Teresa thought of everything and went wild with her thoughts. Los Angeles is the place for fashion and luxury, and it is right that Sabrina is there. She missed Sabrina as a mother misses her child and felt a very strong urge to find out what was going on with her grandchild."I want you to keep a close watch on her, Detective," Teresa said, her voice steady and cold. "I need every piece of information you can gather. Where does Sabrina live? What school does her son Saben attend? I want to meet them in person.""Understood, Mrs. Thompson. We'll continue monitoring her and keep you informed of any new developments," the detective replied.Hanging up the phone, Teresa slumped in her chair and leaned back and stared out into the window as the sky was now spread before her. Now she only focused on that: Sabrina had gone off with a child. Even though Sabrina built the best possible life for herself, all of that aside, it meant to Teresa if Saben was really her grandchild, that she should
Teresa sat on the sofa and gazed at her phone; on its screen, a message from an investigator was staring back. Inside, everything she had: the office address of Sabrina, along with her mobile phone number. As she began rereading, her hands became slightly trembling. Mixed within her was excitement and nervousness as well as this yearning deep in to reconnect again.For a moment, she hesitated. What would Sabrina think? Would she even respond? Would she be angry that Teresa had gone to such lengths to find her? Despite the fears, Teresa knew this was something she had to do. There were too many years of silence, too many questions left unanswered. She couldn't let another day go by without trying.Deep breathing in, Teresa opened the messaging application and started typing on her device.Teresa:Sabrina,This is Teresa Thompson. I wish this text comes well to you. It will sound strange to you I think, but I want to see you. I have to say so much, and it is about time for us to see eac
This shadow, the shadow of the betrayal Clara, the lover of Benedict, had waited for, just begun to glow in Sabrina's life. All these years she was there but always on the sidelines watching with her eagle eye. Benedict's attentions waxed and waned toward Sabrina after all these years, and what drove Clara now was jealousy mixed with a desperate refusal to let go of what she thought hers. If Clara could not have Benedict then she could ruin Sabrina's life. Clara sat in her plush apartment, tapping the long, polished fingernails of her hand against the champagne flute.A wicked grin crept across her face as she opened up her laptop and scrolled through photos and whispers of Sabrina's success. Sabrina Ultra, the brand, was now the epitome of elegance and resilience, of strength and creativity. That was the thing Clara had hated about it. I will let the world see what is really behind that faultless mask,' Clara thought wickedly to herself, her eyes blazing with wickedness. She approache
A knock on the door pulled her from her thoughts, and Penelope entered, her face set with determination. “The PR team is ready to draft a response. Also, the legal team is preparing to send a cease-and-desist to Clara.” Sabrina nodded. “Good. Let’s make it clear that I’m not going to let this slide.” As Penelope left to tidy up the loose ends, Sabrina's phone buzzed with a message. It was from an unknown number: "Enjoy your moment in the spotlight, Sabrina. It won't last long."Her hands gripped the phone tightly, her pulse racing. Clara wasn't finished yet—but neither was she. The next evening, she stormed into an exclusive restaurant where she knew Clara was dining. Heads turned as she crossed the room, exuding the aura of grandeur. Clara looked up to pretend surprise."Ah, if it isn't the woman of the hour," Clara said mockingly, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Cut the drama," Sabrina snapped. "I know it was you who dished out that trash to the press.". Clara leaned back in her c
"Sabrina," Benedict said, his voice softening. "Please. I deserve to know the truth.If he is my son…I want to be part of his life." Sabrina's eyes welled with tears as she finally gazed at him, her guard breaking down. "Why now, Benedict? Why you care after all these years? You have made it obvious that you don't want the family thing with me long ago." His face contorted with regret."I was a fool, Sabrina. I didn't know what I had until it was gone. And if Saben is my son, I need to make things right—for him, and for you." Silence hung between them as Sabrina wrestled with her emotions. Finally, she took a deep breath, her voice trembling. "Yes," she admitted, her words barely above a whisper."Saben is your son." He just gasped. There was a mixture of shock and relief on his face as he ran his fingers through his hair, gasping hard as he tried to draw in her words. "My son." Benedict said almost to himself. Sabrina wiped at a tear on her cheek. Her voice was steady, but the storm i
