ELLIOT’S POVI returned to the VIP ward where Sophie and the other kids were. The ward was a closed, lightly furnished cubicle partitioned into two different bed spaces by one separating wall. Sophie hadn't been feeling too well; she was still sleeping in the second bedroom, with Isabella also sleeping beside her. While I was sitting quietly with Owen in the first room, the others had returned outside to get some food. The nurses had since informed us that Nathan had woken up and that we would be allowed to come into his ward to see him in the next couple of minutes. And everybody had been so excited and relieved. I felt the residual load of worry that had been hanging on my neck even after the first news of his successful surgery dissolved completely after this second announcement.Even Owen, who had been so down since we came in, weeping incessantly and blaming himself, had finally been able to smile again. I also noticed that he had been able to summon interest in his smartphone ag
SOPHIE'S POVLuca's revelation did not make any sense. I stared at him with a stunned expression, feeling dizzy, puzzled, and horrified all at once. I am not sure I had ever seen his mother, not even when we were in high school, so what business did I have with her? What offense would she say I committed? Was that enough to push her into wanting to kill me? Someone she doesn't even know what she looks like? Everyone was dumbfounded. Even Owen and Isabella stared at him weirdly from the bed as if they had never seen him in their lives. Elliot's expression, on the other hand, had transformed from rage to bewildered disbelief. He stepped back for a moment, looking from Lucas to me with folded arms and his mouth hanging half open. I repeated my question to Lucas again, asking why his mother would want me dead."We are waiting, mister." Elliot prompted impatiently, with his hands now on his waist, when the latter's silence was becoming unbearable. Lucas glanced at Elliot with startled eyes
GENERAL POVThe police wagon sped into the sprawling compound, coming to an abrupt halt at the center of the station's premises. The engine hissed as the driver turned off the ignition. All four doors of the car were thrown open at the same time, and from inside it, about five police officials alighted alongside the handcuffed figure of Margaret, who vehemently kept shouting and pleading with the four scowling officials."You don't get it. It was a mix-up. Listen, my friends, I didn't do it. In fact, I'm the innocent one here, alright? Can I at least call someone?" The five silent officials continued to gesture calmly toward the building as they led her inside the administrative quarters.When they got inside the station, one of the sergeants led her into a small, bright, lightly painted room with only a desk and two chairs arranged on either side of the desk."Please sit down, Mrs."He directed, pointing at the first seat.She paused to examine the chair, then lifted her head to sta
ELLIOT’S POV It has been two weeks now since the antecedent tumult that had troubled the stability of my family as well as a threat to Sophie and the kids’ lives at large was finally settled and brought to an end. Lucas's mother, Margaret, had been tried, convicted, and sentenced to six years in prison by the courts after she pleaded guilty to the judge. Nathan was doing so much better now, and my immediate family as well as my extended ones had all heaved a sigh of relief, knowing that we could finally move forward with our lives and be free of the fear of any of such threats.But as for the company, the next step. After the eye-opening revelation from my son in the hospital, I decided to set up a crucial and urgent meeting with my tech team with the sole aim of tracking whoever was behind the two IP addresses discovered by Owen. If we could unmask the culprit behind them, then it meant we had also discovered the face of the same person helping Xander pull off all his stunts inside
GENERAL POVIt was about three weeks into June and close to the start of a new summer. The long-awaited day of Sophie and Elliot's wedding had finally arrived. The auditorium of the Christ's Day church at Wall's Street was wearing an ebullient and festive outlook.The idea of holding the wedding at this church was an idea from Elliot's mom, who had suggested that she wanted the special occasion to be celebrated at her former church because that had always been her wish, even before she later joined the Catholic church. The couple, who were not exactly staunch churchgoers themselves, had granted the wish without hesitation.The extended members of both families were all present in the hall, beautifully dressed in suits and gowns, watching as guests trooped into the decorated hall from different corners in their best dresses. The car park was engulfed with a variety of expensive cars.The hall glowed with the soft lighting that came from both the electric and real candles arranged at ta
ELLIOT’S POVAbout four days had passed since my wedding with Sophie. As much as I was enjoying my marriage with my wife already, I could still sense deep down that my mind was not fully settled. I kept revisiting my weird interaction with Uncle Horace on my wedding day, kept re-asking the pertinent questions I had asked before, and kept murmuring in my sleep.I was desperate to dig up the deep secrets that I suspected were hidden in the family. It was past midnight. I sat shirtless and alone on one of the sofas, wearing only a pair of dark shorts, clutching a glass of juice in one hand, and crossing my legs to ruminate on the issue for the eleventh time.“Someone had to be lying? And the culprit had to be at least one of these three people: Xander, my dad, or Uncle Horace.”But then again, there were strong reasons to be inclined to believe that it had to be Xander; he had always been a compulsive liar, ever since I got to know him. Perhaps he had begged the old man to stand in for
