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Chapter Twenty-One
Last Updated:
2025-03-06 23:55:22
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Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Twenty-Two
𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐚I squeeze my eyes shut for a moment, forcing the stubborn lump in my throat down. When I finally speak, my voice is hoarse. “H–How did you find me?”Althea perks up, scooting closer to me on the bed, and I realize I don't mind the proximity, suddenly feeling overwhelmed with longing. Her lips part, and for the first time, her composure cracks. Tears pool in her eyes, and she clasps her hands together as if steadying herself.“We never stopped looking for you.”I lift my head to watch her. “You were abducted when you were only three, Aretha. That's why we have just these few pictures from your childhood.” Her voice breaks and I can see the years of pain behind her eyes. “We searched everywhere. We followed every lead we got, but they always led to dead ends. And then…” She lets out a trembling breath. “Then after twenty-three agonizingly long years, we finally saw you.”I frown. “What do you mean?”Althea hesitates, as though she’s trying to gather the strength to say it.
Last Updated : 2025-03-07Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Twenty-Three
𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐚I spend nearly an hour in the bedroom, trying to steady my breathing, trying to make sense of the whirlwind of emotions storming through me. My fingers absently trace the edges of the bulky photo album still resting on my lap, my mind caught somewhere between disbelief and cautious acceptance.They insist that they’re my parents and somehow, I know it’s true. But knowing and accepting are two different things.I exhale shakily and rise from the bed, packing my items which I noticed they'd placed on the second nightstand. I can’t stay here any longer—I need the space to breathe, to think. When I finally step out of the room, I find Althea and Clive waiting in the hallway, their eyes filled with worry. I brace myself before speaking.“I… I need some time,” I tell them both, my voice quieter than I intend. “This is—this is a whole lot for me to take in, and I just—I need some time to process everything.”I see the instant hesitation in Althea’s eyes first as she takes a smal
Last Updated : 2025-03-09Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Twenty-Four
𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐚Later that night, I lie in bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind replaying the events of the day in an endless loop. My fingers absentmindedly trace over the birthmark I know is on my left breast, the very thing that confirmed what should have been impossible. I found my real parents today.The thought is still surreal, still overwhelming— too massive to fully wrap my head around, but one thing keeps surfacing amid the chaos: My best friend is right.I won’t let my past dictate my present and future. I won't let what the Winthrops and Berfields put me through prevent me from embracing this and giving my biological family a chance. I was never unwanted by my birth parents, and they hadn’t abandoned me. They never stopped looking for me. And if I push them away now out of fear, I’ll never forgive myself.So I decide to make my choice.I’m going to give them a chance. And if things don’t work out in the end, at least I’ll know that I tried. At least, I could still choose to k
Last Updated : 2025-03-11Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Twenty-Five
𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐬It's been two weeks since Elena disappeared.Two weeks filled with unanswered questions and dead ends. Two weeks of concern and frustration. Two whole weeks of trying to find a woman who, it turns out, never even existed—at least, not as we knew her. Cameron's office is as silent as a graveyard, save for the steady humming of the air conditioning. The tension in the room is palpable as we sit in uneasy stillness—me with my elbows braced on my knees and fingers steepled, while my mind painstakingly runs through every possible scenario for why she'd fled from us.Nathaniel stands by the floor-to-ceiling windows, his jaw tight, arms crossed, and eyes locked on the nighttime city skyline outside. As usual, he hasn’t said much, but the rigidity in his stance speaks louder than words. Cameron, on the other hand, leans back in his chair, attempting a casual pose which fails in belying the more honest and telltale signs of his agitation such as his fingers tapping an erratic rhy
Last Updated : 2025-03-12Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Twenty-Six
𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐬There's a woman standing in the center of the ballroom, surrounded by almost all the guests. She looks like a lost prey being circled by vultures and I begin to wonder why we were sent this video when the lass suddenly turns, bringing her face into view. My breath catches when I recognize her.It's Elena.However, she’s not sitting behind a piano like we would expect, considering her previous job at the restaurant. Neither is she wearing her typical look of cold indifference nor is she veiled in the mystery that’d first drawn us to her. No. Elena is standing in the middle of the ballroom, her expression one of shock and devastation, with her dark eyes wide as she pleads with someone just out of frame.I blink, my mind scrambling to connect the dots, to process the image of Elena in this new light.She's dressed in a colorful, revealing gown that's a far cry from the usually modest and monotonous outfits we've seen her wear ever since meeting her. I'd even noticed how she
Last Updated : 2025-03-14Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Twenty-Seven
𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐚I take a slow yet deep breath, smoothing my hands over the silky fabric of my dress for the night. The gold satin gown clings to my figure, accentuating my curves in a way that is both elegant and daring, the one-shoulder design leaving my left shoulder bare while the fabric gathers at my waist in a ruche style before cascading down to the ground in soft folds. A thigh-high slit runs up one side of my leg, revealing just enough skin to be striking, but not inappropriate. Althea had picked out the dress for me earlier and seeing as I'd immediately fallen in love with it just like the one she'd given me at Marcos' event, I can certainly say that my biological mother has a keen eye for fashion, and although I'd have preferred to wear something more simple and casual since we wouldn't even be leaving the mansion, I can't help but love the gown regardless. It's bold with a luxurious sheen to it that projects confidence—something I'm certainly not feeling much of right now. M
Last Updated : 2025-03-15Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Twenty-Eight
𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐚When Althea had said that she knew exactly what I needed to get started on my revenge plan against those backstabbers, the last place I'd expected her to bring me to is this place—a large shopping mall right in the heart of Knightsbridge. My gaze flits from side to side, taking in the shops as we pass them until we finally stop before one of them. The boutique before me is the embodiment of extravagance and practically dripping in wealth as we walk inside through the automatic doors. Its marble-tiled floors gleam underneath the glow of massive orb-like crystal chandeliers, their intricate gold-inlaid designs paving a path toward a space so opulent, it feels more like a room in a palace than a mere boutique. Ornate columns stretch towards the visible ceiling, their gilded carvings whispering of aristocracy, while a golden carousel right in the center of the room, adorned with accessories and delicate perfume bottles, flaunts its luxury.I exhale, turning to Althea with wha
Last Updated : 2025-03-16Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Twenty-Nine
𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐚The late afternoon sun spills through the tinted car windows, casting muted golden rays across the dashboard while my gaze drifts over the countless shops and buildings we pass by, distractedly taking in the sights. A muffled tapping sound fills the silence in the car and I turn my head to face the only other person here with me. Althea is the one seated behind the wheel this time, after having decided to chauffeur us to our one and only destination for today. Her flawlessly manicured fingers drum idly against the leather as we cruise through the city. The scent of her signature perfume—a mixture of jasmine and something deeper and muskier—lingers in the air, blending with the faint smell of the leftover coffee in the cup holder between us.I look at her, noticing the slight curve of her lips, a tender, meaningful smile playing there as if she’d already been anticipating my nerves. “You’re more quiet than usual today, sweetie. A penny for your thoughts?” She remarks, flic
Last Updated : 2025-03-17
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Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Fifty
𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚The news is everywhere.Tabloids, newspapers, hushed conversations in hotel lobbies and high-end restaurants. My name, my face, my supposed triumph—spread across the city like wildfire.The lost daughter, now officially found. The hidden gem, finally unveiled.I try not to let it get to me.I bury myself in work, tell myself this is what I wanted—what I’ve been preparing for. And for the most part, I believe it. I tell myself I’ve moved past the distractions of Marcus and Cameron, that they no longer occupy space in my mind. That my focus is solely on the company and my role within it.But the illusion only lasts until the night of my father’s party.A grand affair, of course. My father doesn’t do anything half-heartedly. The ballroom is adorned in gold and ivory, chandeliers dripping with light, the scent of expensive champagne and wealth hanging thick in the air.Dignitaries, business moguls, and high-profile figures mill about, exchanging pleasantries, shaking hands, w
Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Forty-Nine
𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚The memory of Harriet pressing her lips too close to the corners of Marcos' mouth replays in my mind like a bitter melody I can’t turn off. The way she clung to him, the possessiveness in her gaze, and how he hadn’t outright rejected her touch—it all festers inside me, an emotion I refuse to name. It shouldn’t matter. It doesn’t matter.But it does.And that alone infuriates me.I should have known better. I should have learned my lesson after Daniel, after the years I wasted believing in a love that was nothing but a mirage. Marcos might not be Daniel, but that doesn’t mean I should entertain the idea of him any longer. The moment I saw him with another woman—saw him let her touch him like that—I should have let every foolish inclination I had towards him die on the spot.So I do what I must—I bury myself in work, throwing myself into tasks that keep my hands busy and my mind even busier. I stop going into the office unless absolutely necessary, opting for virtual meetin
Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Forty-Eight
𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚The weekend has arrived once more, but this time, I’d decided to spend it with my best friend, Yemaya, at the apartment we used to share just a couple of months ago while I had worked at The Gilded Stag restaurant. I figured it was high time I returned for a visit, especially since just the week before, she had come to visit me at my parents' mansion and had spent the entire weekend there. Besides, there’s a certain comfort in being back here, in a space filled with memories of late-night gossip, spontaneous dance-offs, and shared struggles. And just to admit it, I had missed my best friend despite being doted on and surrounded by my loving family. Because no one can ever take her place in my life no matter what.And now on this Saturday afternoon, the two of us are craving something sweet, and since Yemaya is the one between the two of us who actually enjoys cooking and baking, she’s taken charge of baking us some Eccles cakes—a British pastry filled with spiced currant
Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Forty-Seven
𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐬The harsh, sterile glow of the overhead lights bathes the operating room in an almost surreal brightness, casting sharp shadows on the masked faces surrounding the table. The steady beeping of the heart monitor fills the silence—calm, rhythmic, an ever-present reminder that life still clings beneath my scalpel.This moment, this weight of precision and control, is what I live for.I exhale slowly, steadying my grip. “Scalpel.”Dr. Harriet, standing to my right, responds instantly, placing it in my waiting palm. Her gloved fingers brush against mine, the touch lingering for half a second too long. A deliberate move? Maybe. But now isn’t the time for distractions.“Here,” she murmurs, her voice low, smooth, as if we aren’t elbows-deep in someone’s open abdomen.I ignore it. Focus is everything.The blade glides along the marked line, parting skin and muscle with practiced ease. The scent of antiseptic thickens as suction whirs, keeping the field clear. Beneath layers of tis
Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Forty-Six
𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚I wake up with a jolt, my breath coming in sharp, uneven gasps. The room is dark, but the nightmare lingers, burning behind my eyes like an afterimage I can’t blink away. My chest tightens, my pulse hammering a frantic rhythm against my ribs, each beat a cruel echo of the fear still curling around my spine.I can still see them. Stella’s smug, knowing smile. Daniel’s cold, detached stare. The cruel laughter of those who reveled in my humiliation. Their voices slither through my mind, sharp as glass, slicing through the thin veil between past and present. It was just a dream. But it doesn’t feel like one.The air in my bedroom suddenly feels suffocating. I shove the damp sheets aside, swinging my legs over the edge of the bed, my bare feet meeting the cold floor. Ground yourself. Breathe. I squeeze my eyes shut and press the heels of my hands against them, as if that alone could drive the memories away. But they refuse to fade, lurking like shadows just out of reach.How l
Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Forty-Five
𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚Alone in my office, I focus on the project I’m currently working on with Cameron’s company. The blueprints are spread out across my office desk, a meticulously arranged chaos of detailed sketches, notes, and material samples. The sheer scale of the design demands my full attention, every inch of available space covered in drafts and annotations.I run my fingers over the smooth edges of the jewel samples placed beside the building interior layout, mentally piecing together how each element will weave into the final aesthetic of the hotel’s interior. Not just for opulence—but for atmosphere, and for presence. The way the light would refract off the polished gemstones embedded in the marble-tiled floors, casting a subtle shimmer that whispers the luxury rather than screams it. The soft, understated accents on furniture that would add dimension without overwhelming. The deliberate placement of crystal in the chandeliers, catching and bending light to create a warm, inviting
Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Forty-Four
𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚Marcos’s intense gaze on my face persists as I mull over his question, debating on how much truth I really want to reveal. Finally, I tilt my head, meeting his stare head-on.“Alright, deny it then,” I say, my voice laced with a challenge. “Deny that it wasn’t just my appearance that caught your attention at first sight.”His lips curve up in a tiny smile, but his eyes remain unreadable. “Is that what you think?”“It's what you and I both know,” I counter, leaning back in my seat. “You said you value character over beauty, right? So then, you should be able to easily deny that your attraction to me didn't stem from my physical features.”Marcos studies me, fingers tapping idly against his glass. “Well, you came across as a direct and blunt woman,” he finally says. “You didn't just sit back and let things happen. And you didn’t give in easily.”I arch a brow. “So, what? You like a challenge then?”He exhales a quiet chuckle. “Partially. But it’s much more than that.” Then
Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Forty-Three
𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚The morning goes by quickly, and before I know it, it's time for my lunch break.Craving a much-needed breath of fresh air away from all the expectant stares and thinly-veiled bootlicking I have already started receiving from some of the employees amidst walking around the vast building as well as all the names and executive positions I'd have to remember, I decide to head somewhere a bit distant from GemsThorne. My personal driver drops me off at the restaurant my personal assistant, Winifred, had recommended earlier—Ristorante Celeste, a quiet, upscale Mediterranean restaurant nestled in the heart of corporate London. The restaurant exudes an effortless blend of elegance and warmth, with soft golden lighting, terracotta walls adorned with delicate mosaic patterns, and large arched windows that let in streams of natural light. The air carries the tantalizing aroma of olive oil, fresh herbs, and slow-simmered sauces, promising a dining experience that is both refined and
Aretha Hawthorne: The Rise Of The Phoenix Chapter Forty-Two
𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐚I really couldn't have wished for a longer weekend. Despite the whirlwind of drama and activities the past few days had been with Yemaya's visit, I would have given anything to prolong the weekend and to delay today from arriving just a bit longer. Because now, it's Monday morning, which is officially my first day at GemsThorne. My first day stepping into a world I never imagined I'd ever be a part of.And even though I'd spent the past couple of weeks preparing for my presentation and by extension, my induction as the CEO of GemsThorne following the success of our partnership deal with Lancaster Luxe, the anxiety continues to eat away at me while I can't help but fret over this day finally arriving. Nerves coil tightly in my stomach, a relentless storm of self-doubt swirling despite the many times I’ve chided myself for feeling this way even after all the encouragement from my family. I stand before the mirror, smoothing invisible wrinkles from my crisp white button-dow