Sabrina took a deep breath, trying to push away the weight of the chaos outside these walls. She stepped further into the room, her presence immediately catching Saben's attention."Mommy!" Saben called out, his face lighting up even more as he slid off the stool and ran toward her.Sabrina squatted down, pinning him to her as she hugged him close. "Hi, baby. How did you do for Grandma and Great-Grandma?"Saben was bobbing his head and nodding furiously; curls were bouncing all over his face. "We baked cookies! And Grandma Wendy let me sprinkle them at the top!""Well, now?" Sabrina asked with a warm, chuckling laugh, looking up at Wendy.Wendy stood up elegantly, smoothing the front of her blouse. "He's just the little helper. What a bright, happy boy you have there, Sabrina. Just like your daddy was when he was a boy."Leila comes over and puts a gentle touch on Sabrina's shoulder. "You look so tired, sweetheart. Okay?Sabrina hesitated, her smile faltering. For a moment, she though
Wendy settled back into her chair, the weight of that decision settling in her chest like a quiet storm. She had built her empire over years of ruthless precision and now, for the first time in years, she was directing that power at someone who had dared hurt her family.Her fingers tapped rhythmically on the armrest as she thought of Clara's position. A famous reporter, who had once been involved with Benedict, using her influence to undermine Sabrina and sabotage everything she had worked for. It was bold, reckless, and most of all, unforgivable.Leila sat nearby, looking at her mother with a mix of admiration and concern. "Do you really think Clara will back down when she finds out about the investigation?Wendy's lips curled into a tight smile. "Clara's played in the big leagues too long. She thinks she can twist the truth to her advantage. But she's forgotten one thing: I built my empire on truths buried deep, and I have no problem digging up the truth about her. The world will s
The day of the press conference arrived, and Benedict stood before the flashing cameras, his face a mixture of determination and frustration. He knew this wasn’t just about clearing his name—it was about protecting Sabrina, their son Saben, and the family he had let fall apart for far too long. The room was crammed full of reporters, with their microphones extended toward him, like vultures waiting to snatch the first drop of blood. Benedict cast a glance in the direction of his PR team, who were nodding as if every thing was in place. Benedict cleared his throat and advanced toward the podium, his deep voice cutting across the noise."Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for being here," Benedict started, his voice low but firm. "I've called this press conference to address the recent allegations surrounding my family, specifically regarding my relationship with Sabrina Auburn and the child we have together, Saben."The murmurs in the room went louder, but Benedict kept his hand up, s
Eliana brushed a tear from her cheek. "He didn't look even remotely regretful.""No, he won't," Nathaniel said quietly. "But that's not your job anymore."Eliana stood on unsteady legs. "Can I… get out of here?"Of course," Margaret said. "I'll deal with the press."Nathaniel escorted her out of the courtroom through the back door. Flashbulbs flared outside as reporters yelled questions, but Margaret stood firm, pushing them aside.Outside in their parking lot, the sun began to cool in late afternoon, but it still felt warm on Eliana's skin."I thought I'd be better," she breathed. "I thought… when it was done, I'd feel free."Nathaniel walked beside her, staying step for step. "Healing does not happen in court. It occurs day by day. Painfully sometimes. Quietly sometimes. But you're not alone."She raised her head to his. "You actually loved him once, didn't you?"Nathaniel's jaw was shut tight. "He was my father. I worked my entire life to be the sort of son he'd be proud of. And th
The courtroom was charged. Journalists slouched forward, pen tips hovered above notebooks. Cameras clicked quietly, capturing every concerned face. The air reeked with the scent of waxed wood and unspoken gravitas.Eliana sat on the plaintiffs' side of the bench, putting her hands over her lap. Bruises on both cheeks had lost their color, but the cuts from what she had endured were still pink and raw-looking. Her attorney, Margaret Lin, to her right, pored over papers with deliberate purpose.Across the aisle, William Harper sat, stone-faced. Leaning forward before him, whispering into his ear, was his attorney, Mitchell Crane. William remained silent. His eyes were on Eliana, a tempest brewing behind them.Judge Ramirez appeared, and the courtroom rose. She sat, gavel tapped once to bring the court to order."Be seated," she commanded.Margaret stood and pushed her glasses up. "Your Honor, the prosecution would like to bring Eliana Thompson forward as a witness."Eliana stood from he
Beneath the chilly gust blowing onto her cheeks, Eliana did not realize that she had been crying thus far.Sufficient to say, outside the courtroom proper, in the hallway, there were whispers between reporters and lawyers, and whisperings suspiciously filled the air. Cameras clicked outside of her peripheral vision, but she glided through them all like a ghost in her own existence."Eliana!" a voice shouted.She whirled around to see Benedict approaching her, his expression white with anxiety. For someone who was renowned for keeping emotions sequestered behind a closed vault, his eyes betrayed him now—fear, remorse, heartache."I ought to have predicted this," he muttered, clasping her shoulders firmly. "I should have known they would aim at you.""You couldn't have stopped it," she murmured, but her voice shook. "He hates you, Dad. And he used me to hurt you.""I did this. Paul Harper's destruction was at my hands. His son's fury—it all stems from what I did.""You didn't ruin them.