SOPHIE'S POVAs soon as we arrived at the house, Elliot took out the keys from the ignition point, let out a small groan, and came down from the car hurriedly. With double-quick yet uncoordinated steps, Elliot entered the house with his head bowed to the earth. It was obvious he was still feeling hurt; perhaps it was better to allow him some quiet time to absorb everything. I observed him through the windscreen for a moment before turning over to glance at Mrs. Harrington, his mother, who was still bent over in the back seat, sniffing and weeping bitterly since the moment she followed us to the family house. Even the kids were muttering, their hands resting on her shoulder."Stop crying, grandma," Isabella said, looking at her, and her brother's eyes were on her too, looking at her worriedly.She wrapped her hands around them to acknowledge their plea, but she still could not stop her crying."Darlings, could you please borrow me a few minutes alone with Grandma?"They looked at her o
15 YEARS LATERSOPHIE'S POVI was seated with Elliot in the sectioned corner of our sitting room, where the dining room was located. Breakfast was set, and we were already digging into it in silence when Nathan, who was all suited up and sitting next to his father and ready to accompany him to his office, disrupted the quietness with his slightly hoarse, passionate voice. This had become a usual routine for us every morning since Elliot started to allow him to accompany him to work about four years ago. Sometimes these dining table speculations and business advice would mostly start hours before breakfast; other times, they would start during the meal, and if we happened to be lucky, it would be after we were done eating. Sometimes I found myself counting to ten silently in anticipation of his voice, just like I had done today while dishing the meal, and as expected, the fresh economic expert we had for a son was not disappointed."I was actually following up on one of the brokerage
I am filled with immense gratitude as I write this message, appreciating every one of you who has joined me on this journey. Whether you have been following from the start or have recently become a part of this story, your presence has truly enhanced the storytelling experience in immeasurable ways.I am thankful for allowing my characters to be a part of your lives, for investing your time and emotions in their successes and challenges, and for sharing in their joys and sorrows. Your support, feedback, and motivation have been the driving force behind every word written, inspiring me to explore their world further and create narratives that resonate with you.As we come to the end of this story, I'm thrilled to announce that a new story awaits. In the meantime, I would like to hear your thoughts about the story, please don't hesitate to share your feedback.Once again, I extend my heartfelt thanks for being a part of this remarkable journey. Your support ignites my passion.With dee
SOPHIE'S POVI shifted the thick, opaque curtains that fell over the window in my room to one side as I observed the gate of our house through the transparent glass upstairs.The Tesla had just driven out through the open gate, and one of the uninformed security guards had begun to close it up.Elliot, who had been raising fire and brimstone some moments ago, had finally resigned to the strong will of his daughter. He has finally yielded to her persuasion as well as that of her older twin, Amelia. I let out a small smile. Was it not funny that despite his so-called anger about the recent developments, he still insisted on dropping them off at the park, even when Amelia kept insisting that the park was not that far? Sometimes, I find myself debating again who actually pampered Isabella more between her father and grandfather. I let out a wider smile this time.I drew the curtains closed again and returned to my bed to sit quietly."Just like yesterday," I whispered.It was so hard to
GENERAL POVOwen was sitting stiffly inside Michael's larger-than-life office space. While Michael reclined at the other end of the desk, his manner was a little more relaxed since the last time they met at his school. They were having a conversation about Isabella."Have you called my sister yet?" Owen asked calmly."No, not yet," Michael answered, almost blushing at the sound of Isabella's name.Owen shrugged weakly and said,"But why her? I mean, what drew you to her? She literally dresses like a guy. Though I know my sister is beautiful, if you're not close to her like us, you might never know."Michael let out an indulgent smile, readjusting his seat and leaning forward before he spoke again.Actually, I've seen Isabella several times without her usual regalia. Erm, you know, her usual regalia." He let out a gentle laugh.Then, a little more quietly, he added:"She is so kind and beautiful."Owen laughed too, in a way that said, "I thought as much,"Then Michael went on to tap h
