Raymond led her to the edge of the balcony, where a small table was set up, complete with a candlelit dinner. The food looked delicious, but Olive's attention was drawn to the small box sitting at the center of the table. Her breath caught in her throat as Raymond picked it up, holding it out to her.Raymond reached for the box, his fingers steady, his dark eyes locked onto hers."Open it," he said, his voice thick with emotion.Olive’s breath hitched. Her hands trembled as she picked up the box, slowly lifting the lid.Inside, nestled in a bed of silk, was a ring. The breathtaking diamond caught the candlelight, sparkling like the stars above them. Her vision blurred with unshed tears as she looked up at Raymond in shock."Raymond, I..." she began, but before she could gather her thoughts, he dropped to one knee, reaching for her hand."Olive," he said, his voice steady yet filled with emotion. "I know we barely know each other, but these past few months... you've taken up space in m
His heart clenched when he saw the caller ID.Grandfather.A deep frown settled on Raymond’s face. It had been months since they last spoke, and their relationship had always been fractured. He could already guess what this call was about.Raymond couldn't remember the last time they had a proper conversation. Their bond was nothing more than a battlefield—family by blood but strangers in every other way.Taking a deep breath, he stood from the bed. He carefully threw the blanket off and got up, walking toward the balcony. He didn’t want Olive to hear this conversation.She was curled up, her delicate fingers resting against her stomach, her engagement ring catching the soft morning light. A small, unconscious smile graced her lips, as if she were lost in a dream. She sleepily rubbed her hands over her eyes as Raymond opened the glass door, his reflection flashing across the room. She groggily sat up on the bed.With a quiet sigh, he stepped onto the balcony, sliding the door shut beh
Raymond stared at his phone, his fingers trembling as cold sweat slicked his palms. His grandfather’s words echoed in his mind like a relentless storm."Terminate it."A child. His child. The one he had fought so hard to have, the one he had dreamed of, prayed for.His breath came in sharp gasps. He gripped the phone tighter, his knuckles turning white.He had always known his grandfather was ruthless, but this? This was pure evil. He had never heard of anyone hating their own great-grandchild, yet his grandfather was the perfect example.Raymond’s eyes narrowed, his grip on the phone tightening. His voice was raw with disbelief as he whispered, "You mean I should terminate my child?" His voice was laced with disgust and outrage.His grandfather's tone remained unyielding. "You're being dramatic, Raymond. It's just a child. You can always have another one."I could always have another one?Then why did Mia lose her womb if it was that easy?A wave of anger washed over Raymond. How cou
"Okay, sir," Daniel replied.Raymond exhaled sharply and leaned back in his chair. His mind was set. This ends tonight."Also, reserve a table for two at 8:00 PM tomorrow," he instructed, his voice void of warmth.Daniel acknowledged the command before Raymond ended the call.Raymond’s jaw clenched as he stared at his phone. He had given Mia too many chances, too much patience. Tonight, he would finally put an end to her delusions.Meanwhile Mia sat gracefully in her house as she swirled her wine glass, watching the deep red liquid twirl inside the crystal. A soft chime echoed in the quiet room as her phone vibrated against the marble table.Her eyes flickered with curiosity as she checked the notification. A ticket ID.A slow, sinister smile spread across her lips.Everything was falling into place.She gracefully stood from the plush armchair, swaying her hips as she walked out of the sitting room and into her bedroom. Without hesitation, she pulled out her suitcases and began packi
Mia’s fingers trembled slightly as she ended the call.This was it.There was no turning back now.The number she had just dialed belonged to Ethan—the one man Raymond hated more than anything.Ethan couldn’t destroy Raymond completely, but he could make his life a living hell. And that was exactly what Mia needed right now.Ethan was already in the city, so it didn’t take long for them to meet at a different location—a dimly lit, secluded bar tucked away in the heart of New York.Mia sat at a corner table, her fingers drumming impatiently on the surface. Her mind was clouded with anger. Her heart pounded in her chest as she waited at the lounge where they had agreed to meet.The air smelled of expensive liquor, cigar smoke, and power.A presence loomed behind her.Slowly, she turned.There he was.Ethan.Dressed in all black, he exuded raw danger and untamed arrogance. His dark eyes held a glint of amusement as they roamed over her."Mia," he drawled, stepping closer. He slid into th
"Olive," Mia replied.Ethan leaned back, his brows furrowing as he murmured the name under his breath. "Olive?" His sharp gaze studied Mia’s expression, searching for an explanation. "How sure are you that Raymond is head over heels for her?"Mia smirked, her eyes gleaming with wicked amusement. "She’s pregnant." She let the words hang between them, her fingers drumming lightly on the table. "Killing her is like killing Raymond forever."Ethan’s lips curled slightly, but his eyes remained unreadable. He gave her a long, assessing look, as if trying to piece together the deeper meaning behind her words. "Pregnant, huh?" His voice was casual, but the interest in his tone was undeniable.Mia nodded slowly, leaning forward. "That’s why she’s his weakness. Right now, Olive is his whole world."Ethan scoffed, swirling his drink lazily. "And you think taking her out will destroy him?"Mia’s smirk deepened. She knew exactly what she was doing—how carefully she had placed every piece on the bo
