Sabrina and Benedict had sent this. Photos and newspaper clippings covered the dimly lit room. In her mind, Clara was a whirlwind of anger and mad desire. Her lips curled into a sneer as she regarded the happy family in a tabloid cover photo. The headline read: "Thompson and Auburn Reunited: A New Beginning."Her fingers closed tighter to the edge of the paper; it crumpled up in her hand. "They think they've won," she was saying to herself with a venomous tone of voice. “But I’m not done with them. Not by a long shot.”Clara's obsession had consumed her, festering into something far darker. She started mapping out a new plan that would shatter Benedict and Sabrina's world permanently. "If I can't have my happiness, neither will they," she whispered, her eyes gleaming with malice.Clara's phone buzzed again, the insistent vibration echoing through the silent, shadowy room. She scowled, her patience wearing thin. Reaching out to grab the device, she stared at the screen, her lips curlin
A single shot boomed, hitting her in the shoulder and slamming her down on the floor. Agents surged in, pinioning her hands behind her, removing the detonator and turning the thing off.“Clara Hemp, you’re under arrest for conspiracy, attempted murder, and terrorism,” Agent Morris said, his voice cold.Clara cackled through the pain, her bloodstained teeth bared in a grotesque smile. “You think this is over?” she rasped. “You think you’ve won? They’ll never be happy. NEVER!”Morris knelt beside her, his expression unyielding. “You’ve lost, Clara. It’s over.”The next morning, Benedict and Sabrina sat in their living room, the tension thick in the air as they waited for an update. When Benedict's phone buzzed, he answered immediately.Agent Morris's voice was steady on the other end. "Mr. Thompson, Clara Hemp has been apprehended. She won't be a threat to your family anymore."Benedict let out a long breath, his hand squeezing Sabrina's. "Thank you, Agent Morris. Truly."As he hung up,
For Benedict and Sabrina, all the roads had opened to endless possibilities of love, resilience, and the profound bond that could have been forged through battles both inside and out. Holding their hands tightly against each other, they boldly embarked into that bright light ahead, leaving the haunting shadows of Clara Hemp behind for good, ready for whatever followed next.As they drove through the beautiful Californian landscape, the weight of the confrontation slowly began to lift. Sabrina gazed out of the window, the golden fields stretching endlessly, mirroring the possibilities that lay ahead of them."Benedict," she began softly, turning to look at him. "Do you ever think about what would have happened if Clara hadn't come into our lives?"He caught her eye for just a second, then focused back on the road ahead, his hand tightly gripping the steering wheel without being overly so. "I've thought about it more times than I can count," he said finally. "But every time, I come to t
It had been seven days since things had taken a turning point in the lives of Benedict and Sabrina, and she was finally getting ready to rejoice in their new love and her promise with him. The engagement ball was not an ordinary ballroom affair but represented all that they fought for—family, love, and resilience. And as evening fell, there was no sign that this would be one forgettable night.The place was an exquisite mansion located right in the middle of California. The huge ballroom glistened with class, adorned with soft ivory and gold drapes. The crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and the soft warm, golden glow fell across the guests. Fresh roses and orchids were spread throughout, which matched the fresh greenery and elegant floral arrangements throughout the room. Everything was planned to the last minute because this was going to be one of the most important moments for Benedict and Sabrina.With people arriving, laughter and excitement filled the air. Sabrina and Be
The evening's music dwindled into silence, and it was time to let the guests take their leave, so Benedict and Sabrina remained by the grand entrance of the estate, waving everyone off. Hugs and words of warmth and congratulations sent waves of pure gratitude and exuberance within them. Saben, snug in Teresa's arms, was fast asleep, his little hand holding onto the lapel of her dress.The laughter and light of the evening had tired him out, but the soft smile on his face said volumes about his happiness, even in dreams. Penelope gave Sabrina one last playful nudge before heading off. “Don’t forget, Sab. I need all the wedding details first. Don’t you dare plan it without me!” Sabrina laughed, pulling her friend into a warm hug. “You’ll be the first to know, I promise. Thank you for everything, Pen.” When the car carrying Wendy Taylor and Leila Auburn arrived, both women extended their hands to Sabrina. Under the heavy chandeliers of the estate, Wendy's eyes sparkled as she kissed Sabri
She watched as Benedict slowly pulled down the cups of her bra, exposing her bare chest to him. His fingers slowly danced over her nipples in a taunting manner. she moaned softly, as he took a nipple into his mouth, sucking roughly while toying with her other breast.-nagend sa a casanova bedscene. "Benedict," she whimpered as he bit down. He pulled his mouth from her breast, making a popping sound, cocking his eyebrow at her. Hi moved his hands, slowly stroking her hips while teasing the waste bans of her stockings. "Yes, princess?" She writhed under his gaze, "Please touch me," I begged. He smiled, and began slowly to pull her stockings down."I think I said earlier that I am in charge of things here," he said as he pulled them off her legs, looking at her body as if he hadn't eaten for years. And suddenly, he has wrapped his hands around her thighs and spread them apart, leaning down and peppering her legs with soft kisses; the polar opposite of what was to come. Then he slowly made
