Ginny couldn’t move, couldn’t speak. She just stared at Raymond, her mind reeling with the horrifying realization that her stepfather was the man from her one-night stand. It felt like her world was collapsing in slow motion, every moment stretching into eternity.
Raymond’s eyes locked onto hers, a flicker of recognition flashing across his face before he quickly replaced it with a polite, if somewhat strained, smile. “Ginny, it’s so nice to finally meet you” He said, his voice steady but with an undertone of discomfort.
Ginny’s throat tightened, her breath coming in shallow gasps. “Y…You’re Raymond” She stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. It wasn’t a question; it was a statement of disbelief.
Raymond nodded, his smile faltering slightly. “Yes, I am. And you must be Ginny. Your mother has told me so much about you.”
Her mother, oblivious to the charged atmosphere, clapped her hands together with a delighted expression. “I’ll leave you two to get acquainted. Raymond, why don’t you show Ginny to her room? I’m going to start dinner.”
Raymond nodded, still trying to maintain his composure. “Of course darling, it will be my pleasure” He smiled before turning to Ginny. “Follow me, Ginny.”
Ginny’s legs felt like lead as she followed Raymond up the stairs. Each step was a struggle, the tension between them palpable. The house seemed to grow quieter as they climbed, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavily in the air.
When they reached the top of the stairs, Raymond led her down a hallway to a door on the left. He opened it and gestured for her to enter. “This will be your room,” he said, his voice clipped and formal.
Ginny stepped inside, her gaze sweeping over the neatly made bed and the soft, welcoming decor. She nodded, unable to muster more than a weak smile. “Thank you.”
Raymond looked like he was about to leave but hesitated, his eyes darting to her face. “If you need anything, just let me know.”
“Okay” Ginny said, her voice small. Raymond gave a curt nod and turned to leave.
As the door closed behind him, Ginny sank onto the edge of the bed, her mind racing. The last thing she wanted was to be alone with her thoughts, but she didn’t have much choice. She needed to get a grip before dinner.
Downstairs, Raymond was trying to maintain a sense of normalcy as he joined her mother in the kitchen. He forced himself to focus on small talk, but his mind kept drifting back to Ginny. The tension between them was undeniable, and it made him feel restless.
“Everything alright?” Lucy asked, noticing Raymond’s distracted demeanor as she stirred a pot on the stove.
“Yeah, just a lot on my mind” Raymond replied, forcing a smile. “It’s been a long day.”
She patted his arm reassuringly. “I know it’s a lot to take in. Ginny’s been through a lot, too. I hope you two can get along.”
Raymond nodded, though he wasn’t sure how to respond. The earlier encounter with Ginny had left him feeling unsettled. There was something about her that stirred feelings he hadn’t expected, something dangerous and irresistible.
Lucy suddenly dusted her hands off, before washing some flour off her hands. She grabbed a bowl and dished out all the food into it, before making her way toward the dining room.
"Ginny, dear, dinner Is served!" Her voice echoed through the house, calling out to Ginny to come downstairs.
Ginny took a deep breath, steeling herself. She forced a smile and descended the stairs with as much composure as she could muster. At the bottom, she found Raymond seated at the table, his eyes briefly flicking up to meet hers.
“Evening Ginny” Raymond said, his voice warm but edged with something Ginny couldn’t quite place.
“Good evening, Raymond” She replied, trying to keep her voice steady.
The table was set with a sumptuous spread, and Lucy bustled around, serving dishes with a flourish. The awkwardness in the room was thick, like an invisible fog. Ginny did her best to focus on the food and engage in the conversation, but she couldn’t ignore the charged atmosphere between her and Raymond.
“Raymond was just telling me about his new project” Mrs. Morgan said, clearly trying to bridge the gap. “It sounds fascinating, doesn’t it?”
Ginny nodded, but her attention was drawn to the way Raymond’s gaze lingered on her. Each time their eyes met, her breath hitched and the worst part was, she just couldn't stop stealing glances at him. Ginny’s pulse quickened, and she found it increasingly difficult to concentrate on anything other than the way Raymond’s eyes seemed to see straight through her.
Dinner continued with polite chatter, but Ginny’s thoughts were preoccupied.
