The day of the court hearing had finally arrived, and the courtroom buzzed with anticipation. Olive’s lawyer, Mr. Henry, stood confidently in front of the judge, while Frank’s lawyer sneered at him from across the room.Olive, however, was nowhere to be found. Her lawyer kept glancing at the door, hoping she would walk in at any moment. But as the minutes ticked by, it became clear that she wasn’t going to show up.A heavy silence settled over the room. All eyes were glued to the judge, who was poised to begin the proceedings.Frank adjusted his cuffs, glancing around the courtroom with a smug expression. The tension in the air was thick, but he thrived on it. His lawyer stood tall, ready to present his argument—an expertly crafted tale of a man deceived, abandoned, and seeking justice.Delilah, sitting beside Frank, could barely contain her excitement. Every moment spent in court brought her closer to taking Olive’s share of their father’s properties. She could already envision a lif
"Since Miss Olive is here, we can proceed with the case," the judge said, his voice calm but firm.Olive’s lawyer, Mr. Henry, stood up with quiet confidence. He cleared his throat, and the room fell silent, waiting for his words.He looked over at Frank, who was still trying to process the reality of Olive’s presence. Frank’s smirk had faltered, replaced by an edge of anxiety."My Lord," Mr. Henry began, his voice steady. "There is no doubt that my client is pregnant," he said, causing gasps to escape from several mouths in the courtroom.Mr. Henry paused, allowing the weight of his words to sink in. He glanced at Olive, who sat motionless in her wheelchair.Then, he continued, his voice rising slightly, "But Miss Olive here was mistakenly infused with semen when she went to the hospital for a test, experiencing feverish symptoms. She was mistaken for Olive Madison, the original surrogate for this case. My client is Olive Bennett, which caused the mix-up."Frank’s face drained of colo
“I want 90% of his properties,” Olive declared, her voice steady and unwavering.A stunned silence gripped the courtroom. Gasps echoed from every corner. Even the judge momentarily hesitated, his gavel pausing mid-air.Frank felt the world tilt. Ninety percent? His heart pounded so hard it felt like it would burst from his chest.This can’t be real.His hands trembled as he clutched the edge of the defendant’s table. His entire world had just collapsed. His lawyer, who had walked into the courtroom with confidence, was now drenched in sweat, unable to form a single word in his defense.He turned to Delilah, expecting some sort of support, but she was already shaking her head in disbelief, her mascara-streaked tears running down her face. She had lost everything. Her mind replayed the moment she had eagerly transferred a huge portion of her wealth into Frank’s business, believing she was securing their future together. Now, it was gone.The gavel came down with a deafening bang!"Mr. F
The hum of the private jet faded into the background as Olive stepped into Raymond’s penthouse. A month had passed since the court case, and while her body had grown stronger, her emotions remained tangled in a web she couldn’t quite unravel.The moment she entered, she noticed something—Mia was gone. The absence of the woman who once claimed to be Raymond’s fiancée left the place feeling strangely peaceful. Olive pushed the thought aside. It wasn’t her concern. She wasn’t here for Raymond. She was here because of the child growing inside her.After showering, she settled into bed, but sleep didn’t come easily. The doctor’s words echoed in her mind:"You need to be intimate with him for the baby's health."She turned onto her side, staring at the dim ceiling. How was she supposed to do that? Dealing with an unexpected pregnancy was already overwhelming, and now she was expected to surrender herself to a man she barely knew?The thought made her stomach churn.Raymond hadn’t returned t
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
The nurse turned and looked at Ezra, her expression unreadable. “Sorry, sir,” she said flatly, then turned away.It was as if the moment never happened. The nurses resumed their tasks in silence, their quiet efficiency louder than any words. Ezra stood there, ears ringing from the weight of what he’d just heard. That silence… it wasn’t what he wanted. It wasn’t what he needed. He didn’t want calm or polite shrugs—he wanted answers. He wanted someone to tell him that what he heard was wrong.With panic rising in his chest, Ezra spun on his heel and ran down the corridor. He remembered the ward Olive had been in, where Raymond's assistant had guarded the door like his life depended on it.His heart pounded in his ears, his shoes squeaking across the tiles. When he reached the room, he yanked the door open.Empty.The bed was stripped. Machines unplugged. Everything was so neat, it was like she’d never been there.“No. No, no, no—” he whispered, stumbling back a step.A nurse was inside,
Olive lost her childEthan felt like the ground had shifted beneath him. His eyes were fixed on nothing, yet everything around him swirled in chaos. His chest rose and fell sharply as the weight of Ezra’s words settled in.“She… she lost the baby?” His voice cracked, almost too soft to hear.Ezra nodded, his face drawn. “Yeah. The doctor said the trauma and stress were too much.”A silence fell between them.Ethan turned his face away, ashamed. “This is my fault,” he said bitterly. “All of it. If I hadn’t given in to Mia’s manipulations—if I hadn’t allowed my hatred for Raymond to blind me—Olive wouldn’t have been hurt.”Ezra didn’t respond at first. He just sat down beside Ethan’s hospital bed, leaning forward with his hands clasped. His posture was stiff. They had both walked the same path, driven by envy and resentment, thinking they were justified. But now, the consequences stared them down in the most brutal way.“You’re not alone in this,” Ezra finally said. “I let my emotions t
