lay there for a moment, basking in the warmth of each other's presence. Slowly, Adriel's eyes opened, his gaze burning with intensity. Emma's heart skipped a beat as he leaned in, his lips brushing against hers in a soft, gentle kiss. The world around them melted away, leaving only the two of them, lost in their own little bubble of love. As they deepened the kiss, Emma's arms wrapped around Adriel's neck, pulling him cl
Emma sat on the couch, her eyes fixed on the TV as she flipped through channels. Adriel had been gone for a while, and she was getting anxious. She needed a distraction. Suddenly, a breaking news headline caught her attention: "Breaking News: Carlos's Son Involved in Fatal Accident" Emma's heart skipped a beat as she turned up the volume. "...Details are still coming in, but sources close to the investigation confirm that Darwin, the son of wealthy businessman Carlos, was involved in a severe car accident earlier today," the news anchor said, her voice grave. Emma's eyes widened as she listened, her mind racing with thoughts of Adriel and the danger he might be in. "The accident occurred on Highway 12, where Darwin's car lost control and crashed into a tree. Witnesses report that the car was traveling at high speeds before the accident." Emma felt a chill run down her spine as she watched the footage of the wreckage on TV. It was a miracle anyone had survived. "Darwin is curr
“You look startled, babe.” Adriel whispered in Emma's ear as they were almost outside the hospital doors. “It is taking a while for me to take in everything that has just happened. It is quite ridiculous, isn't it?” “Do you feel well?” Adriel asked when he saw her scrunch up her nose in disgust. “I am fine, babe. I am just a little tired from all the happenings recently.” She yawned, covering her hand with her palm. “It is all over now and so you don't have to worry.” “Are you saying Darwin is not going to escape again?” “You can't trust me on that, babe. I have got the detective and his men around. He can't escape. Since he is not remorseful or repentant, he has to face the consequences of his actions and the law.” “Are you going to press charges, babe?” “Don't you want me to?” “I do but I just thought when I looked at you, you still have a little feeling for him and hoped he would change.” “Well, he is never going to change. That's the kind of person my brother is and I c
“Oops! My bad! I shouldn't be here.” Harper turned around, closing the door slightly. Adriel’s growling voice called her back. “Harper, stop right there.” “What do you want me to do? You shouldn't call me back in, just continue with whatever you were doing.” Emma kept nudging Adriel to stop as she was dying of embarrassment. “You already ruined the moment, Harper. Why did you have to rush in here?” “But it's Emma's room, not yours? I thought she would be the only one in. I didn't expect to see that scene.” The three stood awkwardly in the room. After a moment, Harper coughed, breaking the silence. “Alright, I am sorry about rushing in. I didn't expect to see you in.” “Well, I heard the news that happened in my absence and I rushed over to come see Emma. I haven't seen or spoken to her in a while after my impromptu trip outside the country.” Emma broke free from Adriel and drew Harper into a hug. “Thank you, Adriel.” “For what, Emma?” Harper asked, smiling and embracing he
“Don't keep me waiting, Harper. Just tell me now.” Harper grinned mischievously, enjoying the suspense. "Oh, Emma, you're so impatient! Can't you just savor the moment?" Emma rolled her eyes, laughing. "Savor the moment? You're killing me, Harper! Just spill the beans already!" Harper chuckled, taking a seat next to Emma on the couch. "Okay, okay. But first, let me ask you... how's married life treating you?" Emma's face lit up with a radiant smile. "It's amazing! Adriel is an incredible husband. I'm so grateful to have him." Harper's eyes sparkled with excitement. "That's so wonderful! I'm thrilled for you both. And speaking of thrilling news..." Emma's eyes narrowed, her voice playful. "Harper, don't tease me! Tell me already!" Harper giggled, stalling for a moment longer. "Okay, fine. But you have to promise not to freak out." Emma's hands flew up in exasperation. "I promise, I promise! Just tell me!" Harper took a deep breath, a sly grin spreading across her face. "I am
The room went silent and a took a long while before someone may as small as the sound of tapping the finger. “Errm…erm…we don't have to bring that up now.” Mr Carlos coughed, “I am sorry but I had to. I had to bring it up to explain my condition to everyone.” Adriel had a half sinister apologetic look on his face. Darwin's parent mother and stepdad were seated there.“Don't think you can put my son in jail after coming up with some stupid pile of evidence against him.” Maria, Darwin's mother spat out.Adriel had expected this. She was as evil as her son and would not back down easily. But in all, Adriel had the victory. Mr Carlos cleared his throat, making every other whisper in the dinning hall stop. “It is a beautiful evening to enjoy a beautiful dinner so let us enjoy it as a united family should. What has happened has happened. It is already in the past. One has to pay for his crime and bear the weight of the consequence of his actions.” He paused for some kind of effect,