Ginny suddenly stood up, adjusting the chair backwards. “Where to sweetheart?” Lucy asked, drinking some juice off her glass. “To keep the dishes and perhaps wash them" Ginny replied, pressing her lips together, all she wanted was to get the hell outta there.
“Not a chance dear. I'm just seeing you after three years, you think I'd let you lift a finger?" Lucy wriggled her brows getting on her feet, as she arranged the places together.
“Mom…” Ginny whined watching her chance to escape the awkwardness slipping away. "I'll do the dishes sweetheart. In the meantime, you can get to know your new father even more” She flashed them both a smile before shuddering into the kitchen, leaving them alone.
Ginny swallowed hard, sliding into her seat once more. The room was suddenly filled with silence. All had something to say but no one dared to say anything yet.
“So, Ginny” Raymond began, his voice breaking the silence. “How was your flight?”
“It was fine” Ginny replied, her tone guarded. “Long, but fine.”
Raymond nodded, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. “I’m sure it’s been a long day for you.”
Ginny glanced at him, her expression softening slightly. “It has been. I didn’t expect things to be so... complicated.”
Raymond’s eyes met hers, and for a moment, the world outside seemed to fade away. “No, I suppose none of us did.”
The intensity of their gaze was almost too much to bear. Ginny’s heart raced, her breath catching in her throat. She wanted to look away but found herself drawn to him, her resolve crumbling under the weight of their shared secret.
“I should go to bed” Ginny said, standing up abruptly. “It’s been a long day, and I’m exhausted.”
Raymond stood as well, his eyes following her movements. “Of course. Goodnight, Ginny.”
“Goodnight” She replied, turning to head toward the stairs. Her hand was on the banister when Raymond’s voice stopped her.
“Ginny” He said, his voice low and urgent. “Can we talk for a minute?”
“Ginny” He said, his voice low and urgent. “Can we talk for a minute?”She hesitated, her mind racing. Against her better judgment, she nodded and walked back toward him.They found themselves in a quiet corner of the house, away from her mother’s watchful eyes. The space between them was filled with a palpable tension.“What is it?” Ginny asked, her voice barely above a whisper.Raymond looked at her, his gaze intense and conflicted. “I can’t stop thinking about what happened last night.”Ginny’s heart skipped a beat. “Neither can I.”There was a charged pause, filled with the weight of their shared experience. Raymond reached out, his hand brushing against hers in a tentative gesture. Ginny’s breath hitched as she looked up at him, her eyes searching his.“I know this is wrong” Raymond said, his voice husky. “But I can’t help how I feel.”Ginny’s eyes widened, her pulse racing. “What are you saying?”Raymond stepped closer, his hand resting gently on her cheek. “I’m saying that I do
Ginny's POVI shouldn't have come here," I whispered low, my voice barely audible it cracked under the weight of my guilt. "This is wrong.""Maybe," Raymond murmured, his thumb brushing against my cheek and sending a wave of heat through me. "But it doesn't feel wrong.And before I could protest, his soft, urgent lips found mine and trapped me in a kiss that melted any resolve. All of the feelings I tried hard to bury rose into view, and without warning, I kissed him back in a manner that was just as intense and desperate, I did not know I had inside of me. In the moment, I let myself go and gave in to the kiss.Raymond's hands slid down the length of my back, his body pulling me in closer as he deepened the kiss. My head was in a daze, since the softness of his lips, the warmth of his body, and everything about the way he had just made me feel-the hum of being alive-finally hit me. I knew this was wrong; I knew I should be stopping him. But not now.He pinned me gently against the wa
Ginny's POVMy breath caught as I pushed Raymond off me. He fell to the floor with a thud, scrambling to cover up. Within a few seconds, his boxers were back on, and he leaped up, his face red from panic, his eyes scanning the room frantically for an exit until he found the wardrobe; desperation kicked in.He flung himself inside, shutting the door with a loud bang behind him, burying himself amidst my hanging dresses and coats."Raymond? Ginny!" My mom yelled, her voice traveling through the whole house.I stood frozen, my heart beating in my chest as it slowly had to register the reality of what had just occurred. Still, my body would shudder; my mind could not escape what would become of this when Mom found us. The very thought churned my stomach, and I could feel the guilt piling on right then and there.I slapped my bare feet against the cold floor as I sprinted to the bathroom. I took a bucket of water and, without a second thought, tipped it over my head. The icy water hit my s