He pulled her panties down, then got into position with himself at her entrance. He looked up to see that she was prepared, then slid inside. She gasped under the pressure as she arched her back up and he fell onto her breast with his mouth.He started pumping himself into her, and with every movement, she panted. She wrapped her arms around his neck, holding onto him tight as his thrusts made her hips move further up on the mattress."Benedict," Sabrina moaned out. "Benedict please, I'm so close."He pulled his mouth from her breast, shaking his head as he pushed her hair back. "No angel. You don't get to cum until I say you can."She whined as a response, desperate for a release as he continued to pound into her. Despite her current state, Benedict grabbed her legs, wrapping them around his hips so he could fuck her deeper. She screamed with each thump, raising her hand and pressing it on his biceps as I pushed my hand on the curves. She burst into laughter to lighten up as he cont
Inside California prison's bleak walls, an inmate named Clara Hemp remained obdurate in rebellion. Her fellow prisoner, who spoke with quick lips and hot tongue, called Dolores, was fed up with Clara's condescending nature. The strained relations between Clara Hemp and Dolores were now burning."You think you're better than all of us, don't you Clara?" Dolores spat out, slamming her metal tray on the small table in their cell. Her voice reverberated off the cold concrete walls as it drew in the attention of inmates sitting around them. "Your rich-girl attitude won't get you very far in here, princess."Clara sat on the lower bunk, crossing her arms and giving Dolores a disdainful look. "And you think you're some kind of authority here? Save your lecture. I don't have time for your pathetic attempts to feel superior."Dolores laughed, a harsh, bitter sound. "Superior? Oh, honey, you're in the same cage as the rest of us. The only difference is, you still act like you're above it all. N
Her fingers stroked the material. "Okay," she breathed.The boutique manager came back once more, and Eliana smiled, her voice more even now. "We'll take this one.""Good choice, Miss Thompson." The manager clicked her fingers together, obviously delighted. "We'll have it steamed and wrapped up to deliver this evening, or would you like to take it with you?"He rested against the door of the fitting room, arms crossed, suit perfect, tie razor-sharp—but jaw clenched, eyes contained, tracking her each movement in the mirror."You're staring," she said without raising her gaze."You knew you would."Eliana swung around reluctantly, glancing at him.The way he regarded her—it wasn't admiration. It was possession, and something in his eyes that bordered on restraint."Well?" she breathed. "Too much?"His gaze dropped to the V of the neckline, black, and up to her face."It's perfect," he said softly. "Perilously perfect."A silence. The whir of the boutique died under weight of air between
There was silence. Alexa was always too professional ever to say anything that wasn't absolutely imperative, but Eliana could almost feel the twitch of interest in the static."Oh, of course, ma'am. I'll alert Mr. Wolfe right away."The intercom clicked off.Eliana slowly breathing out through her nose, her fingers running along the top of the desk as if signing the lines of her own doubt.Why does the ring of his name feel like pulling on wire that had twisted hard against her ribcage?Damian Wolfe. Her shadow. Her bodyguard. The man whose lips whispered softly, and whose eyes whispered too loudly, leaving her quivering.It was not right—the way he gazed at her. The way he avoided gazing at her when he should have.As Nathaniel had been comfortable with the old version of her… Damian was comfortable with the woman she wasn't yet. With the one with burning rage, fear, and smoldering lust all twisted up in one.She sat back from her computer screen, attempting to escape in work, but he
She did not scroll to the top of her phone contact list. She did not have to. Damian Wolfe was the first on everyone else's list—just like Nathaniel Carter was. Two names. Two men. One choice she'd never been able to make.Until today.Her thumb was still hovering, her breathing even.One telephone call changed the direction of her life.Before she could get cold feet, she heard footsteps—heavy, slow, familiar.She turned.Damian stood in the doorway to her office.And something about the way he was looking at her—as if she were his shelter and his tempest—stole her breath."Eliana," he said softly. "I'm not going to press you. I swear. I just. I needed to confirm that you were okay.""I am not," Eliana said softly. "But I will be."He bobbed his head. "Good. Because I've watched you shatter and remade myself. I understand how strong you can be once you finally begin not to attempt to flee from yourself."There was something primal in his gaze, something smothered yet deeply well-wrou
