“Franco Jackson.” My breath caught in my throat. “What's wrong?”Irene's voice, usually so bubbly, was laced with concern. “He's... he's coming,” I whispered, my throat constricting. Irene followed my gaze. “Oh, Celine. Don't let him ruin this for you.” Franco. The name resonated with a painful ache in my chest. “I can't let him in,” I said, my voice shaking. “Not on the party. He'll ruin everything before. My life, my heart.” Irene's hand clasped mine, her grip firm and reassuring.“He won't, Celine. He's not going to ruin anything. You're not that vulnerable girl anymore. You're the CEO of CLN, a woman who built an empire from scratch. Look at him, look at what he's become. He's just a washed-up nobody, clinging to the last vestiges of his privileged past. Don't let him dim your shine.” Her words, though simple, ignited a spark within me. The spark of defiance, of strength. I wouldn't let him ruin that night, that victory. I'd face him head-on, not as the heartbroken girl I
Days passed by, and Monday night has finally arrived – the night of triumph for CLN, the company I poured my heart and soul into building. As I sat in the plush chair of my dressing room, an expensive makeup artist meticulously applied layers of flawless makeup to my face. The soft glow of the vanity lights illuminated my reflection, highlighting the anticipation and excitement etched across my features.“Mommy, can I come with you tonight?”The sweet voice of Connor jolted me out of my reverie. He stood at the doorway, his brown eyes sparkling with a mixture of curiosity and longing.“Oh, darling, I already told you about it. I'm so sorry, but the party tonight is for grown-ups only,” I replied, gently smoothing his hair. “It's not a place for little boys like you.”Connor's face fell, and his eyes clouded with disappointment. “But Mom, I just want you to know that I will behave. I want to be with you like before,”“I know, sweetheart, but it's really forbidden for kids at these eve
FRANCO'S POVA surge of emotions washed over me. Now, out of the blue, I had the opportunity to find her again.“I got it,” Harvey continued. I hesitated for a moment, torn between the desire to know her address and the plan to talk to her about investing in her company on Monday night.“Why do you have her address?” I asked.“Well, I'll be honest with you, Franco,” Harvey said.“I talked to her over the phone and asked her about my plan to invest in her start up clothing line. her another business. But I was amazed of her character. She is tough and not easy to get, man.”he said.“But I want to let you know that I will pursue her. I will do everything to get her. I really like your ex wife, Man” He admitted.My heart skipped a beat. I had always known that Harvey had a soft spot for Celine, but I had never imagined that he would pursue her. A wave of jealousy washed over me, mingled with a twinge of regret.“Seriously?” I asked him.“Yes. I have a plan to ask her out after the party
I leave him in the living room, the air thick with the scent of his cologne and the weight of his disapproval. I don’t want to argue with him anymore. The futility of it all weighs heavy on my chest. I walk upstairs to the room, the dull thud of my footsteps echoing in the quiet mansion. I find Athena sitting on the bed, her face pale and drawn.“What are you carrying?” she asks, her voice laced with a mixture of suspicion and anger.“A suit,” I reply, holding up the garment bag. “I’m going to the party.”“What party? “She asked.“CLN victory party. It’s Celine’s company,” I replied.Her eyes narrow. “Celine’s party?”I nod, my throat dry. “Yes, it’s for her company’s success. I need to be there, Athena. It’s important for business.”The words hang in the air between us, heavy and charged. Athena rises from the bed, her face twisted in a mask of fury. “You’re going to her victory party? What the hell are you thinking, Franco? Do you want to be with her again?!”“Athena, please,” I ple
CELINE POVAs I turned around, I nearly gasped. There, standing before me in a tailored suit that accentuated his broad shoulders and long legs, was Franco. My treacherous ex-husband, the man who had betrayed me in the most unimaginable way, was now the picture of success and confidence.A wave of pain and anger swept through me, but I refused to let it show. I'd spent years building an impenetrable wall around my heart, and I wasn't about to let him break it now. I straightened my spine and introduced myself as the CEO of CLN, as if I barely knew him.“Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Winston,” Franco said, his voice smooth and devoid of any hint of recognition. His piercing gaze met mine, but I held his stare defiantly.“Likewise, Mr. Jackson,” I replied, my voice cold and distant.For a moment, an awkward silence hung between us. The air seemed to crackle with tension as we both tried to gauge the other's intentions.“So, Celine,” Franco began, breaking the ice, “how have you been since..
Franco frowned. “One hundred billion? Celine, that’s a lot of money! It’s too much.” “Ms.Winston! Be careful with your words. You are talking to the CEO of CLN, the Rising company,”I boasted. His voice, usually smooth and charming, wavered with a hint of uncertainty. My lips curled into a triumphant smile. I had him. “I’m just telling the truth, Ms.Winston. 100 billions is too much,”Franco insisted. “My company is not a cheap operation,” I said, leaning forward, my eyes piercing his. “We are earning over 500 billion dollars every week. You can’t underestimate CLN. We’ve come a long way since you left me, Mr.Jackson. We’ve built something extraordinary, something that you clearly want to be a part of.” He hesitated, his gaze flickering between me and the throng of guests celebrating our success. “I’m just saying… it’s a significant investment,” he mumbled, his confidence faltering. “It will be a significant return on your investment,” I countered, leaning back in my ch
A cold shiver ran down my spine. Had he found out about Connor? I had to keep him as far away as possible.“Mr.Jackson” I called out, my voice trembling. “What are you doing here?”He turned around, his expression a mixture of longing and regret. “Celine, I need to talk to you.”“There's nothing to talk about,” I said, trying to sound firm. “I'm on my way home.”“Please, just a moment,” Franco pleaded. “I need to talk to you please!.”I shook my head. “I already declined your proposal!”“I know but it's not about it. It’s about something important. You and me, Celine,” Franco said, desperation evident in his voice. “What are you talking about, Mr.Jackson?!" I said, my heart heavy. “I have moved on.”“But you can't just erase the past,” Franco argued. “And I need to know if you are Connor’s mother? Connor is also living here.”My heart raced, and my hands shook with nervousness at his question. Connor? What should I do? I couldn't let Franco know that Connor was my son. I forced a tre
FRANCO'S POV“I’m sorry, “I’m sorry for everything,” I apologized.This time, I need to convince her to accept my investment in her company but she suddenly hung up the phone. I told myself I will never give up. I tried to call her again but I can’t reach her number anymore. I took a deep breath while thinking what should I do to connect with Celine again and convince her to accept my proposal to invest in her company.A few seconds, I think of calling Harvey because he knew the detailed address of Celine. I need his help despite the fact that he like Celine very much and he wants to pursue her, I need to be neutral. It’s not about me and Celine’s past but it’s all about business partnership with her who is the CEO of CLN company. I know Harvey won’t be happy about this, but this is the only chance I have.“Hey, Harvey, it’s Franco.” I said to him.“Hey, man, what’s up?” he replied.“I need your help. I need to see Celine.” I said, my voice filled with desperation.“I thought you alre
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