ISABELLA’S POVI opened my eyes faintly the next morning after a long sleep the previous night, rolling over tiredly on the hospital's compact bed. Then suddenly, my body brushed against the rigid weight of someone sitting with his back turned against me on the bed. I sat up immediately, rubbing my palms over my face and eyes to brighten my vision. The person turned over at once, and to my relief, it was the face of Dr. James.My curious expression softened into a smile. He smiled too, and with a soothing voice, he asked,"How are you feeling?"His gaze switched to my neck and arms.I involuntarily touched the plastered areas on my hands before I said,"I'm quite fine; it was just a slight accident."A small silence ensued. He stared at me with deep care in his eyes, and for a second I had to bite my lip and look away shyly.Then he inhaled and brought out my phone from the pocket of his lab coat. Then he made a weak gesture with his hand before he said,"Your phone; I charged it for
Nathan arrived at the Epiloxx Club as directed by the address from Isabella's text message. As soon as he got out of the taxi, He walked towards the entrance and stopped for a moment to catch his breath before attempting to go in. He stopped again and flexed his wrist to see what the time was saying on his gold watch; it was exactly 11:30 am. He inhaled and exhaled to calm his nerves, trying to imagine the look Scarlett would have on her face the moment she eventually saw him, as well as the reaction of this so-called boyfriend of hers. Then he brashly waved his hand as if to say, "Whatever." Before proceeding finally into the building with slow but steady strides. While inside the club and standing awkwardly near the door with surveilling eyes, the first thing Nathan's eyes picked out from the crowded, noisy hall illuminated with dull multicolored lights was the sight of Scarlett kissing a guy at the back of the room, a man whom Nathan immediately identified as Kevin. He froze and
General POVIsabella's apartment was located less than 10 minutes away from her school, immediately outside the terminating bar gate.She was in the house, sitting in her cozy blue-painted bedroom with the warm, masculine-looking decor and walls pervaded by the many photographs of bikers and popular sportsmen around the world.She was wreathed in blue tops and shorts, which also marched with the color of her room, sporting a pair of expensive trainers, leaning over to untie and retie the shoelaces with a meticulous expression on her face and taut lips. She lifted her head quickly to check the vintage clocks hanging above the arc when she was done and mouthed the words:"Five minutes past six already?" looking surprised and taken aback."Oh my God." She whispered again, springing up to her feet hurriedly. The event she was about to attend was actually a racing exercise organized by her teammates back in school and was supposed to begin at exactly 6:30; she had just 25 minutes left to
GENERAL POVThe first and second basements of the round, well-ventilated university hall were filled up with mostly young people from different parts of the city; all of them were clothed in nice dresses while also bearing notebooks and pens on their palms, jotting down points as they kept their focus fixedly on the young prominent speaker standing on top of the podium and was about to round off his talk.The speaker's name was Michael Howard, a 25-year-old billionaire heir and owner of one of the largest corporations booming in New York City, just about second after the Harringtons. He was invited to the school’s graduation to deliver the first key note speech to the graduating students. During the speech, Michael went ahead to acknowledge the CEO of Harrington Inc., Elliot Harrigton, who was also present as one of his biggest inspirations.All the while, Nathan, sitting with brother Owen and dressed up in their graduating gowns, nodded attentively to everything Michael was saying at
15 YEARS LATERSOPHIE'S POVI was seated with Elliot in the sectioned corner of our sitting room, where the dining room was located. Breakfast was set, and we were already digging into it in silence when Nathan, who was all suited up and sitting next to his father and ready to accompany him to his office, disrupted the quietness with his slightly hoarse, passionate voice. This had become a usual routine for us every morning since Elliot started to allow him to accompany him to work about four years ago. Sometimes these dining table speculations and business advice would mostly start hours before breakfast; other times, they would start during the meal, and if we happened to be lucky, it would be after we were done eating. Sometimes I found myself counting to ten silently in anticipation of his voice, just like I had done today while dishing the meal, and as expected, the fresh economic expert we had for a son was not disappointed."I was actually following up on one of the brokerage
SOPHIE'S POVAs soon as we arrived at the house, Elliot took out the keys from the ignition point, let out a small groan, and came down from the car hurriedly. With double-quick yet uncoordinated steps, Elliot entered the house with his head bowed to the earth. It was obvious he was still feeling hurt; perhaps it was better to allow him some quiet time to absorb everything. I observed him through the windscreen for a moment before turning over to glance at Mrs. Harrington, his mother, who was still bent over in the back seat, sniffing and weeping bitterly since the moment she followed us to the family house. Even the kids were muttering, their hands resting on her shoulder."Stop crying, grandma," Isabella said, looking at her, and her brother's eyes were on her too, looking at her worriedly.She wrapped her hands around them to acknowledge their plea, but she still could not stop her crying."Darlings, could you please borrow me a few minutes alone with Grandma?"They looked at her o