Clara sat in the back of the taxi, replaying all the moments from her meeting with Benedict. The sharp, commanding way he carried himself; his very focus on his company and, for one brief flicker of an instant, a subtle sign of emotion when the name Sabrina was broached across his face seemed to set Clara going.Benedict was not the man she had once known in college, that carefree young man with a reputation for being charming and easygoing. No, this Benedict was different. Harder, more guarded, but somehow more compelling. There was something about him now—an intensity in his eyes, a quiet desperation—that piqued her curiosity. And his response when she pressed him about Sabrina. it had been telling.She hadn’t been expecting him to be so dismissive of his past, especially when it came to Sabrina, the woman he had once been so intertwined with. But perhaps that was the difference now—he wasn’t the man who wore his heart on his sleeve. Benedict had clearly changed, hardened by his exp
Clara leaned back slightly in her chair, her heart racing with the excitement of the moment. She had been waiting for this, and now it was finally happening. Benedict was no longer the cold, distant figure she had once admired from afar—he was here, with her, in this quiet moment of possibility. He was beginning to see her, to understand her, and maybe, just maybe, they were starting a new chapter."Yes," she said softly, her voice suffused with curiosity and expectation. "I think we will."There was something about the way Benedict gazed at her then - a mix of curiosity and something else, something stronger. For the first time that day, maybe for the first time in a long while, she didn't feel like a reporter or an opportunist. She felt like a woman, standing before a man who could see her as who she really was. And in that moment he seemed to look away, collect his thoughts, Clara knew the evening had changed. It was no longer that casual business talk, but rather something much, m
This was just the beginning, and for the first time in a long time, Clara allowed herself to believe that maybe, just maybe, the future held something beautiful in store for her and maybe it's time for her to be love.Meanwhile, as he drove, the city lights streaking against his vision, thoughts wandered to the evening he had just shared with Clara. Her presence was comforting and nostalgic, tugging at memories of college days long gone. She was his crush back then, a passing fancy he'd never acted on. Now, Clara stood before him like a ghost, reappearing in his life when everything else felt like a whirlwind.Clara Hemp was a girl who always occupied the limelight. In college, she embodied grace and charm in one—the perfect blend of beauty, brains, and ambition. That radiant smile and confident stride turned heads wherever she went. She was hardly a student; she was an event. As a candidate for Miss California 2021, Clara became an overnight phenomenon at their campus. She was a quee
It made Sabrina's heart beat a little faster as the thought took root. What if it isn't too late? She tried to push it away, but it lingered, persistent and dangerous. After all this time, after everything that had happened, could there still be a chance for them? Could Benedict really still care? Or was it just the lingering echoes of a past she had long tried to bury?She shook her head, trying to push those thoughts away. Benedict was gone, wasn't he? He had Clara now, didn't he? But why would the notion of him searching for her feel so palpable, so plausible?Her gaze slid back to Saben, sleeping peacefully in his crib, unaware of the storm in his mother's chest. He was the constant, the one person around whom everything revolved, the only one who needed her, who she could never abandon. And yet, she found her mind wandering, asking the impossible question: What if they had a chance?With a soft sigh, she backed away from the window, tracing the cool glass with her fingers. What w
Night stretched on, but his will to find her only intensified. He would stop at nothing, go wherever she was, to find her.Benedict stood by the window, his silhouette framed against the glow of the city lights. The world outside seemed vast and indifferent, but he refused to let it swallow his determination. His mind replayed moments from their time together—Sabrina’s laughter, the way her eyes sparkled when she spoke about her dreams, the quiet strength she carried even in the face of adversity.He had let her slip once through his hands. He had lost her because of his pride and blindness brought about by his ambition. And now, no way. This time, he would do all that it takes to bridge the chasm that stood between them.He picked up his phone, scrolled through contact after contact until finally his private investigator appeared on the screen. With a deep breath, he picked the call."It's me," he said, as soon as the connection happened. His tone was firm and unyielding. "I need you
For Clara Hemp, love was never a mere emotion-it was a destination. And Benedict was not just anybody; he was the man she had loved since college-the man she was sure of being able to make happy.In her mind, every step she took was deliberate, calculated. She wasn't chasing some old flame; she was building a future, one where Benedict could finally leave the pain of his past behind. The dinners, the conversations, even the seemingly casual text messages—each was part of her plan to secure a place in his life.She believed in herself, in her charm and intelligence. She was always the queen of the room she walked into. Now, she was going to reclaim that role in Benedict's life. "He needs me," she told herself. "He just doesn't know it yet."Still, a part of her felt a flicker of insecurity. She couldn't ignore the unspoken presence of Sabrina in Benedict's life. Though he was polite and engaging, there was a part of him that felt distant, like he was still tethered to someone who wasn'