Raymond quickly tiptoed to the lobby, his heart pounding as if it would burst out of his chest. He couldn’t believe what he had just done, but the thrill of it still lingered in his veins.He eased himself down onto the plush sofa, trying to steady his breathing.. He bent his head backward, resting it against the cool leather, and closed his eyes, willing the tension to drain from his body.But it didn’t.Just as his thoughts began to spiral out of control, he heard the sharp click of heels against the marble floor. His eyes snapped open, and he lifted his head to see Lucy standing in the doorway. She crossed her arms over her chest, her gaze pinning him in place as he gulped down.“Raymond…” Lucy drawled, walking closer to him. “Why didn’t you answer when I was calling you?” She asked, scrutinizing him, suspicion evident in her voice,He quickly masked his unease with a forced smile, trying to appear nonchalant. “Oh, I’m sorry, Lucy. I was just deep in thought. Didn’t hear you.”Luc
The door creaked open, and there he stood—Joshua, with a sly smile playing on his lips. “Hello mother” He muttered, his voice smooth yet carrying mischief. Without a moment's hesitation, Lucy pulled him into a tight embrace, her relief evident in the way she clung to him.“Why did it take you so long to return, Joshua?” She asked, clinging to him with her eyes shut tight. She pulled back slightly, studying his face as if searching for any signs of trouble.Joshua merely shrugged and flashed her another smile, the kind that always seemed to say he was up to something. “Missed you too, Mom” He replied, sidestepping her question as he stepped inside the house.As he entered, his gaze shifted to Raymond, who was standing near the staircase. “Raymond, my man!” Joshua greeted him, his tone warm and friendly. The two men exchanged a firm handshake, pulling each other into a brief, brotherly hug. Joshua finally turned his attention to Ginny, his eyes narrowing as he smirked at her. “Welcome
Raymond kicked the door open and slammed it shut with his leg as well. Afterwards, he gently placed Lucy on her feet, before slamming her back against the wall and before she could react, he slammed his lips against hers.Lucy’s heart raced as Raymond grabbed the collar of her blouse with a swift, tearing it open. Buttons scattered across the bed, the sound of them hitting the floor punctuating the tension in the room.Raymond’s lips found their way back to her neck, trailing rough kisses down to her collarbone. The sensation of his warm breath against her skin made her gasp involuntarily. He bit down gently, his teeth grazing the delicate skin, sending a shiver of pleasure down her spine. His hands roamed over her now-exposed skin, their touch both demanding and possessive, as though he needed to claim every inch of her for himself.He moved lower, his mouth tracing a path of heat down her chest until he captured one of her nipples between his lips. He sucked hard, his tongue flickin
Joshua and Ginny made their way down the grand staircase, their footsteps echoing off the marble floors. Raymond stood at the foot of the stairs, his posture rigid, as he attempted a warm greeting.“Good evening, Ginny,” Raymond said with a strained smile.Ginny barely acknowledged him, scoffing at his face, her eyes moving to her mom. “Morning, Mom,” she muttered before sitting at the table with a huff.Lucy glanced between her daughter and Raymond, her shoulders sagging slightly. The table was enveloped in a heavy silence, the clinking of cutlery the only sound breaking the stillness.Raymond’s voice broke the silence once more. “Ginny, is something wrong?”Ginny’s response was icy. “Nothing you need to worry about.”Lucy tried to diffuse the tension. “Joshua, how was your day?”Joshua’s smile was tight, his gaze darting between Ginny and Lucy. “It was fine, just busy. I’m looking forward to tonight.”Lucy gave a small, reassuring smile. “I’m glad to hear that. Joshua and I have som
The door opened and Annabelle’s father strode into the room with an air of command. Annabelle’s face brightened as soon as she spotted him. She rushed to her father and embraced him tightly, her voice ringing with excitement.“Dad!” she exclaimed, burying her face in his shoulder.He returned her embrace with an affectionate grip, his hand gently smoothing down her hair. “My girl” he said softly, his stern demeanor momentarily melting away.Annabelle’s mother joined them, her smile warm as she greeted her husband. “Welcome home, dear.”Lucy, standing somewhat awkwardly, extended her hand. “Hello, Mr. Thompson. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”Mr. Thompson acknowledged her with a nod leaving her hand hanging before his gaze shifted to Joshua, who stood nervously beside Lucy. Lucy gently put her hand down.The warmth in Annabella's father, Mr. Thompson's eyes turned cold. Without a word, he advanced towards Joshua, followed closely by four imposing men.Joshua’s face turned a ghostly shade