His husky morning voice murmured against her ear.Olive froze.Raymond’s lips brushed against her bare shoulder. “Stay,” he whispered.Her heart pounded, her breath hitching in her throat. She could still feel the warmth of last night lingering between them, but something was different. Something had changed.She bit her finger quietly, a nervous habit she hadn’t realized had returned. “Ray…” she called in a low tone, her voice barely above a whisper.Raymond turned her around, making her face him. His dark, piercing eyes locked onto hers, searching for something in her expression.“What is it?” he asked, his smirk playful yet curious.Olive hesitated before lowering her gaze. Her hand moved instinctively to her stomach.Raymond followed her movement, his expression softening. “Are you hungry?”She shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips. “No, but the baby is.”Raymond chuckled, clearly amused by her response. “Is that so?”Without another word, he got out of bed and scooped
The screen lit up with an unknown number. Olive hesitated for a moment before picking it up."Hello?" she said cautiously."Hello, Olive," the voice on the other end replied.Her heart skipped a beat. She instantly recognized the voice.Her grip on the phone tightened."We need to talk," Frank said. "Let’s get back together. Remember how you promised to stand by me, no matter what?"Olive scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping her lips before she could stop it. "Are you for real, Frank? After everything you did?""Olive, I promise, I love you. I don’t know what came over me," Frank said, his voice desperate."You don’t know what came over you?" she repeated, her tone sharp. "Frank, you must be joking with yourself if you think I’m still the same Olive from before. You cheated on me with my stepsister and had the audacity to take me to court. And now you think I’ll just come running back to you?"Frank’s tone turned cold. "Olive, if you won’t come to me gently, then don’t be surprised at my
Olive’s breath came in shallow gasps, but she refused to let her exhaustion show. Her body ached from the bruises, her limbs heavy with fatigue, yet her spirit stood unyielding. Her narrowed eyes locked onto Mia, who loomed over her like a predator savoring its prey."What do you want?" Olive’s voice, though hoarse, cut through the tense air like a blade.Mia smirked. "Still defiant? After everything?" She crouched slightly, her dark eyes gleaming with amusement. "That’s what I like about you, Olive. Even at your lowest, you still pretend to have control."Olive didn’t flinch. She wouldn’t. If she gave in now, it was over.Mia sighed dramatically. "You really are a stubborn little thing." Her gaze flickered to Olive’s stomach for a fraction of a second—barely noticeable, but Olive caught it.A chill ran down her spine.The unspoken threat in Mia’s stare sent ice through her veins, but she swallowed down her fear, keeping her face unreadable.Mia noticed. "Oh? That struck a nerve, didn
“You will soon find out.” Raymond’s face tightened, his teeth grinding together. Mia’s words kept repeating in his head. They sounded like a warning, or maybe even a threat. Take him to the car. Let him see his beloved. Mia grinned as she walked away gracefully. Kain and Kerah exchanged silent glances before signaling the men to drag him forward. They held him tightly and made him walk to the car. He barely resisted as they shoved him into the backseat, wedging him between two towering brutes. The car door shut loudly, trapping him inside. The engine roared as the car sped away. The interior was silent, the only sound the hum of the wheels on the road. The city lights faded behind them, and the earlier rain had left the weather dark and quiet. Raymond’s heart pounded, his mind racing with worry. Olive.He hadn’t forgotten why he was here. Raymond seethed with anger, his fingers twitching as he tested the ropes binding him. His captors remained silent, but he could feel th
Raymond stares at Kain, his breath catching as memories flood back.A flashback to the family meeting: Mia introducing Kain as her "long-lost brother." His grandfather had insisted he help his "future brother-in-law" by offering him a job. Raymond had refused because Kain didn’t meet the basic requirements—he doesn’t do business based on favoritism; one must merit it. That was the first and last time he saw him.Now, standing before him, the pieces fall into place. The doctor’s face from the video surveillance—the man involved in Olive’s kidnapping—was Kain.His stomach twists. If Kain is here, that means Mia might be involved too.Raymond’s mind races, connecting his past search to his discoveries in Mia’s interactions with the fake Sonia. He had always suspected Mia, but now, with Kain in the picture, her role becomes even more suspicious.Was she working with them all along? Was everything—her concern, her visits—just an act?His blood runs cold. If Mia is involved, then she’s doin