The courtroom hummed with anticipation, all the seats filled to capacity by witnesses whose mutters and papers shuffling created the atmosphere. The front bench symbolized the same justice most of them had arrived anticipating today's verdict to render.Eliana Thompson sat poised on the witness stand, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Nineteen years old, she was placed in a situation older than her years, but her eyes were steadfast, her voice unflappable.In the corner of the room, William Harper sat at the defense table, his face impassive. Paul Harper's son, a disgraced former board member of BMX Estates, William's presence was a harsh reminder of previous betrayals and the extremes to which revenge could propel a man.The prosecution lawyer, Delgado, walked up to the stand."Miss Thompson," Delgado started, "can you tell us about your relationship with the defendant?"Eliana nodded. "We went to the same university. Our encounters were brief—friendly nods, nothing more.""No ro
"Acknowledged," Judge Ramirez answered.The courtroom heard. William's voice echoed in the room."You think your family's above the law? I'll demonstrate power."Sabrina held Benedict's hand. Saben's fists were balled.Eliana's voice on the tape shook as she pleaded with him to stop.The courtroom was silent when the audio stopped.Mitchell rose. "Miss Thompson, isn't it a fact that you two had a history together?"Eliana blinked. "We went to school together. That's all.""No romantic history?""At all.""Maybe he misunderstood your relationship."Eliana gave him a glare. "No. He knew what he was doing."Mitchell took a step back.Then the detective, then the medical team. Each described a picture of meticulous planning, evidence, and motive.The defense final witness was a psychiatrist."Mr. Harper has unresolved trauma and delusions. Although he knew right from wrong, his emotions clouded his judgment."But Delgado stood up and asked one question."Did he know what he was doing when
The acrid odor of antiseptics wafted on, sterile and heavy. It hung in well-lit passageways in St. Martin General Hospital, echoing off tiled floors scrubbed spotless. Nurses rushed through, their soft-sold footwear barely making any sound as they blazed through doors to a room, bringing medication and checking vital signs. There was a single passageway that differed.Two uniformed police officers stood outside Room 312 like granite statues, staring and unblinking. They loomed oppressively over the otherwise antiseptic air. Within, the man they were instructed to protect lay unconscious, strapped to monitors and IVs.William Harper was in no way the towering figure the world was used to having beforehand. He was pinched and gaunt to the face, lips dry and cracked, and a wide bandage across his forehead. There was the soft beep of the heart monitor, slow. He breathed, but little else.Detective Arthur Payne stepped into the room with a determined but even gait. His black overcoat moved
Not anymore.Stepping out of the police station into the chill of early dawn, Sabrina wrapped her coat around herself and glanced at Benedict."We are not going home straight away, are we?" Sabrina asked."No," he said. "We are going to the hospital.""Eliana has to rest—""She's going to be lying in front of that motherfucker Harper in a hospital bed," Benedict growled. "I will have to contend with him.""Dad." Eliana attempted.But Benedict was already off, jaw set.They went in two cars. Damian drove with Saben and Eliana and Sabrina in the rear of the second car with Benedict. There was tension. There was an atmosphere of oppression all around them and a heavy buildup of tension.Within the vehicle, Damian addressed her. "You had do well to avoid the hospital for the moment, El."Eliana raised an eyebrow. "Why?""Because Benedict Thompson and William Harper at the same location? That's not a family reunion I'd care to have front-row seats to."Saben growled, "He's correct."Eliana
INT. POLICE STATION – NIGHT TO EARLY MORNINGSA hum of quiet voices echoed in the tiny police station. A sweet chemical scent of metallic disinfectant hung in the air, mixing with the acrid scent of old coffee. Soft hums filled the air from fluorescent lights overhead.Eliana sat still on a bench beside the corner, wrapped in a rough gray blanket an officer had provided. Her cheek was bandaged, bruised just below her jawline. Her own hands shook a little tighter, though she had them concealed in her lap.Damian leaned against the wall across from her, arms crossed and blood still congealing on his sleeve from a cut on his forearm. Nathaniel stood further off, alone, his face pale, his shirt covered in soot and gunpowder. He'd hardly uttered a word since he made his statement.The double doors of the station burst open with a creaking crash."Eliana!"She shifted her attention rapidly. There they were — her family.Sabrina, lovely even when panicked, ran first. Her coat hung over one s
The door of the warehouse creaked open as she slipped within.The air reeked with sweat, metal, and danger.Fluorescent light buzzed overhead. Footsteps—quiet, measured—rang off metal beams.She glided like a phantom, every step measured. Over rusty crates and scattered trash, her breathing harmonized. She didn't recoil at the groans or distant clatters.Until—"Hello, Eliana."She stopped.A man emerged from behind the warehouse, out of the darkness. Tall. In a new charcoal suit. Thin, satisfied smile on his mouth.One of William Harper's finest enforcers."Mr. Harper sends his regards," he said, his voice silky with poison. "He thought you'd show up."Her teeth were gritted. "Of course he did. He always did enjoy the dramatic entrance.".The man laughed. "He said you were predictable. Guess he was right.""You've been chasing my family like it's a game.""Your father started this. Exposed a man who created legacies. Hospitals. Universities. You all pretend like you're the heroes, bu