Her hand shot out before I could even blink, landing a stinging slap across my face. The force of the blow reverberated through my body, sending waves of pain rippling through my jaw.Athena stared at me with an icy glare. I could see the hurt and anger etched upon her face, and I knew that my words is too much."How could you say that?" she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "How could you hurt me like this?"I opened my mouth to respond, but the words seemed to catch in my throat. I had never intended to hurt her, but in my anger, I had let my tongue get the better of me.“I'm sorry,” I said, trying to reach out for her. “I didn't mean it. I'm just so tired of you taking advantage of me, of taking my money and never giving anything back.”Her eyes flashed with fury. "Taking advantage of you? I'm the one who has been struggling to keep our marriage work!""Oh really? You don't even care about me," I continued, my voice rising in frustration. "You only look after yourself an
CELINE'S POV The sun beamed down on my face as I held my son,Connor's hand, as we skipped towards the park. I had promised him this outing the previous day to make up for all the time I had been away. I had been working long hours lately, and I felt guilty for not being there for him as much as I should be. “Mommy, look!”Connor exclaimed, pointing to a squirrel scampering up a tree. His eyes sparkled with wonder, and I couldn't help but smile. I loved these moments with him, when he was just a carefree child, oblivious to the worries of the world. As we entered the park, the vibrant colors and cheerful sounds overwhelmed my senses. Children played on the swings and slides, their laughter filling the air. The scent of blooming flowers wafted through the breeze, mingling with the sweet smell of freshly cut grass. “Can we play on the pole?” Connor asked, tugging at my hand. “Of course, sweetheart,”I replied, leading him towards the nearest set of swings. I watched as he cli
I found his request unprofessional and inappropriate. “Mr.Ruiz” I interjected firmly, “while I appreciate your enthusiasm, it is not appropriate to request a house visit for a strictly business matter. "If you are interested in proceeding with this partnership, I would suggest we schedule a meeting at a mutually convenient location, such as a restaurant.” A moment of silence descended upon the line as he seemed to consider my response. To my dismay, he persisted in his request, expressing a desire to “get to know me better.” His tone had grown uncomfortably intimate, and I found myself becoming increasingly irritated. “Mr.Ruiz,”I stated, my voice icy, “I believe we have reached an impasse.I am not comfortable with your request, and I am not willing to compromise my professional principles. I suggest we conclude this conversation.” With that, I ended the call, feeling a sense of frustration and disappointment. Mr.Ruiz's behavior had cast a shadow over what could have been a promi
FRANCO POV How could Celine possibly forgive me after all the pain I caused her?My mind raced back to the time we’re still married. I never treated her as my wife but as a maid. The greed, the ambition of mine, the desire for power seeped into our lives, turning our love into a battleground. Athena, with her cunning charm and manipulative tactics, had woven herself into our lives, like a venomous spider spinning her web of deceit. I thought marrying a mayors’ daughter would make my life better. Full of wealth when I became part of Athena’s family.But I was wrong. I’m stupid.I was blinded by Athena's beauty, her promises of a luxurious life that Celine, with her simple dreams and genuine spirit, could never provide. I was so focused on achieving my own goals, on climbing the ladder of success, that I overlooked the woman who truly loved me. I hurt her, betrayed her, and ultimately, lost her.I invited Harvey to drink at the bar. I was lost and very frustrated at those moments. As
CELINE POV“What does he look like, Martha?” I asked, my voice trembling slightly.“He's a tall and handsome man, Madam Celine,” Martha replied.Her description sent a chill down my spine. I don’t know but I had a bad feeling about this.“Tell him we're not receiving visitors,” I ordered. “If he insists, tell him to leave.”“But Madam, I think he is just worried about Connor. The last time we talked is that when I’m asking him for a help. Can I talk to him, Madam?” I asked.“Martha, how many times I told you that it’s forbid to talk to strangers like him!” I said, emphatically.“Madam...” Martha insisted.“Do you want to keep your job?” I asked her as my brows raised.Martha nodded and turned to go. As she did, I couldn't help but glance through the window. My heart nearly stopped when I saw the face of the man standing at the gates. It was Connor's father!“Franco?!”I uttered, my eyes widening in disbelief.Martha, who was already halfway to the door, turned back, her brows furrowed
I walked out from Connor's room and asked Martha if Franco is still in the outside of the gate.“Martha, is Franco still out there?” I asked, my voice strained. Martha straightened the already spotless tablecloth, her weathered face a picture of composure.“He's gone, madam. Left about minutes ago.”A wave of relief washed over me. The tension that had been tightening in my chest finally loosened.“Good.Thank you, Martha.” My voice was a whisper, a sigh of exhaustion escaping my lips.“Anything else, madam?” she asked, her eyes, wise and kind, holding my gaze.“Just… be vigilant, Martha. Don't let him near Connor. Don't let him talk to him. Don't let him even see him. Understand?”She nodded,“Yes, madam.”I knew she wouldn't betray me, wouldn't allow Franco near Connor. But she knew too. She knew the truth, the ugly, messy truth that I was desperate to keep buried.“Anyway, Martha, I will be the one who will drop Connor to the school. I didn't want to leave anything to chance, especi