Vincent smiled at her. "Does your security detail have a habit of crashing high-level meetings?"Noelle smiled to himself as he put away the tray."Men, take a five."Reluctance was there, but Vincent finally relented. "As you desire, bella."The others flowed out of the room, and he was left alone with her.Eliana stood in front of Damian, arms crossed, but her voice was filled with softness. "You didn't need to defend me like that."He leaned in over her. "I wasn't sticking up for you. I was reminding them who the hell you are.""I know who I am.""Then why are you allowing this world to destroy you just so you won't hurt?" His words cut her like glass."I'm not avoiding—You haven't even cried," Damian breathed, pulling another closer to her. "Not for the disaster Harper created. Not for Nathaniel. Not even for you."She pulled her face away. "If I do, I would not be able to stop."She waited. Then:"I'd defend you if you did."Her eyes were burning. She raised her face, and there
She hauled herself up, carefully brushing her matted hair out of her face, her heart slowed a bit now. More confident. Less frantic.Her gaze returned to the phone.No new messages.And for once, that didn't sting like abandonment.It felt like freedom.She stood, walked barefoot into the kitchen, and poured the forgotten tea down the drain. It had cooled. Like the version of herself who sat around waiting for someone else to pick her.That version had fallen silent now, too.A vibration on the counter startled her.Damian.Just his name. No note. Just a missed call.She gazed at it forever, then she murdered the screen's power. She wasn't ready—not for him, not yet. Perhaps never.She moved to the living room, attracted by the hum of the television behind her. Her brother's form glowed under the blue light, stretched out on the couch with a pillow over his face as if he hadn't intended to sleep but the rest of the world had otherwise."Saben?" she whispered.He groaned. "Mmhmm?""Did
The door closed gently, but to Eliana it was a gunshot.Her spine against the wood, she was frozen, her breathing barely more than a stillness. Her voice was still stuck in her throat, her heart bruising under the words she had said to Nathaniel-the words she had only recently realized for herself. "What have I done?" Eliana whispered into the silence, her voice faltering slightly.The Thompson estates did hulk over her in oppressive silence. The sort that did not forgive-it judged.Stumbling, she fell to the couch with her knees buckling under her. Her hand brushed against the thick cushion next to her, which Nathaniel would lean against for drawing her into himself and whisper, "You feel like home.""Then why do I feel so far from it now?" she whispered.Her phone flashed when she answered it. No messages. No missed calls. No apologies. No begging. No promises. Just her. Alone. With the wreckage of something she couldn't fix.She stared at Damian's name burning on her screen. Her t
Eliana resolved to speak with Nathaniel.Nathaniel's presidential suite door was too intimate. It repelled her.She’d memorized the weight of her hand knocking on it. The scent of his cedarwood cologne that always lingered in the hallway. The way her heart used to leap—used to believe—that she belonged here.But now, everything felt quieter.Not empty. Just. still.He opened the door after two knocks, like he’d been waiting. Like he knew.“Eliana.” His voice cracked the silence like thunder rolling in slow motion. “You’re here.”She nodded, catching her breath.He hadn't slept. Rumpled shirt, rolled-up sleeves. Hair ever so slightly too messy. Eyes ever so slightly too shattered.As if he'd been injured by her very indecision."May I enter?" she asked, knowing the response in advance. Nathaniel stepped aside. "You don't need permission."She entered as if it would be her last time ever pushing the door open.He stood there with arms crossed over chest, shoulder blade against the wall
The sun filtered a reluctant angle over Eliana's headboard blinds, tinting the floor in pale golden stripes as if someone was trying to make amends for a bitter, long-fought battle. She was lying on her side, the crescent moon charm still amazing her palm, her fingers clenched around it as if it might prevent her heart from breaking into fragments.But there was reality—that her heart was already broken. In more than one place.Tap. Light. Soothing."Enter," she breathed, already suspecting who it was.Sabrina entered, loose linen thrown over her, bearing a tray full of hot tea. She put it down on the floor without a word at all, eyes drinking in the broken pieces of her daughter's mind.Eliana sat up, legs tucked under her, hair wet from last night's rain. "May I ask you something?" she asked."Always," Sabrina replied, sitting on the bed, facing her."How did you know?" Eliana's voice broke. "How did you know Dad was the one? Was it easy?"Sabrina's eyes softened. "No. God, no. It w
The storm was over, but the earthy scent of the rain remained. Fragile mist curled from the window panes of Eliana's room; now the sun had to struggle to break free from the clouds, while everything around looked bathed in soft golden light. The world looked washed clean—fresh, mysterious, like a blank page with wet ink smeared at the edges.Eliana sat on the edge of her bed, the silver crescent pendant sitting quietly in her palm. She smoothed its curve with her thumb repeatedly, as though it would somehow open up a hidden answer to her if she pressed hard enough.The sketch Saben left lay beside her, and she’d stared at it until the ink seemed to blur and reshape itself. Damian on one side. Nathaniel on the other. And her—right in the middle, like a bridge being pulled at both ends.She hadn’t slept. Not really. Just drifted in and out of thoughts so loud they echoed inside her skull."You’re the shadow that never departed.""You were the light when I was shattering."Two truths. Tw