The room was suffocating, filled with the sharp tang of fear and the heavy sound of panting breaths. Ginny’s heart pounded as Lucy’s men spread out, eyes sharp and muscles tensed.Annabella leaned against the cool stone wall, holding the book of accounts as if it was her ticket to life. Joshua, on the other side, has his jaw clenched, fists too tightly bunched at his sides."You actually thought that you could outsmart me?" Lucy's voice sliced through. There was an undercurrent in her voice: humor laced with rage. She did another step and, by that light, her eyes sparkled menace. "You have underestimated me once too often."Standing her ground and her eyes fixed on Lucy, Ginny said, "We aren't afraid of you anymore, Lucy. The truth's out, and it is only a matter of time before the board sees it.Lucy's lips curled into a smile, but it was anything but friendly. "The boa"rd? Oh, darling, you don't think I'm worried about the board, do you?"She turned to one of her men, nodding sharply
The early morning air was sharp and cool as Ginny stood on the balcony of her room, staring out at the sprawling estate below.It was the calm before the storm, that silence that always heralds the expectation of an up-and-coming battle.Two days had gone by since they had met with the investigator, and their plan had begun its motion. Her testimony to the embezzlement of Lucy into papers, with the damning link to Victor Kane, had all been set in place.She had learned to make the most of moments like this; when the quiet seemed to cradle her in its fragile, uncertain peace. She knew it wouldn't last. The board meeting loomed ahead, and with it, Lucy's inevitable counterattack."Morning." Annabella's voice snapped her from her thoughts. She stepped onto the balcony, joining Ginny with a determined expression."Morning," Ginny said, offering her a small smile. "Are you ready?"Annabella glanced over at her, the light in her eyes unwavering. "As I'll ever be. We've come this far, and no
“You’re playing with fire, Ginny,” Joshua warned, his voice low as he leaned against the doorframe of her room.She sat at her desk, staring at the documents strewn all over the front of it. Margaret's testimony and the board's decision to sideline Lucy had been a monumental win, but it was a hollow victory. The air in the mansion still felt charged, like Lucy's fury had soaked into its walls.“She’s lost control of the board,” Ginny said, her tone resolute. “She knows she’s slipping, and that makes her more dangerous. But we’re not backing down now.”Joshua shook his head, his expression grim. “You don’t get it. Lucy’s not the type to slink away into obscurity. She’s the kind who burns everything to the ground if she can’t have it.”“Then we’ll douse her fire before she starts it,” Ginny replied sharply.Before Joshua could argue, a knock on the door interrupted them. Annabella stepped in, her face pale but determined.“We have a problem,” she said, holding up her phone.Ginny’s sto
“You can’t let her win, Ginny,” Annabella said sharply, leaning closer. “This is our moment. If we falter even for a second, she’ll dismantle everything we’ve worked for.”Ginny's fingers shook slightly as she flipped through the stack of documents before her, seated in the back of the car, parked a short distance from the boardroom where the meeting was about to take place. Joshua sat beside her, his expression unreadable as he stared out the window."I know," Ginny said finally, her voice low. "But this isn't just about facts and evidence, Annabella. It's about perception. Lucy's a master at twisting the narrative to suit her. Even with everything we have, she'll find a way to cast doubt if we're not careful."Joshua turned to her, his voice surprisingly steely. "That's why you need to stay calm. Let her think she's in control, and then hit her where it hurts."Anabella smirked. "That's what I've been saying all along."She exhaled slowly, and the nerves were forced to settle in. Th