"Emma the daughter of Mr Lucas was betrothed as a bride to our young master at 17 years. She is 21 years and has come of age now and it is time for the Lucas family to keep their own part of the deal and marry her to the young master." The butler read out the content of the letter he held in his hands. It was from the Carlos family. Emma sat quietly on one of the chairs in Mr Lucas's study. He had called her in when the letter came in. She sat, facing the butler directly but she was lost in her own thoughts. "It feels like yesterday." she mumbled. Her mind traveled back in time to the time when she was a free bird and could do whatever she liked without anyone restricting her. "I miss life in my hometown." Emma mumbled, her lips moving. "You should prepare yourself, you would be meeting your husband to be probably by tomorrow." Mr Lucas stated but he did not get a response and he looked up to see a dazed Emma whose lips moved. "Were you saying something to me?" he asked, snap
As soon as Emma left her father's study and was going down the stairs, she bumped into Maya and was met with a scowl from her switched sister who was standing in the hallway.Maya's arms were crossed, her eyes narrowed in annoyance."Watch where you're going!" Maya snapped as Emma stumbled backward, her eyes wide with apology."You've been crossing my path ever since you came to this house. I wished I never got to see you again after that day but unfortunately, here you are as the daughter of Mr Lucas. I prayed for them to find evidence that you were some sort of illegitimate child but tsk tsk, you are their child. You should know this still, I am still and will remain their first child."Emma did not say a word, her eyes fixed on the floor. She knew better than to engage with Maya when she was in a mood. Besides, Maya was always in the mood to pick fights and annoy her and she wasn't one to respond to such."Are you deliberately not talking to make me look like a fool? Gosh!" exclaim
The room went silent and a took a long while before someone may as small as the sound of tapping the finger. “Errm…erm…we don't have to bring that up now.” Mr Carlos coughed, “I am sorry but I had to. I had to bring it up to explain my condition to everyone.” Adriel had a half sinister apologetic look on his face. Darwin's parent mother and stepdad were seated there.“Don't think you can put my son in jail after coming up with some stupid pile of evidence against him.” Maria, Darwin's mother spat out.Adriel had expected this. She was as evil as her son and would not back down easily. But in all, Adriel had the victory. Mr Carlos cleared his throat, making every other whisper in the dinning hall stop. “It is a beautiful evening to enjoy a beautiful dinner so let us enjoy it as a united family should. What has happened has happened. It is already in the past. One has to pay for his crime and bear the weight of the consequence of his actions.” He paused for some kind of effect,
“Don't keep me waiting, Harper. Just tell me now.” Harper grinned mischievously, enjoying the suspense. "Oh, Emma, you're so impatient! Can't you just savor the moment?" Emma rolled her eyes, laughing. "Savor the moment? You're killing me, Harper! Just spill the beans already!" Harper chuckled, taking a seat next to Emma on the couch. "Okay, okay. But first, let me ask you... how's married life treating you?" Emma's face lit up with a radiant smile. "It's amazing! Adriel is an incredible husband. I'm so grateful to have him." Harper's eyes sparkled with excitement. "That's so wonderful! I'm thrilled for you both. And speaking of thrilling news..." Emma's eyes narrowed, her voice playful. "Harper, don't tease me! Tell me already!" Harper giggled, stalling for a moment longer. "Okay, fine. But you have to promise not to freak out." Emma's hands flew up in exasperation. "I promise, I promise! Just tell me!" Harper took a deep breath, a sly grin spreading across her face. "I am
“Oops! My bad! I shouldn't be here.” Harper turned around, closing the door slightly. Adriel’s growling voice called her back. “Harper, stop right there.” “What do you want me to do? You shouldn't call me back in, just continue with whatever you were doing.” Emma kept nudging Adriel to stop as she was dying of embarrassment. “You already ruined the moment, Harper. Why did you have to rush in here?” “But it's Emma's room, not yours? I thought she would be the only one in. I didn't expect to see that scene.” The three stood awkwardly in the room. After a moment, Harper coughed, breaking the silence. “Alright, I am sorry about rushing in. I didn't expect to see you in.” “Well, I heard the news that happened in my absence and I rushed over to come see Emma. I haven't seen or spoken to her in a while after my impromptu trip outside the country.” Emma broke free from Adriel and drew Harper into a hug. “Thank you, Adriel.” “For what, Emma?” Harper asked, smiling and embracing he
“You look startled, babe.” Adriel whispered in Emma's ear as they were almost outside the hospital doors. “It is taking a while for me to take in everything that has just happened. It is quite ridiculous, isn't it?” “Do you feel well?” Adriel asked when he saw her scrunch up her nose in disgust. “I am fine, babe. I am just a little tired from all the happenings recently.” She yawned, covering her hand with her palm. “It is all over now and so you don't have to worry.” “Are you saying Darwin is not going to escape again?” “You can't trust me on that, babe. I have got the detective and his men around. He can't escape. Since he is not remorseful or repentant, he has to face the consequences of his actions and the law.” “Are you going to press charges, babe?” “Don't you want me to?” “I do but I just thought when I looked at you, you still have a little feeling for him and hoped he would change.” “Well, he is never going to change. That's the kind of person my brother is and I c
