One quiet evening, Sabben having dozed off, and Sabrina and Benedict find themselves alone in the living room of Sabrina as it is warm with coze. The dim luminescence of the fire place brightens up both their faces as they sit on a couch, with palpable tension in the air.Benedict cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "Sabrina," he started low and hesitant. "I know things haven't been easy between us, and I. I want to talk. Really talk."Sabrina looked at him, her face expressionless but inquisitive. "I'm listening, Benedict." she said softly, folding her hands in her lap.Benedict took a deep breath. "I've done so many wrong things. I hurt you in ways that I'm not even capable of justifying. But losing Saben for even those few hours. it made me understand how much I need this. Need us." His eyes locked into hers. He didn't move, didn't look away. "I know it takes time, but I want to rebuild what I have broken. I want to earn back your trust.".There was unshed pain in Sabrina's b
Sabrina had watched him as he staggered toward the bed her heart burdened by his state of inebriation. As he lay there between the reality of sleep and wakefulness she stroked his brow with her fingertips and whispered to him, "Sleep my love, it is well, I'm with you again Benedict."Benedict raised his head slowly from the fog of his dream, and in the distance beheld a form magnificent in beauty approach his bed, calling his name as she came.Looking up, his eyes now open he pulled a strand of hair away from her neck as she leaned over him and sank his teeth into the softness there. She moaned exhaling as she did, her nails digging into his shoulders."Oh Benedict, I have missed you so," she cooed softly!All the candles he'd placed about the room lit in unison of their own accord, and their wavering light began to fill the air. His heart swelled in his chest as he gazed at her face, and a mist slowly covered the love filled sheen of his eyes."I love you Sabrina," he'd responded!Hi
She convulsed tightly around Benedict's thrusting member, urging him to spill his seed in the warmth of her softness. Now he could no longer abstain; his bag jerked and tightened as he blasted into the seducing warmth of Sabrina's soft grinding opening, filled with the fire of life as his agonized cry of pleasure filled the room.Her demanding softness shattered him, casting his strength down stories below on a bed of jagged stone. Where he lay broken and empty, a mere shadow and shell of the formidable driving force he'd been moments ago."I love you Benedict," she purred against his chest, as his last shuddering thrust filled her satiated form above him!"And you my love are the end of all my sweetest dreams," he gasped desperately! The cool air of the room kissing his fevered flesh, as he slipped from the warmth of her soft sheath!She raised herself at last and looked down into his face, her hair was lit with a strong wash of moonlight that created a gypsy halo, as thin as vapor g
Sabrina cast a quick glance towards Benedict. Her expression changed immediately as she was worried. "Benedict, dress yourself. Saben could come in at any minute," she whispered.Benedik nodded, softening his face. He wouldn't want to make it uncomfortable, especially since both of them had gone through a lot. Carefully stepping out of the bed, he moved silently towards getting into a shirt and trousers. His eyes caught up with Sabrina's and gave her an easy smile while he could feel how apprehensive she looked in his eyes.Sabrina stood up as well, moving toward the door. “I’ll go get him,” she said softly. But before she could open it, she heard Saben calling again, more insistently this time.“Mommy? Where are you?”Sabrina took a long breath, smiling at Benedict as she stood before the door with a hand resting on the doorknob. "Let's be a family again," Sabrina said, her words filled with tenderness to Benedict.Benedict walked up behind her and gently touched her arm. “We are, Sa
Unbeknownst to them, Clara's hired operative hid in the crowd, merging himself with other guests. His camera, hidden away in his jacket, quietly snapped one picture after the other of the unsuspecting family. Benedict's proud stance, Sabrina's radiant smile, and Saben's infectious laughter-all were frozen in time and sent directly to Clara.Clara’s instructions had been precise: document everything, study every interaction, and uncover any chink in their seemingly perfect armor. The operative zoomed in, his lens trained on the way Benedict’s hand gently rested on Sabrina’s back, a gesture of quiet affection. He snapped another shot as Saben tugged playfully on his father’s tie, causing the crowd around them to laugh."Good," the operative muttered, slipping away unnoticed as the family remained blissfully unaware of the storm brewing in the shadows.Hours later, Clara sat in her dimly lit apartment, her eyes fixed on her laptop screen as the photos uploaded one by one. Each image fuel