As soon as Ezra bent to pick up the object, Frank had already realized what it was. With desperation fueling his bruised and battered body, he lunged forward, ignoring the searing pain in his ribs, and snatched the phone off the ground before Ezra’s fingers could graze it.Ezra stood up slowly, straightening his jacket with the composure of a man who had not just been in a fight minutes ago. He smirked coldly. “We have to end this here. I have better things to do than stand here breathing the same air as you… unless, of course, you’re asking to die.”Frank chuckled despite the blood dribbling from the side of his mouth. His eyes, though nearly swollen shut, gleamed with something more dangerous than fury—conviction. “Ezra, you really do think highly of yourself.”He lifted the phone, his thumb dangerously close to the screen. “You see this? You’re not getting it back. This time, I’ll make sure it gets to the authorities. You won’t be able to lie your way out of this.”Ezra’s expressio
“What truth are you talking about?” Ezra asked, his voice edged with curiosity as he lifted himself from the body of his car. His head was feeling dizzy because of the stress lately but it seems Frank has something to say about him.A smug smirk played on Frank's lips.“Oh... look who suddenly wants the truth,” he said with a lazy chuckle. “I thought you didn’t give a damn when I exposed you. Or were you too busy playing the villain in a suit to care?”Ezra clenched his jaw, as his fist clenched by his side trying to calm the anger already building up in him.“Speak if you want to speak, and if you don’t—get lost.” His tone was tight, words pushed through gritted teeth.Frank scoffed, walking forward more closer to Ezra this time.“You’re still playing hard when you’re about to be ruined?” His words dripped with taunt, his confidence unwavering.Ezra’s eyes darkened.“Do what suits you. I don’t care. Just don’t bring Olive into this. If you do, you’ll have yourself to blame.”He turne
“I think I know what to do,” Frank muttered under his breath, the tremble in his voice betraying the storm raging within him. His shoes echoed against the sleek hotel floor as he strode toward the hallway, each step fueled by desperation and unresolved regret.He didn’t get far.“Excuse me, sir,” a firm voice cut through the air, halting him mid-stride. Two security men stood in his path, their stance unwavering, their eyes alert.Frank blinked, startled. “What’s this?”“Passage card, sir,” one of the guards demanded.Frank’s hand instinctively darted to his pocket, looking for a card—though he clearly knew he had none.“Hmm… I don’t have any,” he said, trying to maintain composure. “But I think we can talk, man to man.”“No. We don’t do that here,” the guard replied sternly.“Gosh,” Frank muttered. “Why are the people here so strong-headed? First it was the receptionist, now it’s the guards.”He knew there were empty rooms, but the receptionist had refused to give him one.“Okay, how
The person that just came down was Frank.Ezra stood still, his hand resting lightly on the curtain. The streetlight outside wasn’t too bright, but it gave enough glow to make out the tall, dark figure leaning on the car. There was no mistaking that face. The jawline, the hair, the posture—it was undeniably Frank.Ezra’s brows tightened. “What the hell is this clown doing here?” he muttered under his breath.He just stared.Frank? After everything? After what happened at the warehouse? Ezra had pulled him out with his own hands. Dragged him out. And now he was here? Following?Ezra slowly released the curtain and stepped back from the window. He rubbed his forehead with both palms, exhaling quietly. The day had already been messy. Too messy. And now this?He wasn’t scared. Just... fed up. Tired.He turned away from the window, running a hand over his head. His muscles were tight, jaw clenched. He pushed his damp curls back, then rubbed the back of his neck as if that could ease the ti
"Don't look for my boss; this is not a warning, but the truth. With his state of mind right now, he might kill you, and he definitely does not care about the consequences,” Daniel coldly said.Ezra didn’t flinch. He didn’t acknowledge the threat, the coldness in Daniel’s voice, or the dangerous warning behind it. Instead, he simply kept walking, his footsteps echoing off the sterile hospital walls. He was numb, his mind a whirlwind of confusion, guilt, and frustration. His brain couldn’t even begin to process everything that had just happened, the gravity of what was unfolding around him.As he reached the parking lot, Ezra could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on him, a constant reminder of the mess he was now in. He opened the door to his car and slid inside, slamming it shut behind him with a soft thud. His hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as he started the engine, the low hum of the car grounding him for a moment.He drove off, not knowing where he was go
Ezra had caught a glimpse of Daniel, so he approached him with the hope of finding Raymond.“Hello,” Ezra greeted, his voice steady but cautious.Daniel didn’t acknowledge him right away, keeping his attention firmly fixed on Olive’s door, like it was the only thing worth focusing on at that moment. His stance was rigid, almost like a soldier guarding an important post. Every muscle in his body seemed wound tight—a simmering tension that Ezra could almost feel from where he stood.Nurses were moving about hurriedly, attending to one patient or another. But none of them dared approach Daniel. They respected the silent authority he carried—one that demanded you either obey or keep your distance.Ezra shifted his weight, clearing his throat. "I’m Ezra," he said again, though there was still no reaction. "Ethan's brother."Daniel barely spared him a glance. His jaw tightened, eyes never wavering from the door. Ezra hesitated, unsure whether he should press on or let the silence stretch.“
Ezra sat stiffly in the hospital chair close to Ethan's bed, his fingers clutching Ethan’s hand like it was a lifeline. His brother’s palm was clammy, lifeless, but warm—thank God, still warm.The fluorescent light overhead buzzed, flickering once. The machines beside the bed beeped in a slow, steady rhythm.Ezra hated the sound.He leaned forward, eyes glued to Ethan’s pale face, searching for any flicker of movement, any twitch of his brow—anything that said I’m still here, bro.But Ethan didn’t move.His chest rose and fell shallowly under the white blanket. His leg was heavily bandaged, elevated—the blood loss had almost taken him on arrival. The nurse had told Ezra as much: “He’s stable, for now. But we’re watching him closely.”Ezra couldn’t stop the shaking in his knees. His brother—the one who always acted like he didn’t care, always played the fool just to lighten the mood—was lying there like a damn ghost. It didn’t feel real. It couldn’t be real.And then, like a slow wave