Raymond parked his SUV outside Wilston Warehouse. The rain had slowed to a gentle drizzle, but the sky remained dark.He gripped the steering wheel tightly. His heart pounded hard. He glanced in the mirror. There was no car or any trace of people coming. It was just him here.Something felt wrong.With a deep breath, he grabbed the document and stepped out. The rain kissed his skin with little droplets. It felt cold as ice, but that didn't matter right now.His thoughts kept drifting back to how Olive would be right now, and silently he hoped that after submitting this document, there wouldn't be any more requests.Raymond pushed the big door open. It creaked loudly, the sound echoing in the empty warehouse.Boxes and crates were stacked high, covered in dust. Rusty tools hung from the walls. The place smelled like metal and old wood.His footsteps echoed with every step. The warehouse felt empty."Olive?" he called. His voice bounced off the walls, but no one answered.Drip. Drip. Dr
Mr. Logan arrived at Raymond’s penthouse, clutching a leather-bound folder containing every copy of the Golden Island estate documents.Raymond stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, his silhouette framed against the city’s shimmering skyline. He didn’t turn when Logan approached, but the tension in his shoulders was a dead giveaway. He already knew why Logan was there.“Here it is,” Logan said quietly, placing the folder on the glass coffee table. “Every copy… as you asked.”Raymond inhaled deeply, letting the weight of the moment settle over him. For years, Golden Island had been more than an estate; it was the heart of his empire—his blood, his sweat, his identity. Trading it away felt like carving out a piece of his soul. His hands trembled slightly as he opened the folder.His eyes skimmed over the documents, but the words blurred into a haze. His chest tightened. He blinked rapidly, willing away the sting of emotion. There was no time for weakness. Not now.A flicker of memory s
Raymond paced back and forth on the dock, his shoes echoing loudly in the empty space. The wind howled, creating a mournful sound as it swept through the old metal beams. Despite the sun shining brightly, a cold sensation churned in his stomach.He couldn’t stop thinking about what was happening. His team stood a few feet away, staring at their phones with worried expressions. They were all thinking the same thing: What’s going on?Raymond stopped pacing and gazed out at the water. He checked his watch for what felt like the hundredth time.He started walking again, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios. What if something had happened to Olive?He wasn’t sure he could forgive himself if it had.“History can’t repeat itself,” he whispered under his breath. “The woman I love has to live. She can’t die. Not again.”His team glanced at him, their eyes filled with unspoken questions. But Raymond had no answers. All he could do was wait and hope that everything was okay.The wind kept b
Delilah leaned against the cold brick wall, one leg bent as she twirled a lock of hair between her fingers. The phone was pressed to her ear, her lips curling into a knowing smirk as the line connected.“Hello, Frank.”There was silence which was long enough for her to picture the way his jaw would tighten.Then, his voice came through as he said “What do you want, Delilah?” in a sharp and impatient tone.Her smirk deepened. Oh, how she loved getting under his skin. “Oh, come on, don’t be so grumpy. I have good news.”Frank’s scoff was immediate. “Good news?” He sounded incredulous, his anger barely restrained. “After all the losses I’ve taken because of you?”Delilah rolled her eyes, tapping her nails against the phone. “Oh, don’t start. I’m fixing everything.”“Fixing it?” Frank snapped. “Because of you I lost properties, money and even trust from my families”She sighed, cutting him off before he could launch into one of his never-ending rants. “Olive is here.”For a brief seconds
"We will check to see how long," Ethan responded.Ezra sighed lazily as he crossed his arms against his chest, his eyes fixed on Olive, who sat oblivious to their presence. Olive was now so weak that she couldn’t even sense how many people were in the room. She was almost slipping into a coma.Ezra shifted uneasily. “So, what’s your plan?”Ethan didn’t answer right away. His gaze remained locked on Olive, his expression unreadable. Finally, he said, “Let’s watch first. But Mia must not hurt her.”Ezra scoffed, dropping his arms from his chest. “And if she does?”“You have to stop her. This wasn’t the plan, but I don’t care anymore. All I need to find out is if she’s truly our sister. If she is, this mission has to be aborted.”Ezra exhaled sharply, his skepticism evident. Ethan had always been the strategist, the one who thought five steps ahead. That trait had been the reason for their issues with Raymond, but now, him giving it up meant he was truly invested in uncovering what had
"That's enough, Ezra," Ethan called out. He stood in the room, watching Olive like he was seeing something that wasn’t supposed to be there. His chest tightened, but he forced himself to stay still.Ezra stood beside him, leaning against the wall with an impatient look. He was checking his phone, barely paying attention. Ethan licked his lips, hesitating for just a second before speaking."Doesn’t she look like Mom?"Ezra barely reacted. He let out a short, dry chuckle without looking up. "Are you serious?" His tone was flat, dismissive.Ethan’s fingers curled into his palms. His throat felt dry. "Look at her properly."Ezra finally lifted his gaze, scanning Olive for barely a second before shaking his head. "You’re overthinking."Ethan swallowed. His pulse was steady, but his thoughts weren’t. "No. I know what I’m saying."Ezra rolled his eyes and turned away. "We buried her, Ethan. Our sister is dead."Ethan’s stomach twisted. He glanced at Olive again. The resemblance wasn’t just i