The night was quiet in the Thompson household, filled with warmth and family bonding in every corner. Sabrina tucked Saben into bed, kissing his forehead as his laughter still lingered in her ears. Benedict stood by the doorway, watching them with a tender smile that reflected his gratitude for this second chance with his family. "He's growing so fast," Sabrina whispered as she pulled the blanket over Saben.Benedict nodded, taking another step closer and slipping his arm around her shoulders. "And every day, I see more of you in him. He's strong, kind, and full of life. Just like his mom."Sabrina smiled, leaning into the touch. For a moment, it felt like the outside world didn't exist. It was just the three of them—a family tied together by love and resolve to move beyond the past.But the storm that was brewing in the shadows would not wait long. Elsewhere, Shadow’s eyes scanned lines of encrypted data, his mind focused on his mission. Clara's instructions were clear, and Shadow p
"Then hurry it up," Benedict cut him off. "I expect results."Sabrina stayed in her home office amidst supportive notes left by her closest friends and employees who would not allow the rumors to define who she was. Amidst all the chaos, a hurt part of her felt attacked that so many others can judge her quickly. In a lavish café across the city, Clara sipped her coffee, scrolling through the trending hashtags with a satisfied smirk. Every post, every comment, every share was a victory.“They thought they could have everything,” she muttered to herself. “But happiness like theirs doesn’t last. Not when I’m watching.”Her phone buzzed with a message from Shadow.Shadow: Phase One is successful. Ready for Phase Two?Clara's smile opened wider. She typed one word back: Clara: K Continue Benedict and Sabrina were no longer able to escape the bright glare of the public's attention. Wherever they went, cameras and microphones followed. News anchors camped outside their home, reporters tr
The air was charged with tension as Benedict stepped into the conference room. The room buzzed with reporters, their voices a murmur of anticipation. Flashes from cameras created a staccato rhythm, illuminating the polished wood of the podium. Sabrina clutched his hand tightly, her knuckles white. She glanced at him, her hazel eyes swimming with both fear and determination."You ready?" she whispered.He nodded, jaw gritted. "We have it."Behind them, silent but stern, stood the commanding figure of Wendy Taylor. Beside her sat Saben, his toy car in restless hands, a peaceful child with no notion how serious things were.He stepped up to the podium. His eyes passed over the tide of faces before him and the noise was muted when the room took its breath collectively. Deep and resonant, Benedict's voice came forward from its silence."Good morning. Over the last few weeks, my family and I have been victim to vicious lies that intend to destroy everything we've worked for and hold dear. To
Eliana had managed crises for years. Delays in the supply chain, faulty products, high-pressure investor meetings—she'd mastered them all with cold efficiency.Nothing, however, pushed her patience to its limits like Nathaniel Harper.She stood in the middle of the factory floor, arms folded, as employees scrambled around her, checking the five hundred faulty units that had brought the whole schedule into disarray.Nathaniel, naturally, by her side with his telltale smirk, observing everything as if this was his own soap opera."Gotta say, Princess," Nathaniel said, leaning in with a tilt of his head. "I didn't think your business had such a huge screw-up. I thought you had a tight ship."Eliana gritted her teeth. "I do have a tight ship. But even the best operations have hiccups."Nathaniel whistled. "Interesting. Because if this occurred in my firm, heads would already be rolling by now."She glared at him. "We don't fix things by firing people willy-nilly. Unlike some companies, we
He nodded at Nathaniel as he left and then ran for the door. "Good luck getting along with her, Harper."Nathaniel chuckled. "Oh, I don't need luck. I like it."Eliana tossed a napkin in his direction. "Get back to work!"Nathaniel snatched it out of the air. "Yes, boss."As Saben walked through the doors, Nathaniel leaned on the table and observed as Eliana tore into her food."So… gonna thank me for making your day interesting?"Eliana glared at him, face as flat as a board. "I'm going to throw this hot soup at you."Nathaniel grinned, hands up in defeat. "I'll assume that's a no Eliana."Despite her disdain for saying it, Eliana couldn't help but let the tiniest curl of her lips.Because, despite everything—despite the mess, the fights, and the ever-present arguing—she knew something.This war between them?It was hardly over.And maybe, maybe she didn't care at all.Inside the factory, the workers were busy sorting the merchandise for bulk shipment. Cartons of designer handbags we
The next morning, Eliana drove to the Sabrina Ultra plant in front of her car in an ill-temper. She didn't feel like she was up for handling him.After last night's nightmare of the missing shipments—and the horror of having to work alongside Nathaniel Harper—she barely slept at all. Not out of fear. No. But from the smirking man's face and obnoxious voice going round and round in her head like a broken record.She shook her head. Forget it. Concentrate, Eliana.Taking a big breath, Eliana stepped across the factory doors, her shoes clicking on the gleaming concrete floor.And there Nathaniel was.Nathaniel Harper, standing against the loading docks, looking infuriatingly serene with his arms crossed, wearing a sleek navy blue suit that was too handsome for a man so infuriating.The instant he saw her, his signature smirk appeared."Good morning, Princess. Sleep well?"Eliana shook her head. "Not that it's any of yours, but yeah, I did. You know, unlike you, I have a job to get to."