FRANCO'S POVMy heart sank. I had hoped that Connor's mother would let me in that seeing me would spark a flicker of recognition in his eyes. But the guard's words, his blatant dismissal, were like a cold slap in the face. This wasn't the welcoming embrace I had imagined.“Madam,” he called into the intercom, his voice booming, “There's a man here asking for Connor. He says his name is Franco.”I shifted my weight, anxious and unsure of what to do. I hadn't expected this kind of resistance. Was I wrong to come here? Had I misjudged the situation?A silence stretched out, punctuated only by the rustling of leaves in the wind. Then, the voice of a woman and I know it was Martha who was talking over the line.“This is Martha. Tell him he can't come in. We are not accepting any visitors.”My stomach clenched. I tried to speak, to plead with the guard, to explain that I meant no harm, which I just wanted to see Connor. But the words stuck in my throat.“Martha,” the guard repeated, “he say
CELINE POVAs I sat at my office desk, lost in a labyrinth of thoughts, the weight of my worries bore heavily upon me. My mind was a tempest of unease, the raging storm centered on Connor. The day had been a relentless barrage of anxiety, with each hour casting a longer shadow of doubt upon my heart.“Celine!” The voice of Irene shattered the oppressive silence, and with it, a ray of warmth pierced through the gloom. She burst through the door, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of excitement and mischief.“You can't forget the party on Monday night,” she exclaimed, her tone a playful reminder.“P..Party?” I stammered. “Yes! The victory party!”Irene exclaimed.I almost forgot about my victory party for CLN Beauty, swallowed by the constant churn of my thoughts. Connor, and Franco were ever-present in my mind, a dark cloud hanging over my success. The thought of Franco, with the fact that if one day he will know the truth about Connor, he will make a trouble in my life again not just
Connor burst into the room, his laughter infectious. “Mom! Can we have a picnic in the backyard later?”Celine smiled, her heart swelling at his enthusiasm. “Absolutely! We’ll make it special.”Franco appeared in the doorway, a soft smile on his face. “I can help with the picnic,” he said, stepping into the kitchen. The warmth between them had been growing, and she could feel the connection rekindling after all they had endured.As they prepared for their little picnic, Celine felt a flutter of anticipation. She caught Franco glancing at her, his eyes filled with admiration. The memories of their past—the hurt, the struggles—began to fade, replaced by a shared understanding and a desire to move forward together.Once they were outside, they spread out a blanket beneath the shade of a large oak tree. The afternoon was bright, and the world felt vibrant around them. Celine watched as Connor played,
The sun peeked through the curtains of Celine's small living room, casting a warm glow over the room. It had been a week since they had escaped the warehouse, and the world felt a little brighter. The shadows of Harvey and his men still loomed large, but justice had been served. Harvey was behind bars, facing serious charges, and Celine felt a weight lift from her shoulders.As she watched Connor play with his toys, Celine couldn’t help but smile. He was starting to heal, laughter returning to his voice. Franco had been a steady presence since their ordeal, never leaving their side, supporting them both as they adjusted to a new sense of normalcy.“Can I help you with anything?” Franco asked, entering the room with a freshly brewed cup of coffee for Celine. His gaze was steady and sincere, filled with the determination to mend the fractures in their relationship.“Just keeping an eye on him,” Celine replied, motioning to Connor, who
The adrenaline from their escape quickly faded as Celine, Franco, and Connor found themselves stumbling through the dark woods. Each crunch of leaves beneath their feet felt like a reminder of the danger still lurking behind them. They needed to find safety, but every shadow seemed to whisper of Harvey’s reach.“Are we far enough?” Connor’s small voice broke the tense silence, his eyes wide with fear.Celine glanced back, her heart heavy. “We need to keep moving, sweetheart,” she said, her voice steadier than she felt. “We can’t stop until we’re sure we’re safe.”Franco led the way, his expression grim. “We should find a place to hide,” he suggested, scanning their surroundings. “If Harvey’s men are still after us, we need to stay off the main paths.”Just as they pushed deeper into the trees, a chilling sound echoed through the night—a distant shout that
Celine's world spun as she fought against the hands gripping her arms, but she was outnumbered. The chaos of the struggle turned into a blur, voices merging into a cacophony of shouts and grunts. Connor’s terrified face was imprinted in her mind as she was dragged away from him, but there was no time to think; they were all in danger.“Franco!” she cried, her voice strained as she was pulled further away. Despair flooded her as she caught a glimpse of him grappling with one of Harvey's men. The chaos twisted in her gut as she was shoved into a waiting van, the cold metal biting into her skin.Franco’s eyes met hers for just a moment, a fierce determination in his gaze. “Celine! Connor!” he shouted, but another man lunged at him, blocking his way. The last thing she saw was his struggle as the van doors slammed shut.The van jostled as it sped away, the sound of tires crunching on gravel filling the air. Celine sat in the darkn
Celine’s heart raced as she and Connor dashed deeper into the woods, the shadows closing in around them. Each step felt like a lifeline, but the distant shouts of Harvey’s men echoed through the trees, a haunting reminder of the danger that lurked behind them.“Mom, I’m so tired!” Connor panted, his little legs struggling to keep up.“I know, sweetheart. Just a little further,” she urged, fighting to keep her own panic at bay. They needed to find a safe place to hide. Her mind raced through options, each one fraught with uncertainty.As they rounded a thick cluster of trees, Celine suddenly spotted an old hollowed-out log. “There!” she whispered, pointing it out to Connor. “Get inside!”He climbed in quickly, and she crouched beside him, holding her breath as she listened for the sounds of their pursuers. The shouts grew louder, closer, and she felt the weight of dread settle over her.
The sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple as Celine, Franco, and Connor settled into their makeshift hideout. Laughter and lighthearted chatter filled the air, pushing aside the worries that had weighed on them for so long. Celine felt a warmth in her chest, a sense of belonging that had been missing for too long.But as the shadows grew longer, a heavy tension settled over the clearing. Celine’s instincts kicked in, her earlier happiness slipping away. She glanced at Franco, who seemed to feel it too; his smile faded as he scanned the woods around them.“Let’s head back,” he suggested, his voice low. “It’s getting dark, and we don’t want to be out here when we can’t see.”“Can we play for a little longer?” Connor pleaded, his eyes bright with excitement.“Just for a few minutes,” Celine said, hoping to ease her son’s disappoin
The sun peeked through the gaps in the wooden slats of the cabin, casting warm stripes of light across the room. Celine stirred awake, the comforting weight of Connor’s small body pressed against her side. Franco was still asleep in the chair nearby, his face softened in repose. For a moment, Celine simply watched them, her heart swelling with a mix of gratitude and uncertainty. The memories of their past—the pain, the distance—haunted her, but the warmth of the present was undeniable. They were together, fighting for their family. As she shifted, Connor stirred, blinking sleepily up at her. “Morning, Mom,” he mumbled, rubbing his eyes. “Morning, sweetheart. Did you sleep well?” He nodded, stretching like a cat. “Can we play again today?”Celine smiled, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. “Of course. Maybe we can explore the area a bit. There’s a whole forest out there.”“Can we find a secret fort?” he asked, eyes bright with excitement.“Definitely,” she replied, her hea
The car bumped along the rough dirt road, the trees closing in around them like a protective barrier against the world. Celine glanced at Franco, who sat in the front passenger seat, his jaw set and eyes alert. She felt an unspoken connection between them growing stronger amidst the chaos, a tether forged in the fire of their shared struggle.“Are we almost there?” Connor asked from the backseat, his voice a mix of exhaustion and anxiety.“Just a few more minutes, buddy,” Franco replied, turning slightly to give their son a reassuring smile. Celine noted the warmth in Franco's eyes, a glimmer of hope amid the darkness.“Can we play a game when we get there?” Connor asked, attempting to lift the mood.Celine couldn’t help but smile, her heart swelling with affection. “Absolutely. What do you want to play?”“I want to play hide and seek!” Connor exclaimed, a bright spark lighting up his face.Franco chuckled softly, glancing back at Celine with a hint of pride. “I think we can manage th
The truck rumbled down the uneven logging road, its headlights cutting through the darkness like a beacon of hope. Celine sat beside Connor, her heart still racing as the trees blurred past. The sound of the engine filled the silence, but her mind was a whirlpool of anxiety.“Are we almost there?” Connor asked, his voice small and tired.“Just a little longer,” Celine replied, forcing a smile. She glanced at Franco, who was focused on the road, brow furrowed with concentration. “Keep an eye out for any signs,” Elias said, scanning the sides of the road. “We need to find a place to lay low.”They drove in tense silence, the weight of their situation pressing heavily on all of them. Celine felt the pulse of fear in her veins, a constant reminder that they were being hunted. Suddenly, Franco slowed the truck as they approached a clearing. “There’s the town,” he said, pointing to a cluster of dim lights in the distance. “We should park a little ways out and approach on foot.”“Good idea