“You’re going to get yourself killed,” Ginny hissed, gripping Annabella’s arm tightly. “This isn’t just some game of cat and mouse, Annabella. This is Lucy. She’ll tear you apart if you make the wrong move.”Annabella wrenched her arm free, her face sharp and defiant. "Then it's a good thing I don't plan on making a wrong move."Joshua, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, let out a long sigh. "Ginny's right. This is reckless, even for you. Confronting Lucy directly? You might as well hand her a loaded gun.Annabella rolled her eyes, placing her hands on her hips. “We can’t keep waiting for the perfect moment. We’ve got the evidence, Margaret’s testimony is locked in, and Lucy’s scrambling to keep control. This is the time to press her, not sit around hoping she doesn’t retaliate first.”Ginny leaned in, lowering her voice. "And just how do you plan on doing that? Walk in and just accuse her? She'll twist everything you say and bury you before you know what's hit you."A sl
The mansion buzzed with tension. Staff whispered in corners, their eyes darting nervously as they went about their duties.The front-page article had thrown the household into disarray, and Lucy's fury reverberated down every corridor.Ginny sat in her room with Annabella and Joshua, the stolen files and copies of the article spread out before them like battle plans."She's going to retaliate," Annabella said, her voice tight with urgency. "That article was a nuclear strike, and Lucy isn't the type to surrender quietly.Ginny nodded, her fingers tracing the edge of a document. "We've drawn her out of the shadows. Now we need to be ready for whatever she throws at us."Joshua, who had been uncharacteristically silent, spoke up. "I found something," he said, his voice low. "Last night, after Lucy called her allies, I checked the study. She left a folder open on her desk."Ginny's eyes narrowed. "What kind of folder?”Joshua wavered, glancing between them. "It was correspondence; letters
The next morning dawned overcast, as though the world itself mirrored the tension within the mansion.Ginny woke early, her mind still swirling with the revelations from the night before.They sat in the locked drawer of her desk, a comfort and a threat all at once. She hadn't slept too well; the enormity of what they were about to do weighed heavily upon her.Annabella came into her room at precisely seven, with a mug of steaming coffee in her hand and a glint in her eye. "We need a plan," she said without beating around the bush. "Lucy's not going to stay idle for long. She'll know something's off soon."Ginny nodded, taking the coffee gratefully. "We take the evidence to the board before she has a chance to spin her lies. We have the will, the financial records, everything. But we really have to tread carefully. If she gets even a hint of this...""She'll go nuclear," Annabella finished grimly. "Which means we need to move fast.As though called out by the saying of her name, Lucy'
The estate’s library smelled of aged leather and polished wood, a comforting yet foreboding scent that Ginny could no longer separate from her mounting anxiety.She sat at one of the long tables, surrounded by stacks of old legal documents, their edges frayed from years of handling.Annabella sat across from her, flipping through another bound volume, her brow furrowed in concentration."I still don't understand how she managed to rewrite his will," Annabella muttered, slamming her book shut in frustration. "There has to be something in here we can use."Ginny said nothing at first. She had been stuck on a page in the old draft of Raymond's will when suddenly her heart was racing wildly as one sentence leaped out at her."Annabella," she said quietly but urgently. "Look at this."Annabella leaned forward. Her eyes scanned the passage that Ginny pointed to. "What am I looking at?"It's a clause," Ginny said, her voice shaking with excitement. "It prevents the estate from unilateral con
The impending board meeting loomed like a thunderstorm on the horizon, its threat palpable. Ginny found herself in a restless daze, oscillating between hope and dread.She had hardly slept, her nights plagued by the specter of defeat. But something far more insidious gnawed at her gut-the flickers of recognition she glimpsed in Raymond's eyes.He was remembering, piecemeal and painfully, and the implications hung over her like a physical weight.This morning was no different. Outside her window, the sky was a mass of grey, diffused sunlight struggling to break its way through heavy clouds. At her desk, she sat flipping through Annabella's notes, though her mind struggled to focus. A soft knock on the door startled her out of her reverie."Come in," she called, her voice hoarse from disuse.The door creaked open, and Raymond stepped inside. His presence filled the room, his tall frame and broad shoulders exuding a quiet strength that still managed to unnerve her.“Ginny,” he said, his