As the cool night breeze swept through the house that her Grandma Wendy bought for them in Paris, Sabrina sat by the window, thoughts pulling her back to a time she had tried so hard to forget. The memories came rushing in, uninvited, as if the mention of Clara had unlocked a door she kept firmly shut.Four years ago, when she and her mother, Leila, were maids for Benedict's family, life had been easy, though filled with quiet struggles. She recalled how Benedict's laughter would carry through the halls when his friends came over, the sound carrying all the way to the kitchen where she helped her mother prepare meals.And then, there was her. Clara Hemp.Sabrina had never met Clara back then, but she knew her name all too well. Benedict's friends would bring her up endlessly—how beautiful she was, how smart and confident, the queen of their college campus. Benedict, too, would speak of her in a way that made Sabrina's heart ache in silence.Sabrina couldn't dismiss those words. They s
The next day, sitting in his office, the concentration of Benedict was broken by the sound of the door opening. He looked up with a jerk of his head and saw Clara standing there with a mischievous smile across her face and a takeaway bag slung over her arm. "Hey," she chirped, her voice light and casual. "I was just in the area and thought I'd bring some lunch. Hope you don't mind some company. Benedict blinked, caught off guard for a moment. He hadn't expected her to just appear like this. "Clara, you didn't have to do that," he said, standing up from his desk, hesitating. "But. I guess I could use a break. Thanks for the food. She stepped into the room with confident grace, with soft clicking heels on the floor. Clara placed the bag at the table, deliberate in the action, showing what enticement lay within: not complicated but all of him. She could see there had been thought in it — everything he liked, yet nothing too complicated, just that little gesture to show how much she car
Benedict nodded curtly, his jaw tightening. “Make sure she doesn’t. She’s done enough damage.”Sabrina had tucked Saben into bed by now, her heart hurting in how small and fragile he looked. "Mommy's here, sweetie," she said gently, stroking his hair as his eyes closed against her fingers. "You are all right now."Benedict stood in the doorway, silent. He let go of Sabrina, who was rising from where she sat beside the bed, when she entered the hallway.Sabrina met his gaze, tears glistening in her eyes. “I just want this nightmare to be over.”“It will be,” Benedict said firmly, pulling her into his arms. “We’ll make sure of it. Together.”For the first time in years, Sabrina felt herself lean into his arms, finding strength in him. Standing there together for their son was their love, and so that fragile bonding started to heal slowly.Clara slid to stop in an unused park lot along the outskirts of town, her car grinding to an abrupt halt in the quiet darkness. Gaining enough composu
As they led Saben into the dimly lit warehouse, Clara stepped out of the shadows, her face twisted with a mix of triumph and madness.“Welcome, Saben,” she said, her voice dripping with malice. “Your parents will come soon enough. And when they do…” She trailed off, her eyes gleaming with sinister intent.Saben stared up at her, his small face defiant despite his fear. “My mommy and daddy will stop you,” he said bravely.Clara's smile wavered for a moment before it returned. "We shall see about that," she said icily.Scarface crouched in front of him, faking a friendly smile. "Don't worry, kid. This is just a little adventure. You'll see your mommy and daddy soon.""But why can't I go now?" Saben asked, tears brimming in his wide eyes.Scarface sighed, standing and turning to one of his men. "Keep an eye on him," he muttered. "We don't need any complications.Half an hour later.The ride to the warehouse was heavy, filled with unspoken fears and prayers. Benedict's hand lay lightly ove
Benedict heard her cry and turned around to see the scene unfolding. His blood ran cold, and without hesitation, he bolted toward the van."Let him go!" Sabrina shouted, tears falling down her face as she stretched for her son.Benedict tackled Scarface, throwing a punch that sent the man backward. But the wiry man pushed Saben into the van and jumped in after him. The engine roared to life and sped away leaving Benedict and Sabrina behind, destroyed."No!" Sabrina fell on her knees weeping.Benedict pulled her into his arms, his own face pale with anguish. “We’ll get him back,” he said, his voice trembling but resolute. “I swear, Sabrina, we’ll get our son back.”Please tell me!" she was crying, clutching at Benedict as great sobs shook her. She felt as though some tremendous hammer had hit her on the chest, breathed out her breath, shattered her. "He is only a little boy," she moaned. "What if they harm him? What if—"They won't," Benedict interrupted firmly, though his own voice fa