Emma sat on the couch, her eyes fixed on the TV as she flipped through channels. Adriel had been gone for a while, and she was getting anxious. She needed a distraction. Suddenly, a breaking news headline caught her attention: "Breaking News: Carlos's Son Involved in Fatal Accident" Emma's heart skipped a beat as she turned up the volume. "...Details are still coming in, but sources close to the investigation confirm that Darwin, the son of wealthy businessman Carlos, was involved in a severe car accident earlier today," the news anchor said, her voice grave. Emma's eyes widened as she listened, her mind racing with thoughts of Adriel and the danger he might be in. "The accident occurred on Highway 12, where Darwin's car lost control and crashed into a tree. Witnesses report that the car was traveling at high speeds before the accident." Emma felt a chill run down her spine as she watched the footage of the wreckage on TV. It was a miracle anyone had survived. "Darwin is curr
Adriel's fingers traced gentle circles on Emma's bare skin, his touch sending shivers down her spine. They lay together in bed, the soft morning light filtering through the curtains, casting a warm glow on their relaxed faces. Emma's eyes fluttered open, her gaze meeting Adriel's, and she smiled lazily. "Good morning," she whispered, her voice husky from sleep. Adriel's lips curved into a tender smile. "Good morning, my love." Emma's hand drifted up to his cheek, her fingers tracing the sharp jawline. Adriel's eyes closed, his face tilting into her touch. They lay there for a moment, basking in the warmth of each other's presence. Slowly, Adriel's eyes opened, his gaze burning with intensity. Emma's heart skipped a beat as he leaned in, his lips brushing against hers in a soft, gentle kiss. The world around them melted away, leaving only the two of them, lost in their own little bubble of love. As they deepened the kiss, Emma's arms wrapped around Adriel's neck, pulling him cl
“Mom! How can you let dad arrest me alongside that man? I don't know anything about his grudges with dad.” "I don't anything and why he keeps dragging me into all of this. We only met a few times and not to plot anything evil. Please mom, listen to me. Mr Lucas had come to see Maya. She was the only one who was willing to see Maya now. She could not just abandon her as she was the daughter she raised from childhood so it was not easy. She had a pitiful look on her face. “He doesn't want to believe anything you have to say. The fact that he saw you with him was enough to tell him everything. You know how hard your father can be right?” “That is still not enough reason, mom.” She pouted, showing teary eyes. She had been in detention and now it seemed like her stay in the correctional center will be more than just detention now. “Oh, okay! I get it now! It is because I am not his real daughter and neither am I your real daughter. That is why it feels so easy to throw me into the
With newfound determination, he sprang into action.Mr. Lucas called his trusted assistant, Thompson, and instructed him to track down Miguel's whereabouts.Thompson quickly got to work, using his resources to locate Miguel. He soon discovered that Miguel was at a private meeting room in a downtown high-rise, accompanied by Maya.The room was enclosed, with no windows, making it difficult to gather more information without being detected. Mr. Lucas's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with the implications of Miguel and Maya's secret meeting.“He is together with Maya and it is quite a heavily guarded place.”“So what are you waiting for? I want you to storm in there. I don't care if the place is heavily guarded. We have some solid evidence from Maya’s call recording in this house so nothing can go wrong.”“Alright, sir. I will get to work now.”“You had better do so. Don't come back to me without the news of his arrest or detainment.” He said and hung up on the call.Mr Lucas was already
Adriel turned as he watched her walk in.“She is not ready to go down without a fight. I am going to give it to her too.”Adriel's hands moved quickly as he picked his phone to dial a familiar number, his mind still reeling from the encounter with Darwin. He couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that lingered long after he left the prison."Lawrence, it's Adriel. I need to see you now," he said, his voice firm and urgent."Adriel, what's wrong? You sound like you've seen a ghost.” his lawyer replied, concern etched in his voice."It's Darwin. I just got back from visiting him in prison, and I am more convinced than ever that he is a menace. I want to press charges, Lawrence. I want to make sure he pays for what he has done."There was a pause on the other end of the line before Lawrence spoke up. "Adriel, we have been over this. We need to be careful. I have my advice as a legal practitioner for us to tread carefully.“Your stepmother, I mean, Darwin's mother is a powerful woman, a