Early the following morning, Eliana drove up to the factory in a crisp navy-blue business suit, her heels clicking against the ground as she got out of the car. Nathaniel was already present, resting against his brand new black sports car, the smile on his face enraging."You're late, Princess," Nathaniel slurred when she got near.Eliana snorted, adjusting her blazer. "I'm on time. Perhaps you're just too early because you have nothing better to do."Nathaniel grinned, jamming his hands into his pockets. "Or perhaps I just enjoy seeing you hurry about like a madwoman."She shot him a look. "I wasn't panicking.""Refresh your memory, of course," he announced, pushing open the factory door with a flourish and bowing courtly. "After you, Your Grumpiness Royal."Eliana raised an eyebrow but trailed behind, surrounded by the smell of leather and whine of machinery whirring. Laborers scurried to prepare the newest shipping line out into the world.She strolled along the assembly line, taki
Eliana opened the door to her family mansion with a push of the front entrance, fatigue sitting upon her as heavily as an anchor. The moment she set foot inside, home enveloped her in welcome comfort—the scent of food preparation, the muted hum of television, and laughter spilling through from the living room. And then, suddenly, someone hailed."And there she is—the great Eliana Thompson, grumpy and emitting the aura of a thousand boardroom battles." Eliana groaned. No way. Sprawled on the couch was her elder brother Saben, a bowl of popcorn between his knees, a really smug grin dawning upon his face."Not now, Saben," snarled Eliana, kicking her heels off and massaging her temples. Oh no, no, no," Saben said, sitting up."I need to know what happened. You look like you've been through a war… and lost." Eliana gave him a glare. "For your information, I did fight a war, and I am winning." Saben shoved a piece of popcorn into his mouth and smirked."Uh-huh. And does this war include a
Nathaniel looked up, unruffled. "Good morning, Princess. You appear. well, exhausted."Eliana waved the comment aside. "You're distracting my team."Nathaniel rested his arms on the table and leaned back against it. "I prefer to say 'cooperating.'"Her eyes narrowed. "That's ironic, because it appears a good deal of adjusting around here is accomplished without consulting me."Nathaniel assumed an innocent expression. "Oh? I thought you had too much to do last night fixing things up to care about opinions."Her blood boiled. "I don't require your help.""No, but your staff does," he replied with a suave smile, glancing around the designers. "They're skilled, but they don't have vision."Eliana leaned in, fire blazing in her eyes. "And you possess it?"Nathaniel's smile expanded. "I do."She gasped roughly. "This is my company. My mother started this from the ground up. You don't get to waltz in and act like you own the company."Nathaniel moved in closer, his voice low. "Oh, but I do,
Eliana pulled herself in, spent. Her whole body hurt from the hours of repairing the damage Nathaniel had done. Her body longed to sleep, but her mind refused to. Not yet. Not while he was out there deceiving her guests.Light in the living room illuminated as the sole hint to anybody that somebody was awake. The moment she closed the door, she could already hear the approaching footsteps.Sabrina Auburn-Thompson was standing before her, with arms folded and a concerned expression on her face."You're late Eliana," her mother replied back, tone tinged with concern and ire. "Again."Eliana sighed and rubbed her temple. "Mom, not tonight. Please."Sabrina came near, her sharp eyes scanning her daughter's weary face. "You didn't have dinner. Your father, Saben, and I waited."Guilt settled in Eliana's heart. "I was working on something. I didn't mean to—"Her mother cut in. "This is because of Nathaniel Harper, isn't it?"Eliana clenched her teeth. "He messed with the designs, Mom. I had
Eliana stepped into the brand new joint venture office, wearing a chic navy-blue dress and razor-sharp heels.Today would be the day they settled the next phase in the expansion—whether or not Nathaniel intervened.She approached, expecting already to find him inside, sneering at her with that odious smirk.She was right.Nathaniel leaned at an angle on the conference table. His arms crossed over his chest, his bright blue eyes still shot with a twinkle of amusement."Eliana," Nathaniel drawled.She set her tablet down on the table, scowling. "Some of us actually get things done, Harper."Nathaniel rose from his chair, laughing. "Oh, don't try to tell me you're still furious at what happened last night Eliana."Her eyes blazed with anger. "Oh, I'm far beyond furious."Nathaniel grinned. "Good. I prefer you angry."Eliana's jaw hardened. "And I prefer you not standing over me." Nathaniel chuckled. "Where's the fun in that Elaine?"There was a fury on Eliana's face and in the way she h
She hated the way he said it—like he was so sure she would lose. Like he was so sure he would win.Not on your life.Eliana grabbed her phone and dialed in a rush."Mark. Summon an emergency meeting of the design and logistics staff. Now. I want all department heads there in thirty minutes.""As you command, ma'am," Mark replied sharply.She would not let Nathaniel Harper destroy all she had built.Not now.Not ever.Thirty Minutes Later – Conference RoomEliana flung open the door, her mere arrival commanding everyone's attention who sat at the long glass table.“I assume you’ve all heard about the recent ‘technical difficulties’ in our design department,” she began, her voice sharp and clipped.The team exchanged nervous glances."Yes, Ms. Thompson," one of the older designers answered cautiously. "The system crash destroyed a number of design drafts and corrupted others. We've been trying to—""I don't want to hear excuses," Eliana interrupted, her gaze flashing. "I want answers."