Clara paced up and down in the faintly lit warehouse, with her heels clicking on cold concrete. The place smelled wet and oily, and an erratic light above cast fearful shadows on the walls.Standing around her were the men she had hired-tough, rough-looking fellows who asked no questions but cared about the money she promised.She stopped, glaring at them with the intensity of a woman scorned. "Do you all understand the plan?" she demanded, her voice sharp and commanding.One of the men nodded, a burly fellow with a scar running down his cheek. "Yeah. We grab the kid during his playtime at the park tomorrow. No witnesses, no mistakes."Clara narrowed her eyes, stepping closer to him. “Good. But let me be very clear—this is not a game. That child is the key to my revenge. Do not fail me.”The man smirked, seemingly unfazed by her threatening tone. “Don’t worry, lady. We’ve done this before.”Clara turned away, her mind racing with thoughts of vengeance. For years, she had been consumed
One evening, when the setting sun painted the sky with soft hues of orange and pink, Benedict realized it was time to do something more to prove himself to Sabrina. Though he had been patient in giving her space, as she needed it, he felt the load of time. He wanted her to know that this was not a joke; he had serious intentions about them-that is, rebuilding their family. He fussed in front of the mirror over the knotting of his tie. Tonight had to be flawless; tonight was only one stop on the journey for that future he was setting to build with her.He took a deep breath and checked his time; his message was sent-simple as could be: "Would you go on a date with me? A real one this time. Just the two of us. I'll take care of everything. Sabrina’s response came a few minutes later: “Okay, Benedict. I’ll be there.” The thrill of anticipation coursed through him. It wasn’t just another dinner or a casual outing. This was his chance to show her that he was committed to more than just bei
"Everyone has a breaking point," she said to herself, a fierce determination in her voice. "And I’ll find theirs. With a steadying breath, she reached for her phone and dialed a number she hadn’t called in years.When someone finally picked up, she spoke in a chilling, calculated tone. "I need your help," she said. "It's personal, and I'm willing to pay—no questions asked." Then, there was a silence before the voice responded with, "What are you looking for?" Clara's obsession had finally peaked and had reached its dangerous point where all the calculated moves were going into desperation. She was storming around her apartment, with her anger barely under control. Her fingers tapped out on her phone as she scrolled through contacts with fury. "I need someone ruthless," she whispered to herself, narrowing her eyes at the number. Dialing fast, she tapped her foot impatiently. When the line clicked, a gruff voice answered, "Who is this?""It's Clara Hemp," she said coldly. "I have a job f
That evening, as they went back in the house, Benedict extended his hand toward Sabrina. She was hesitant for that moment, between uncertainty and hope, and then let her fingers intertwine with his. But warmth of his touch sent down shivers on her spine, reviving long buried feelings. The house was silent, the only sounds coming from the refrigerator humming in the kitchen and the gentle patter of Saben playing with his toys in the living room. Benedict looked into Sabrina's eyes; they were filled with warmth. "Thanks for trusting me today," he whispered softly."I know it's not easy."Sabrina sat there in silence, feeling the full weight of his words. She just looked at their joined hands and felt this nostalgic feeling. She was reminiscing about the early days when they were together and their relationship so carefree and easygoing. It included all of the laughter and whispering promises but how he looked at her as if she was the world. "Benedict," she started, her voice breaking."I
But even as regret flickered in her heart, Clara's pride refused to let her admit defeat. Every failure only fueled her desperation, and her obsession with Benedict and Sabrina grew darker. If she couldn't have Benedict, then she would ensure he couldn't be happy with Sabrina. She planned something ugly in her mind to spoil the fragile peace. Her hatred was a clouding judgment that she convinced herself that she had nothing left to lose.Sabrina and Saben became the obstacles on her path to vengeance, and she intended to remove them. Week after week passed since Clara stalked Sabrina, Benedict, and Saben, watching their daily habits through school drop-offs, a family outing, seeing him chuckle with Saben and hold Sabrina's hand. The sight alone inflamed her blood with those moments. It wasn't envy; it was something within herself-a sore that she could never seem to let heal. One evening, Clara sat in her dimly lit apartment, pouring over photos she had secretly taken. Images of the ha
As Clara stormed out, defeated, Sabrina turned to Benedict. She saw, for the first time, not the man who had hurt her but the man who had grown-a man who was willing to fight, to change, and to put his family above everything else. His transformation was undeniable, and in his eyes, she saw sincerity and regret mingled with hope. For a moment, the weight of their shared past pressed down on her chest, but alongside it came a newfound lightness. She didn't fully trust him yet, but she couldn't deny the shift in her heart.The walls she had built so carefully were beginning to crumble—not in an explosion of emotion, but in slow, deliberate cracks that allowed just enough room for forgiveness to seep through. He looked into her, his expression relaxing. "Sabrina," he murmured softly, coming closer. "Thank you for sticking up for me out there. I know that was no easy feat." "Yes,Sabrina." she said in barely audible tones, her voice strained with emotion. "But it wasn't just about you. It